JP2002075502A - Method and connector for electrical connection, and electronic component holder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow electrical connection in a very small clearance, to allow follow the unevenness and an inclination on the surface of an electrode, and a dimensional error and an assembling error in a finished component, to reduce contact pressure, to moderate vibration, and to enhance reliability. SOLUTION: A conductive coil spring 30 is arranged between the opposed electrodes 12, 46 to make its outer face contact with the electrodes 12, 46. A compression load is applied to the coil spring 30 by the electrodes 12, 46 to elastically deform the coil spring, so as to allow electrical connection between the electrodes 12, 46.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric connection method which can be suitably used for connecting a small electronic component (for example, a small microphone, a speaker, etc.) to an electrode formed on an electric circuit board or the like. The present invention also relates to an electrical connection connector for making the electrical connection and an electronic component holder provided with the connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a small portable communication device such as a portable telephone or a portable terminal, a small electronic component such as a built-in microphone and a speaker is connected between its electrode and a substrate electrode of a printed wiring board using lead wires. In general, a small-sized electronic component is covered by a rubber molded product mainly connected with solder for the purpose of vibration isolation and holding of the component, and then incorporated in the device.

[0003] However, connection of lead wires is a very detailed operation, and it is difficult to automate it, and productivity is very poor. Also,
A large space for arranging the lead wires is required. Furthermore, in the connection work using solder, heating of the solder is required, which sometimes leads to a fatal phenomenon that electronic components are damaged. In addition, most of the solder contains lead, and the use of lead as much as possible has been increasing. Although some solders do not contain lead, their melting points are higher than those of lead-containing solders, which further increases the possibility that electronic components will be damaged during connection work.

[0004] Under such circumstances, for example, the following method has been proposed as a method of connecting an electrode of a small electronic component to a substrate electrode.

[0005] JP-A-10-262294 and JP-A-11-88990 disclose that a rubber holder provided with a conductive rubber contact is placed over a small electronic component so as to cover a gap between an electrode surface of the small electronic component and a printed wiring board. A method is disclosed in which a conductive rubber contact is compressed to secure electrical connection between the two.

[0006] Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Hei 5-20264 discloses that
A small electronic component has a pair of connection pieces that are projection-welded at one end and that has a connection end for solder connection at the other end, with the pin-shaped terminal of the small electronic component being sandwiched. A method for electrically connecting components is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-237797 and 11-27777 disclose that a leaf spring held by a holder of a small electronic component is brought into contact with an electrode and a substrate electrode of the small electronic component while being elastically deformed. Thus, a method for securing electrical connection is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-133338 discloses that a coil spring is provided between an opposing substrate electrode and an electrode of a small-sized electronic component. A method of disposing the coil spring in such a manner as to coincide with the normal direction of the substrate surface and holding the coil spring in a slightly elastically compressed state to secure the electrical connection between the two is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-161951 discloses that a small-diameter hollow cylindrical member having one end closed is inserted into a hollow portion of a large-diameter hollow cylindrical member having one end closed. A slide pin contact that electrically connects the two cylindrical members while disposing a compression coil spring in the portion to provide an elastic force between the two hollow cylindrical members that repel each other is disclosed. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-88040 discloses a connector which has the same configuration as the above-mentioned slide pin contact and presses the end of the slide pin to an electrode surface to obtain an electrical connection.

[0010]

However, each of the above connection methods has the following problems.

In the method using conductive rubber contacts disclosed in JP-A-10-262294 and JP-A-11-88990, a small electronic component is printed at a predetermined pressure in order to secure electrical connection. It is necessary to press against the wiring board. Therefore, the function of the assembled small electronic component may be impaired depending on the compression load at this time. Further, the holding member and the printed wiring board around which the small electronic component is to be incorporated need to have such a strength as to generate such a pressing pressure, which is an obstacle to a reduction in thickness and weight. In addition, since such a conductive rubber contact makes surface contact with the electrode of the small electronic component and the electrode of the printed wiring board, it is a prerequisite for use that both electrode forming surfaces are plane and parallel. In addition, since the pressing pressure that occurs varies due to variations in the finished dimensions of each part and assembly errors, in order to obtain highly reliable electrical connections, the dimensional tolerances in the design of each part, Great attention must be paid to the quality control of parts and the accuracy of assembly. If the pressing pressure is small, the connection will be poor, so in order to secure a highly reliable electrical connection, the compression value of the conductive rubber contact must be set higher in anticipation of the fluctuation of the pressing pressure, This resulted in a further increase in load. Furthermore, during mounting, internal or external stress may cause deviation or inclination of each component, making it impossible to secure electrical connection or disconnecting the secured connection.

The connection terminal disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 5-22644 requires projection welding and solder connection, so that the work for electrical connection is complicated, and a thermal load is applied to small electronic components. Will be done. In addition, a large space is required for disposing the connection terminals, which hinders miniaturization and thinning. Also, vibrations from the substrate may be transmitted to the small electronic components via the connection terminals and adversely affect the function. Also, once the electrical connection is completed, it is not easy to disassemble and reassemble thereafter.

In the method using a holder provided with a leaf spring disclosed in JP-A-8-237797 and JP-A-11-27777, a holder having a complicated shape for holding the leaf spring while elastically deforming it is used. is necessary. Also,
A process for integrating the leaf spring with such a holder is required, and the manufacturing is complicated. Further, a space is required to allow the leaf spring to be elastically deformed, which hinders the thinning of the connecting portion. Further, the vibration from the substrate may be transmitted to the small electronic component via the leaf spring or the holder and adversely affect the function.

In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-133338, in which the coil spring is compressed in the expansion and contraction direction and electrically connected, a space for accommodating the coil spring is required.
The connection part becomes thick and cannot be applied to connection in a narrow gap,
This is an obstacle to thinning. Further, it is difficult to stably hold the coil spring in a compressed state, and it is difficult to obtain highly reliable electrical connection. Further, since the conductive path is helical, the conductive distance is long and the connection resistance is large.

The method of connecting with a slide pin disclosed in JP-A-8-161951 and JP-A-8-88040 is widely used, for example, as represented by a connection between a battery pack of a mobile phone and a main body of the mobile phone. Have been. However, since the dimension of the slide pin in the direction of expansion and contraction is large, it cannot be applied to electrical connection in a narrow gap, and there are very large restrictions on design and restrictions on thinning and miniaturization. Further, since the electrode contacts the electrode surface at a point, the contact portion has a very limited small area. Therefore, even if the compression load of the built-in compression coil spring is low, an extremely large pressure is applied to the contact portion. Therefore, when used for a long period of time, the reliability of the electrical connection is reduced due to the electrode surface being damaged or the electrode being hit (recessed). Also,
For the same reason, non-conduction due to dirt on the electrodes and the slide pins occurs particularly frequently after attaching and detaching parts, and has caused much user dissatisfaction.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, enables electrical connection in an extremely narrow gap, can reduce the mounting volume while being mounted on a connector, and has unevenness on the surface of the electrode and inclination and completion of each component. Even if there are dimensional errors and assembly errors, the connection method can accurately follow these, the contact pressure is low, vibration can be reduced, and a reliable electrical connection can always be obtained even if it is repeatedly attached and detached at the beginning, and An object of the present invention is to provide a connector and an electronic component holder for realizing such an electrical connection.

[0017]

The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object.

The electric connection method according to the present invention is a method for electrically connecting a pair of electrodes arranged opposite to each other at a predetermined distance. In order to be able to contact the two electrodes, the two electrodes are arranged between the two electrodes, and a compressive load is applied to the coil spring by the pair of electrodes to elastically deform the coil spring. It is characterized by being electrically connected.

The electrical connector according to the present invention is an electrical connector for electrically connecting a pair of electrodes opposed to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween, and comprises a conductive coil spring. And a coil spring holding member that holds the coil spring so that an outer surface of the coil spring can contact the electrode.

Further, the electronic component holder of the present invention provides a coil spring having conductivity, a connector having a coil spring holding member for holding the coil spring, and an electronic device having a space for accommodating an electronic component having electrodes. The electronic component is housed and held so that the electrode of the electronic component can contact the outer surface of the coil spring.

According to each of the above constructions, the electrical connection is made by compressing the coil spring provided in the connector between the electrodes, so that the assembling process such as soldering of the lead wire and insertion of the connector, which was conventionally required, is performed. Not required. Therefore, connection and disassembly can be repeated, and even if these are repeated, the reliability of the electrical connection does not decrease. Further, there is no need to provide a portion for soldering on the printed wiring board. Further, since a lead wire for electrical connection is not required, a space for accommodating the lead wire is not required. Furthermore, even though the connector is mounted, the outer surface of the coil spring is connected by contacting the electrode, so that connection can be made in a very narrow gap, and the mounting volume can be reduced. Therefore, the size and thickness of the portable communication device can be reduced.

Further, according to each of the above structures, since the outer surface of the coil spring is connected to the electrode by making contact with the electrode, the coil spring is free from unevenness on the surface of the electrode, inclination of each part, finished dimensional error and assembly error. Follow exactly. Therefore, a reliable electric connection can always be maintained. Further, holding of the coil spring is also easy. As a result, a connection failure during the manufacturing process or during use can be avoided. Therefore, the reliability of the portable communication device can be improved.

Further, according to each of the above structures, since the contact pressure of the coil spring is extremely low, the function of the small electronic component is not impaired, and there is no fear that the printed circuit board or the housing is damaged. Therefore, the quality of the portable communication device can be stabilized and the reliability can be improved.

Further, according to each of the above configurations, since the coil spring can reliably reduce and attenuate the vibration, it is possible to prevent the vibration and impact from adversely affecting the function of the small electronic component. Therefore, the reliability of the portable communication device can be improved.

As described above, according to the present invention, electrical connection can be made in a very narrow gap, the mounting volume can be reduced while the connector is mounted, and the unevenness of the electrode surface, the inclination of each component, and the completed Dimensional errors and assembly errors can be accurately followed, the contact pressure is low, vibration can be reduced, and reliable electrical connection can be realized at all times, not only in the initial stage but also during repeated attachment and detachment.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) An example in which the present invention is applied to connection of a speaker of a portable communication device will be described.

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a speaker of a portable communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a connector for connecting a connection portion of a speaker and a substrate electrode of the portable communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a coil spring holding member of the connector shown in FIG. 4A and 4B are plan views each showing a coil spring used for the connector shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a method of connecting a speaker electrode and a board electrode of the portable communication device using the connector of FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view when the substrate is inclined in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the speaker 10 has a vibrating portion 11 at the center, and an electrode 12 for connecting to a substrate electrode of a printed wiring board is formed on a peripheral back surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 20 for connecting the electrode 12 of the speaker 10 and the board electrode is composed of a coil spring holding member 21 and two coil springs 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the coil spring holding member 21 has a coil spring holding portion 24 formed of a column 22 and a pair of openings 23 formed on both sides thereof in a substantially rectangular flat plate.
Has two sets. The interval between the two columns 22 substantially matches the interval between the electrodes 12 of the speaker 10. A cutout 25 for inserting a coil spring is formed in each opening 23 toward a common side of the coil spring holding member 21. Notch 25
Is provided, the coil spring 30 is mounted on the column 22 having a cantilever support structure. That is, the coil spring 30
2, the support 22 is mounted so that it passes through the notch 25 formed on both sides of the support 22 and the center hole of the coil spring 30 passes freely, as shown in FIG. Coil spring 30
The notch 25 is formed in a narrow wedge shape on the side of the opening 23 so that the coil spring 30 does not easily fall off after mounting. Since the outer diameter of the coil spring 30 is larger than the thickness of the coil spring holding member 21, the outer surface of the coil spring 30 projects from the front and back surfaces of the coil spring holding member 21 when the coil spring 30 is mounted. The coil spring holding member 21 is made of an insulating material.
(Acrylonitrile / styrene / butadiene), polycarbonate, etc.
By mounting the connector 20 by mounting a predetermined number of coil springs 30 on the coil spring holding member 21, the electrical connection operation can be performed not by the individual coil springs 30 but by the connector 2.
0 can be performed as one component, and the connection workability is improved. Further, the positioning of the coil spring 30 in an in-plane direction parallel to the electrode surface can be easily and accurately performed.

The coil spring 30 may be a coil spring 30 'having a general shape as shown in FIG.
A modified coil spring 30 as shown in FIG.

That is, in a general coil spring (basic coil spring) 30 ', as shown in FIG.
In the plan view seen from the direction perpendicular to the center axis 3
An angle θ1 formed between the windings located before 1 and the central axis 31;
The angle θ2 formed between the winding on the rear side of the central axis 31 and the central axis 31 is substantially constant and the same when viewed from any position around the central axis 31 (that is, the difference θ1−θ2 between the two angles is (Almost zero regardless of the position of the viewpoint) (where θ
1 and θ2 are angles respectively set in the directions shown in the drawing with respect to the central axis 31). Also, this basic coil spring 30 '
, When points P2 and P3 are shifted 180 degrees from each other around the central axis 31 along the winding from the point P1 of the winding, the middle point of the points P2 and P3 and the point P1 , Always intersects the central axis 31 almost at right angles regardless of where the starting point P1 is set.

The deformed coil spring 30, which is preferably used in the present invention, is configured such that, of the buses constituting the outer surface of such a basic coil spring 30 ', a bus symmetrically positioned with respect to the central axis 31 is provided. As shown by arrows in FIG. 4B, external forces F1 and F2 parallel to the central axis 31 and in opposite directions to each other.
And a shape obtained by deformation. FIG. 4A shows a deformed coil spring 30 in which permanent forces of an angle θ are caused by applying external forces F1 and F2 in opposite directions to upper and lower generatrixes of the basic coil spring 30 ′ of FIG. FIG.
It is the side view seen from the same viewpoint as (B). Here, FIG.
4A, reference numeral 32 denotes a straight line determined in the same manner as in FIG. 4B, and reference numeral 33 denotes a center line at an intersection of the straight line 32 and the center line 31 in a plane including the straight line 32 and the center line 31. 4A, the angle between the straight line 32 and the straight line 33 coincides with the deformation angle θ. By using such a deformed coil spring 30, a compressive load is applied to the outer surface, and the coil spring is elastically deformed (the center shaft 3).
When the dimension decreases in a direction substantially perpendicular to 1), the winding always tilts in a fixed direction (direction in which the angle θ increases), so that the reaction force may suddenly increase in the initial stage of causing elastic deformation. Absent. Therefore, damage to the electronic components can be prevented. Also,
As described later, the reaction force at the time of a predetermined amount of deformation can be reduced, and the fluctuation of the reaction force with respect to the change of the deformation amount can be reduced. In the present invention, the deformation angle θ is
It is preferably from 1 to 30 degrees, particularly preferably from 5 to 10 degrees. If the angle θ is smaller than the above range, the above-described effect due to the use of the deformed coil spring is reduced. Also, the angle θ
Exceeds the above range, the dimensional range in which the coil spring can be compressed is reduced.

In the deformed coil spring 30, the central shaft 3
Even if the viewpoint is in a direction perpendicular to 1, when the viewpoint moves around the central axis 31, the angle θ defined above
1, θ2 periodically changes. Further, the angle between the straight line 32 and the straight line 33 changes in the range of 0 to θ depending on the set position of the starting point P1 for defining the straight line 32. FIG.
In (A), the angle between the straight line 32 and the straight line 33 coincides with the deformation angle θ, and at this time, the absolute value of the value of θ1−θ2 (| θ1−θ2 |) becomes the maximum.

A method of connecting the speaker 10 using the connector 20 equipped with such a coil spring 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The speaker 10 is inserted and held in a rib 41 formed on an inner wall surface of a housing 40 that covers the portable communication device. The housing 40 is formed of a resin molded product made of ABS, polycarbonate, or the like. A circuit wiring, electronic components, and the like are provided to face the inner wall surface of the housing 40, and a printed wiring board 45 that processes an electric signal to be sent to the speaker 10 is disposed. Two substrate electrodes 46 are formed by gold plating on the printed wiring board 45 at positions facing the two electrodes 12 of the speaker 10. The connector 20 is arranged between the speaker 10 and the printed wiring board 45. The outer surface of the coil spring 30 of the connector 20 comes into contact with the vertically arranged electrodes 12 and the substrate electrode 46 and receives a compressive load therefrom, so that the thickness of the coil spring 30 (in FIG. 5, the vertical direction of the coil spring 30). The two electrodes are electrically connected to each other so as to reduce the size.

The coil spring 30 is formed by plating a stainless steel wire with gold. In addition, connector 2
For positioning in the direction parallel to the surface of the printed wiring board 45, for example, a projection or the like for limiting displacement of the connector 20 in the direction may be provided on the speaker 10 or the printed wiring board 45, for example.

According to the connection method of the present embodiment, the electrical connection of the speaker 10 is performed with the coil spring 30 elastically deformed between the electrode 12 of the speaker 10 and the substrate electrode 46 of the printed wiring board 45. It is performed by being sandwiched. Such an electrical connection is completed only by bringing the housing 40 holding the speaker 10 into close contact with the printed wiring board 45 via the connector 20. Therefore, no special connection process such as solder connection is required. In addition, since the coil spring 30 is arranged so that its expansion and contraction direction (the direction of the central axis 31 in FIG. 4) is substantially parallel to the surfaces of the electrodes 12 and 46, the connection between the two electrodes is made with a very narrow gap. Is possible,
And it can be connected with a low contact pressure. Further, even if there is a finished dimensional error or an assembly error of each part, it is possible to follow the contact pressure with almost no change. Further, the disassembling operation of the connection portion is easy, and even if reassembly is performed, the same highly reliable electrical connection as before disassembly can be obtained. In addition, since it is a coil spring, it has an effect of alleviating the transmission of vibration between the housing 40 and the printed wiring board 45.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the printed wiring board 45 is inclined with respect to the inner wall surface of the housing 40 due to a finished dimensional error or an assembly error, the opposing electrodes 12,
Although the gap between 46 becomes uneven, the coil spring 30 follows this, and the electrode 12 of the speaker 10 and the board electrode 46 on the printed wiring board 45 can be connected almost the same as when there is no inclination. .

(Embodiment 2) An example in which the present invention is applied to connection of a microphone of a portable communication device will be described.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a microphone of a portable communication device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG.
Is a sectional view, and FIG. 7B is a bottom view. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a connector for connecting an electrode of a microphone and a substrate electrode of a portable communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a plan view, and FIG. ) Is a side view. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the coil spring holding member of the connector shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a microphone holder in which the connector and the microphone holding member shown in FIG. 8 are integrated. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of connecting a microphone electrode and a substrate electrode of a portable communication device. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of compression and the load (reaction force) when the connector of the second embodiment and a conventional conductive rubber contact are used.

A microphone (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “microphone”) 50 is, for example, a non-directional electret condenser microphone, and has a sound collector 51 on an upper surface and an electrode surface on a lower surface in FIG. 7A. are doing. On the electrode surface,
As shown in FIG. 7B, a first electrode 52a is provided at a central portion.
A ring-shaped second electrode 52b is formed therearound. A ring-shaped protruding portion 54 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the electrode surface, and the electrodes 52a and 52b are formed in an inner region thereof to protect these electrodes 52a and 52b.

The connector 60 comprises a coil spring holding member 61 and three coil springs 30, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the coil spring holding member 61 has a substantially disk shape, and has a substantially rectangular opening 63 formed therein, and a latch projecting from the opposite side of the opening 63. Protrusion 6
Three sets of coil spring holding portions 64 composed of 2a and 62b are formed. Compress the coil spring 30 in the expansion and contraction direction,
The hooking projections 62a are fitted in the winding center holes at both ends of the coil spring 30,
By penetrating the coil spring 62b, the coil spring 30 can be easily mounted as shown in FIG.
0 can be prevented from falling off. The coil spring 30 has a structure similar to that shown in FIG. 4 (A) or FIG. 4 (B). The wall thickness around the coil spring holding member 61 is formed to be thin corresponding to the formation area of the protrusion 54 of the microphone 50.
The coil spring holding member 61 is made of an insulating material, for example, a resin molded product made of ABS, polycarbonate, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 10, the connector 60 is integrated with a microphone holding member 71 to form a microphone holder 70. The microphone holding member 71 is made of, for example, an elastomer such as silicone rubber, a resin, or the like, and is formed by compression molding, injection molding, or the like. The microphone holding member 71 has a space 72 for accommodating a microphone therein, an opening 73 is formed on the upper surface side of the accommodating space 72, and the connector 60 is mounted on the lower surface side.

A method of connecting the microphone 50 using such a microphone holder 70 will be described with reference to FIG. Microphone 5
Reference numeral 0 denotes a sound collecting unit 51 in the storage space 72 of the microphone holder 70.
Are housed so as to be on the opening 73 side. At this time, the coil spring at the center of the connector 60 faces the first electrode 52a, and the coil springs on both sides face the second electrode 52b.
The microphone unit 75 thus assembled is inserted and held in the rib 42 formed on the inner wall surface of the housing 40 that covers the portable communication device. The housing 40 is formed of a resin molded product made of ABS, polycarbonate, or the like. A through hole 43 is formed in the housing 40 at a position corresponding to the opening 73 of the microphone holder 70 to allow sound to pass from the outside to the microphone 50. Circuit wiring, electronic components, and the like are provided facing the inner wall surface of the housing 40, and the microphone 5
A printed wiring board 45 for processing electric signals from 0 is arranged. At the positions of the printed wiring board 45 facing the three coil springs 30, the board electrodes 47 are formed by gold plating.
Are formed. The substrate electrode 47 is connected to the coil spring 30
, The outer surface of the coil spring 30 comes into contact with the electrodes 52a and 52b of the microphone 50 arranged vertically and the substrate electrode 47, and receives a compressive load therefrom. As a result, elastic deformation occurs as in the first embodiment. Then, both electrodes are electrically connected. The coil spring 30 is formed by gold plating of a phosphor bronze wire.

According to the connection method of the present embodiment, the electrical connection of the microphone 50 is made by elastically deforming the coil spring 30 between the electrodes 52 a and 52 b of the microphone 50 and the substrate electrode 47 of the printed wiring board 45. It is performed by being sandwiched in a state. Such an electrical connection is completed only by bringing the housing 40 holding the microphone unit 75 into close contact with the printed wiring board 45. Therefore, no special connection process such as solder connection is required. Further, the coil spring 30 has its extending and contracting direction (the direction of the central axis 31 in FIG. 4)
Since the electrodes are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the surfaces of the electrodes 2b and 47, the two electrodes can be connected to each other with a very small gap, and can be connected with a low contact pressure. Further, the disassembling operation of the connection portion is easy, and even if reassembly is performed, the same highly reliable electrical connection as before disassembly can be obtained. In addition, since it is a coil spring, it has an effect of alleviating the transmission of vibration between the housing 40 and the printed wiring board 45.

Further, as in the present embodiment, an electronic component holder (microphone holder 70) including an electronic component holding member (microphone holding member 71) and a connector 60 is used, and an electronic component (microphone 50) is provided therein. By storing, the electronic component (microphone 50) and the connector 60 can be handled as one component of the microphone unit 75, so that the mounting of the electronic component and the mounting of the connector can be performed at once, and the mounting process can be performed. Can be greatly simplified.

FIG. 12 shows a connector 60 according to this embodiment.
7 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of compression and the load (reaction force) for a conventional connector using a conductive rubber contact known in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-262294 and the like. In the case of a conductive rubber contact (dotted line in the figure), when the amount of compression is increased, the load required at that time (that is, the generated reaction force) increases at an accelerated rate. On the other hand, in the case of the connector of the present embodiment (solid line in the figure), the load required to obtain a predetermined compression amount is smaller than that of the conductive rubber connector, and the required load increases even if the compression amount is increased. There are few areas where the curve is almost horizontal. Accordingly, when the amount of compression of the connector fluctuates due to a finished dimensional error or an assembly error of each component, or when the parallelism between the inner wall surface of the housing 40 and the printed wiring board 45 is deteriorated as shown in FIG. However, with conventional conductive rubber connectors, the pressing force is too small and the electrode and the conductive rubber connector do not come into close contact with each other, resulting in poor connection or conversely, a large pressing force (reaction force) generated, causing the microphone to operate. In some cases, failure occurred. However, in the connector using the coil spring of the present invention, since the curve in FIG. 12 uses a substantially horizontal portion, the coil spring follows the change in the amount of compression with little change in the reaction force. The above-mentioned problem of the rubber connector hardly occurs.

As is clear from the first and second embodiments, the connection method of the present invention is completed by stacking the respective components in the vertical direction, so that it is possible to adopt a built-up assembly method. It can easily cope with automatic assembly by a machine.

In the present invention, when the deformed coil spring 30 shown in FIG. 4A is used as the coil spring 30, the vertical direction in FIG. 4A is the compression direction (FIGS. 5 and 11).
It is preferable to attach the deformed coil spring 30 so as to match the vertical direction of the present invention, since the above-described effect of the coil spring of the present invention is maximized.

The dimensions of the coil spring used in the present invention are not particularly limited, but relatively fine ones are desired. The wire diameter is 0.02 mm to 1.0 mm, and the winding diameter is 0.1 mm to 0.1 mm. It is preferably 3.0 mm. If it is finer than this, it is difficult to follow the unevenness or inclination of the electrode surface, to sufficiently reduce or attenuate the vibration, and to increase the manufacturing cost of the component due to the difficulty in manufacturing the component. Absent. Conversely, if it is larger than this, the volume of the coil spring itself increases, making it difficult to connect in a narrow gap, and it is not possible to reduce the mounting volume for mounting the connector. In addition, since the spring characteristics (spring number) of the coil spring become strong, the contact pressure cannot be reduced.

Further, in order to make the outer surface of the coil spring contact with the electrodes to secure the electrical connection, when the coil spring is mounted on the coil spring holding member, the outer surface of the coil spring is formed on both surfaces of the coil spring holding member. It is necessary to determine the winding diameter of the coil spring and the thickness of the coil spring holding member so as to project more. The amount of protrusion of the coil spring from the surface of the coil spring holding member is 0.3 mm to 1.2 m in total on both sides.
m is preferable. If the amount of protrusion is less than this,
The allowable range for the gap error at the connection portion is narrowed. Also,
If the amount of protrusion is larger than this, it means that the thickness of the connection portion is unnecessarily thick, which is contrary to the reduction in thickness.

FIG. 4 shows a straight coil spring having a constant winding diameter in the direction of the central axis 31, but the coil spring used in the present invention is not limited to such a form. In addition, any of a taper type, a barrel type, and a drum type may be used. The winding method does not necessarily have to be a perfect circle, but may be an ellipse, an ellipse, a polygon, or the like, and there is no particular limitation.

Further, the material of the coil spring is not limited to the one described in the above embodiment, and any material having a conductive property can be used. For example, beryllium copper, phosphor bronze, alloys typified by stainless steel, iron, metals typified by copper, intermetallic compounds, or metal-plated surfaces thereof, or conductive resin compositions, conductivity Any of a resin having no surface and a special treatment applied to the surface to exhibit conductivity may be used.

The structure for holding the coil spring is not limited to the above embodiment. However, the structure in which the convex member is loosely inserted into the winding center hole of the coil spring from one end or both ends is easy to mount the coil spring, and the outer surface of the coil spring has a simple structure. This is preferable because the coil spring can be held in such a manner that it can be brought into contact with the electrode and can be elastically compressed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis.

In the above-described embodiment,
Although the pair of electrodes to be connected are both flat and arranged almost in parallel, the present invention is not limited to such connection between the electrodes. Even if at least one of the electrodes is a curved surface or, for example, is bent into an L-shaped cross section,
Even if both electrodes are not arranged in parallel, the coil spring is arranged between the electrodes such that the outer surface thereof is in contact with both electrodes,
If a compressive load capable of elastically deforming the coil spring can be applied to the coil spring via the two electrodes, the coil spring faithfully follows the change in the interval between the two electrodes, and a good electrical connection can be obtained.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, electrical connection can be made in a very narrow gap, the mounting volume can be reduced while the connector is mounted, the unevenness of the electrode surface, the inclination of each part, and the like. It can accurately follow the finished dimensional error and assembly error, reduce contact pressure, reduce vibration, and always realize reliable electrical connection even if it is repeatedly attached and detached at the initial stage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a speaker of a portable communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 (A) is a plan view, and FIG. 2 (B).
Is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a coil spring holding member of the connector shown in FIG. 2;

4 (A) and FIG. 4 (B) are both FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a coil spring used for the connector shown in FIG.

5 is a side view showing a method of connecting an electrode of a speaker of a portable communication device and a substrate electrode using the connector of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side view when the substrate is inclined in FIG.

7A and 7B are diagrams showing a microphone of a portable communication device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, where FIG. 7A is a sectional view and FIG. 7B is a bottom view.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 8A is a plan view and FIG.
Is a side view.

9 is a plan view of a coil spring holding member of the connector shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a microphone holder in which the connector and the microphone holding member shown in FIG. 8 are integrated.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of connecting a microphone electrode and a substrate electrode of the portable communication device.

FIG. 12 shows the amount of compression and load (reaction force) when the connector of the second embodiment and a conventional conductive rubber contact are used.
6 is a graph showing a relationship with the graph.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Speaker 11 Vibration part 12 Electrode 20 Connector 21 Coil spring holding member 22 Post 23 Opening 24 Coil spring holding part 25 Notch 30 Coil spring (deformed coil spring) 30 'Basic coil spring 31 Center axis 40 Housing 41, 42 Rib 43 Through-hole 45 Printed wiring board 46, 47 Board electrode 50 Microphone (microphone) 51 Sound collecting part 52a, 52b Electrode 54 Projection part 60 Connector 61 Coil spring holding member 62a, 62b Hook projection 63 Opening 64 Coil spring holding part 70 Microphone holder 71 Microphone holding member 72 Microphone storage space 73 Opening 75 Microphone unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Ota 175 Kajiyashiki, Ohara-mura, Nishikamo-gun, Aichi Prefecture F-term in Fuji Polymer Industry Co., Ltd. 5E023 AA16 AA22 BB22 CC02 CC26 DD26 EE01 EE19 EE27 FF07 GG01 HH05 HH08 HH17 HH18 HH21 HH28 5E024 CA30 CB10

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method for electrically connecting a pair of electrodes arranged opposite to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween, wherein an outer surface of a conductive coil spring can be in contact with both electrodes. As described above, the pair of electrodes are electrically connected by applying a compressive load to the coil spring by the pair of electrodes to elastically deform the coil spring. An electrical connection method characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The electric connection method according to claim 1, wherein the elastic deformation is an elastic deformation accompanied by a dimensional change in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the coil spring. 3. The positioning of the coil spring in a plane substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the compressive load is applied, using a coil spring holding member that holds the outer surface of the coil spring by protruding from both surfaces. 2. The electrical connection method according to 1. 4. An electrical connection connector for electrically connecting a pair of electrodes disposed to face each other with a predetermined distance therebetween, wherein the electrical connection includes a conductive coil spring, and an outer surface of the coil spring. A coil spring holding member that holds the coil spring so as to be able to contact the electrode. 5. The electrical connection connector according to claim 4, wherein outer surfaces of the coil spring project from both surfaces of the coil spring holding member. 6. The electrical connection connector according to claim 4, wherein the coil spring holding member includes a penetrating portion that penetrates into a winding center hole of the coil spring to hold the coil spring. 7. The coil spring is defined as points P2 and P3 when points P2 and P3 move 180 degrees around the central axis along the winding from the arbitrary point P1 in the winding. The angle at which the straight line connecting the middle point of P3 and the point P1 intersects with the center axis is almost 9 regardless of the setting of the point P1.
The basic coil spring, which is at 0 degrees, is deformed by applying external forces parallel to the central axis and in mutually opposite directions to a generatrix at a position symmetrical with respect to the central axis, of the generatrix constituting the outer surface thereof. The electrical connection connector according to claim 4, having a shape obtained by performing the above. 8. The coil spring, when points P2 and P3 are shifted from the arbitrary point P1 in the winding along the winding by 180 degrees around the central axis in directions opposite to each other, as points P2 and P3. When an angle at which a straight line connecting the middle point of P3 and the point P1 intersects the center axis is α (α ≦ 90 degrees), (90 degrees−
The connector according to claim 4, wherein the maximum value of α) is 1 degree to 30 degrees. 9. A connector comprising: a coil spring having conductivity; a connector having a coil spring holding member for holding the coil spring; and an electronic component holding member having a space for accommodating an electronic component having electrodes. An electronic component holder, wherein the electronic component is stored and held so that the electrode of the electronic component can contact the outer surface of the coil spring. 10. The coil spring is held by the coil spring holding member with its outer surface protruding from both surfaces of the coil spring holding member, and the outside of the coil spring protruding to one surface side. The electronic component holder according to claim 9, wherein a side surface contacts an electrode of the electronic component.