Connector and connector assembly

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2015-190812 filed Sep. 29, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

This invention relates to a connector having a female screw. In addition, this invention relates to a connector assembly comprising the aforementioned connector and a mating connector having a male screw member.

As shown in FIGS. 67 and 68 , a connector 900 of JPU 3113056 (Patent Document 1) comprises contacts 910 , a holding member 920 and a shell 930 . Specifically, the holding member 920 holds the contacts 910 , and the shell 930 covers the holding member 920 . The shell 930 is provided with three plate-like portions 940 . Each of the plate-like portions 940 is formed with a female screw portion 950 .

When the connector 900 is actually used, the connector 900 having the female screw portions 950 is arranged in a housing of an electronic equipment. In the actual use of the connector 900 , foreign bodies might enter into the housing from the female screw portions 950 .

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector which has a female screw portion and which can prevent foreign bodies from entering into a housing when the connector is actually used.

One aspect (first aspect) of the present invention provides a connector mountable on a mount object in an up-down direction and connectable with a mating connector along a predetermined direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The mating connector comprises a mating fitting portion and a male screw member. The mating fitting portion has a mating contact. The connector comprises a fitting portion and a screw end accommodation portion. The fitting portion is mateable with the mating fitting portion. The fitting portion has a contact which is brought into contact with the mating contact when the fitting portion is mated with the mating fitting portion. The male screw member has an end in the predetermined direction. The screw end accommodation portion defines an accommodation space which accommodates the end of the male screw member when the connector is connected with the mating connector. The screw end accommodation portion has at least a front surface portion, an upper surface portion, a rear surface portion and an outer surface portion. The front surface portion is provided with a female screw portion which is connectable with the male screw member. The rear surface portion faces the front surface portion in the predetermined direction. The accommodation space is positioned between the front surface portion and the rear surface portion in the predetermined direction. The upper surface portion faces an upper side of the accommodation space in the up-down direction. The outer surface portion faces outward in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the predetermined direction and the up-down direction.

Another aspect (second aspect) of the present invention provides a connector assembly comprising the connector of the first aspect and the mating connector. The front surface portion of the screw end accommodation portion functions as a female screw seat. In the predetermined direction, the mating connector is connectable with the connector along a first predetermined orientation and is removable from the connector along a second predetermined orientation opposite to the first predetermined orientation. The mating connector comprises a mating connector main, a male screw member and a screw holding member. The mating connector main is mateable with the fitting portion along the first predetermined orientation. The mating connector main has a mating contact which is brought into contact with the contact when the connector and the mating connector are connected with each other. The screw holding member holds the male screw member. The screw holding member has a male screw seat which is brought into contact with the female screw seat when the male screw member is connected with the female screw portion. The male screw seat faces in the first predetermined orientation. The screw holding member is attached to the mating connector main. The screw holding member is relatively movable with respect to the mating connector main in the predetermined direction.

The connector of the present invention comprises the screw end accommodation portion which accommodates the end of the male screw member when the male screw member is connected with the female screw portion. The screw end accommodation portion has the front surface portion, the rear surface portion and the outer surface portion. In addition, the screw end accommodation portion is positioned above the mount object such as a circuit board, or above a shell. In other words, either of the mount object and the shell is positioned below the screw end accommodation portion. Accordingly, foreign bodies can be prevented from entering into a housing through the female screw portion.

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.

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view showing a connector assembly which comprises a connector and a mating connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated connector and the illustrated mating connector are not connected with each other.

FIG. 2 is another top, perspective view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 1 . The illustrated connector and the illustrated mating connector are connected with each other.

FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a rear, perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a front view showing the connector of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the connector of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where the connector of FIG. 3 is arranged in a housing.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of FIG. 7 , taken along line A-A.

FIG. 9 is a top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 is an exploded, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 12 is a top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 9 and an alternative connecting object (alternative connector). The illustrated mating connector is connected with the alternative connector.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the mating connector and the alternative connecting object of FIG. 12 . In order to easily recognize outlines of the mating connector and the alternative connecting object, detailed illustration is omitted in the figure.

FIG. 14 is a top view showing the alternative connecting object of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the alternative connecting object of FIG. 14 . In order to easily recognize the outline of the alternative connecting object, detailed illustration is omitted in the figure.

FIG. 16 is a bottom, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 17 is another top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 18 is yet another top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 19 is still another top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 20 is a bottom, perspective view showing a mating connector main which is included in the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 21 is a view showing a positional relationship among each of first recesses, each of second recesses and each of positioning projections which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 9 . The positioning projections are accommodated in the first recesses, respectively.

FIG. 22 is a view showing another positional relationship among each of the first recesses, each of the second recesses and each of the positioning projections which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 9 . The positioning projections are accommodated in the second recesses, respectively.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional, perspective view showing a screw accommodation member which is included in the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 24 is a view showing a positional relationship between a male screw member and the screw accommodation member which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 25 is a view showing another positional relationship between the male screw member and the screw accommodation member which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 26 is a top, perspective view showing a mating connector according to a first modification.

FIG. 27 is a bottom, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 26 .

FIG. 28 is a front view showing the mating connector of FIG. 26 .

FIG. 29 is an exploded, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 26 .

FIG. 30 is another top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 26 .

FIG. 31 is a view showing a positional relationship among each of first recesses, each of second recesses and each of positioning projections which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 30 . The positioning projections are accommodated in the first recesses, respectively.

FIG. 32 is yet another top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 26 .

FIG. 33 is a view showing another positional relationship among each of the first recesses, each of the second recesses and each of the positioning projections which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 32 . The positioning projections are accommodated in the second recesses, respectively.

FIG. 34 is still another top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 26 .

FIG. 35 is a top, perspective view showing a mating connector according to a second modification.

FIG. 36 is a top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 35 .

FIG. 37 is a front view showing the mating connector of FIG. 36 .

FIG. 38 is an exploded, top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 35 .

FIG. 39 is an exploded, bottom, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 35 .

FIG. 40 is a view showing a positional relationship between a positioning projection and a positioning recess which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 35 .

FIG. 41 is another top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 35 .

FIG. 42 is a view showing another positional relationship between the positioning projection and the positioning recess which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 41 .

FIG. 43 is a top, perspective view showing a connector assembly which comprises a connector and a mating connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated connector and the illustrated mating connector are connected with each other.

FIG. 44 is another top, perspective view showing the connector assembly of FIG. 43 . The connector and the mating connector are not connected with each other.

FIG. 45 is a front, perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 43 .

FIG. 46 is a rear, perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 45 .

FIG. 47 is a front view showing the connector of FIG. 45 .

FIG. 48 is a rear view showing the connector of FIG. 45 .

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 45 .

FIG. 50 is an exploded, perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 45 .

FIG. 51 is a top, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 43 .

FIG. 52 is a front view showing the mating connector of FIG. 51 .

FIG. 53 is an exploded, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 51 .

FIG. 54 is a bottom, perspective view showing an upper part of a hood which is included in the mating connector of FIG. 51 .

FIG. 55 is a bottom, perspective view showing a screw holding member which is included in the connector of FIG. 51 .

FIG. 56 is a bottom, perspective view showing the upper part of the hood of FIG. 54 and the screw holding member of FIG. 55 .

FIG. 57 is another bottom, perspective view showing the upper part of the hood of FIG. 54 and the screw holding member of FIG. 55 .

FIG. 58 is a top, perspective view showing a mating connector according to a third modification.

FIG. 59 is a front view showing the mating connector of FIG. 58 .

FIG. 60 is an exploded, perspective view showing the mating connector of FIG. 58 .

FIG. 61 is another top, perspective views showing the mating connector of FIG. 58 .

FIG. 62 is a view showing a positional relationship between each of positioning projections and each of positioned portions which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 58 .

FIG. 63 is a view showing another positional relationship between each of the positioning projections and each of the positioned portions which are included in the mating connector of FIG. 58 .

FIG. 64 is a top, perspective view showing a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 65 is another top, perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 64 .

FIG. 66 is a front view showing the connector of FIG. 64 .

FIG. 67 is a front, perspective view showing a receptacle of Patent Document 1.

FIG. 68 is an exploded, rear, perspective view showing the receptacle of FIG. 66 .

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.

(First Embodiment)

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a connector assembly 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a connector 200 and a mating connector 400 . The connector 200 is a receptacle in accordance with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard. When the connector 200 is used, the connector 200 is mounted on a circuit board 850 as a mount object in an up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the up-down direction is a Z-direction. Specifically, a positive Z-direction is upward, and a negative Z-direction is downward. The mating connector 400 is a plug in accordance with the USB Type-C standard. As described later, the mating connector 400 comprises a mating fitting portion and male screw members 450 , and the mating fitting portion has mating contacts 440 . The mating fitting portion is described later. The mating connector 400 is connectable with the connector 200 along a first predetermined orientation in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. In addition, the mating connector 400 is removable from the connector 200 along a second predetermined orientation opposite to the first predetermined orientation in the predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the predetermined direction is an X-direction. Specifically, the first predetermined orientation is a positive X-direction, and the second predetermined orientation is a negative X-direction. Furthermore, the positive X-direction is rearward of the connector 200 , and the negative X-direction is forward of the connector 200 . In other words, the first predetermined orientation is rearward of the connector 200 , and the second predetermined orientation is forward of the connector 200 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the connector 200 comprises contacts 240 , a holding member 242 , a shell 244 and a screw fixing member 300 . The contacts 240 , the holding member 242 and the shell 244 form a fitting portion 210 which is mateable with the mating fitting portion. In other words, the connector 200 comprises the fitting portion 210 . The fitting portion 210 of the present embodiment has a receiving portion 220 which receives the mating fitting portion in the predetermined direction. As shown in FIG. 5 , the receiving portion 220 has an inner wall 230 in the predetermined direction. When the connector 200 is connected with the mating connector 400 , the contacts 240 are brought into contact with the mating contacts 440 , respectively. Specifically, when the fitting portion 210 is mated with the mating fitting portion, each of the contacts 240 is brought into contact with the corresponding mating contacts 440 . The holding member 242 holds the contacts 240 . The shell 244 surrounds the holding member 242 in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the screw fixing member 300 of the present embodiment is distinct and separated from the shell 244 . The screw fixing member 300 of the present embodiment comprises two screw end accommodation portions 310 and a coupling portion 330 . In other words, each of the screw end accommodation portions 310 of the present embodiment is formed as a part of the screw fixing member 300 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each of the screw end accommodation portions 310 may be formed as a part of the shell 244 . The aforementioned fitting portion 210 is positioned between the two screw end accommodation portions 310 in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the lateral direction is a Y-direction.

As understood from FIGS. 7 and 8 , the screw end accommodation portions 310 define accommodation spaces 320 which accommodate ends of the male screw members 450 , respectively, when the connector 200 is connected with the mating connector 400 . As understood from FIGS. 3 to 8 , each of the screw end accommodation portions 310 has a front surface portion 340 , an upper surface portion 344 , a rear surface portion 342 , an outer surface portion 346 , an inner surface portion 348 , a rear upper bent portion 360 , a front outside bent portion 362 and a front inside bent portion 364 .

As understood from FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 8 , the front surface portion 340 is provided with a female screw portion 380 which is connectable with the male screw member 450 . The front surface portion 340 functions as a female screw seat when the connector 200 and the mating connector 400 are connected with each other.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the rear surface portion 342 faces the front surface portion 340 in the predetermined direction. The rear surface portion 342 has a fixed portion 370 which is soldered to be fixed to the circuit board 850 when the connector 200 is mounted on the circuit board 850 . The accommodation space 320 is positioned between the front surface portion 340 and the rear surface portion 342 in the predetermined direction.

The upper surface portion 344 is positioned above the accommodation space 320 in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 4 , the upper surface portion 344 is connected with the rear surface portion 342 by the rear upper bent portion 360 . In the predetermined direction, a front edge 345 of the upper surface portion 344 faces the front surface portion 340 and is positioned slightly away from the front surface portion 340 . Accordingly, when a force is applied to the front surface portion 340 , the upper surface portion 344 can receive the force. In other words, the upper surface portion 344 reinforces the front surface portion 340 . In addition, the rear surface portion 342 , which is connected with the upper surface portion 344 , is fixed to the circuit board 850 by the fixed portion 370 . Thus, the front surface portion 340 is rigidly reinforced by the upper surface portion 344 .

As understood from FIGS. 3, 6 and 8 , the outer surface portion 346 is positioned outside the accommodation space 320 in the lateral direction and faces outward in the lateral direction. The front outside bent portion 362 connects the front surface portion 340 and the outer surface portion 346 with each other. In the up-down direction, the front outside bent portion 362 has a size same as a size of the front surface portion 340 . Accordingly, the front outside bent portion 362 has a resistance to a force which rotates the outer surface portion 346 in a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the up-down direction, the front outside bent portion 362 may have a size same as a size of the outer surface portion 346 instead of having a size same as the size of the front surface portion 340 .

The inner surface portion 348 is positioned outside the accommodation space 320 in the lateral direction and faces the outer surface portion 346 in the lateral direction. The front inside bent portion 364 connects the inner surface portion 348 and the front surface portion 340 with each other. In the up-down direction, the front inside bent portion 364 has a size same as a size of the front surface portion 340 . Accordingly, the front inside bent portion 364 has a resistance to a force which rotates the inner surface portion 348 in a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the up-down direction, the front inside bent portion 364 may have a size same as a size of the inner surface portion 348 instead of having a size same as the size of the front surface portion 340 .

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 , the coupling portion 330 is positioned above the shell 244 in the up-down direction and couples the screw end accommodation portions 310 with each other in the lateral direction. Specifically, the coupling portion 330 of the present embodiment couples upper ends of the inner surface portions 348 with each other in the lateral direction.

As described above, the accommodation space 320 shown in FIG. 8 is surrounded by the screw end accommodation portion 310 except for a lower part thereof. In addition, under a state where the connector 200 is mounted on the circuit board 850 , the circuit board 850 is partially positioned below each of the accommodation spaces 320 . Accordingly, even if foreign bodies enter into the connector 200 from the female screw portions 380 under a state where the connector 200 is not connected with the mating connector 400 , the foreign bodies have high probability to stay in the accommodation spaces 320 . Thus, foreign bodies can be prevented from entering into an inside of a housing 150 of an electronic equipment (not shown) in which the connector 200 is installed.

As understood from FIGS. 1, 2, 12 and 13 , the mating connector 400 of the present embodiment is connectable not only with the connector 200 of the present embodiment but also with a connecting object having a connector which does not have the female screw portions 380 . Hereinafter, the connecting object is referred to as “alternative connecting object 700 ”. Specifically, the alternative connecting object 700 is configured that an alternative connector 720 which corresponds to the connector 200 is arranged in a housing 710 of an electronic equipment (not shown). The alternative connector 720 is a receptacle which is in accordance with the USB Type-C standard and which does not have the female screw portion 380 . As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 , the alternative connector 720 comprises an alternative fitting portion 730 having a structure which corresponds to the fitting portion 210 of the connector 200 . As shown in FIG. 15 , the alternative fitting portion 730 has a receiving portion 740 which has an inner wall 750 in the predetermined direction.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 , the mating connector 400 comprises a mating connector main 410 , two male screw members 450 and a screw holding member 460 . The mating connector main 410 functions as the mating fitting portion as described above.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the mating connector main 410 of the present embodiment is positioned between the two male screw members 450 in the lateral direction. The mating connector main 410 comprises mating contacts 440 , a mating holding member 442 , a mating shell 444 and a hood 446 . As understood from FIGS. 5 and 10 , when the mating connector 400 and the connector 200 are connected with each other, the mating contacts 440 are brought into contact with the contacts 240 , respectively. As shown in FIG. 10 , the mating holding member 442 holds the mating contacts 440 . The mating shell 444 surrounds the mating holding member 442 . As understood from FIG. 9 , an end of the mating shell 444 in the second predetermined orientation is positioned inside the hood 446 . A relay board (not shown) or the like, which connects a cable 800 with the mating contacts 440 , is accommodated in the hood 446 . The cable 800 , which is connected to the relay board (not shown), extends from the hood 446 in the second predetermined orientation.

As shown in FIG. 9 , an end 412 of the mating connector main 410 forms an end portion 402 of the mating connector 400 in the first predetermined orientation. As understood from FIGS. 1, 12 and 14 , the mating connector main 410 is selectively mateable with any of the fitting portion 210 and the alternative fitting portion 730 along the predetermined direction. As understood from FIG. 1 , when the mating connector 400 is connected with the connector 200 , the mating connector main 410 is partially received in the receiving portion 220 of the fitting portion 210 .

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 20 , each of an upper surface 414 and a lower surface 416 of the mating connector main 410 is provided with a slide surface 418 , a first facing portion (facing portion) 420 and a second facing portion 422 . The first facing portion 420 is positioned beyond the second facing portion 422 in the first predetermined orientation. The second facing portion 422 is positioned beyond the first facing portion 420 in the second predetermined orientation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The slide surface 418 , the first facing portion 420 and the second facing portion 422 may be provided on only one of the upper surface 414 and the lower surface 416 of the mating connector main 410 . The slide surface 418 is positioned between the first facing portion 420 and the second facing portion 422 in the predetermined direction. The first facing portion 420 is a wall which is positioned at a side of the slide surface 418 in the first predetermined orientation and which stands in the up-down direction. The second facing portion 422 is a wall which is positioned at another side of the slide surface 418 in the second predetermined orientation and which stands in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, each of the slide surfaces 418 , the first facing portions 420 and the second facing portions 422 is formed on the hood 446 . In addition, each of the first facing portions 420 functions as a regulated portion as described later.

Each of the upper surface 414 and the lower surface 416 of the mating connector main 410 is provided with a first recess 430 and a second recess 432 which are positioned away from each other in the predetermined direction. The first recess 430 is positioned beyond the second recess 432 in the first predetermined orientation. The second recess 432 is positioned beyond the first recess 430 in the second predetermined orientation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first recess 430 and the second recess 432 may be provided on only one of the upper surface 414 and the lower surface 416 of the mating connector main 410 . In the present embodiment, the first recesses 430 and the second recesses 432 are formed on the slide surfaces 418 , respectively, of the hood 446 .

As understood from FIGS. 9 and 11 , the screw holding member 460 is attached to the mating connector main 410 . As shown in FIGS. 9 and 16 to 19 , the screw holding member 460 is relatively movable with respect to the mating connector main 410 along the predetermined direction between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position. The first predetermined position is positioned beyond the second predetermined position in the first predetermined orientation. The second predetermined position is positioned beyond the first predetermined position in the second predetermined orientation.

In detail, as shown in FIG. 11 , the screw holding member 460 of the present embodiment comprises two screw accommodation members 470 , an upper movable member 480 and a lower movable member 490 . As understood from FIGS. 9 and 11 , each of the upper movable member 480 and the lower movable member 490 couples the two screw accommodation members 470 with each other in the lateral direction. Each of the upper movable member 480 and the lower movable member 490 of the present embodiment principally has a plate-like shape. The upper movable member 480 of the present embodiment is provided with press-fit pieces 482 at opposite ends thereof in the lateral direction. The lower movable member 490 of the present embodiment is provided with press-fit pieces 492 at opposite ends thereof in the lateral direction. Each of the screw accommodation members 470 is provided with press-fit ditches 478 . The press-fit pieces 482 , 492 are press-fit into the press-fit ditches 478 , respectively. Accordingly, the two screw accommodation members 470 are coupled by each of the upper movable member 480 and the lower movable member 490 . As understood from FIGS. 1 and 16 , the upper movable member 480 and the lower movable member 490 sandwich the mating connector main 410 in the up-down direction. The upper movable member 480 is movable on the upper surface 414 of the mating connector main 410 in the predetermined direction. The lower movable member 490 is movable on the lower surface 416 of the mating connector main 410 in the predetermined direction. As understood from FIGS. 9, 11, 16 and 20 , specifically, the upper movable member 480 is slidable in the predetermined direction on the slide surface 418 which is positioned on an upper side of the mating connector main 410 in the up-down direction, and the lower movable member 490 is slidable in the predetermined direction on the slide surface 418 which is positioned on a lower side of the mating connector main 410 in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 11 , each of the upper movable member 480 and the lower movable member 490 has a first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 and a second abutment portion 510 . The first abutment portion 500 is positioned beyond the second abutment portion 510 in the first predetermined orientation. The second abutment portion 510 is positioned beyond the first abutment portion 500 in the second predetermined orientation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 and the second abutment portion 510 may be provided on only one of the upper movable member 480 and the lower movable member 490 . As understood from FIGS. 9 and 16 to 19 , in the present embodiment, the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 face the first facing portions 420 , respectively, in the predetermined direction. Each of the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 is positioned beyond the corresponding first facing portion 420 in the second predetermined orientation. The second abutment portions 510 face the second facing portions 422 , respectively, in the predetermined direction. Each of the second abutment portions 510 is positioned beyond the corresponding second facing portion 422 in the first predetermined orientation. Accordingly, each of the first facing portions 420 regulates a movement of the corresponding first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 beyond the first facing portion 420 in the first predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. Similarly, each of the second facing portions 422 regulates a movement of the corresponding second abutment portion 510 beyond the second facing portion 422 in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction.

As understood from above, the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 of the present embodiment function as regulating portions which correspond to the first facing portions (regulated portions) 420 , respectively. In detail, each of the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 is arranged to be positioned beyond the corresponding first facing portion (regulated portion) 420 in the second predetermined orientation and faces the corresponding first facing portion (regulated portion) 420 in the predetermined direction. Accordingly, each of the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 regulates a movement of the corresponding first facing portion (regulated portion) 420 beyond the regulating portion in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. In other words, the screw holding member 460 of the present embodiment is provided with the regulating portions each of which is arranged to be positioned beyond the corresponding regulated portion in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction and each of which faces the corresponding regulated portion in the predetermined direction. Each of the regulating portions regulates a movement of the corresponding regulated portion beyond the regulating portion in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction.

As shown in FIG. 11 , each of the upper movable member 480 and the lower movable member 490 has a spring portion 525 and a positioning projection 520 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. the spring portion 525 and the positioning projection 520 may be provided on only one of the upper movable member 480 and the lower movable member 490 . The spring portion 525 is resiliently deformable and supports the positioning projection 520 . The positioning projection 520 projects inward in the up-down direction. The positioning projection 520 is movable in the up-down direction by using resilience of the spring portion 525 . As understood from FIGS. 21 and 22 , the positioning projections 520 correspond to the first recesses 430 and the second recesses 432 , respectively, and each of the positioning projections 520 of the present embodiment rides over a section between the corresponding first recess 430 and the corresponding second recess 432 by using resilience of the spring portion 525 to be accommodated in any of the corresponding first recess 430 and the corresponding second recess 432 . Accordingly, each of the positioning projections 520 relatively positions the screw holding member 460 with respect to the mating connector main 410 in the predetermined direction.

As understood from FIGS. 9, 16, 17 and 21 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member 460 is positioned at the first predetermined position, each of the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 abuts against the corresponding first facing portion 420 while each of the positioning projections 520 is accommodated in the corresponding first recess 430 . In other words, pairs, each consisting of the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 and the first facing portion 420 , and pairs each consisting of the positioning projection 520 and the first recess 430 define the first predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 and the first facing portion 420 . In addition the first predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the positioning projection 520 and the first recess 430 . Furthermore, the first predetermined position may be defined by other means.

As understood from FIGS. 18, 19 and 22 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member 460 is positioned at the second predetermined position, each of the second abutment portions 510 abuts against the corresponding second facing portion 422 while each of the positioning projections 520 is accommodated in the corresponding second recess 432 . In other words, pairs, each consisting of the second abutment portion 510 and the second facing portion 422 , and pairs each consisting of the positioning projection 520 and the second recess 432 define the second predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The second predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the second abutment portion 510 and the second facing portion 422 . In addition, the second predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the positioning projection 520 and the second recess 432 . Furthermore, the second predetermined position may be defined by other means.

As understood from FIGS. 9, 11, 24 and 25 , the screw accommodation members 470 partially accommodate the male screw members 450 , respectively, and each of the screw accommodation members 470 holds the corresponding male screw member 450 . As shown in FIG. 23 , in detail, each of the screw accommodation members 470 is provided with a male screw seat 472 , an accommodation portion 474 and a projection 476 . As understood from FIGS. 1 and 2 , the male screw seat 472 is a surface which is brought into contact with the female screw seat when the male screw member 450 is connected with the female screw portion 380 . As shown in FIG. 23 , each of the male screw seats 472 of the present embodiment is an end surface of the screw holding member 460 which faces in the first predetermined orientation. The accommodation portion 474 extends in the predetermined direction and partially accommodates the male screw member 450 . The projection 476 projects into the accommodation portion 474 in a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

As understood from FIGS. 9 and 17 , in the present embodiment, each of the male screw members 450 is relatively movable with respect to the screw holding member 460 along the predetermined direction. As shown in FIG. 11 , in detail, each of the male screw members 450 is formed with a recess 452 which is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 , the projection 476 is accommodated in the recess 452 under a state where the male screw member 450 is partially accommodated in the accommodation portion 474 . In the predetermined direction, the recess 452 has a size far greater than a size of the projection 476 . Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 17 , each of the male screw members 450 is relatively movable with respect to the screw holding member 460 along the predetermined direction. Thus, a distance by which the male screw member 450 is movable can be totally increased.

In the present embodiment, the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position are arranged to satisfy the following conditions: [condition 1 ] when the screw holding member 460 is positioned at the first predetermined position, the end 412 of the mating connector main 410 faces the inner wall 230 of the fitting portion 210 of the connector 200 but does not reach the inner wall 230 under a state where the male screw member 450 is connected with the female screw portion 380 and where the male screw seat 472 is brought into contact with the female screw seat; and [condition 2 ] when the screw holding member 460 is positioned at the second predetermined position, the end 412 of the mating connector main 410 is able to reach the inner wall 750 of the alternative fitting portion 730 under a state where the mating connector 400 is connected with the alternative connecting object 700 . In other words, when the end 412 of the mating connector main 410 reaches the inner wall 750 of the alternative fitting portion 730 under the state where the mating connector 400 is connected with the alternative connecting object 700 , the screw holding member 460 may be positioned at the second predetermined position or may be positioned beyond the second predetermined position in the first predetermined orientation while not reaching the second predetermined position.

Under the condition 1 , a distance between the end 412 of the mating connector main 410 and the inner wall 230 of the fitting portion 210 of the connector 200 is arranged so that the end 412 of the mating connector main 410 does not just reach the inner wall 230 of the fitting portion 210 of the connector 200 under a state where each of the mating connector 400 and the connector 200 has maximum tolerance. Accordingly, even if each of the mating connector 400 and the connector 200 has maximum tolerance, the end 412 of the mating connector main 410 can be prevented from applying unnecessary stress to the inner wall 230 of the fitting portion 210 of the connector 200 .

The condition 2 enables the end 412 of the mating connector main 410 to securely reach the inner wall 750 of the alternative fitting portion 730 . In other words, the mating connector 400 and the alternative connector (receptacle) 720 which is included in the alternative connecting object 700 can be properly connected with each other.

As described above, the mating connector 400 of the present embodiment is provided with the regulating portions and the regulated portions. Accordingly, even if the cable 800 connected to the mating connector 400 is pulled in the second predetermined orientation under a state where the male screw members 450 are connected with the female screw portions 380 , respectively, the mating connector main 410 can be prevented from being removed from the screw holding member 460 .

The structure of the mating connector 400 is not limited thereto. For example, the mating connector 400 can be modified as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 26 to 30 , the mating connector 400 A according to a first modification comprises a mating connector main 410 A, two male screw members 450 A and a screw holding member 460 A. The mating connector main 410 A of the present modification is positioned between the two male screw members 450 A in the lateral direction. As shown in FIG. 28 , the mating connector main 410 A comprises mating contacts 440 A, a mating holding member 442 A, a mating shell 444 A and a hood 446 A similar to the first embodiment. Specifically, the mating holding member 442 A holds the mating contacts 440 A, and the mating shell 444 A covers the mating holding member 442 A. Explanation about those components is omitted.

As understood from FIGS. 29, 31 and 33 , each of an upper surface 414 A and a lower surface 416 A of the mating connector main 410 A is provided with a first facing portion 420 A and second facing portions 422 A. The first facing portion 420 A is positioned beyond the second facing portions 422 A in the first predetermined orientation. Each of the second facing portions 422 A is positioned beyond the first facing portion 420 A in the second predetermined orientation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first facing portion 420 A and the second facing portions 422 A may be provided on only one of the upper surface 414 A and the lower surface 416 A of the mating connector main 410 A. In the present modification, each of the first facing portions 420 A and the second facing portions 422 A is formed on the hood 446 A. In the present embodiment, each of the first facing portions 420 A is a wall which is positioned at a side of the hood 446 A in the first predetermined orientation and which stands in the up-down direction, and each of the second facing portions 422 A is a projection which projects in the up-down direction. Each of the first facing portions 420 A functions as a regulated portion as described later.

Furthermore, each of the upper surface 414 A and the lower surface 416 A of the mating connector main 410 A is provided with a first recess 430 A and a second recess 432 A which are positioned away from each other in the predetermined direction. The first recess 430 A is positioned beyond the second recess 432 A in the first predetermined orientation, and the second recess 432 A is positioned beyond the first recess 430 A in the second predetermined orientation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first recess 430 A and the second recess 432 A may be provided on only one of the upper surface 414 A and the lower surface 416 A of the mating connector main 410 A. In the present modification, each of the first recesses 430 A and the second recesses 432 A is formed on the hood 446 A.

The screw holding member 460 A is attached to the mating connector main 410 A and is relatively movable with respect to the mating connector main 410 A along the predetermined direction between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position. The first predetermined position is positioned beyond the second predetermined position in the first predetermined orientation, and the second predetermined position is positioned beyond the first predetermined position in the second predetermined orientation.

As shown in FIG. 29 , in detail, the screw holding member 460 A of the present modification is formed with two side accommodation portions 470 A and a center accommodation portion 480 A. Each of the side accommodation portions 470 A and the center accommodation portion 480 A pierces the screw holding member 460 A in the predetermined direction. As shown in FIG. 26 , each of the side accommodation portions 470 A is provided with a male screw seat 472 A. As understood from FIGS. 1, 2 and 26 , the male screw seat 472 A is a surface which is brought into contact with the female screw seat when the male screw member 450 A is connected with the female screw portion 380 . As shown in FIG. 26 , the male screw seat 472 A of the present embodiment is an end surface of the screw holding member 460 A which faces in the first predetermined orientation. As understood from FIGS. 26 and 29 , the side accommodation portions 470 A partially accommodate the male screw members 450 A, respectively. Each of the side accommodation portions 470 A accommodates the corresponding male screw member 450 A in a manner similar to a manner in which the screw accommodation member 470 of the aforementioned first embodiment accommodates the male screw member 450 . The center accommodation portion 480 A is positioned between the side accommodation portions 470 A in the lateral direction and partially accommodates the mating connector main 410 A so as to be movable in the predetermined direction.

As understood from FIGS. 29, 31 and 33 , the screw holding member 460 A is provided with two pairs each consisting of the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 A and the second abutment portion 510 A. Each of the first abutment portions 500 A is positioned beyond the second abutment portion 510 A paired therewith in the first predetermined orientation, and each of the second abutment portions 510 A is positioned beyond the first abutment portion 500 A paired therewith in the second predetermined orientation. The first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 A and the second abutment portion 510 A of each pair are edge portions of the center accommodation portion 480 A. The first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 A of each pair is an edge portion of the screw holding member 460 A in the first predetermined orientation. The second abutment portion 510 A of each pair is another edge portion of the screw holding member 460 A in the second predetermined orientation. The first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 A are positioned at opposite sides, respectively, of the screw holding member 460 A in the up-down direction. The second abutment portions 510 A are positioned at opposite sides, respectively, of the screw holding member 460 A in the up-down direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 A and the second abutment portion 510 A may be provided on only one of an upper side and a lower side of the center accommodation portion 480 A. The first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 A face the first facing portions 420 A, respectively, in the predetermined direction. Each of the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 A is positioned beyond the corresponding first facing portion 420 A in the second predetermined orientation. The second abutment portions 510 A face the second facing portions 422 A, respectively, in the predetermined direction. Each of the second abutment portions 510 A is positioned beyond the corresponding second facing portion 422 A in the first predetermined orientation. Accordingly, each of the first facing portions 420 A regulates a movement of the corresponding first abutment portion 500 A in the first predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction beyond the first facing portion 420 A, and each of the second facing portions 422 A regulates a movement of the corresponding second abutment portion 510 A beyond the second facing portion 422 A in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. As understood from above, the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 A of the present modification function as regulating portions which correspond to the first facing portions (regulated portions) 420 A, respectively.

Furthermore, the screw holding member 460 A has two pairs each consisting of a spring portion 525 A and a positioning projection 520 A. The two pairs of the spring portion 525 and the positioning projection 520 A are formed on opposite sides, respectively, of the screw holding member 460 A in the up-down direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The spring portion 525 A and the positioning projection 520 A may be provided on only one of an upper side and a lower side of the screw holding member 460 A. Each of the spring portions 525 A is resiliently deformable and supports the positioning projection 520 A paired therewith. Each of the positioning projections 520 A projects inside the center accommodation portion 480 A in the up-down direction. Each of the positioning projections 520 A is movable in the up-down direction by using resilience of the spring portion 525 A paired therewith. The positioning projections 520 A correspond to the first recesses 430 A and the second recesses 432 A, respectively. Each of the positioning projections 520 A of the present modification rides over a section between the corresponding first recess 430 A and the corresponding second recess 432 A by using resilience of the spring portion 525 A paired therewith to be accommodated in any of the corresponding first recess 430 A and the corresponding second recess 432 A. Accordingly, each of the positioning projections 520 A relatively positions the screw holding member 460 A with respect to the mating connector main 410 A in the predetermined direction.

As understood from FIGS. 26, 27, 30 and 31 , in the present modification, when the screw holding member 460 A is positioned at the first predetermined position, each of the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 A abuts against the corresponding first facing portion 420 A while each of the positioning projections 520 A is accommodated in the corresponding first recess 430 A. In other words, pairs, each consisting of the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 A and the first facing portion 420 A, and pairs each consisting of the positioning projection 520 A and the first recess 430 A define the first predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 A and the first facing portion 420 A. In addition, the first predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the positioning projection 520 A and the first recess 430 A. Furthermore, the first predetermined position may be defined by other means.

As understood from FIGS. 32 to 34 , in the present modification, when the screw holding member 460 A is positioned at the second predetermined position, each of the second abutment portions 510 A abuts against the corresponding second facing portion 422 A while each of the positioning projections 520 A is accommodated in the corresponding second recess 432 A. In other words, pairs, each consisting of the second abutment portion 510 A and the second facing portion 422 A, and pairs each consisting of the positioning projection 520 A and the second recess 432 A define the second predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The second predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs each consisting of the second abutment portion 510 A and the second facing portion 422 A. In addition, the second predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs each consisting of the positioning projection 520 A and the second recess 432 A. Furthermore, the second predetermined position may be defined by other means.

In the present modification, the first predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition 1 described in the first embodiment, and the second predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition 2 described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the connector assembly 100 of the present modification also has an effect similar to that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 35 to 39 and 41 , a mating connector 400 B according to a second modification comprises a mating connector main 410 B, two male screw members 450 B and a screw holding member 460 B. The mating connector main 410 B of the present modification is positioned between the two male screw members 450 B in the lateral direction. As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 , the mating connector main 410 B comprises mating contacts 440 B, a mating holding member 442 B, a mating shell 444 B and a hood 446 B similar to the first embodiment. Specifically, the mating holding member 442 B holds the mating contacts 440 B, and the mating shell 444 B covers the mating holding member 442 B. Explanation about those components is omitted.

As understood from FIGS. 35, 36, 38 and 39 , the mating connector main 410 B is provided with two guide portions 530 B, two facing wall portions 540 B, an operation portion (lever) 550 B and a positioning recess 558 B. The positioning recess 558 B is formed on a lower surface of the hood 446 B.

Each of the guide portions 530 B extends in the predetermined direction. The guide portions 530 B are positioned at opposite ends, respectively, of the mating connector main 410 B in the lateral direction. In other words, the guide portions 530 B are positioned away from each other in the lateral direction. The facing wall portions 540 B correspond to the guide portions 530 B, respectively. Each of the facing wall portions 540 B is positioned beyond the corresponding guide portion 530 B in the first predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. The facing wall portions 540 B are positioned away from each other in the lateral direction. Each of the facing wall portions 540 B is formed with a through hole 542 B which pierces the facing wall portion 540 B in the predetermined direction. Each of the facing wall portions 540 B functions as a regulated portion as described later.

As shown in FIGS. 35 to 38 , the operation portion 550 B extends upward from a vicinity of an end of the hood 446 B in the first predetermined orientation. As shown in FIG. 38 , the operation portion 550 B of the mating connector main 410 B is formed with a broad portion 552 B and a narrow portion 554 B. Specifically, the broad portion 552 B extends from the vicinity of the end of the hood 446 B in the first predetermined orientation, and the narrow portion 554 B extends from the broad portion 552 B. In the lateral direction, the narrow portion 554 B has a size smaller than a size of the broad portion 552 B. A boundary portion between the broad portion 552 B and the narrow portion 554 B is formed with stopped portions 556 B.

As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36 , the screw holding member 460 B is attached to the mating connector main 410 B and is relatively movable with respect to the mating connector main 410 B along the predetermined direction between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position. The first predetermined position is positioned beyond the second predetermined position in the first predetermined orientation, and the second predetermined position is positioned beyond the first predetermined position in the second predetermined orientation.

As shown in FIG. 38 , the screw holding member 460 B of the present modification is formed with two side accommodation portions 470 B and a center accommodation portion 480 B. Each of the side accommodation portions 470 B and the center accommodation portion 480 B pierces the screw holding member 460 B in the predetermined direction. As understood from FIGS. 35, 36 and 38 , the side accommodation portions 470 B partially accommodate the male screw members 450 B, respectively. Each of the side accommodation portions 470 B accommodates the corresponding male screw member 450 B in a manner similar to a manner in which the screw accommodation member 470 of the aforementioned first embodiment accommodates the male screw member 450 . As shown in FIG. 38 , the center accommodation portion 480 B is positioned between the side accommodation portions 470 B in the lateral direction. As shown in FIGS. 40 and 42 , the center accommodation portion 480 B partially accommodates the mating connector main 410 B so as to be movable in the predetermined direction.

As shown in FIG. 38 , in detail, the screw holding member 460 B of the present modification is provided with a main portion 560 B and two arm portions 570 B. The center accommodation portion 480 B is provided on the main portion 560 B.

As understood from FIGS. 39, 40 and 42 , the main portion 560 B is provided with a positioning projection 562 B which is positioned at a lower side thereof and which projects inward of the center accommodation portion 480 B. The positioning projection 562 B is accommodated in the positioning recess 558 B of the mating connector main 410 B. In the predetermined direction, the positioning recess 558 B has a size greater than a size of the positioning projection 562 B. Accordingly, the positioning projection 562 B is movable within the positioning recess 558 B. Meanwhile, the positioning projection 562 B cannot be moved beyond the positioning recess 558 B in the second predetermined orientation. In other words, the positioning recess 558 B regulates a movement of the positioning projection 562 B beyond the positioning recess 558 B in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction.

As shown in FIG. 38 , the main portion 560 B of the screw holding member 460 B is provided with stopping portions 564 B and a slot 566 B. Specifically, the slot 566 B extends from the stopping portions 564 B in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. As understood from FIGS. 35, 36 and 41 , the slot 566 B partially accommodates the narrow portion 554 B of the operation portion 550 B.

As shown in FIG. 38 , under a state where the operation portion 550 B is not operated, the stopped portions 556 B are positioned beyond the stopping portions 564 B, respectively, in the first predetermined orientation and regulate a movement of the screw holding member 460 B in the first predetermined orientation. As understood from FIGS. 35, 36 and 41 , when the operation portion 550 B is operated so that the stopped portions 556 B are moved in the up-down direction, each of the stopping portions 564 B is released from the corresponding stopped portion 556 B so that the screw holding member 460 B is movable in the first predetermined orientation.

As shown in FIG. 38 , the arm portions 570 B are positioned away from each other in the lateral direction. Each of the arm portions 570 B extends from the main portion 560 B in the first predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. The side accommodation portions 470 B correspond to the arm portions 570 B, respectively. Each of the side accommodation portions 470 B is formed to continuously extend between the corresponding arm portion 570 B and the main portion 560 B.

Each of the arm portions 570 B has a guided portion 572 B and a projecting portion 574 B which extends from the guided portion 572 B in the first predetermined orientation. Specifically, a part of each of the side accommodation portions 470 B is positioned in the corresponding projecting portion 574 B. The guided portions 572 B are received in the guide portions 530 B, respectively, of the mating connector main 410 , and each of the guided portions 572 B is guided by the corresponding guide portion 530 B during its movement along the predetermined direction. A boundary portion between the guided portion 572 B and the projecting portion 574 B is provided with an abutment portion 578 B which faces in the first predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. Specifically, the abutment portion 578 B is positioned around an end of the projecting portion 574 B in the second predetermined orientation. An end of the projecting portion 574 B in the first predetermined orientation functions as a male screw seat 576 B.

As understood from FIGS. 35 and 36 , the projecting portions 574 B are projectable in the first predetermined orientation through the through holes 542 B, respectively, by a relative movement of the screw holding member 460 B with respect to the mating connector main 410 B. As understood from FIGS. 35 and 38 , the abutment portions 578 B face the facing wall portions 540 B, respectively, in the predetermined direction, and each of the abutment portions 578 B is positioned beyond the corresponding facing wall portion 540 B in the second predetermined orientation. As shown in FIGS. 36 and 41 , a maximum amount of projection of each of the projecting portions 574 B from the corresponding facing wall portion 540 B is defined by each of the abutment portions 578 B abutting against the corresponding facing wall portion 540 B. As understood form above, the abutment portions 578 B of the present modification function as regulating portions which correspond to the facing wall portions (regulated portions) 540 B, respectively.

As understood from FIGS. 36, 41 and 42 , in the present modification, when the screw holding member 460 B is positioned at the first predetermined position, each of the abutment portions 578 B abuts against the corresponding facing wall portion 540 B. In other words, the abutment portions 578 B and the facing wall portions 540 B define the first predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first predetermined position may be defined by other means.

As understood from FIGS. 35 and 40 , in the present modification, when the screw holding member 460 B is positioned at the second predetermined position, each of the stopped portions 556 B is positioned beyond the corresponding stopping portion 564 B in the first predetermined orientation while the positioning projection 562 B is positioned within the positioning recess 558 B. In other words, pairs, each consisting of the stopping portion 564 B and the stopped portion 556 B, and a pair consisting of the positioning projection 562 B and the positioning recess 558 B define the second predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The second predetermined position may be defined by other means.

In the present modification, the first predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition 1 described in the first embodiment, and the second predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition 2 described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the connector assembly 100 of the present modification also has an effect similar to that of the first embodiment.

(Second Embodiment)

As shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 , a connector assembly 100 C according to a second embodiment of the present invention comprises a connector 200 C and a mating connector 400 C. The connector 200 C is a receptacle in accordance with the USB Type-C standard. When the connector 200 C is used, the connector 200 C is mounted on a circuit board 850 C as a mount object in an up-down direction. The mating connector 400 is a plug in accordance with the USB Type-C standard. As described later, the mating connector 400 C comprises a mating fitting portion and a male screw member 450 C, and the mating fitting portion has mating contacts 440 C. The mating connector 400 C is connectable with the connector 200 C along a first predetermined orientation in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. In addition, the mating connector 400 C is removable from the connector 200 C along a second predetermined orientation opposite to the first predetermined orientation in the predetermined direction. Also in the present embodiment, the up-down direction is the Z-direction. Specifically, the positive Z-direction is upward, and the negative Z-direction is downward. Furthermore, the predetermined direction is the X-direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first predetermined orientation is the positive X-direction, and the second predetermined orientation is the negative X-direction. The positive X-direction is rearward of the connector 200 C, and the negative X-direction is forward of the connector 200 C. In other words, the first predetermined orientation is rearward of the connector 200 C, and the second predetermined orientation is forward of the connector 200 C.

As shown in FIGS. 47 and 50 , the connector 200 C comprises contacts 240 C, a holding member 242 C, a shell 244 C and a screw fixing member 300 C. The contacts 240 C, the holding member 242 C and the shell 244 C are same as those of the aforementioned first embodiment and form a fitting portion 210 C which is mateable with the mating fitting portion. In particular, as shown in FIG. 49 , the receiving portion 220 C has an inner wall 230 C in the predetermined direction.

As shown in FIG. 50 , the screw fixing member 300 C of the present embodiment is distinct and separated from the shell 244 C. The screw fixing member 300 C of the present embodiment comprises a single screw end accommodation portion 310 C. In other words, the screw end accommodation portion 310 C of the present embodiment is formed as a part of the screw fixing member 300 C. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The screw end accommodation portion 310 C may be formed as a part of the shell 244 C. The screw end accommodation portion 310 C is positioned above the fitting portion 210 C in the up-down direction.

As understood from FIGS. 43 and 49 , the screw end accommodation portion 310 C defines an accommodation space 320 C which accommodates an end of the male screw member 450 C when the connector 200 C is connected with the mating connector 400 C. As understood from FIGS. 45 to 50 , the screw end accommodation portion 310 C has a front surface portion 340 C, an upper surface portion 344 C, a rear surface portion 342 C, two outer surface portions 346 C, two reinforcing portions 350 C and a bottom surface portion 352 C.

As understood from FIGS. 45, 47, 49 and 50 , the front surface portion 340 C is provided with a female screw portion 380 C which is connectable with the male screw member 450 C. The front surface portion 340 C functions as a female screw seat when the connector 200 C is connected with the mating connector 400 C.

As understood from FIGS. 46, 48 and 49 , the rear surface portion 342 C faces the front surface portion 340 C in the predetermined direction. In particular, as shown in FIG. 49 , the accommodation space 320 C is positioned between the front surface portion 340 C and the rear surface portion 342 C in the predetermined direction.

As shown in FIG. 49 , the upper surface portion 344 C is positioned above the accommodation space 320 C in the up-down direction. The upper surface portion 344 C connects the front surface portion 340 C and the rear surface portion 342 C with each other at their upper sides in the up-down direction.

As understood from FIGS. 45, 48 and 49 , each of the outer surface portions 346 C is positioned outward of the accommodation space 320 C in a lateral direction and faces outward in a lateral direction. Also in the present embodiment, the lateral direction is the Y-direction. The outer surface portions 346 c face each other in the lateral direction. As shown in FIGS. 45 and 47 , each of the outer surface portions 346 C is connected with the front surface portion 340 C by a side front bent portion 362 C. In the up-down direction, each of the side front bent portions 362 C has a size same as a size of the front surface portion 340 C. Accordingly, the side front bent portion 362 C has a resistance to a force which rotates the outer surface portion 346 C in a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction.

As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46 , each of the outer surface portions 346 C has a fixed portion 370 C which is soldered to be fixed to the circuit board 850 C when the connector 200 C is mounted on the circuit board 850 C. Each of the fixed portions 370 C has a size in the predetermined direction and another size in the lateral direction. The size of the fixed portion 370 C in the predetermined direction is greater than the size of the fixed portion 370 C in the lateral direction. Since each of the outer surface portions 346 C is fixed to the circuit board 850 C through the aforementioned fixed portion 370 C, each of the outer surface portions 346 C has a resistance to a force along the predetermined direction.

As understood from FIGS. 45, 46, 48 to 50 , the reinforcing portions 350 C correspond to the outer surface portions 346 C, respectively. Each of the reinforcing portions 350 C extends inward in the lateral direction from the corresponding outer surface portion 346 C. As shown in FIG. 49 , each of the reinforcing portions 350 C is positioned below the upper surface portion 344 C in the up-down direction and is positioned between the front surface portion 340 C and the rear surface portion 342 C in the predetermined direction. The aforementioned structure enables the reinforcing portions 350 C to reinforce the front surface portion 340 C from a rear side of the front surface portion 340 C.

As understood from FIGS. 46 and 49 , the bottom surface portion 352 C extends rearward in the predetermined direction from a lower end of the front surface portion 340 C. The bottom surface portion 352 C is connected with an upper part of the shell 244 C. Specifically, the bottom surface portion 352 C is fixed to the upper part of the shell 244 C by laser welding.

As described above, the accommodation space 320 C shown in FIG. 49 is surrounded by the screw end accommodation portion 310 C. Accordingly, even if foreign bodies enter into the connector 200 C from the female screw portion 380 C under a state where the connector 200 C is not connected with the mating connector 400 C, the foreign bodies have high probability to stay in the accommodation space 320 C. Thus, foreign bodies can be prevented from entering into an inside of a housing (not shown) of an electronic equipment (not shown) in which the connector 200 C is installed.

Similar to the mating connector 400 of the first embodiment, the mating connector 400 C of the present embodiment is connectable not only with the connector 200 C of the present embodiment but also with the alternative connecting object 700 . Detailed explanation about the alternative connecting object 700 is omitted.

As understood from FIGS. 51 to 53 , the mating connector 400 C of the present embodiment comprises a mating connector main 410 C, a single male screw member 450 C and a screw holding member 460 C. The male screw member 450 C is positioned above the mating connector main 410 C in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 52 , the mating connector main 410 C comprises mating contacts 440 C, a mating holding member 442 C, a mating shell 444 C and a hood 446 C similar to the first embodiment. Specifically, the mating holding member 442 C holds the mating contacts 440 C, and the mating shell 444 C covers the mating holding member 442 C. Explanation about the mating contacts 440 C, the mating holding member 442 C and the mating shell 444 C is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 51 , an end 412 C of the mating connector main 410 C forms an end portion 402 C of the mating connector 400 C in the first predetermined orientation. The mating connector main 410 C is selectively mateable with any of the fitting portion 210 C of FIG. 45 and the alternative fitting portion 730 along the predetermined direction. As understood from FIGS. 43 and 44 , when the connector 200 C is connected with the mating connector 400 C, the mating connector main 410 C is partially received in the receiving portion 220 C of the fitting portion 210 C.

As shown in FIG. 53 , the illustrated hood 446 C consists of two parts of an upper part and a lower part. The upper part of the hood 446 C is formed with a slot 448 C. The slot 448 C has an edge portion 449 C in the second predetermined orientation. As shown in FIG. 54 , the upper part of the hood 446 C is formed with first facing portion 420 C which is positioned to extend over lateral sides of an end of the slot 448 C in the first predetermined orientation. In addition, the upper part of the hood 446 C is formed with a second facing portion 422 C which is positioned in the vicinity of the edge portion 449 C of the slot 448 C. In other words, the first facing portion 420 C is positioned beyond the second facing portion 422 C in the first predetermined orientation, and the second facing portion 422 C is positioned beyond the first facing portion 420 C in the second predetermined orientation. Each of the first facing portion 420 C and the second facing portion 422 C of the present embodiment is provided inside the hood 446 C. In other words, each of the first facing portion 420 C and the second facing portion 422 C of the present embodiment is provided inside the mating connector main 410 C.

As understood from FIGS. 51 to 53 , the screw holding member 460 C of the present embodiment is attached to the mating connector main 410 C so that the screw holding member 460 C is partially accommodated in the mating connector main 410 C. As understood from FIGS. 43, 44 and 51 , the screw holding member 460 C is relatively movable with respect to the mating connector main 410 C along the predetermined direction between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position. The first predetermined position is positioned beyond the second predetermined position in the first predetermined orientation, and the second predetermined position is positioned beyond the first predetermined position in the second predetermined orientation.

As understood from FIGS. 53 and 55 , in detail, the screw holding member 460 C of the present embodiment has an upper accommodation portion 470 C and a movable portion 480 C. The movable portion 480 C and the upper accommodation portion 470 C of the present embodiment are formed integrally with each other. As shown in FIG. 51 , the upper accommodation portion 470 C is provided with a male screw seat 473 C. As understood from FIGS. 43, 44 and 51 , the male screw seat 473 C is a surface which is brought into contact with the female screw seat when the male screw member 450 C is connected with the female screw portion 380 C. As shown in FIG. 51 , the male screw seat 473 C of the present embodiment is an end surface of the upper accommodation portion 470 C which faces in the first predetermined orientation. As understood from FIGS. 51 and 53 , the movable portion 480 C is accommodated in the mating connector main 410 C so as to be movable in the predetermined direction. As shown in FIGS. 53 and 55 , the movable portion 480 C is provided with a first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 C and a second abutment portion 510 C. In the present embodiment, the first abutment portion 500 C is an edge portion of the movable portion 480 C in the first predetermined orientation, and the second abutment portion 510 C is another edge portion of the movable portion 480 C in the second predetermined orientation. As shown in FIGS. 56 and 57 , the first abutment portion 500 C is positioned beyond the second abutment portion 510 C in the first predetermined orientation, and the second abutment portion 510 C is positioned beyond the first abutment portion 500 C in the second predetermined orientation. The first abutment portion 500 C (abutment portion) faces the first facing portion 420 C in the predetermine direction and is positioned beyond the first facing portion 420 C in the second predetermined orientation. The second abutment portion 510 C faces the second facing portion 422 C in the predetermine direction and is positioned beyond the second facing portion 422 C in the first predetermined orientation. Accordingly, the first facing portion 420 C regulates a movement of the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 C beyond the first facing portion 420 C in the first predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. Similarly, the second facing portion 422 C regulates a movement of the second abutment portion 510 C beyond the second facing portion 422 C in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. As understood from above, the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 C of the present embodiment functions as a regulating portion which corresponds to the first facing portion (regulated portion) 420 C.

As understood from FIGS. 51 and 53 , the upper accommodation portion 470 C is provided on the movable portion 480 C and is exposed outside the mating connector main 410 C through the slot 448 C. Accordingly, the upper accommodation portion 470 C is positioned above the mating connector main 410 C. The upper accommodation portion 470 C partially accommodates the male screw member 450 C. The upper accommodation portion 470 C accommodates the male screw member 450 C in a manner similar to a manner in which the screw accommodation member 470 of the aforementioned first embodiment accommodates the male screw member 450 . As shown in FIGS. 53 and 55 , the upper accommodation portion 470 C has an end portion 472 C in the second predetermined orientation. As understood from FIGS. 43 and 53 , the edge portion 449 C of the slot 448 C faces the end portion 472 C of the upper accommodation portion 470 C in the predetermined direction and is positioned beyond the end portion 472 C in the second predetermined orientation. Accordingly, the edge portion 449 C of the slot 448 C regulates a movement of the end portion 472 C of the upper accommodation portion 470 C beyond the edge portion 449 C of the slot 448 C in the second predetermined orientation.

As understood from FIG. 56 , in the present modification, the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 C abuts against the first facing portion 420 C when the screw holding member 460 C is positioned at the first predetermined position. In other words, the first abutment portion 500 C and the first facing portion 420 C define the first predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first predetermined position may be defined by other means.

As understood from FIG. 57 , in the present modification, the second abutment portion 510 C abuts against the second facing portion 422 C when the screw holding member 460 C is positioned at the second predetermined position. At that time, as understood from FIGS. 43 and 51 , the end portion 472 C of the upper accommodation portion 470 C abuts against the edge portion 449 C of the slot 448 C. In other words, as understood from FIGS. 43 and 57 , a pair of the second abutment portion 510 C and the second facing portion 422 C and a pair of the end portion 472 C of the upper accommodation portion 470 C and the edge portion 449 C of the slot 448 C define the second predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The second predetermined position may be defined only by the pair of the second abutment portion 510 C and the second facing portion 422 C. In addition, the second predetermined position may be defined only by the pair of the end portion 472 C of the upper accommodation portion 470 C and the edge portion 449 C of the slot 448 C. Furthermore, the second predetermined position may be defined by other means.

In the present modification, the first predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition 1 described in the first embodiment, and the second predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition 2 described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the connector assembly 100 C of the present modification also has an effect similar to that of the first embodiment.

The structure of the mating connector 400 C is not limited thereto. For example, the mating connector 400 C can be modified as described below.

As shown in FIG. 58 , a mating connector 400 D according to a third modification comprises a mating connector main 410 D, a single male screw member 450 D and a screw holding member 460 D. The male screw member 450 D is positioned above the mating connector main 410 D in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 59 , the mating connector main 410 D comprises mating contacts 440 D, a mating holding member 442 D, a mating shell 444 D and a hood 446 D similar to the first embodiment. Specifically, the mating holding member 442 D holds the mating contacts 440 D, and the mating shell 444 D covers the mating holding member 442 D. Explanation about those components is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 60 , an upper surface 414 D of the mating connector main 410 D is provided with two slide surfaces 418 D and two pairs each of which consists of a first facing portion 420 D and a second facing portion 422 D. The two slide surfaces 418 D correspond to the two pairs, respectively, of the first facing portion 420 D and the second facing portion 422 D. In other words, the upper surface 414 D is provided with two sets of the slide surface 418 D, the first facing portion 420 D and the second facing portion 422 D. The first facing portion 420 D is positioned beyond the second facing portion 422 D in the first predetermined orientation, and the second facing portion 422 D is positioned beyond the first facing portion 420 D in the second predetermined orientation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The upper surface 414 D of the mating connector main 410 D may be provided only with the single slide surface 418 D and a single pair of the first facing portion 420 D and the second facing portion 422 D. Each of the slide surfaces 418 D is positioned between the first facing portion 420 D and the second facing portion 422 D of the corresponding pair in the predetermined direction. Each of the first facing portions 420 D is a wall which is positioned at a side of the corresponding slide surface 418 D in the first predetermined orientation and which stands in the up-down direction. Each of the second facing portions 422 is a wall which is positioned at another side of the corresponding slide surface 418 in the second predetermined orientation and which stands in the up-down direction. In the present modification, each of the slide surfaces 418 D, the first facing portions 420 D and the second facing portions 422 D is formed on the hood 446 D. Each of the first facing portions 420 D functions as a regulated portion as described later.

As understood from FIGS. 60, 62 and 63 , the mating connector main 410 D has two pairs, each of which consists of two ditches 424 D, a pair of two spring portions 436 D and a pair of two positioning projections 434 D. Each of the ditches 424 D extends in the predetermined direction. The two spring portions 436 D correspond to the two positioning projections 434 D, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The mating connector main 410 D may only have a single pair of the two ditches 424 D, the pair of the two spring portions 436 D and the pair of the two positioning projections 434 D. The two spring portions 436 D are provided in the two ditches 424 D, respectively, which are positioned in the first predetermined orientation. Each of the spring portions 436 D is resiliently deformable and supports the corresponding positioning projection 434 D. Each of the positioning projections 434 D projects into the corresponding ditch 424 D in the lateral direction. Each of the positioning projections 434 D is movable in the lateral direction by using resilience of the corresponding spring portion 436 D. In the present modification, the ditches 424 D and the positioning projections 434 D are formed on the hood 446 D.

As understood from FIGS. 58 and 61 , the screw holding member 460 D is attached to the mating connector main 410 D and is relatively movable with respect to the mating connector main 410 D along the predetermined direction between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position. The first predetermined position is positioned beyond the second predetermined position in the first predetermined orientation, and the second predetermined position is positioned beyond the first predetermined position beyond the second predetermined orientation.

As shown in FIG. 60 , in detail, the screw holding member 460 D of the present modification comprises an upper accommodation member 470 D, two movable members 480 D and a lower plate 490 D. As shown in FIG. 58 , the upper accommodation member 470 D is provided with a male screw seat 473 D. As understood from FIGS. 43, 44 and 58 , the male screw seat 473 D is a surface which is brought into contact with the female screw seat when the male screw member 450 D is connected with the female screw portion 380 C. As shown in FIG. 58 , the male screw seat 473 D of the present embodiment is an end surface of the upper accommodation member 470 D which faces in the first predetermined orientation. As shown in FIGS. 62 and 63 , the movable members 480 D correspond to the two pairs, respectively, of the aforementioned ditches 424 D, and one of the movable members 480 D corresponds to the pair of the positioning projections 434 D. The screw holding member 460 D may have the single movable member 480 D. As understood from FIGS. 58 to 60 , the upper accommodation member 470 D is positioned above the mating connector main 410 D and partially accommodates the male screw member 450 D. The upper accommodation member 470 D accommodates the male screw member 450 D in a manner similar to a manner in which the screw accommodation member 470 of the aforementioned first embodiment accommodates the male screw member 450 .

As understood from FIGS. 60, 62 and 63 , each of the movable members 480 D is held by the mating connector main 410 D so as to be movable in the predetermined direction. As shown in FIG. 60 , each of the movable members 480 D has an upper portion 482 D and side portions 486 D. Specifically, the upper portion 482 D is attached to the upper accommodation member 470 D, and each of the side portions 486 D extends downward in the up-down direction from the upper portion 482 D. In the present modification, the upper portion 482 D is formed with projections 484 D, and the upper accommodation member 470 D is formed with holes 472 D. As understood from FIGS. 58 and 60 , the projections 484 D of the upper portion 482 D of one of the movable members 480 D are inserted into two of the holes 472 D of the upper accommodation member 470 D and are then crimped thereon. The projections 484 D of the upper portion 482 D of a remaining one of the movable members 480 D are inserted into remaining two of the holes 472 D of the upper accommodation member 470 D and are then crimped thereon. Thus, the upper accommodation member 470 D is fixed to the movable members 480 D.

As understood from FIGS. 58, 60 and 61 , the upper portions 482 D of the movable members 480 D are slidable on the slide surfaces 418 D, respectively. As shown in FIG. 60 , each of the movable members 480 D has a first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 D and a second abutment portion 510 D. In the present modification, the first abutment portion 500 D is an edge portion of the upper portion 482 D in the first predetermined orientation, and the second abutment portion 510 D is an edge portion of the upper portion 482 D in the second predetermined orientation. As shown in FIGS. 58, 60 and 61 , the first abutment portion 500 D is positioned beyond the second abutment portion 510 D in the first predetermined orientation, and the second abutment portion 510 D is positioned beyond the first abutment portion 500 D in the second predetermined orientation. Each of the first abutment portions (abutment portion) 500 D faces the corresponding first facing portion 420 D in the predetermine direction and is positioned beyond the corresponding first facing portion 420 D in the second predetermined orientation. Each of the second abutment portions 510 D faces the corresponding second facing portion 422 D in the predetermine direction and is positioned beyond the corresponding second facing portion 422 D in the first predetermined orientation. Accordingly, each of the first facing portions 420 D regulates a movement of the corresponding first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 D beyond the first facing portion 420 D in the first predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction. Similarly, each of the second facing portions 422 D regulates a movement of the corresponding second abutment portion 510 D beyond the second facing portion 422 D in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction.

As understood from above, the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 D of the present modification functions as a regulating portion which corresponds to the first facing portion (regulated portion) 420 D. The regulating portion regulates a movement of the regulated portion beyond the regulating portion in the second predetermined orientation of the predetermined direction.

The side portions 486 D of each of the movable members 480 D are, at least in part, accommodated by the ditches 424 D of the mating connector main 410 D. A lower end of each of the side portions 486 D projects downward of the mating connector main 410 D, and the lower ends of the side portions 486 D are coupled with each other by the lower plate 490 D.

As shown in FIG. 60 , each of the side portions 486 D is provided with a positioned portion 488 D. As understood from FIGS. 62 and 63 , when the movable member 480 D is moved along the predetermined direction, the positioned portions 488 D ride over the positioning projections 434 D which are supported by the spring portions 436 D, respectively. The movable member 480 D is positioned in the predetermined direction by positioning each of the positioned portions 488 D beyond the corresponding positioning projection 434 D in the first predetermined orientation or in the second predetermined orientation.

As understood from FIGS. 58, 60 and 62 , in the present modification, when the screw holding member 460 D is positioned at the first predetermined position, each of the first abutment portions (abutment portions) 500 D abuts against the corresponding first facing portion 420 D while each of the positioning projections 434 D is positioned beyond the corresponding positioned portion 488 D in the second predetermined orientation. In other words, pairs, each of which consists of the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 D and the first facing portion 420 D, and pairs each of which consists of the positioning projection 434 D and the positioned portion 488 D define the first predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the first abutment portion (abutment portion) 500 D and the first facing portion 420 D. In addition, the first predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the positioning projection 434 D and the positioned portion 488 D. Furthermore, the first predetermined position may be defined by other means.

As understood from FIGS. 60, 61 and 63 , in the present modification, when the screw holding member 460 D is positioned at the second predetermined position, each of the second abutment portions 510 D abuts against the corresponding second facing portion 422 D while each of the positioning projections 434 D is positioned beyond the corresponding positioned portion 488 D in the first predetermined orientation. In other words, the pairs of the second abutment portion 510 D and the second facing portion 422 D and the pairs of the positioning projection 434 D and the positioned portion 488 D define the second predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The second predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the second abutment portion 510 D and the second facing portion 422 D. In addition, the second predetermined position may be defined only by the pairs of the positioning projection 434 D and the positioned portion 488 D. Furthermore, the second predetermined position may be defined by other means.

In the present modification, the first predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition 1 described in the first embodiment, and the second predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition 2 described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the connector assembly 100 C of the present modification also has an effect similar to that of the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment)

Referring to FIG. 64 , a connector 200 E of a connector assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the connector 200 of the first embodiment of FIG. 3 as described above. Specifically, similar to the connector 200 of the first embodiment, the connector 200 E is connectable with the mating connector 400 along a predetermined direction. Specifically, when the connector 200 E is used, the connector 200 E is mounted on a circuit board 850 E as a mount object in an up-down direction. Accordingly, explanation about the mating connector 400 and its modifications is omitted. Also in the present embodiment, the up-down direction is the Z-direction. Specifically, the positive Z-direction is upward, the negative Z-direction is downward. Furthermore, the predetermined direction is the X-direction. The positive X-direction is rearward of the connector 200 E, and the negative X-direction is forward of the connector 200 E.

As understood from FIGS. 64 to 66 , the connector 200 E comprises contacts 240 E, a holding member 242 E, a shell 244 E and a screw fixing member 300 E. The contacts 240 E, the holding member 242 E and the shell 244 E are same as those of the aforementioned first embodiment and form a fitting portion 210 E which is mateable with the mating fitting portion.

The screw fixing member 300 E of the present embodiment is distinct and separated from the shell 244 E. The screw fixing member 300 E comprises two screw end accommodation portions 310 E and a coupling portion 330 E. In other words, each of the screw end accommodation portions 310 E of the present embodiment is formed as a part of the screw fixing member 300 E. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each of the screw end accommodation portions 310 E may be formed as a part of the shell 244 E. The aforementioned fitting portion 210 E is positioned between the two screw end accommodation portions 310 E in a lateral direction. Also in the present embodiment, the lateral direction is the Y-direction.

As understood from FIGS. 1, 3 and 64 , the screw end accommodation portions 310 E define accommodation spaces 320 E which accommodate ends of the male screw members 450 , respectively, when the connector 200 E is connected with the mating connector 400 . In other words, the connector 200 E of the present embodiment defines the accommodation spaces 320 E each similar to the accommodation space 320 of FIG. 8 . As understood from FIGS. 64 and 65 , each of the screw end accommodation portions 310 E has a front surface portion 340 E, an upper surface portion 344 E, a rear surface portion 342 E, an outer surface portion 346 E, an upper front bent portion 366 E and an upper outside bent portion 368 E.

The front surface portion 340 E is provided with a female screw portion 380 E which is connectable with the male screw member 450 . As understood from FIGS. 1, 3 and 64 , the front surface portion 340 E functions as a female screw seat when the connector 200 E is connected with the mating connector 400 . As shown in FIG. 66 , the front surface portion 340 E of the present embodiment is formed with a projection portion 390 E. The projection portion 390 E projects inward in the lateral direction. The projection portion 390 E has a shape which corresponds to a shape of an opening, or a roughly elliptical shape, of the shell 244 E. The projection portion 390 E coves a gap which might be formed between the shell 244 E and the front surface portion 340 E.

As understood from FIG. 65 , the rear surface portion 342 E faces the front surface portion 340 E in the predetermined direction. As understood from FIGS. 8 and 65 , the accommodation space 320 E is positioned between the front surface portion 340 E and the rear surface portion 342 E in the predetermined direction.

As understood from FIGS. 8 and 64 , the upper surface portion 344 E is positioned above the accommodation space 320 E in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 64 , the upper surface portion 344 E is connected with the front surface portion 340 E by the upper front bent portion 366 E.

As understood from FIGS. 8, 64 and 65 , the outer surface portion 346 E is positioned outward of the accommodation space 320 E in the lateral direction and faces outward in the lateral direction. As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 , the outer surface portion 346 E is connected with the upper surface portion 344 E by the upper outside bent portion 368 E. A front edge 347 E of the outer surface portion 346 E faces the front surface portion 340 E in the predetermined direction and is positioned slightly away from the front surface portion 340 E. Accordingly, when a force is applied to the front surface portion 340 E, the outer surface portion 346 E can receive the force. In other words, the outer surface portion 346 E reinforces the front surface portion 340 E.

In addition, the outer surface portion 346 E is provided with a fixed portion 370 E which is soldered to be fixed to the circuit board 850 E when the connector 200 E is mounted on the circuit board 850 E. Accordingly, the outer surface portion 346 E is fixed to the circuit board 850 E by the fixed portion 370 E. Thus, the front surface portion 340 E is rigidly reinforced by the outer surface portion 346 E.

Each of the fixed portions 370 E has a size in the predetermined direction and another size in the lateral direction. In particular, the size of the fixed portion 370 E in the predetermined direction is greater than the size of the fixed portion 370 E in the lateral direction. Since the outer surface portion 346 E is fixed to the circuit board 850 E through the aforementioned fixed portion 370 E, the outer surface portion 346 E has a resistance to a force along the predetermined direction. Accordingly, the front surface portion 340 E is more rigidly reinforced by the outer surface portion 346 E.

As shown in FIGS. 64 and 65 , the coupling portion 330 E is positioned above the shell 244 E in the up-down direction and couples the screw end accommodation portions 310 E with each other in the lateral direction. Specifically, the coupling portion 330 E of the present embodiment couples the upper surface portions 344 E with each other.

As understood from FIGS. 8 and 64 , the accommodation space 320 E is surrounded by the screw end accommodation portion 310 E except for its lower part and its inside part in the lateral direction. As understood from FIGS. 8, 64 and 66 , the shell 244 E is positioned inward beyond the accommodation space 320 E in the lateral direction. In addition, under a state where the connector 200 E is mounted on the circuit board 850 E, the circuit board 850 E is partially positioned below each of the accommodation spaces 320 E. Accordingly, even if foreign bodies enter into the connector 200 E from the female screw portions 380 E under a state where the connector 200 E is not connected with the mating connector 400 , the foreign bodies have high probability to stay in the accommodation spaces 320 E. Thus, foreign bodies can be prevented from entering into an inside of a housing (not shown) of an electronic equipment (not shown) in which the connector 200 E is installed.

While the present invention has been described with specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. For example, although the screw holding member 460 , 460 A, 460 B, 460 C, 460 D is relatively movable along the predetermined direction with respect to the mating connector main 410 , 410 A, 410 B, 410 C, 410 D, the screw holding member 460 , 460 A, 460 B, 460 C, 460 D may be fixed to the mating connector main 410 , 410 A, 4108 , 410 C, 410 D.

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.