JP2021002429A - Movable connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To enhance connection reliability for a movable connector whose terminal has a movable part.SOLUTION: A terminal 3 includes: a first terminal part 6 having a movable part 6c; a second terminal part 7 in conductive contact with a mating terminal P21; and a contact part 6e for the second terminal part and a contact base part 7a as a contact part between terminal parts which are in conductive contact between the first terminal part 6 and the second terminal part 7. The first terminal part 6 and the second terminal part 7 are configured of a separate conductive metal piece.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The disclosure according to the present application relates to a movable connector, a method for manufacturing the movable connector, and a connection structure between the movable connector and a connection object.

A movable connector having a floating function is known as an electric connector that is electrically connected to an object to be connected. The movable connector includes, for example, a fixed housing installed on a substrate, a movable housing that is fitted and connected to an object to be connected, and a terminal having a movable portion that supports the movable housing in a displaceable manner with respect to the fixed housing. An example of a conventional movable connector is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-999391.

JP-A-2014-999391, FIG. 13

However, in the terminal of the conventional movable connector described above, the contact portion and the movable portion that are in conductive contact with the object to be connected are integrally formed by a single metal piece. Therefore, when the movable part moves due to the vibration of the press machine when the terminal is press-molded, the contact part formed on the tip side of the movable part acts as a weight and the entire terminal shakes, especially in the movable part. There is a problem that the dimensional accuracy with respect to the design value is lowered.

It is the present invention that has been made against the background of the above-mentioned prior art. An object of the present invention is to improve the connection reliability of a movable connector.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following features.

That is, the present invention provides a first housing, a second housing connected to an object to be connected, and a terminal having a movable portion that displaceably supports the second housing with respect to the first housing. Regarding the movable connector to be provided, the terminal includes a first terminal portion having the movable portion, a second terminal portion that makes conductive contact with the connection object, and the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion. It is characterized in that it has a contact portion between terminal portions that conducts conductive contact with the housing, and the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are made of a separate conductive metal piece.

According to the movable connector, the first terminal portion having the movable portion and the second terminal portion that is in conductive contact with the object to be connected are made of a separate conductive metal piece. Therefore, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion can be formed separately, and the first terminal portion (movable portion) and the second terminal portion (contact portion side) have an integral structure. It is possible to suppress a decrease in dimensional accuracy with respect to the design value of the first terminal portion, which may occur due to the above.

The terminals can be configured to have a plurality of the first terminal portions formed as separate parts from each other.

The plurality of first terminal portions are formed as separate parts from each other. With a conventional movable connector having a plurality of movable parts in a single terminal, it is difficult to mold the plurality of movable parts at the same time so as to have the same bending angle, and the movable parts may have different shapes from each other. .. On the other hand, in the present invention, by configuring the plurality of first terminal portions as separate parts, the first terminal portions can be molded respectively, so that it is possible to prevent the movable portions from having different shapes from each other.

The terminal can be configured to have a plurality of contact portions between the terminal portions.

For example, when a movable connector is used in a vibrating environment, even if a continuity failure occurs in one terminal contact portion, the other terminal contact portions can maintain continuity, so that the connection reliability is high. Can be improved.

The first terminal portion has a holding portion for a second housing having a first end portion connected to the movable portion, and the contact portion between the terminal portions is a holding portion for the second housing. It can be configured to be located on the second end side.

The contact portion between the terminal portions is connected to the second end portion of the second housing holding portion, and is separated from the elastically deformable movable portion by the second housing holding portion. Therefore, the stress due to the elastic deformation of the movable part is not transmitted to the contact part between the terminal parts, so even if the movable part is elastically deformed in the vibration environment, the first terminal part and the second terminal part in the contact part between the terminal parts The adverse effect on the conduction contact can be suppressed.

The inter-terminal contact portion can be configured to have a relay contact portion provided on the first terminal portion and a contact base portion provided on the second terminal portion and conducting conduction with the relay contact portion.

According to this movable connector, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion can be conductively connected by connecting the relay contact portion and the contact base portion.

The contact structure with the relay contact portion or the contact base portion is formed by a contact piece provided on at least one of the relay contact portion or the contact base portion and having an elastic arm and a contact portion provided at an end portion of the elastic arm. It can be configured to have a spring contact structure.

Since the contact structure between the relay contact portion and the contact base is a spring contact structure with contact pieces, good conductive connection can be maintained by pressing contact even if the movable connector is used in a vibrating environment.

The contact structure with the relay contact portion or the contact base portion is configured such that a bead portion provided on at least one of the relay contact portion or the contact base portion is in pressure contact with the other. it can.

Since the contact structure between the relay contact portion and the contact base is a pressure welding connection structure by the bead portion, good conduction connection can be maintained by pressure welding of the bead portion even if the movable connector is used in a vibrating environment. Further, as compared with the spring contact structure of the contact piece having the elastic piece and the contact portion described above, the pressure contact connection structure by the bead portion can reduce the size of the terminal and the connection structure because the elastic piece is unnecessary.

The contact structure with the relay contact portion or the contact base portion can be configured to be a welded connection structure with a welded connection portion obtained by welding the relay contact portion and the contact base portion.

Since the contact structure between the relay contact portion and the contact base portion is a welded connection structure formed by the welded connection portion, the relay contact portion and the contact base portion are integrally fixed. Therefore, even if the movable connector is used in a vibrating environment, the relay contact portion and the contact base portion do not slightly slide, and a good conductive connection can be maintained. Further, in the welded connection structure, since the relay contact portion and the contact base portion can be melt-integrated at the welded connection portion, the contact resistance can be maintained low. Further, in the welded connection structure, the welded connection portion forming the conduction contact can be made larger than the spring contact structure using the contact piece or the pressure contact connection structure using the bead portion, so that the contact resistance can be kept low. Further, in the welded connection structure, since the welded connection portion is melted and integrated, the relay contact portion and the contact base portion can be made difficult to peel off.

The contact portion between the terminal portions is formed of a conductive metal piece that is separate from the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, and the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are formed. It can be configured to be a connecting member that holds and.

Since the connecting member made of a conductive metal piece separate from the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion holds the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, the first terminal portion and the first terminal portion and the first terminal portion are held. It is not necessary to form a contact structure such as a spring contact on the terminal portion of 2. Therefore, the shape of the contact portion between the terminal portions of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion can be simplified, and the manufacturing of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion can be facilitated.

The connecting member can be configured to have a caulking portion that is fixed to the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion.

Since the connecting member is fixed to the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion by the caulking portion, the connecting member and the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion can be firmly connected. Therefore, even if the movable connector is used in a vibrating environment, the connecting member and the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are not separated, and a good conductive connection can be maintained.

According to the present invention, the connection reliability of the movable connector can be improved.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view including a front surface, a right side surface, and a flat surface of the movable connector according to the first embodiment. The plan view of the movable connector of FIG. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. The external perspective view including the front surface, the right side surface, and the bottom surface of the movable connector of FIG. The external perspective view including the back surface, the right side surface, and the plane of the terminal of the movable connector of FIG. The right side view of the terminal of FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view including a front surface, a right side surface, and a flat surface of a terminal provided in the movable connector of the second embodiment. The right side view of the terminal of FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view including a front surface, a right side surface, and a flat surface of a terminal provided in the movable connector of the third embodiment. The external perspective view including the back surface, the right side surface, and the plane of the terminal of FIG. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view including a front surface, a right side surface, and a flat surface of a terminal provided in the movable connector of the fourth embodiment. The left side view of the terminal of FIG. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view including a front surface, a left side surface, and a flat surface of a terminal provided in the movable connector of the fifth embodiment. The left side view of the terminal of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment disclosed here, the movable connector 1 as the “socket connector” shown in FIG. 1 will be illustrated and described. However, the movable connector of the present invention is not limited to the "socket connector".

The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" described in the present specification and claims are used to distinguish components having different inventions and embodiments. , Not used to indicate a particular order or superiority or inferiority. Therefore, in the present specification and claims, the term "fifth" or higher may be used. Further, in the scope of the present specification and patent claims, for convenience of explanation, the width direction, the left-right direction, the arrangement direction (terminal arrangement direction) of the terminals 3 and the longitudinal direction of the movable connector 1 are "X", the depth direction, the front-rear direction, and so on. The lateral direction will be described as "Y", the height direction, the vertical direction, and the insertion / removal direction of the connection object will be described as "Z". However, specifying these directions does not limit the mounting method, usage method, and installation posture of the movable connector 1.

1st Embodiment [FIGS. 1 to 6]

Connection structure of movable connector 1

The movable connector 1 is mounted on a substrate P1 (first substrate) as an "mounting object". Specifically, it is surface-mounted on the surface P11 of the substrate P1 (SMT). The movable connector 1 is fitted and connected to the mating connector P2, and is electrically connected to the mating terminal P21 provided in the mating connector P2. In this case, the mating connector P2 and the mating terminal P21 form a "connection object" to which the movable connector 1 is connected. The mating terminal P21 has a flat plate shape, and is electrically connected to the movable connector 1 by being inserted into the movable housing 5 described later. The plate width of the mating terminal P21 is a length corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the insertion hole 5b1 described later. The mating connector P2 is mounted on a mating board (second board) (not shown). Therefore, the movable connector 1 is configured as an "inter-board connector" that connects the board P1 (first board) as the "mounting object" and the mating board (second board).

Further, the movable connector 1 of the present embodiment is configured as a "large current compatible movable connector" capable of passing a large current. The surface P11 of the substrate P1 on which the movable connector 1 is mounted has a single circuit contact portion P12 that is soldered while being in contact with a plurality of substrate connection portions 6a of terminals 3 described later. Therefore, the terminal 3 has a branched conduction path for connecting one mating terminal P21 and one circuit contact portion P12.

Configuration of movable connector 1

The movable connector 1 includes a housing 2 and a terminal 3.

The housing 2 is made of a resin molded body made of a hard resin. The housing 2 has a fixed housing 4 as a "first housing" and a movable housing 5 as a "second housing".

The fixed housing 4 has a first peripheral wall 4a and a first upper wall 4b. The first peripheral wall 4a is formed in a square tubular shape whose axial direction is along the insertion / extraction direction Z of the mating terminal P21. The first peripheral wall 4a has a pair of first side walls 4a1 along the arrangement direction X of the terminals 3 and a pair of second side walls 4a2 extending in the front-rear direction Y intersecting the first side wall 4a1. The pair of first side walls 4a1 are formed as a front wall and a rear wall of the fixed housing 4. The pair of second side walls 4a2 are formed as the right wall and the left wall of the fixed housing 4. At the four corners of the first peripheral wall 4a, protrusions 4c for attaching fixing brackets that project outward are formed. Fixing brackets 4c1 are attached to the fixing bracket mounting protrusions 4c, respectively, and the fixing housing 4 is fixed to the substrate P1 by soldering the fixing brackets 4c1 to the substrate P1.

The first upper wall 4b is formed with an opening 4b1 that is long along the arrangement direction X of the terminals 3. The opening 4b1 is formed by a rectangular hole penetrating the first upper wall 4b. On the outer edge side of the first upper wall 4b, an elongated slit 4b2 extending along the arrangement direction X of the terminals 3 is formed. The slit 4b2 is a heat radiating hole for discharging the heat generated by the terminal 3 to the outside of the fixed housing 4. Therefore, it is effective when the movable connector 1 is used as a movable connector for a large current.

A storage space 4d is formed inside the fixed housing 4. A part of the movable housing 5 and the terminal 3 is accommodated in the accommodation space 4d. A plurality of fixed housing terminal fixing portions 4e formed in a groove shape are formed on each inner side surface 4a11 of the pair of first side walls 4a1 forming the accommodation space 4d. The plurality of fixed housing terminal fixing portions 4e are formed side by side in the terminal arrangement direction X at positions corresponding to the respective terminal connection chambers 5e described later.

The movable housing 5 has a second peripheral wall 5a, a second upper wall 5b, and a partition wall 5c. The second peripheral wall 5a is formed in a square tubular shape, and is formed by a pair of third side walls 5a1 formed along the terminal arrangement direction X and a pair of fourth side walls 5a formed along the front-rear direction Y. It has a side wall 5a2 of. The pair of third side walls 5a1 are formed with protrusions 5d protruding along the terminal arrangement direction X and the front-rear direction Y, respectively. The protrusion 5d is formed in an m-shaped frame shape in a plan view (see FIG. 2). The protrusion 5d is formed in a thin plate shape when viewed from the front. A hole 5d1 is formed inside the protrusion 5d. The hole 5d1 functions as a passage for discharging the heat generated by the terminal 3 to the accommodation space 4d by energization through the opening 4b1 of the fixed housing 4. That is, the hole 5d1 functions as a heat dissipation hole. As shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion 5d is formed at a position between the center and the upper end in the height direction Z of the third side wall 5a1. Therefore, when the protrusion 5d has a flat plate shape without the hole 5d1, the heat generated from the terminal 3 by energization may be blocked from flowing from the accommodation space 4d to the opening 4b1 of the fixed housing 4. If the protrusion 5d blocks the convection of heat, the heat may be trapped in the accommodation space 4d. However, by providing the hole 5d1 in the protrusion 5d, the heat of the accommodation space 4d can be easily discharged to the outside of the fixed housing 4.

The second upper wall 5b is formed with insertion holes 5b1 for the mating terminal P21 on both sides of the partition wall 5c. The insertion hole 5b1 has a quadrangular pyramid-shaped tapered surface and a hole surface formed by holes along the insertion / extraction direction Z.

A plurality of terminal connection chambers 5e are formed inside the movable housing 5. The terminal connection chambers 5e are separated from each other by a partition wall 5c. A plurality of movable housing terminal fixing portions 5f are formed in the terminal connection chamber 5e. More specifically, the plurality of movable housing terminal fixing portions 5f have a first terminal portion fixing portion 5f1 and a second terminal portion fixing portion 5f2. The first terminal portion fixing portion 5f1 is formed in a groove shape on the inner side surface 5a11 of the third side wall 5a1. The second terminal portion fixing portion 5f2 is formed in a groove shape that opens toward the terminal connection chamber 5e in a pair of protrusions 5f3 that protrude from the partition wall 5c toward the terminal connection chamber 5e in the terminal arrangement direction X. There is. The protrusion 5f3 is provided adjacent to the inner side surface 5a11 of the third side wall 5a1. In this way, inside the movable housing 5 (each terminal connection chamber 5e), the first terminal portion fixing portion 5f1 and the second terminal portion fixing portion 5f2 are positioned in the front-rear direction Y and the height direction Z. They are staggered and adjacent to each other. As a result, the terminal 3 is divided into a first terminal portion 6 and a second terminal portion 7 which are separate members, and even if a fixing portion for the terminal member is required for each, the inner surface of the movable housing 5 Can be fixed compactly.

The terminal 3 has a plurality of first terminal portions 6 and one second terminal portion 7 for each terminal 3. The first terminal portion 6 and the second terminal portion 7 are formed of separate conductive metal pieces. The thickness of the conductive metal plate used as the material is different between the first terminal portion 6 and the second terminal portion 7. That is, the plate thickness of the first terminal portion 6 is thinner than the plate thickness of the second terminal portion 7. By making the first terminal portion 6 and the second terminal portion 7 separate parts, the first terminal portion 6 has a relatively thin plate thickness suitable for the flexibility of the movable portion 6c described later. 1 conductive metal plate can be selected. Further, for the second terminal portion 7, a second conductive metal plate having a relatively thick plate can be selected so that the contact piece 7c, which will be described later, can surely contact the mating terminal P21 with a predetermined contact pressure. ..

The first terminal portion 6 includes a substrate connecting portion 6a, a first fixing portion 6b, a movable portion 6c, a second fixing portion 6d as a "holding portion for a second housing", and a "between the terminal portions". It has a relay contact portion 6e that constitutes a "contact portion" and a "contact piece". The first terminal portion 6 is formed so as to be connected in that order from the substrate connecting portion 6a to the relay contact portion 6e. In the second fixed portion 6d, the first end portion is connected to the movable portion 6c, and the second end portion is connected to the relay contact portion 6e. Further, the movable connector 1 includes a plurality of first terminal portions 6, each of which is formed as a separate member. The plurality of first terminal portions 6 are formed in the same shape. Therefore, the plurality of first terminal portions 6 can suppress the breakage of the movable portion 6c that is elastically deformed by receiving vibration.

The board connection portion 6a is soldered to the wiring pattern of the board P1 and is electrically connected to the board circuit. The first fixing portion 6b is formed on one end side of the substrate connecting portion 6a and extends upward in the height direction Z. The movable portion 6c is connected to the first fixed portion 6b and the second fixed portion 6d, and elastically supports the movable housing 5 with respect to the fixed housing 4 so as to be displaceable. That is, the movable portion 6c is configured as a "movable piece". Further, the movable portion 6c has a first extending portion 6c1 that extends upward in the height direction Z while being inclined toward the movable housing 5 from the first fixing portion 6b. At the upper end of the first extending portion 6c1, there is a bent portion 6c2 that is folded back in an inverted U shape. On the other end side of the bent portion 6c2, there is a second extending portion 6c3 that extends downward in the height direction Z while being inclined toward the movable housing 5. At the lower end of the second extension portion 6c3, there is a third extension portion 6c4 that extends toward the movable housing 5. The third extension portion 6c4 extends in parallel with the surface of the substrate P1. On the other end side of the third extension portion 6c4, there is a fourth extension portion 6c5 that extends upward in the height direction Z. The other end side of the fourth extension portion 6c5 is connected to the second fixing portion 6d. The second fixing portion 6d is press-fitted and held against the first terminal portion fixing portion 5f1 of the movable housing 5. The relay contact portion 6e as the "contact piece" has an elastic arm 6e1 extending from the second fixed portion 6d toward the second terminal portion 7 and a curved shape formed at the tip of the elastic arm 6e1. It has a contact portion 6e2. The relay contact portion 6e constitutes a "contact piece" in the movable connector 1. In the relay contact portion 6e, the contact portion 6e2 is in press contact with the contact base portion 7a of the second terminal portion 7 by the elastic force of the elastic arm 6e1. That is, the contact structure between the relay contact portion 6e and the contact base portion 7a is a spring contact structure. In the relay contact portion 6e, the roll surface formed by bending the conductive metal plate is in press contact with the contact base portion 7a of the second terminal portion 7. The relay contact portion 6e and the contact base portion 7a form the "contact portion between terminal portions" of the present invention.

The second terminal portion 7 has a contact base portion 7a constituting a "contact portion between terminal portions", a third fixing portion 7b, and a plurality of contact pieces 7c extending from the contact base portion 7a. The contact base portion 7a is formed as a flat plate-shaped base portion. The surface of the flat plate-shaped base portion is a contact receiving surface 7a1 that makes conductive contact while receiving the pressing contact of the contact portions 6e2 of all the relay contact portions 6e. The third fixing portion 7b is configured as small protrusions formed on both plate edges of the contact base portion 7a. The third fixing portion 7b is held in the movable housing 5 by being press-fitted into the second terminal portion fixing portion 5f2 of the movable housing 5 described above. The plurality of contact pieces 7c extend from the contact base 7a. The plurality of contact pieces 7c have a first contact piece 7c1 that is relatively long and a second contact piece 7c2 that is relatively shorter than the first contact piece 7c1. In the present embodiment, the first contact piece 7c1 is two, and the second contact piece 7c2 is one. The first contact piece 7c1 and the second contact piece 7c2 have elastic arms 7c3 and 7c4 extending from the contact base 7a toward the center of the terminal connection chamber 5e in the front-rear direction Y, and elastic arms 7c3 and 7c4, respectively. It has a curved contact portion 7c5 formed at the tip.

Mating connection of movable connector 1

The fitting connection between the movable connector 1 and the mating connector P2 (mating terminal P21) as a connection object will be described. The mating connector P2 includes two mating terminals P21 to be inserted into the two terminal connection chambers 5e of the movable connector 1.

In order to fit and connect the movable connector 1 and the mating connector P2, they are moved in a direction approaching each other, and the mating terminal P21 is inserted into the terminal connecting chamber 5e through the insertion hole 5b1 of the movable housing 5. At this time, even if the mating terminal P21 is misaligned with respect to the hole axis of the insertion hole 5b1 in the terminal arrangement direction X or the front-rear direction Y, the misalignment can be absorbed by the displacement of the movable housing 5. it can. The displacement of the movable housing 5 is performed by elastically deforming the movable portion 6c of the terminal 3.

In the mating terminal P21 inserted into the terminal connection chamber 5e, the contact portion 7c5 of the first contact piece 7c1 first comes into contact with the mating terminal P21, and then the contact portion 7c5 of the second contact piece 7c2 comes into contact with the mating terminal P21. .. That is, the position of the contact portion 7c5 of the first contact piece 7c1 and the position of the contact portion 7c5 of the second contact piece 7c2 are deviated from each other in the insertion direction Z of the mating terminal P21. Therefore, the insertion force for inserting the mating terminal P21 is increased as compared with the movable connector in which the contact portion 7c5 of the first contact piece 7c1 and the contact portion 7c5 of the second contact piece 7c2 are in contact with the mating terminal P21 at the same time. It can be reduced. That is, if the contact portion 7c5 of the first contact piece 7c1 and the contact portion 7c5 of the second contact piece 7c2 come into contact with the mating terminal P21 at the same time, the movable housing 5 is displaced by the insertion force of the mating terminal P21. Then, it comes into contact with the substrate P1. Then, the substrate P1 pressed against the movable housing 5 may be excessively bent, and problems such as cracks may occur in the wiring pattern and the solder portion fixing the movable connector 1. However, as described above, the contact portion 7c5 of the first contact piece 7c1 and the contact portion 7c5 of the second contact piece 7c2 are out of contact with the mating terminal P21. Therefore, if the movable connector 1 is used, the insertion force of the mating terminal P21 can be dispersed, and the occurrence of the above-mentioned defect can be suppressed.

When the mating terminal P21 is inserted to a predetermined depth as described above, the mating connection between the movable connector 1 and the mating connector P2 is completed.

Connection structure between movable connector 1 and mating connector P2

The feature of the connection structure of the movable connector 1 in which the movable connector 1 and the mating connector P2 are fitted and connected will be described.

When used in an environment in which vibration and shock act (referred to as “vibration environment” in the present specification), relative displacement may occur between the movable connector 1 (board P1) and the mating connector P2. When the movable connector 1 and the mating connector P2 are displaced relative to each other, in the movable housing 5, the second peripheral wall 5a of the movable housing 5 hits the opening 4b1 of the fixed housing 4 in the terminal arrangement direction X and the front-rear direction Y. It can be displaced until it touches. The displacement of the movable housing 5 is elastically supported by the movable portion 6c of the terminal 3. Further, the movable housing 5 can be displaced in the insertion direction Z of the mating terminal P21 until it comes into contact with the substrate P1. The movable housing 5 can be displaced in the removal direction Z of the mating terminal P21 until the protrusion 5d comes into contact with the first upper wall 4b of the fixed housing 4.

The movable connector 1 makes conductive contact with the two mating terminals P21. The terminals 3 are arranged in two rows in the two terminal connection chambers 5e of the movable connector 1 so as to face each other in the front-rear direction Y, and the terminals 3 come into contact with the same mating terminal P21. Each terminal 3 comes into contact with the partner terminal P21 via a plurality of contact pieces 7c of the second terminal portion 7. Therefore, the current flowing through the mating terminal P21 is divided into the plurality of contact pieces 7c. Subsequently, a plurality of first terminal portions 6 are in conductive contact with the contact base portion 7a of the second terminal portion 7. Therefore, the current diverted through the plurality of contact pieces 7c is again diverted to the plurality of first terminal portions 6 through the contact base portion 7a.

Here, the movable portion 6c of each of the first terminal portions 6 is required to have flexibility for elastically supporting the movable housing 5. Therefore, it is preferable that the movable portion 6c has a small cross-sectional area (thin). However, there is a problem that the resistance value increases when the cross-sectional area of each movable portion 6c is reduced. Therefore, in the movable connector 1, the terminal 3 has a contact side terminal (second terminal portion 7) that is in conductive contact with the mating terminal P21 and a floating side terminal (first terminal portion 6) having a movable portion 6c (movable piece). ) And the structure is divided into. As a result, the number of floating side terminals (first terminal portion 6) having the movable portion 6c and the cross-sectional area of the movable portion 6c can be freely set. That is, by adjusting the number and fineness of the movable portions 6c, the movable connector 1 makes it possible to achieve both a predetermined resistance value satisfying the required specifications and flexibility to elastically support the movable housing 5. The movable connector 1 is configured as a large current compatible movable connector that achieves both a predetermined resistance value and flexibility.

Then, the current flowing through each of the plurality of first terminal portions 6 flows through the same circuit contact portion P12 of the substrate P1. In this way, the movable connector 1 can flow the current flowing from the mating terminal P21 to the circuit contact portion P12 of the substrate P1 through a two-step diversion path.

Features of movable connector 1

Further, the features of the movable connector 1 will be described.

According to the movable connector 1, the terminal 3 has a movable portion 6c, is held by the fixed housing 4, and has a plurality of first terminal portions 6 formed as separate parts by a conductive member. Therefore, as long as all the first terminal portions 6 do not have poor continuity, any of the first terminal portions 6 can conduct.

The plurality of first terminal portions 6 are formed as separate parts. Therefore, as compared with the conventional movable connector having a plurality of movable portions in a single terminal, the plurality of first terminal portions 6 can be molded separately, so that the movable portions 6c have different shapes. Can be suppressed. Then, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a problem that the specific movable portion 6c is easily broken due to vibration due to the shape difference between the movable portions 6c, and it is possible to improve the connection reliability of the terminal 3. It is possible.

The plurality of first terminal portions 6 and the second terminal portion 7 are made of separate conductive metal pieces. Therefore, the plurality of first terminal portions 6 and the second terminal portion 7 can be manufactured separately, and the decrease in dimensional accuracy with respect to the design value of the plurality of first terminal portions 6 having the movable portion 6c is suppressed. it can. Further, the holding position of the movable housing 5 with respect to the fixed housing 4 may deviate from the design holding position. However, since the first terminal portion 6 and the second terminal portion 7 are formed of a separate conductive metal piece, the movable housing 5 is held at an appropriate design position with respect to the fixed housing 4. It will be easier.

The second terminal portion 7 has a contact base portion 7a that comes into contact with a plurality of first terminal portions 6. Then, the plurality of first terminal portions 6 can make conductive contact in common with one contact base portion 7a. As described above, the movable connector 1 has a plurality of "contact portions between terminal portions" formed by combining each of the first terminal portions 6 and the contact base portion 7a. Therefore, as long as all the first terminal portions 6 do not have poor continuity, any of the first terminal portions 6 can conduct with the common contact base portion 7a.

Since the second terminal portion 7 has a plurality of contact pieces 7c, even if one contact piece 7c has a poor contact, the other contact piece 7c can maintain conductive contact with the partner terminal P21. Therefore, as long as all the contact pieces 7c do not have poor contact, any contact piece 7c can maintain conductive contact with the mating terminal P21. Further, the plurality of contact pieces 7c extend from the contact base portion 7a. Therefore, as long as all the contact pieces 7c do not have poor contact, any contact piece 7c can maintain continuity with the first terminal portion 6 through the contact base portion 7a.

Here, attention is paid to a pair of terminals 3 that are in conductive contact with each surface of one mating terminal P21 in a state where the movable connector 1 and the mating connector P2 are fitted and connected. The force (contact force holding force) for maintaining the contact position by the plurality of contact pieces 7c of the second terminal portion 7 of each terminal 3 pressing and contacting the mating terminal P21 is all the plurality of first. The force required for the movable portion 6c of the terminal portion 6 to be elastically deformed is larger than the force required for elastic deformation. Therefore, even if the movable housing 5 is displaced in the insertion / removal direction Z of the mating terminal P21, fine sliding between the contact portion 7c5 of the contact piece 7c of the second terminal portion 7 and the mating terminal P21 is suppressed and the contact position is maintained. can do. Therefore, according to the movable connector 1, it can be used for a large current application, and although it has a connector structure having a plurality of contact pieces 7c, it suppresses the occurrence of conduction failure due to plating peeling due to fine sliding. can do.

The "contact portion between terminal portions" formed by the combination of the first terminal portion 6 and the contact base portion 7a is connected to the second fixed portion 6d as the "holding portion for the second housing" and is elastically deformable. It is separated from the portion 6c by a second fixing portion 6d. Therefore, the stress due to the elastic deformation of the movable portion 6c is not transmitted to the contact portion between the contact portion 6e2 of the first terminal portion 6 and the contact base portion 7a. Therefore, even if the movable portion 6c is elastically deformed in a vibrating environment, it is possible to suppress an adverse effect on the conduction contact between the contact portion 6e2 and the contact base portion 7a.

Second Embodiment [FIGS. 7 and 8]

In the second embodiment, the terminals 13 are different from those in the first embodiment, and the others are the same. Therefore, duplicate description will be omitted.

The terminal 13 has a plurality of first terminal portions 16 and one second terminal portion 7 for each terminal 13 shown in FIG. 7. The number of the first terminal portions 16 of the present embodiment is larger than that of the first terminal portions 6 of the first embodiment, and there are a total of seven terminals. The first terminal portion 16 is formed by punching a conductive metal plate with a press. The contact portion with the mating terminal P21, which is the object to be connected, is a fracture surface of the conductive metal plate. Such terminals are called "punched terminals". The first terminal portion 6 of the first embodiment is formed by punching a conductive metal plate with a press and then bending it in the plate thickness direction. The contact portion with the mating terminal P21 is a curved surface formed by bending. Such terminals are called "bending terminals".

The first terminal portion 16 includes a substrate connecting portion 16a, a first fixing portion 16b, a movable portion 16c, a second fixing portion 16d as a "holding portion for a second housing", and "between the terminal portions". It has a relay contact portion 16e that constitutes a "contact portion" and a "contact piece". Of these, the relay contact portion 16e includes a front contact portion 16f extending from the second fixing portion 16d and a rear contact portion 16g extending from the second fixing portion 16d and shorter than the front contact portion 16f. Has. The front contact portion 16f and the rear contact portion 16g are formed so that the plate thicknesses overlap in the contact direction (front-back direction Y) with the contact base portion 7a. The front contact portion 16f has a front elastic arm 16f1 as an "elastic arm" and a front contact portion 16f2 as a "contact portion". The rear contact portion 16g has a rear elastic arm 16g1 as an "elastic arm" and a rear contact portion 16g2 as a "contact portion". The front contact portion 16f2 and the rear contact portion 16g2 are in pressure contact with the contact base portion 7a of the second terminal portion 7 by the elastic force of the front elastic arm 16f1 and the rear elastic arm 16g1. That is, the contact structure between the relay contact portion 16e and the contact base portion 7a is a spring contact structure.

In the movable connector 1 provided with such a first terminal portion 16, since the first terminal portion 16 is a "punched terminal", the width of one terminal 13 in the terminal arrangement direction X is the width of the conductive metal plate. It is the length of the plate thickness. Therefore, as compared with the terminals 3 of the first embodiment, more terminals 13 can be arranged in the terminal arrangement direction X. Further, the front contact portion 16f and the rear contact portion 16g are arranged so that the plate thicknesses overlap in the contact direction with the contact base portion 7a. Therefore, in the process of press-fitting the second fixing portion 16d into the movable housing 5 at the time of assembling the movable connector 1, the front contact portion 16f2 first comes into contact with the contact base portion 7a. Then, the rear contact portion 16g2 comes into contact with the contact base portion 7a so as to follow the contact locus of the front contact portion 16f2. Therefore, the front contact portion 16f2 can exert a wiping effect of removing foreign matter adhering to the contact surface of the contact base portion 7a, and at least the rear contact portion 16g2 can surely make conductive contact with the contact base portion 7a. .. Therefore, the movable connector 1 with high connection reliability can be obtained.

Third Embodiment [FIGS. 9, 10, 11]

The terminal 3 of the first embodiment is provided with a relay contact portion 6e forming a "contact portion between terminal portions" and a "contact piece" in the first terminal portion 6, and "contact between terminal portions" in the second terminal portion 7. An example of providing the contact base portion 7a constituting the “part” is shown. On the other hand, the terminal 23 of the third embodiment has a connecting member 24 that connects the first terminal portion 6 and the second terminal portion 7, which is different from the first embodiment. .. The connecting member 24 constitutes a "contact portion between terminal portions". Since the other configurations are the same, duplicate explanations will be omitted.

The first terminal portion 26 includes a substrate connecting portion 26a, a first fixing portion 26b, a movable portion 26c, a second fixing portion 26d as a "holding portion for a second housing", and a "between the terminal portions". It has a connecting piece portion 26e that constitutes a "contact portion". The second terminal portion 7 has a connecting projection 7d made of a rectangular piece protruding from the contact base portion 7a, in addition to the configuration of the second terminal portion 7 of the first embodiment. The connecting member 24 is formed of a conductive metal piece, and is formed in a C-shaped (cylindrical) cross section in the present embodiment. The connecting piece portion 26e of the first terminal portion 26 and the connecting projection 7d of the second terminal portion 7 are inserted from different ends of the connecting member 24, respectively. The connecting piece portion 26e and the connecting protrusion 7 are arranged so that the ends thereof are separated from each other inside the connecting member 24. The reason why the ends are separated from each other is to prevent the connecting piece portion 26e and the connecting protrusion 7 from overlapping each other in the plate thickness direction during assembly. The connecting protrusion 7d has a caulking portion 24a. The caulking portion 24a is crimped to the connecting piece portion 26e and the connecting protrusion 7 by being crushed to the connecting piece portion 26e and the connecting protrusion 7, respectively. As described above, the connecting member 24 relay-connects the first terminal portion 26 and the second terminal portion 27, and has a function as a “third terminal portion”.

In the movable connector 1 of the third embodiment, the connecting member 24 is crimped to the first terminal portion 26 and the second terminal portion 7, so that the connecting member 24, the first terminal portion 26, and the connector portion 26 are crimped. The second terminal portion 7 and the second terminal portion 7 are firmly fixed in a state where they cannot move to each other. Therefore, even when the movable connector 1 is used in a vibrating environment, the connecting member 24 and the connecting protrusion 7d do not slightly slide, and the connecting member 24 and the connecting piece portion 26e do not slightly slide. .. Therefore, even if the movable connector 1 is used in a vibrating environment, good connection reliability can be maintained.

Fourth Embodiment [FIGS. 12 and 13]

The terminal 33 of the movable connector 1 of the fourth embodiment is a terminal of the first embodiment in that the second fixing portion 36d of the first terminal portion 36 has a bead portion 36e protruding toward the contact base portion 7a. Different from 3. The first terminal portion 36 of the present embodiment includes a substrate connecting portion 36a, a first fixing portion 36b, a movable portion 36c, and a second fixing portion 36d as a "holding portion for a second housing". Have. The second fixing portion 36d of the present embodiment having the bead portion 36e is configured as a “relay contact portion”. Further, the second fixing portion 36d of the present embodiment having the bead portion 36e constitutes a "contact portion between terminal portions" together with the contact base portion 7a. When the second fixing portion 36d is press-fitted into the first terminal portion fixing portion 5f1 of the movable housing 5, the bead portion 36e is press-fitted against the opposing contact base portion 7a. As a result, the bead portion 36e and the contact base portion 7a form a pressure welding connection structure. According to such a movable connector 1, even if the movable connector 1 is used in a vibrating environment, a good conductive connection can be maintained by pressure welding of the bead portion 36e. Further, as compared with the spring contact structure of the relay contact portion 16e of the second embodiment, the pressure welding connection structure of the bead portion 36e of the present embodiment has elastic arms (front elastic arm 16f1, rear elastic arm 16g1) that function as springs. The terminal 33 and the movable connector 1 can be miniaturized by the amount that is unnecessary.

Fifth Embodiment [FIGS. 14 and 15]

The terminal 43 of the movable connector 1 of the fifth embodiment is different from the terminal 3 of the first embodiment in that it has a welded connection portion 47 in which the relay contact portion 46e of the first terminal portion 46 and the contact base portion 7a are welded together. .. The first terminal portion 46 of the present embodiment includes a substrate connecting portion 46a, a first fixing portion 46b, a movable portion 46c, and a second fixing portion 46d as a "holding portion for a second housing". It has a relay contact portion 46e. The relay contact portion 46e, the contact base portion 7a, and the welded connection portion 47 form a “terminal contact portion”. In the present embodiment, the first terminal portion 46 and the second terminal portion 7 are incorporated into the movable housing 5 in a state of being welded in advance by the welded connection portion 47. According to such a movable connector 1, since the contact structure between the relay contact portion 46e and the contact base portion 7a is a welded connection structure formed by the welded connecting portion 47, the relay contact portion 46e and the contact base portion 7a are integrally fixed. .. Therefore, even if the movable connector 1 is used in a vibrating environment, the relay contact portion 46e and the contact base portion 7a do not slightly slide, and a good conductive connection can be maintained. Further, in the welded connection structure, since the relay contact portion 46e and the contact base portion 7a are melt-integrated at the welded connection portion 47, the contact resistance can be maintained low. Further, as compared with the spring contact structure of the second embodiment or the pressure contact connection structure by the bead portion 36e of the fourth embodiment, the welded connection structure can form a larger welded connection portion 47 as a conductive contact, so that the contact is made. Resistance can be kept low. Further, in the welded connection structure, since the welded connection portion 47 is melt-integrated, the relay contact portion 46e and the contact base portion 7a can be made difficult to peel off even when used in a vibration environment.

Modification example

In the above embodiment, an example in which the number of the first terminal portions 6 is five is shown, but the number of the first terminal portions 6 may be a plurality of terminals other than five depending on the required specifications. Similarly to this, an example is shown in which the number of contact pieces 7c of the second terminal portion 7 is three, but the number of contact pieces 7c may be changed according to the required specifications. Further, although the example in which the second terminal portion 7 has a configuration in which the first contact piece 7c1 and the second contact piece 7c2 having different lengths are provided, they may all have the same length or are all different in length. It may be the length.

In the third embodiment, the connecting piece portion 26e and the connecting protrusion 7 are arranged so that their ends are separated from each other inside the connecting member 24, but the ends are arranged so as to be butted against each other. You can also.

In the fourth embodiment, the bead portion 36e is provided on the second fixing portion 36d, but the bead portion may be provided on the contact base portion 7a. Further, the contact base portion 7a of the fourth embodiment may be provided with a contact recess into which the bead portion 36e fits.

In the fifth embodiment, an example of the welded connection portion 46e for joining the relay contact portion 46e and the contact base portion 7a is shown, but not only the relay contact portion 46e but also the second fixing portion 46d has the contact base portion 7a. A welded connection portion 46 to be joined may be provided. Further, in the fifth embodiment, an example is shown in which the first terminal portion 46 and the second terminal portion 7 are incorporated into the movable housing 5 in a state of being previously welded by the welded connection portion 47. The terminal portion 46 and the second terminal portion 7 of the above may be welded after incorporating them into the movable housing 5.

In the above embodiment, the mating connector P2 and the mating terminal P21 are exemplified as the connection target, but the connection target is not limited to the electric connector, and may be a substrate (flexible substrate, rigid substrate), a terminal, or an electric element.

1 Movable connector 2 Housing 3 Terminal 4 Fixed housing (1st housing)
4a 1st peripheral wall 4a1 1st side wall 4a11 Inner side surface 4a2 2nd side wall 4b 1st upper wall 4b1 Opening 4b2 Slit 4c Fixing bracket mounting protrusion 4c1 Fixing bracket 4d Storage space 4e Fixed housing terminal fixing part 5 Movable Housing (second housing)
5a Second peripheral wall 5a1 Third side wall 5a11 Inner side surface 5a2 Fourth side wall 5b Second upper wall 5b1 Insertion hole 5c Partition wall 5d Protrusion 5d1 Hole 5e Terminal connection chamber 5f Movable housing terminal fixing part 5f1 First terminal part Fixed part 5f2 Fixed part for second terminal part 5f3 Protruding part 6 First terminal part 6a Board connection part 6b First fixed part 6c Movable part 6c1 First extension part 6c2 Bending part 6c3 Second extension part 6c4 3rd extension part 6c5 4th extension part 6d 2nd fixing part (holding part for 2nd housing)
6e Relay contact part (contact part between terminals, contact piece)
6e1 Elastic arm 6e2 Contact part 7 Second terminal part 7a Contact base part (contact part between terminal parts)
7a1 Contact receiving surface 7b Third fixing part 7c Contact piece 7c1 First contact piece 7c2 Second contact piece 7c3 Elastic arm 7c4 Elastic arm 7c5 Contact part 7d Connecting protrusion (contact part between terminal parts)
13 terminals (second embodiment)
16 First terminal portion (second embodiment)
16a Board connection part 16b First fixing part 16c Movable part 16d Second fixing part (holding part for second housing)
16e Relay contact part (contact part between terminals)
16f Front contact part (contact piece)
16f1 Front elastic arm 16f2 Front contact part 16g Rear contact part (contact piece)
16g1 Rear elastic arm 16g2 Rear contact part 23 terminal (third embodiment)
24 Connecting member (contact part between terminals)
24a Caulking portion 26 First terminal portion (third embodiment)
26a Board connection part 26b First fixing part 26c Movable part 26d Second fixing part (holding part for second housing)
26e Connecting piece (contact between terminals)
36 First terminal portion (fourth embodiment)
36a Board connection part 36b First fixing part 36c Movable part 36d Second fixing part (relay contact part, holding part for second housing)
36e bead portion 46 first terminal portion (fourth embodiment)
46a Board connection part 46b First fixing part 46c Movable part 46d Second fixing part (holding part for second housing)
46e Relay contact part 47 Welded connection part P1 Substrate P11 Surface P12 Circuit contact part P2 Partner connector (connection target)
P21 partner terminal (object to be connected)

Claims (10)

The first housing and
A second housing that connects to the object to be connected,
In a movable connector including a terminal having a movable portion that displaceably supports the second housing with respect to the first housing.
The terminal is
The first terminal portion having the movable portion and
A second terminal portion that makes conductive contact with the connection object,
It has an inter-terminal contact portion that conducts conductive contact between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion.
A movable connector characterized in that the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are made of separate conductive metal pieces.
The movable connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal has a plurality of the first terminal portions formed as separate parts from each other.
The movable connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal has a plurality of contact portions between the terminal portions.
The first terminal portion has a second housing holding portion having a first end portion connected to the movable portion.
The movable connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact portion between the terminal portions is located on the second end side of the holding portion for the second housing.
The contact portion between the terminal portions is
The relay contact portion provided in the first terminal portion and
The movable connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is provided in the second terminal portion and has a contact base portion that conducts with the relay contact portion.
The contact structure with the relay contact portion or the contact base portion is a spring contact structure formed by a contact piece provided on at least one of the relay contact portion or the contact base portion and having an elastic arm and a contact portion connected to the elastic arm. The movable connector according to claim 5.
5. The contact structure with the relay contact portion or the contact base portion is a pressure contact connection structure in which a bead portion provided on at least one of the relay contact portion or the contact base portion presses against any one of the above. Described movable connector.
The movable connector according to claim 5, wherein the contact structure of the relay contact portion or the contact base portion is a welded connection structure formed by welding the relay contact portion and the contact base portion.
The contact portion between the terminal portions is
It is a connecting member that is formed of a conductive metal piece that is separate from the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, and holds the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion. The movable connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The movable connector according to claim 9, wherein the connecting member has a caulking portion fixed to the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion.

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