JP2020174034A - Connector, connection device, and connection method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector, a connection device, and a connection method, which can reduce the size of a contact and a connector while ensuring the elasticity of the contact.SOLUTION: A connector is fitted to a mating connector in a first direction. The connector is provided with a fixed housing, a movable housing, and a contact 8. The movable housing can move relative to the fixed housing. The contact 8 has conductivity. The contact 8 includes a first held section 81, a second held section 82, and an elastic section 83. The first held section 81 is held by the fixed housing. The second held section 82 is held by the movable housing. The elastic section 83 has elasticity, and links the first held section 81 and the second held section 82. The elastic section 83 includes an extension section (a first extension section 84, a second extension section 85). The extension section extends, from at least one of the first held section 81 and the second held section 82, to a second direction D2 that intersects the first direction D1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to connectors, connecting devices and connecting methods, and more specifically to connectors having conductive contacts and fitted to mating connectors, connecting devices comprising connectors, and connectors to mating connectors. The present invention relates to a method of connecting a connector device to which a connector device is fitted.

Patent Document 1 discloses a connector that connects to a mating side connecting member (mating side connector). The connector described in Patent Document 1 is a so-called floating connector, and includes a fixed housing, a movable housing, and a plurality of terminals (contacts). Each of the plurality of terminals has an N-shaped elastic portion. Since the elastic portion is N-shaped, the length of the elastic portion is secured, and the elastic portion has elasticity.

JP-A-2017-188246

However, in the connector described in Patent Document 1, in order to further secure the elasticity of the contact, it is necessary to increase the N-shaped elastic portion of the contact, so that the contact becomes large, and the connector also becomes large accordingly. There is a problem of becoming.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector, a connecting device, and a connecting method capable of miniaturizing the contact and the connector while ensuring the elasticity of the contact. is there.

The connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a connector that is fitted to the mating connector in the first direction. The connector includes a fixed housing, a movable housing, and a contact. The movable housing is movable with respect to the fixed housing. The contact is conductive. The contact has a first held portion, a second held portion, and an elastic portion. The first held portion is held by the fixed housing. The second held portion is held by the movable housing. The elastic portion has elasticity and connects the first held portion and the second held portion. The elastic portion has an extending portion. The extension portion extends from at least one of the first held portion and the second held portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

The connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the connector and the mating connector.

The connection method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a connection method of a connector device in which a connector and a mating connector are fitted in a first direction. The connector includes a fixed housing, a movable housing, and a contact. The movable housing is movable with respect to the fixed housing. The contact is conductive. The contact has a first held portion, a second held portion, and an elastic portion. The first held portion is held by the fixed housing. The second held portion is held by the movable housing. The elastic portion has elasticity and connects the first held portion and the second held portion. The connection method includes a first step, a second step, a third step, a fourth step, and a fifth step. In the first step, the connector attached to the first substrate and the mating connector attached to the second substrate are prepared. In the second step, the mating connector is brought into contact with the connector from a state where the connector and the mating connector are not in contact with each other. In the third step, after the mating connector is brought into contact with the connector in the second step, the connector and the mating party are maintained while maintaining the contact position between the connector and the mating connector. A load is applied to at least one of the side connectors to change the relative position of the mating connector with respect to the connector until the movable housing contacts the first substrate. In the fourth step, a load is applied to at least one of the connector and the mating connector to fit the connector and the mating connector. In the fifth step, the load is removed from the connector and the mating connector.

According to the connector, the connecting device, and the connecting method according to the above aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the size of the contact and the connector while ensuring the elasticity of the contact.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connecting device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a perspective view from the outside of the contact according to the embodiment. FIG. 4B is a perspective view from the inside of the contact as above. FIG. 4C is a side view of the contact as above. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the movable block according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fixed housing according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the same connector. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the same connector. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of the same when the movable housing is in the normal position. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of the same when the movable housing is moved downward. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of the same when the movable housing is moved upward. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the connection device of the same as above, in a state of being attached to the substrate. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the same connection device when the connector and the mating connector are in a facing state. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the same connection device when the connector and the mating connector are in the first contact state. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the same connection device when the connector and the mating connector are in the second contact state. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the same connection device when the connector and the mating connector are in a fitted state. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the same connection device when the connector and the mating connector are in the final mating state. FIG. 18A is a perspective view from the outside of the contact according to the first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 18B is a perspective view from the inside of the contact as above. FIG. 18C is a side view of the contact as above. FIG. 19A is a perspective view from the outside of the contact according to the second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 19B is a perspective view from the inside of the contact as above. FIG. 19C is a side view of the contact as above. FIG. 20A is a perspective view from the outside of the contact according to the third modification of the embodiment. FIG. 20B is a perspective view from the inside of the contact as above. FIG. 20C is a side view of the contact as above. FIG. 21A is a perspective view from the outside of the contact according to the modified example 4 of the embodiment. FIG. 21B is a perspective view from the inside of the contact as above. FIG. 21C is a side view of the contact as above. FIG. 22A is a perspective view from the outside of the contact according to the modified example 5 of the embodiment. FIG. 22B is a perspective view from the inside of the contact as above. FIG. 22C is a side view of the contact as above.

Hereinafter, the connector and the connecting device (connector device) according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Each figure referred to in the following embodiments and the like is a schematic view, and the ratio of the size and the thickness of each component in the figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio.

(Embodiment)
(1) Connector device (connector device)
The configuration of the connecting device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting device 1 according to the embodiment includes a connector 2 and a mating connector 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connector 2 includes a fixed housing 4, a movable block 5, and a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) holding metal fittings 6. The connector 2 is fitted to the mating connector 3 (see FIG. 1) in the first direction D1.

The connecting device 1 according to the embodiment is used, for example, when connecting two substrates (between the first substrate 91 and the second substrate 92). The connector 2 according to the embodiment is a connector having a mechanism for absorbing a misalignment when fitted with the mating connector 3, and is a so-called floating connector.

(2) Each Component of the Connector Hereinafter, each component of the connector 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(2.1) Fixed Housing As shown in FIG. 6, the fixed housing 4 is, for example, a frame-shaped resin molded product, and has a space 41 inside. A part of the movable block 5 (see FIG. 5) is located in the space 41. The fixed housing 4 has two first side surface portions 42, two second side surface portions 43, and two upper surface portions 44. The two first side surface portions 42 face each other via the space 41 in the second direction D2. The two second side surface portions 43 face each other via the space 41 in the third direction D3. Each upper surface portion 44 is provided so as to connect the upper ends of the two first side surface portions 42 at the end portions of the two first side surface portions 42 in the third direction D3. The second direction D2 is a direction orthogonal to the first direction D1. The third direction D3 is a direction orthogonal to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

The fixed housing 4 has a plurality of protrusions 45 provided on each of the two first side surface portions 42 along the longitudinal direction (third direction D3) of the fixed housing 4. Two grooves 46 are formed in each of the projecting portions 45 at both ends in the direction in which the plurality of projecting portions 45 are arranged (third direction D3). That is, each protrusion 45 is T-shaped when viewed from the first direction D1.

(2.2) Movable block As shown in FIG. 3, the movable block 5 includes a movable housing 7 and a plurality of contacts 8.

(2.3) Movable housing As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the movable housing 7 is, for example, a resin molded product, which is a separate body from the fixed housing 4 and is a member movable with respect to the fixed housing 4. is there. The movable housing 7 has a plate-shaped base portion 71, two projecting portions 72, two side wall portions 73, and a connecting portion 74. The base portion 71, the two projecting portions 72, the two side wall portions 73, and the connecting portion 74 are integrally formed by, for example, resin molding.

The base 71 is provided along the first direction D1 and the third direction D3. The two protrusions 72 are provided at both ends of the base 71 in the third direction D3. Each protrusion 72 has two first side surface portions 721, a second side surface portion 722, and an upper surface portion 723. The two first side surface portions 721 are provided so as to face each other in the second direction D2. The second side surface portion 722 is provided so as to connect the side end portions of the two first side surface portions 721. The upper surface portion 723 is provided so as to connect the upper end portions of the two first side surface portions 721. The two side wall portions 73 are provided at both ends of the base portion 71 in the third direction D3 and above the protruding portion 72.

The connecting portion 74 is provided at the upper end of the base portion 71 in the first direction D1. The connection portion 74 is a portion that connects to the mating connector 3 when the connector 2 (see FIG. 1) and the mating connector 3 (see FIG. 1) are fitted together. The connecting portion 74 has a flat surface portion 741 (see FIG. 7), two protruding portions 742, and two protruding portions 743.

The flat surface portion 741 is provided at the upper end of the base portion 71 in the first direction D1 so that the first direction D1 is in the normal direction. The two protrusions 742 are provided so as to face the second direction D2. The two projecting portions 742 project from both ends of the flat surface portion 741 in the second direction D2 in the first direction D1. A plurality of grooves 75 are formed in each protrusion 742. The plurality of grooves 75 correspond to the plurality of contacts 8 and are arranged along the third direction D3. The two protrusions 743 are provided so as to face the third direction D3. The two projecting portions 743 project from both ends of the flat surface portion 741 in the third direction D3 in the first direction D1. Each protrusion 743 has an inclined surface 744 near the upper end. This makes it easier to guide the mating connector 3 when the connector 2 (see FIG. 1) and the mating connector 3 (see FIG. 1) are fitted together.

(2.4) Contact The plurality of contacts 8 have conductivity, and are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction (third direction D3) of the movable housing 7 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. More specifically, the plurality of contacts 8 are provided side by side in two rows along the longitudinal direction of the movable housing 7. Examples of the material of the contact 8 include copper and a copper alloy.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, each contact 8 has a first held portion 81, a second held portion 82, and an elastic portion 83. The first held portion 81, the second held portion 82, and the elastic portion 83 are integrally formed.

(2.4.1) First held portion, second held portion The first held portion 81 is, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, from the plate-shaped first piece 811 and the first piece 811. It has a plate-shaped second piece 812 protruding in the first direction D1. The first piece 811 and the second piece 812 are integrally formed. The second piece 812 has a wide thick portion 813 that is wider than the other parts of the second piece 812. The first held portion 81 is held in the fixed housing 4 (see FIG. 7).

Soldering of the first piece 811 to the first substrate 91 (see FIG. 12) is easier when the width of the first piece 811 is wider. Further, it is easier to press-fit the second piece 812 into the fixed housing 4 when the width of the second piece 812 is wider. Therefore, the first held portion 81 is wider than the elastic portion 83.

In order to increase the length of the elastic portion 83 in the first direction D1 without increasing the length of the contact 8 in the first direction D1, the length of the first held portion 81, that is, the length of the second piece 812 It is preferable to make the length as short as possible.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the second held portion 82 includes a U-shaped base piece 821 when viewed from the third direction D3, a protrusion 822 protruding from the base piece 821, and a base piece 821. It has a recess 823 formed in. The protrusion 822 is formed by extruding a part of the base piece 821. The recess 823 is formed by recessing a part of the base piece 821. The recess 823 is formed, for example, by scraping a part of the base piece 821 or crushing a part of the base piece 821. The second held portion 82 is held in the movable housing 7 (see FIGS. 5 and 7).

Further, the second held portion 82 has a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) contact portions 825. Each contact portion 825 comes into contact with the mating connector 3 when the connector 2 is fitted into the mating connector 3. The number of contact portions 825 that come into contact with the mating connector 3 in the second held portion 82 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

By the way, the second held portion 82 has a folded portion 824. The folded-back portion 824 is provided in a portion of the second held portion 82 that is connected to the second extending portion 85, which will be described later. The folded-back portion 824 is curved when viewed from the third direction D3. The folded-back portion 824 is provided so as to project in the second direction D2. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the contact 8 is attached to the movable housing 7, the folded-back portion 824 projects toward the center of the connector 2 in the second direction D2.

Since the folded portion 824 is provided in the second held portion 82 as described above, it becomes easier to secure the length of the second held portion 82, so that the second held portion 82 in the first direction D1 Elasticity can be increased.

The second held portion 82 is not limited to having the folded portion 824. Only the first held portion 81 may have a folded portion, or both the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 may have a folded portion. In short, it is preferable that at least one of the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 has a folded portion. As a result, it becomes easier to secure the length of the held portion (first held portion 81, second held portion 82), so that the elasticity of the held portion in the first direction D1 can be increased.

(2.4.2) Elastic portion The elastic portion 83 has elasticity and connects the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. The elastic portion 83 has a first extension portion 84 (extension portion), a second extension portion 85 (extension portion), and an intermediate portion 86.

(2.4.3) First extension portion, second extension portion The first extension portion 84 extends from the first held portion 81 to the second direction D2 as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. There is. More specifically, the first extending portion 84 extends from the first held portion 81 in the second direction D2 and is provided between the intermediate portion 86 and the first held portion 81. The second direction D2 is a direction that intersects with the first direction D1 (orthogonal in this embodiment).

As described above, in the first direction D1, the first extension portion 84 is provided so as to extend in the second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1 in which the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are fitted. The elasticity of the contact 8 can be increased. That is, the mobility of the contact 8 in the first direction D1 can be increased.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the second extending portion 85 extends from the second held portion 82 in the second direction D2. More specifically, the second extending portion 85 extends from the second held portion 82 in the second direction D2 and is provided between the intermediate portion 86 and the second held portion 82.

As described above, in the first direction D1, the second extending portion 85 is provided extending in the second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1 in which the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are fitted. The elasticity of the contact 8 can be increased. That is, the mobility of the contact 8 in the first direction D1 can be increased.

Here, in the second direction D2, the direction in which the first extending portion 84 protrudes from the first held portion 81 and the direction in which the second extending portion 85 protrudes from the second held portion 82 are opposite to each other. As shown in FIG. 4C, the first extension portion 84 projects to the right from the first held portion 81, while the second extension portion 85 projects to the left from the second held portion 82.

(2.4.4) Intermediate portion As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the intermediate portion 86 is connected so that the tips of the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 are folded back to each other. More specifically, the intermediate portion 86 has an inner portion 861, an intermediate portion 862, and an outer portion 863. Further, the intermediate portion 86 has a pair of bent portions 864 and 865. The intermediate portion 86 is N-shaped so as to be flexible in the second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1. The "N-shape" referred to in the present disclosure refers to two pieces (inner portion 861 and outer portion 863) extending along one direction (for example, the first direction D1), which are opposite ends in the longitudinal direction. It refers to a shape formed by connecting one piece (intermediate part 862) between these two pieces. The intermediate portion 86 is located between the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 in the first direction D1. The intermediate portion 86 connects the tips of the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 so as to be folded back.

The inner portion 861 extends from the first extension portion 84 along the first direction D1. More specifically, the inner portion 861 faces the second held portion 82 in the first direction D1 from the inner end of the first extension portion 84 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the first extension portion 84. Is extending.

The intermediate portion 862 extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D1. That is, the intermediate portion 862 is provided so as to be inclined. More specifically, the intermediate portion 862 is connected to the inner portion 861 via the bent portion 864 and is connected to the outer portion 863 via the bent portion 865. The intermediate portion 862 is provided so as to be located on the outer side (outer portion 863 side) as it approaches the first held portion 81 from the second held portion 82 in the first direction D1.

The outer portion 863 extends from the second extension 85 along a direction closer to the first direction D1. More specifically, the outer portion 863 extends from the outer end of the second extension 85 towards the first held portion 81 so as to have an angle close to orthogonal to the second extension 85. ing. The outer portion 863 is provided so as to be located on the outer side as the distance from the second extension portion 85 increases. In other words, as shown in FIG. 8, the distance between the portion of the intermediate portion 86 facing the fixed housing 4 and the fixed housing 4 becomes shorter as the distance from the mating connector 3 in the first direction D1 increases.

The bent portion 864 is provided between the inner portion 861 and the intermediate portion 862 as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C. The bent portion 865 is provided between the intermediate portion 862 and the outer portion 863. The pair of bent portions 864 and 865 are convex in opposite directions. More specifically, the pair of bent portions 864 and 865 are convex in opposite directions in the first direction D1. When the vertical direction of FIG. 4C is the first direction D1, the bent portion 864 is convex upward, whereas the bent portion 865 is convex downward.

Since the intermediate portion 86 is N-shaped as described above, the elasticity of the contact 8 in the second direction D2 can be increased.

Further, as described above, the outer portion 863 is provided so as to be located on the outer side as the distance from the second extending portion 85 increases. That is, the outer portion 863 is inclined. As a result, when the contact 8 is deformed, it is possible to make it difficult to contact the fixed housing 4 (see FIG. 8).

By the way, the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 are arranged in the first direction D1. More specifically, the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 are provided so as to be located parallel to each other along the second direction D2. As a result, the elasticity of the contact 8 in the first direction D1 can be increased. For example, even if a force along the first direction D1 is applied to the contact 8, the contact 8 can absorb the force.

By the way, the intermediate portion 86 overlaps with the first extension portion 84 when viewed from the first direction D1. Further, at least a part of the intermediate portion 86 overlaps with the second extending portion 85 when viewed from the first direction D1. In short, at least a part of the intermediate portion 86 overlaps with the extension portion (first extension portion 84, second extension portion 85) when viewed from the first direction D1. Specifically, the inner portion 861 and the intermediate portion 862 of the intermediate portion 86 overlap with both the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 when viewed from the first direction D1. On the other hand, the outer portion 863 overlaps with the first extension portion 84 when viewed from the first direction D1, but does not overlap with the second extension portion 85.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 8, the apex portion 866 of the intermediate portion 86 overlaps with the movable housing 7 when viewed from the first direction D1. The apex portion 866 is a part of a bent portion 864 provided between the inner portion 861 and the intermediate portion 862. That is, the apex portion 866 is the apex of the bent portion 864. When the contact 8 is attached to the movable housing 7, the apex portion 866 is positioned so as to be hidden by the movable housing 7. The "vertex portion" referred to in the present disclosure is an inner piece of two pieces (inner part 861 and outer part 863) extending along one direction (for example, the first direction D1), and these two pieces. Refers to a connecting portion with one piece (intermediate portion 862) connecting the above.

By overlapping the apex portion 866 of the intermediate portion 86 with the movable housing 7 as described above, the width of the connector 2 in the second direction D2 is narrowed as compared with the case where the apex portion of the intermediate portion does not overlap with the movable housing. Can be done. As a result, the space of the connector 2 can be saved.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 4A, the plate width L1 of the portion of the elastic portion 83 close to the first held portion 81 (first extending portion 84) is the plate width of the remaining portion of the elastic portion 83 (for example, It is wider than the plate width L2 of the second extension portion 85 and the plate width L3) of the intermediate portion 86. As a result, when the first held portion 81 is held by press-fitting, the strength in the vicinity of the press-fitted portion (first extending portion 84) can be increased. On the other hand, in a portion different from the press-fitted portion, the plate width is narrow, so that elasticity can be ensured. That is, it is possible to increase the strength in the vicinity of the press-fitted portion while ensuring a certain degree of elasticity.

The plate width of the portion of the elastic portion 83 close to the second held portion 82 (for example, the second extension portion 85) is the plate width of the remaining portion of the elastic portion 83 (for example, the plate width of the first extension portion 84). It may be wider than the plate width (plate width of the intermediate portion 86). In short, at least one plate width of the portion of the elastic portion 83 close to the first held portion 81 and the portion close to the second held portion 82 is wider than the plate width of the remaining portion of the elastic portion 83. preferable. As a result, when the held portion (first held portion 81, second held portion 82) is held by press-fitting, the strength of the vicinity of the press-fitted portion (first extension portion 84, second extension portion 85) Can be enhanced.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the plate width of the elastic portion 83 is narrower than the plate width of the first held portion 81 and the plate width of the second held portion 82. As a result, the elastic portion 83 can be elastically deformed more easily than the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82. That is, by narrowing the plate width of the elastic portion 83, the elastic portion 83 can be elastically deformed with a small load. By adjusting the plate width of the elastic portion 83, it is possible to adjust the load for elastically deforming the elastic portion 83.

(2.4.5) Arrangement of contacts As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of contacts 8 are provided along the longitudinal direction (third direction D3) of the fixed housing 4 and the movable housing 7.

A fixed housing 4 is interposed in the first held portion 81, and a movable housing 7 is interposed in the second held portion 82 between two adjacent contacts 8 among the plurality of contacts 8. That is, the fixed housing 4 is interposed between the two adjacent first held portions 81, and the movable housing 7 is interposed between the two adjacent second held portions 82.

On the other hand, in the elastic portion 83, the fixed housing 4 and the movable housing 7 do not intervene between the two adjacent contacts 8 among the plurality of contacts 8. That is, a space is formed between the two adjacent intermediate portions 86 without the resin molded product intervening. As a result, the dielectric between two adjacent contacts 8 can be easily reduced, so that the transmission characteristics can be improved.

It should be noted that between the two adjacent contacts 8, both the fixed housing 4 intervening in the first held portion 81 and the movable housing 7 interposing in the second held portion 82 are not satisfied. You may. The fixed housing 4 may be interposed in the first held portion 81, and the movable housing 7 may not be interposed in the second held portion 82. Alternatively, the fixed housing 4 may not be interposed in the first held portion 81, and the movable housing 7 may be interposed in the second held portion 82. In short, at least one of the first held portion 81 or the second held portion 82 is intervened by at least one of the fixed housing 4 or the movable housing 7 between two adjacent contacts 8 among the plurality of contacts 8. Is preferable.

As described above, the distance between the portion of the intermediate portion 86 facing the fixed housing 4 (outer portion 863) and the fixed housing 4 becomes shorter as the distance from the mating connector 3 in the first direction D1 (FIG. FIG. 8).

(2.5) Holding metal fittings The plurality of holding metal fittings 6 are attached to the fixed housing 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Each holding metal fitting 6 has a base portion 61, a first extension portion 62, and a second extension portion 63. The base portion 61, the first extension portion 62, and the second extension portion 63 are integrally formed of, for example, a metal plate. The base 61 has a substantially rectangular plate shape. The first extension portion 62 is provided so as to extend from one end (lower end in FIG. 3) of the base portion 61 in the first direction D1. In the third direction D3, the width of the first extension portion 62 is narrower than the width of the base portion 61. The second extension portion 63 is provided so as to extend from the first extension portion 62 in the second direction D2.

The plurality of holding metal fittings 6 are attached to a plurality of corners of the fixed housing 4. More specifically, each holding metal fitting 6 is attached to the fixed housing 4 by inserting the base 61 into the groove 47 of the fixed housing 4.

The connector 2 is held on the first substrate 91 by fixing the plurality of holding metal fittings 6 to the first substrate 91 (see FIG. 12) together with the plurality of contacts 8.

(3) Operation of Connector The operation of the connector 2 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the normal state, the movable housing 7 is in a state of floating from the lower surface. In other words, the movable housing 7 is in a state of being separated from the first substrate 91 (see FIG. 12) to which the fixed housing 4 is attached. Further, the movable housing 7 is not in contact with the fixed housing 4.

On the other hand, FIG. 10 shows the connector 2 when a downward force and a lateral force (rightward in FIG. 10) are applied to the movable housing 7. When a downward force is applied to the movable housing 7, the movable housing 7 is located below the normal state. Further, when a lateral force is applied, the movable housing 7 moves to the right side and comes into contact with the right inner side surface (inner side surface of the second side surface portion 43) of the fixed housing 4. In each contact 8, the first held portion 81 is fixed to the fixed housing 4 and the first substrate 91 (see FIG. 12), and the second held portion 82 is elastically fixed to the movable housing 7. The part 83 is deformed.

On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows the connector 2 when an upward force and a lateral force (rightward in FIG. 11) are applied to the movable housing 7. When an upward force is applied to the movable housing 7, the movable housing 7 is located above the normal state. The movable housing 7 comes into contact with the upper inner surface of the fixed housing 4 (the inner surface of the upper surface portion 44). Further, when a lateral force is applied, the movable housing 7 moves to the right side and comes into contact with the right inner side surface (inner side surface of the second side surface portion 43) of the fixed housing 4. In each contact 8, the first held portion 81 is fixed to the fixed housing 4 and the first substrate 91 (see FIG. 12), and the second held portion 82 is elastically fixed to the movable housing 7. The part 83 is deformed.

(4) Corresponding Connector The configuration of the mating connector 3 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mating side connector 3 includes a mating side housing 31, a plurality of mating side contacts 32, and a plurality of mating side holding metal fittings 33.

(4.1) Mating side housing The mating side housing 31 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped resin molded product. A plurality of mating contact 32s and a plurality of mating holding metal fittings 33 are attached to the mating housing 31.

(4.2) Opposite Contact The plurality of mating contacts 32 have conductivity and correspond one-to-one with a plurality of contacts 8. The plurality of mating contact 32s are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction (third direction D3) of the mating housing 31. More specifically, the plurality of mating contacts 32 are provided side by side in two rows along the longitudinal direction of the mating housing 31. Examples of the material of the mating contact 32 include copper and copper alloys.

As shown in FIG. 13, each mating contact 32 has a connecting portion 34, a first elastic portion 35, and a second elastic portion 36. The connecting portion 34, the first elastic portion 35, and the second elastic portion 36 are integrally formed.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the connecting portion 34 is an elongated plate-shaped piece extending along the second direction D2. The connecting portion 34 is provided so as to be located outside the mating housing 31, and is soldered to the conductive portion of the main surface 921 of the second substrate 92.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first elastic portion 35 has a first piece 351 and a second piece 352, and a first contact portion 353. The first piece 351 has an elongated plate shape and extends from the end of the connecting portion 34 along the first direction D1. The second piece 352 has an elongated plate shape and extends along the first direction D1. The second piece 352 faces the first piece 351 in the second direction D2. The first contact portion 353 has an arc shape when viewed from the third direction D3, and connects the first piece 351 and the second piece 352.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second elastic portion 36 has a third piece 361, a fourth piece 362, and a second contact portion 363. The third piece 361 has an elongated plate shape, and extends from the end of the second piece 352 of the first elastic portion 35 along the second direction D2. The fourth piece 362 has an elongated plate shape and extends from the end of the third piece 361 along the first direction D1. The second contact portion 363 is U-shaped when viewed from the third direction D3, and is connected to the end portion of the fourth piece 362. When a force is applied to the second contact portion 363 in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, the second elastic portion 36 can be bent. The second contact portion 363 of the second elastic portion 36 is provided so as to face the first contact portion 353 of the first elastic portion 35 in the second direction D2.

(4.3) Mating Side Holding Bracket The plurality of mating side holding metal fittings 33 are attached to the mating side housing 31. More specifically, the plurality of mating side holding metal fittings 33 are attached to a plurality of corner portions of the mating side housing 31.

By fixing the plurality of mating side holding metal fittings 33 to the second substrate 92 (see FIG. 12) together with the plurality of mating side contacts 32, the mating side connector 3 is held by the second substrate 92.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mating connector 3 is fitted to the connector 2 so that a plurality of mating contacts 32 come into contact with the corresponding contacts 8.

(5) Connection Method Hereinafter, a connection method between the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 will be described with reference to the drawings. The method of connecting the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 includes a first step to a fifth step.

In the first step, as shown in FIG. 13, the connector 2 attached to the first board 91 and the mating connector 3 attached to the second board 92 are prepared.

As described above, the connector 2 is attached to the first substrate 91. More specifically, the connector 2 is surface-mounted on the main surface 911 of the first substrate 91. The first piece 811 of the first held portion 81 of the contact 8 is soldered to the conductive portion of the first substrate 91, and the second extending portion 63 of the holding metal fitting 6 is soldered to the conductive portion of the first substrate 91. As a result, the connector 2 is fixed to the first substrate 91 in a state where the contact 8 is connected to the conductive portion of the first substrate 91.

The mating connector 3 is attached to the second substrate 92 as described above. More specifically, the mating connector 3 is surface-mounted on the main surface 921 of the second substrate 92. The mating contact 32 is soldered to the conductive portion of the second substrate 92, and the mating holding bracket 33 is soldered to the conductive portion of the second substrate 92, so that the mating contact 32 is soldered to the conductive portion of the second substrate 92. The mating connector 3 is fixed to the second board 92 while being connected to. With the connector 2 attached to the first board 91 and the mating connector 3 attached to the second board 92, the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 face each other in the first direction D1. In the example of FIG. 13, the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 face each other so that the first direction D1 is parallel in the vertical direction, the connector 2 is located below, and the mating connector 3 is located above.

As described above, the state in which the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are separated from each other in the first direction D1 and face each other is referred to as a “opposing state”. In the "opposing state", a gap S1 is formed between the movable housing 7 of the connector 2 and the first substrate 91 in the first direction D1. More specifically, a gap S1 is formed between the bottom surface portion 711 of the base portion 71 of the movable housing 7 of the connector 2 and the bottom surface portion 724 of the protruding portion 72 and the main surface 911 of the first substrate 91. That is, in the "opposing state", the movable housing 7 is separated from the first substrate 91 without contacting the first substrate 91.

In the second step, as shown in FIG. 14, the mating connector 3 is brought into contact with the connector 2 from the state where the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are not in contact with each other. At this time, the contact 8 of the connector 2 is not elastically deformed. Further, the minimum load Fm for elastically deforming the contact 8 is not applied to the contact 8 of the connector 2.

In the example of FIG. 14, the mating connector 3 approaches the connector 2 relatively from the state where the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 face each other so that the connector 2 is located below and the mating connector 3 is located above. As a result, in the contact 8 of the connector 2, a part of the mating connector 3 comes into contact with the two places of the second held portion 82. More specifically, the first contact portion 353 of the first elastic portion 35 of the mating contact 32 and the second contact portion 363 of the second elastic portion 36 come into contact with the base piece 821 of the second held portion 82 of the contact 8. To do.

The state in which the mating connector 3 is in contact with the connector 2 as described above is referred to as a "first contact state". In the "first contact state", the contact 8 of the connector 2 and the mating contact 32 of the mating connector 3 are in contact with each other, and the contact 8 and the mating contact 32 are conductive. However, in the "first contact state", the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are only partially in contact with each other by a load smaller than the minimum load Fm that elastically deforms the contact 8 of the connector 2, and are fitted together. Not. Therefore, in the "first contact state", the fitting (connection) between the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 is insufficient, and when the load on the mating connector is removed, the contact 8 of the connector 2 and the mating side are removed. Continuity of the connector 3 with the mating contact 32 is not guaranteed. When the load is removed, the contact 8 and the mating contact 32 may maintain contact, or the contact 8 and the mating contact 32 may be separated.

In the third step, as shown in FIG. 15, the relative position of the mating connector 3 with respect to the connector 2 is changed until the movable housing 7 comes into contact with the first substrate 91. More specifically, after the mating connector 3 is brought into contact with the connector 2 in the second step, a load is applied to at least one of the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 while keeping the mating connector 3 in contact with the connector 2. (Arrow in FIG. 15) is added to change the relative position of the mating connector 3 with respect to the connector 2 until the movable housing 7 contacts the first substrate 91. At this time, the position where the mating contact 32 of the mating connector 3 comes into contact with the contact 8 of the connector 2 in the first contact state is maintained. Here, "maintaining the position where the mating contact 32 of the mating connector 3 contacts the contact 8 of the connector 2" means the position where the mating contact 32 of the mating connector 3 contacts the contact 8 of the connector 2. Means that does not change.

Further, when a load is applied to the mating connector 3, a force is applied from the mating connector 3 to the connector 2 due to the load on the mating connector 3, and the contact 8 of the connector 2 is elastically deformed. The elastic portion 83 of the contact 8 is elastically deformed so as to move toward the first substrate 91 as a whole. That is, the load Fc that can slide the contact position between the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 from the first contact state to the first substrate 91 side (opposite side to the mating connector 3) from the position in the first contact state. Is smaller than the minimum load Fm that elastically deforms the contact 8 of the connector 2.

In the example of FIG. 15, in the “first contact state” shown in FIG. 14, a load (arrow in FIG. 15) in the direction approaching the connector 2 (downward) is applied to the mating connector 3. When the above load is applied, the mating connector 3 is pushed downward until the bottom surface portion 711 of the base portion 71 and the bottom surface portion 724 of the protrusion 72 of the movable housing 7 come into contact with the main surface 911 of the first substrate 91.

When a load is applied to the mating connector 3 as described above, a force is applied from the mating connector 3 to the connector 2 due to the load on the mating connector 3, and the contact 8 of the connector 2 is elastically deformed. The elastic portion 83 of the contact 8 is elastically deformed so as to move toward the first substrate 91 as a whole. The movable housing 7 can be moved downward by elastically deforming the contact 8 as described above. That is, the relative position of the movable housing 7 with respect to the fixed housing 4 can be changed.

The state in which the mating connector 3 is pushed in until the movable housing 7 contacts the first substrate 91 as described above is referred to as a "second contact state". In the "second contact state", the contact 8 of the connector 2 and the mating contact 32 of the mating connector 3 are in contact with each other, and the contact 8 and the mating contact 32 are conductive. However, in the "second contact state", the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are only partially contacted by the load due to the load, and are not fitted. Therefore, in the "second contact state", the fitting (connection) between the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 is insufficient, and when the load on the mating connector is removed, the contact 8 of the connector 2 and the mating side are removed. Continuity of the connector 3 with the mating contact 32 is not guaranteed. When the load is removed, the relative position of the mating connector 3 with respect to the connector 2 changes, and the contact 8 and the mating contact 32 may maintain contact with each other, or the contact 8 and the mating contact 32 may be separated from each other. ..

In the fourth step, as shown in FIG. 16, the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are fitted together. More specifically, a load (arrow in FIG. 16) is applied to at least one of the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 in a state where the movable housing 7 is in contact with the first substrate 91. In the example of FIG. 16, a load in the direction approaching the connector 2 is applied to the mating connector 3. At this time, a force acts on the movable housing 7 due to the load on the mating connector 3, but since the movable housing 7 is already in contact with the first substrate 91, it may move further to the first substrate 91 side. Can not. Therefore, since the load is applied to the mating side connector 3 in the state where the movable housing 7 is in contact with the first substrate 91, the connector 2 and the mating side connector 3 are fitted together.

In the example of FIG. 16, in the “second contact state” shown in FIG. 15, a load (arrow in FIG. 16) in the direction approaching the connector 2 (downward) is applied to the mating connector 3. When the above load is applied, the movable housing 7 is in contact with the first substrate 91, and the movement to the first substrate 91 side is restricted. Therefore, the mating connector 3 keeps the position of the movable housing 7 fixed. Pushed down. As a result, the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are fitted together.

When the mating connector 3 moves downward due to the above load, the second elastic portion 36 of the mating contact 32 of the mating connector 3 comes into contact with the second elastic portion 82 of the contact 8 of the connector 2, so that the second elastic portion 82. The second contact portion 363 of 36 bends. When a further load is applied, the mating connector 3 moves further downward, and a part of the second contact portion 363 of the second elastic portion 36 fits into the recess 823 of the second held portion 82.

The state in which the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are fitted as described above is referred to as a "fitting state". In the "fitting state", the connection state between the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 is fixed. Since the contact 8 of the connector 2 and the mating contact 32 of the mating connector 3 are fitted together, the contact between the contact 8 and the mating contact 32 is stable, and when the connecting device 1 is used, the contact 8 and the mating side are used. The conduction state with the contact 32 is stable.

In the fifth step, as shown in FIG. 17, the load is removed from the connector 2 and the mating connector 3. When the load is removed from the connector 2 and the mating connector 3, the mating connector 3 moves away from the connector 2 from the position pushed into the connector 2 and moves to the initial fitting position. More specifically, when the load is removed, the spring force of the contact 8 of the connector 2 causes the movable housing 7 to return from the state of being in contact with the first substrate 91 to the initial state of being separated from the first substrate 91. However, even after the load is removed from the connector 2 and the mating connector 3, the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 maintain the mated state, so that the mating connector 3 does not come off from the connector 2 and the connector The contact state between 2 and the mating connector 3 is maintained. Further, even when the connecting device 1 is used, the conduction state between the contact 8 and the contact 32 on the other side is stable.

In the "final mating state" after the fifth step, the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 are fitted and fixed. As a result, even if vibration or load is applied to the connecting device 1, the continuity between the contact 8 of the connector 2 and the mating contact 32 of the mating connector 3 can be maintained, and the contact 8 of the connector 2 The sliding of the mating connector 3 with the mating contact 32 can be reduced.

According to the first to fifth steps described above, as shown in FIG. 12, the connector 2 and the mating connector 3 can be connected while maintaining the conduction state between the connector 2 and the mating connector 3. .. As a result, the connecting device 1 can electrically connect the first substrate 91 and the second substrate 92.

(6) Effect In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, at least one of the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 is attached to the elastic portion 83 connecting the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82. A first extension portion 84 and a second extension portion 85 (extension portion) extending from the connector are provided. As a result, the size of the contact 8 and the connector 2 can be reduced while ensuring the elasticity of the contact 8.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, a first extension portion 84, a second extension portion 85, and an N-shaped intermediate portion 86 are provided. As a result, the elasticity of the contact 8 can be increased, and the size of the contact 8 and the connector 2 can be further reduced.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 are arranged in the first direction D1. As a result, the elasticity of the contact 8 in the first direction D1 can be increased.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, the direction in which the first extension portion 84 protrudes and the direction in which the second extension portion 85 protrudes are opposite, and the intermediate portion 86 is the tip of the first extension portion 84 and the second. The tip of the extension portion 85 is connected so as to be folded back. As a result, the elasticity of the elastic portion 83, that is, the elasticity of the contact 8 can be further increased.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, the intermediate portion 86 has at least one bent portion 864,865. As a result, the elasticity of the elastic portion 83, that is, the elasticity of the contact 8 can be easily increased.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, a plurality of bent portions 864 and 865 are provided. As a result, the elasticity of the elastic portion 83, that is, the elasticity of the contact 8 can be further increased.

The connector 2 according to the embodiment is provided with a pair of bent portions 864 and 865 that are convex in opposite directions. As a result, elasticity can be efficiently increased with a small number of bent portions.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, the pair of bent portions 864 and 865 are convex in the first direction D1 in opposite directions. Thereby, the elasticity in the direction intersecting with the first direction D1 can be further increased.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, at least a part of the intermediate portion 86 overlaps with the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 (extension portion). As a result, the contact 8 can be made compact while ensuring elasticity.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, the apex portion 866 of the intermediate portion 86 overlaps with the movable housing 7 when viewed from the first direction D1. As a result, the width of the connector 2 in the direction intersecting the first direction D1 can be narrowed as compared with the case where the apex portion of the intermediate portion does not overlap with the movable housing. As a result, the space of the connector 2 can be saved.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, in the second held portion 82, a folded-back portion 824 is provided at a portion connected to the second extension portion 85 (extension portion). This makes it easier to secure the length of the second held portion 82 (held portion), so that the elasticity of the contact 8 in the first direction D1 can be increased.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, in the elastic portion 83, the plate width L1 of the portion (first extending portion 84) close to the first held portion 81 is wider than the plate widths L2 and L3 of the remaining portion. As a result, when the first held portion 81 is held by press-fitting, the strength in the vicinity of the press-fitted portion (first extending portion 84) can be increased.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, at least one of the first held portion 81 or the second held portion 82 is interposed between the two adjacent contacts 8 by at least one of the fixed housing 4 or the movable housing 7. .. On the other hand, in the elastic portion 83, the fixed housing 4 and the movable housing 7 do not intervene. As a result, the dielectric between two adjacent contacts 8 can be easily reduced, so that the transmission characteristics can be improved.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, the intermediate portion 862 of the intermediate portion 86 extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D1. As a result, elasticity can be ensured while having a simple structure.

In the connector 2 according to the embodiment, the distance between the portion of the intermediate portion 86 facing the fixed housing 4 and the fixed housing 4 becomes shorter as the distance from the mating connector 3 in the first direction D1. This makes it difficult for the contact 8 to come into contact with the fixed housing 4 when it is deformed. As a result, a large space can be taken for the contact 8 to move.

(7) Modification Example Hereinafter, a modification of the embodiment will be described.

As a modification 1 of the embodiment, the connector 2 may include a contact 8a as shown in FIGS. 18A-18C. Similar to the contact 8 (see FIG. 2) of the embodiment, a plurality of contacts 8a are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the movable housing 7 (see FIG. 2).

Each contact 8a has a first held portion 81, a second held portion 82, and an elastic portion 83a. The first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 are the same as the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) of the embodiment.

The elastic portion 83a has a first extension portion 84a (extension portion), a second extension portion 85a (extension portion), and an intermediate portion 86. The intermediate portion 86 is the same as the intermediate portion 86 of the embodiment (see FIGS. 4A to 4C).

The first extending portion 84a extends from the first held portion 81 along a direction intersecting the first direction D1. More specifically, the first extending portion 84a extends closer to the second held portion 82 as the distance from the first held portion 81 increases. In FIG. 18C, the first extension portion 84a is inclined so that the right end is located on the upper side of the left end.

The second extending portion 85a extends from the second held portion 82 along the direction intersecting the first direction D1. More specifically, the second extension 85a extends closer to the first held 81 as it moves away from the second held 82. In FIG. 18C, the second extending portion 85a is inclined so that the left end is located lower than the right end.

As a modification 2 of the embodiment, the connector 2 may include a contact 8b as shown in FIGS. 19A-19C. Similar to the contact 8 (see FIG. 2) of the embodiment, a plurality of contacts 8b are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the movable housing 7 (see FIG. 2).

Each contact 8b has a first held portion 81, a second held portion 82, and an elastic portion 83b. The first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 are the same as the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) of the embodiment.

The elastic portion 83b has a first extension portion 84, a second extension portion 85, and an intermediate portion 86b. The first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 are the same as those of the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) of the embodiment.

The intermediate portion 86b is S-shaped so as to be flexible in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The intermediate portion 86b has an inner portion 861b, an intermediate portion 862b, and an outer portion 863b. Further, the intermediate portion 86b has a pair of bent portions 864b and 865b.

The inner portion 861b extends from the first extension portion 84 along the first direction D1. More specifically, the inner portion 861b is provided so as to be orthogonal to the first extension portion 84. However, the inner portion 861b is shorter than the inner portion 861 of the embodiment (see FIGS. 4A-4C).

The intermediate portion 862b extends along a direction intersecting the first direction D1. More specifically, the intermediate portion 862b extends along the second direction D2. That is, the intermediate portion 862b is provided so as to be parallel to the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85.

The outer portion 863b extends from the second extension portion 85 along a direction close to the first direction D1. More specifically, the outer portion 863b extends from the outer end of the second extension 85 towards the first held portion 81 so as to have an angle close to orthogonal to the second extension 85. ing. The outer portion 863b is provided so as to be located on the outer side as the distance from the second extension portion 85 increases.

The bent portion 864b is provided between the inner portion 861b and the intermediate portion 862b. The bent portion 864b is provided so that the inner portion 861b and the intermediate portion 862b are substantially orthogonal to each other. The bent portion 865b is provided between the intermediate portion 862b and the outer portion 863b. The bent portion 865b is provided so that the intermediate portion 862b and the outer portion 863b are substantially orthogonal to each other.

As a modification of the third embodiment, the connector 2 may include a contact 8c as shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C. Similar to the contact 8 (see FIG. 2) of the embodiment, a plurality of contacts 8c are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the movable housing 7 (see FIG. 2).

Each contact 8c has a first held portion 81, a second held portion 82, and an elastic portion 83c. The first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 are the same as the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) of the embodiment.

The elastic portion 83c has a first extension portion 84, a second extension portion 85, and an intermediate portion 86c. The first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 are the same as those of the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) of the embodiment.

The intermediate portion 86c has a shape close to an N shape that can be flexed in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The intermediate portion 86c has an inner portion 861, an intermediate portion 862c, and an outer portion 863. The inner portion 861 and the outer portion 863 are similar to the inner portion 861 and the outer portion 863 of the embodiment (see FIGS. 4A-4C).

The intermediate portion 862c has a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) intermediate pieces 871 to 873. The intermediate piece 871 extends along the second direction D2. That is, the intermediate piece 871 is provided so as to be parallel to the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85. The intermediate piece 872 is provided between the intermediate piece 871 and the intermediate piece 873, and extends along the first direction D1. That is, the intermediate piece 872 is provided so as to be orthogonal to the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85. The intermediate piece 873 extends along the second direction D2. That is, the intermediate piece 873 is provided so as to be parallel to the first extension portion 84 and the second extension portion 85.

Further, the intermediate portion 86c has a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) bent portions 864c, 865c, 867, 868. The number of bent portions in the modified example 4 is larger than the number of bent portions in the embodiment. The number of bent portions provided in the intermediate portion is not limited to two as in the embodiment and four as in the modified example 4, and may be three or five or more. Good. In short, the intermediate portion 86c preferably includes a plurality of bent portions. Further, the number of bent portions may be one. In short, the intermediate portion 86c preferably includes at least one bent portion.

The bent portion 864c is provided between the inner portion 861 and the intermediate piece 871. The bent portion 864c is provided so that the inner portion 861 and the intermediate piece 871 are substantially orthogonal to each other. The bent portion 865c is provided between the outer portion 863 and the intermediate piece 873. The bent portion 865c is provided so that the outer portion 863 and the intermediate piece 873 are substantially orthogonal to each other. The bent portion 867 is provided between the intermediate piece 871 and the intermediate piece 872. The bent portion 867 is provided so that the intermediate piece 871 and the intermediate piece 872 are substantially orthogonal to each other. The bent portion 868 is provided between the intermediate piece 872 and the intermediate piece 873. The bent portion 868 is provided so that the intermediate piece 872 and the intermediate piece 873 are substantially orthogonal to each other.

As a modification of the fourth embodiment, the connector 2 may include a contact 8d as shown in FIGS. 21A to 21C. The contact 8d is formed so that the width and the thickness change within the elastic portion 83d. Similar to the contact 8 (see FIG. 2) of the embodiment, a plurality of contacts 8d are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the movable housing 7 (see FIG. 2).

Each contact 8d has a first held portion 81, a second held portion 82, and an elastic portion 83d. The first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 are the same as the first held portion 81 and the second held portion 82 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) of the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 21A to 21C, the second held portion 82 has a base piece 821, a protrusion 822, and a recess 823, similarly to the second held portion 82 of the embodiment. Further, the second held portion 82 includes a folded portion 824d. The plate width of the folded portion 824d is wider than the plate width of the folded portion 824 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) of the embodiment. The base piece 821, the protrusion 822 and the recess 823 of the second held portion 82 are the same as the base piece 821, the protrusion 822 and the recess 823 (see FIGS. 4A to 4C) of the second held portion 82 of the embodiment. is there.

The elastic portion 83d has a first extension portion 84d (extension portion), a second extension portion 85d (extension portion), and an intermediate portion 86d.

The first extending portion 84d extends from the first held portion 81 along a direction intersecting the first direction D1. More specifically, the first extension 84d extends along the second direction D2. Further, the central portion of the first extension portion 84d is thinner than both end portions. Specifically, in the width direction (third direction D3) of the first extension portion 84d, the central portion is thinner than both end portions. Further, also in the thickness direction of the first extending portion 84d (first direction D1), the central portion is thinner than both end portions.

The second extending portion 85d extends from the second held portion 82 along the direction intersecting the first direction D1. More specifically, the second extension 85d extends along the second direction D2. Further, the second extending portion 85d is thinner at the central portion than at both end portions. Specifically, in the width direction of the second extension portion 85d (third direction D3), the central portion is thinner than both end portions. Further, also in the thickness direction of the second extending portion 85d (first direction D1), the central portion is thinner than both end portions.

The intermediate portion 86d is N-shaped so as to be flexible in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The intermediate portion 86d has an inner portion 861d, an intermediate portion 862d, and an outer portion 863d. Further, the intermediate portion 86d has a pair of bent portions 864d and 865d.

The inner portion 861d is thinner at the central portion than at both end portions. Specifically, in the width direction of the inner portion 861d (third direction D3), the central portion is thinner than the both end portions. Further, also in the thickness direction of the inner portion 861d (second direction D2), the central portion is thinner than the both end portions.

The middle portion 862d is thinner at the central portion than at both end portions. Specifically, in the width direction of the intermediate portion 862d (third direction D3), the central portion is thinner than the both end portions. Also, in the thickness direction of the intermediate portion 862d, the central portion is thinner than the both end portions.

The outer portion 863d is thinner at the central portion than at both end portions. Specifically, in the width direction of the outer portion 863d (third direction D3), the central portion is thinner than the both end portions. Also, in the thickness direction of the outer portion 863d, the central portion is thinner than the both end portions.

As a modification 5 of the embodiment, the connector 2 may include a contact 8e as shown in FIGS. 22A to 22C. Similar to the contact 8 (see FIG. 2) of the embodiment, a plurality of contacts 8e are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the movable housing 7 (see FIG. 2).

Each contact 8e has a first held portion 81, a second held portion 82, and an elastic portion 83e.

The elastic portion 83e has a first extension portion 84, a second extension portion 85, and an intermediate portion 86e. The intermediate portion 86e is not N-shaped but linear. That is, the intermediate portion 86e does not have a bent portion. The first end of the elastic portion 83e is connected to the first held portion 81, and the second end of the elastic portion 83e is connected to the second held portion 82.

The intermediate portion 86e extends in a direction intersecting the first direction D1. More specifically, the intermediate portion 86e is provided so as to be located on the left side as it approaches the second extension portion 85 in the first direction D1 and on the right side as it approaches the first extension portion 84 in the first direction D1. Has been done. Here, the left side is the outside when the contact 8e is fixed to the movable housing 7 (see FIG. 8). The right side is the inside when the contact 8e is fixed to the movable housing 7.

In the connector 2 according to the modified example 5, the intermediate portion 86e extends in the direction intersecting the first direction D1. As a result, the contact 8e can secure elasticity while having a simple structure.

Further, as another modification, the mode of holding the held portion (first held portion 81, second held portion 82) is not limited to press-fitting. For example, the held portion (first held portion 81, second held portion 82) may be held by an aspect such as insert molding, caulking, or bonding.

The connector 2 according to each of the above modifications also has the same effect as the connector 2 according to the embodiment.

The embodiments and modifications described above are only a part of various embodiments and modifications of the present invention. Further, the embodiments and modifications can be variously changed according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

(Aspect)
The following aspects are disclosed herein.

The connector (2) according to the first aspect is a connector that is fitted to the mating connector (3) in the first direction (D1). The connector (2) includes a fixed housing (4), a movable housing (7), and contacts (8; 8a-8e). The movable housing (7) is movable with respect to the fixed housing (4). The contact (8) has conductivity. The contact (8) has a first held portion (81), a second held portion (82), and an elastic portion (83; 83a to 83e). The first held portion (81) is held by the fixed housing (4). The second held portion (82) is held by the movable housing (7). The elastic portions (83; 83a to 83e) have elasticity and connect the first held portion (81) and the second held portion (82). The elastic portions (83; 83a to 83e) have extension portions (first extension portion 84; 84a; 84d, second extension portion 85; 85a; 85d). The extension portion extends from at least one of the first held portion (81) and the second held portion (82) in the second direction (D2) intersecting the first direction (D1).

According to the connector (2) according to the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the size of the contact (8; 8a to 8e) and the connector (2) while ensuring the elasticity of the contact (8; 8a to 8e). ..

In the connector (2) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the elastic portion (83; 83a to 83e) further has an intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86e). The intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86e) is N-shaped so as to be flexible in the direction intersecting the first direction (D1). The elastic portions (83; 83a to 83e) have a first extension portion (84; 84a; 84d) and a second extension portion (85; 85a; 85d) as extension portions. The first extending portion (84; 84a; 84d) extends from the first held portion (81) and is provided between the intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86e) and the first held portion (81). There is. The second extending portion (85; 85a; 85d) extends from the second held portion (82) and is provided between the intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86e) and the second held portion (82). There is.

According to the connector (2) according to the second aspect, the elasticity of the contact (8; 8a to 8e) can be increased, and the size of the contact (8; 8a to 8e) and the connector (2) can be further reduced. it can.

In the connector (2) according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, the first extension portion (84; 84a; 84d) and the second extension portion (85; 85a; 85d) are in the first direction (D1). ) Are lined up.

According to the connector (2) according to the third aspect, the elasticity of the contact (8; 8a to 8e) in the first direction (D1) can be increased.

In the connector (2) according to the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the direction in which the first extension portion (84; 84a; 84d) protrudes from the first held portion (81) and the second extension portion (81) The direction in which 85; 85a; 85d) protrudes from the second held portion (82) is opposite. The intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86d) connects the tip of the first extension portion (84; 84a; 84d) and the tip of the second extension portion (85; 85a; 85d) so as to be folded back.

According to the connector (2) according to the fourth aspect, the elasticity of the elastic portion (83; 83a to 83d), that is, the elasticity of the contact (8; 8a to 8d) can be further increased.

In the connector (2) according to the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86d) has at least one bent portion (864,865; 864b to 864d, 865b to 865d).

According to the connector (2) according to the fifth aspect, the elasticity of the elastic portion (83; 83a to 83d), that is, the elasticity of the contact (8; 8a to 8d) can be easily increased.

In the connector (2) according to the sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, a plurality of bending portions (864,865; 864b to 864d, 865b to 865d) are provided.

According to the connector (2) according to the sixth aspect, the elasticity of the elastic portion (83; 83a to 83d), that is, the elasticity of the contact (8; 8a to 8d) can be further increased.

In the connector (2) according to the seventh aspect, in the sixth aspect, the plurality of bent portions include a pair of bent portions (864,865; 864b to 864d, 865b to 865d) that are convex in opposite directions. ..

According to the connector (2) according to the seventh aspect, the elasticity can be efficiently increased with a small number of bent portions.

In the connector (2) according to the eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the pair of bent portions (864,865; 864b to 864d, 865b to 865d) are convex in opposite directions in the first direction (D1). is there.

According to the connector (2) according to the eighth aspect, the elasticity in the direction intersecting the first direction (D1) can be further increased.

In the connector (2) according to the ninth aspect, in any one of the second to eighth aspects, at least a part of the intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86e) is viewed from the first direction (D1). It overlaps with the extension portion (first extension portion 84; 84a; 84d, second extension portion 85; 85a; 85d).

According to the connector (2) according to the ninth aspect, the contacts (8; 8a to 8e) can be made compact while ensuring elasticity.

In the connector (2) according to the tenth aspect, in any one of the second to ninth aspects, the apex portion (866) of the intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86d) is viewed from the first direction (D1). It overlaps with the movable housing (7).

According to the connector (2) according to the tenth aspect, the width of the connector (2) in the direction intersecting the first direction (D1) is narrower than that in the case where the apex portion of the intermediate portion does not overlap with the movable housing. can do. As a result, the space of the connector (2) can be saved.

In the connector (2) according to the eleventh aspect, in any one of the first to tenth aspects, at least one of the first held portion (81) and the second held portion (82) is a folded portion. (824). The folded-back portion (824) is provided in a portion connected to the extension portion (first extension portion 84; 84a; 84d, second extension portion 85; 85a; 85d).

According to the connector (2) according to the eleventh aspect, it becomes easy to secure the length of the held portion (first held portion 81, second held portion 82), so that the contact in the first direction (D1) The elasticity of (8; 8a to 8e) can be increased.

In the connector (2) according to the twelfth aspect, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the portion of the elastic portion (83; 83a to 83e) close to the first held portion (81) and the second. The width of at least one of the portions close to the held portion (82) is wider than the width of the remaining portion of the elastic portion (83; 83a to 83e).

According to the connector (2) according to the twelfth aspect, when the held portion (first held portion 81, second held portion 82) is held by press-fitting, the vicinity of the press-fitted portion (first extending portion). 84; 84a; 84d, the strength of the second extension 85; 85a; 85d) can be increased.

In the connector (2) according to the thirteenth aspect, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, a plurality of contacts (8; 8a to 8e) are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the movable housing (7). There is. In at least one of the first held portion (81) or the second held portion (82) between two adjacent contacts (8; 8a to 8e) among the plurality of contacts (8; 8a to 8e). , At least one of a fixed housing (4) or a movable housing (7) is interposed. In the elastic portion (83; 83a to 83e), the fixed housing (4) and the movable housing (7) do not intervene.

According to the connector (2) according to the thirteenth aspect, it is possible to easily reduce the dielectric constant between two adjacent contacts (8; 8a to 8e), so that the transmission characteristics can be improved.

In the connector (2) according to the fourteenth aspect, in any one of the second to tenth aspects, the second held portion (82) has a contact portion (825). The contact portion (825) comes into contact with the mating connector (3) when the connector (2) is fitted to the mating connector (3). The intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86e) extends in a direction intersecting the first direction (D1).

According to the connector (2) according to the fourteenth aspect, the contacts (8; 8a to 8e) can secure elasticity while having a simple structure.

In the connector (2) according to the fifteenth aspect, in any one of the second to tenth aspects, the intermediate portion (862; 862b to 862d) of the intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86e) is in the first direction ( It extends in the direction intersecting with D1).

In the connector (2) according to the fifteenth aspect, the intermediate portion (862; 862b to 862d) of the intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86d) extends in a direction intersecting the first direction (D1). As a result, elasticity can be ensured while having a simple structure.

In the connector (2) according to the sixteenth aspect, in any one of the second to tenth aspects, the portion of the intermediate portion (86; 86b to 86e) facing the fixed housing (4) and the fixed housing ( The distance to 4) becomes shorter as the distance from the mating connector (3) increases in the first direction (D1).

According to the connector (2) according to the sixteenth aspect, when the contact (8; 8a to 8e) is deformed, it is possible to make it difficult to contact the fixed housing (4). As a result, a large space can be taken for the contacts (8; 8a to 8e) to move.

The connecting device (1) according to the seventeenth aspect includes a connector (2) of any one of the first to sixteenth aspects and a mating connector (3).

According to the connector (1) according to the seventeenth aspect, in the connector (2), the contact (8; 8a to 8e) and the connector (2) are connected while ensuring the elasticity of the contact (8; 8a to 8e). It is possible to reduce the size.

The connection method according to the eighteenth aspect is a connection method of a connector device in which the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) are fitted in the first direction (D1). The connector (2) includes a fixed housing (4), a movable housing (7), and contacts (8; 8a-8e). The movable housing (7) is movable with respect to the fixed housing (4). The contacts (8; 8a-8e) are conductive. The contact (8; 8a to 8e) has a first held portion (81), a second held portion (82), and an elastic portion (83; 83a to 83e). The first held portion (81) is held by the fixed housing (4). The second held portion (82) is held by the movable housing (7). The elastic portions (83; 83a to 83e) have elasticity and connect the first held portion (81) and the second held portion (82). The connection method includes a first step, a second step, a third step, a fourth step, and a fifth step. In the first step, the connector (2) attached to the first board (91) and the mating connector (3) attached to the second board (92) are prepared. In the second step, the mating connector (3) is brought into contact with the connector (2) from the state where the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) are not in contact with each other. In the third step, after the mating connector (3) is brought into contact with the connector (2) in the second step, the contact position between the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) is maintained. While applying a load to at least one of the connector (2) and the mating connector (3), the mating connector (3) is relative to the connector (2) until the movable housing (7) contacts the first substrate (91). Change the position. In the fourth step, a load is applied to at least one of the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) to fit the connector (2) and the mating connector (3). In the fifth step, the load is removed from the connector (2) and the mating connector (3).

According to the connection method according to the eighteenth aspect, the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) are connected while maintaining the conductive state between the connector (2) and the mating connector (3). Can be done. As a result, the first substrate (91) and the second substrate (92) can be electrically connected by the connecting device (1).

In the connection method according to the nineteenth aspect, in the fourth step of the eighteenth aspect, the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) are connected in a state where the movable housing (7) is in contact with the first substrate (91). A load is applied to at least one of them to fit the connector (2) and the mating connector (3).

According to the connection method according to the nineteenth aspect, the connector (2) and the mating connector (3) are more reliably connected in a state where the movable housing (7) is pressed against the first substrate (91). Can be done.

1 Connector 2 Connector 3 Mating connector 4 Fixed housing 7 Movable housing 8, 8a to 8e Contact 81 1st held part 82 2nd held part 824 Folded part 825 Contact part 83, 83a to 83e Elastic part 84, 84a, 84d 1st extension part (extension part)
85, 85a, 85d 2nd extension (extension)
86, 86b to 86e Intermediate part 864,864b to 864d, 856,865b to 865d, 867,868 Bending part 866 Vertex part 91 First board 92 Second board L1 to L3 Board width D1 First direction D2 Second direction D3 3 directions

Claims (19)

A connector that is fitted to the mating connector in the first direction.
With a fixed housing
A movable housing that is movable with respect to the fixed housing,
With conductive contacts,
The contact
The first held portion held by the fixed housing and
The second held portion held by the movable housing and
It has elasticity and has an elastic portion that connects the first held portion and the second held portion.
The elastic part is
It has an extension portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction from at least one of the first held portion and the second held portion.
connector. The elastic part is
It further has an N-shaped intermediate portion that can bend in the direction intersecting the first direction.
As the extension part
A first extending portion extending from the first held portion and provided between the intermediate portion and the first held portion,
It has a second extending portion extending from the second held portion and provided between the intermediate portion and the second held portion.
The connector according to claim 1. The first extension portion and the second extension portion are arranged in the first direction.
The connector according to claim 2. The direction in which the first extension portion protrudes from the first held portion and the direction in which the second extension portion protrudes from the second held portion are opposite to each other.
The intermediate portion connects the tip of the first extension portion and the tip of the second extension portion so as to be folded back.
The connector according to claim 3. The intermediate portion has at least one bent portion.
The connector according to claim 4. A plurality of the bent portions are provided.
The connector according to claim 5. The plurality of bends include a pair of bends that are convex in opposite directions.
The connector according to claim 6. The pair of bent portions are convex in opposite directions in the first direction.
The connector according to claim 7. At least a part of the intermediate portion overlaps with the extension portion when viewed from the first direction.
The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 8. The apex portion of the intermediate portion overlaps with the movable housing when viewed from the first direction.
The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 9. At least one of the first held portion and the second held portion is
It has a folded portion provided in a portion connected to the extended portion.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10. At least one plate width of the portion of the elastic portion close to the first held portion and the portion close to the second held portion is wider than the plate width of the remaining portion of the elastic portion.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A plurality of the contacts are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the movable housing.
Between two adjacent contacts among the plurality of contacts
At least one of the fixed housing or the movable housing is interposed in at least one of the first held portion or the second held portion.
In the elastic portion, the fixed housing and the movable housing do not intervene.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The second held portion is
It has a contact portion that comes into contact with the mating connector when the connector is fitted to the mating connector.
The intermediate portion extends in a direction intersecting the first direction.
The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 10. The intermediate portion of the intermediate portion extends in a direction intersecting the first direction.
The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 10. The distance between the portion of the intermediate portion facing the fixed housing and the fixed housing becomes shorter as the distance from the mating connector in the first direction increases.
The connector according to any one of claims 2 to 10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 16.
With the other side connector,
Connection device. A method of connecting a connector device in which a connector and a mating connector are fitted in the first direction.
The connector is
With a fixed housing
A movable housing that is movable with respect to the fixed housing,
With conductive contacts,
The contact
The first held portion held by the fixed housing and
The second held portion held by the movable housing and
It has elasticity and has an elastic portion that connects the first held portion and the second held portion.
The first step of preparing the connector attached to the first board and the mating connector attached to the second board, and
The second step of bringing the mating connector into contact with the connector from the state where the connector and the mating connector are not in contact with each other.
After the mating connector is brought into contact with the connector in the second step, at least one of the connector and the mating connector is maintained while maintaining the contact position between the connector and the mating connector. A third step of applying a load to change the relative position of the mating connector with respect to the connector until the movable housing contacts the first substrate.
A fourth step of applying a load to at least one of the connector and the mating connector to fit the connector and the mating connector.
It has a fifth step of removing the load from the connector and the mating connector.
Connection method. In the fourth step, with the movable housing in contact with the first substrate, a load is applied to at least one of the connector and the mating connector to fit the connector and the mating connector.
The connection method according to claim 18.

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