JP2005071768A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector capable of electrically and mechanically connecting two objects to be connected easily. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of conductive paths 7 are formed in an insulator 5b having elasticity. Recessed parts 51c, 52c are formed at connecting ends 51, 52 of the insulator 5 which are insertion-engaged with holes 111a, 211a formed in printed-circuit boards 11, 12. The connecting ends 51, 52 of the insulator 5 are elastically deformed by inserting wedges 9, 9 in the recessed parts 51c, 52c, and the conductive paths 7 are pressed against a plurality of connecting conductive paths 115, 215 formed on inner peripheral faces of the holes 111a, 211a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector that is interposed between two connection objects (for example, a printed circuit board) and electrically connects the two connection objects directly without using a cable.

  Conventionally, a connector comprising an insulating rubber sheet, a linear conductor, and a columnar elastomer body is known (see Patent Document 1 below).

  A plurality of linear conductors are arranged at an equal pitch on the surface of the insulating rubber sheet.

  A linear conductor consists of a conductive thin wire and an anisotropic conductive member. The surface of the conductive thin wire is covered with an anisotropic conductive member. The anisotropic conductive member is formed by dispersing conductive particles in a resin binder.

The insulating rubber sheet is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the columnar elastomer body so that the cross-sectional shape of the insulating rubber sheet is U-shaped.
JP 2000-1000049 (see paragraphs 0006 to 0007, FIG. 1)

  As described above, the conventional connector has a configuration in which an insulating rubber sheet in which a plurality of linear conductors are arranged is wound around a columnar elastomer body, and thus is more linear than a connector having contacts formed by punching a metal plate. It is possible to narrow the arrangement pitch of the conductors.

  However, this connector does not employ a configuration in which the linear conductor is positioned with respect to the terminal portion of the connection target, and does not have a configuration for maintaining the connection target in a conductive state.

  For this reason, when two connection objects are electrically connected using this connector, first, the connector is visually positioned accurately with respect to the connection object, and then, for example, by a connecting member such as a bolt or a nut. Connection objects must be linked together.

  This invention is made in view of such a situation, The subject is providing the connector which can connect two connection objects easily electrically and mechanically.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a connector according to the invention of claim 1 includes an insulator and a plurality of conductive paths provided in the insulator, and electrically connects two objects to be connected. A contact force applying member that presses the conductive path against a plurality of connection target side conductive paths provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hole when an end portion is fitted into a hole provided in the connection target; It is characterized by being.

  Since the end portion of the insulator is fitted into the hole of the connection target as described above, the plurality of conductive paths are positioned with respect to the plurality of connection target side conductive paths.

  Since the conductive path is pressed against the connection target side conductive path by the contact force applying member, the insulator is fixed to the connection target object by the contact force (frictional force) generated between the conductive path and the connection target side conductive path.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector that includes an insulator having elasticity and a plurality of conductive paths provided in the insulator, and electrically connects two connection objects, and a hole provided in the connection object. A plurality of recesses provided at the end of the insulator to be fitted to the insulator, and a plurality of the conductive paths provided on the inner peripheral surface of the hole by elastically deforming the end of the insulator so as to spread the recess. It is provided with the contact force provision member pressed on the connection object side conductive path.

  Since the end portion of the insulator is fitted into the hole of the connection target as described above, the plurality of conductive paths are positioned with respect to the plurality of connection target side conductive paths.

  When the contact force imparting member is inserted into the recess of the insulator, the recess is expanded and the end of the insulator is elastically deformed, so that the conductive path is pressed against the connection target side conductive path. The insulator is fixed to the connection target object by a contact force (frictional force) generated between the conductive path and the connection target side conductive path.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the second aspect, when the both end portions of the insulator are respectively fitted in the holes of the two connection objects, the distance between the two connection objects facing each other is kept constant. The spacer part is provided in the center part of the said insulator, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Since the spacer part is provided in the center part of the insulator as described above, the operation of arranging the spacer between the two connection objects becomes unnecessary when the two connection objects are connected.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the third aspect, the engaging portions that are located on both sides of the spacer portion and engage with receiving portions provided on inner peripheral surfaces of the holes of the two connection objects. The insulator is provided in the insulator.

  As described above, the insulator is provided with the engaging portion that engages with the receiving portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the two connection objects, so that the engaging portion engages with the receiving portion. The insulator is further firmly fixed to the connection object.

  As described above, according to the connector of the invention of the first aspect, the end of the insulator is fitted into the hole of the connection object, and the conductor is pressed against the connection object side conductive path by the contact force applying member. Two connection objects can be easily electrically and mechanically connected.

  According to the connector of the second aspect of the invention, the two connection objects can be easily electrically and mechanically simply fitted into the hole of the connection object by inserting the end of the insulator into the hole of the connection object and inserting the contact force applying member into the recess. Can be connected to.

  According to the connector of the invention of claim 3, two connection objects can be electrically and mechanically connected more easily.

  According to the connector of the invention of claim 4, the insulator can be more securely fixed to the connection object.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector main body of FIG.

  The connector includes a connector body 3 and two wedges (contact force applying members) 9.

  The connector main body 3 includes an insulator 5 and a plurality of conductive paths 7.

  The insulator 5 is made of an insulating material (for example, elastomer) having elasticity, and has connection end portions (end portions) 51 and 52, a central portion 53, and a spacer portion 54.

  3 shows the connector main body of FIG. 1. FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a front view, and FIG. 3C is a side view.

  The connecting end portion 51 is on one end side of the insulator 5 and has a pair of projecting portions 51a and 51b and one recess 51c. The pair of projecting portions 51a and 51b are each in the form of a flat plate and are opposed to each other through the recess 51c. Wedge-shaped engaging portions 55 are formed on both side surfaces of the protruding portions 51a and 51b, respectively. The engaging portion 55 has an inclined surface 55a and a locking surface 55b.

  The connection end portion 52 is on the other end side of the insulator 5 and has a pair of projecting portions 52a and 52b and one recess 52c. The pair of projecting portions 52a and 52b are each in the form of a flat plate and are opposed to each other through the recess 52c. Wedge-like engaging portions 56 are formed on both side surfaces of the projecting portions 52a and 52b, respectively. The engaging portion 56 has an inclined surface 56a and a locking surface 56b.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.

  The central portion 53 is located between the connection end portion 51 and the connection end portion 52.

  The spacer portions 54 have a block shape and are formed on both side surfaces of the central portion 53, respectively.

  The conductive path 7 is formed on both surfaces of the insulator 5, and the conductive path 7 on one surface extends from the tip of the protruding portion 51a to the tip of the protruding portion 52a, and the conductive path 7 on the other surface protrudes. It extends from the tip of the part 51b to the tip of the protruding part 52b. The conductive path 7 is composed of a metal thin film formed by spraying conductive particles on the surface of the insulator 5.

  FIG. 5 shows the wedge of the connector of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 5 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 5 (b) is a front view, and FIG. 5 (c) is a side view.

  The wedge 9 is made of, for example, a thermosetting resin and includes a pressing portion 91 and a knob portion 92. The cross-sectional shape of the pressing portion 91 is substantially wedge-shaped. The cross-sectional shape of the knob 92 is a rectangle. The knob portion 92 is coupled to one end of the pressing portion 91. The maximum width W9 of the wedge 9 is larger than the maximum width W5 of the recesses 51c and 52.

  6 is an exploded front view of the connector, and FIG. 7 is an exploded side view of the connector.

  One connection end 51 of the connector body 3 is coupled to the first printed circuit board (connection object) 11, and the other connection end 52 of the connector body 3 is coupled to the second printed circuit board (connection object) 21. . One wedge 9 is inserted into the recess 51c, and the other wedge 9 is inserted into the recess 52c.

  8 is a perspective view of a hole in the first printed circuit board shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 9 is a view of the hole in the first printed circuit board, FIG. 8A is a plan view, and FIG. FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C shown in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10 shows a state in which the connector main body is fitted in the hole of the first printed circuit board. The figure (a) is a top view, The figure (b) is sectional drawing which follows the DD line of the figure (a), The figure (c) follows the EE line of the figure (a). It is sectional drawing.

  The first printed circuit board 11 includes an insulating substrate 111, a plurality of conductor patterns (conductive paths) 112, and connection conductive paths (connection object side conductive paths) 115.

  The insulating substrate 111 is formed with a rectangular hole 111 a that fits with one connection end 51 of the connector body 3. A step surface (receiving portion) 111c is formed on two opposing surfaces of the inner peripheral surface 111b of the hole 111a.

  The conductor pattern 112 is formed on one surface of the insulating substrate 111. Of course, the arrangement pitch of the conductor patterns 112 is equal to the arrangement pitch of the conductive paths 7.

  The connection conductive path 115 is formed on the other two opposing surfaces of the inner peripheral surface 111b of the hole 111a and is continuous with the conductor pattern 112, respectively.

  The connection conductive path 115 is formed as follows.

  FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a process of forming a conductive path on the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the first printed circuit board. FIG. 13 (a) is a conceptual diagram showing a state before the hole is opened. (B) is a conceptual diagram showing a state after opening a hole, FIG. (C) is a conceptual diagram when the cut-through hole is viewed from the direction of arrow F in FIG. ) Is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the surface of the cut-through hole is plated, and FIG. 9E is a conceptual diagram when the plated portion is viewed from the direction of arrow G in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 13A, a plurality of through holes 113 are formed in the unprocessed printed board 11. Each through hole 113 continues to the conductor pattern 112.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, a part of the unprocessed printed board 11 is cut away to form a hole 111a at a predetermined position. At this time, a part of the through hole 113 is left.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 13D and 13E, a plating 114 is applied to the through-hole remaining portion 113a.

  As described above, the connection conductive portion 115 constituted by the through-hole remaining portion 113a and the plating 114 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 111b of the hole 111a.

  A connecting conductive portion 215 of the second printed circuit board 21 to be described later is formed in the same manner as the connecting conductive path 115.

  11 is a perspective view of a hole in the second printed circuit board shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which the connector main body is fitted into the hole in the second printed circuit board.

  The second printed circuit board 11 includes an insulating substrate 211, a conductor pattern (conductive path) 212 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), and a connection conductive path (connection object side conductive path) 215.

  The insulating substrate 211 is formed with a rectangular hole 211 a that fits with the other connection end 52 of the connector body 3. A step surface (receiving portion) 211c is formed on two opposing surfaces of the inner peripheral surface 211b of the hole 211a.

  The conductor pattern 212 is formed on one surface of the insulating substrate 211. Of course, the arrangement pitch of the conductor patterns 212 is equal to the arrangement pitch of the conductive paths 7.

  The connection conductive path 215 is formed on the other two opposite surfaces of the inner peripheral surface 211b of the hole 211a and is continuous with the conductor pattern 212, respectively.

  14 is a perspective view showing a state before the connector main body is fitted into the hole of the first printed board, FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state after the connector main body is fitted into the hole of the first printed board, and FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second printed circuit board is arranged above the connector body fitted to the first printed circuit board. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state before inserting in a recessed part.

  Next, an example of a connection operation between the first printed circuit board 11 and the second printed circuit board 21 using a connector will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 14, the connector main body 3 is disposed above the first printed circuit board 11.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, one connection end 51 of the connector main body 3 is fitted into the hole 111 a of the first printed circuit board 11. At this time, the conductive path 7 is accurately positioned with respect to the connecting conductive path 115 by the side surfaces of the projecting portions 51a and 51b coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface 111b of the hole 111a. Further, the inclined surface 55a of the engaging portion 55 gets over the step surface 111c in the hole 111a, and the engaging surface 55b of the engaging portion 55 engages with the step surface 111c. As a result, the connector body 3 is not easily detached from the first printed circuit board 11.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the second printed circuit board 21 is disposed above the connector main body 3 fitted to the first printed circuit board 11.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 17, the other connection end 52 of the connector main body 3 is fitted into the hole 211 a of the second printed circuit board 21. At this time, the conductive path 7 is accurately positioned with respect to the connecting conductive path 215 by the side surfaces of the projecting portions 52a and 52b coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface 211b of the hole 211a. At this time, the inclined surface 56a of the engaging portion 56 gets over the step surface 211c in the hole 211a, and the engaging surface 56b of the engaging portion 56 engages with the step surface 211c. As a result, the connector body 3 is not easily detached from the second printed circuit board 21. The distance between the first printed board 11 and the second printed board 21 is kept constant by the spacer portion 54 of the connector body 3.

  Next, one wedge 9 is inserted into the recess 51 c of the connector body 3. As a result, the projecting portions 51 a and 51 b are elastically deformed and inclined toward the connection conductive path 115 of the first printed circuit board 11, and the conductive path 7 on the projecting portions 51 a and 51 b is strongly against the connection conductive path 115. Contact. In this way, the conductive path 7 and the connection conductive path 115 are electrically connected, and the connector body 3 is firmly attached to the first printed circuit board 11 by the frictional force between the conductive path 7 and the connection conductive path 115. Fixed.

  Finally, the other wedge 9 is inserted into the recess 52 c of the connector body 3. As a result, the protrusions 52a and 52b are elastically deformed and tilted toward the connection conductive path 215 of the second printed circuit board 21, and the conductive path 7 on the protrusions 52a and 52b is strongly against the connection conductive path 215. Contact. In this way, the conductive path 7 and the connection conductive path 215 are electrically connected, and the connector body 3 is firmly attached to the second printed circuit board 21 by the frictional force between the conductive path 7 and the connection conductive path 215. Fixed.

  Through the above operation, the first printed circuit board 11 and the second printed circuit board 21 are electrically and mechanically connected by the connector.

  As described above, according to the connector of this embodiment, the connection end portions 51 and 52 of the connector main body 3 are fitted into the holes 111a and 211a of the printed circuit boards 11 and 21, respectively, and the wedges 9 and 9 are inserted into the recesses 51c and 52c. The first printed circuit board 11 and the second printed circuit board 21 can be easily electrically and mechanically connected by simply inserting them.

  Further, since the insulator 5 has the spacer portion 54, it is not necessary to dispose a spacer as an independent component between the first printed circuit board 11 and the second printed circuit board 21, and the first printed circuit board 11 and the first printed circuit board are more easily connected. 2 The printed circuit board 21 can be electrically and mechanically connected.

  Furthermore, the connector main body 3 can be more reliably fixed to the first and second printed circuit boards 11 and 21 by the engaging portions 55 and 56.

  In this embodiment, the connection target is the printed circuit boards 11 and 21, but the connection target is not limited to this.

  Further, in this embodiment, the recesses 51c and 52c of the connection end portions 51 and 52 are expanded by the wedge 9 to bring the conductive path 7 into contact with the connection conductive paths 115 and 215. One projecting portion 51b, 52b of 52 is deleted, and a wedge (thickness thicker than the wedge 9) is driven into the place where the projecting portions 51b, 52b exist, so that the projecting portions 51a, 52a The conductive path 7 may be brought into contact with the connecting conductive paths 115 and 215. In this case, the insulator 5 may not have elasticity.

  In this embodiment, the wedge 9 is used as the contact force application member. However, the contact force application member is not limited to the wedge 9 and may be any member that can press the conductive path 7 against the connection conductive paths 115 and 215. Good.

  In this embodiment, the conductive path 7 is formed by spraying the conductive particles on the surface of the insulator 5, but FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) or FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) with the conductor pattern exposed is pasted on the insulator 5. In addition, the conductor pattern exposed by the FPC or FFC may be used as a conductive path.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector main body of FIG. 3 shows the connector main body of FIG. 1. FIG. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a front view, and FIG. 3C is a side view. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 shows the wedge of the connector of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 5 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 5 (b) is a front view, and FIG. 5 (c) is a side view. FIG. 6 is an exploded front view of the connector. FIG. 7 is an exploded side view of the connector. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hole of the first printed circuit board shown in FIG. 9A and 9B show holes in the first printed circuit board. FIG. 9A is a plan view, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 9A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the CC line shown to figure (a). FIG. 10 shows a state in which the connector main body is fitted in the hole of the first printed circuit board. FIG. 10 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 10 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hole of the second printed circuit board shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which the connector main body is fitted in the hole of the second printed circuit board. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a process of forming a conductive path on the inner peripheral surface of the hole of the first printed circuit board. FIG. 13 (a) is a conceptual diagram showing a state before the hole is opened. (B) is a conceptual diagram showing a state after opening a hole, FIG. (C) is a conceptual diagram when the cut-through hole is viewed from the direction of arrow F in FIG. ) Is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the surface of the cut-through hole is plated, and FIG. 9E is a conceptual diagram when the plated portion is viewed from the direction of arrow G in FIG. . FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state before the connector main body is fitted into the hole of the first printed circuit board. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state after the connector body is fitted into the hole of the first printed circuit board. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second printed circuit board is disposed above the connector main body fitted to the first printed circuit board. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state before the connector body is fitted to the second printed circuit board and the two wedges are respectively inserted into the recesses of the connector body.

Explanation of symbols

3 Connector body 5 Insulator 51 Connection end (end)
51c Recess 52 Connection end (end)
52c Recessed part 54 Spacer part 55 Engaging part 56 Engaging part 7 Conductive path 9 Wedge (contact force application member)
11 First printed circuit board (object to be connected)
111a hole 111b inner peripheral surface 111c step surface (receiving portion)
115 Conductive path for connection (conductive object side conductive path)
21 Second printed circuit board (object to be connected)
211a hole 211b inner peripheral surface 211c step surface (receiving portion)
215 Conductive path for connection (conductive object side conductive path)

Claims (4)

In a connector comprising an insulator and a plurality of conductive paths provided in the insulator, and electrically connecting two connection objects,
A contact force applying member that presses the conductive path against a plurality of connection target side conductive paths provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hole when an end portion of the insulator is fitted into a hole provided in the connection target. A connector characterized by comprising: In a connector comprising an insulator having elasticity and a plurality of conductive paths provided in the insulator, and electrically connecting two connection objects,
A recess provided at an end of the insulator fitted in a hole provided in the connection object;
A contact force applying member that elastically deforms an end of the insulator so as to spread the recess and presses the conductive path against a plurality of connection object side conductive paths provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hole. A connector characterized by that.   A spacer portion that keeps the distance between the two connection objects facing each other when both end portions of the insulator are respectively fitted in the holes of the two connection objects is provided in the central portion of the insulator. The connector according to claim 2.   The engagement portion that is located on both sides of the spacer portion and engages with a receiving portion provided on an inner peripheral surface of the hole of the two connection objects is provided in the insulator. 3. The connector according to 3.

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