JP2009231046A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector structure for producing suitable fitting and holding force to the number of poles of connectors of less-pole to more-pole types, and to provide a fitting and holding force adjusting method. <P>SOLUTION: In the connector structure, a step is provided on the contact part of a contact, and the size of the step is changed to produce suitable fitting and holding force. The flat surface of a contact part 31 of a plug contact 3 receives elastic contact force from a bent portion 72b of a contact part 72 of a receptacle contact 7, and the severity of the elastic contact force is changed between before-passage and after-passage through the step. During insertion, the step moderates the elastic displacement of the contact 72 of the receptacle contact 7 to reduce the elastic contact force with the passage through the step. The elastic contact force works as holding force in the fitting condition, and so suitable fitting and holding force is produced by the adjustment of the step. For example, when the step of a lower stage face from the upper stage face is greater, the fitting and holding force is smaller, and when the step is smaller, the fitting and holding force is greater. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical connector structure mainly used between circuit boards and a method for adjusting a fitting holding force thereof.

With the reduction in size and weight of portable personal computers and communication devices, electronic components have been reduced in size and height. An electrical connector (hereinafter referred to as a connector) used for connection between circuit boards is no exception, and there is always a demand for miniaturization and low profile regardless of whether it is a small-pole type or a multi-pole type.

Here, the connector secures the fitting and holding force by the elastic contact force of the male and female contacts. There are a number of reports that have raised the problem of improving the fitting holding force because of the reason for the reduction. One of them is (1) the technique described in Patent Document 1. In this technique, when a male and female contact having a bifurcated size is fitted, the protrusion of the corresponding part falls into the depression, so that a lock is applied and a fitting holding force is secured. Another example is (2) the technique described in Patent Document 2. In this technology, an S-shaped inner wall contact portion (a portion that abuts against the housing wall) is provided at the tip of the receptacle contact. The contact pressure is applied to the contact surface with the plug contact as a reaction force. Further, there is a technique described in (3) Patent Document 3. In this technique, when the male and female connectors are fitted, a locking claw provided on the receptacle contact and an engaging piece provided on the plug housing are engaged to ensure a fitting holding force.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-16181 JP 2007-305513 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-259979

However, since these technologies have a problem of strengthening the contact holding force, it is certain that the low-polarity connector is within the intended range and is effective. When a contact with enhanced coercive force is applied to a multipolar connector, the result is opposite to what was originally intended. That is, as a result of integrating a number of strengthened individual fitting forces, the fitting force becomes excessive, resulting in a connector that requires a larger insertion / removal force than necessary at the time of insertion / removal. In other words, a connector having insertion / removal characteristics greatly deviating from the ideal is obtained.

In other words, in order to bring the connector insertion / removal characteristics closer to the ideal, a contact structure that takes into account from a low pole type to a multi-pole type is necessary. With a contact structure that targets only a specific number of poles, it is actually a market requirement. Therefore, the connectors that need to be equipped with multiple types of poles do not substantially solve the insertion / extraction characteristics.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in consideration of the insertion / extraction characteristics of the connector from a small-pole type to a multi-pole type, a connector capable of obtaining a fitting and holding force suitable for each number of poles. The object is to provide a structure and to provide a method for adjusting the fitting holding force.

The present invention based on the above object provides a suitable holding force by providing a step in the contact portion of the contact and changing the size of the step.

That is, the present invention includes (1) a housing and a contact fixed to the housing, and each contact is formed by processing a metal strip, and a contact portion with a mating contact and the contact portion. A pair of connector structures that integrally include a fixed portion with a continuous housing and a connecting portion continuous with the fixed portion, and obtain electrical connection by contact with the mating contact portion of the contact portion, one contact The contact portion has a plate surface with a step formed in the plate thickness, the contact portion of the mating contact has a bent portion, and the apex of the bent portion applies an elastic contact force to the plate surface having the step. The step is inserted into the connector structure so that the elastic contact force acts strongly in the initial stage of insertion, and the elastic contact force acts weakly in the late stage of insertion.

The plate surface included in one contact portion receives an elastic contact force from a bent portion included in the counterpart contact portion, and the magnitude of the elastic contact force changes before and after the passage of the step. At the time of insertion, the step is provided so as to reduce the amount of elastic displacement of the counterpart contact portion, so that the elastic contact force is reduced by the passage of the step. Since this elastic contact force acts as a holding force in the fitted state, a suitable fitting holding force can be obtained by adjusting this step.

The step may be a two-step surface structure including an upper step surface and a lower step surface, or may be a structure including three or more step surfaces. In any case, the maximum elastic force is generated when passing through the uppermost surface, and the elastic force is minimized on the lowermost surface. Further, the step can be formed by crushing the metal plate material in the plate thickness direction.

Further, the bent portion is the connector structure according to (1), wherein (2) the cross-sectional shape of the surface orthogonal to the insertion direction of the bent portion forms two acute head portions.

Since the shape of the bent portion provided in the counterpart contact portion forms two sharp heads, the contact pressure per unit area is increased. Since the contact pressure is increased, the range of contact force that can ensure the necessary contact pressure is widened.

The method for adjusting the fitting and holding force of the present invention includes (3) each housing and a contact fixed to the housing, and each contact is formed by processing a metal strip, A contact portion with the contact, a fixed portion of the housing connected to the contact portion, and a connection portion connected to the fixed portion are integrally provided, and an electrical connection state is established by contact with the mating contact portion of the contact portion. A method of adjusting the fitting holding force of a pair of connector structures to be obtained,
A fitting holding force adjusting method for a connector structure, wherein the fitting holding force is adjusted by changing a difference between an upper step surface and a lower step surface of the step formed on the plate surface.

If the step on the lower surface is made larger than the upper surface, the fitting holding force is reduced, for example, a connector structure suitable for multi-pole applications. If the step is made small, the fitting holding force is increased, for example, small. A connector structure suitable for extreme applications. Thus, the fitting holding force is adjusted by changing the amount of the step. Even when the fitting holding force is small, the contact point is formed at the bent portion, so the range in which the necessary contact pressure can be secured is widened.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a necessary fitting holding force by changing the predetermined plate thickness of the contact even when the connector is lowered in height. Further, even if the number of contacts changes from a small-pole type to a multi-pole type, a fitting holding force suitable for each number of poles can be obtained by changing the thickness of the contact.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A connector structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is a BtoB (board to board) connector structure including a plug connector and a receptacle connector.

The connector structure will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a state in which a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention and a plug connector are fitted. Note that the circuit board on the plug side is omitted because it hides the connector structure. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the plug connector shown in FIG. 1 is removed from the receptacle connector. Note that the circuit board on the plug side is omitted as in FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the plug connector and the receptacle connector shown in FIG. Both circuit boards are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the BtoB connector structure includes a plug connector 1 mounted on a circuit board P1 (not shown) and a receptacle connector 5 mounted on the circuit board P2. The plug connector 1 includes a plug housing 2 made of an insulating synthetic resin, a plug contact 3 made of a conductive band metal fixed to the plug housing 2, and a reinforcing metal fitting 4 for reinforcing the fitting of the connector. Consists of. The receptacle connector 5 to be fitted to the plug connector 1 includes a receptacle housing 6 made of an insulating synthetic resin, a receptacle contact 7 fixed to the receptacle housing 6 and electrically and mechanically connected to the plug contact 3, and a reinforcing bracket. 4 and the reinforcing metal fittings 8 engaged with each other.

<Plug>
For the plug connector 1, the instruction direction in the description follows the instruction of FIG. 3. The plug housing 2 has a rectangular shape extending in the front-rear direction, a bottom wall 20 on the bottom surface, end walls 21, 22 standing on the front and rear ends of the bottom wall 20, and side walls 23, 24 standing on the left and right of the bottom wall 20. A hollow-like recess 25 surrounded by the bottom wall 20, end walls 21, 22 and side walls 23, 24 is formed at the center. The lower surfaces of the end walls 21 and 22 are provided with slits 21a and 22a for fixing the reinforcing brackets 4 and 4, and the left and right side surfaces are grooves 21b and 22b extending in the vertical direction for guiding the reinforcing brackets 4 and 4. With The side walls 23 and 24 have a rectangular shape extending in the front-rear direction, and include a plurality of grooves 26 and 27 for fixing the plug contact 3 from the upper surface to the outer surface and the inner surface in the front-rear direction.

When the plug contact 3 is fixed to the plug housing 2, the corresponding portions of the plug contact 3 are fitted into the grooves 26, 27 provided in the left and right side walls 23, 24. The contact 3 does not protrude. Further, when the reinforcing brackets 4, 4 are attached to the plug housing 2, the corresponding portions of the reinforcing brackets 4, 4 are press-fitted and fixed into the slits 21 a, 22 a provided on the end walls 21, 22.

The plug connector 1 to which the plug contact 3 and the reinforcing brackets 4 and 4 are fixed is outward from the lower ends of the left and right side walls 23 and 24, and the distal ends of the reinforcing brackets 4 and 4 and the distal end of the plug contact 3 are parallel to the surface of the circuit board P1. This portion is connected to the circuit board P1 when it is stretched and mounted. Further, the recess 25 formed in the central portion of the plug housing 2 is where the corresponding convex portion of the receptacle connector 5 is fitted when the plug connector 1 is fitted to the receptacle connector 5.

<Receptacle>
Next, the receptacle connector 5 will be described. The instruction direction in the explanation follows the instruction in FIG. The receptacle housing 6 has a rectangular shape extending in the front-rear direction, a bottom wall 60 on the bottom surface, end walls 61, 62 standing on the front and rear ends of the bottom wall 60, side walls 63 standing on the left and right of the bottom wall 60, 64 is formed in the center of a concave recess 65 surrounded by the bottom wall 60, the end walls 61 and 62, and the side walls 63 and 64, and the rectangular convex extending in the front-rear direction in the recess 65. A portion 66 is provided.

The side walls 63 and 64 of the receptacle housing 6 have a substantially rectangular cross section, and slits 61a and 62a for fixing the reinforcing metal fittings 8 and 8 are provided around the side walls 63 and 64 at the front and rear ends. Includes grooves 67 and 68 for fixing the receptacle contact 7 around the side walls 63 and 64 at an equal pitch.

When the receptacle contact 7 is fixed to the receptacle housing 6, the corresponding portions of the receptacle contact 7 are fitted and fixed in the grooves 67, 68 provided on the left and right side walls 63, 64, and the tip toward the inside of the receptacle contact 7 is centered. Guided by a guide 66a formed on a convex portion 66 included in the portion. Further, when the reinforcing fittings 8 are fixed to the receptacle housing 6, the corresponding portions of the reinforcing fittings 8, 8 are fitted into the slits 61a, 62a provided on the side walls 63, 64. It does not overhang from the outer surface and the upper surface of 63 and 64.

The receptacle connector 5 to which the receptacle contact 7 and the reinforcing fittings 8 and 8 are fixed is outward from the lower ends of the left and right side walls 63 and 64, and the tips of the reinforcing fittings 8 and 8 and the tip of the receptacle contact 7 are parallel to the surface of the circuit board P2. In the stretched state, this portion is connected to the circuit board P2 during mounting. Further, the recess 65 formed in the center is a portion into which the plug connector 1 is fitted, and the recess 66 provided in the recess 65 is fitted into the recess 25 provided in the center of the plug connector 1. By the way. Thus, when the plug connector 1 is fitted to the receptacle connector 5, the corresponding plug contact 3 and the receptacle contact 7 are in an electromechanical connection state, and the corresponding reinforcing brackets 4, 4 and the reinforcing bracket 8 are connected. , 8 are mechanically engaged with each other.

Next, the contact will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the plug contact according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the receptacle contact. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a state in which the plug contact and the receptacle contact are similarly fitted.

<Plug contact>
The plug contact 3 is made of a metal strip having a surface plated with nickel on a copper alloy, and has a necessary shape by punching or bending. The plug contact 3 includes a fixing portion 30 fixed to the grooves 26 and 27 for fixing the plug contacts 3 on the side walls 23 and 24 of the plug housing 2, a contact portion 31 connected to one side from the fixing portion 30, and the other side. And a connection portion 32.

The fixed portion 30 of the plug contact 3 faces outward from a straight portion 30a press-fitted into grooves 26 and 27 formed in the side walls 23 and 24 of the plug housing 2, and a cross section in the width direction of the straight portion 30a. Overhang pieces 30b, 30b for fixing the plug contact 3 are provided. The straight portion 30 a forms a 90 ° curved portion on the side opposite to the receptacle contact 7, extends in the horizontal direction from here, and continues to the connecting portion 32. The connection part 32 is connected to the circuit board P1 by the straight part 32a via solder. On the other hand, a 180-degree curved portion is formed on the contact side with the receptacle contact 7, a fixing portion is defined here, and the contact portion 31 is continued from here. The contact portion 31 is composed of a plate surface 31b that stands vertically, and the tip ends with a cut surface having a taper.

A portion of the contact portion 31 of the plug contact 3 that contacts the corresponding receptacle contact 7 is a plate surface 31b. The plate surface 31b, in order from the tip side to the contact surface side with the receptacle contact 7, is continued with a plate-like convex portion 31c, then a concave portion-like concave portion 31d, and finally a plate-like convex portion 31e. In the present embodiment, the step t between the convex portion 31e and the concave portion 31d is 0.01 to 0.05 mm. Preferably it is 0.01-0.03 mm, More preferably, it is 0.01-0.02 mm. The step t has a great influence on the click feeling of the connector and is a large factor that influences the insertion force and the pulling force. When the step t is reduced, the click feeling becomes smaller and the fitting holding force becomes stronger. Moreover, if it enlarges, a click feeling will become large and a fitting holding force will become weak.

<Receptacle contact>
The receptacle contact 7 is made of a metal strip having a copper alloy base material with nickel plating in the middle and gold plating on the surface, and has a necessary shape by punching or bending. The receptacle contact 7 includes a fixing portion 70 fixed to the grooves 67 and 68 for fixing the receptacle contacts 7 on the side walls 63 and 64 of the receptacle housing 6, a connecting portion 71 connected to one side from the fixing portion 70, and further on the tip. The contact part 72 is connected to the other side, and the connection part 73 is connected to the other side.

The fixing portion 70 of the receptacle contact 7 faces outward from a straight portion 70b press-fitted into grooves 67 and 68 formed in the side walls 63 and 64 of the receptacle housing 6, and a cross section in the width direction of the straight portion 70b. Overhang pieces 70d and 70d for fixing the receptacle contact 7 are provided. The straight portion 70 b forms a 90 ° curved portion on the side opposite to the plug contact 3, extends in the horizontal direction from here, and continues to the connecting portion 73. The connecting portion 73 is connected to the circuit board P2 by the straight portion 73a via solder. On the other hand, a curved portion of 180 degrees is formed on the contact side with the plug contact 3, and the fixing portion 70 is defined here. And it curves 90 degree | times from here and continues to the connection part 71. FIG. The connecting portion 71 is composed of a straight portion 71 a extending in the horizontal direction, the tip is bent 90 degrees and rises vertically, and continues to the contact portion 72. The contact portion 72 is composed of a straight portion 72a extending vertically and a bent portion 72b having a "<" shape following that.

The fixing portion 70 is shaped like an inverted U, and the opening thereof extends over the side walls 63 and 64 of the receptacle housing 6 so that the frame portions are fitted into grooves 67 and 68 formed at an equal pitch. Since the grooves 67 and 68 are formed on the three surfaces of the upper surfaces and inner and outer surfaces of the side walls 63 and 64, the bent portions 70a and the straight portions 70b and 70c of the fixing portion 70 are press-fitted into the corresponding grooves, respectively. The projecting projecting pieces 70 d and 70 d facing outward from the cross section in the width direction of 70 b engage with the side surfaces of the grooves 67 and 68, and the receptacle contact 7 is fixed to the receptacle housing 6.

An L-shaped frame is formed by the connecting portion 71 that continues from the straight portion 70c of the fixing portion 70 and the contact portion 72 that rises vertically from a portion that is bent 90 degrees from the connecting portion 71. The L-shaped frame composed of the connecting portion 71 and the contact portion 72 is a portion that elastically displaces when fitted with the contact portion 31 of the plug contact 3 and generates a fitting holding force as a reaction. is there.

The contact portion 72 includes a straight portion 72a that rises vertically after being bent 90 degrees from the connecting portion 71, and a "<"-shaped bent portion 72b that continues from the straight portion 72a. The apex portion of the bent portion 72b is a portion that contacts the contact portion 31 of the plug contact 3 at the time of fitting, and the cross-sectional shape of the surface orthogonal to the insertion direction of the apex of the bent portion 72b is a mountain shape with a depression at the apex portion. Two contact points 72d and 72d are provided. Since contact is made at the pointed head, a large contact pressure is generated, and the two contact points 72d and 72d are provided, so that double connection safety is ensured and reliability is improved.

<Contact mating condition>
Next, insertion of the plug connector 1 into the receptacle connector 7 will be described with reference to FIG. When the plug connector 1 is inserted into the receptacle connector 7, first, contact points 72 d and 72 d of the contact portion 72 of the receptacle contact 7 are placed on a portion having a curvature extending from the contact portion 31 of the plug contact 3 to the fixed portion 30. Abut. If the insertion continues further, the contact pressure gradually increases. At this time, the contact portion 31 of the plug contact 3 is fixed and cannot move, so that the contact portion 72 of the receptacle contact 7 is displaced. The displacement is elastic and an elastic force is applied in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction, and an insertion force is generated in the insertion direction as a combined force of this elastic force and the frictional force of the contact surface. This insertion force is maximized when passing through the position where the amount of elastic displacement is maximized, that is, the convex portion 31e of the contact portion 31 included in the plug contact 3. In general, the maximum value at this time is called the insertion force. When the insertion is further continued from this position, the contact points 72d and 72d of the contact portion 72 of the receptacle contact 7 come into contact with the surface of the recess 31d formed in the contact portion 31 of the plug contact 3. The surface of the recess 31d has a step t as shown in FIG. 4 with respect to the surface of the protrusion 31e. This step t abruptly reduces the amount of elastic displacement of the contact portion 72 of the receptacle contact 7, and the insertion force It is felt as a sudden change. The sudden decrease in insertion force at this time is felt as a click feeling during insertion. In the embodiment of the present invention, the recess 31d of the plug contact 3 extends in the insertion direction to ensure a long effective fitting length.

Depending on the embodiment of the present invention, the insertion force can be easily increased or decreased by the height of the convex portion 31e. Of course, it can be increased / decreased depending on the length, bending position, curvature, etc. of the contact portion 72 of the receptacle contact 7, but the change of the receptacle contact 7 is less burden on the design and processing than the change of the plug contact 3. It is much bigger. In other words, the present invention is characterized by the fact that a connector structure that requires a wide variety of poles to meet market demands can be handled without changing the basic design.

Further, as described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the recess 31d of the plug contact 3 extends long in the insertion direction with respect to the contact points 72d and 72d of the receptacle contact 7, and the long effective fitting is limited. We have secured the long. Since the effective fitting length is long in this way, even if the contact processing accuracy variation or the assembly accuracy variation of the contact housing is integrated, the fitting can be performed reliably. Ensures a reliable connection. In addition, the risk of contact coming off due to vibration or impact is reduced.

Next, the fitting state between the plug contact 3 and the receptacle contact 7 will be described. By fitting the plug contact 3 and the receptacle contact 7, the contact portion 72 of the receptacle contact 7 comes into elastic contact with the contact portion 31 of the plug contact 3. This elastic force is generated when the contact portion 72 of the receptacle contact 7 is elastically displaced outward due to the fitting. In the present embodiment, the elastic displacement amount is 0.05 to 0.15 mm. Preferably, it is 0.07-0.13 mm, More preferably, it is 0.08-0.10 mm. When the amount of elastic displacement is too large, the fitting force becomes excessive, and when it is larger, the displacement portion undergoes plastic deformation and the necessary contact pressure cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if it is too small, the elastic force becomes weak and the required contact pressure cannot be obtained.

Next, the fitting holding force will be described. The fitting holding force is a force that acts in a state in which the plug contact 3 is fitted to the receptacle contact 7. That is, the force acts when the contact points 72 d and 72 d of the contact portion 72 provided on the receptacle contact 7 abut on the recess 31 d of the contact portion 31 provided on the plug contact 3. In the present invention, the fitting holding force can be easily increased or decreased by the amount of depression (step t) of the recess 31d. Of course, it can be increased / decreased depending on the length, bending position, curvature, etc. of the contact portion 72 of the receptacle contact 7, but the change of the receptacle contact 7 is less burden on design and processing than the change of the plug contact 3. The method according to the present invention is very effective and rational when it is extremely large and it is necessary to develop a wide variety of poles to meet market demands without changing the basic design. It is. When the step t is large, the fitting holding force is small and the connector can be easily pulled out. Further, when the step t is small, the fitting holding force becomes large and it becomes difficult to pull out the contact.

That is, the fitting holding force can be easily adapted according to the market demand and the purpose of use. For example, in the case of a small pole type, the step t can be reduced to increase the fitting holding force. In the case of multiple poles, the step t can be increased to reduce the fitting holding force. At this time, the insertion force can be easily adjusted.

<Reinforcing metal fittings>
Next, the reinforcing metal fitting will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the plug reinforcing metal fitting. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the receptacle reinforcing bracket. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the plug reinforcement fitting and the receptacle reinforcement fitting in a fitted state.

The plug reinforcement brackets 4 and 4 are attached to slits 21 a and 22 a formed in the front and rear end walls 21 and 22 of the plug housing 2 to reinforce the fitting between the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5. The shape of the plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 is obtained by punching a metal strip, and a cut groove is formed from one side which is fixed to the slits 21a and 22a provided on the end walls 21 and 22 of the plug housing 2 at the center. The rectangular fixed portion 40, the connecting portions 41 and 41 extending horizontally outward from the upper surface of the fixing portion 40, and the connecting portions 43 and 43 extending horizontally further outward from the connecting portions 41 and 41. It consists of the piece-like engaging parts 42 and 42 which hang down from the connection part of the parts 41 and 41 and the connection parts 43 and 43. FIG.

The fixing portion 40 is a portion for fixing the plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 to the plug housing 2 by press fitting. The fixing portion 40 includes a pair of fixing pieces 40a and 40a, and the fixing piece 40a includes two convex protrusions 40b and 40c outwardly. A pair of fixing pieces 40a, 40a fixed to the plug housing 2 is provided with a gap, and a fixing base (not shown) formed in the slits 21a, 22a formed in the end walls 21, 22 of the plug housing 2 in the gap. Since the protrusions 40b and 40c are pressed outward and fixed to the side walls of the slits 21a and 22a in a state where the plug is sandwiched, the plug reinforcing metal fittings 4 and 4 are firmly fixed to the plug housing 2. .

The engaging portions 42, 42 are portions that engage with corresponding portions of the receptacle reinforcing brackets 8, 8 and reinforce the fitting between the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5. The engaging portions 42 and 42 include engaging pieces 42a and 42a that hang down from the connecting portion between the connecting portions 41 and 41 and the connecting portions 43 and 43, and protrusions 42b and 42b that protrude outward from the tip. . The engaging pieces 42a and 42a are elastically displaced in the outer and inner directions, and engage with corresponding portions of the receptacle reinforcing brackets 8 and 8 at the protrusions 42b and 42b at the distal ends.

The connection parts 43 and 43 are parts to be mounted on the circuit board P1 via solder.

Next, the receptacle reinforcing brackets 8 and 8 will be described with reference to FIG. The receptacle reinforcing brackets 8 and 8 are attached to slits 61 a and 62 a formed in the front and rear end walls 61 and 62 of the receptacle housing 6 to reinforce the fitting between the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5. The receptacle reinforcing brackets 8 and 8 are obtained by punching and bending a metal strip, and are fixed to slits 61 a and 62 a formed in the end walls 61 and 62 of the receptacle housing 6. A piece-like engagement portion 81 that is bent back 180 degrees from its tip and extends vertically therefrom, and a piece-like connection portion 82 that is bent 90 degrees outward from the opposite end of the fixing portion 80 and extends horizontally. It consists of.

The fixing portions 80, 80 are flat and have protrusions 80b, 80b that are convex in the width direction on both side surfaces, and slits 61a that receive the reinforcing metal fittings 8, 8 provided at the ends of the side walls 63, 64 of the receptacle housing 6. , 62a to be engaged and fixed to an engagement piece (not shown).

The engaging portions 81 and 81 are constituted by a flat engaging piece 81a, and a recess portion 81b having a hollow shape is formed in the central portion. The protrusions 42b and 42b provided on the engaging portions 42 and 42 of the plug reinforcing brackets 4 and 4 are engaged with the recesses 81b and 81b so that the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5 are fitted.

The connecting portions 82 and 82 are formed of flat contact pieces 82a and 82a extending in the horizontal direction from the ends of the fixing portions 80 and 80, respectively. The connection parts 82 and 82 are parts to be mounted on the circuit board P2 via solder.

Next, the fitting state between the plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 and the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 8 will be described with reference to FIG. The engagement pieces 42a and 42a of the plug reinforcement fittings 4 and 4 are elastically contacted with the engagement pieces 81a and 81a of the corresponding receptacle reinforcement fittings 8 and 8, and are engaged with the recesses 81b and 81b of the engagement pieces 81a and 81a. , 42 a are engaged with each other, and the plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 is fitted into the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 8. Since the fitting force is obtained by the elastic contact force between the engaging pieces 81a and 81a and the engaging pieces 42a and 42a, the fitting force can be easily adjusted by the amount of recesses 81b and 81b of the receptacle reinforcing bracket 8.

Next, the fitting state of the reinforcing metal fitting and the fitting state of the contacts in the fitting state of the connector of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 is fixed to the end walls 21 and 22 of the plug housing 1 by press fitting at the fixing portion 40, and is fixed to the circuit board P1 by solder at the connection portions 43 and 43. On the other hand, the receptacle reinforcing brackets 8 and 8 are fixed to the end portions of the side walls 63 and 64 of the receptacle housing 6 by press fitting, and are fixed to the circuit board P2 with solder at the connection portions 82 and 82, respectively. Then, the engaging portions 42, 42 of the plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 and the engaging portions 81, 81 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 8 are engaged, so that the plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 is fitted to the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 8. That is, the plug reinforcement metal fitting 4 and the receptacle reinforcement metal fitting 8 cooperate to reinforce the fitting state between the plug connector 1 and the receptacle connector 5 and secure a stable electrical connection state between the circuit boards P1 and P2. -ing

Therefore, the plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 and the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 8 have a large number of plug contacts 3 and receptacle contacts 7, and the necessary fitting and holding force of the entire connector is ensured by the contact pressure of the plug contacts 3 and the receptacle contacts 7. If the contact pressure of the plug contact 3 and the receptacle contact 7 does not ensure the necessary fitting and holding force of the entire connector, the plug contact 3 and the receptacle contact 7 may be attached. . Further, the necessary reinforcing fitting holding force can be obtained by adjusting the engagement between the engaging portion 42 of the plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 and the engaging portion 81 of the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 8 and mounting the plug reinforcing metal fitting 4 and the receptacle reinforcing metal fitting 8. It can be easily secured by the number.

Next, the fitting of the plug contact 3 and the receptacle contact 7 will be described. The plug contact 3 is fixed to the plug housing 2 by a fixing portion 40, and is electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit board P1 by a connection portion 43 by solder mounting. On the other hand, the receptacle contact 7 is fixed to the receptacle housing 6 by a fixing portion 70, and is electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit board P2 by a connection portion 73 by solder mounting. The contact portion 31 of the plug contact 3 and the contact portion 72 of the receptacle contact 7 are in elastic contact with each other, so that an electromechanical connection state is generated between the circuit boards P1 and P2.

<Action, effect>
When the contact pressure required for the electrical connection between the plug contact 3 and the receptacle contact 7 is secured, if the number of contacts of the plug contact 3 and the receptacle contact 7 is small, the fitting holding force is insufficient as a connector. There may be cases. In addition, the optimum mating holding force for this connector varies depending on the usage environment and purpose of the connector, and is not generally determined from the mating force obtained as the total contact pressure, and may require a separate design. obtain.

In other words, there is a contact pressure derived from the technical aspect of electrical connection of contacts, and there is a connector fitting retention force obtained as the sum of the contact pressures. The value suitable for the purpose of use for a separate reason is required. At this time, if the value of the fitting holding force obtained as the sum of the contact pressures and the fitting holding force required for another reason are different, the contact contact structure and other components of the connector are changed. Therefore, technical measures such as these are required.

The present invention secures the contact pressure necessary to obtain a stable electrical connection under the circumstance, and also secures the fitting holding force required for a separate reason, such as the curvature and length of the contact. The present invention relates to a connector structure that can be easily achieved by adjusting the thickness of a contact without changing a portion requiring a delicate elastic design.

That is, a connector with a small number of contacts generally has a smaller fitting holding force as a sum of contact pressures than a required value, and a connector with a large number of contacts is a sum of contact pressures. The fitting holding force is larger than the required value. Even under such conditions, the ability to use a common contact between the basic structure and a clever elastic design part is very efficient in designing and manufacturing a connector and can contribute to an improvement in productivity.

Specifically, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the number of contacts is large, the concave portion 31d of the contact portion 31 included in the plug contact 3 can be used without changing the complicated elastic design of the receptacle contact 7. By reducing the plate thickness, it is possible to reduce the contact force between the contacts and easily reduce the fitting and holding force as a sum. At this time, the contact points 72d and 72d of the receptacle contact 7 are formed as protrusions having a small contact area and are required for electromechanical connection in order to supplement the decrease in the contact pressure due to the reduction of the contact force between the contacts. The contact pressure is ensured. That is, only by changing the plate thickness of the recess 31d of the plug contact 7, the contact holding force can be reduced to reduce the total fitting holding force, and the contact points 72d and 72d can be sharpened at the contact portions to reduce the contact force. By supplementing the decrease in contact pressure and securing the necessary contact pressure, it is possible to handle multi-pole connectors.

On the other hand, when the number of contacts is small, the contact force between the contacts is increased by increasing the plate thickness of the concave portion 31d of the contact portion 31 included in the plug contact 3, and the total fitting holding force is increased. Plan. At this time, since the contact force between the contacts increases, the contact pressure tends to increase. Further, at this time, if the necessary fitting and holding force cannot be obtained only by the contact force between the contacts, the reinforcing metal fitting shown in the present embodiment can be attached to the connector to compensate for the shortage.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily secure a necessary fitting holding force even when the connector is lowered in height, and it is possible to use a contact having a common basic design from a small number of contacts to a connector having a large number of contacts. In addition, since the fitting holding force can be adjusted only by adjusting the amount of depression of the contact, it can easily cope with the development of the number of poles. Furthermore, the contact area is small, a large contact pressure per unit area can be obtained even with a small contact force, and the contact structure with two contact points increases the reliability of the electromechanical connection. it can. Since the effective fitting length of the contacts is long, variations in processing of the contacts and variations in assembly of the contacts to the housing can be absorbed in this portion, so that a planned connection state can be ensured. In addition, contact breakage due to vibration or impact is unlikely to occur.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In addition, it can implement with a various aspect in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

1 is an external perspective view of a state in which a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention and a plug connector are fitted. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the plug connector shown in FIG. 1 with the plug connector removed from the receptacle connector. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the appearance of the plug connector and the receptacle connector shown in FIG. It is an external appearance perspective view of a plug contact similarly. It is the external appearance perspective view of a receptacle contact similarly. Similarly, it is an external perspective view of a state in which a plug contact and a receptacle contact are fitted. It is a perspective view of a plug reinforcement metal fitting similarly. It is a perspective view of a receptacle reinforcement metal fitting similarly. It is a perspective view of the fitting state of a plug reinforcement metal fitting and a receptacle reinforcement metal fitting similarly. Similarly, it is a fitting state of the reinforcing metal fitting and a fitting state of the contact in the fitting state of the connector of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Plug connector 2 Plug housing 3 Plug contact 4 Plug reinforcement metal fitting 5 Receptacle connector 6 Receptacle housing 7 Receptacle contact 8 Receptacle reinforcement metal fitting 20 Bottom wall 21, 22 End wall 23, 24 Side wall 25 Recess 30 Fixing part 31 Contact part 32 Connection part 40 Fixing part 41 Connecting part 42 Engaging part 43 Connecting part 60 Bottom wall 61, 62 End wall 63, 64 Side wall 65 Recess 66 Convex part 67, 68 Groove 70 Fixing part 71 Connecting part 72 Contact part 73 Connecting part 80 Fixing part 81 Engagement Joint part 82 Connection part P1, P2 Circuit board

Claims (3)

Each housing includes a contact fixed to the housing, and each contact is formed by processing a metal strip, a contact portion with the counterpart contact, and a fixing portion with the housing connected to the contact portion, A pair of connector structures that integrally include a connection portion connected to the fixed portion and obtain an electrical connection by contact with the mating contact portion of the contact portion,
The contact portion of one contact has a plate surface in which a step is formed in the plate thickness,
The contact portion of the mating contact has a bent portion, and the apex of the bent portion is inserted while acting an elastic contact force on the plate surface having the step,
The connector structure is formed such that the step makes the elastic contact force act strongly at the initial stage of insertion and makes the elastic force weakly act at the late stage of insertion. 2. The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of a surface orthogonal to the insertion direction of the bent portion forms two acute head portions. Each housing includes a contact fixed to the housing, and each contact is formed by processing a metal strip, a contact portion with the mating contact, and a fixing portion with the housing connected to the contact portion. A method of adjusting a fitting holding force of a pair of connector structures that integrally include a connecting portion connected to the fixing portion and obtain an electrical connection state by contact with a contact portion on the other side of the contact portion,
A fitting holding force adjusting method for a connector structure, wherein the fitting holding force is adjusted by changing a difference between an upper step surface and a lower step surface of the step formed on the plate surface.

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