RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-030491 filed on February 26, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a connector assembly.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Conventionally, a connector has been used to connect a flexible flat cable to a circuit board. A plurality of conductor pads are exposed at the end of the cable. The connector has a plurality of terminals that come into contact with each of the plurality of conductor pads.

[0004] Prior Art Documents : Patent Documents : Patent Document 1 : Japanese Unexamined Patent Application 2017-228416 and Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application 2016-46157.

SUMMARY

[0005] If a circuit board is used in an environment exposed to the outside air, condensation may form inside the connector due to changes in temperature. Moisture resulting from condensation can cause a reduction in insulation between two adjacent conductor pads.

[0006] A method of supplying resin to the inside and outside of the connector at the portion where the conductor pads are provided to block outside air to prevent reduction in insulative properties due to condensation is available. However, this method increases the work involved in connecting the flat cable to the circuit board. Also, even if the outside air is blocked, completely preventing condensation in the connector is difficult.

[0007] The connector proposed in the present disclosure has a housing having an insertion path into which a flat cable having a first surface on which a plurality of conductor lines aligned in a first direction are formed can be inserted in a second direction, and a plurality of partition portions aligned in the first direction, formed of an elastic material. Each of the plurality of partition portions is arranged along the insertion path, is contactable to the first surface when the flat cable is inserted into the insertion path, and is positioned between two adjacent conductor lines. This connector prevents reduction in insulation between two adjacent conductor lines formed on a flat cable.

[0008] The connector assembly proposed in the present disclosure includes a first connector having a housing with an insertion path into which a flat cable having a first surface on which a plurality of conductor lines aligned in a first direction are formed can be inserted in a second direction, and a second connector having a housing retaining a plurality of terminals respectively aligned in the first direction and in contact with the plurality of conductor lines. One of the first connector and the second connector has a plurality of partition portions that are aligned in the first direction and formed of an elastic material, and each of the plurality of partition portions is arranged along the insertion path and positioned between two adjacent terminals of the plurality of terminals when the first connector and the second connector are connected. This connector assembly prevents reduction in insulation between two adjacent conductor lines formed on a flat cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a connector assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. IB is a plan view of the connector assembly illustrated in FIG. 1A.

[0011] FIG. 1C is a cross section view along line Ic-Ic in FIG. IB.

[0012] FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an example of a connector according to the present disclosure. [0013] FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 2A.

[0014] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 2A facing diagonally from the front side.

[0015] FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the connector obtained along the line Ild-IId illustrated in FIG. 2C.

[0016] FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of the connector obtained along the line Ile-IIe illustrated in FIG. 2D.

[0017] FIG. 2F is a cross-sectional view of the connector obtained along the line Ilf-IIf illustrated in FIG. 2F.

[0018] FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating a second example of a connector assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a first connector of the connector assembly illustrated in FIG. 3A.

[0020] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the first connector and a second connector of the connector assembly illustrated in FIG. 3A.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a modified example of the connector assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 A.

[0022] FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a first connector of an additional third example of a connector assembly proposed in the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the first connector illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0024] FIG. 5C is a connector cross-sectional view obtained along the line Vc-Vc illustrated in FIG. 5B.

[0025] FIG. 5D is a connector cross-sectional view obtained along the line Vd-Vd illustrated in FIG. 5C.

[0026] FIG. 6 A is a perspective view illustrating a fourth example of a connector assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of a second connector of the connector assembly illustrated in FIG. 6A.

[0028] FIG. 6C is a plan view of the connector assembly illustrated in FIG. 6A.

[0029] FIG. 6D is a connector cross-sectional view obtained along the line VId-VId illustrated in FIG. 6C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0030] The connector assembly proposed in this disclosure is described below. Hereinafter, an XI direction and X2 direction illustrated in FIG. 1, and the like are respectively referred to as a right direction and left direction, a Y1 direction and Y2 direction are respectively referred to as a frontward direction and backward direction, and a Z1 direction and Z2 direction are respectively referred to as an upward direction and downward direction. These directions are defined to describe the relative positioning of the parts of the connector and connector assembly, and do not limit their orientation when the connector and connector assembly are mounted on other devices.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the connector assembly 1A may have a first connector 10A and a second connector 60A. The first connector 10A and the second connector 60A may be mated in a front-to-back direction.

[0032] A flat cable is inserted into the first connector 10A. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1A, two flat cables 90A and 90B are inserted into the first connector 10A. The two flat cables 90A and 90B are arranged facing each other in the up-down direction. The number of flat cables attached to the first connector 10A may be either one or more than two as well. Also, the posture (orientation) of the flat cables 90A and 90B is not limited to the example described here. For example, the two flat cables 90A and 90B may be arranged with the same orientation. (In other words, both of the conductor pads 91a described below of the two flat cables 90A and 90B may face downward or upward.)

[0033] Flat cables 90A and 90B include, for example, a flexible cable (Flexible Flat Cable), a flexible circuit board (Flexible Printed Circuit), and a rigid circuit board (Printed Circuit Board). [0034] Flat cables 90A and 90B have a plurality of conductor lines 91 on one side of the base material thereof that are aligned in the left-right direction (first direction) (FIG. 2F). As illustrated in FIG. 2F, the flat cables 90A and 90B have a coating layer 92 covering the conductor lines 91. Each conductor line 91 has a conductor pad 91a at the end thereof, which is exposed through the coating layer 92. Terminals 61 and 62 (see FIG. 1C) of the second connector 60A come into contact with the conductor pads 91a. Also, the flat cables 90A and 90B may have a reinforcement plate 93 (see FIG. 2A) at the end thereof. Note, the positions of the conductor pads 91a adjacent in the left-right direction illustrated in FIG. 2F may be shifted or staggered in the front-to-back direction.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the flat cables 90A and 90B may have an engaging portion 93a. The engaging portion 93a is, for example, a recess formed on the left and right edges of the reinforcement plate 93. A housing 11 may have an engaging portion 1 In that engages with the engaging portion 93a.

[0036] The second connector 60A is a connector that is mounted on a circuit board (not shown). The connector assembly 1A may be used to connect the flat cables 90A and 90B to the circuit board. The first connector 10A and the second connector 60A may be mated in a direction parallel to the circuit board.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the second connector 60A has a plurality of terminals 61 and 62 and a housing 63 for retaining the terminals 61 and 62. The plurality of terminals 61 and plurality of terminals 62 are aligned in the left-right direction. Unlike the example described here, the second connector 60A may have one type of terminal, or more than two types as well.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1C, terminals 61 and 62 may have a connecting part 61a and 62a, respectively, for connecting to a conducting portion formed on the circuit board. The connecting part 61a of terminal 61 is located at the front side of the housing 63 (opposite the first connector 10A) of the second connector 60A, and the connecting part 62a of terminal 62 is located at the back side of the housing 63 (first connector 10A side). The terminals 61 and 62 may have elastic portions 61b, 61c, 62b, and 62c that extend toward the back (first connector 10A side). The terminal 61 may have two elastic portions 61b and 61c, and the terminal 62 may also have two elastic portions 62b and 62c. The elastic portions 61b and 61c have contact portions 61e and 6 If at the back portions thereof for contacting the conductor pads 91a of the flat cable 90A. The elastic portions 62b and 62c have contact portions 62e and 62f at the back portions thereof for contacting the conductor pads 91a of the flat cable 90B.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the housing 63 may be open toward the back (first connector 10A side). The housing 63 may have a plurality of mating portions 63a inside the opening, aligned in the left-right direction. The upper part of each mating portion 63 a may have a groove formed in which the elastic portions 61b and 61c of the terminal 61 are placed, and the lower part of each mating portion 63 a may have a groove formed in which the elastic portions 62b and 62c of the terminal 62 are placed. The plurality of mating portions 63a each fit into the mating holes S3 (see FIG. 2C) of the first connector 10A, which will be described later.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the first connector 10A has a housing 11. The housing 11 has insertion paths S 1 and S2 (see FIG. 2D) into which the flat cables 90A and 90B can be inserted. The portions of the flat cables 90A and 90B where the reinforcement plates 93 (see FIG. 2A) are provided may be inserted into the insertion paths SI and S2. (In the following, the portion to be inserted into the insertion paths SI and S2 is referred to as the inserted part 90a.)

[0041] A plurality of insertion paths SI and S2 may be formed in the housing 11. In the example illustrated in the diagram, the housing 11 has an insertion path S 1 formed in the upper part thereof and an insertion path S2 formed in the lower part thereof (see FIG. 2D). The number of insertion paths formed in the housing 11 corresponds to the number of flat cables. For example, the number of insertion paths formed in the housing 11 may be one or more than two as well.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1 A, the housing 11 may have a locked to portion 1 lk. In the example illustrated in the diagram, the housing 11 has a locked to portion 1 lk on the right side and the left side thereof. The housing 63 of the second connector 60A may have a locking portion that engages with the locked to portion 1 lk and prevents separation of the first connector 10A and the second connector 60A.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the first connector 10A may have a plurality of partition portions 12ma and 12mb, which are arranged along the insertion paths S 1 and S2 and aligned in the left-right direction. In the example illustrated in the diagram, the first connector 10A has an elastic body 12. The partition portions 12ma and 12mb can be part of the elastic body 12. The elastic body 12 is formed of an elastic material, such as elastomer, silicone, or rubber.

[0044] The partition portions 12ma and 12mb face one side of the flat cables 90A and 90B (specifically, the side where the conductor pads 91a are exposed). As illustrated in FIG. 2E, the partition portion 12ma located along the insertion path SI may be located at the bottom of the insertion path SI, and the partition portion 12mb located along the insertion path S2 may be located at the top of the insertion path S2.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 2F, the partition portion 12ma is located between two adjacent conductor lines 91 of the flat cable 90A. More specifically, the partition portion 12ma is located between the conductor pads 91a of two adjacent conductor lines 91. In the state where the first connector 10A and the second connector 60A are mated, the partition portion 12ma is located between two adjacent terminals 61. When the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A is placed in the insertion path SI, the partition portion 12ma is pressed against the inserted part 90a and deforms elastically. With this structure, even if condensation occurs in the housing 11, electrical connection of two adjacent conductor lines 91 can be suppressed without special processing of the flat cable or enlargement of the connector.

[0046] The partition portion 12mb located along the insertion path S2 is located between the conductor pads 91a of the two adjacent conductor lines 91 on the flat cable 90B similar to the partition portion 12ma. When the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B is placed in the insertion path S2, the partition portion 12mb is pressed against the inserted part 90a and deforms elastically. (In the following, the sign 12m is used for the partition portion in the description common to the partition portion 12ma and the partition portion 12mb.)

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 2F, the partition portion 12m has a front end (the end on the second connector 60A side) 12b and a back end 12c. When the inserted part 90a of the flat cables 90A and 90B are placed in the insertion paths S 1 and S2, the position of the conductor pads 91a in the front-to-back direction is between the front end 12b and the back end 12c. In other words, the partition portion 12m has a portion located in front of the front edge of the conductor pads 91a and a portion located behind the back end of the conductor pads 91a. This effectively suppresses electrical connection of two adjacent conductor lines 91 due to condensation.

[0048] In the state where the first connector 10A and the second connector 60A are mated, the position of the contact portions 61e, 6 If, 62e, and 62f of the terminals 61 and 62 in the front-to-back direction is between the front end 12b and the back end 12c of the partition portion 12m.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 2F, the back end 12c of the partition portion 12m is farther back from the conductor pads 91a, and the distance in the front-to- back direction between the back end 12c and the conductor pads 91a is greater than the distance between a front edge 90b of the flat cable 90A and the front end 12b of the partition portion 12m. This effectively suppresses the back part of the two adjacent conductor lines 91 from connecting due to condensation. The position of the back end 12c should be set so that the distance between the back end of the conductor pads 91a and the back end 12c of the partition portion 12m is greater than the distance in the left-right direction between adjacent conductor pads 91a. In addition to the aforementioned effects, this enables the distance between adjacent conductor pads 91a, in other words, the creepage distance and clearance distance between adjacent conductor pads 91a, to be further increased, avoiding the partition portion 12m.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 2F, the front end 12b of the partition portion 12m is located further forward than the front edge 90b of the flat cable 90A. This more reliably suppresses the front end of the two adjacent conductor lines 91 from connecting due to condensation.

[0051] In the first connector 10A, the back ends 12c of the two adjacent partition portions 12m are not connected and are open to the back.

Unlike the first connector 10A, the elastic body 12 may have a portion that connects the back ends 12c of two adjacent partition portions 12m. (In the following, this part is referred to as the "back sealing portion.") Each conductor pad 91a may be surrounded by two adjacent partition portions 12ma and the back sealing portion. Similar to the partition portion 12m, the back sealing portion may be pressed against and elastically deformed by the inserted part 90a of the flat cables 90A and 90B when the inserted part 90a is placed in the insertion paths S 1 and S2.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 2D, the housing 11 has an upper wall portion 11a that faces the upper surface of the upper flat cable 90A. The distance D1 between the upper wall portion 11a and the partition portion 12ma in the vertical direction, which is the thickness direction of the flat cable 90A, is smaller than the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A. (In this description, the distance D1 is the distance between the top of the partition portion 12ma and the bottom of the upper wall portion 1 la.) Therefore, when the operator inserts the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A into the insertion path SI, the inserted part 90a contacts the lower surface of the upper wall portion 11a, and the partition portion 12ma is pressed against the lower surface of the inserted part 90a, causing elastic deformation.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 2D, the housing 11 has a lower wall portion 1 lb that faces the lower surface of the lower flat cable 90B. The distance between the lower wall portion 1 lb and the partition portion 12mb is also smaller than the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B. Therefore, when the operator inserts the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B into the insertion path S2, the inserted part 90a contacts the upper surface of the lower wall portion 1 lb, and the partition portion 12mb is pressed against the upper surface of the inserted part 90a, causing elastic deformation.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 2E, the partition portion 12m may have a sloped surface 12q at the back end thereof (the end 12c on the side that receives the flat cables 90A and 90B). With this sloped surface 12q, the work of inserting the flat cables 90A and 90B into the insertion paths S 1 and S2 can be simplified.

[0055] Unlike the first connector 10A, the distance D1 between the upper wall portions 1 la and 1 lb and the partition portion 12m may be the same as the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the flat cables 90A and 90B or larger than the thickness of the inserted part 90a. In this case, the connector assembly 1A may include a member that is attached to the housing 11 and presses one of the inserted part 90a and the partition portion 12m against the other. This structure reduces the friction between the partition portion 12m and the flat cables 90A and 90B during the insertion process of the flat cables 90A and 90B. The forms thereof will be discussed in detail below.

[0056] The housing 11 is formed of a material that has a higher rigidity than the elastic body 12 of the partition portion 12m. As described above, the material of the elastic body 12 is an elastomer, silicone, rubber, or other elastic material. On the other hand, the housing 11 material can be any plastic, such as polycarbonate, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, liquid crystal polymers, and the like.

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the housing 11 has a supporting portion 1 lc. An insertion path SI is formed between the supporting portion 11c and the upper wall portion 11a. The insertion path S 1 opens to the back side and receives the flat cable 90A through this opening. Similarly, the insertion path S2 is formed between the supporting portion 1 lc and the lower wall portion 1 lb. The insertion path S2 opens to the back side and receives the flat cable 90B through this opening.

[0058] The partition portions 12ma and 12mb are supported by the supporting portion 11c. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E, the partition portion 12ma is located on the upper side (insertion path SI side) of the supporting portion 11c. A groove G1 extending along the front- to-back direction is formed on the upper side of the supporting portion 11c. The partition portion 12ma is placed in this groove Gl. The partition portion 12ma is supported by a highly rigid part (supporting portion 1 lc) when the flat cable 90A is inserted into the insertion path SI. As a result, contact pressure between the partition portion 12ma and the flat cable 90A can be sufficiently ensured.

[0059] A similar structure may be provided for the partition portion 12mb along the insertion path S2. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E, the partition portion 12mb along the insertion path S2 is located below the supporting portion 11c (insertion path S2 side). A groove Gl is formed on the lower side of the supporting portion 11c, and the partition portion 12mb is placed in this groove Gl.

[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the supporting portion 1 lc has a plurality of supporting walls 1 le aligned in the left-right direction at the front thereof (the portion on the second connector 60A side). A mating hole S3 is formed between the two adjacent supporting walls lie. The groove Gl formed in the supporting portion 11c may continue from the front to the back of the supporting portion 11c (supporting wall 1 le). In the example illustrated in the diagram, this groove Gl extends to the front of the housing 11 (front of the supporting wall 1 le). The front end 12b of the partition portion 12m is exposed to the front. Unlike the first connector 10A, the partition portion 12m does not necessarily have to be exposed in front of the supporting wall lie.

[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 2D, the supporting portion 1 lc has left and right side wall portions 1 lg in the groove G1 where the partition portion 12m is placed. The partition portion 12m is placed between these side wall portions 1 lg. With this structure, expansion of the partition portion 12m width is restricted, which makes it easier to ensure sufficient contact pressure between the partition portion 12m and the inserted part 90a. The same effect can be obtained by forming a groove in which the upper and lower grooves of the supporting portion 1 lc are integrated, in other words, forming a slit through the right side wall portion 1 lg and left side wall portion 1 lg in the vertical direction, forming an elastic body 12 in the slit, and forming a partition portion 12m at the upper and lower ends of the elastic body 12.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 2D, the upper part of the partition portion 12ma along the insertion path SI is substantially triangular, and a gap El is secured between the upper part of the partition portion 12ma and the side wall portion 1 lg. The existence of this gap El allows for the necessary elastic deformation of the partition portion 12ma. Similarly, a gap is also secured between the lower part of the partition portion 12mb that is parallel to the insertion path S2 and the side wall portion 1 lg to allow the necessary elastic deformation of the partition portion 12mb.

[0063] The placement of the partition portion 12m is not limited to the example of the first connector 10A. For example, if the conductor pads 91a of the flat cable 90a are exposed on the upper surface of the flat cable 90a, the partition portion 12ma may be formed on the lower surface of the upper wall portion 1 la of the housing 11. Similarly, if the conductor pads 91a of the flat cable 90B are exposed on the bottom surface of the flat cable 90B, the partition portion 12mb may be formed on the bottom surface of the lower wall portion 1 lb of the housing 11. [0064] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, a plurality of partition portions 12m aligned in the left-right direction may be interconnected. According to this structure, manufacturing of the first connector 10A can be simplified by forming the plurality of partition portions 12m at the same time. In the example illustrated in the diagram, the elastic body 12 may have a transverse connection 12k that extends in the left-right direction and connects the plurality of partition portions 12m. The elastic body 12 has an extended portion 12d that extends backward from each partition portion 12m and reaches the back surface of the supporting portion 11c. The transverse connection 12k may, for example, connect the back ends of the extended portions 12d that are aligned in the left-right direction.

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the elastic body 12 may further have a vertical connection 12P. The vertical connection 12P may, for example, connect the plurality of partition portions 12ma to the transverse connection 12k, and may connect the plurality of partition portions 12mb to the transverse connection 12k. In the example illustrated in the diagram, the elastic body 12 has a vertical connection 12P at the center in the left-right direction. Therefore, regarding the first connector 10A, all the partition portions 12ma and 12mb are interconnected. This further simplifies manufacturing of the first connector 10A, since all the partition portions 12m can be formed at once.

[0066] The elastic body 12 may be formed in the housing 11 using two-color molding. In other words, the housing 11 may be molded in the primary mold, and then the housing 11 may be placed in the secondary mold, and the elastic body 12 may be molded using that secondary mold. In this manner, the first connector 10A can be molded efficiently.

[0067] To achieve such two-color molding, the supporting portion 1 lc of the housing 11 may have grooves G1 extending in the front-to-back direction to form the partition portion 12m and the extended portion 12d, grooves G2 extending in the left-right direction to form the transverse connection 12k, and grooves G3 connecting the upper groove G2 and the lower groove G2 and forming the vertical connection 12p, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. These grooves Gl, G2, and G3 may be interconnected. The inner surface of each groove Gl, G2, and G3 may have concave or convex portions in order to securely support the elastic body 12 in the groove (to prevent separation of the elastic body 12 from the groove).

[0068] Unlike the first connector 10A, the elastic body 12 may be formed separately from the housing 11 and attached to the supporting portion 1 lc. In this case, the elastic body 12 can be adhered to the supporting portion 1 lc or have a portion that engages with the housing 11 (in other words, a tab).

[0069] Unlike the connector assembly 1A illustrated in FIG. 1A or the like, the connector assembly may include a pressing member that presses the flat cables 90A and 90B toward the partition portion 12ma and 12mb. In this case, an opening may be formed in the upper wall portion 11a and 1 lb of the housing 11 to fit this pressing member. When the pressing member is attached to the housing 11, the partition portion 12m may be pressed against the flat cables 90A and 90B and elastically deformed. With this structure, the height of the insertion paths S 1 and S2 in the thickness direction of the flat cables 90A and 90B can be increased. As a result, friction between the flat cables 90A and 90B and the partition portion 12m can be reduced when the flat cables 90A and 90B are inserted.

[0070] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C illustrate the connector assembly IB as an example of a connector assembly with this manner of structure. In the connector assembly IB, the second connector 60B is used as a pressing member. In the following, the focus is on the differences between the connectors 10A and 60A of the connector assembly 1A described with reference to FIG. 2A and the connectors 10B and 60B of the connector assembly IB. Items not described for connectors 10B and 60B may be the same as for connectors 10A and 60 A. [0071] The first connector 10B of the connector assembly IB has a housing 1 IB and an elastic body 12 having a partition portion 12m, similar to the first connector 10A illustrated in FIG. 2A and the like. An opening G5 may be formed in the upper wall portion 1 la of the housing 1 IB. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the upper wall portion 11a has a plurality of openings G5 that are aligned in the left- right direction, for example. The opening G5 is an elongated groove in the front-to- back direction. The positions of the plurality of openings G5 correspond to the positions of the plurality of partition portions 12ma. The opening G5 opens upward and forward, and the partition portion 12ma is exposed above the opening G5 as illustrated in FIG. 3b. The distance D1 between the upper wall portion 1 la and the partition portion 12ma (see FIG. 3B) may be substantially the same as the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A, or larger than the thickness of the inserted part 90a.

[0072] The lower wall portion 1 lb may have the same structure as the upper wall portion 1 la. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the lower wall portion lib may have a plurality of openings G6 that are aligned in the left-right direction. The positions of the plurality of openings G6 correspond to the positions of the plurality of partition portions 12mb. The opening G6 is open toward the bottom and front, and the partition portion 12mb is exposed below the opening G6. The distance between the lower wall portion 1 lb and the partition portion 12mb may also be substantially the same as the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90b, or greater than the thickness of the inserted part 90a.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the housing 63 of the second connector 60B may have a plurality of pressing portions 63b that are aligned in the left-right direction. The pressing portion 63b may be formed on the bottom surface of the upper wall portion 63d of the housing 63. The housing 63 may have a plurality of pressing portions 63c that are aligned in the left-right direction. The pressing portion 63c may be formed on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 63e of the housing 63. As illustrated in FIG. 3C, when the first connector 10B and the second connector 60B are mated, the upper pressing portion 63b fits into the opening G5 of the housing 1 IB, and the lower pressing portion 63c fits into the opening G6 of the housing 1 IB.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the distance D3 between the lower edge of the upper pressing portion 63b and the partition portion 12ma may be smaller than the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A. In this manner, the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A is pressed against the partition portion 12ma, and the partition portion 12ma elastically deforms. Similarly, the distance between the upper edge of the lower pressing portion 63c and the partition portion 12mb may be smaller than the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B. In this manner, the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B is pressed against the partition portion 12mb, and the partition portion 12mb elastically deforms.

[0075] The distance D3 between the lower edge of the upper pressing portion 63b and the partition portion 12ma is smaller than the distance D1 between the upper wall portion 1 la and the partition portion 12ma (see FIG. 3B). Similarly, the distance between the upper edge of the lower pressing portion 63c and the partition portion 12mb is smaller than the distance between the lower wall portion 1 lb and the partition portion 12mb.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the vertical distance D4 between the lower edge of the upper pressing portion 63b and the upper edge of the lower pressing portion 63c is smaller than the distance D5 between the upper edge of the upper partition portion 12ma and the lower edge of the lower partition portion 12mb plus the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the two flat cables 90A and 90B.

[0077] The location of the back end G5a (see FIG. 3C) of the upper opening G5 may be behind the back end of the conductor pads 91a (see FIG. 2F) of the flat cable 90A. In the state where the first connector 10B and the second connector 60B are mated (illustrated in FIG. 3C), the back end 63f of the upper pressing portion 63b may be behind the back end of the conductor pads 91a (see FIG. 2F). These positional relationships may also be applied to the back end G6a of the lower opening G6 and the back end 63g of the lower pressing portion 63c. [0078] In the example described with reference to FIG. 3A and others, the distance D1 (see FIG. 3B) between the upper wall portion 11a and the partition portion 12ma of the housing 11B is substantially the same as the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A or thicker than the inserted part 90a. On the other hand, the distance D1 may be smaller than the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A, as long as the distance is large enough to reduce the friction between the flat cable 90a and the partition portion 12ma when the flat cable 90A is inserted. This may also be true for the distance between the lower wall portion 1 lb of the housing 1 IB and the partition portion 12mb.

[0079] The structure of the pressing portions 63b and 63c is not limited to the example of the connector assembly IB illustrated in FIG. 3A, and the like. FIG. 4 illustrates a modified example of the pressing portion. FIG. 4 illustrates a connector assembly 1C having a pressing portion according to a modified example. In the following, the focus is on the differences between the connectors 10B and 60B of the connector assembly IB described with reference to FIG. 3A and the connectors IOC and 60C of the connector assembly 1C. Items not described for connectors IOC and 60C may be the same as for connectors 10B and 60B.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the housing 11C of the first connector IOC has an opening G7 in the upper wall portion 11a. The opening G7 is formed in such a way that the entire plurality of partition portions 12ma are exposed upward. In FIG. 4, the upper surface of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A connected to the first connector IOC is exposed through the opening G7. On the other hand, the housing 63 of the second connector 60C has a downward protruding pressing portion 63H on the upper wall portion 63d thereof. When the second connector 60C is mated with the first connector IOC, the pressing portion 63h fits into the opening G7. Furthermore, the pressing portion 63h pushes the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90a toward the plurality of partition portions 12ma. This causes the partition portions 12ma to press against the inserted part 90a and elastically deform. [0081] The housing 11C of the first connector IOC has an opening G8 in the lower wall portion 1 lb, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The opening G8 is formed to expose the entire plurality of partition portions 12mb downward. On the other hand, the housing 63 of the second connector 60C has a pressing portion 63i protruding upward on the lower wall portion 63e thereof. When the second connector 60C is mated with the first connector IOC, the pressing portion 63i engages with the opening G8. Furthermore, the pressing portion 63i pushes the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B toward the plurality of partition portions 12mb. This causes the partition portions 12mb to press against the inserted part 90a and elastically deform.

[0082] The elastic body 12 may be molded separately from the housing 11 and attached to the housing 11. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D illustrate the first connector 10D as an example of a first connector with such a structure. In the following, the differences between the first connector 10A described with reference to FIG. 2A and the like, and the first connector 10D illustrated in FIG. 5A and the like will be described. Items not described for connector 10D may be the same as for connector 10D.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the first connector 10D has a housing 1 ID and an elastic body 12D. The elastic body 12D may have a plurality of partition walls 12e that are aligned in the left-right direction. The partition portions 12ma and 12mb (see FIG. 5C) may be formed on the upper and lower edges of the partition wall 12e, respectively.

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the elastic body 12D may have a connecting vertical wall 12h that extends in the left-right direction and connects the back edges of the plurality of partition walls 12e. The elastic body 12D may also have a connecting horizontal wall 12f that extends in the left-right direction and connects the plurality of partition walls 12e. The connecting horizontal wall 12f may be formed, for example, to connect the center of the partition walls 12e in the vertical direction. The back edge of the connecting horizontal wall 12f is connected to the connecting vertical wall 12h. The connecting horizontal wall 12f and the connecting vertical wall 12h are substantially orthogonal. The partition walls 12e are substantially orthogonal to the connecting horizontal wall 12f and the connecting vertical wall 12h, respectively.

[0085] According to the structure of the elastic body 12D, the plurality of partition walls 12E are supported by two walls that are substantially orthogonal to each other. This results in more readily ensuring rigidity of the partition wall 12e. Furthermore, when the flat cables 90A and 90B are inserted into the insertion paths SI and S2 (see FIG. 5C) of the first connector 10D, and the partition portions 12ma and 12mb are pressed against the inserted part 90a of the flat cables 90A and 90B; flexure of the partition wall 12e can be suppressed. As a result, the contact pressure between the partition portions 12ma and 12mb and the flat cables 90A and 90B can be sufficiently ensured.

[0086] The housing of the second connector (not shown) that connects to the first connector 10D has a plurality of mating portions that fit into the mating holes S4 and S5 (see FIG. 5B) enclosed by the partition wall 12e and the connecting horizontal wall 12f. Regarding the second connector, the elastic portions 61b and 61c of the terminals 61 may be located in the mating portion that fits into the upper mating holes S4, and the elastic portions 62b and 62c of the terminals 62 may be located in the mating portion that fits into the lower mating holes S5.

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5D, the elastic body 12 may have a back sealing portion 12j formed on the upper and lower edges of the connecting vertical wall 12h, in addition to the partition portions 12ma and 12mb formed on the upper and lower edges of the partition wall 12e. The back sealing portion 12j formed on the upper edge of the connecting vertical wall 12h is connected to the back ends of two adjacent partition portions 12ma. As illustrated in FIG. 5D, when the flat cable 90A is inserted into the insertion path SI of the first connector 10D, the conductor pads 91a are surrounded by two adjacent partition portions 12ma and the back sealing portion 12j. Herein, the back sealing portion 12j, as well as the partition portion 12ma, is pressed against the inserted part 90a and elastically deforms. This suppresses the back portion of the two adjacent conductor pads 91a from connecting due to condensation. The back ends of the two adjacent partition portions 12mb may be connected to each other by the back sealing portion 12j formed on the lower edge of the connecting vertical wall 12h.

[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 5D, the front end 12b of the partition portion 12ma is located further forward than the front edge 90b of the flat cable 90A. This more reliably suppresses the front part of the two adjacent conductor pads 91a from connecting due to condensation. This is also true for the lower partition portions 12mb. In other words, the front end of the partition portions 12mb are located forward of the front edge of the flat cable 90B. The housing 1 ID may have a stopper portion on the interior thereof that specifies the position of the flat cables 90A and 90B in the front-to-back direction.

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the connecting horizontal wall 12f may have a guided portion 12g at the right and left ends thereof. The guided portion 12g may be the part of the elastic body 12 that protrudes to the right and left more than other parts of the elastic body 12 (for example, the connecting vertical wall 12h). On the other hand, the housing 1 ID has guide portions 1 li on the inner surface of the left and right side wall portions 1 lh. The guide portion 1 li is a concave portion that extends in the front-to-back direction, for example. The guided portion 12g engages with the guide portion 1 li. This allows the elastic body 12D to be supported inside the housing 11D.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the elastic body 12D has a stopped portion 121. The elastic body 12D is inserted inside the housing 1 ID from the front side of the housing 1 ID. The stopped portion 121 hooks onto the front edge of the housing 1 ID and sets the position of the elastic body 12D in the front-to-back direction. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the stopped portion 12i may be formed at the top and bottom of the front edge of each partition wall 12e, for example. The front edge of the housing 1 ID may have a stopper portion 1 lj that engages with this stopped portion 12i.

[0091] Regarding the connector assemblies described so far, the first connectors 10A to 10D, to which the flat cables 90A and 90B are connected, are provided with partition portions 12ma and 12mb. Differing therefrom, partition portions can be provided in the second connector. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D illustrate connector assembly IE as an example of a connector assembly with such a structure. In the following, the differences between the connector assembly described so far and the connector assembly IE illustrated in FIG. 6A, and the like will be described. Items not described for connector assembly IE may be the same as for the connector assemblies described so far.

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the connector assembly IE has a first connector 10E and a second connector 60E. The first connector 10E is a connector that is attached to the end of the flat cables 90A and 90B. The second connector 60E may be a connector mounted on a circuit board, similar to the second connectors described so far.

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the first connector 10E has a housing 1 IE. A mating hole S6 is formed in the housing 1 IE. The bottom surface of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A and the upper surface of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B are exposed at the mating hole S6. As illustrated in FIG. 6D, the housing 1 IE has a cable supporting portion 11M on the side thereof. The inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A is retained between the cable supporting portion 11M and the upper wall portion 11a. Similarly, the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B is retained between the cable supporting portion 11m and the lower wall portion lib.

[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the housing 63E of the second connector 60E has a mating portion 63J on the inner side thereof. The mating portion 63j is the portion that engages with the mating hole S6 (see FIG. 6A) of the first connector 10E. The second connector 60E has terminals 61 and 62 (see FIG. 1C) that are aligned in the left-right direction. The mating portion 63j may have a plurality of grooves 63k (see FIG. 6D) in the upper part thereof where the elastic portions 61C and 6 Id (see FIG. 1C) of the terminals 61 are arranged. The mating portion 63j may have a plurality of grooves 63m (see FIG. 6D) in the lower part thereof where the elastic portions 62c and 62d (see FIG. 1C) of the terminals 62 are arranged.

[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 6D, the second connector 60E has insertion paths S7 and S8. The insertion path S7 may be formed between the mating portion 63j and the upper wall portion 63d of the housing 63E. On the other hand, the insertion path S8 may be formed between the mating portion 63j and the lower wall portion 63e of the housing 63E. The flat cables 90A and 90B are inserted into the insertion paths S7 and S8, respectively.

[0096] As described above, regarding the connector assembly IE, the first connector 10E is attached to the end portions of the flat cables 90A and 90B. As illustrated in FIG. 6D, the inserted part 90a of the upper flat cable 90A is arranged along the bottom surface of the upper wall portion 1 la of the housing 1 IE. The upper wall portion 1 la of the housing 1 IE and the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A are inserted into the insertion path S7 of the second connector 60E. On the other hand, the lower wall portion 1 lb of the housing 1 IE and the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B may be inserted into the insertion path S8 of the second connector 60E.

[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6D, the second connector 60E has an elastic body 64 (see FIG. 6B), which is formed of elastic material. The material of the elastic body 64 is the same as the elastic body 12, for example, elastomer, silicone, rubber, or the like. A plurality of partition portions 64ma and 64mb are formed in the elastic body 64.

[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 6D, the plurality of partition portions 64ma are aligned in the left-right direction and are arranged along the insertion path S7. The plurality of partition portions 64ma are formed in the upper part of the mating portion 63j of the housing 63. Each partition portion 64ma is arranged between two adjacent terminals 61. When the first connector 10E and the second connector 60E are mutually mated, each partition portion 64ma faces the bottom surface of the flat cable 90A (the surface where the conductor pads 91a are exposed) and is arranged between the two adjacent conductor lines 91 (more specifically, the conductor pads 91a). This enables the partition portions 64ma to prevent two adjacent conductor pads 91a from being connected due to condensation.

[0099] The plurality of partition portions 64mb are also aligned in the left- right direction and arranged along the insertion path S8, similar to the partition portions 64ma. A plurality of partition portions 64mb are formed in the lower part of the mating portion 63j of the housing 63. Each partition portion 64mb is located between two adjacent terminals 62. When the first connector 10E and the second connector 60E are mutually mated, each partition portion 64mb faces the upper surface of the flat cable 90B (the surface where the conductor pads 91a are exposed) and is arranged between the two adjacent conductor lines 91 (more specifically, the conductor pads 91a). This enables the partition portion 64mb to prevent the two adjacent conductor pads 91a from connecting due to condensation.

[0100] When the first connector 10E and the second connector 60E are mutually mated, the positional relationship between the partition portions 64ma and 64mb and the conductor pads 91a in the front- to-back direction may be the same as the positional relationship between the partition portions 12ma and 12mb and the conductor pads 91a described with reference to FIG. 2F. In other words, the position of the conductor pads 91a in the front-to-back direction may be between the front and back ends of the partition portions 64ma and 64mb. The position of the contact portions 61e, 6 If, 62e, 62f of terminals 61 and 62 in the front-to-back direction may be between the front and back ends of the partition portions 64ma and 64mb. [0101] When the first connector 10E and the second connector 60E are mutually mated, the distance D6 between the upper wall portion 1 la of the housing 1 IE and the partition portion 64ma may be smaller than the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90A. (In this description, the distance D6 is the distance between the top of the partition portion 64ma and the bottom of the upper wall portion 1 la.) With this structure, when the operator connects the first connector 10E and the second connector 60E, the partition portion 64ma is pressed against the bottom surface of the inserted part 90a and elastically deforms.

Similarly, the distance between the lower wall portion 1 lb of the housing 1 IE and the partition portion 64mb may be smaller than the thickness of the inserted part 90a of the flat cable 90B.

[0102] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the plurality of partition portions 64ma and 64mb may be interconnected. According to this structure, the manufacturing of the second connector 60E can be facilitated. In the example illustrated in the diagram, the elastic body 64 has a vertical connection 64b that connects the back ends of the two partition portions 64ma and 64mb that face each other in the vertical direction. The elastic body 64 has a transverse connection 64c that connects a plurality of vertical connections 64b that are aligned in the left-right direction. This connects the entire plurality of partition portions 64ma and 64mb of the second connector 60E.

[0103] The elastic body 64 may be formed into the housing 63E by two-color molding. In other words, the housing 63E may be molded in a primary mold, and then the housing 63E may be placed in a secondary mold, and the secondary mold may be used to mold the elastic body 64. In this manner, the second connector 60E can be efficiently molded.

[0104] In order to achieve such two-color molding, the mating portion 63j of the housing 63E may have a groove FI (see FIG. 6D) extending in the front-to-back direction and forming the partition portions 64ma and 64mb, a groove F2 extending in the vertical direction and forming the vertical connection 64b, and a groove F3 extending in the left-right direction and forming the transverse connection 64c, as illustrated in FIG. 6B. And these grooves FI, F2, and F3 are connected to each other.

[0105] Unlike the second connector 60E, the elastic body 64 may be formed separately from the housing 63E and attached to the mating portion 63j. In this case, the elastic body 64 can be adhered to the mating portion 63j or have a portion (for example, a tab) that engages the housing 63E.

[0106] As described above, in the first connectors 10A, 10B, IOC, and 10D, the housings 11, 1 IB, 11C, and 1 ID have insertion paths S 1 and S2 into which the flat cables 90A and 90B can be inserted. The connectors 10A, 10B, IOC, and 10D have a plurality of partition portions 12ma and 12mb, which are formed of elastic material. The partition portions 12ma and 12mb are arranged along the insertion paths SI and S2. When the flat cables 90A and 90B are inserted into the insertion paths SI and S2, the partition portions 12ma, 12mb, and 64ma are positioned between two adjacent conductor lines 91. Regarding the second connector 60E, the housing 63E has insertion paths S7 and S8 into which the flat cables 90A and 90B can be inserted. The second connector 60E has a plurality of partition portions 64ma and 64mb, which are formed of elastic material. The partition portions 64ma and 64mb are arranged along the insertion paths S7 and S8. When the flat cables 90A and 90B are inserted into the insertion paths S7 and S8, the partition portions 64ma and 64mb are positioned between two adjacent conductor lines 91. With the connectors 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D, and 60E, the insulation between two adjacent conductor pads 91a formed on the flat cables 90A and 90B can be prevented from deteriorating due to condensation without special processing of the flat cable 90A and 90B or enlargement of the connector.

[0107] The connectors and connector assemblies proposed in this disclosure are not limited to the connectors 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D, and 60E, and connector assemblies 1A, IB, 1C, and IE described above, and may be modified in various ways. [0108] For example, in the above description, the first connector and the second connector were connected in the direction along the circuit board where the second connector is mounted (more specifically, the front-to-back direction). However, the first connector and the second connector may be connected in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board on which the second connector is mounted.

[0109] In the above explanation, the second connector was a connector mounted on a circuit board. However, the connector assembly may have two first connectors to which the two flat cables are connected respectively, and a second connector. The two first connectors may then be connected to the second connector, electrically connecting the two flat cables. In other words, the second connector is not a connector that connects to the circuit board, but may be a relay connector that connects two flat cables. In this case, the partition portions that prevent degradation of the insulation between the conductor lines caused by condensation may be formed in the first connector or in the second connector.