JP2005078842A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector which is securely and electrically connected to a counterpart conductor even if a terminal fitting is miniaturized and multipolarized, and the connector is designed so that it can be inserted with low inserting force. <P>SOLUTION: A holder 2 supporting a FPC 4 is engaged with the connector 1. The connector 1 is provided with a female housing 3 and the terminal fitting 14. The female housing 3 houses the terminal fitting 14. The terminal fitting 14 is provided with a pair of contact pieces 20a, 20b to sandwich the holder 2. A temperature variation is denoted by ▵T, the coefficient of linear expansion of the holder 2 is denoted by βa, the distance between the contact and a first fixed spot C is denoted by 1a. The coefficient of linear expansion of the terminal fitting 14 is denoted by βb, and the distance between the contact s and a second fixed spot D is denoted by 1b. When the elastic module of the contact piece 20b is denoted by k, the coefficient of static friction of the FPC 4 and the terminal fitting 14 is denoted by μ, the elastic restoring force of the contact piece 20b is denoted by F, and the backlash of the metal fitting is denoted by b, ▵T × βa × 1a - ▵T × βb × 1b ≤ 2 × (μ × F / k) + b is satisfied. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector used for connecting wires and the like.

  A wide variety of electronic devices are mounted on a vehicle as a moving body. In the automobile, a wire harness is routed to transmit electric power, a control signal, and the like to the electronic device. The wire harness includes a plurality of electric wires and a plurality of connectors. The electric wire is a so-called covered electric wire including a conductive core wire and an insulating covering portion that covers the core wire.

  The connector includes a conductive terminal fitting and an insulating connector housing. The terminal fitting is attached to an end portion of the electric wire and electrically connected to the core wire. The connector housing accommodates the terminal fitting. In the wire harness, a connector is connected to a connector of an electronic device and transmits a control signal or the like to the electronic device.

  As the terminal fittings, a pair of counterpart metal fittings, a conductor such as a flat circuit body such as a flexible printed circuit (hereinafter referred to as FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC) is sandwiched between them. The terminal metal fitting (refer patent document 1) provided with the contact piece of this is used. In this type of terminal fitting, the mating conductor such as the mating terminal fitting or conductor described above is positioned on the surface of one contact piece, and the other contact piece places the mating conductor on the one contact piece. It was energizing towards.

Conventionally used connectors, ie, terminal fittings, have maintained (strengthened) the biasing force of the other contact piece at or above a predetermined value. Furthermore, the terminal fitting has been configured to sandwich the mating conductor between the pair of contact pieces by increasing the rigidity of the pair of contact pieces and making the contact pieces difficult to elastically deform. The terminal fittings have prevented the mating conductor sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces from being displaced and prevented fretting corrosion from occurring at these contacts. Thus, the conventional terminal fitting has been electrically connected to the mating conductor.
JP-A-9-63718

  In the conventional terminal fitting described above, the rigidity of the contact piece is increased, and the urging force is set to a predetermined value or more (intensified) to electrically connect to the mating conductor.

  On the other hand, a wider variety of electronic devices are mounted on the automobile in which the wire harness described above is routed. For this reason, there was a tendency for the electric wire to increase and the weight of the wire harness to increase and to increase in size.

  In order to suppress the increase in the weight and the increase in size, the connector described above has accommodated a larger number of terminal fittings (more multipolarization) and has been attempted to reduce the size of the terminal fittings. Further, in order to easily wire the above-described wire harness, it is desired to reduce the force applied when the connector is fitted to the mating connector (to reduce the insertion force).

  If the terminal fitting is reduced in size, as described above, it becomes difficult to secure an urging force of a predetermined value or more, and it is difficult to reliably connect the mating conductor. For this reason, there exists a possibility that fretting corrosion may arise in the contact mentioned above. In addition, when multipolarization is achieved and low insertion force is achieved, it is necessary to suppress the aforementioned urging force per terminal fitting, making it more difficult to secure an urging force that exceeds a specified value. Thus, it becomes more and more difficult to make a reliable electrical connection with the mating conductor. For this reason, the possibility of fretting corrosion occurring at the above-mentioned contacts is increased.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector that can be reliably electrically connected to a mating conductor without causing fretting corrosion even if the terminal fitting is miniaturized and multipolarized and the insertion force is reduced. There is to do.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the connector of the present invention according to claim 1 includes a support portion for positioning a mating conductor on a surface, a spacing between the support portion and the mating conductor. A terminal fitting comprising: an elastic contact portion sandwiched between the mating conductor with the support portion in a state in which an elastic restoring force is applied to bias the support portion toward the support portion; A connector housing that accommodates the terminal fitting and is fitted with a mating insulator that supports the mating conductor, and a gap is provided between the elastic contact portion and the inner surface of the cavity. The gap is A, and the temperature change acting on the mating conductor and mating insulator and the elastic contact portion is ΔT, and the mating conductor and the mating insulator are Combined linear expansion unit Is βa, the distance between the first fixed portion where the counterpart conductor is fixed and the contact between the counterpart conductor and the elastic contact portion is la, and the connector housing and the terminal fitting are combined. If the linear expansion coefficient is βb, and the distance between the second fixed location where the terminal fitting is fixed and the contact point between the mating conductor and the elastic contact portion is lb, then A ≧ ΔT × βa × la− ΔT × βb × lb, where the spring constant of the elastic contact portion is k, the coefficient of static friction between the mating conductor and the elastic contact portion is μ, the elastic restoring force of the elastic contact portion is F, When the distance that the terminal fitting can move in the connector housing is b, ΔT × βa × la−ΔT × βb × lb ≦ 2 × (μ × F / k) + b is satisfied. In addition, the clearance gap A described in this specification has shown the space | interval of the said elastic contact part and the inner surface of the said cavity. In other words, the symbol A indicates the length of the gap, and the length A of the gap is omitted in this specification and referred to as the gap A.

  A connector according to a second aspect of the present invention is the connector according to the first aspect, wherein the mating conductor is inserted between the support portion and the elastic contact portion along one direction to support the mating conductor. And the elastic contact portion, the one direction, the first direction orthogonal to both the one direction and the elastic restoring force, the orthogonal direction to the one direction and the elastic restoring force. The gap A in each of the second directions along the line satisfies A ≧ ΔT × βa × la−ΔT × βb × lb, and the spring of the elastic contact portion in each of the one direction, the first direction, and the second direction. The constant k is characterized by satisfying ΔT × βa × la−ΔT × βb × lb ≦ 2 × (μ × F / k) + b.

  The connector of the present invention according to claim 3 is the connector according to claim 2, wherein the mating conductor, the mating insulator, the mating electric wire connected to the mating conductor, The other member, the acceleration acting on the other member along the second direction is a1, and the mass of the other member is m, the elastic restoring force of the elastic contact portion F is characterized by satisfying F> m × a1.

  A connector according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the connector according to the second or third aspect, wherein the mating conductor is connected to the mating conductor, the mating insulator, and the mating conductor. The other member, and the acceleration acting on the other member along the direction orthogonal to the second direction is a2, and the mass of the other member is m. The elastic restoring force F of the elastic contact portion satisfies F> m × a2 / μ.

  In other words, the connector of the present invention reduces the rigidity of the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting and makes it easier to elastically deform the elastic contact portion. And even if the contact between the elastic contact portion and the mating conductor is about to move, the elastic contact portion follows and elastically deforms to keep the elastic contact portion and the mating conductor in contact with each other at the contact point. . In other words, the elastic contact portion and the mating conductor are prevented from moving relative to each other at the contact point, thereby preventing the displacement of the contact point.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, a gap is provided between the elastic contact portion and the inner surface of the cavity, and the terminal fitting is movable within the connector housing (that is, a backlash is provided between the terminal fitting and the connector housing) The elastic contact portion is allowed to elastically deform within the gap and play. That is, the elastic contact portion is elastically deformed in the gap and the backlash, thereby preventing the contact point between the elastic contact portion and the mating conductor from being displaced. Thus, the above-described fretting corrosion is prevented.

  For example, even if a position shift caused by a difference in thermal expansion coefficient due to a change in temperature acting on the terminal fitting and the mating conductor, acceleration or the like acts on the mating member including the mating conductor, The elastic contact portion follows and elastically deforms. Thus, by suppressing (reducing) the rigidity of the elastic contact portion, the elastic restoring force of the elastic contact portion, that is, the contact load between the elastic contact portion and the mating conductor can be suppressed (reduced). Even if the terminal fitting is miniaturized and multipolarized and the insertion force is reduced, the connector can be reliably electrically connected to the mating conductor without causing fretting corrosion.

  For example, the terminal fitting 14 shown in FIG. 9 is accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber as a cavity of the connector housing. The terminal fitting is movable within the terminal accommodating chamber. In other words, play is provided between the terminal fitting and the inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber. The connector housing is attached to the printed wiring board. The terminal fitting 14 is electrically connected to an FPC conductor whose end is supported by a holder that fits into the connector housing.

  When the FPC is routed in an automobile or the like, the FPC is fixed to a vehicle body panel or the like by a known wiring clip or the like. The FPC from the wiring clip to the end and the holder for holding the end of the FPC constitute a mating member 100 (shown in FIG. 10) of the present specification.

  In addition, in FIG.10, FIG13 and FIG.14, the holder and FPC as the other party member 100 are typically shown by a rectangular parallelepiped. Further, the portion supported by the FPC conductor holder constitutes the counterpart conductor described in this specification. The holder is insulative and forms a mating insulator as described herein. The FPC is a counterpart wire described in this specification that is electrically connected to the conductor of the FPC.

  The terminal fitting 14 is made of a conductive sheet metal or the like. The terminal fitting 14 is integrally provided with a first electrical contact portion 18, a second electrical contact portion 19, and a locking portion 22. The first electrical contact portion 18 is formed in a plate shape. The first electrical contact portion 18 is electrically connected to the conductor pattern of the printed wiring board when the terminal fitting 14 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber.

  The second electrical contact portion 19 is electrically connected to the FPC conductor of the mating member 100 described above. The second electrical contact portion 19 includes a pair of contact pieces 20. The pair of contact pieces 20 are formed in a rod shape, and are arranged in parallel with a space therebetween. One end portions of the pair of contact pieces 20 are connected to the first electrical contact portion 18. The pair of contact pieces 20 insert the holder of the counterpart member 100 and the conductor of the FPC supported by the holder between each other.

  One contact piece 20 (hereinafter, indicated by reference numeral 20a) has the FPC conductor supported by the holder of the mating member 100 inserted between the other contact piece 20 (hereinafter indicated by reference numeral 20b) on its surface. Position on top. The other contact piece 20b is elastically deformable in a direction in which the contact piece 20b comes into contact with or separates from the one contact piece 20a. Further, the other contact piece 20b is provided with a convex contact projection 21 toward the one contact piece 20a. In addition, approaching / separating means approaching or separating from each other. One contact piece 20a forms a support portion described in the present specification, and the other contact portion 20b forms an elastic contact portion described in the present specification.

  When the holder of the counterpart member 100 and the FPC conductor supported by the holder are inserted between the contact piece 20a, the contact protrusion 21 comes into contact with the FPC conductor supported by the holder. The other contact piece 20b urges the conductor of the FPC supported by the holder along the arrow Z in FIG. 9 toward the one contact piece 20a.

  That is, the other contact piece 20b is in a state in which an elastic restoring force F (shown in FIG. 10) is applied to bias the FPC conductor supported by the holder toward the one contact piece 20a. The FPC supported by the holder is sandwiched between the two. Then, the contact protrusion 21 comes into contact with the conductor of the FPC, and at the tip of the contact protrusion 21, the contact point S between the other contact piece 20 b and the FPC conductor, that is, the terminal fitting 14 and the mating member 100 The contact S is formed.

  The locking portion 22 is provided at an end portion of the one contact piece 20a near the first electrical contact portion 18. The locking portion 22 is locked to the locking receiving portion of the connector housing. The locking part 22 fixes the terminal fitting 14 to the connector housing by locking to the locking receiving part of the connector housing. Further, a fixing portion 22, that is, a fixing portion of the terminal fitting 14 to the connector housing (hereinafter referred to as a second fixing portion) is indicated by a symbol D in FIG.

  Further, the FPC conductor supported by the holder is inserted along the arrow X in FIG. 9 between the pair of contact pieces 20a, 20b. The arrow X is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the contact pieces 20a and 20b and forms one direction described in the present specification. The elastic restoring force F of the other contact piece 20b is orthogonal to the arrow X.

  In addition, the holder is fixed to the connector housing by fitting with a connector housing that houses the terminal fitting 14. A holder, that is, a fixing position of the mating member to the connector housing (hereinafter referred to as a first fixing position) is indicated by a symbol C in FIG. Note that, in the first fixing portion C, the conductor of the FPC is fixed to the connector housing via a holder. In addition, in FIG. 10, the said 1st fixing | fixed location C is provided in the frontmost end in the figure of the other party member 100 shown by the rectangular parallelepiped.

  Here, the linear expansion coefficient of the combination of the terminal fitting 14 and the connector housing is different from the linear expansion coefficient of the combination of the holder of the mating member 100 and the FPC. For this reason, if the temperature which acts on these terminal metal fittings 14 and connector housings, and the holder and FPC of the member 100 of the other party changes, the degree of expansion of the terminal metal fittings 14 and connector housing, and the expansion of the conductors of the holder and FPC The degree of is different.

  FIG. 11 schematically shows the terminal fitting 14 and the holder and the conductor of the FPC at this time. FIG. 11A shows a state before the temperature changes, and FIG. 11B shows a state after the temperature changes. In FIG. 11, the symbol A indicates a combination of the holder of the counterpart member 100 and the FPC conductor, and the symbol B indicates a combination of the terminal fitting 14 and the connector housing.

  The deviation of the arrow X between the contacts S1 and S2 between the terminal fitting 14 and the holder and the conductor of the FPC is defined as W. Let the temperature change be ΔT. The linear expansion coefficient of the arrow X is βa although the holder of the mating member 100 and the conductor of the FPC are combined. The distance between the first fixed location C and the contact S of the holder of the counterpart member 100 indicated by the arrow X and the conductor of the FPC is represented by la (indicated by reference numeral lax in FIG. 10). To do.

Although the terminal metal fitting 14 and the connector housing are combined, the linear expansion coefficient of the arrow X is βb. When the distance between the second fixed portion D of the arrow X and the contact S is lb (indicated by reference numeral lbx in FIG. 10), the following expression 1 is established.
W = ΔT × βa × la−ΔT × βb × lb …… Equation 1

  As shown in FIG. 10, the state in which the conductor of the FPC held by the holder of the counterpart member 100 is inserted between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b can be schematically shown as shown in FIG. A symbol A in FIG. 12 indicates the holder of the mating member 100 and the conductor of the FPC, and a symbol B indicates the terminal fitting 14 and the connector housing. The spring indicated by the symbol C shown in FIG. 12 indicates the other contact piece 20b that is elastically deformable. The spring constant k of the spring C is equal to the spring constant k of the other contact piece 20b in the arrow X direction. The spring C is elastically deformed to freely displace the contact S between the mating member 100, that is, the conductor of the FPC and the terminal fitting 14. Further, even in the state shown in FIG. 12, the spring C as the other contact piece 20 b urges the mating member 100 with the elastic restoring force F.

At this time, when the FPC conductor, that is, the mating member 100 and the terminal fitting 14 are about to move relative to each other, the mating conductor law, that is, the FPC conductor and the terminal fitting 14 are relative to each other at the contact S. In order not to move, the condition shown in the following formula 2 must be satisfied. In other words, the static frictional force between the terminal fitting 14 shown on the right side of Equation 2 and the mating conductor should be greater than the force at which the terminal fitting 14 and the mating conductor are displaced at the contact S shown on the left side. For example, the contact conductor S, that is, the FPC conductor and the terminal fitting 14 do not move relative to each other. In Equation 2, the coefficient of static friction between the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor of the counterpart, that is, the FPC conductor is μ, and the relative amplitude of the movement is a.
k × a ≦ μ × F
a ≦ μ × F / k …… Formula 2

Here, the above-described displacement W of the contacts S1 and S2, the amplitude a, and the distance that the terminal fitting 14 can move within the connector housing (the backlash between the terminal fitting 14 and the connector housing in the connector housing) b is expressed by the following equation 3 The relationship shown in is satisfied.
W = 2 × a + b …… Equation 3

According to the above-described formulas 1 to 3, when the temperature acting on the terminal fitting 14 and the FPC changes by ΔT, the contact S between the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor of the FPC does not shift (the terminal S at the contact S). 14 and the FPC conductor do not move relative to each other), it is necessary to satisfy the following expression (4).
ΔT × βa × la−ΔT × βb × lb ≦ 2 × (μ × F / k) + b (Formula 4)

  If the spring constant k of the other contact piece 20b and the elastic restoring force F of the other contact piece 20b satisfy the above equation 4, the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor of the FPC are moved relative to each other at the contact S. In addition, it has become clear that the other contact piece 20b is elastically deformed as the contact point S moves. If the above equation 4 is satisfied, even if the temperature of the outside air or the like changes by ΔT when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like, the other contact piece 20b and the FPC conductor at the contact S are It became clear that the other contact piece 20b and the conductor of the FPC can be kept in contact with each other at the contact point S without being relatively displaced.

  Moreover, it became clear that the spring constant k and the elastic restoring force F are proportional. For this reason, it has been clarified that the elastic load F, that is, the contact load between the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor of the FPC can be suppressed (reduced) by suppressing (reducing) the spring constant k of the terminal fitting 14. . Furthermore, at this time, the other contact piece 20b of the contact S, that is, the terminal fitting 14, is displaced by the deviation W in the equation (1).

  The aforementioned displacement W, amplitude a, and distance that the terminal fitting 14 can move in the connector housing (backlash between the terminal fitting 14 and the connector housing) b are mainly those in the direction of the arrow X. However, the deviation W in the direction of the arrow Y (shown in FIG. 9) orthogonal to both the arrow X and the elastic restoring force F, the amplitude a, and the distance that the terminal fitting 14 can move within the connector housing (the terminal fitting 14 and the connector The backlash (b) between the housings also satisfies the relations of the above-described formulas 1 to 4. At this time, la (indicated by reference numeral lay in FIG. 10) is a combination of the first fixed portion C and the contact S of the arrow Y, where the holder of the counterpart member 100 and the conductor of the FPC are combined. Lb (indicated by reference sign lby in FIG. 10) indicates the distance between the second fixed portion D of the arrow Y and the contact S.

  Further, the displacement W in the direction of arrow Z (shown in FIG. 9) perpendicular to the arrow X and along the elastic restoring force F, the amplitude a, and the distance that the terminal fitting 14 can move within the connector housing (the terminal fitting 14 and the connector housing). The backlash b) also satisfies the relationship of the above-described equations 1 to 4. At this time, la (indicated by reference numeral laz in FIG. 10) is a combination of the first fixed portion C and the contact S of the FPC conductor combined with the holder of the counterpart member 100 indicated by the arrow Z. Lb (indicated by reference numeral lbz in FIG. 10) indicates the distance between the second fixed portion D of the arrow Z and the contact S.

  In addition, the arrow Y has made the 1st direction described in this specification, and the arrow Z has made the 2nd direction described in this specification.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in a state where the holder of the mating member 100 and the FPC conductor supported by the holder are sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 20a, 20b, the holder of the mating member 100 The acceleration a1 along the elastic restoring force F may act on the conductor of the FPC supported by the holder. At this time, in order for the other contact piece 20b and the conductor of the FPC to remain in contact without relatively moving, the mass of the combined member 100 as the counterpart member 100 and the FPC is If m, then it is necessary to satisfy Equation 5 below. The mass m is a mass of the FPC from the wiring clip that fixes the FPC to the end and the holder that supports the end of the FPC.
F> m × a1 Formula 5

  For this reason, when the said Formula 5 was satisfy | filled, it became clear that the other party member 100 does not move relatively with respect to these contact pieces 20a and 20b between a pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b. Further, it is clear that the terminal fitting 14 continues to sandwich the mating member 100 between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b if the above formula 5 is satisfied. For this reason, it is clear that the contact S between the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor of the FPC does not shift as long as the formula 5 is satisfied. That is, when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like, even if the acceleration a1 in the direction of the arrow Z described above is applied, the other contact piece 20b and the FPC relatively move at the contact point S. It is clear that the other contact piece 20b and the conductor of the FPC can be kept in contact with each other at the contact point S.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, in a state where the holder of the mating member 100 and the conductor of the FPC supported by the holder are sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b, the holder of the mating member 100 An acceleration a2 orthogonal to the elastic restoring force F may act on the conductor of the FPC supported by the holder. At this time, in order for the other contact piece 20b and the conductor of the FPC to remain in contact with each other without moving relatively at the contact S, the holder as the counterpart member 100 and the FPC are combined. If the mass of the object is m, the following formula 6 needs to be satisfied.
F> m × a2 / μ …… Formula 6

  For this reason, when the said Formula 6 was satisfy | filled, it became clear that the other party member 100 does not move relatively with respect to these contact pieces 20a and 20b between a pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b. Further, it is clear that the terminal fitting 14 continues to sandwich the mating member 100 between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b if the expression 6 is satisfied. For this reason, it is clear that the contact S between the terminal fitting 14 and the FPC conductor does not shift as long as the expression 6 is satisfied. That is, when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like, even if the acceleration a2 in the direction orthogonal to the arrow Z described above acts, the other contact piece 20b and the FPC are relative to each other at the contact S. It is clear that the other contact piece 20b and the conductor of the FPC can be kept in contact with each other at the contact point S without moving.

  The distances lax, lay, and laz described above are distances between the first fixed portion C and the contact S in the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z, respectively. These distances lax, lay, and laz are changed by changing the position of the first fixing portion C where the conductor of the FPC as the counterpart conductor is fixed to the connector housing or the like. The distances lax, lay, and laz can also be changed by fixing the FPC conductor as the mating conductor to another member of the connector housing. That is, the distances lax, lay, and laz are variously changed depending on the position where the counterpart conductor is fixed and the target to be fixed. In short, in the present invention, the distances lax, lay, and laz described above are the distances between the location where the mating conductor is fixed to an arbitrary member such as a connector housing and the contact S with the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting 14. If it is good.

  Further, the above-mentioned distances lbx, lby, lbz are distances between the second fixed portion D and the contact S in the directions of arrows X, Y, Z, respectively. These distances lbx, lby, lbz are changed by changing the position of the second fixing portion D where the terminal fitting 14 is fixed to the connector housing or the like. These distances lbx, lby, and lbz are also changed by fixing the terminal fitting 14 to a printed wiring board or the like as another member of the connector housing. That is, the distances lbx, lby, lbz are variously changed depending on the position where the terminal fitting 14 is fixed and the object to be fixed. In short, in the present invention, the distances lbx, lby, and lbz described above are the positions where the terminal fitting 14 is fixed to an arbitrary member such as a connector housing or a printed wiring board, the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor on the other side. Any distance from the contact point S may be used.

  As described above, the present invention according to claim 1 satisfies the above-described equation 4, so that the temperature at which it acts changes and the contact between the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting and the mating conductor moves. Then, the elastic contact portion is elastically deformed as the contact is moved. Therefore, even if the operating temperature changes, the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting and the mating conductor do not move relative to each other at the contact point, and the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting and the mating conductor do not move at the contact point. No misalignment. In other words, when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile, etc., keep the elastic contact part of the terminal fitting and the mating conductor in contact with each other even if the temperature of the outside air changes. Can do. Therefore, fretting corrosion or the like can be prevented from occurring at the contact point between the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting and the mating conductor.

  Therefore, by satisfying Equation 4 and suppressing (reducing) the spring constant or rigidity of the elastic contact portion, the elastic restoring force law of the elastic contact portion, that is, the contact load between the elastic contact portion and the mating conductor (reduction) ) Can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the terminal fitting is miniaturized and multipolarized to achieve a low insertion force, it is possible to prevent relative movement of the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting and the mating conductor (fretting corrosion occurs. The terminal fitting of the connector can be reliably electrically connected to the mating conductor.

  Further, the gap A between the terminal fitting and the inner surface of the cavity is greater than or equal to the deviation W shown in Formula 1. For this reason, the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting is not hindered by the inner surface of the cavity or the like. Therefore, the elastic contact portion can be reliably elastically deformed, the relative contact between the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting and the mating conductor can be prevented, and fretting corrosion can occur at the contact point between the elastic contact portion and the mating conductor. Can be prevented.

  The present invention according to claim 2 is a first direction in which a mating conductor is inserted, a first direction orthogonal to the one direction, and a second direction orthogonal to both the one direction and the first direction. In each of the directions, Equation 4 is satisfied. For this reason, even if the operating temperature changes, the terminal fitting and the mating conductor do not move relative to each other at the contact point, and the elastic contact portion moves along with the movement of the contact between the terminal fitting and the mating conductor. Is elastically deformed.

  Further, a gap A between one direction in which the mating conductor is inserted, a first direction orthogonal to the one direction, and a second direction orthogonal to both the one direction and the first direction. Is greater than or equal to the deviation W shown in Equation 1. For this reason, the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting is not hindered by the inner surface of the cavity or the like.

  Therefore, even if the terminal fitting is miniaturized and multipolarized and the insertion force is reduced, the terminal fitting can be reliably electrically connected to the mating conductor without causing fretting corrosion.

  Since the third aspect of the present invention satisfies Expression 5, even if the acceleration a1 along the second direction acts on the member on the other side, the other side is supported between the support portion and the elastic contact portion. The member does not move relative to the support portion and the elastic contact portion. Further, since Expression 5 is satisfied, even if the acceleration a1 along the second direction acts on the mating member, the terminal fitting continues to sandwich the mating member between the support portion and the elastic contact portion.

  For this reason, the terminal fitting and the mating conductor do not move relative to each other at the contact point, and the contact point is not displaced. For this reason, when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like, even if the acceleration a1 in the second direction acts, the terminal metal fitting and the mating conductor move relatively at the contact point. And can keep the contacts in contact. Therefore, the connector can reliably prevent the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting and the mating conductor from moving relative to each other at the contact point, can prevent fretting corrosion, etc., and can be reliably coupled with the mating conductor. Can be connected electrically.

  Since the present invention according to claim 4 satisfies Expression 6, even if acceleration a2 orthogonal to the second direction acts on the mating member, the mating member is between the support portion and the elastic contact portion. Since the member on the side does not move relative to the support part and the elastic contact part, and since Expression 6 is satisfied, even if acceleration a2 orthogonal to the second direction acts on the member on the other side, The terminal fitting continues to sandwich the mating member between the support portion and the elastic contact portion.

  For this reason, the terminal fitting and the mating conductor do not move relative to each other at the contact point, and the contact point is not displaced. For this reason, when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like, even if acceleration a2 in a direction orthogonal to the second direction acts, the terminal metal fitting and the mating conductor are relatively at the contact point. Can be prevented, and the contact can be kept in contact. Therefore, the connector can reliably prevent the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting and the mating conductor from moving relative to each other at the contact point, can prevent fretting corrosion, etc., and can be reliably coupled with the mating conductor. Can be connected electrically.

  A connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the connector 1 includes a female connector housing (hereinafter referred to as a female housing) 3 as a connector housing and a terminal fitting 14. The connector 1 is fitted to the holder 2 as shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the terminal fitting 14 is accommodated in the female housing 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the holder 2 attaches an end 4 a of a flexible printed circuit (hereinafter referred to as FPC) 4 as an electric wire, and supports the end 4 a, that is, the FPC 4.

  The FPC 4 forms a flat circuit body. In addition, a flat circuit body shows what is provided with the some conductor and the insulating coating | coated part which coat | covers this conductor, and is formed in the flat strip | belt shape. As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the FPC 4 includes a plurality of conductors 5 and a pair of insulating sheets 6 that cover the conductors 5. The conductor 5 has a rectangular cross section. The conductor 5 extends along one direction. The plurality of conductors 5 are parallel to each other. The plurality of conductors 5 are arranged along an arrow Y described later.

  The pair of insulating sheets 6 is made of an insulating synthetic resin and formed in a strip shape. The pair of insulating sheets 6 cover these conductors 5 with a plurality of conductors 5 sandwiched between them. At the end 4a, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, etc., one of the pair of insulating sheets 6 is removed, and the conductor 5 is exposed. When the FPC 4 having the above-described configuration is assembled in a wire harness and routed in an automobile or the like, as shown in FIG. 3, the FPC 4 is fixed to the vehicle body panel 31 or the like of the automobile by a wiring clip 30 or the like.

  The holder 2 is made of an insulating synthetic resin and is elastically deformable. As shown in FIG. 7, the holder 2 integrally includes a pair of walls 7 parallel to each other and a connecting wall 8 that connects one end portions of the pair of walls 7 to each other, and is U-shaped when viewed from the side. Is formed.

  Each of the pair of walls 7 has a rectangular planar shape. The pair of walls 7 are each formed in a plate shape. The pair of walls 7 overlap each other with a space therebetween. As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of walls 7 have a substantially overlapping planar shape.

  A lock hole 13 as a fitting receiving portion is provided in the inner surface 7a of one wall 7 and the connecting wall 8 of the pair of walls 7. The inner surface 7 a is a surface of the one wall 7 that faces the other wall 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the lock hole 13 is recessed from the inner surface 7 a of the one wall 7, and does not penetrate the one wall 7. The lock hole 13 passes through the connecting wall 8. The lock hole 13 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the wall 7 of the holder 2, that is, in the center in the width direction of the FPC 4. An engagement protrusion 25 described later of the female housing 3 is fitted into the lock hole 13.

  The end portion 4a of the FPC 4 is attached to the outer surface 7b of the other wall 7 in a state where the insulating sheet 6 is overlaid. An insulating sheet 6 is affixed to the outer surface 7 b of the other wall 7. Thus, the holder 2 supports the end portion 4a of the FPC 4.

  The portion 4b (shown in FIG. 3 and the like) from the portion fixed to the vehicle body panel 31 by the wiring clip 30 of the FPC 4 to the end 4a and the holder 2 constitute the mating member 100 described in this specification. doing. Further, the portion of the conductor 5 supported by the holder 2 constitutes the counterpart conductor described in this specification. The FPC 4 is a counterpart electric wire described in the present specification that is electrically connected to the conductor 5 as the counterpart conductor. The holder 2 constitutes a mating insulator described in the present specification that supports the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 and fits with the female housing 3. For this reason, of course, the mating member 100 includes the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 as the mating conductor, the holder 2 as the mating insulator, and the FPC 4 as the mating electric wire.

  Further, the inner surface 8 a (shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) of the connecting wall 8 of the holder 2 facing the female housing 3 contacts the female housing 3 when the female housing 3 is fitted. Therefore, the holder 2, that is, the above-described member 100, is fixed to the female housing 3 by the above-described inner surface 8 a of the connecting wall 8. Therefore, when the female housing 3 and the holder 2 are fitted, the inner surface 8a has a fixing portion (indicated by symbol C in FIG. 8, hereinafter referred to as a first fixing portion) where the holder 2 is fixed to the female housing 3. ) Is formed.

  The female housing 3 is made of synthetic resin. The female housing 3 is formed in a flat box shape. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the female housing 3 includes a terminal accommodating chamber 9 that accommodates the terminal fitting 14, an engaging protrusion 25, and a latch receiving portion 23. A plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 9 are provided, each extending linearly as shown in FIG. The plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 9 are parallel to each other. The plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 9 are arranged along an arrow Y described later.

  The female housing 3 accommodates the terminal fittings 14 by accommodating the terminal fittings 14 in the terminal accommodating chamber 9. That is, the female housing 3 arranges the plurality of terminal fittings 14 along the arrow Y. The terminal accommodating chamber 9 forms a cavity described in this specification. The engaging protrusion 25 protrudes from the outer surface of the female housing 3. The latch receiving portion 23 is provided in each terminal accommodating chamber 9. The latch receiving portion 23 connects a pair of inner surfaces 9 a facing each other along the arrow Y of the terminal accommodating chamber 9. The locking receiving portion 23 is provided with a recessed portion 24 that is recessed from the surface thereof. An engaging portion 22 (described later) of the terminal fitting 14 enters the recess 24. The lock receiving portion 23 is locked by the lock portion 22 entering the recess 24.

  The female housing 3 is attached (fixed) to a printed circuit board 15 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, 6, and 8. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, 6, and 8, the printed wiring board 15 includes a substrate 16 made of an insulating synthetic resin, a conductor pattern 17 formed on the surface of the substrate 16, and It has. The conductor pattern 17 is made of, for example, a conductive metal such as copper, and is formed in a thin film shape. The conductor pattern 17 is affixed to the surface of the substrate 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the terminal fitting 14 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 9 of the female housing 3, and when the female housing 3 is attached to the printed wiring board 15, it is electrically connected to the conductor pattern 17. Connecting. The plurality of terminal fittings 14 are accommodated in the female housing 3 and arranged along an arrow Y described later. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the terminal fitting 14 is integrally provided with a first electrical contact portion 18, a second electrical contact portion 19, and a locking portion 22. The terminal fitting 14 is obtained from a conductive sheet metal.

  The first electrical contact portion 18 is formed in a plate shape. The first electrical contact portion 18 is electrically connected to the conductor pattern 17 of the printed wiring board 15 when the terminal fitting 14 is accommodated in the female housing 3 and the female housing 3 is attached to the printed wiring board 15.

  The second electrical contact portion 19 includes a pair of contact pieces 20 that are parallel to each other. The pair of contact pieces 20 are formed in a rod shape and one end portion is connected to the first electrical contact portion 18. The pair of contact pieces 20 are parallel to each other with a space therebetween. The pair of contact pieces 20 extend from the first electric contact portion 18 in the same direction. Between the pair of contact pieces 20, along the arrow X shown in FIG. 5 along the longitudinal direction of these contact pieces 20, the conductor 2 of the FPC 4 whose end 4 a is supported by the holder 2 and the holder 2 is inserted. . The arrow X is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the contact piece 20 and forms one direction described in this specification.

  One contact piece 20 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 20a) located at the upper side in FIG. 5 of the pair of contact pieces 20 has an end of the FPC 4 on the surface 20c facing the other contact piece 20 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 20b). The holder 2 supporting the part 4a is positioned. On the other end of the other contact piece 20b, a contact protrusion 21 is provided that contacts the conductor 5 exposed from the end 4a of the FPC 4 supported by the holder 2. The contact protrusion 21 protrudes from the other contact piece 20b toward the one contact piece 20a. When the contact protrusion 21 contacts the conductor 5, the second electrical contact portion 19, that is, the terminal fitting 14 is electrically connected to the FPC 4.

  The other contact piece 20b is elastically deformable in a direction in which the contact protrusion 21 is in contact with or separated from the one contact piece 20a. In addition, approaching / separating means approaching or separating from each other. When the contact protrusion 21 comes into contact with the FPC 4 supported by the holder 2 sandwiched between one contact piece 20a, the other contact piece 20b has an elastic restoring force F (shown in FIG. 8) and the FPC 4 is urged toward the one contact piece 20a. The arrow Z, that is, the elastic restoring force F is orthogonal to the arrow X described above. The arrow Z is in the second direction described in this specification. Further, when the contact protrusion 21 comes into contact with the conductor 5 of the FPC 4, the contact S (shown in FIG. 8) between the other contact surface 20 b and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4, ie, the terminal fitting 14, at the tip of the contact protrusion 21. The contact S with the mating member 100 is formed.

  One contact piece 20a forms a support portion described in the present specification, and the other contact piece 20b forms an elastic contact portion described in the present specification.

  The locking portion 22 is provided at an end portion of the one contact piece 20a near the first electrical contact portion 18. The locking part 22 is formed in a convex shape from the surface 20c of one contact piece 20a toward the other contact piece 20b. The locking portion 22 enters the recess 24 of the locking receiving portion 23 and is locked to the locking receiving portion 23. The locking portion 22 locks the terminal fitting 14 to the female housing 3 by locking to the locking receiving portion 23. Further, the location where the locking portion 22 is locked to the locking receiving portion 23 is a fixing location (hereinafter referred to as a second fixing location) of the terminal fitting 14 to the female housing 3. The symbol D is shown in FIG.

  Further, the terminal fitting 14 described above is in a state in which the locking portion 22 is locked to the locking receiving portion 23, that is, in a state of being accommodated in the female housing 3, along the arrows X, Y, and Z described later, The distances bx, by, bz can be moved freely. These distances bx, by, bz are distances along which the terminal fitting 14 can move in the female housing 3 along the arrows X, Y, Z, respectively. In other words, in the state where the terminal fitting 14 is accommodated in the female housing 3, the above-described backlash of the distances bx, by, bz is provided between the terminal fitting 14 and the female housing 3.

  When the female housing 3 and the holder 2 are fitted to each other, the second electrical contact portion 19 is electrically connected to the conductor 5 of the FPC 4. The first electrical contact portion 18 is electrically connected to the conductor pattern 17 of the printed wiring board 15. In this way, the terminal fitting 14 electrically connects the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 and the conductor pattern 17 of the printed wiring board 15.

  In the connector 1 having the above-described configuration, the terminal fitting 14 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber 9 of the female housing 3, and the connecting portion 8 between the opening of the female housing 3 and the wall 7 of the holder 2 is shown in FIG. The edge on the side farther from is opposed.

  Then, the other wall 7 of the holder 2 is inserted into the female housing 3. Thereafter, the connector 1 is engaged with the holder 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 by engaging the engagement protrusion 25 of the female housing 3 in the lock hole 13 of the holder 2. At this time, the terminal fitting 14 sandwiches the holder 2 and the FPC 4 having the end 4a held by the holder 2 between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b. Further, the connector housing 3 comes into contact with the inner surface 8a of the connecting portion 8 of the holder 2 to form the first fixing portion C described above.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connector 1 described above has the other contact piece 20 b of the terminal fitting 14 and the inner surface 9 a of the terminal receiving chamber 9 in a state where the terminal fitting 14 is received in the terminal receiving chamber 9. Are provided with gaps Ax, Ay, Az. The gap Ax is a gap between the other end of the other contact piece 20 b of the terminal fitting 14 along the arrow X and the inner surface 9 a of the terminal accommodating chamber 9. That is, the gap Ax is the distance between the other end of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 and the inner surface 9a of the terminal accommodating chamber 9 along the arrow X described above.

  The gap Ay is a gap between the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 and the inner surface 9a of the terminal accommodating chamber 9 along the arrow Y shown in FIG. 6 orthogonal to both the arrow X and the elastic restoring force F ( Interval). The arrow Y is in the first direction described in this specification. That is, the gap Ay is a distance between the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 and the inner surface 9a of the terminal accommodating chamber 9 along the arrow Y shown in FIG. 6 orthogonal to both the arrow X and the elastic restoring force F. It is.

  The gap Az is a gap between the other end of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 and the inner surface 9a of the terminal accommodating chamber 9 along the arrow Z described above. That is, the gap Az is a distance between the other end of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 and the inner surface 9a of the terminal accommodating chamber 9 along the arrow Z described above.

  Although the holder 2 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 are combined, the linear expansion coefficient in the arrow X direction is βax. The distance in the direction of the arrow X between the first fixed portion C and the contact S of the combination of the holder 2 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 is defined as lax (shown in FIG. 8).

The coefficient of linear expansion in the arrow X direction of the connector 1 as a combination of the female housing 3 and the terminal fitting 14 is βbx. The distance in the arrow X direction between the second fixed portion D and the contact S of the connector 1 as a combination of the female housing 3 and the terminal fitting 14 is lbx (shown in FIG. 8). When the change in temperature acting on the connector 1 and the holder 2 is ΔT, the gap Ax satisfies the following Expression 7.
Ax ≧ ΔT × βax × lax−ΔT × βbx × lbx …… Equation 7

  Similarly, in the arrow Y direction and the arrow Z direction, the linear expansion coefficients in the arrow Y and Z directions are βay and βaz, respectively, although the holder 2 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 are combined. The distance in the arrow Z direction between the first fixed portion C and the contact S of the holder 2 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 is defined as laz (shown in FIG. 8). A first fixing portion C (shown in FIG. 3) located in the same cross section as one of the plurality of conductors 5 of the FPC 4 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 5a), and a contact between each conductor 5 and the terminal fitting 14 The distance from S in the arrow Y direction is set to lay (shown in FIG. 3).

  The linear expansion coefficients in the arrows Y and Z directions of the connector 1 as a combination of the female housing 3 and the terminal fittings 14 are βby and βbz. The distance in the arrow Z direction between the second fixed portion D of the connector 1 and the contact S as a combination of the female housing 3 and the terminal fitting 14 is lbz (shown in FIG. 8). The second fixing portion D (shown in FIG. 3) of one of the plurality of terminal fittings 14 (hereinafter denoted by reference numeral 14a) and the contact S between each terminal fitting 14 and the conductor 5 The distance in the arrow Y direction is assumed to be lby (shown in FIG. 3). It should be noted that it is desirable that the one conductor 5a and the one terminal fitting 14a that serve as a reference when determining the distances lay and lby described above are in contact with each other, that is, are electrically connected to each other.

The gaps Ay and Az satisfy the following expressions 8 and 9.
Ay ≧ ΔT × βay × lay−ΔT × βby × lby …… Equation 8
Az ≧ ΔT × βaz × laz−ΔT × βbz × lbz …… Equation 9

  According to Equations 7 to 9 and Equation 1 described above, Ax, Ay, and Az are obtained when the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor 5 of the FFC 4 are about to be displaced when the temperature change is ΔT. It is more than relative displacement. For this reason, when the temperature change is ΔT, the terminal accommodating chamber 9 prevents the terminal fitting 14 and the female housing 3, the holder 2 of the mating member 100, and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 from expanding and contracting. Absent.

  As described above, the gap Ax in the arrow X direction, the gap Ay in the arrow Y direction, and the gap Az in the arrow Z direction each satisfy the expression 1. The gap Ax corresponds to the unidirectional gap A described in claim 2. The gap Ay corresponds to the gap A in the first direction described in claim 2. The gap Az corresponds to the gap A in the third direction described in claim 2.

The spring constant kx in the arrow X direction, the spring constant ky in the arrow Y direction, and the spring constant kz in the arrow Z direction of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 are the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 and the contact protrusion 21. And the distance that the terminal fitting 14 can move within the female housing 3 is bx, by, bz, the following formulas 10 to 12 are satisfied.
ΔT × βax × lax−ΔT × βbx × lbx ≦ 2 × (μ × F / kx) + bx Equation 10
ΔT × βay × lay−ΔT × βby × lby ≦ 2 × (μ × F / ky) + by Equation 11
ΔT × βaz × laz−ΔT × βbz × lbz ≦ 2 × (μ × F / kz) + bz (12)

  According to the above-mentioned formulas 10 to 12, when the temperature change is ΔT, when the terminal fitting 14 or the FPC 4 expands / contracts, the contact protrusion 21 and the conductor 5 are relative to each other at the contact S. Does not move. Further, when the above-described terminal fitting 14 or FPC 4 expands or contracts, if the contact S tries to move, the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 is elastically deformed as the contact S moves. .

  The terminal fitting 14 and the conductor 5 of the FFC 4 do not move relative to each other at the contact S. For this reason, when the temperature change is ΔT, the contact S between the contact protrusion 21 of the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 is prevented from being displaced. Further, the spring constants kx, ky, kz and the elastic restoring force F are proportional. For this reason, by suppressing (reducing) the spring constants kx, ky, kz, ie, the rigidity of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14, the contact protrusion 21 and the conductor 5 do not move relatively and are elastic. The restoring force F, that is, the contact load between the contact protrusion 21 and the conductor 5 can be suppressed (reduced).

  Thus, the spring constant kx of the other contact piece 20b in the arrow X direction, the spring constant ky of the other contact piece 20b in the arrow Y direction, and the spring constant kz of the other contact piece 20b in the arrow Z direction are: Each satisfies the above-mentioned formula 4. The spring constant kx corresponds to the spring constant k of the unidirectional contact piece 20b according to claim 2. The spring constant ky corresponds to the spring constant k of the contact piece 20b in the first direction according to claim 2. The spring constant kz corresponds to the spring constant k of the contact piece 20b in the second direction described in claim 2.

When the temperature change is ΔT and the terminal fitting 14 or the FPC 4 described above expands or contracts, the contact S is expressed by the following formulas 13 to 15 along arrows X, Y, and Z, respectively. Move the distances Wx, Wy, Wz. That is, at the time of the temperature change ΔT, the other contact piece 20b and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 do not relatively move at the contact S while the contact S moves by the distance Wx, Wy, Wz. These distances Wx, Wy, and Wz follow the movement of the contact S due to the temperature change ΔT, the other contact piece 20b is elastically deformed, and at the contact S, the other contact piece 20b and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 The upper limit value of the amount of elastic deformation of the other contact piece 20b that can be maintained without shifting (hereinafter referred to as a follow-up width). That is, the other contact piece 20b does not move relative to the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 at the contact point S when the elastic deformation amount is equal to or less than the distance Wx, Wy, Wz.
ΔT × βax × lax−ΔT × βbx × lbx = Wx Equation 13
ΔT × βay × lay−ΔT × βby × lby = Wy …… Equation 14
ΔT × βaz × laz−ΔT × βbz × lbz = Wz Equation 15

  Further, the mass of the counterpart member 100 is expressed as m with respect to the acceleration a1 along the arrow Y direction, that is, the elastic restoring force F acting on the counterpart member 100 composed of the portion 4b of the FPC 4 and the holder 2. Then, the elastic restoring force F satisfies Equation 5 described above. For this reason, even if the acceleration a1 acts on the counterpart member 100 composed of the FPC 4 portion 4b and the holder 2, the holder 2 and the FPC 4 are sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b of the terminal fitting 14, The portion 4b of the FPC 4 and the holder 2 do not move between the pair of contact pieces 20a, 20b. The portion 4b of the FPC 4 and the holder 2 do not move relative to the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b. For this reason, the contact protrusion 21 of the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 are not displaced.

  Further, with respect to the acceleration a2 orthogonal to the arrow Z acting on the counterpart member 100 composed of the portion 4b of the FPC 4 and the holder 2 described above, the counterpart member is orthogonal to the elastic restoring force F. When the mass of 100 is m, the elastic restoring force F satisfies the above-described formula 6. For this reason, even if the acceleration a2 acts on the counterpart member 100 composed of the FPC 4 portion 4b and the holder 2, the holder 2 and the FPC 4 are sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b of the terminal fitting 14, The portion 4b of the FPC 4 and the holder 2 do not move between the pair of contact pieces 20a, 20b. For this reason, the contact protrusion 21 of the terminal metal fitting 14 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 are not displaced by the contact S.

  The connector 1 and the terminal fitting 14 described above are obtained as follows. For example, required dimensions are required depending on a space that can be attached to an automobile or the like. Thereby, the distances lax, lay, laz, lbx, lby, lbz described above are determined.

  Thereafter, the temperature change ΔT is determined by the environmental conditions that act when the vehicle is attached to an automobile or the like. The materials of the female housing 3, the holder 2, the FPC 4, and the terminal fitting 14 are determined. For example, the material of the female housing 3 and the holder 2 is a known synthetic resin that has been conventionally used. The material of the FPC 4 is a known synthetic resin and metal that have been used conventionally. The material of the terminal fitting 14 is a known metal that has been conventionally used. By doing so, the linear expansion coefficients βax, βay, βaz, βbx, βby, βbz are determined. Furthermore, the coefficient of static friction μ between the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 is determined.

  Thereby, the minimum value of the elastic restoring force F of the other contact piece 20b that satisfies both the expressions 5 and 6 is determined. By using the formulas 7 to 9 and the formulas 13 to 15, the minimum values of the gaps Ax, Ay, Az and the following widths Wx, Wy, Wz are determined. Then, the play (the distances bx, by, bz described above) between the terminal fitting 14 and the female housing 3 is determined. Here, the elastic restoring force F, that is, the contact load between the other contact piece 20b and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 is defined as a predetermined value.

  Spring constants kx, ky, kz of the other contact piece 20b satisfying the above-described formulas 10 to 12 are determined. Then, the cross-sectional shape (width and thickness) of the terminal fitting 14 is variously examined, and the cross-sectional shape of the terminal fitting 14 that can obtain the above-described spring constants kx, ky, and kz is determined. When the cross-sectional shape of the terminal fitting 14 that cannot be realized is obtained, the value of the elastic restoring force F, that is, the contact load between the other contact piece 20b and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 is determined again, and the above-described steps are performed. repeat. In this way, the structures of the terminal fitting 14 and the female housing 3 are determined, and the terminal fitting 14 that satisfies the above-described equations 7 to 15, that is, the connector 1 can be obtained.

  According to this embodiment, the spring constants kx, ky, and kz of the terminal fitting 14 of the connector 1 in the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z satisfy Expression 10 to Expression 12, that is, Expression 4. For this reason, even if the operating temperature changes by ΔT, the contact S moves on the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 at the contact S while the contact S moves in the following widths Wx, Wy, and Wz defined by Expressions 13 to 15. The contact protrusion 21 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 do not move relative to each other. Further, the contact S between the contact protrusion 21 of the other contact piece 20b and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 is not displaced, and the other contact piece 20b is elastically deformed as the contact S moves. In other words, even when the temperature of the outside air or the like changes by ΔT when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like, the contact protrusion 21 of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 and the FPC 4 are connected at the contact S. The contact S can be kept in contact with the conductor 5 without moving relatively, and fretting corrosion or the like can be prevented.

  For this reason, by satisfying Formula 4 and suppressing (reducing) the rigidity of the other contact piece 20b, the elastic restoring force F of the other contact piece 20b, that is, the contact protrusion of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 is achieved. The contact load between 21 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 can be suppressed (reduced). Therefore, even if the terminal fitting 14 is reduced in size and multipolarized and the insertion force of the connector 1 is reduced, the terminal fitting 14 is connected to the contact protrusion 21 of the other contact piece 20b and the conductor 5 at the contact S. It can be reliably connected electrically to the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 without moving relatively (without causing fretting corrosion).

  Further, the gaps Ax, Ay, Az in the directions of the arrows X, Y, and Z between the terminal fitting 14 and the inner surface 9a of the terminal accommodating chamber 9 satisfy Expressions 7 to 9, respectively, and are represented by Expression 1 and Expression 13 to Expression 15. The deviation W and the following width Wx, Wy, Wz or more. For this reason, the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 is not prevented from being elastically deformed by the inner surface 9a of the terminal accommodating chamber 9 or the like. Therefore, the other contact piece 20b can be reliably elastically deformed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the contact protrusion 21 of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 from moving relative to each other at the contact S, to reliably prevent the displacement of the contact S, and fretting corrosion. Can be prevented.

  Moreover, the elastic restoring force F which the other contact piece 20b produces satisfy | fills Formula 5 and Formula 6 mentioned above. For this reason, even if the acceleration a1 along the arrow Z or the acceleration a2 orthogonal to the arrow Z acts on the FPC 4 and the holder 2 or the like, the holder 2 or the FPC 4 does not move between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b. The terminal fitting 14 continues to hold the holder 2 or the FPC 4 between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b. For this reason, even if the acceleration a1 along the arrow Z or the acceleration a2 perpendicular to the arrow Z acts on the FPC 4 and the holder 2, etc., the contact protrusion 21 of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 and the FPC 4 Since the conductor 5 does not move relatively, the contact S does not shift.

  For this reason, even when the accelerations a1 and a2 act when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like, the contact protrusion 21 of the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 and the conductor of the FPC 4 at the contact S 5 can be prevented from moving relative to each other, and can be kept in contact with the contact S. Therefore, the other contact piece 20b of the terminal fitting 14 can surely prevent the displacement of the contact S and can prevent fretting corrosion or the like from occurring.

  In the embodiment described above, the inner surface 8a of the connecting wall 8 of the holder 2 is in contact with the female housing 3, and the first fixing portion C is formed on the inner surface 8a. However, in the present invention, of course, the position of the first fixing portion C where the holder 2 is fixed to the female housing 3 may be variously changed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the second fixing portion D that fixes the terminal fitting 14 by locking the locking portion 22 to the locking receiving portion 23 is provided. However, in the present invention, it is needless to say that the position of the second fixing portion D for fixing the terminal fitting 14 may be variously changed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the terminal fitting 14 and the connector 1 in which the FPC 4 having the end 4a held by the holder 2 is inserted between the pair of contact pieces 20a and 20b are described. However, in the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, a female terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a female terminal) 41 connected to a male terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a male terminal) 40, and the female You may apply to the connector 53 provided with the male connector housing (henceforth a male housing) 52 which accommodates the terminal 41. FIG. The male housing 52 is the connector housing described in this specification. The female terminal 41 corresponds to the terminal fitting described in the present specification. In the case shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The male terminal 40 is made of a conductive sheet metal or the like, and includes a wire connecting portion 42 and an electrical contact portion 43 as shown in FIG. An electric wire 44 is fixed to the electric wire connecting portion 42. The wire connection part 42 is electrically connected to the wire 44. The electrical contact portion 43 includes a tab 45 that is continuous with the wire connection portion 42 and formed in a rod shape or a plate shape. The male terminal 40 is housed in a female connector housing (hereinafter referred to as a female housing) 54 (shown in FIGS. 18 and 19) made of an insulating synthetic resin in a state where the electric wire 44 is fixed. The tab 45 is a counterpart conductor described in this specification. The electric wire 44 is a counterpart electric wire described in the present specification that is electrically connected to the tab 45.

  The female housing 54 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is made of an insulating synthetic resin and formed in a box shape. The female housing 54 includes a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 55 that accommodate the male terminals 40. A locking lance 56 that locks the male terminal 40 is provided in each terminal accommodating chamber 55 of the female housing 54. The male terminal 40 is fixed to the female housing 54 by the locking lance 56 being locked. The location where the locking lance 56 of the male terminal 40 is locked constitutes the first fixing location C described in this specification where the male terminal 40, that is, the tab 45 is fixed. Further, the female housing 54 has an insulating property and supports the tab 45 of the male terminal 40 and constitutes a mating insulator described in the present specification that fits with the male housing 52.

  The female terminal 41 is made of a conductive sheet metal or the like, and has an electric wire connecting portion 46 and an electric contact portion 47, and an electric wire 48 is fixed to the electric wire connecting portion 46 as shown in FIG. The wire connection part 46 is electrically connected to the wire 48. The electrical contact portion 47 includes a cylindrical portion 49 that continues to the wire connection portion 46 and an elastic contact piece 50 as an elastic contact portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the cylindrical portion 49 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion 49 forms a cavity described in this specification. The tab 45 of the electrical contact portion 43 of the male terminal 40 enters the cylindrical portion 49. The elastic contact piece 50 is accommodated in the cylindrical portion 49. The elastic contact piece 50 is opposed to one wall surface 51 of the cylindrical portion 49 with a gap. This one wall surface 51 forms the support portion described in this specification. When the tab 45 of the electric contact portion 43 of the male terminal 40 enters the cylindrical portion 49, the elastic contact piece 50 is elastically restored to urge the tab 48 toward the one wall surface 51 as shown in FIG. Force F is generated.

  The female terminal 41 is accommodated in a male housing 52 made of an insulating synthetic resin in a state where the electric wire 48 is fixed.

  The male housing 52 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is made of insulating synthetic resin and is formed in a box shape. The male housing 52 includes a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 57 that accommodate the female terminals 41. A locking lance 58 that locks the female terminal 41 is provided in each terminal accommodating chamber 57 of the male housing 52. The female terminal 41 is fixed to the male housing 52 by the locking lance 58 being locked. The location where the locking lance 58 of the female terminal 41 is locked constitutes the second fixing location D described in the present specification to which the elastic contact piece 50 is fixed.

  The female terminal 41 and the male housing 52 constitute the connector 53 described in this specification. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the male housing 52 that accommodates the female terminal 41 described above is engaged with the female housing 54 that accommodates the male terminal 40, whereby the tab 45 of the electrical contact portion 43 of the male terminal 40. 16 enters the cylindrical portion 49 of the female terminal 41 along the arrow X parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elastic contact piece 50 shown in FIG. And the tab 45 of the electrical contact part 43 is urged | biased by the elastic restoring force F toward the said wall surface 51 along the arrow Z in FIG. A contact point S between the elastic contact piece 50 and the tab 45 is formed. The male terminals 40 and the female terminals 41 are electrically connected, that is, the electric wires 44 and 48 are electrically connected. The male terminal 40, the female housing 54, and the electric wire 44 attached to the male terminal 40 constitute the mating member 100 described in this specification.

  Although the male terminal 40 and the connector housing 52 are combined, the linear expansion coefficient in the arrow X direction is βax. A distance in the direction of the arrow X between the first fixed portion C and the contact S of the combination of the male terminal 40 and the connector housing 52 is defined as lax (shown in FIG. 19).

  The linear expansion coefficient in the arrow X direction of the connector 53 as a combination of the male housing 52 and the female terminal 41 is defined as βbx. The distance in the arrow X direction between the second fixed portion D and the contact S of the connector 53 as a combination of the male housing 52 and the female terminal 41 is lbx (shown in FIG. 19).

  Although the male terminal 40 and the connector housing 52 are combined, the linear expansion coefficients in the directions of the arrows Y and Z are βay and βaz, respectively. A distance in the direction of the arrow Z between the first fixed portion C and the contact S of the combined male terminal 40 and connector housing 52 is defined as laz (shown in FIG. 19). A first fixing portion C (shown in FIG. 18) located in the same cross section as one of the plurality of wires 44 (hereinafter, indicated by reference numeral 44a), and a contact S between each tab 45 and the elastic contact piece 50. And the distance in the arrow Y direction is lay (shown in FIG. 18).

  The linear expansion coefficients of the connector 53 as a combination of the male housing 52 and the female terminal 41 in the arrow Y and Z directions are βby and βbz. The distance in the arrow Z direction between the second fixed portion D of the connector 53 and the contact S as a combination of the male housing 52 and the female terminal 41 is lbz (shown in FIG. 19). The second fixed portion D (shown in FIG. 18) of one female terminal 41 (hereinafter, indicated by reference numeral 41 a) among the plurality of female terminals 41 and the contact S between each female terminal 41 and the tab 45. The distance in the arrow Y direction is assumed to be lby (shown in FIG. 18). It should be noted that it is desirable that one electric wire 44a and one female terminal 41a, which serve as a reference when determining the distances lay and lby, are electrically connected to each other.

  Further, the female terminal 41 is movable within the male housing 52 by distances bx, by, and bz along arrows X, Y, and Z, respectively. In other words, there is play between the female terminal 41 and the male housing 52.

  Also in the female terminal 41 described above, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the elastic contact piece 50 and the inner surface 49a of the cylindrical portion 49 of the arrow Y and the arrow Z orthogonal to both the arrow X and the arrows X and Z, respectively. The gaps Ax, Ay, Az are equal to or greater than the deviation W shown in Equation 1, satisfying Equations 7 to 9 described above.

  In addition, the spring constants kx, ky, and kz of the arrows X, Y, and Z of the elastic contact piece 50 of the female terminal 41 satisfy Expression 10 to Expression 12, that is, Expression 4. Further, also in the female terminal 41, the elastic restoring force F of the elastic contact piece 50 satisfies Expression 5 and Expression 6 described above, where m is the mass of the counterpart member 100.

  Also in the female terminal 41 described above, the elastic contact piece 50 is elastically deformed as the temperature changes by ΔT. That is, when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like, even if the temperature of outside air or the like changes by ΔT, the contact point S moves by the following widths Wx, Wy, and Wz expressed by Expressions 13 to 15. To do. That is, the elastic contact piece 50 is elastically deformed. Then, the female terminal 41 does not move relative to the elastic contact piece 50 and the tab 45 of the electric contact portion 43 at the contact point S while the contact point S moves in the following width Wx, Wy, Wz. Can be prevented.

  For this reason, by suppressing (reducing) the spring constants kx, ky, kz, ie, the rigidity of the elastic contact piece 50, the elastic restoring force F, ie, the contact load between the terminals 40, 41 of the elastic contact portion 50 is suppressed (reduced). ) I can do it. Therefore, even if the female terminal 41 is miniaturized and multipolarized and the insertion force of the connector 53 is reduced, the female terminal 41 is reliably connected to the tab 45 of the male terminal 40 without causing fretting corrosion. Will be able to connect.

  Further, the gaps Ax, Ay, Az between the elastic contact piece 50 and the inner surface 49a of the cylindrical portion 49 satisfy Expressions 7 to 9, and the deviation W and the following widths Wx, Wy, Since it is greater than or equal to Wz, the elastic contact piece 50 is not hindered by the inner surface 49a of the cylindrical portion 49 from being elastically deformed. Therefore, the elastic contact piece 50 can be reliably elastically deformed, can reliably prevent the displacement of the contact S, and can prevent fretting corrosion and the like from occurring.

  Further, the elastic restoring force F generated by the elastic contact piece 50 satisfies the above-described formulas 5 and 6. Therefore, even if the acceleration a1 along the arrow Z or the acceleration a2 orthogonal to the arrow Z acts on the male terminal 40 or the like, the male terminal 40 or the like does not move between the elastic contact piece 50 and one wall surface 51. In addition, the tab 45 of the male terminal 40 is continuously sandwiched between the elastic contact piece 50 and one wall surface 51. For this reason, the contact S between the terminals 40 and 41 is not displaced. For this reason, the tab 45 and the elastic contact piece 50 can be kept in contact with each other even when the accelerations a1 and a2 are applied when used in a wire harness routed in an automobile or the like. Therefore, the elastic contact piece 50 of the female terminal 41 can surely prevent the displacement of the contact S with the tab 45 and can prevent fretting corrosion and the like from occurring.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, FPC4 and the electric wires 44 and 48 are used as an electric wire. However, in this invention, you may use flat circuit bodies, such as not only FPC4 but a flexible flat cable (Flexible Flat Cable: FFC).

  Note that the distances lax, lay, and laz shown in the above-described embodiment are variously changed depending on the fixing position and fixing direction of the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 and the tab 45 of the male terminal 40. In short, in the present invention, the distances lax, lay, and laz described above are the positions where the conductor 5 of the FPC 4 and the tab 45 of the male terminal 40 are fixed, the contact piece 20b as the elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting 14, and the female terminal. The distance between the elastic contact piece 41 and the contact point S may be sufficient.

  Further, the above-mentioned distances lbx, lby, lbz are variously changed depending on the fixing position and fixing method of the terminal fitting 14 and the female terminal 41. In short, in the present invention, the distances lbx, lby, and lbz described above are the positions where the terminal fitting 14 and the female terminal 41 are fixed to the connector housing, the printed wiring board, and the like, and the contact piece 20b as an elastic contact portion of the terminal fitting 14. Or the distance between the elastic contact piece 50 of the female terminal 41 and the contact S between the mating conductor.

It is a perspective view which shows the state which the connector provided with the terminal metal fitting etc. concerning one Embodiment of this invention fitted with the holder. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the connector and holder which were shown by FIG. 1 isolate | separated. It is a top view of the connector etc. which were fitted with the holder shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line | wire in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VV line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VII-VII line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the VIII-VIII line in FIG. It is a perspective view of the terminal metal fitting of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows typically the state which pinched | interposed the other party member between the contact pieces of the terminal metal fitting of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows typically the state before the temperature which acts on the terminal metal fitting etc. shown in FIG. 10, and the other party member changes. (B) is a figure which shows typically the state after the temperature which acts on the terminal metal fitting etc. which were shown to Fig.11 (a), and the other party member changed. It is a figure which shows typically the state which the terminal metal fitting shown by FIG. 10 elastically deforms. It is a side view which shows typically the state which the acceleration acted on the other party member pinched | interposed between the contact pieces of the terminal metal fitting shown by FIG. It is a perspective view which shows typically the state in which the other acceleration acted on the other party member pinched | interposed between the contact pieces of the terminal metal fitting shown by FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the female terminal etc. as a modification of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the XVI-XVI line | wire in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the XVII-XVII line | wire in FIG. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state in which the female terminal shown in FIG. 15 is accommodated in the male housing, and the tab of the electrical contact portion of the male terminal enters the cylindrical portion. It is sectional drawing which follows the XIX-XIX line | wire in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Connector 2 Holder (insulator on the other side)
3 Female housing (connector housing)
4 FPC (mating wire)
5. Conductor (mating conductor)
9 Terminal receiving chamber (cavity)
9a inner surface 14 terminal fitting 20a one contact piece (support part)
20b The other contact piece (elastic contact part)
20c Surface 41 Female terminal fitting (terminal fitting)
44 Electric wire (mating wire)
45 Tab (mating conductor)
49 Tube (cavity)
49a Inner surface 50 Elastic contact piece (elastic contact part)
51 One wall (support)
52 Male housing (connector housing)
53 Connector 54 Female housing (mating insulator)
100 Member A, Ax, Ay, Az Gap b, bx, by, bz Distance that terminal fitting can move in connector housing C First fixed point D Second fixed point k, kx, ky, kz Spring constant F Elastic restoring force X One direction Y First direction Z Second direction

Claims (4)

A support part for positioning the mating conductor on the surface, and the support part in a state where an elastic restoring force is generated to urge the mating conductor toward the support part and spaced from the support part. A terminal fitting provided with an elastic contact portion sandwiched between the mating conductor and housed in a cavity; and a mating insulator that accommodates the terminal fitting and supports the mating conductor A connector housing comprising:
A gap is provided between the elastic contact portion and the inner surface of the cavity,
The clearance is A, the temperature change acting on the mating conductor and the mating insulator and the elastic contact portion is ΔT, and the linear expansion coefficient is a combination of the mating conductor and the mating insulator. Is βa, the distance between the first fixed portion where the counterpart conductor is fixed and the contact between the counterpart conductor and the elastic contact portion is la, and the connector housing and the terminal fitting are combined. If the linear expansion coefficient is βb, and the distance between the second fixed location where the terminal fitting is fixed and the contact between the mating conductor and the elastic contact portion is lb,
A ≧ ΔT × βa × la−ΔT × βb × lb,
The spring constant of the elastic contact portion is k, the static friction coefficient between the mating conductor and the elastic contact portion is μ, the elastic restoring force of the elastic contact portion is F, and the terminal fitting is in the connector housing. If the movable distance is b,
A connector characterized by satisfying ΔT × βa × la−ΔT × βb × lb ≦ 2 × (μ × F / k) + b. The mating conductor is inserted along one direction between the support portion and the elastic contact portion and sandwiched between the support portion and the elastic contact portion,
The gap in each of the one direction, a first direction orthogonal to both the one direction and the elastic restoring force F, and a second direction orthogonal to the one direction and along the elastic restoring force F A is
A ≧ ΔT × βa × la−ΔT × βb × lb,
The spring constant k of the elastic contact portion in each of the one direction, the first direction, and the second direction is:
The connector according to claim 1, wherein ΔT × βa × la−ΔT × βb × lb ≦ 2 × (μ × F / k) + b is satisfied. The mating member is composed of the mating conductor, the mating insulator, and the mating wire connected to the mating conductor,
If the acceleration acting on the mating member along the second direction is a1, and the mass of the mating member is m,
The elastic restoring force F of the elastic contact portion is:
The connector according to claim 2, wherein F> m × a1 is satisfied. The mating member is composed of the mating conductor, the mating insulator, and the mating wire connected to the mating conductor,
When the acceleration acting on the counterpart member along the direction orthogonal to the second direction is a2, and the mass of the counterpart member is m,
The elastic restoring force F of the elastic contact portion is:
The connector according to claim 2, wherein F> m × a2 / μ is satisfied.

Images