WO2020084744A1

WO2020084744A1 - Moveable connector and connection structure of moveable connector

Info

Publication number: WO2020084744A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/039775
Authority: WO
Inventors: 小林　弘明; 由幸小椋
Original assignee: イリソ電子工業株式会社
Priority date: 2018-10-25
Filing date: 2018-10-25
Publication date: 2020-04-30
Also published as: JP7376499B2; JPWO2020084744A1

Abstract

Through a technical approach differing from conventional technologies, the present invention mitigates contact point sliding resulting from vibration in a movable connector having a floating function. A moveable connector (10) comprises a biasing spring piece (14). The biasing spring piece (14) is disposed such that when an opposing connector (20) is caused to engage with a moveable housing (12), the biasing spring piece undergoes elastic deformation in the engagement direction, generating a reaction force in the extraction direction of the opposing connector (20). The biasing spring piece (14) applies the reaction force to the moveable housing (12) to bias the moveable housing (12) towards the opposing connector (20).

Description

Movable connector and connection structure of movable connector

The present invention relates to a movable connector having a floating function and a connection structure for the movable connector.

A movable connector is known as a connector that electrically connects a circuit on a board and an object to be connected. The movable connector has a fixed housing installed on the substrate, a movable housing that fits with an object to be connected, and terminals that support the fixed housing and the movable housing such that they can be displaced relative to each other. The terminal is formed of a conductive metal piece. The terminal has a substrate connecting portion that is connected to the substrate, a contact portion that is disposed in the movable housing and is in conductive contact with the connection target, and a movable portion that displaceably supports the movable housing with respect to the fixed housing. The movable portion is formed of an elastically deformable spring piece. An example of the movable connector is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-16363, FIG.

The above-mentioned movable connector may be subjected to vibration when it is fitted with the object to be connected. The vibration is transmitted from the board on which the movable connector is installed to the movable connector. Alternatively, the vibration is transmitted from the connection target to the movable connector. When the vibration is transmitted to the movable connector, the contact portion of the terminal may cause "sliding contact" in which the contact portion slightly slides on the connection target. The contact sliding is likely to occur when vibration is transmitted to the movable connector along the fitting direction in which the connection target is fitted to the movable connector and the withdrawal direction which is the opposite direction to the fitting direction. When the contact sliding is repeated, the plating film of the contact portion of the terminal and the plating film of the connection target may be rubbed against each other and peeled off, which may increase the resistance value and impair the good conductive connection. .

The present invention has been made against the background of the above conventional technologies. That is, the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of contact sliding due to vibration in a movable connector having a floating function by a technical approach different from the prior art.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as having the following features.

That is, the present invention includes a first housing arranged on the first support member, a second housing fitted with the connection target, and a terminal in conductive contact with the connection target. Is a movable connector having a movable portion that supports the first housing and the second housing such that they can be displaced relative to each other, and is a biasing member that can bias the second housing toward the connection target. A biasing member is provided, and the biasing member is elastically deformed in a fitting direction in which the connection target is fitted into the second housing in a state where the second housing is fitted into the connection target. By doing so, it is arranged so as to give a reaction force toward the withdrawal direction, which is the opposite direction to the fitting direction, to the second housing.

According to the present invention, since the biasing member is elastically deformed in the fitting direction in the state where the second housing is fitted to the connection target, a reaction force is generated in the removing direction. That is, the urging member has a "supporting function" for supporting relative displacement between the first housing and the second housing, and a "pressing function" for urging the second housing toward the connection target object by a reaction force. Have. Therefore, the second housing can be displaced together with the connection target while maintaining the fitting position with the connection target. Further, since the fitting position between the second housing and the connection target is maintained, the contact position between the terminal and the connection target is also maintained. Therefore, according to the movable connector of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of contact sliding between the terminal and the connection object, and to obtain a stable conductive connection.

Also, the biasing member has a "pressing function" that biases the second housing toward the connection target. Therefore, in the present invention, for example, it is not essential that the movable portion of the terminal be configured to have the “pressing function”. Therefore, according to the present invention, the movable portion of the terminal can be designed without considering the pressing function, and the design of the terminal can be facilitated. On the other hand, since the biasing member can be designed without considering the pressing function of the movable portion of the terminal, the design of the biasing member can be facilitated. As described above, the present invention has an advantage that the design can be facilitated by clarifying the functional role sharing between the biasing member and the movable portion of the terminal.

Further, in the movable connector of the present invention, the biasing member mainly supports the displacement of the second housing in the fitting direction. On the other hand, the displacement of the second housing in the fitting crossing direction is mainly supported by the movable portion of the terminal. Therefore, according to the movable connector of the present invention, the movable portion of the terminal can be configured to be soft, while the biasing member is configured as a spring harder than the movable portion so that the second housing can be reliably supported. You can That is, the biasing member and the movable portion can be configured so that the characteristics as a spring differ from each other according to their functions.

The biasing member includes a holding portion held by the first housing, a pressing portion that abuts the second housing inside the first housing in the extraction direction, and the reaction force causes the biasing member to move. And a spring portion for urging the pressing portion toward the second housing.

According to the urging member, since the holding portion is held by the first housing, the first housing can urge the second housing with respect to the connection target object with respect to the first housing. . The biasing member may be provided inside the first housing. According to this, compared with the case where the biasing member is arranged outside the first housing, the movable connector can be downsized and the biasing member can be protected.

The biasing member may be an elastic body, and the elastic body may be a rubber-like elastic body or a metal spring.

According to the urging member, the urging member can be configured with a simple spring design and a simple structure. The metal spring can be composed of, for example, a coil spring made of a metal wire or a leaf spring made of a metal piece.

The biasing member may be configured not to be elastically deformed in the fitting intersecting direction when the second housing and the first housing are relatively displaced in the fitting intersecting direction intersecting the fitting direction. .

In the movable connector of the present invention, the second housing may be fitted and connected to the connection target in a state where the second housing is displaced in the fitting crossing direction with respect to the first housing. In this case, the displacement due to the displacement of the second housing in the fitting crossing direction is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the movable portion of the terminal. Thus, even if the movable portion is elastically deformed, the biasing member is not elastically deformed in the fitting crossing direction. Therefore, the biasing member can reliably support the second housing in the fitting direction.

Further, according to the present invention, a connection target is connected to the movable connector, and the movable connector includes a first housing arranged on the first support member and a second housing fitted with the connection target. A connection structure for a movable connector, comprising: a terminal that is in conductive contact with the connection target, the terminal having a movable portion that supports the first housing and the second housing such that the first housing and the second housing can be displaced relative to each other. With respect to the movable connector, the connection object is configured such that the movable connector is in a stationary state in which the first housing and the second housing are not relatively displaced and in a displacement in which the first housing and the second housing are relatively displaced. Is elastically deformed in the fitting direction in which the second housing is fitted to the second housing, so that a reaction force is generated in the removal direction which is the opposite direction to the fitting direction. Is provided to the second housing to urge the second housing toward the connection target, and a movable gap that allows the second housing to be displaced in the fitting direction is provided. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, since the biasing member is elastically deformed in the fitting direction at the time of steady state and displacement, a reaction force is generated in the removing direction. That is, the urging member has a "supporting function" for supporting relative displacement between the first housing and the second housing, and a "pressing function" for urging the second housing toward the connection target object by a reaction force. Have. Therefore, the second housing can be displaced together with the connection target while maintaining the fitting position with the connection target. Further, since the fitting position between the second housing and the connection target is maintained, the contact position between the terminal and the connection target is also maintained. Therefore, according to the connection structure of the movable connector of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of contact sliding between the terminal and the connection object and to obtain a stable conductive connection.

Also, in the connection structure of the present invention, the second housing has a movable gap that can be displaced in the fitting direction. Therefore, according to the connection structure of the present invention, the second housing can be displaced in the fitting direction during displacement.

The second housing that is biased toward the connection target by the reaction force of the biasing member is configured to contact the connection target, the second support member, or the contact receiving member, for example, as described below. can do.

In the present invention, the connection object is a conductive connection member, the conductive connection member is arranged on a second support member, and the second housing is fitted to the conductive connection member. It can be configured to have an abutting portion that abuts in the joining direction and the withdrawing direction and that is pressed by the reaction force.

According to this, since the contact portion of the second housing directly contacts and presses the conductive connecting member, the contact portion and the conductive connecting member are prevented from being separated from each other more reliably during steady state and displacement. Can be followed. The conductive connection member may be, for example, a connector, a flat conductor such as an FPC or FFC, a bus bar, a terminal such as a connection pin, an electronic component including an electric element, or the like.

In the present invention, the conductive connecting member may be a mating connector, and the abutting portion may abut on a mating housing of the mating connector.

According to this, the contact portion can surely contact the mating housing of the mating connector. Further, since the abutting object of the abutting portion is the mating housing and they are resin molded bodies, a mating surface suitable for them is formed according to the shapes and sizes of the second housing and the mating connector. can do. That is, the degree of freedom in shape of the contact surface can be increased.

In the present invention, the connection object is a conduction connection member, the conduction connection member is arranged on a second support member, and the second housing is provided with respect to the second support member. It can be configured to have an abutting portion that abuts in the fitting direction and the withdrawing direction and that is pressed by the reaction force.

According to this, the contact portion presses the second support member. Therefore, even if it is difficult to provide the contact portion with the contact portion on the conductive connection member, the second support member can be provided as the contact portion with the contact portion instead of the conductive connection member. The conductive connection member of the present invention can be, for example, a connector, a flat conductor such as FPC or FFC, a bus bar, a terminal such as a connection pin, an electronic component including an electric element, or the like. Of these, flat conductors, terminals, electronic components, etc. other than the connector are difficult to provide a contact portion for receiving the pressing force of the contact portion, like the housing made of a resin molded body of the connector. In such a case, the present invention is particularly significant.

In the present invention, the connection object is a conductive connection member, the conductive connection member is arranged on a second support member, and the second support member has a contact receiving member. The second housing can be configured to have an abutment portion that abuts against the abutment receiving member in the fitting direction and the withdrawal direction and presses with the reaction force.

According to this, the contact portion presses the contact receiving member. Therefore, even when it is difficult to provide the contact portion with the contact portion on the conductive connection member and the second support member, the contact receiving portion is provided instead as the contact portion with the contact portion. You can The conductive connection member of the present invention can be, for example, a connector, a flat conductor such as FPC or FFC, a bus bar, a terminal such as a connection pin, an electronic component including an electric element, or the like. Of these, it is difficult to provide the contact portion with the contact portion for the flat conductors, terminals, electronic components, etc. other than the connector. Further, when the pressing force of the abutting portion is directly applied to the second supporting member, peeling and cracks occur in the fixing portion (for example, soldering portion, adhesive portion, etc.) between the second supporting member and the conductive connecting member. There is a risk of adverse effects such as ease. In such a case, the present invention is particularly significant.

The present invention further includes a spacer portion that disposes the first support member and the second support member at a distance from each other, and the second housing includes the connection target object in the second housing. It is possible to arrange such that the position displaced by elastically deforming the biasing member in the fitting direction is set as a steady position during the fitting.

When the movable connector and the first support member are arranged below and the connection target (conductive connection member) and the second support member are arranged above, the urging member includes the connection target and the second support member. It elastically deforms in the fitting direction due to the weight. Further, when the movable connector and the first supporting member are arranged on the upper side and the connection target (conductive connecting member) and the second supporting member are arranged on the lower side, the urging member includes the first housing and the first housing. The weight of the support member elastically deforms in the fitting direction. The second housing is arranged with the position displaced in the fitting direction due to the elastic deformation of the biasing member as the steady position. The spacer portion is fixed to the first support member and the second support member so as to maintain the steady position of the second housing. According to the present invention, the biasing member can be elastically deformed reliably and easily by using the weight of the connection target and the second supporting member or the first housing and the first supporting member. Therefore, a steady state in which the biasing member produces a reaction force can be reliably and easily formed.

The present invention further includes a spacer section for arranging the first support member and the second support member at a distance from each other. The second housing is formed so as to be shorter than the distance between the first supporting member and the second supporting member when fitted into the second housing. When the spacer part is installed between the second support member and the second support member, the spacer part is pushed in the fitting direction to compensate for the insufficient length of the spacer part with respect to the separation distance, and the biasing member is A position displaced by elastically deforming in the fitting direction can be arranged as a steady position.

According to the present invention, the second housing is pushed in the fitting direction in order to make up for the insufficient length of the spacer portion with respect to the distance when the fitting is fixed. The biasing member is elastically deformed by the pressing force (pressing load) at that time. Therefore, the biasing member can be elastically deformed reliably and easily by the installation work of the spacer portion and the first support member and the second support member at the time of fitting and fixing. Therefore, a steady state in which the biasing member produces a reaction force can be reliably and easily formed.

The present invention further includes a spacer section for arranging the first support member and the second support member at a distance from each other. 2 is formed so as to be shorter than the distance between the first support member and the second support member when fitted into the second housing, and the second housing is configured to connect the connection target to each other. When fitted in the second housing, the biasing member is displaced by elastically deforming in the fitting direction, and further, the biasing member is displaced between the first supporting member and the second supporting member. When fitting and fixing the spacer part, the spacer part is pushed in the fitting direction to compensate for the insufficient length of the spacer part with respect to the separation distance, and the biasing member is displaced by elastically deforming in the fitting direction. The position will be set as a stationary position. It can be configured to.

When the movable connector and the first support member are arranged below and the connection object (conductive connection member) and the second support member are arranged above, the connection object and the second connection object at the time of fitting described above. The weight of the supporting member and the pressing force for pressing the second housing in the fitting direction at the time of fitting and fixing described above act on the biasing member. Further, when the movable connector and the first supporting member are arranged on the upper side, and the connection target (conductive connecting member) and the second supporting member are arranged on the lower side, the first housing and the first housing at the time of fitting are arranged. The weight of the support member and the pressing force that pushes the second housing in the removal direction at the time of fitting and fixing act on the biasing member. Therefore, the biasing member can be elastically deformed more reliably and easily. Therefore, a steady state in which the biasing member produces a reaction force can be reliably and easily formed.

The spacer portion can be configured as a columnar spacer member.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably maintain the state in which the first support member and the second support member are arranged separately. The columnar spacer member can be composed of a plurality of divided pieces that can be connected to each other.

The spacer portion may be provided as a locking piece provided on the first housing and locked to the second support member.

According to the present invention, since the locking piece is provided in the first housing, it is possible to eliminate the use of a dedicated part that functions as a spacer part, and suppress an increase in the number of parts that make up the connection structure. Further, according to the present invention, the connection structure can be easily formed by locking the locking piece as the spacer portion to the second support member.

The spacer portion can be configured by a housing that houses the movable connector and the connection target.

According to the present invention, since the spacer portion is configured by the housing, the housing can also serve as the spacer portion. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a member dedicated to the spacer, and the number of parts can be reduced. The housing can be configured to have, for example, a first main body portion and a second main body portion or a lid body that are combined with each other. Then, for example, the first support member is attached to the first main body portion, the second support member is attached to the second main body portion or the lid, and the first main body portion and the second main body portion or the housing are attached. By forming the housing by combining the above, the movable connector and the connection target can be fitted and connected. The term “casing” is a term that includes not only the exterior casing of the device but also structural members such as brackets arranged inside the exterior casing.

In the present invention, the first support member can be composed of a first substrate. Further, according to the present invention, the second support member may be composed of a second substrate.

According to this, it is possible to realize the connection structure of the movable connector which has the above-described effects of the present invention while using at least one of the first support member and the second support member as a substrate.

When the second housing and the first housing are relatively displaced in a fitting cross direction intersecting the fitting direction, the biasing member may not be elastically deformed in the fitting cross direction. .

In the movable connector connection structure of the present invention, the second housing may be fitted and connected to the connection object in a state where the second housing is displaced in the fitting intersecting direction. In this case, the displacement due to the displacement of the second housing in the fitting crossing direction is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the movable portion of the terminal. Thus, even if the movable portion is elastically deformed, the biasing member is not elastically deformed in the fitting crossing direction. Therefore, the biasing member can reliably support the second housing in the fitting direction.

According to the movable connector and the structure for connecting the movable connector according to the present invention, the biasing member biases the second housing toward the connection target, so that the fitting position of the second housing and the connection target can be improved. The deviation can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of contact sliding between the terminal and the connection object when subjected to vibration, and obtain a stable conductive connection.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view including a front surface, a left side surface, and a plane of the movable connector according to the first embodiment. The top view of the movable connector of FIG. The perspective view of the terminal with which the movable connector of FIG. 1 is equipped. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a biasing member included in the movable connector of FIG. 1. 5A is a plan view including a front surface, a left side surface, and a plane of the mating connector, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a mating terminal provided in the mating connector. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the connection structure of the movable connector of 1st Embodiment, and a connection target object, FIG. 6A is explanatory drawing of a state before fitting, FIG. 6B is a 1st connection state (fitting state). Explanatory drawing, FIG. 6C is an explanatory view of a second connection state (fitting fixed state), FIG. 6D is an explanatory view of a first displacement state (displacement state in the fitting direction), and FIG. 6E is a second displacement state. Explanatory drawing of (displacement state in the removing direction). FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a state before fitting of the movable connector and the mating connector of the first embodiment, FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line VIIA-VIIA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7B is corresponding to line VIIB-VIIB in FIG. A cross-sectional view. Sectional drawing which shows the fitting state of a movable connector and a mating connector following FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a fitted and fixed state of the movable connector and the mating connector (a connection structure of the movable connector) following FIG. 8. Sectional drawing which shows the displacement state in the fitting direction of a movable connector and a mating connector following FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the displacement state of the movable connector and the mating connector in the removal direction following FIG. 9 or FIG. 10. The top view of the movable connector by 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view including a front surface, a bottom surface, and a right side surface of a movable housing provided in the movable connector of FIG. 12. FIG. 13 is a perspective view including a front surface, a bottom surface, and a right side surface of a fixed housing provided in the movable connector of FIG. 12. The front view which shows the coil spring with which the movable connector of FIG. 12 is equipped. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a fitted and fixed state of the movable connector and the mating connector of FIG. 12 (connection structure of the movable connector). The exploded perspective view including the front, the plane, and the left side of the movable connector of a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the movable connector corresponding to line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17. Sectional drawing which shows the fitting fixed state (movable connector connection structure) of the movable connector and the other connector of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the connection structure of the movable connector of 4th Embodiment, and a connection target object, FIG. 20A is explanatory drawing before a fitting, FIG. 20B shows a 1st connection state (fitting state) and 1st. Explanatory drawing of the connection state (fitting fixed state) of 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the connection structure of the movable connector of 5th Embodiment, and a connection target object, FIG. 21A is explanatory drawing before fitting, FIG. 21B is a 1st connection state (fitting state), FIG. 21C is an explanatory view of a second connection state (fitting fixed state), FIG. 21D is an explanatory view of a first displacement state (displacement state in the fitting direction), and FIG. 21E is a second displacement state (in the removal direction). FIG. 22A and 22B are explanatory views showing a plurality of embodiments of a connection structure between a movable connector and a connection object, FIG. 22A is a view showing a sixth embodiment, FIG. 22B is a view showing a seventh embodiment, and FIG. 22C is an eighth view. The figure which shows embodiment, FIG. 22D is a figure which shows 9th Embodiment. FIGS. 23A and 23B are explanatory views showing a plurality of embodiments of the connection structure between the movable connector and the connection object, FIG. 23A shows the tenth embodiment, FIG. 23B shows the eleventh embodiment, and FIG. 23C shows the twelfth embodiment. FIG. 23D is a view showing an embodiment, FIG. 23D is a view showing a thirteenth embodiment, FIG. 23E is a view showing a fourteenth embodiment, and FIG. 23F is a view showing a fifteenth embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the connection structure of the movable connector of 16th Embodiment, and a connection target object. Explanatory drawing which shows the connection structure of the movable connector of 17th Embodiment, and a connection target object.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the connection structure 30 and the connection forming method for the movable connector 10 and the mating connector 20 as the “connection target” and the “conductive connection member” will be described as an example. In the present specification, claims, and drawings, the arrangement direction (horizontal direction) of the plurality of terminals 13 of the movable connector 10 shown in FIG. 1 is the X direction, and the depth direction (front-back direction) of the movable connector 10 is the Y direction. The height direction (vertical direction) of the movable connector 10 will be described as the Z direction. However, the identification of such a direction does not limit the mounting direction and the use direction of the movable connector 10 of the present invention, unless otherwise specified. Further, the terms "first" and "second" described in the present specification and claims are used to distinguish different constituent elements of the invention, and indicate a particular order or superiority or inferiority. It is not used for.

First Embodiment [FIGS. 1 to 11]

Structure of the movable connector 10 [FIGS. 1 to 4]

The movable connector 10 includes a fixed housing 11 as a "first housing", a movable housing 12 as a "second housing", a plurality of terminals 13, and a biasing spring piece 14 as a "biasing member". Equipped with.

The fixed housing 11 is formed of a resin molded body and has a peripheral wall 11a and a top wall 11b. Inside the fixed housing 11, a housing portion 11c that houses the movable housing 12 and serves as a displacement space for the movable housing 12 is formed. The peripheral wall 11a is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and a plurality of fixed-side terminal holding portions 11a1 are formed on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 11a so as to be separated from each other in the X direction. The top wall 11b is formed in a rectangular frame shape that protrudes inward from the upper end of the peripheral wall 11a, and the inner peripheral edge thereof forms an opening 11b1 through which the movable housing 12 is inserted.

The movable housing 12 is formed of a resin molded body, and has a peripheral wall 12a, a bottom wall 12b, and a central wall 12c. The peripheral wall 12a is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and a fitting chamber 12a1 into which the mating connector 20 is inserted and fitted is formed inside thereof. Each of the left and right side walls 12a2 forming the peripheral wall 12a is formed with a pressure receiving portion 12a3 protruding outward in the left-right direction X. The pressure receiving portion 12a3 is a portion that receives the pressure contact of the biasing spring piece 14 as a "biasing member" described later. The bottom wall 12b as the "contact portion" closes the lower portion of the peripheral wall 12a. The bottom wall 12b is formed with a hole-shaped movable-side terminal holding portion 12b1 into which the terminals 13 are press-fitted and fixed. The central wall 12c is formed so as to project upward in the Z direction from the bottom wall 12b, and forms a fitting chamber 12a1 that forms a rectangular frame-shaped fitting space in the inner space of the peripheral wall 12a. On each wall surface 12c1 of the central wall 12c along the X direction, a plurality of terminal holding grooves 12c2 for holding the contact portions 13e of the terminals 13 described later are arranged side by side along the X direction.

A movable gap is provided between the fixed housing 11 and the movable housing 12 so that the movable housing 12 can be displaced in the left-right direction X, the front-rear direction Y, and the up-down direction Z. Therefore, the movable housing 12 movably supported by the movable portion 13c of the terminal 13, which will be described later, can be displaced in the XYZ directions with respect to the fixed housing 11 and the first substrate P1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of terminals 13 are formed as bent terminals in which a plate-shaped conductive metal piece serving as a material is punched by pressing and bent in a plate thickness direction at a predetermined position. Each terminal 13 has a board connecting portion 13a, a fixed housing fixed portion 13b, a movable portion 13c, a movable housing fixed portion 13d, and a contact portion 13e.

The board connecting portion 13a forms a soldering portion by being soldered to the circuit of the first board P1 described later. The fixed portion 13b for fixed housing has a fixed protrusion on each side edge, and is fixed to the fixed housing 11 by being press-fitted into the fixed-side terminal holding portion 11a1. The movable housing fixing portion 13d also has fixing protrusions on each side edge, and is fixed to the movable housing 12 by being press-fitted into the movable side terminal holding portion 12b1. The contact portion 13e is formed in a flat plate shape, is inserted from the movable side terminal holding portion 12b1 of the bottom wall 12b, and is arranged in the terminal holding groove 12c2 of the central wall 12c. Each plate edge along the longitudinal direction of the contact portion 13e is locked and held in the terminal holding groove 12c2. A plating layer (not shown) formed by gold plating or the like is formed on the surface of the contact portion 13e.

The movable portion 13c is formed of a bent spring piece that can be elastically deformed. The movable portion 13c includes a first extension portion 13c1, a first bending portion 13c2, a second extension portion 13c3, a second bending portion 13c4, and a third extension portion 13c5 in order from the fixed housing fixing portion 13b side. , And has a third bent portion 13c6.

The first extension portion 13c1 connects the upper end of the fixed housing fixing portion 13b and the first bent portion 13c2, and is formed in a linear shape that extends upward while inclining toward the movable housing 12. The 1st bending part 13c2 connects the 1st extension part 13c1 and the 2nd extension part 13c3, and is bent and formed in reverse U shape. The second extending portion 13c3 connects the first bending portion 13c2 and the second bending portion 13c4, and is formed in a linear shape that extends downward while inclining toward the movable housing 12. The second bent portion 13c4 connects the second elongated portion 13c3 and the third elongated portion 13c5, and is formed by being bent into an L shape. The third extending portion 13c5 connects the second bending portion 13c4 and the third bending portion 13c6 and is formed in a linear shape extending along the bottom wall 12b of the movable housing 12. The third extending portion 13c5 is formed as an inclined spring piece that extends obliquely upward from the second bending portion 13c4 to the third bending portion 13c6. The third bent portion 13c6 connects the third extended portion 13c5 and the movable housing fixed portion 13d, and is formed to be bent in an L shape.

The first extending portion 13c1, the first bending portion 13c2, and the second extending portion 13c3 are elastically deformed in the Y direction (front-rear direction, fitting crossing direction) with the first bending portion 13c2 as a main fulcrum. It is formed as a "lateral spring leaf". The "lateral spring piece" is elastically deformed so that the fixed housing 11 and the movable housing 12 can be relatively displaced in the Y direction. The “lateral spring piece” can also be elastically deformed in the X direction (lateral direction) by elastic deformation accompanied by twisting.

The second bent portion 13c4, the third extended portion 13c5, and the third bent portion 13c6 are elastic in the Z direction (vertical direction, fitting direction, and withdrawal direction) with the second bent portion 13c4 as a main fulcrum. It is formed as a deforming "longitudinal spring piece". The "vertical spring piece" is elastically deformed so that the fixed housing 11 and the movable housing 12 can be relatively displaced in the Z direction.

As described above, the movable portion 13c is roughly classified into a "lateral spring piece" that mainly functions for elastic deformation in the XY directions and a "longitudinal spring piece" that mainly functions for elastic deformation in the Z direction. Have in combination. Therefore, the movable portion 13c is elastically deformed in the XYZ directions so that the movable housing 12 and the mating connector 20 can be displaced relative to each other.

The biasing spring piece 14 is formed as a metal plate spring in which a flat plate-shaped metal piece that is a material is punched by pressing and bent in a plate thickness direction at a predetermined location. The urging spring piece 14 is formed with two board fixing portions 14a, two fixed housing holding portions 14b as "holding portions", two spring portions 14c, and one pressing portion 14d. .

The board fixing portions 14a are formed on both ends of the biasing spring piece 14 and are fixed to the first board P1 by soldering or the like. Therefore, the board fixing portion 14a has a function as a fixing fitting for fixing the movable connector 10 to the first board P1.

The fixed housing holding portion 14b is formed adjacent to each board fixing portion 14a. The two fixed housing holding portions 14b are fixed by press fitting to groove-shaped biasing spring piece holding portions 11a3 provided on one side wall 11a2 and the other side wall 11a2 of the fixed housing 11 in the front-rear direction Y, respectively. (Fig. 7).

The spring portion 14c is formed as a support spring that displaceably supports the pressing portion 14d by elastic deformation. The spring portion 14c is formed in a wave shape in which a mountain-shaped bent portion 14c1 and a valley-shaped bent portion 14c2 are continuous.

The pressing portion 14d is formed as a horizontal bridging piece spanning between the pair of spring portions 14c, and is displaceably supported by the pair of spring portions 14c. The pressing portion 14d is arranged to face the pressing receiving portion 12a3 of the movable housing 12 in the vertical direction Z as described later, and has a function of urging the movable housing 12 toward the mating connector 20. As described above, the pressing portion 14d is formed as a horizontal piece having a predetermined length along the horizontal direction. Here, if the pressing portion 14d is formed like a mountain-shaped bent portion 14c1 and is configured to make point contact with the pressing receiving portion 12a3, the movable housing 12 uses the contact portion as a swing fulcrum in the forward direction or Since the movable housing 12 is supported so as to be tilted rearward, the posture of the movable housing 12 may become unstable. However, since the pressing portion 14d is formed in the shape of a strip plate having a predetermined length along the front-rear direction Y and a predetermined width along the left-right direction, it makes surface contact with the pressure receiving portion 12a3 of the movable housing 12. Therefore, the movable housing 12 can be biased straight upward, and the fitting posture of the movable housing 12 can be stabilized. Also, the pressing portion 14d is formed in a strip plate shape as described above. Therefore, even if the movable housing 12 is displaced in either the left-right direction X or the front-rear direction Y, the movable housing 12 does not tilt and the fitting posture can be stabilized.

As described above, the biasing spring piece 14 can independently bias the movable housing 12 toward the mating connector 20. Therefore, it is not essential to generate a reaction force that urges the movable housing 12 toward the mating connector 20 in the movable portion 13c of the terminal 13. Therefore, the urging spring piece 14 and the movable portion 13c of the terminal can be easily designed. Further, the movable portion 13c of the terminal 13 can be formed to be soft so as to be elastically deformable in the XYZ directions. On the other hand, the biasing spring piece 14 can be formed so as to reliably support the movable housing 12.

Structure of mating connector 20 [Fig. 5]

The mating connector 20 as the “connection target” and the “conductive connecting member” includes a mating housing 21 and a plurality of mating terminals 22.

The mating housing 21 is formed of a rectangular tubular resin molded body, and has a peripheral wall 21a and a bottom wall 21b (FIG. 7A). The peripheral wall 21a is inserted into the fitting chamber 12a1 of the movable housing 12 to fit with the movable housing 12. The central wall 12c of the movable housing 12 is inserted inside the peripheral wall 21a. A plurality of terminal holding grooves 21a1 are formed side by side in the X direction on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21a, and each terminal holding groove 21a1 holds the contact portion 22c of the mating terminal 22. The fitting side end (upper end surface) of the peripheral wall 21a (mate housing 21) contacts the bottom wall 12b as the "contact part" of the movable housing 12 in the fitted state with the movable connector 10. 21a2. Hole-shaped terminal holding portions 21b1 for press-fitting and fixing the mating terminals 22 are formed on the bottom wall 21b.

The plurality of mating terminals 22 are formed as bent terminals by punching a conductive metal piece as a material by press working and bending it in a plate thickness direction at a predetermined location. Each mating terminal 22 has a board connecting portion 22a, a housing fixing portion 22b, and a contact portion 22c. The board connecting portion 22a is soldered to a circuit of the second board P2 described later. The housing fixing portion 22b has fixing protrusions on each side edge, and is fixed by being press-fitted into the terminal holding portion 21b1 of the mating housing 21. The contact portion 22c has an elastic arm 22c1 formed of a spring piece extending from the housing fixing portion 22b, and a contact portion 22c2 bent in a mountain shape.

Description of connection structure and connection forming method of movable connector 10 [FIG. 6]

Before describing the connection structure 30 between the movable connector 10 and the mating connector 20 and the connection forming method, the connection structure 3 and the connection between the movable connector 1 and the connection target 2 which are schematically illustrated by omitting the detailed structure of the movable connector 10 The principle of the forming method will be described with reference to FIG.

The movable connector 1 includes a fixed housing 1a as a "first housing" fixed to the first substrate P1, a movable housing 1b as a "second housing", and the movable housing 1b is displaced with respect to the fixed housing 1a. It has a terminal having a movable portion 1c that supports the movable portion 1c. Further, the movable connector 1 has a biasing spring piece 1d as a "biasing member". In FIG. 6, only the movable portion 1c of the terminal is shown for convenience of description. The first end (lower end) of the spacer member R as the “spacer portion” is fixed to the first substrate P1 as the “first support member”.

The connection object 2 is fixed to the second substrate P2 serving as a "second support member". In addition to the mating connector 20 described above, such a connection object 2 may be a flat conductor such as FPC or FFC, a bus bar, a terminal such as a connection pin, an electronic component including an electric element, or the like.

Note that, in FIG. 6, the first substrate P1 is illustrated as the “first support member” on which the spacer member R is installed. However, the “first support member” is not limited to the first substrate P1 and may be a structure such as a bracket or a housing to which the first substrate P1 is attached. Similarly, in FIG. 6, the second substrate P2 is illustrated as the “second support member” on which the spacer member R is installed, but the second substrate P2 is attached as the “second support member”. It may be a structure such as a bracket or a housing.

Before mating [Fig. 6A]

FIG. 6A shows a pre-fitting state in which the movable connector 1 and the connection object 2 are arranged apart from each other. The movable portion 1c and the biasing spring piece 1d of the movable connector 1 in the pre-fitting state are in a free state and are not elastically deformed. The biasing spring piece 1d is in contact with the pressure receiving portion 1b5 of the movable housing 1b, but may not be in contact with it. The weight of the movable housing 1b acts on the movable portion 1c and the urging spring piece 1d, but the movable portion 1c and the urging spring piece 1d are formed so as to have hardness (spring constant) that does not elastically deform. There is. Even if the urging spring piece 1d elastically deforms due to the weight of the movable housing 1b, the elastic deformation of the urging spring piece 1d before the fitting with the connection target 2 is performed by the urging spring piece 1d in the present invention. It is not included in "elastically deforming".

Mated state [Fig. 6B]

FIG. 6B shows a “fitted state” in which the movable connector 1 and the connection target 2 are fitted and connected. When the connection target 2 is inserted into the movable housing 1b from the pre-fitting state of FIG. 6A, the contact portion (not shown) of the terminal (terminal 13) first comes into conductive contact with the connection target 2. When the connection target 2 is further inserted, the contact receiving portion 2a located at the fitting side end (insertion side end) of the connection target 2 contacts the contacting part 1b1 of the movable housing 1b. As a result, the insertion of the connection target 2 is stopped. That is, the contact between the contact receiving portion 2a and the contact portion 1b1 means that the connection object 2 has reached the fitting limit (insertion limit) with respect to the movable housing 1b. In this way, it is possible to obtain the fitting state in which the connection target 2 is fitted and connected to the movable connector 1 (first step).

There are two features in this mating state. The first feature is that the second end (upper end) of each spacer member R is not in contact with the second substrate P2. In the fitted state, the spacer member R is formed to be shorter than the distance between the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2. Therefore, a gap S1 is formed between the spacer member R and the second substrate P2, and the spacer member R and the second substrate P2 face each other with a separation distance d1. Therefore, in order to complete the connection structure 3 of the movable connector 1 and the connection object 2, the second substrate P2 is made to have the elastic force of the biasing spring piece 1d (and the movable portion 1c) so that the gap S1 is eliminated. In opposition, the spacer member R has to be fixed to the spacer member R after being pushed in by a separation distance d1 which is an insufficient length.

The second feature is that the weight of the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2 acts as a load on the biasing spring piece 1d, but the biasing spring piece 1d is not elastically deformed. In some conventional movable connectors, the contact pressure of the contact portion of the terminal with respect to the connection target is increased in order to suppress contact sliding. However, if it is attempted to suppress the contact sliding only by increasing the contact pressure of the contact portion, the insertion force of the connection object increases. Therefore, in order to fit the connection target to the movable housing, it is customary to fit the connection target with the movable housing abutting against the substrate and not moving. In this case, when the connection target is completely fitted to the movable housing, the contact pressure of the contact portion of the terminal keeps the movable housing in contact with the substrate.

However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the contact sliding is not suppressed only by the height of the contact pressure of the contact portion of the terminal, but the biasing spring piece 1d presses the movable housing 1b against the connection target 2 to be described later. The occurrence of contact sliding is suppressed by obtaining the fitting and fixing state of. Therefore, the spring constant of the biasing spring piece 1d is set to be high so that such a fitting connection can be realized, while the contact pressure of the terminal needs to be high enough to suppress the occurrence of contact sliding. There is no. Therefore, when the connection target 2 is inserted into the movable housing 1b, the biasing spring piece 1d is not elastically deformed. Further, in the fitted state shown in FIG. 6B, the urging spring piece 1d does not elastically deform even if a load due to the weight of the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2 acts. Therefore, the movable housing 1b is not displaced downward, and the movable housing 1b fits with the connection target 2 while being separated from the first substrate P1. Further, as described above, it is not necessary to increase the contact pressure of the contact portion of the terminal for the purpose of suppressing contact sliding, so that the contact pressure of the terminal can be made smaller than that of the conventional movable connector. Therefore, the insertion force when fitting the connection object 2 into the movable housing 1b is reduced, and the connection workability can be improved. Moreover, since the insertion force can be reduced, half-fitting can be prevented, and the connection work can be performed reliably.

Fitted and fixed [Fig. 6C]

FIG. 6C shows a “fitted and fixed state” in which the second substrate P2 and each spacer member R are fixed by a fixing member such as a bolt (not shown). The spacer member R of the present embodiment is installed between and fixed to the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2. In the connection structure 3 of the movable connector 1 and the connection object 2 of the present embodiment, the stationary position and state in the fitted and fixed state are the "steady position" and the "steady state" of the movable housing 1b and the connection object 2. And The movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 can exert a floating function with this steady position as the center of displacement, that is, they can be displaced in the XYZ directions.

At the time of fitting and fixing which forms the fitting and fixing state of FIG. 6C, the connection object 2 fitted with the movable housing 1b is further pushed in the fitting direction from the fitted state shown in FIG. 6B, and the movable housing 1b is separated by the separation distance d1. The second step of elastically deforming the biasing spring piece 1d by displacing it in the fitting direction is executed. As a result, the urging spring piece 1d is elastically deformed in the fitting direction and arranged in a state in which a reaction force for pressing the connection target object 2 in the removal direction is generated. Following this, the urging spring piece 1d fixes the installation position of the movable connector 1 and the installation position of the connection target 2 while maintaining the reaction force that presses the connection target 2 in the pull-out direction. Process ”.

That is, from the state of FIG. 6B, the second substrate P2 is pushed in and displaced by the separation distance d1 of the gap S1 which is the insufficient length of the spacer member R, and the second substrate P2 is brought into contact with the spacer member R. . When the second substrate P2 is pushed in, the connection target 2 is also displaced in the fitting direction (downward in the Z direction) by the separation distance d1 of the gap S1. Then, the contact receiving portion 2a of the connection object 2 presses the contact portion 1b1 of the movable housing 1b in the fitting direction, so that the movable housing 1b also moves toward the first substrate P1 by the separation distance d1 of the gap S1. Displace. When the displacement of the movable housing 1b causes the pressure receiving portion 1b5 to press the biasing spring piece 1d and the biasing spring piece 1d elastically deforms, the biasing spring piece 1d causes the contact portion 1b1 to push back the contact receiving portion 2a. A reaction force (pressing force) is generated (second step). The reaction force generated by the biasing spring piece 1d serves as a “pressing support force” that supports the movable housing 1b in a displaceable manner and presses the movable housing 1b against the connection target 2. Then, the second substrate P2 and each spacer member R are fixed by the fixing member (third step). Thus, in the fitted and fixed state, the urging spring piece 1d maintains the elastically deformed state for urging the pressure receiving portion 1b5, whereby the abutting portion 1b1 is moved in the removing direction. A state is obtained in which the biasing spring piece 1d supports the movable housing 1b in a displaceable manner while pressing the 2a. In this fitted and fixed state, the movable portion 1c may also be elastically deformed like the biasing spring piece 1d, and a reaction force for pressing the movable housing 1b against the connection target 2 may be generated.

Also, in the fitted and fixed state, a movable gap S2 is formed below the outer bottom surface of the movable housing 1b. Therefore, the movable housing 1b can be displaced toward the movable gap S2 in the fitted and fixed state, as shown in FIG. 6D described later. In the conventional movable connector that suppresses contact sliding as described above, the contact pressure of the terminal with respect to the connection target is high, so the insertion force of the connection target is high, and when the connection target is fitted into the movable housing. It is customary that the movable housing is pushed in until it comes into contact with the substrate to be in a fitted state. Therefore, in the conventional movable connector, the movable housing cannot be displaced in the fitting direction in the initial fitted state. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the contact sliding is not suppressed by the height of the contact pressure of the terminal, but the movable housing 1b is pressed against the connection target 2 by the biasing spring piece 1d. Suppress the occurrence of sliding. Therefore, in the connection structure 3 of the present invention, the movable gap S2 is formed below the movable housing 1b so that the movable housing 1b can be displaced in the fitting direction in the initial fitted and fixed state.

In a stationary state in which the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 are stationary without displacement, the fitting position between the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 is maintained. Therefore, the contact position between the terminal and the connection target 2 is also maintained, and the occurrence of contact sliding is suppressed. Then, as will be described next, even when external vibration along the Z direction in which contact sliding easily occurs acts on the connection structure 3, the occurrence of contact sliding is suppressed.

First displacement state (displacement state in the fitting direction, FIG. 6D)

6D shows the displacement of the connection structure 3 between the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2. That is, the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 are in the first displacement state in which they are displaced in the fitting direction so as to approach the fixed housing 1a. In this way, the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 are displaced in the fitting direction because, for example, external vibration or external shock acts on the connection structure 3 to fit the second substrate P2 on which the connection target 2 is installed. This is the case when it is bent in the correct direction. Even in such a case, contact sliding does not occur.

That is, when the second substrate P2 is bent in the fitting direction (downward in the vertical direction Z) and the connection object 2 is displaced, the connection object 2 pushes down the movable housing 1b in the fitting direction. At this time, the movable housing 1b continues to press the connection target object 2 in the removing direction (upward in the vertical direction Z) due to the elastic deformation of the biasing spring piece 1d. Therefore, the fitting position between the connection target 2 and the movable housing 1b does not change, and the contact position between the terminal and the connection target 2 does not change.

Next, when the second substrate P2 bent in the fitting direction is returned, the connection target 2 is displaced in the removing direction, but the biasing spring piece 1d moves in the removing direction of the movable housing 1b by the reaction force. Since the connection target 2 is continuously pressed, the movable housing 1b is displaced together with the connection target 2 in the removal direction while urging the connection target 2. Therefore, the fitting position between the connection target 2 and the movable housing 1b does not change, and the contact position between the terminal and the connection target 2 does not change. In this way, contact sliding does not occur even when returning.

Second displacement state [displacement state in the removing direction, FIG. 6E]

FIG. 6E shows the displacement of the connection structure 3 between the movable housing 1b and the connection object 2. That is, the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 are in the second displacement state in which the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 are displaced in the removal direction so as to be separated from the fixed housing 1a. The connection target 2 is displaced in the removal direction when, for example, external vibration or external shock acts on the connection structure 3 and the second substrate P2 on which the connection target 2 is installed is bent in the removal direction. . However, in this case as well, contact sliding does not occur.

That is, when the second substrate P2 bends in the removal direction, the connection target 2 is displaced in the removal direction. However, since the biasing spring piece 1d presses the movable housing 1b against the connection target object 2 in the removing direction by the reaction force, the contact portion 1b1 pushes up the contact receiving portion 2a and the movable housing 1b The connection target 2 is displaced together in the removal direction. Therefore, the fitting position between the connection target 2 and the movable housing 1b does not change, and the contact position between the terminal and the connection target 2 does not change.

Next, when the second substrate P2 returns from the state of being bent in the removal direction, the connection target 2 is displaced in the fitting direction. At this time, the movable housing 1b continues to press the connection object 2 in the removing direction by the biasing spring piece 1d. Therefore, the fitting position between the connection target 2 and the movable housing 1b does not change, and the contact position between the terminal and the connection target 2 does not change. In this way, contact sliding does not occur even when returning.

That is, the movable connector 1 and the connection structure 3 between the movable connector 1 and the connection target 2 may have any installation posture. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the movable connector 1 may be installed so that the fitting direction is the vertical direction, or the fitting direction is other than the vertical direction (inclination direction with respect to the vertical direction and horizontal direction). The movable connector 1 may be installed so that

The movable connector 1 may be fitted and connected to the connection target 2 in a state where the movable housing 1b is displaced in the fitting crossing direction with respect to the fixed housing 1a. In the movable connector 1, the movable housing 1b may be displaced in the fitting crossing direction with respect to the fixed housing 1a in the fitted and fixed state. In these cases, the movable portion 1c of the terminal is elastically deformed in the fitting cross direction, but the biasing spring piece 1d is not elastically deformed in the fitting cross direction. Therefore, the biasing spring piece 1d can reliably support the movable housing 1b in the fitting direction regardless of whether the movable housing 1b is displaced in the fitting crossing direction.

Description of connection structure and connection forming method between movable connector 10 and mating connector 20 [FIGS. 7 to 12]

Next, the connection structure 30 and the connection forming method between the movable connector 10 and the mating connector 20 will be specifically described.

Before mating [Fig. 7]

FIG. 7 shows a pre-fitting state in which the movable connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are arranged apart from each other. Four spacer members R are fixed to the first substrate P1 on which the movable connector 10 is mounted. The second substrate P2 on which the mating connector 20 is mounted is provided with holes for inserting fixing members (not shown) such as bolts at positions corresponding to the spacer members R. The biasing spring piece 1d of the movable connector 10 in the pre-fitting state is in a free state in which no load is applied and is not elastically deformed. Even if the biasing spring piece 1d is bent due to the weight of the movable housing 12, this is not included in the "elastic deformation" of the biasing spring piece 1d here.

Mated state [Fig. 8]

When the mating connector 20 is inserted into the mating chamber 12a1 of the movable housing 12 from the pre-fitting state of FIG. 7 (FIG. 8), the contact portion 22c2 of the mating terminal 22 presses and contacts the contact portion 13e of the terminal 13. . As described above, the contact pressure of the contact portion 22c2 is not so high as to suppress the contact sliding. Therefore, the insertion force for inserting the mating connector 20 is small, and the mating connector 20 can be easily inserted. When the mating connector 20 is continuously inserted as it is, as shown in FIG. 8, the abutment receiving portion 21a2 of the mating housing 21 abuts against the bottom wall 12b as the "abutting portion" of the movable housing 12, and further, The mating connector 20 cannot be inserted into the movable housing 12. In this way, the mating state in which the mating connector 20 is fitted and connected to the movable housing 12 is obtained.

In this fitted state, the entire surface of the upper end surface of the mating housing 21 in the shape of a rectangular frame (FIG. 5), that is, the contact receiving portion 21a2, has a larger area than the bottom wall 12b which is the “contact portion” of the movable housing 12. Contact directly with. Further, the fitting chamber 12a1 of the movable housing 12 is deeply formed, and the peripheral wall 21a of the mating housing 21 is inserted therein to approximately half its height, and the inner surface of the fitting chamber 12a1 and the peripheral wall 21a have a large area. Contact. Since the mating housing 21 and the movable housing 12 are in contact with each other over a wide area in this way, it is possible to prevent the movable housing 12 and the mating housing 21 from twisting each other in the fitted state. It is designed so that it can be pressed reliably in the removal direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, the upper end of each spacer member R is not in contact with the second substrate P2, and a gap S1 is formed between them. In the fitted state, the weight of the mating connector 20 and the second substrate P2 acts on the biasing spring piece 1d, but the biasing spring piece 1d is not elastically deformed. This is because the spring constant of the biasing spring piece 1d is set high.

Fitted and fixed [Fig. 9]

Next, the second board P2 in the fitted state shown in FIG. 8 is further pushed toward the fitting direction by the separation distance d1 and brought into contact with the upper end portion of the spacer member R, and a fixing member such as a bolt, not shown, The second substrate P2 is fixed to the spacer member R. As a result, the fitted and fixed state shown in FIG. 9 is obtained.

In the connection structure 30 of the movable connector 10 and the mating connector 20 shown in FIG. 9, the movable housing 12 is displaced in the XYZ directions with respect to the fixed housing 11 with the stationary position in the fitted and fixed state as the steady position. be able to. In particular, a movable gap S2 is formed between the movable housing 12 and the first substrate P1. Therefore, the movable housing 12 can be displaced downward from the stationary position in the fitting direction, as shown in FIG. 10 described later.

In addition, during fitting and fixing when forming the fitting and fixed state from the fitted state, the movable portion 13c is elastically deformed as the movable housing 12 is displaced in the fitting direction by the separation distance d1. That is, in the fitted state of FIG. 8, the third extending portion 13c5 is inclined obliquely upward from the outer peripheral surface side of the movable housing 12 to the center of the outer bottom surface, which is a free state. However, in the fitted and fixed state shown in FIG. 9, the movable housing 12 is pushed down by the separation distance d1 by the mating connector 20, so that the third extending portion 13c5 becomes horizontal mainly with the second bent portion 13c4 as a fulcrum. Thus, the side of the third bent portion 13c6 is pushed down in the fitting direction. The biasing spring piece 14 is also elastically deformed similarly to the movable portion 13c. That is, when the pressure receiving portion 12a3 of the movable housing 12 pushes down the pressing portion 14d, the spring portion 14c is elastically deformed and the pressing portion 14d is displaced toward the first substrate P1. At this time, since the strip-shaped pressing portion 14d is in surface contact with the pressing receiving portion 12a3, it can be displaced straight downward without tilting forward or backward.

When the biasing spring piece 14 is elastically deformed in this way, the movable housing 12 is abutted against the mating housing 21 via the bottom wall 12b as the "abutting portion" by the reaction force generated by the spring portion 14c. The portion 21a2 is pushed back in the removing direction. Therefore, the biasing spring piece 14 not only supports the movable housing 12 in a displaceable manner, but also biases the movable housing 12 in the removal direction, so that the movable housing 12 is constantly pressed against the mating connector 20. Therefore, the fitting position between the movable housing 12 and the mating housing 21 is maintained both in the steady state in which the movable housing 12 and the mating connector 20 are not displaced and in the displacement during displacement due to external vibration or external shock. Therefore, the displacement of the contact position between the contact portion 13e of the terminal 13 and the contact portion 22c2 of the mating terminal 22 is also suppressed, and the occurrence of contact sliding is suppressed. Then, as will be described later, even when external vibration or impact along the Z direction in which contact sliding easily occurs acts on the connection structure 30, the occurrence of contact sliding is suppressed.

The reaction force generated by the biasing spring piece 14 in the fitted and fixed state is also applied to the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2. Therefore, the resonance frequencies of the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 increase, and the occurrence of resonance can be suppressed.

First displacement state (displacement state in the fitting direction, FIG. 10)

The connection structure 30 between the movable connector 10 and the mating connector 20 in the fitted and fixed state is fitted with the second substrate P2 as shown in FIG. Although it is displaced in the mating direction by a distance d2, contact sliding does not occur.

That is, when the mating connector 20 is displaced in the mating direction by bending the second board P2 in the mating direction, the contact receiving portion 21a2 of the mating connector 20 contacts the bottom wall 12b of the movable housing 12. In contact with each other, the movable housing 12 is pushed down in the fitting direction. That is, the mating housing 21 and the movable housing 12 are displaced together in the fitting direction toward the movable gap S2. Therefore, the fitting position between the mating connector 20 and the movable housing 12 does not change, and the contact position between the contact portion 13e of the terminal 13 and the contact portion 22c2 of the mating terminal 22 does not change.

When the movable housing 12 is displaced in this way, the movable portion 13c pivots around the second bent portion 13c4 as a fulcrum so that the third extended portion 13c5 inclines downward, and the third bent portion 13c5 is rotated. The side of the portion 13c6 is elastically deformed so as to be pushed down in the fitting direction. In the process of this elastic deformation, the movable portion 13c generates a reaction force that pushes the movable housing 12 against the mating housing 21 in the removing direction. Further, in the urging spring piece 14, the pressure receiving portion 12a3 pushes down the pressing portion 14d, whereby the spring portion 14c elastically deforms and the pressing portion 14d is displaced toward the first substrate P1. In the process of this elastic deformation, the spring portion 14c generates a reaction force that pushes the movable housing 12 against the mating housing 21 in the removing direction.

Next, the second board P2 returns in the removal direction from the state of being bent in the fitting direction. At this time, the movable portion 13c and the urging spring piece 14 that generate the reaction force as described above continuously press the movable housing 12 against the mating connector 20 in the removing direction. Therefore, the movable housing 12 is displaced in the removal direction together with pushing up the mating connector 20, and returns to the steady position in the fitting and fixed state shown in FIG. Even when returning in this manner, the fitting position between the movable housing 12 and the mating connector 20 does not change, and the contact position between the contact portion 13e of the terminal 13 and the contact portion 22c2 of the mating terminal 22 does not change. Therefore, contact sliding does not occur even when returning.

Second displacement state [Displacement state in the removing direction, Fig. 11]

In addition, the connection structure 30 of the movable connector 10 and the mating connector 20 in the fitted and fixed state, when the external vibration or the external shock acts in the usage environment, as shown in FIG. It may be displaced by the distance d2 in the removing direction. However, in this case as well, contact sliding does not occur.

That is, when the second substrate P2 bends in the pulling-out direction, the mating connector 20 is displaced in the pulling-out direction in which it is pulled out from the movable housing 12. However, the biasing spring piece 14 in the fitted and fixed state continues to press the movable housing 12 against the mating housing 21 in the pull-out direction by the reaction force as described above. Therefore, the movable housing 12 is displaced together with the mating connector 20 in the removing direction. Therefore, the mating position of the mating connector 20 and the movable housing 12 does not change. Further, the contact position between the contact portion 13e of the terminal 13 and the contact portion 22c2 of the mating terminal 22 does not change.

In this way, when the movable housing 12 is displaced in the removal direction, the movable portion 13c rotates so that the third extension portion 13c5 inclines upward mainly with the second bent portion 13c4 as a fulcrum. The bent portion 13c6 side of 3 is elastically deformed so as to be pushed up in the removing direction. In the process of this elastic deformation, the movable portion 13c generates a reaction force that pushes the movable housing 12 against the mating housing 21 in the removing direction. Further, in the biasing spring piece 14, the spring portion 14c is elastically deformed so that the pressing portion 14d biases the pressing receiving portion 12a3. In the process of this elastic deformation, the spring portion 14c generates a reaction force that pushes the movable housing 12 against the mating housing 21 in the removing direction. Therefore, even if the second substrate P2 bends in the removal direction due to external vibration or the like, the limit displacement amount thereof is set to be smaller than the gap S1 in the fitted state shown in FIG. In other words, the amount of displacement of the second substrate P2 in the removal direction is required for the amount of displacement due to the separation distance d1 that has caused the reaction force to the biasing spring piece 14, that is, for the biasing spring piece 14 to return to the free state. It is limited to a range of displacement. Therefore, in the connection structure 30, the movable housing 12 can always press the mating connector 20 in the removal direction even if the second substrate P2 is bent and displaced in the removal direction.

Next, when the second board P2 returns to the fitting direction from the state of being bent in the removing direction, the mating connector 20 moves in the fitting direction while being pressed by the movable housing 12 in the removing direction. Displace. Therefore, the fitting position between the mating connector 20 and the movable housing 12 does not change, and the contact position between the contact portion 13e of the terminal 13 and the contact portion 22c2 of the mating terminal 22 does not change. In this way, contact sliding does not occur even when returning.

Second Embodiment [FIGS. 12 to 19]

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the biasing spring piece 14 as the “biasing member” of the movable connector 10 is the coil spring 15. Other configurations and operational effects of the movable connector 10 and the connection structure 30 of the movable connector 10 are the same unless otherwise specified, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

The movable connector 10 of the second embodiment includes a coil spring 15 as a “biasing member”. As shown in FIG. 15, the coil spring 15 is formed in a shape in which an elemental wire made of a metal material is wound into an inverted conical shape having a small diameter at the lower end and a large diameter at the upper end. That is, the coil spring 15 is formed as an unequal pitch compression coil spring having a non-linear spring characteristic.

The lower end of the coil spring 15 serves as a holding portion 15a for receiving the mounting shaft portion 11d formed in the fixed housing 11 (FIGS. 14 and 16). The upper end of the coil spring 15 forms a pressing portion 15b arranged in a locking recess 12a4 formed in the pressing receiving portion 12a3 of the movable housing 12.

A spring portion 15c is provided between the holding portion 15a and the pressing portion 15b, and by elastically deforming in the compression direction, a reaction force that urges the movable housing 12 toward the mating connector 20 is generated. The spring portion 15c is formed as an unequal pitch compression coil spring, and has a small diameter on the lower end side and a high spring constant, and a spring constant that decreases as the diameter increases toward the upper end side. In the vicinity of the center of the spring portion 15c, the spacing between the adjacent wires in the vertical direction Z is wide, and the spring constant is set low. Therefore, since the spring portion 15c is hard on the lower end side, which is the fixed side, and the displacement is small, the spring portion 15c is stably held without being removed from the mounting shaft portion 11d. On the other hand, in the spring portion 15c, the spring is soft and easily elastically deformed on the upper end side where the movable housing 12 is displaced from the vicinity of the center where the spacing between the strands in the vertical direction Z is wide. Is softly supported.

Next, the connection structure 30 between the movable connector 10 and the mating connector 20 and the connection forming method will be described. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the biasing spring piece 14 is a coil spring 15, and the pre-fitting state, the fitted state, the fitted and fixed state (FIG. 16), the first The operation of the movable connector 10 in the second displacement state and the second displacement state is the same as in the first embodiment. In the fitted and fixed state shown in FIG. 16, the movable housing 12 is displaced in the fitting direction by the separation distance d1, so that the coil spring 15 is preloaded. Therefore, the coil spring 15 continues to press the movable housing 12 against the mating housing 21 in the removing direction by the reaction force against the preload in the fitting fixed state, the first displacement state, and the second displacement state. As described above, even when the coil spring 15 is used as the "biasing member", the contact sliding can be suppressed.

Third Embodiment [FIGS. 17 to 19]

The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the biasing spring piece 14 as the “biasing member” of the movable connector 10 is the biasing rubber piece 16. Other configurations and operational effects of the movable connector 10 and the connection structure 30 of the movable connector 10 are the same unless otherwise specified, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

The biasing rubber piece 16 is accommodated in a biasing rubber piece accommodating portion 11e provided adjacent to the accommodating portion 11c of the fixed housing 11, as shown in FIG. The biasing rubber piece accommodating portions 11e are provided at both ends in the left-right direction X, and the biasing rubber pieces 16 are installed in each of them.

The urging rubber piece 16 includes a base portion 16a, a pair of locking arm portions 16b protruding upward from each end portion of the base portion 16a in the front-rear direction Y, and a pair protruding upward from between the pair of locking arm portions 16b. And a pressing portion 16d that connects the upper ends of the pair of spring portions 16c. Of these, a hook-shaped locking claw 16b1 as a "holding part" is formed on the locking arm 16b, and the locking claw 16b1 is a locking recess 11e1 provided in the biasing rubber piece accommodating section 11e. Locked against. A hole 16e is formed between the pair of spring portions 16c. Since the spring portion 16c is provided with the hole 16e, the spring portion 16c is easily compressed and deformed. The upper surface of the pressing portion 16d is a flat surface and, like the pressing portion 14d of the first embodiment, is in surface contact with the pressing receiving portion 12a3 of the movable housing 12.

The biasing rubber piece 16 is formed of a molded body of a rubber-like elastic body. Synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) can be used for the rubber elastic body, and for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, fluororubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, butyl rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, acrylic rubber, etc. In addition to the above synthetic rubber, natural rubber and thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-based TPE, olefin-based TPE, urethane-based TPE, polyester-based TPE, and vinyl chloride-based TPE can be used.

Next, the connection structure 30 between the movable connector 10 and the mating connector 20 and the connection forming method will be described. The difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the urging spring piece 14 is the urging rubber piece 16, and the pre-fitting state, the fitted state, and the fitted and fixed state (FIG. 19), The operation of the movable connector 10 in the first displacement state and the second displacement state is the same as in the first embodiment. In the fitted and fixed state shown in FIG. 19, the biasing rubber piece 16 is preloaded because the movable housing 12 is displaced in the fitting direction by the separation distance d1. Therefore, the biasing rubber piece 16 is compressed and deformed as shown in FIG. 19B. Therefore, the biasing rubber piece 16 continues to press the movable housing 12 against the mating housing 21 in the removing direction by the reaction force against the preload in the fitting fixed state, the first displacement state, and the second displacement state. . As described above, even when the biasing rubber piece 16 is used as the "biasing member", the occurrence of contact sliding can be suppressed.

Fourth Embodiment [FIG. 20]

Next, a connection structure and a connection forming method of the movable connector and the movable connector of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the bias spring piece 14 has a spring hardness (spring constant) that is softer than that of the first embodiment. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the length of the spacer member R is the same as the distance between the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 in the fitted state. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

Similar to FIG. 6, FIG. 20 shows the connection structure 3 between the movable connector 1 and the connection object 2 and the principle of the connection forming method, which is generalized by omitting the detailed structure of the movable connector according to the fourth embodiment. .

FIG. 20A shows a pre-fitting state in which the movable connector 1 and the connection target 2 are arranged apart from each other. FIG. 20B shows a “fitted state” in which the movable connector 1 and the connection target 2 are fitted and connected, and a “fitted and fixed” state in which the second substrate P2 and each spacer member R are fixed by a fixing member such as a bolt (not shown). State ".

As shown in these figures, the contact receiving portion 2a of the connection object 2 is inserted until it comes into contact with the contact portion 1b1 of the movable housing 1b, and the connection object 2 is fitted to the movable housing 1b (fitting). Status). In this fitted state, the weight of the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2 acts as a load on the biasing spring piece 1d, and the biasing spring piece 1d elastically deforms so as to sink in the fitting direction by the distance d3 (Fig. 20B). As a result, the biasing spring piece 1d generates a reaction force (pressing force) for the contact portion 1b1 to push back the contact receiving portion 2a. Then, in this fitted state, the second substrate P2 is in contact with the upper end of the spacer member R, so that it can be fixed to the spacer member R with a fixing member such as a bolt. As a result, the fitted and fixed state is formed.

In the connection structure of the movable connector 1 of the fourth embodiment, the biasing spring piece 1d is elastically deformed by the weight of the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2, and a reaction force is generated in the removal direction. Also by this, when the movable housing 1b and the fixed housing 1a are displaced relative to each other, the fitting position between the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 is maintained by the reaction force of the biasing spring piece 1d. Therefore, the contact position between the terminal and the connection target 2 is also maintained, and the contact sliding can be suppressed.

Also, in the fitted and fixed state shown in FIG. 20B, a movable gap S3 is formed below the movable housing 1b. Therefore, the movable housing 1b can be displaced in the fitting direction in a steady state.

In the movable connector 1 and the connection structure 3 of the movable connector 1 and the connection target 2 of the fourth embodiment, the weight of the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2 acts as a load on the biasing spring piece 1d, and the biasing is performed. It is sufficient that the spring piece 1d can be elastically deformed so as to sink in the fitting direction by the distance d3. That is, as shown in FIG. 20, not only the embodiment in which the movable connector 1 is installed so that the fitting direction is the vertical direction, but also the fitting direction is movable other than the vertical direction (inclination direction with respect to the vertical direction). The embodiment in which the connector 1 is installed may be adopted. Note that, for example, when the fitting direction is horizontal, and when the vertical positional relationship between the movable connector 1 and the connection target 2 shown in FIG. 20 is exchanged, the weight of the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2 is changed. Is considered not to act on the biasing spring piece 1d as a load, but in this case, one of the first board P1 and the second board P2 is pushed in the fitting direction so that the first board P1 and the second board P2 approach each other. This corresponds to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Fifth Embodiment [FIG. 21]

Next, a connection structure and a connection forming method of the movable connector and the movable connector of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the bias spring piece 1d has a hardness (spring constant) as a spring that is softer than that of the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus redundant description will be omitted.

Similar to FIG. 6, FIG. 21 shows the generalized connection structure 3 between the movable connector 1 and the connection object 2 without the detailed structure of the movable connector according to the fifth embodiment, and the principle of the connection forming method. .

FIG. 21A shows a pre-fitting state in which the movable connector 1 and the connection target 2 are arranged apart from each other. When the contact receiving portion 2a of the connection object 2 is inserted from this pre-fitting state until it comes into contact with the contact portion 1b1 of the movable housing 1b, the connection object 2 shown in FIG. 21B is fitted with the movable housing 1b. Yes (fitted state).

In the fitted state shown in FIG. 21B, the weight of the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2 acts on the biasing spring piece 1d in contact with the pressure receiving portion 1b5 of the movable housing 1b, and the biasing spring piece 1d. Elastically deforms so as to sink in the fitting direction by a distance d3. As a result, the biasing spring piece 1d generates a reaction force (pressing force) for the contact portion 1b1 to push back the contact receiving portion 2a. This point is different from the first embodiment.

Further, the spacer member R is shorter than the distance between the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2. Therefore, a gap S4 is formed between the spacer member R and the second substrate P2. Therefore, in order to complete the connection structure 3 between the movable connector 1 and the connection object 2, the second substrate P2 is made to have the elastic force of the biasing spring piece 1d (and the movable portion 1c) so that the gap S4 is eliminated. In opposition, the spacer member R is pushed into the spacer member R by a distance d4, which is an insufficient length, and then fixed to the spacer member R. This point is common to the first embodiment. The fitting and fixing state is as shown in FIG. 21C.

In the connection structure of the movable connector 1 of the fifth embodiment, the weight of the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2 at the time of fitting, and the movable housing 1b in the fitting direction via the second substrate P2 at the time of fitting and fixing. The pressing load to be pushed into the spring acts on the urging spring piece 1d. Therefore, the biasing spring piece 1d can be elastically deformed more reliably and easily, and a steady state in which the biasing spring piece 1d generates a reaction force can be reliably and easily formed.

In the fitted and fixed state shown in FIG. 21C, a movable gap S5 is formed below the movable housing 1b. Therefore, the movable housing 1b can be displaced in the fitting direction in a steady state.

FIG. 21D shows a first displacement state in which the movable housing 1b and the fixed housing 1a are relatively displaced in a direction in which they approach each other. Specifically, the second substrate P2 bends in the fitting direction by a distance d5, and the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 are displaced in the fitting direction. Therefore, also in the fifth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the fitting position between the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 is maintained by the reaction force of the biasing spring piece 1d. Therefore, the contact position between the terminal and the connection target 2 is also maintained, and the contact sliding can be suppressed.

FIG. 21E shows a second displacement state in which the movable housing 1b and the fixed housing 1a are relatively displaced in the direction of separating from each other. Specifically, the second substrate P2 bends in the removal direction by the distance d6, and the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 are displaced in the removal direction. At this time, the maximum displacement amount of the second substrate P2, the connection target 2 and the movable housing 1b in the removing direction is smaller than the total distance of the distance d3 when fitting and the separation distance d4 when fitting and fixing. Become. This is because the urging spring piece 1d keeps the movable housing 1b continuously pressed against the connection target 2 by the reaction force in the removal direction. Therefore, also in the fifth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the fitting position between the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 is maintained by the reaction force of the biasing spring piece 1d. Therefore, the contact position between the terminal and the connection target 2 is also maintained, and the contact sliding can be suppressed.

In the movable connector 1 and the connection structure 3 of the movable connector 1 and the connection object 2 of the fifth embodiment, the weight of the connection object 2 and the second substrate P2 acts as a load on the urging spring piece 1d, and the urging force is applied. It is sufficient that the spring piece 1d can be elastically deformed so as to sink in the fitting direction by the distance d3. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, not only the embodiment in which the movable connector 1 is installed so that the fitting direction is the vertical direction, but also the fitting direction is movable other than the vertical direction (inclination direction with respect to the vertical direction). The embodiment in which the connector 1 is installed may be adopted. Note that, for example, when the fitting direction is horizontal, and when the vertical positional relationship between the movable connector 1 and the connection target 2 shown in FIG. 21 is switched, the weight of the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2 is changed. Is considered not to act on the biasing spring piece 1d as a load, but in this case, one of them is pushed in the fitting direction so that the first board P1 and the second board P2 come close to each other. , Which corresponds to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Description of Other Embodiments and Modifications [FIGS. 22 to 25]

Regarding the above embodiments, it is possible to partially modify the configuration, and therefore some examples will be described.

In the above embodiment, the connector (the mating connector 20) is illustrated as the “connection target”. However, the “object to be connected” is not limited to the connector, but may be a flat conductor such as FPC or FFC, a bus bar, a terminal such as a connection pin, an electronic component including an electric element, or the like. In this case, the movable connector 10 is implemented as a modified example in which the configuration is changed according to the “connection target”.

In the above-described embodiment, the bottom wall 12b of the movable housing 12 serves as the "contact portion" and the upper end surface of the mating housing 21 serves as the contact receiving portion 21a2. The combination of “reception part” is not limited to this. An example thereof will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in order to simplify the description from FIG. 22 onward, the description of the biasing spring piece 1d is omitted except for FIG. 23F.

FIG. 22A is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, the "contact portion" of the movable connector 1 is the bottom surface 1b2 and the upper end surface 1b3 of the movable housing 1b, and the "contact receiving portion" is the fitting side tip portion 2a1 and step portion 2a2 of the connection target 2. There is. As described above, the “contact portion” and the “contact receiving portion” may be provided at a plurality of locations.

FIG. 22B is a diagram showing the seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, the "contact portion" of the movable connector 1 is the upper end surface 1b3 of the movable housing 1b, and the "contact receiving portion" is the substrate surface 2a3 of the second substrate P2. Thus, the “contact receiving portion” with which the movable housing 1b abuts in the fitting direction and the removing direction is not limited to the site of the connection target 2. When the connection object 2 is, for example, a flat conductor such as an FPC or FFC, a bus bar, a terminal such as a connection pin, an electronic component including an electric element, or the like, like the housing made of a resin molded body of the connector, It is difficult to provide the contact receiving portion that receives the pressing force of the contact portion. Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, the movable housing 1b can be brought into contact with the substrate surface 2a3 instead of the connection target 2.

FIG. 22C is a diagram showing an eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, the "contact portion" of the movable connector 1 is the flange portion 1b4 formed on the movable housing 1b, and the "contact receiving portion" is the contact receiving portion 2a4 provided on the connection target 2. In this case, the connection target 2 can be a mating connector, and the contact receiving portion 2a4 can be, for example, a protrusion provided on the housing of the mating connector. In this way, the "contact receiving portion" with which the movable housing 1b abuts in the fitting direction and the removing direction is limited to the fitting portion of the mating connector (connection target 2) inserted into the fitting chamber of the movable housing 1b. Absent. In this embodiment, the movable housing 1b is provided with the eaves-shaped flange portion 1b4 to protect the movable portion 1c from the outside.

FIG. 22D is a diagram showing the ninth embodiment. In this embodiment, the "contact portion" of the movable connector 1 is the flange portion 1b4 formed on the movable housing 1b, and the "contact receiving portion" is the contact receiving member 2a5 provided on the connection target 2. The contact receiving member 2a5 is a member separate from the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2, and may be a substrate mounting member that faces the flange portion 1b4 and is mounted on the second substrate P2. In this way, the “contact receiving portion” with which the movable housing 1b abuts in the removal direction is not limited to the connection target 2 and the second substrate P2. In this embodiment, the movable housing 1b is provided with the eaves-shaped flange portion 1b4 to protect the movable portion 1c from the outside.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the movable connector 10 is a plug connector, but it may be a socket connector.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the outer bottom surface of the movable housing 12 of the movable connector 10 is not hidden by the fixed housing 11 but is exposed to the outside. However, the movable connector 1 and its connecting structure 3 of the tenth embodiment shown in FIG. 23A may be used. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23A, the fixed housing 1a may be provided with a bottom wall 1a1 that faces the outer bottom surface of the movable housing 1b. In this case, the movable gap S6 that allows relative displacement between the fixed housing 1a and the movable housing 1b is between the movable housing 1b and the bottom wall 1a1 of the fixed housing 1a.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the movable gap S2 that allows the relative displacement of the fixed housing 1a and the movable housing 1b is between the first substrate P1 and the movable housing 1b. However, the movable connector 1 of the eleventh embodiment shown in FIG. 23B may be used. As shown in FIG. 23B, the movable connector 1 of this embodiment is provided with a fixed member 1a2 for fixing the fixed housing 1a to the first substrate P1, and a movable gap S7 is provided between the movable housing 1b and the fixed member 1a2. Good.

In the first to fifth embodiments, examples in which both ends of the spacer member R are fixed to the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 have been shown. However, the movable connector 1 of the twelfth embodiment shown in FIG. 23C may be used. In the movable connector 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23C, the spacer member R may be fixed to the fixed portion 1a3 provided in the fixed housing 1a. According to this, since the movable connector 1 and the spacer member R do not separate and are integrated, there is no wasted space between the movable connector 1 and the spacer member R, and the connection structure 3 of the movable connector 1 can be miniaturized. it can.

In the first to fifth embodiments, examples in which both ends of the spacer member R are fixed to the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 have been shown. However, the movable connector 1 and its connection structure 3 of the thirteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 23D may be used. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 23D, a lock arm-shaped locking piece 1a4 is integrally formed in the fixed housing 1a, and a locking hole P21 is provided in the second substrate P2. The locking piece 1a4 functions as the "spacer portion" of the present invention. In this embodiment, the biasing spring piece 1d is elastically deformed in the process of inserting and locking the locking piece 1a4 into the locking hole P21, and the locking piece 1a4 reverses in the locked state on the second substrate P2. Generate force. The locking pieces 1a4 are provided at the four corners of the fixed housing 1a, provided at the upper ends of a pair of opposed walls forming the peripheral wall of the fixed housing 1a, and provided so as to extend from the top wall of the fixed housing 1a. can do.

In the first to fifth embodiments, examples in which both ends of the spacer member R are fixed to the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 have been shown. However, at least one end of the spacer member R does not have to be fixed like the movable connector 1 and the connection structure 3 thereof according to the fourteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 23E. For example, the movable connector 1 of FIG. 23E is the same as that of FIG. 23D, but the spacer member R need only be installed between the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 and need not be fixed to them. Good. For example, at least one of the spacer members R may be fixed and the other may be in contact. Further, since the spacer member R does not have to be displaced in the surface direction (in the Y direction) of the surfaces of the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2, the holes formed in the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 It may be inserted into the device so that it can be removed in the Z direction. However, in this case, a structure that prevents the second substrate P2 from coming off, such as the locking piece 1a4, is required.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the straight connection type movable connector 1 in which the fitting direction is the vertical direction (Z direction) of the first substrate P1 is illustrated. However, the movable connector 1 and its connection structure 3 of the fifteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 23F may be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 23F, this embodiment is a right angle connection type movable connector 1 in which the fitting direction is the surface direction (Y direction) of the surface of the first substrate P1 and the connection structure thereof. In this case, the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 are fixed to structural members such as brackets and housings that support them. Alternatively, the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 may be installed by a supporting member (for example, an L-shaped spacer member) that directly holds them. Then, when the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 are fitted and fixed, the biasing spring piece 1d is elastically deformed and a reaction force is generated. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 are relatively displaced in the Y direction, the reaction force of the biasing spring piece 1d causes the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 to be fitted together. The combined position is maintained. Therefore, the contact position between the terminal and the connection target 2 is also maintained, and the contact sliding can be suppressed. Further, even if the movable housing 1b and the connection target 2 are misaligned in at least one of the X direction and the Z direction, the fitting connection can be performed while eliminating the misalignment.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the example in which the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 are supported by the spacer member R has been shown. However, like the movable connector 1 and its connection structure 3 of the sixteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 24, the “spacer portion” of the present invention may be a housing. That is, in this embodiment, the first substrate P1 is held by the first casing R1 and the second substrate P2 is held by the second casing R2. The technical means for holding the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 in this way can be realized by engagement, screwing, adhesion, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 24A, the first casing R1 is provided with a first butting end portion R11 that is butted against the second casing R2. The second casing R2 is provided with a second butting end portion R21 that is butted against the first casing R1. In the present embodiment, the first butting end R11 and the second butting end R21 are the open end of the first casing R1 and the open end of the second casing R2, respectively. You may make it provide in other parts of the body R1 and the 2nd housing | casing R2.

As shown in FIG. 24A, the first butting end R11 and the substrate surface P11 of the first substrate P1 are separated by a distance d6, and similarly, the second butting end R21 and the second butting end R21 are separated from each other. The substrate surface P22 of the substrate P2 is separated by a distance d7.

FIG. 24B shows a fitting state in which the connection object 2 is fitted in the movable housing 1b. In this fitted state, the substrate surface P11 of the first substrate P1 and the substrate surface P22 of the second substrate P2 are separated by a distance d8, and the first butting end R11 and the second butting end are A gap S8 is formed between the portion R21 and the portion R21.

And FIG. 24C shows a fitting and fixing state. When the first casing R1 and the second casing R2 are combined, a pressing load that pushes the movable housing 1b in the fitting direction acts on the biasing spring piece 1d. Therefore, the biasing spring piece 1d can be elastically deformed more reliably and easily, and a steady state in which the biasing spring piece 1d generates a reaction force can be reliably and easily formed.

Note that the embodiment shown in FIG. 24 is an example in which a pressing load for pushing in the second substrate P2 is applied to the biasing spring piece 1d as in the first embodiment. However, the present embodiment can be configured such that the weight of the second housing R2 or the like acts on the biasing spring piece 1d as a load, like the fourth embodiment. Further, the present embodiment can be configured such that both the pressing load and the load due to the weight act on the urging spring piece 1d as in the fifth embodiment.

In the sixteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 24, an example is shown in which the "spacer portion" of the present invention is divided into the first casing R1 and the second casing R2. However, like the movable connector 1 and the connection structure 3 thereof according to the seventeenth embodiment shown in FIG. 25, the “spacer portion” of the present invention includes a plurality of spacers having the same function as that of the casing having such a divided structure. You may comprise by a member. That is, as shown in FIG. 25, the plurality of spacer members have a first spacer member R3 arranged on the first substrate P1 and a second spacer member R4 arranged on the second substrate P2. Can be configured. FIG. 25 shows a fitted state similarly to FIG. 6B of the first embodiment. In this fitted state, a gap S9 is formed between the first spacer member R3 and the second spacer member R4, which is separated by a distance d9. At this time, the substrate surface P11 of the first substrate P1 and the substrate surface P22 of the second substrate P2 are separated by a distance d10 that is longer than the distance d9 of the gap S9.

Then, when the first spacer member R3 and the second spacer member R4 are connected from the fitted state shown in FIG. 25, a pressing load for pushing the movable housing 1b in the fitting direction acts on the biasing spring piece 1d. Therefore, the biasing spring piece 1d can be elastically deformed more reliably and easily, and a steady state in which the biasing spring piece 1d generates a reaction force can be reliably and easily formed. The first spacer member R3 and the second spacer member R4 can be directly connected to each other by screwing or press fitting. Further, the first spacer member R3 and the second spacer member R4 can be connected to each other by a bolt which is a member different from them, and a specific connecting method is not limited.

Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 25 is an example in which a pressing load for pushing the second substrate P2 is applied to the biasing spring piece 1d as in the first embodiment. However, the present embodiment can be configured such that the weight of the second housing R2 or the like acts on the biasing spring piece 1d as a load, like the fourth embodiment. Further, the present embodiment can be configured such that both the pressing load and the load due to the weight act on the urging spring piece 1d as in the fifth embodiment.

In the said embodiment, the 3rd extension part 13c5 of the terminal 13 inclines diagonally upwards from the 2nd bending part 13c4 to the 3rd bending part 13c6 in a free state, and is horizontally elastic in a fitting fixed state. An example of deformation is shown. However, the third extension 13c5 may be extended horizontally in the free state, or the third extension 13c5 may have a downward arcuate shape.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the example in which only the second substrate P2 is bent is shown (FIGS. 6, 10, 11, and 21), but the second substrate P2 is not bent first. In some cases, only the substrate P1 of 1 may be bent. In addition, the first substrate P1 and the second substrate P2 may bend in the same direction or different directions. However, in either case, the movable housing 1b presses the connection target 2 and the movable housing 12 presses the mating housing 21. Therefore, it is possible to prevent sliding of the contacts regardless of how it is bent.

1 movable connector, 1a fixed housing (first housing), 1a1 bottom wall, 1a2 fixing member, 1a3 fixing part, 1a4 locking piece (spacer part), 1b movable housing (second housing), 1b1 abutting part, 1b2 bottom surface, 1b3 upper end surface (contact portion), 1b4 flange portion (contact portion), 1b5 pressure receiving portion, 1c movable portion, 1d biasing spring piece, 2 connection target object, 2a contact receiving portion, 2a1 fitting Side tip part (contact receiving part), 2a2 step part (contact receiving part), 2a3 substrate surface (contact receiving part), 2a4 contact receiving part, 2a5 contact receiving member, 3 connection structure, 10 movable connector, 11 fixed housing (first housing), 11a peripheral wall, 11a1 fixed side terminal holding portion, 11a2 side wall, 11a3 bias spring piece holding portion, 11b top wall, 1b1 opening, 11c accommodating portion, 11d mounting shaft portion, 11e biasing rubber piece accommodating portion, 11e1 locking recess, 12 movable housing (second housing), 12a peripheral wall, 12a1 fitting chamber, 12a2 side wall, 12a3 pressure receiver Part, 12a4 locking recess, 12b bottom wall (abutting part), 12b1 movable side terminal holding part, 12c central wall, 12c1 wall surface, 12c2 terminal holding groove, 13 terminal, 13a board connecting part, 13b fixed housing fixing part, 13c movable part, 13c1 first extension part, 13c2 first bending part, 13c3 second extension part, 13c4 second bending part, 13c5 third extension part, 13c6 third bending part, 13d movable housing Fixed part, 13e contact part, 14 biasing spring piece (biasing member, metal spring), 14a substrate fixing , 14b Fixed housing holding part, 14c spring part, 14c1 chevron bent part, 14c2 valley shaped bent part, 14d pressing part, 15 coil spring (biasing member, metal spring), 15a holding part, 15b pressing part, 15c spring part , 16 biasing rubber pieces, 16a base portion, 16b locking arm portion, 16b1 locking claw (holding portion), 16c spring portion, 16d pressing portion, 16e hole, 20 mating connector (object to be connected), 21 mating housing, 21a Peripheral wall, 21a1 terminal holding groove, 21a2 contact receiving part, 21b bottom wall, 21b1 terminal holding part, 22 mating terminal, 22a board connecting part, 22b housing fixing part, 22c contact part, 22c1 elastic arm, 22c2 contact part, 30 Connection structure, P1 first substrate (first support member), P2 second substrate (second support) Member), P21 locking hole, R spacer member (spacer part)

Claims

A first housing disposed on the first support member;
A second housing for mating with a connection target;
It has a terminal that is in conductive contact with the connection target,
In the movable connector, wherein the terminal has a movable portion that supports the first housing and the second housing so as to be relatively displaceable,
The second housing is provided with a biasing member capable of biasing toward the connection target, and the biasing member connects the second housing with the connection target in the connection state. The object is elastically deformed in a fitting direction in which the object is fitted in the second housing, and is arranged so as to give a reaction force to the second housing in a removal direction which is a direction opposite to the fitting direction. A movable connector characterized by having
The biasing member is
A holding portion held by the first housing,
A pressing portion that abuts the second housing in the withdrawing direction inside the first housing;
The movable connector according to claim 1, further comprising a spring portion that biases the pressing portion toward the second housing by the reaction force.
The biasing member is an elastic body,
The movable connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is a rubber-like elastic body or a metal spring.
The urging member is not elastically deformed in the fitting cross direction in a state where the second housing and the first housing are relatively displaced in the fitting cross direction intersecting the fitting direction. The movable connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The connection target is connected to the movable connector,
The movable connector is
A first housing disposed on the first support member;
A second housing fitted with the connection target;
It has a terminal that is in conductive contact with the connection target,
In the connection structure of the movable connector, the terminal has a movable portion that supports the first housing and the second housing so as to be relatively displaceable,
The movable connector is configured to connect the connection object to the connection object during a steady state in which the first housing and the second housing are not relatively displaced and a displacement in which the first housing and the second housing are relatively displaced. The second housing is arranged in a state where a reaction force is generated in the removal direction which is the opposite direction to the fitting direction by elastically deforming in the fitting direction in which the second housing is fitted. And a biasing member that biases the second housing toward the connection target object.
Furthermore, the connection structure of the movable connector, wherein the second housing has a movable gap that can be displaced in the fitting direction.
The connection object is a conductive connection member,
The conductive connection member is disposed on the second support member,
The movable connector connection structure according to claim 5, wherein the second housing has an abutting portion that abuts against the conductive connecting member in the fitting direction and the withdrawing direction and presses with the reaction force.
The conductive connection member is a mating connector,
The connection structure for a movable connector according to claim 6, wherein the abutting portion abuts a mating housing of the mating connector.
The connection object is a conductive connection member, the conductive connection member is disposed on the second support member,
The movable connector connection structure according to claim 5, wherein the second housing has an abutting portion that abuts against the second support member in the fitting direction and the withdrawing direction and presses with the reaction force.
The connection object is a conductive connection member,
The conductive connection member is disposed on the second support member,
The second support member has a contact receiving member,
The connection structure for a movable connector according to claim 5, wherein the second housing has an abutment portion that abuts against the abutment receiving member in the fitting direction and the withdrawal direction and presses by the reaction force.
Further comprising a spacer portion for arranging the first support member and the second support member at a distance from each other,
The second housing is
7. The position, which is displaced by elastically deforming the biasing member in the fitting direction when the connection target is fitted into the second housing, is set as a steady position. 9. A movable connector connection structure according to any one of 9 above.
Further comprising a spacer portion for arranging the first support member and the second support member at a distance from each other,
The spacer portion is formed such that its length is shorter than the distance between the first support member and the second support member when the connection target is fitted to the second housing. Has been done,
The second housing is
When the spacer part is installed between the first supporting member and the second supporting member, the spacer part is pushed in the fitting direction to compensate for the insufficient length of the spacer part with respect to the separation distance. 10. The movable connector connection structure according to claim 6, wherein a position displaced by elastically deforming the urging member in the fitting direction is disposed as a steady position.
Further comprising a spacer portion for arranging the first support member and the second support member at a distance from each other,
The spacer portion is formed such that its length is shorter than the distance between the first support member and the second support member when the connection target is fitted to the second housing. Has been done,
The second housing is
When the connection target is fitted in the second housing, the biasing member is elastically deformed in the fitting direction to be displaced, and further, the first support member and the second support. At the time of fitting and fixing the spacer portion between the member and the member, the spacer member is pushed in the fitting direction to compensate for the insufficient length of the spacer portion with respect to the separation distance, and the biasing member is elastic in the fitting direction. 10. The connection structure for a movable connector according to claim 6, wherein the position displaced by being deformed is arranged as a steady position.
13. The connection structure for a movable connector according to claim 10, wherein the spacer portion is a columnar spacer member.
13. The connection structure for a movable connector according to claim 10, wherein the spacer portion is a locking piece that is provided on the first housing and that locks on the second support member.
The movable connector connection structure according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the spacer portion is a housing that accommodates the movable connector and the connection target.
The movable connector connection structure according to any one of claims 5 to 15, wherein the first support member is a first substrate.
16. The movable connector connection structure according to claim 6, wherein the second support member is a second substrate.
The urging member is not elastically deformed in the fitting cross direction when the second housing and the first housing are relatively displaced in the fitting cross direction intersecting the fitting direction. The connection structure for the movable connector according to claim 17.