JP2020113455A - Connector terminal and card edge connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of improving reliability when securing connection with a circuit-board by using a card edge connector.SOLUTION: In a connector terminal 12 for use in a card edge connector 10 configured to mate with the connector mating part 26 of a circuit board 20, and having an elastic contact piece 124 coming into contact with an electrode part 21 placed on the circuit board 20, the elastic contact piece 124 has multiple split pieces 124b, 124c splitting the elastic contact piece 124, and one or more of the multiple split pieces 124b, 124c come into contact with the electrode part 21. In the multiple split pieces 124b, 124c, contact points 124d, 124e of respective split pieces 124b, 124c with the point of the electrode part 21 or a point other than the electrode part 21 are off-set back and forth in the connector insertion direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a connector terminal and a card edge connector.

In the card edge connector, the elastic contact pieces of the connector terminals are arranged so as to face each other, and the circuit board is inserted between the facing elastic contact pieces to bring the electrode portion of the circuit board into contact with the elastic contact pieces. Then, the electrical connection between them is ensured (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP, 2013-93133, A

Some circuit boards to be connected to the card edge connector, such as those used as in-vehicle components, have their edges not chamfered. When such a circuit board is inserted between the elastic contact pieces, the edge portion of the edge of the circuit board may scrape the surface of the elastic contact piece (for example, the plating film). Damage to the surface of the elastic contact piece may be a factor that impairs the electrical connection with the circuit board, and is not preferable in terms of improving reliability when ensuring the electrical connection.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of improving reliability when securing a connection with a circuit board using a card edge connector.

According to one aspect of the invention,
A connector terminal used in a card edge connector configured to be fitted to an edge portion of a circuit board, the connector terminal including an elastic contact piece that comes into contact with an electrode portion arranged on the circuit board,
The elastic contact piece has a plurality of divided piece portions formed by dividing the elastic contact piece, and one or more of the plurality of divided piece portions are configured to contact one of the electrode portions,
A connector terminal is provided in which a contact portion of each of the plurality of divided piece portions with the electrode portion or a portion other than the electrode portion is arranged offset before and after in a circuit board insertion direction.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve reliability when securing a connection with a circuit board using a card edge connector.

It is a top view showing an example of the whole card edge connector composition concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the example of composition of the housing part in the card edge connector concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the connector terminal in the card edge connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a perspective view which shows the whole structure, (b) is a side sectional drawing which shows a principal part structure.

Hereinafter, a connector terminal and a card edge connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Configuration of Card Edge Connector First, the overall configuration of the card edge connector will be described.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the overall configuration of a card edge connector according to this embodiment.

The card edge connector 10 is also called an edge connector socket or a slot, and is a female connector used as a pair with the circuit board 20 in which electrode portions (electrical contacts) 21 are formed near the edges. Since such a card edge connector 10 is directly fitted to the circuit board 20, it is very useful in terms of complicating the configuration and reducing the product cost.

(Circuit board)
Here, the circuit board 20 which is a mating partner of the card edge connector 10 will be briefly described. The circuit board 20 is also called a printed circuit board, and is formed by forming conductor wiring on an insulating plate member. Further, the circuit board 20 is formed with a plurality of electrode portions 21 that are electrically connected to the wiring of the circuit board 20 for electrical connection with the card edge connector 10.

In the present embodiment, the electrode portion 21 is arranged as follows. A notch having a concave shape in a plan view is formed on one end edge 22 of the circuit board 20, and a plurality of (for example, a plurality of, for example, lined up along the board end edge 23 in the vicinity of the board end edge 23 that is the bottom of the concave shape). Six electrode portions 21 are arranged. It should be noted that the connector guide portions 24 formed on both end edge portions of the concave shape function as engagement points with the guide portions 113 in the card edge connector 10, as will be described later in detail.

Further, niger portions 25a and 25b formed by notches that are concave in a plan view are arranged on both sides in the direction in which the electrode portions 21 are arranged. Due to the arrangement of the nig portions 25a and 25b, the board edge 23 along which each electrode portion 21 extends is located at the top of the connector fitting portion 26 that is convex in plan view. The connector fitting portion 26 functions as a fitting portion with the fitting portion 111 in the card edge connector 10, as will be described in detail later. At that time, the nig portions 25a and 25b function as locations for avoiding interference with the housing portion 11 of the card edge connector 10.
It is conceivable that the niger portions 25a and 25b are formed so that the formation widths thereof are different from each other. In that case, the connector fitting portion 26 is arranged asymmetrically with respect to each connector guide portion 24, instead of being centrally distributed, when seen in a plan view.
However, the formation widths of the nig portions 25a and 25b may be the same. In that case, the connector fitting portions 26 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the respective connector guide portions 24 in a centered manner when seen in a plan view.

Further, an engaging hole 27 is formed in the connector fitting portion 26 in which each electrode portion 21 is arranged. The engagement hole 27 is for engaging with a lock mechanism portion 112 formed in the housing portion 11 of the card edge connector 10, as will be described later in detail.

(Connector configuration)
The card edge connector 10 to be fitted with the circuit board 20 is roughly divided into a housing portion 11, connector terminals 12 (not shown in FIG. 1) housed in the housing portion 11, and a connector. And a retainer 13 for preventing the terminal 12 from falling off.

Hereinafter, each component of the card edge connector 10 will be described in detail in order. It should be noted that the retainer 13 may be configured by using a known technique, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

(2) Configuration of Housing Section FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the housing section in the card edge connector according to the present embodiment.

The housing portion 11 is formed by integrally molding a resin material having an insulating property (for example, polybutylene terephthalate: PBT), and is configured so that the connector terminal 12 can be housed therein. More specifically, the housing portion 11 has a housing space for housing the connector terminal 12, and the insertion side of the connector terminal 12 into the housing space can be sealed by the retainer 13.

The housing portion 11 has a fitting portion 111 that fits with the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 on the side opposite to the insertion side of the connector terminal 12 (that is, the mounting side of the retainer 13 ). There is. The fitting portion 111 has an opening into which the connector fitting portion 26 can be inserted, and an elastic contact piece 124 (not shown in FIG. 2), which will be described later in detail, of the connector terminal 12 is located in the opening. It has become. Therefore, when fitted to the connector fitting portion 26, in the fitting portion 111, each electrode portion 21 arranged in the connector fitting portion 26 and the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12 located in the fitting portion 111. And will come into contact with each other.

Further, the housing portion 11 is formed with a lock mechanism portion 112 that engages with the engagement hole 27 of the connector fitting portion 26 so as to maintain the fitted state when fitted with the connector fitting portion 26. Has been done. The details of the lock mechanism unit 112 may be those configured by using a known technique, and the description thereof will be omitted here.

Further, in the present embodiment, the housing part 11 has groove-shaped guide parts 113 extending on the both sides of the fitting part 111 along the insertion direction of the connector fitting part 26 of the circuit board 20 into the fitting part 111. Have The groove width of the guide portion 113 sandwiches (sandwiches) the circuit board 20, and is configured to be engageable with the connector guide portion 24 of the circuit board 20. That is, the guide portion 113 is configured to be able to engage with the connector guide portion 24, which is a portion other than the fitting portion with the fitting portion 111 (that is, the connector fitting portion 26).

The guide portion 113 and the fitting portion 111 are arranged so as to have the following positional relationship. That is, in the housing part 11, before the end edge of the connector fitting part 26 of the circuit board 20 fitted with the fitting part 111 comes into contact with the elastic contact piece 124 located in the fitting part 111, the circuit. The positional relationship between the fitting portion 111 and the guide portion 113 is set so that the connector guide portion 24 of the board 20 and the guide portion 113 are engaged with each other. More specifically, the contact point of the elastic contact piece 124 located in the fitting portion 111 is more than the distance L1 between the one end edge 22 of the circuit board 20 and the board end edge 23 that is the top of the connector fitting portion 26. The housing portion 11 is formed such that the distance L2 between the end edge position of the guide portion 113 on the fitting portion 111 side is smaller.

Further, the guide portions 113 are arranged at least at two locations on the housing portion 11 (specifically, two locations on both sides of the fitting portion 111).
Then, for example, in the circuit board 20 that is the mating partner, the formation width L5 of the one niger portion 25a and the formation width L6 of the other niger portion 25b are different from each other (for example, L5<L6), and the connector fitting is performed. If the portion 26 is asymmetrically arranged, the positions of the fitting portion 111 and the guide portion 113 are arranged so that the fitting portion 111 is asymmetrically arranged with respect to these two guide portions 113 in the housing portion 11. The relationship is set. More specifically, the distance L3 between the formation surface of the one guide portion 113 and the opening edge of the fitting portion 111 close to the surface, and the formation surface of the other guide portion 113 and the fitting close to the surface. The housing portion 11 is formed by arranging the fitting portion 111 so that the distance L4 between the portion 111 and the opening edge is different from each other (for example, L3<L4).
However, for example, in the circuit board 20, if the formation widths of the nig portions 25a and 25b are the same (for example, L5=L6) and the connector fitting portions 26 are symmetrically arranged, the housing portion 11 is Also, the positional relationship between the fitting portion 111 and the guide portion 113 is set so that the fitting portion 111 is symmetrically arranged with respect to these two guide portions 113. More specifically, the fitting portion 111 is arranged and the housing portion 11 is formed such that the distances L3 and L4 are the same (for example, L3=L4).

(3) Configuration of Connector Terminal Next, a configuration example of the connector terminal 12 will be described.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the connector terminal according to the present embodiment.

The connector terminal 12 is formed by punching and bending a conductive metal plate (for example, a copper plate or a copper alloy plate, or a plate obtained by plating any of these), and the housing of the card edge connector 10 is formed. It is to be installed in the section 11. That is, the connector terminal 12 is configured to be used by being housed in the housing portion 11 of the card edge connector 10 in the card edge connector 10 configured to be fitted to the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20. ing. It should be noted that the housing portion 11 is adapted to accommodate a number of connector terminals 12 corresponding to the number of the electrode portions 21 on the circuit board 20 (for example, the same number as the electrode portions 21, six).

Each of the connector terminals 12 housed in the housing portion 11 is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the connector terminal 12 is roughly configured to include a connection portion 121, a wire barrel portion 122, and an insulation barrel portion 123. The connecting portion 121 is provided with an elastic contact piece 124 for contacting the electrode portion 21 arranged in the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20. That is, the connector terminal 12 is configured to have the elastic contact piece 124 that comes into contact with the electrode portion 21 arranged in the connector fitting portion 26.

The connection part 121 is for ensuring electrical connection with the electrode part 21 arranged in the connector fitting part 26 of the circuit board 20, and includes a first contact part 121a, a second contact part 121b, and a connecting part. 121c, and is comprised. The 1st contact part 121a and the 2nd contact part 121b are connected by the connection part 121c so that it may line up with a predetermined space|interval. Accordingly, when the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 is fitted into the fitting portion 111 of the housing portion 11, the first contact portion 121a is positioned on one surface side of the connector fitting portion 26, The contact portion 121b is located on the other surface side of the connector fitting portion 26. That is, the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 is interposed between the first contact portion 121a and the second contact portion 121b. Note that each of the first contact portion 121a and the second contact portion 121b is provided with an elastic contact piece 124 arranged so as to project toward the intervening connector fitting portion 26 side. The details of the elastic contact piece 124 will be described later.

The wire barrel portion 122 is arranged so as to be located on one end side of the connection portion 121 (on the side opposite to the insertion side of the circuit board 20 that is a connection partner), and is exposed near the edge of the electric wire (not shown). It is a so-called open barrel type, which is configured so that it can be connected to. However, it is not necessarily required to be an open type in which the connection is made by crimping, and for example, a connection made by pressure contact or soldering, or a closed type may be used.

The insulation barrel part 123 is arranged so as to be located further away from the connection part 121 than the wire barrel part 122, and is of an open barrel type configured to be able to fix the insulating coating part of the electric wire. Is. However, the insulation barrel portion 123, like the wire barrel portion 122, does not necessarily have to be an open type that is connected by crimping, and may be, for example, a type that is connected by pressure welding or a closed type. I do not care.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the elastic contact pieces 124 are provided on each of the first contact portion 121a and the second contact portion 121b. Each elastic contact piece 124 is formed in substantially the same shape. Specifically, taking the elastic contact piece 124 of the second contact portion 121b as an example, the elastic contact piece 124 is directed obliquely upward from the folded-back portion 124a erected on the bottom of the second contact portion 121b. As it extends, it bends at the bending portion located at the extension destination, the tip extends obliquely downward, and the tip that is the extension destination is a non-fixed end (free end). Such a shape is the same for the elastic contact piece 124 in the first contact portion 121a. With such a shape, both the first contact portion 121a and the second contact portion 121b can function as a cantilevered leaf spring.

However, the elastic contact piece 124 in the first contact portion 121a and the elastic contact piece 124 in the second contact portion 121b are arranged so as to face each other. That is, the elastic contact pieces 124 are symmetrically arranged with the space between the first contact portion 121a and the second contact portion 121b interposed therebetween. With such an arrangement, in each elastic contact piece 124, when the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 is inserted between the first contact portion 121a and the second contact portion 121b, the bent portion 124a has a high degree of bending. Elastically deforms in the direction. Then, when the connector fitting portion 26 is further inserted, the connector fitting portion 26 is sandwiched between the curved portions of the elastic contact pieces 124.

By the way, in the present embodiment, each elastic contact piece 124 has a plurality of (for example, two) divided piece portions 124b, which are obtained by dividing the elastic contact piece 124, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. It has 124c. Then, one or more of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c are configured to come into contact with one electrode portion 21. That is, in addition to the plurality of elastic contact pieces 124 being arranged side by side corresponding to the plurality of electrode portions 21 in the connector fitting portion 26, a plurality of divided piece portions 124 b, Each of the elastic contact pieces 124 is divided so that one or more of the pieces 124c contact each other. It should be noted that the phrase “one or more pieces are in contact” as used herein means a mode in which one or more pieces of the plurality of divided piece portions 124 b and 124 c are in contact with the electrode portion 21 and the other is in contact with a place other than the electrode portion 21, and a plurality of divided pieces. It includes both the aspect in which all of the piece portions 124b and 124c are in contact with one electrode portion 21, but does not include the aspect in which the plurality of divided piece portions 124b and 124c are in contact with different electrode portions 21, respectively. ..

In each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c, contact points 124d and 124e with the electrode portion 21 are arranged offset before and after in the circuit board insertion direction. The circuit board insertion direction referred to here is the insertion direction of the connector fitting part 26 into the fitting part 111 when the fitting part 111 of the housing part 11 and the connector fitting part 26 of the circuit board 20 are fitted ( That is, it is the insertion direction when inserting the connector fitting portion 26 between the first contact portion 121a and the second contact portion 121b (see the arrow in the figure). The contact portions 124d and 124e with the electrode portion 21 are near the tops of the curved portions of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c. The offset arrangement means arrangement at different positions in the circuit board insertion direction. That is, in each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c, the contact portion 124d of the one divided piece portion 124b and the contact portion 124e of the other divided piece portion 124c are offset from each other in the circuit board insertion direction. In addition, each bent shape is formed.

In addition to such divided piece portions 124b and 124c, each elastic contact piece 124 has a non-divided area portion 124f. The non-divided region portion 124f is continuously provided to the folded-back portion 124a that serves as a fulcrum when the elastic contact piece 124 elastically deforms, and is arranged so as to be located between the folded-back portion 124a and each of the divided piece portions 124b, 124c. It is a thing. That is, the elastic contact piece 124 is configured to have the non-divided area portion 124f on the side of the fulcrum when elastically deformed, and the divided piece portions 124b and 124c on the side away from the fulcrum. In this way, by having the non-divided non-divided region portion 124f on the fulcrum side, in the elastic contact piece 124, the influence of the external force on one divided piece portion 124b can reach the other divided piece portion 124c. .. Specifically, for example, when an external force is applied to one of the split piece portions 124b, the elastic contact piece 124 may be elastically deformed in response to the external force. However, the folding portion 124a and the split piece portion 124b, which are fulcrums of the elastic deformation, are generated. Since the non-divided region portion 124f is interposed between and, the influence of elastic deformation extends to the other divided piece portion 124c.

Further, each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c is formed with a non-fixed end (free end) 124g at the end edge on the side away from the folded-back portion 124a which is a fulcrum of elastic deformation. In this way, if one edge is the non-fixed end 124g, elastic deformation according to an external force will not be hindered in any of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the non-fixed end 124g of each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c is curved near the edge and the vicinity of the top of the curved portion is the first contact portion 121a or. It is preferable that the second contact portion 121b is formed in a shape that contacts the bottom portion of the second contact portion 121b. With such a shape, the non-fixed end 124g produces a reaction force against the elastic deformation of the elastic contact piece 124. That is, it is preferable that the non-fixed end 124g is formed in a shape that produces a reaction force against the elastic deformation of the elastic contact piece 124 when the elastic contact piece 124 elastically deforms. However, it does not necessarily have to be such a shape, and may be formed in a shape that does not generate a reaction force.

Each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c configured as described above has a different bent shape. Therefore, each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c is formed in a shape having a different natural frequency. The natural frequency referred to here is a natural resonance frequency of each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c. In addition, here, the case where the natural frequencies of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c are different due to the different bending shapes is given as an example, but the invention is not limited to this, and the natural frequency is determined by another method. You may make it different. Specifically, for example, the natural frequencies are made different by forming widths of the divided pieces 124b, 124c different from each other, and the natural frequencies are made different by developing lengths before forming the bent shape being different from each other. Alternatively, the natural frequencies may be different by making the forming plate thicknesses different from each other, or the natural frequencies may be made different by appropriately changing the combination of the bending shape, the forming width, the forming plate thickness and the development length. Absent.

(4) Usage of Card Edge Connector Next, usage of the card edge connector 10 having the above-described configuration will be described.

(Basic mode)
When using the card edge connector 10, first, the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 is inserted into the fitting portion 111 of the housing portion 11. As a result, the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 is inserted between the elastic contact pieces 124 facing each other at the connector terminals 12 housed in the housing portion 11 and elastically deforms the elastic contact pieces 124. Then, when the lock mechanism portion 112 of the housing portion 11 is inserted until it engages with the engagement hole 27 of the connector fitting portion 26, the electrode portion 21 in the connector fitting portion 26 contacts the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12. In this state, that is, the electrical connection with the connector terminal 12 is secured. As described above, the card edge connector 10 is housed in the electrode part 21 and the housing part 11 of the connector fitting part 26 by fitting the fitting part 111 of the housing part 11 and the connector fitting part 26 of the circuit board 20. It will be used in a state in which the electrical connection with the connector terminal 12 is secured.

(Mode of insertion guide)
By the way, when the card edge connector 10 is used, when the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 is inserted between the elastic contact pieces 124 facing each other, if a tilt or the like occurs in the insertion direction, the connector fitting portion The substrate edge 23 of 26 may interfere with the elastic contact piece 124, and the elastic contact piece 124 may be buckled. This may lead to a reduction in the reliability of the electrical connection with the circuit board 20 by the card edge connector 10.

In this respect, in the card edge connector 10 of this embodiment, the housing portion 11 has the guide portion 113. Then, the housing portion 11 is fitted such that the connector guide portion 24 and the guide portion 113 of the circuit board 20 are engaged before the board edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 contacts the elastic contact piece 124. The positional relationship between the joining portion 111 and the guide portion 113 is set. Therefore, when the board edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 contacts the elastic contact piece 124, the guide portion 113 guides the connector guide portion 24 of the circuit board 20. That is, it is possible to prevent the guide portion 113 from inclining in the insertion direction due to the guide, and it is possible to prevent interference with the elastic contact piece 124 due to the inclination or the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the guide portions 113 that guide the connector guide portions 24 of the circuit board 20 are arranged at least at two locations on the housing portion 11 (specifically, two locations on both sides of the fitting portion 111). ing.
Then, for example, the positional relationship between the fitting portion 111 and the guide portion 113 is set so that the fitting portion 111 is asymmetrically arranged with respect to these two guide portions 113, and accordingly, the circuit board 20. When the niger parts 25a and 25b associated with the connector fitting part 26 are also formed with different widths, when inserting the connector fitting part 26 into the fitting part 111 of the housing part 11, By the above-mentioned asymmetrical arrangement, reverse sticking is prevented. That is, the guide portion 113 has not only the function of suppressing the inclination in the insertion direction, but also the function of preventing reverse sticking. By allowing the guide portion 113 to perform these functions, it is possible to prevent the configuration of the housing portion 11 from becoming complicated.
On the other hand, for example, if the fitting portions 111 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the two guide portions 113 and the formation widths of the respective nig portions 25a and 25b of the circuit board 20 are the same, the orientations can be set in either direction. Since it can be inserted, the degree of freedom in the insertion direction can be sufficiently secured while suppressing the inclination in the insertion direction and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12 is divided into a plurality (for example, two) of divided piece portions 124b and 124c, and one or more of these divided piece portions 124b and 124c are one. It contacts one electrode part 21. Then, in each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c, the contact portions 124d and 124e with the electrode portion 21 or the portion other than the electrode portion 21 in the connector fitting portion 26 are offset before and after the insertion direction of the circuit board. ing. In that case, for example, if each of the contact portions 124d and 124e is in contact with the electrode portion 21, the contact portion with the electrode portion 21 has redundancy. Therefore, for example, even when buckling deformation or the like occurs in a certain divided piece portion 124b due to an inclination in the insertion direction, the other divided piece portion 124c ensures electrical connection with the electrode portion 21. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection will not be impaired.

(Aspect of elastic deformation)
As described above, since the card edge connector 10 is directly fitted to the circuit board 20, it is very useful in complicating the configuration and reducing the product cost. Therefore, the card edge connector 10 may be used, for example, as an in-vehicle component. In the case of a vehicle, some of the circuit boards 20 to which the card edge connector 10 is connected are those whose edges are not chamfered. That is, as for the connector fitting portion 26, there may be one in which the substrate edge 23 is not chamfered. When such a connector fitting portion 26 is inserted between the elastic contact pieces 124, the edge portion of the board end edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 does not contact the surface of the elastic contact piece 124 (for example, a plating film). There is a risk of scraping. Damage to the surface of the elastic contact piece 124 may be a factor that impairs the electrical connection with the circuit board 20, and is not preferable in terms of improving the reliability when ensuring the electrical connection.

In this respect, in the connector terminal 12 of the card edge connector 10 of the present embodiment, the elastic contact piece 124 is divided into a plurality of (for example, two) divided piece portions 124b and 124c, and these divided piece portions 124b and 124c are divided into a plurality of divided piece portions 124b and 124c. One or more of them contact one electrode part 21. Then, in each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c, the contact portions 124d and 124e with the electrode portion 21 or the portion other than the electrode portion 21 in the connector fitting portion 26 are offset before and after the insertion direction of the circuit board. ing. Therefore, when the connector fitting portion 26 is inserted between the elastic contact pieces 124, the edge portion of the board end edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 is sequentially arranged with respect to each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c. (That is, stepwise) will be contacted. In this way, if the edge portion of the board end edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 comes into contact with each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c stepwise, for example, the surface of the divided piece portion 124b on the front side in the insertion direction is damaged. Even if the above occurs, it is possible to prevent the surface of the divided piece portion 124c on the far side in the insertion direction from being damaged. That is, by making the divided piece portion 124b on the front side in the insertion direction play a sacrificial role, the divided piece portion 124c on the back side in the insertion direction is protected and a good connection state by the divided piece portion 124c is secured. Can be realized. Therefore, for example, when the board end edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 is not chamfered or the like, even if the surface of the divided piece portion 124b on the front side in the insertion direction is damaged, the rear side in the insertion direction is The split piece portion 124c ensures the electrical connection with the electrode portion 21, and the reliability of the electrical connection is not impaired.

In particular, in this embodiment, the elastic contact piece 124 has the non-divided area portion 124f on the side of the fulcrum when elastically deformed, and has the divided piece portions 124b and 124c on the side away from the fulcrum. In this way, by having the non-divided region portion 124f on the side of the fulcrum, in the elastic contact piece 124, the influence of the external force on one divided piece portion 124b also extends to the other divided piece portion 124c, whereby each divided portion 124c is divided. The pieces 124b and 124c are interlocked. That is, when the board end edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 comes into contact with the divided piece portion 124b on the front side in the insertion direction, elastic deformation occurs with the folded-back portion 124a as a fulcrum, and the divided piece portion 124c on the far side in the insertion direction is generated. Also works together. Therefore, when the board end edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 reaches the split piece portion 124c on the rear side in the insertion direction, the contact force of the edge portion with respect to the split piece portion 124c is relaxed. Therefore, due to the presence of the non-divided region portion 124f that interlocks the divided piece portions 124b and 124c, for example, even if the surface of the divided piece portion 124b on the front side in the insertion direction is damaged, the divided piece portion on the back side in the insertion direction is formed. It is possible to ensure that the surface of 124c is not damaged.

In addition, in the present embodiment, each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c is formed with a non-fixed end (free end) 124g at an end edge thereof on the side away from the folded-back portion 124a which is a fulcrum of elastic deformation. Therefore, when the elastic contact piece 124 that functions as a cantilevered leaf spring elastically deforms in response to an external force with the folded-back portion 124a as a fulcrum, in each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c, elasticity according to the external force is generated. It does not hinder the deformation. That is, even when the contact timing of the edge of the connector fitting portion 26 is different between the divided pieces 124b and 124c, appropriate elastic deformation occurs in each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c. Moreover, since appropriate elastic deformation occurs in each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c, the reliability of the electrical connection with the circuit board 20 is not impaired.

Further, in the present embodiment, the non-fixed end 124g of each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c may be formed in a shape that produces a reaction force against the elastic deformation of the elastic contact piece 124. As described above, if the non-fixed end 124g is adapted to generate a reaction force against the elastic deformation, the elastic deformation is returned to the contact portions 124d and 124e of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c with the electrode portion 21. In addition to the trying force, the reaction force generated by the non-fixed end 124g also presses the electrode portion 21 side. In other words, the contact points 124d and 124e of the divided pieces 124b and 124c increase the pressing force on the electrode portion 21 side due to the reaction force generated by the non-fixed end 124g. Therefore, the contact portions 124d and 124e of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c surely come into contact with the electrode portion 21, and in order to prevent the reliability of the electrical connection with the circuit board 20 from being impaired. Is preferred. However, it is not always necessary to generate a reaction force, and a shape that does not generate a reaction force may be used depending on the contact state with the electrode portion 21.

(Mode after connection)
As described above, the card edge connector 10 may be used as, for example, an in-vehicle component. The vehicle-mounted card edge connector 10 is used in a vibrating environment. In a vibrating environment, resonance may occur in the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12 that functions as a cantilevered leaf spring. Resonance of the elastic contact piece 124 may be a factor that impairs the electrical connection with the circuit board 20, and is not preferable in terms of improving reliability when ensuring the electrical connection.

In this respect, in the connector terminal 12 of the card edge connector 10 of the present embodiment, each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c is formed in a shape having a different natural frequency. Therefore, even when used in a vibration environment, for example, the respective resonance points of the divided segment pieces 124b and 124c are different from each other. That is, it is possible to realize that even if resonance occurs in a certain divided piece portion 124b, resonance does not occur in the other divided piece portion 124c. Therefore, since the electrical connection with the electrode portion 21 is ensured by the split piece portion 124c in which resonance does not occur, the electrical connection with the circuit board 20 is impaired even when used in a vibrating environment, for example. It can be suppressed.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the split pieces 124b, 124c have different natural frequencies due to the different bent shapes. Therefore, each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c can make the respective resonance points different from each other while realizing the offset arrangement of the contact portions 124d and 124e. That is, if the natural frequencies of the divided pieces 124b and 124c are made different depending on the bending shapes, the reliability of electrical connection is improved by preventing damage during insertion, and the resonance is suppressed in a vibration environment. It becomes possible to achieve both of these with respect to the improvement of the reliability of electrical connection due to.

However, the natural frequency of each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c does not necessarily depend on the bending shape, and may be different from each other depending on the forming width of each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c, the forming plate thickness, the development length, a combination thereof, and the like. You may That is, in any method, if the natural frequencies of the divided pieces 124b and 124c are different from each other, it is possible to improve the reliability of electrical connection by suppressing resonance in a vibrating environment.

(5) Effects obtained by this embodiment According to this embodiment, one or more of the following effects can be obtained.

(A) In the present embodiment, the connector guide portion 24 of the circuit board 20 and the guide portion 113 of the housing portion 11 are engaged before the board edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 contacts the elastic contact piece 124. The positional relationship between the fitting portion 111 and the guide portion 113 in the housing portion 11 is set so as to match. Therefore, when the board edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 contacts the elastic contact piece 124, the guide portion 113 guides the connector guide portion 24 of the circuit board 20, so that the guide portion 113 It is possible to prevent the guide from inclining in the insertion direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference with the elastic contact piece 124 due to the inclination and the like, and it is possible to improve reliability when securing the connection with the circuit board 20 using the card edge connector 10.

(B) In the present embodiment, the guide portions 113 are arranged at at least two places of the housing portion 11, and the housing portion 11 is arranged so that the fitting portions 111 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to these two guide portions 113. It is possible to set the positional relationship between the fitting portion 111 and the guide portion 113 in. In that case, when the connector fitting portion 26 is inserted into the fitting portion 111 of the housing portion 11, the asymmetrical arrangement described above prevents reverse sticking. That is, the guide portion 113 has not only the function of suppressing the inclination in the insertion direction, but also the function of preventing reverse sticking. Therefore, it is very suitable for improving the reliability when securing the connection with the circuit board 20 using the card edge connector 10.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the guide portions 113 are arranged in at least two places of the housing portion 11, so that the fitting portions 111 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the two guide portions 113. The positional relationship between the fitting portion 111 and the guide portion 113 can also be set. In that case, since the insertion can be performed in either direction, it is possible to sufficiently secure the degree of freedom in the insertion direction while suppressing the inclination and the like in the insertion direction.

(C) In the present embodiment, the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12 is divided into a plurality of divided piece portions 124b and 124c, and one or more of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c serve as one electrode portion 21. Contact. Then, in each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c, the contact portions 124d and 124e with the electrode portion 21 or the portion other than the electrode portion 21 in the connector fitting portion 26 are offset before and after the insertion direction of the circuit board. ing. In that case, for example, if each of the contact portions 124d and 124e is in contact with the electrode portion 21, the contact portion with the electrode portion 21 has redundancy, and for example, due to the inclination in the insertion direction or the like. Then, even when a certain divided piece portion 124b is subjected to buckling deformation or the like, the other divided piece portion 124c ensures the electrical connection with the electrode portion 21, and the reliability of the electrical connection is impaired. You won't get lost. That is, it is very suitable for improving the reliability when securing the connection with the circuit board 20 using the card edge connector 10.

(D) In the present embodiment, the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12 is divided into a plurality of divided piece portions 124b and 124c, and at least one of these divided piece portions 124b and 124c serves as one electrode portion 21. Contact. Then, in each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c, the contact portions 124d and 124e with the electrode portion 21 or the portion other than the electrode portion 21 in the connector fitting portion 26 are offset before and after the insertion direction of the circuit board. ing. Therefore, the edge portion of the board end edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 comes into contact with each of the divided pieces 124b and 124c sequentially (that is, stepwise). Even when the chamfering process or the like is not performed on 23, it is possible to prevent damage or the like on the surface of at least the divided piece portion 124c on the far side in the insertion direction. That is, since the electrical connection with the electrode portion 21 is secured at least by the divided piece portion 124c on the far side in the insertion direction, the reliability of the electrical connection is not deteriorated. As described above, in the present embodiment, no matter what state the board edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 which is the connection partner, the elastic contact at the time of inserting the connector fitting portion 26. Since damage to the surface of the piece 124 (particularly, the divided piece portion 124c on the far side in the insertion direction) can be suppressed, it is possible to improve reliability when ensuring connection with the circuit board 20.

(E) In the present embodiment, the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12 has the non-divided area portion 124f on the side of the fulcrum when elastically deformed, and the divided piece portions 124b, 124c on the side away from the fulcrum. Have Therefore, it becomes possible to interlock the divided piece portions 124b and 124c. For example, even if the surface of the divided piece portion 124b on the front side in the insertion direction is damaged, the surface of the divided piece portion 124c on the rear side in the insertion direction is damaged. It is possible to make sure that no damage will occur to the. This is very suitable for improving the reliability when securing the connection with the circuit board 20 using the card edge connector 10.

(F) In the present embodiment, since the edges of the split piece portions 124b and 124c of the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12 are formed as the non-fixed ends (free ends) 124g, elastic deformation is hindered. There is no end. That is, even when the contact timing of the board end edge 23 of the connector fitting portion 26 differs between the divided piece portions 124b and 124c, appropriate elastic deformation occurs in each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c. Therefore, it is very suitable for improving the reliability when securing the connection with the circuit board 20 using the card edge connector 10.

(G) In the present embodiment, the non-fixed ends 124g of the segment pieces 124b and 124c of the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12 are formed in a shape that produces a reaction force against the elastic deformation of the elastic contact piece 124. Therefore, the pressing force on the electrode portion 21 side at the contact points 124d and 124e of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c can be increased. Therefore, the contact portions 124d and 124e of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c surely come into contact with the electrode portion 21, and the reliability in securing the connection with the circuit board 20 using the card edge connector 10 is improved. Very suitable above. However, it is not always necessary to generate a reaction force, and a shape that does not generate a reaction force may be used depending on the contact state with the electrode portion 21.

(H) In this embodiment, the elastic contact piece 124 of the connector terminal 12 is divided into a plurality of divided piece portions 124b and 124c, and each of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c is formed in a shape having a different natural frequency. Has been done. Therefore, even when used in a vibrating environment, for example, the respective divided points of the divided divided pieces 124b and 124c are different from each other. It is possible to realize that resonance does not occur in the piece portion 124c. Therefore, even in a vibrating environment, for example, it is possible to prevent the electrical connection between the connector terminal 12 and the circuit board 20 from being damaged, and improve the reliability when ensuring the connection with the circuit board 20. Can be achieved.

(I) In particular, as described in the present embodiment, if the bending shapes of the divided piece portions 124b and 124c are different from each other, and if the respective natural frequencies are different, the divided piece portions 124b and 124c are It is possible to make the respective resonance points different from each other while realizing the offset arrangement of the respective contact points 124d and 124e of the 124c. In other words, both the improvement in reliability of electrical connection due to prevention of damage at the time of insertion and the improvement in reliability of electrical connection due to suppression of resonance in a vibrating environment can be achieved at the same time, so the card edge connector 10 is used. This is very suitable for improving the reliability when securing the connection with the circuit board 20.

(6) Modifications, etc. One embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the guide portions 113 are arranged at least at two locations (specifically, two locations on both sides of the fitting portion 111) of the housing portion 11 has been described as an example. It is not limited to this. That is, even when the guide portion 113 is provided only at one place of the housing portion 11, it is possible to suppress the inclination and the like in the insertion direction by guiding the connector guide portion 24 of the circuit board 20. Is. However, as described in the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the guide portions 113 are arranged at at least two places because the function of preventing a reverse stick by the asymmetrical arrangement can be realized.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the guide portions 113 are provided on both sides of the housing portion 11, and the guide portions 113 are provided at positions other than the fitting portion 111 (that is, the connector fitting portion 26). Although the case where it can be engaged with a certain connector guide portion 24 has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the guide portion 113 is arranged so as to be included in the fitting portion 111, for example, so that the guide portion 113 can be engaged with the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 which is a fitting portion with the fitting portion 111. It may be configured, and even in that case, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of inclination or the like in the insertion direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the connector terminal 12 has the first contact portion 121a and the second contact portion 121b, and the elastic contact pieces 124 provided in each are arranged so as to face each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the connector terminal 12 may have one elastic contact piece 124 that comes into contact with the electrode portion 21. Even in that case, the elastic contact piece 124 is divided into a plurality (for example, two) of divided piece portions 124b and 124c, and the contact points 124d and 124e of these divided piece portions 124b and 124c are arranged offset. This is very suitable for improving the reliability when securing the connection with the circuit board 20.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the elastic contact piece 124 is mainly divided into the two divided piece portions 124b and 124c has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the elastic contact piece 124 may be divided into three or more divided piece portions. However, in order to prevent the configuration of the connector terminal 12 from becoming complicated and to secure a sufficient contact area with the electrode portion 21, the two elastic contact pieces 124 are provided as described in the above embodiment. It is preferably divided into divided pieces 124b and 124c.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the card edge connector 10 is fitted to the connector fitting portion 26 of the circuit board 20 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the card edge connector 10 may be one that directly fits with the edge portion (for example, the edge portion that does not project) of the circuit board 20 on which the electrode portion 21 is arranged. Even in that case, if the elastic contact piece 124 that comes into contact with the electrode portion 21 is divided into a plurality of divided piece portions 124b and 124c, the connector terminal 12 having the elastic contact piece 124 is connected to the circuit board 20. This is very suitable for improving reliability when securing the connection.

(7) Preferred Embodiments of the Present Invention Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be additionally described.

(Appendix 1)
According to one aspect of the invention,
A housing part having a fitting part for fitting with a circuit board;
A connector terminal housed in the housing so that the elastic contact piece is in contact with the electrode portion formed on the circuit board, and the elastic contact piece is located in the fitting portion;
The housing part is
The circuit board has a guide portion that engages with a fitting portion with the fitting portion or a portion other than the fitting portion,
The fitting part is configured so that the circuit board and the guide part engage with each other before the circuit board fitted with the fitting part comes into contact with the elastic contact piece located in the fitting part. And a card edge connector in which the positional relationship of the guide portion is set is provided.

(Appendix 2)
Preferably,
The guide portion is arranged in at least two places of the housing portion,
The card edge connector according to appendix 1, wherein the positional relationship between the fitting portion and the guide portion is set so that the fitting portion is asymmetrically arranged with respect to the two guide portions. ..

(Appendix 3)
Preferably,
The guide portion is arranged in at least two places of the housing portion,
The card edge connector according to appendix 1, wherein the positional relationship between the fitting portion and the guide portion is set so that the fitting portion is symmetrically arranged with respect to the two guide portions. ..

(Appendix 4)
Preferably,
The elastic contact piece has a plurality of divided piece portions formed by dividing the elastic contact piece, and one or more of the plurality of divided piece portions are configured to contact one of the electrode portions,
In the plurality of divided piece portions, contact portions of each divided piece portion with the electrode portion or a portion other than the electrode portion are arranged offset before and after in the circuit board insertion direction. The card edge connector described in 1. is provided.

(Appendix 5)
According to another aspect of the invention,
A connector terminal used in a card edge connector configured to be fitted to an edge portion of a circuit board, the connector terminal including an elastic contact piece that comes into contact with an electrode portion arranged on the circuit board,
The elastic contact piece has a plurality of divided piece portions formed by dividing the elastic contact piece, and one or more of the plurality of divided piece portions are configured to contact one of the electrode portions,
A connector terminal is provided in which a contact portion of each of the plurality of divided piece portions with the electrode portion or a portion other than the electrode portion is arranged offset before and after in a circuit board insertion direction.

(Appendix 6)
Preferably,
The connector terminal according to appendix 5, wherein the elastic contact piece has a non-divided area portion on the side of a fulcrum when elastically deformed, and has the plurality of divided piece portions on a side away from the fulcrum.

(Appendix 7)
Preferably,
The connector terminal according to appendix 5, wherein the split piece portion has an end edge on the side away from the fulcrum formed as a non-fixed end.

(Appendix 8)
Preferably,
The connector terminal according to appendix 6, wherein the non-fixed end of the split piece portion is formed in a shape that produces a reaction force against the elastic deformation of the elastic contact piece when the elastic contact piece elastically deforms.

(Appendix 9)
According to yet another aspect of the invention,
A connector terminal used in a card edge connector configured to be fitted to an edge portion of a circuit board, the connector terminal including an elastic contact piece that comes into contact with an electrode portion arranged on the circuit board,
The elastic contact piece has a plurality of divided piece portions formed by dividing the elastic contact piece, and one or more of the plurality of divided piece portions are configured to contact one of the electrode portions,
A connector terminal is provided in which each of the plurality of divided piece portions is formed in a shape having a different natural frequency.

(Appendix 10)
Preferably,
The connector terminal according to appendix 9, wherein the plurality of split pieces have different bending frequencies, and thus have different natural frequencies.

(Appendix 11)
Preferably,
The connector terminal according to appendix 9 or 10, wherein the plurality of divided piece portions have different natural frequencies due to different forming widths.

(Appendix 12)
Preferably,
The connector pieces according to any one of appendices 9 to 11 are provided in which the plurality of split piece portions have different expansion frequencies and have different natural frequencies.

(Appendix 13)
Preferably,
The connector terminals according to any one of appendices 9 to 12 are provided, in which the plurality of divided piece portions have different natural frequencies by forming plate thicknesses different from each other.

(Appendix 14)
According to yet another aspect of the invention,
A connector terminal according to any one of appendices 4 to 13,
A housing portion for accommodating the connector terminal,
There is provided a card edge connector configured with.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Card edge connector, 11... Housing part, 12... Connector terminal, 13... Retainer, 20... Circuit board, 21... Electrode part, 23... Board edge, 24... Connector guide part, 25a, 25b... Negative part, 26 ... connector fitting portion, 111... fitting portion, 113... guide portion, 121... connecting portion, 121a... first contact portion, 121b... second contact portion, 121c... connecting portion, 124... elastic contact piece, 124a... folded back Part, 124b, 124c... Dividing piece part, 124d, 124e... Contact point, 124f... Non-dividing region part, 124g... Non-fixed end

Claims (5)

A connector terminal used in a card edge connector configured to be fitted to an edge portion of a circuit board, the connector terminal including an elastic contact piece that comes into contact with an electrode portion arranged on the circuit board,
The elastic contact piece has a plurality of divided piece portions formed by dividing the elastic contact piece, and one or more of the plurality of divided piece portions are configured to contact one of the electrode portions,
A connector terminal in which a contact portion of each of the plurality of divided piece portions with the electrode portion or a portion other than the electrode portion is offset before and after in a circuit board insertion direction. The connector terminal according to claim 1, wherein the elastic contact piece has a non-divided area portion on the side of a fulcrum when elastically deformed, and has the plurality of divided piece portions on a side away from the fulcrum. The connector terminal according to claim 2, wherein the split piece portion has an end edge on the side away from the fulcrum as a non-fixed end. The connector terminal according to claim 3, wherein the non-fixed end of the split piece portion is formed in a shape that causes a reaction force to the elastic deformation when the elastic contact piece elastically deforms. The connector terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A housing portion for accommodating the connector terminal,
Card edge connector configured with.