JP2021018858A - connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of improving connection reliability.SOLUTION: An urging member that urges a mating contact toward a contact has a space between the urging member and the contact into which the mating contact is inserted, and is provided to surround the contact in the circumferential direction of a fitting direction. The housing movably holds the urging member in a second direction and/or a third direction perpendicular to a fitting/detaching direction so that the urging member can follow the mating contact when the connector is fitted to the mating connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

The present invention relates to a connector.

There is a connector that electrically connects the contact to the other contact by bringing the other contact into contact with the contact. In this type of connector, the mating contact is often brought into contact with the contact by pressing the mating contact against the contact with an elastic member such as a spring. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which an elastic portion is integrally formed with the contact during the manufacture of the contact. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a connector in which an elastic member is fixed to a contact when the connector is assembled.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which an elastic member is integrally formed with the contact during the manufacture of the contact. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a connector in which an elastic member is fixed to a contact when the connector is assembled. In these connectors, the position of the elastic member with respect to the contact is fixed.

Special Publication No. 52-12393 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-228012

In the connectors described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, if the dimensional accuracy of the contact and the elastic member is poor, the elastic member cannot press the mating contact with an appropriate pressing force. Therefore, even if the contact is brought into contact with the other contact by an elastic member, sufficient electrical characteristics may not be obtained. Further, if the dimensional accuracy of the contact and the elastic member is poor on the one hand, the contact of the other party is forced to come into contact with the contact, so that the contact and the elastic member may be deformed. In this case, the elastic member cannot press the mating contact with a more appropriate pressing force due to the dimensional change due to the deformation. As described above, it is difficult to improve the connection reliability of the connector.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of improving connection reliability in view of such problems.

The electric connector according to one embodiment of the present invention is a connector connected by fitting with a mating connector having a mating contact, and the connector is a first direction in which the mating / detaching direction with the mating connector is obtained. A contact extending along the line and an urging member for urging the other contact in a second direction in which the contact and the other contact face each other and are perpendicular to the first direction. , The contact and a housing for holding the urging member, the urging member has a space between the urging member and the contact into which the other contact is inserted. The housing is provided so as to surround the mating direction in the circumferential direction, and the housing is biased so that the biasing member can move following the mating contact when the connector mates with the mating connector. The member is movably held in the second direction and / or in the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the second direction.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the contact is a substantially rectangular shape having a long side and a short side, and the surface including the long side and extending in the fitting direction may form a contact surface with the mating contact. preferable.

Further, the urging member has a substantially C-shape that surrounds the contact in the circumferential direction of the first direction, and the urging member has a substantially C-shaped opening when the other party contact is not inserted. It is preferable that the contact is housed inside the urging member so that the contact is on the opposite side of the space.

Further, the housing has an opening into which the mating contact is inserted at an end portion in the fitting direction, and the fitting is provided in an internal space extending from the opening along a detaching direction opposite to the fitting direction. It is provided with a holding portion that extends along the direction and holds the urging member, the urging member has a fitting portion, and the holding portion fits with the fitting portion with a gap. The urged member has a fitted portion, and by being guided to the holding portion along the detaching direction, the fitted portion and the fitting portion are fitted to the fitted portion at a predetermined distance from the opening in the detaching direction. It is preferable to fit at the part.

Further, it is preferable that the urging member is held with a gap between the fitting portion and the fitted portion in the second direction.

Further, it is preferable that the fitting portion is held with a gap between the fitting portion and the fitted portion in the third direction.

Further, it is preferable that the fitting portion is held with a gap between the fitting portion and the fitted portion in the first direction.

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

It is a perspective view of the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention which shows the state before fitting with the mating connector. It is a perspective view which shows the state which omitted the housing of a connector from FIG. 1A. It is a perspective view of the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention which shows the state after fitting with the mating connector. It is a perspective view which shows the state which omitted the housing of a connector from FIG. 2A. It is a front view which shows the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective sectional view in line IV-IV in FIG. It is sectional drawing in the VV line in FIG. It is sectional drawing in the VI-VI line in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the region A1 in FIG. 6A. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the region A2 in FIG. 7A. It is an exploded perspective view of the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state after mating with the mating connector, which is perpendicular to the 1st direction of the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The cutting position of the end face is the same as in FIG. 7A. It is sectional drawing which shows the state after mating with the mating connector, which is perpendicular to the 3rd direction of the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The cutting position of the end face is the same as in FIG. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the operation of the urging member at the time of fitting with a mating connector. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the urging member used for the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the urging member used for the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the urging member used for the connector which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are merely examples, and the connector of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the attached drawings, parts having the same function are designated by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the connector 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 2, a contact 3 housed in the housing 2, and an urging member 4 (see FIG. 1B).

The connector 1 is of the same type as the mating connector C1 and is electrically connected to the mating connector C1 by fitting with the mating connector C1. A structure including the connector 1 and the counterparty connector C1 is called a connector structure. The connector 1 is a high-power connector that allows energization at a large current or a large voltage, and is preferably used for electrical connection with an industrial storage battery or the like, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, in this specification, a male-female type connector is electrically fitted to another connector having at least the same size and shape of the fitting portion by reversing the orientation. A connector that can be connected to. For example, a connector of the same sex type includes a connector having a different size and shape of the part other than the fitting part due to attachment of another member to a part other than the fitting part which is the same type. In the present embodiment, the connector 1 and the mating connector C1 have the same size and shape not only at the fitting portion but also at a portion other than the fitting portion. Each part of the mating connector C1 is referred to by adding "the other party" to the name of the same part of the connector 1, and adding "C" to the sign of the same part of the connector 1. (For example, the same part of the other party connector is referred to as "the other party housing C2" with respect to the "housing 2" of the connector).

In the present specification, the direction in which the connector 1 is fitted toward the mating connector C1 is referred to as a fitting direction D11, the direction in which the connector 1 is pulled out from the mating connector C1 is referred to as a detaching direction D12, and the mating direction D11 and the detaching direction D12. Both directions are collectively referred to as the first direction D1. Further, one direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 is referred to as a second direction D2. In the present embodiment, the second direction D2 is the thickness direction of the contact 3 which is the direction perpendicular to one surface of the contact 3 (hereinafter, the second direction D2 is also referred to as the thickness direction D2). Further, the direction perpendicular to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is referred to as a third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the third direction D3 is the width direction of the contact 3 (hereinafter, the third direction D3 is also referred to as the width direction D3). The second direction D2 is not necessarily limited to the thickness direction of the contact 3, and the third direction D3 is not necessarily limited to the width direction of the contact 3. Further, in the present specification, when the terms "upper" and "lower" such as "upper side" and "lower side" are used, the direction in which the contact 3 contacts the other contact C3 is referred to as "upper", and vice versa. Call it "bottom".

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the connector 1 is moved in the mating direction D11 with respect to the mating connector C1 in which the connector 1 is inverted (rotated by 180 °) about the third direction D3. Is fitted with the mating connector C1 and electrically connected.

The housing 2 has an insulating property and surrounds the contact 3 and the urging member 4. The housing 2 includes a base portion 21 and a fitting portion 22 protruding from the base portion 21 along the fitting direction D11. At the end of the base portion 21 in the detaching direction D12, an opening having a shape into which the contact 3 can be inserted (see the mating opening C21a of the mating connector C1) is provided. At the end of the fitting portion 22 in the fitting direction D11, an opening 22a having a shape into which the mating portion C22 can be inserted is provided.

The fitting portion 22 of the housing 2 is a portion that fits with the mating fitting portion C22 of the mating connector C1. The fitting portion 22 is a portion that overlaps with the mating portion C22 in the first direction D1 when mated with the mating portion C22. As shown in FIG. 1A, the fitting portion 22 is a fitting wall portion (lower side) that surrounds the contact 3 and the urging member 4 (see FIG. 1B) along the first direction D1 with one (lower side) of the second direction D2. An outer wall portion) 23 and an inner wall portion 24 surrounded by the other (upper side) of the second direction D2 are provided. The portion surrounded by the fitting wall portion 23 and the inner wall portion 24 extends from the opening 22a in the detaching direction D12 to form an internal space S2 capable of accommodating and fitting the mating fitting portion C22. As shown in FIG. 2A, the fitting wall portion 23 is a wall portion that fits with the mating fitting portion C22 of the mating housing C2 when mated with the mating connector C1. Specifically, the fitting wall portion 23 faces the mating fitting portion C22 in the second direction D2, and the fitting boundary portion B1 is formed between the housing 2 and the mating housing C2 along the first direction D1. Form. The fitting boundary portion B1 is a portion serving as a boundary between the fitting wall portion 23 and the mating fitting wall portion C23 in a region where the fitting wall portion 23 and the mating fitting wall portion C23 overlap. In the present embodiment, the fitting boundary portion B1 is composed of an end surface 23a of the fitting wall portion 23 and a mating end surface C23a of the mating fitting wall portion C23, which will be described later.

The shape and structure of the fitting wall portion 23 are not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the cross section perpendicular to the first direction D1 is substantially U-shaped, and the inner surface thereof has a substantially U-shape. It has a locked portion 231. At the start of fitting, the locked portion 231 is guided in the fitting direction D11 by the mating locking portion (see the locking portion 241 of the connector 1) provided on the outer surface of the mating inner wall portion C24, and is fitted. When the match is completed, it is locked with the other party's locking portion. Similarly, the inner wall portion 24 has a substantially U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the first direction D1, and has a locking portion 241 on its outer surface. At the start of fitting, the locking portion 241 is guided in the fitting direction D11 by the mating locked portion (see the locked portion 231 of the connector 1) provided on the inner surface of the mating wall portion C23. Moreover, when the fitting is completed, it is locked with the other party's locked portion.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the inner surface of the fitting wall portion 23 is fitted with the outer surface of the mating inner wall portion C24 in the first direction D1, and the outer surface of the inner wall portion 24 is in the first direction D1. , Fits with the inner surface of the mating wall portion C23. Then, when the connector 1 and the mating connector C1 are fitted, the fitting wall portion 23 extends along the first direction D1 which faces the mating end surface C23a of the mating mating wall portion C23 in the second direction D2. It has an end face 23a. Further, the inner wall portion 24 has an end face 24a extending along the first direction D1 facing the other end face (see the end face 24a of the connector 1) of the other inner wall portion C24 in the second direction D2. The end face 23a of the fitting wall portion 23 and the mating end face C23a of the mating wall portion C23 face each other on the outside of the housing 2, and the end face 24a of the inner wall portion 24 and the mating end face of the mating inner wall portion C24 are inside the housing 2. Facing at. Since the fitting wall portion 23 is one size larger than the inner wall portion 24, the fitting wall portion 23 and the mating mating wall portion C23 form the outer periphery of the connector 1 and the mating connector C1 at the time of fitting, and the inner wall portion 24 and the mating wall portion C1 are formed. The fitting portion 22 is arranged so as to face the mating portion C22 in the second direction D2 and overlap with each other in the first direction D1 so that the mating inner wall portion C24 forms the inner circumference.

The fitting wall portion 23 includes a convex portion 232 that protrudes in the second direction D2 along the first direction D1 and fits into the mating concave portion (see the concave portion 233 of the connector 1) on the detaching direction D12 side of the end surface 23a. Further, the fitting wall portion 23 includes a recess 233 that is recessed in the second direction D2 along the first direction D1 and is fitted to the mating convex portion C232 on the fitting direction D11 side of the end surface 23a. In the present embodiment, the length of the convex portion 232 in the first direction D1 is substantially the same as the length of the mating concave portion in the first direction D1 so that the fitting wall portion 23 can be fitted with the mating wall portion C23. Is set to. Since the connector 1 is of the same type as the mating connector C1, the length of the convex portion 232 in the first direction D1 is substantially the same as the length of the concave portion 233 in the first direction D1. The term "substantially the same" as used herein means that the length of the convex portion 232 / the other convex portion C232 in the first direction D1 is the same as or slightly the same as the length of the concave portion 233 / the other concave portion in the first direction D1. Refers to being short. The length of the convex portion 232 / the mating convex portion C232 in the first direction D1 with respect to the length of the concave portion 233 / the mating concave portion in the first direction D1 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 95% to 100%. By setting the length of the convex portion 232 / the mating convex portion C232 in the first direction D1 in this way, the convex portion 232 and the concave portion 233 in the first direction D1 cover almost the entire end surface 23a of the first direction D1. It fits with the mating concave portion and the mating convex portion C232, respectively. These convex portions 232, concave portions 233, counterparty convex portions C232, and counterpart concave portions will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fitting portion 22 includes a holding portion 25 that holds the contact 3 and the urging member 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the holding portion 25 extends in the fitting direction D11 in the internal space S2 of the fitting portion 22. In the present embodiment, the holding portion 25 includes a first holding portion 26 for holding the contact 3 and a second holding portion 27 for holding the urging member 4, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first holding portion 26 has a protective portion 261 in the vicinity of the opening edge 22a1 of the opening 22a. The shape and structure of the first holding portion 26 are not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, when viewed in the second direction D2, which contacts the contact 3 in the fitting direction D11 and the third direction D3 and surrounds the contact 3. It is formed in a substantially U-shape. The protection portion 261 is provided on the extension line of the contact 3 in the fitting direction D11, and restricts the entry of fingers through the opening 22a, as will be described later. The shape of the protective portion 261 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the protective portion 261 is provided so that the gap between the opening edge 22a1 of the opening 22a and the protective portion 261 is a predetermined size. The size of the gap is not particularly limited as long as it is a size that restricts the entry of a finger such as an operator through the opening 22a.

The second holding portion 27 movably holds the urging member 4 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A (see also FIG. 11). The shape and structure of the second holding portion 27 are not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the second holding portion 27 is fitted from the base portion 21 in parallel with the first holding portion 26 on the lower side of the first holding portion 26. It extends in the direction D11 (see FIG. 6A). The second holding portion 27 has a fitted portion 271 into which the fitting portion 41 of the urging member 4 is fitted. The shape and structure of the fitted portion 271 are not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the fitted portion 271 is surrounded by wall portions 272 provided on both sides of the third direction D3. As shown in FIG. 6A, it is formed in a groove shape extending in the detachment direction D12. The wall portion 272 preferably has an inclined surface at the tip of the second holding portion 27 on the fitting direction D11 side. Then, when the urging member 4 is attached to the second holding portion 27, the fitting portion 41 of the urging member 4 gets over the inclined surface and fits into the fitted portion 271. Is attached to the second holding portion 27.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base 21 of the housing 2 extends from the opening 21a in the fitting direction D11 and has an internal space S1 capable of accommodating and fitting the contact 3. A guide groove 21b (see also the counterparty guide groove C21b in FIGS. 1A and 2A) that is recessed in the third direction D3 and extends along the first direction D1 is formed on the inner surface of the wall portion 211 of the base portion 21. The contact 3 inserted through the opening 21a is guided in the fitting direction D11 by the guide groove 21b. The guide groove 21b is formed with a locking portion 212 protruding into the internal space S1 in the third direction D3. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 212 locks with the locked portion 311 of the contact 3 so as to restrict the movement of the contact 3 in the disengagement direction D12. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the base portion 21 has a holding hole 21d into which a holding member 5 (see also the counterpart holding member C5 in FIGS. 1A and 2A) for auxiliary holding the contact 3 at a predetermined position is inserted. Have. The holding hole 21d is a through hole communicating with the inner surface (guide groove 21b in the present embodiment) of the base 21 on which the contact 3 slides from the outer surface of the base 21. More specifically, the holding hole 21d is formed so as to penetrate in the second direction D2 from the lower surface of the base portion 21 toward the internal space S1 of the base portion 21. The internal space S1 of the base portion 21 is partitioned by the internal space S2 of the fitting portion 22 on the upper side of the first holding portion 26 and the partition wall 2a in the first direction D1. The partition wall 2a extends downward from the inner wall portion 24 in the second direction D2 so that the end portion of the urging member 4 on the detaching direction D12 side abuts. Further, the fitting portion 22 has an insertion portion 28 into which the counterparty inner wall portion C24 (see FIG. 1A) of the counterparty connector C1 is inserted. The insertion portion 28 has an internal space extending from the opening 22a along the separation direction D12, and is closed by the closing wall 2b in the separation direction D12.

The material of the housing 2 is, for example, an engineering plastic such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), but the material is not limited as long as it has an insulating property and has strength for protecting the housing 2.

The contact 3 is formed of a conductive material having conductivity such as metal. As shown in FIG. 1B, the contact 3 includes a contact portion 31 on the fitting direction D11 side and a connecting portion 32 on the detachment direction D12 side.

The contact portion 31 is a portion that is electrically connected to the mating connector C1 (see FIG. 1A). Specifically, the contact portion 31 extends along the fitting direction D11, and as shown in FIG. 2B, when mated with the mating connector C1 (see FIG. 1A), the contact portion 31 and the mating contact portion C31 of the mating contact C3 Contact. In the present embodiment, the contact portion 31 is in contact with the other contact portion C31 in a state of being overlapped with each other in the second direction D2 and is electrically conductive. The shape of the contact portion 31 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the contact portion 31 is formed in a plate shape, and the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction D1 is the long side. It has a substantially rectangular shape with a short side. The surface including the long side and extending in the first direction D1 forms the upper surface 31a and the lower surface 31b, and the surface including the short side extending in the first direction D1 forms the side surface 31c connecting the upper surface 31a and the lower surface 31b. I'm doing it. As shown in FIG. 2B, the upper surface 31a (also referred to as the contact surface 31a), which is one surface in the second direction D2 of the contact portion 31, comes into contact with the counterparty upper surface C31a (also referred to as the counterparty contact surface C31a) of the counterparty contact C3. .. As described above, since the contact 3 of the present embodiment is in surface contact with the other party contact C3 on a surface having a large area and is electrically connected, the contact resistance between the contact 3 and the other party contact C3 is reduced. This makes it possible to energize with a relatively large current or a large voltage.

The connecting portion 32 is a portion that is electrically connected to the electric wire W. As shown in FIG. 1B, for example, the connecting portion 32 is connected to the electric wire W by tightening and holding the electric wire W, but the connection portion 32 is not limited to this as long as a good connection with the electric wire W can be achieved. Although not shown, the electric wire W is composed of, for example, a conductive conductor that extends in the first direction D1 and an insulating coating that covers the conductor in the circumferential direction of the first direction D1 and has insulating properties.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the contact 3 has a concave locked portion 311 on the side surface 31c, and has a through hole 31d penetrating between the upper surface 31a and the lower surface 31b.

The contact 3 is held in the housing 2 by being detachably attached to the housing 2, as shown in FIG. The method of attaching the contact 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can be removed from the housing 2. In the present embodiment, the contact 3 is attached to the housing 2 by being inserted into the fitting direction D11 through the opening 21a of the base 21 of the housing 2. At that time, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact 3 is guided in the fitting direction D11 so that the side surface 31c thereof is fitted into the guide groove 21b of the base 21 (see also the counterparty guide groove C21b in FIGS. 1A and 2A). Will be done. When the contact 3 is inserted in the fitting direction D11, the locked portion 311 of the contact 3 engages with the locking portion 212 of the base portion 21 to suppress the movement of the contact 3 in the detaching direction D12. At the same time, the contact portion 31 of the contact 3 is fitted into the first holding portion 26 of the housing 2 in the fitting direction D11 and the third direction D3. By engaging and fitting with the housing 2, the contact 3 is positioned within the housing 2. If necessary, as shown in FIG. 5, the holding member 5 is inserted into the holding hole 21d of the housing 2, and the holding member 5 is fitted into the through hole 31d of the contact 3, so that the contact 3 inside the housing 2 is fitted. It is also possible to improve the positioning accuracy of the housing.

As shown in FIG. 5, the gap between the opening edge 22a1 of the opening 22a and the protective portion 261 is set to a predetermined size that restricts the entry of fingers such as workers. Therefore, a finger of an operator or the like does not enter the inside of the fitting portion 22 through the opening 22a. Further, in the present embodiment, when the contact 3 is fitted to the housing 2, the protective portion 261 is located on the extension line of the contact portion 31 in the fitting direction D11 in the vicinity of the opening edge 22a1 of the fitting portion 22. .. Therefore, even if the operator touches the vicinity of the opening edge 22a1 with a finger, the contact 3 is not touched by the finger, but the protective portion 261 is touched. Therefore, by providing the protection unit 261, it is possible to prevent an electric shock from an operator or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the urging member 4 urges the contact 3 and / or the mating contact C3 in the pressing direction facing each other when mating with the mating connector C1 (see FIG. 1A) to urge the contact 3 and the mating party. Ensure good contact with contact C3. In the present embodiment, the pressing direction is the second direction D2. The shape and structure of the urging member 4 are not particularly limited as long as the contact 3 and / or the counterpart contact C3 can be urged in the pressing direction. In the present embodiment, the urging member 4 is composed of a single plate-shaped member having a substantially C-shaped cross section perpendicular to the first direction D1. Further, in the present embodiment, the urging member 4 is made of an elastic material, and the contact 3 and / or the other contact C3 is urged in the second direction D2 by the elastic force.

As shown in FIG. 8, the urging member 4 is held in the housing 2 by being detachably attached to the housing 2. The method of attaching the urging member 4 is not particularly limited as long as it can be removed from the housing 2. In the present embodiment, the urging member 4 is removable from the second holding portion 27 (see FIG. 3 and the like) of the housing 2 by being inserted into the detaching direction D12 from the opening 22a of the fitting portion 22 of the housing 2. It is attached. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, the urging member 4 has the contact 3 and / or the first holding portion 26 inside the urging member 4 so as to surround the contact 3 and / or the first holding portion 26. It is attached to the housing 2 by being guided by the contact 3 and / or the first holding portion 26 along the detaching direction D12 while being housed in the housing 2. When the urging member 4 is moved from the opening 22a in the detaching direction D12 by a predetermined distance, the fitting portion 41 of the urging member 4 is elastically deformed and fitted into the fitted portion 271 over the inclined surface of the wall portion 272. As a result, the urging member 4 is fitted into the second holding portion 27. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the urging member 4 has a space S3 between the urging member 4 and the contact 3 in the circumferential direction of the first direction D1 (the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1). It is held by the second holding portion 27 so as to surround the contact 3. In this way, when the urging member 4 is attached, the holding portion 25 guides the urging member 4 to a predetermined attachment position and holds the urging member 4, so that the urging member 4 can be easily attached. it can.

When the connector 1 mates with the mating connector C1 (see FIG. 2A), the urging member 4 guides the mating contact C3 into space S3 and the mating contact C3 (see FIG. 2B) in the second direction facing the contact 3. Encourage D2. The arrangement of the urging member 4 in the housing 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can urge the contact 3 and the mating contact C3 in the direction of pressing each other. In the present embodiment, in the urging member 4, when the counterpart contact C3 is not inserted, an opening formed between both ends (a pair of fitting portions 41) of the substantially C-shaped urging member is in the second direction. The contact 3 is arranged so as to be accommodated inside the urging member 4 so as to be on the opposite side of the space S3 with the contact 3 sandwiched by D2. With this arrangement, the mating contact C3 comes into contact with the portion (upper surface) of the urging member 4 that is not open, so that the pressing force increases. Further, in the present embodiment, since the urging member 4 has a shape symmetrical with respect to the second direction D2, a uniform pressing force is applied from the mating contact C3 to the contact surface 31a of the contact 3. As a result, the contact resistance between the contact 3 and the counterparty contact C3 becomes uniform, so that the connection reliability of the connector 1 is further improved. Further, when the urging member 4 has a substantially C shape, the urging member 4 can be easily manufactured by bending a flat single plate.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the urging member 4 has a fitting portion 41 that fits with the fitted portion 271 of the second holding portion 27 described above. The fitted portion 271 is formed to have a size one size larger than that of the fitting portion 41. Therefore, when the urging member 4 is attached to the housing 2, the urging member 4 is held with gaps G1 to G3 between the fitting portion 41 and the fitted portion 271 (FIGS. 6B and 6B). See FIG. 7B). As a result, the urging member 4 is movably held in a predetermined range with respect to the housing 2. Therefore, it is possible to absorb the dimensional error or the deviation of the position / direction at the time of fitting from the fitting direction D11 in the parts constituting the connector 1 and / or the mating connector C1 (see FIG. 1A). This effect will be described later. The movable direction of the urging member 4 with respect to the housing 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb the above-mentioned dimensional error or the deviation of the position / direction at the time of fitting. For example, the urging member 4 can move in the second direction D2 by being held with a gap G2 between the fitting portion 41 and the fitted portion 271 in the second direction D2. May be (see FIGS. 6B and 7B). Further, the urging member 4 is movable in the third direction D3 by being held with a gap G3 between the fitting portion 41 and the fitted portion 271 in the third direction D3. It may be good (see FIG. 7B).

The movable direction of the urging member 4 with respect to the housing 2 is not limited to only one of the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. For example, the urging member 4 is held in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 with gaps G1 and G2 between the fitting portion 41 and the fitted portion 271 in the first direction. It may be movable in D1 and the second direction D2 (see FIGS. 6B and 7B). Further, the urging member 4 is held in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 with gaps G2 and G3 between the fitting portion 41 and the fitted portion 271 in the second direction. It may be movable in D2 and the third direction D3 (see FIGS. 6B and 7B). Further, the urging member 4 is held in the third direction D3 and the first direction D1 with gaps G3 and G1 between the fitting portion 41 and the mated portion 271 in the third direction. It may be movable in D3 and the first direction D1 (see FIGS. 6B and 7B). Further, the urging member 4 is held by having gaps G1 to G3 between the fitting portion 41 and the fitted portion 271 in the first direction, the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. , 1st direction D1, 2nd direction D2 and 3rd direction D3 may be movable (see FIGS. 6B and 7B).

To explain an example of this embodiment with reference to FIGS. 6A to 7B, when the urging member 4 is attached to the housing 2, the urging member 4 is moved to the detaching direction D12 by the partition wall 2a (see FIG. 6A). The progress is hindered, and the fitting portion 271 into which the fitting portion 41 is fitted prevents the progress in the fitting direction D11. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the fitting portion 41 of the urging member 4 has a gap G1 between the fitting portion 41 and the fitted portion 271 in the first direction D1. It is fitted in the second holding portion 27. When configured in this way, the urging member 4 is movable with respect to the housing 2 in the first direction D1 within a predetermined range. Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the fitted portion 271 of the second holding portion 27 has a cross section perpendicular to the first direction D1 and is fitted in both the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. It is formed to be one size larger than the portion 41. Therefore, the fitting portion 41 of the urging member 4 has gaps G2 and G3 between the fitting portion 41 and the fitted portion 271 in both the second direction D2 and the third direction D3, and is second. It is fitted in the holding portion 27. As a result, the urging member 4 can move in a small amount within a predetermined range in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. That is, in this example, the urging member 4 is configured to be movable in the three directions of the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3. However, as described above, it may be configured so that it can move in only one or two directions of the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the urging member 4 preferably provides a guide portion 42 that assists the insertion of the counterparty contact C3 into the space S3 when mated with the counterparty connector C1 (see FIG. 1A). Have. The shape of the guide portion 42 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the guide portion 42 has a shape that protrudes so as to expand in the fitting direction D11.

The urging member 4 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material capable of urging the contact 3 and the mating contact C3 in the direction of pressing each other. The urging member 4 can be made of a metal such as stainless steel, but may be made of an insulator. When the urging member 4 is made of a conductive metal, the urging member 4 is urged when the urging member 4 comes into contact with the contact 3, such as when the connector 1 and the mating connector C1 are fitted (see FIG. 2A). The member 4 is also energized. Therefore, in the portion where the urging member 4 is attached, the distance between the conductive portion and the outer surface of the housing 2 becomes shorter in the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1, and the operator is more likely to receive an electric shock (see FIG. 7A). ). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the convex portion 232 of the fitting wall portion 23 described above corresponds to this portion in the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 (for example, the second direction D2 or the third direction D3). Is preferably provided. In this way, the convex portion 232 increases the insulation distance of the housing 2 from the outer surface, so that electric shock is prevented.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2B, FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, an example of the fitting operation of the connector 1 of the present embodiment and the mating connector C1 of the same type will be described. The following description of the fitting operation is merely an example, and the connector of the present invention is not limited to the following description.

First, as shown in FIG. 1A, the opening 22a of the fitting portion 22 of the connector 1 is made to face the mating opening 22a of the mating portion C22 of the mating connector C1 (see the opening 22a of the connector 1). After that, as shown in FIG. 9, the locking portion 241 provided on the outside (upper surface) of the inner wall portion 24 is guided by the counterpart locked portion C231 of the mating wall portion C23. Similarly, the locked portion 231 of the fitting wall portion 23 guides the counterpart locking portion C241 of the counterpart inner wall portion C24. As a result, the connector 1 can be stably moved in the fitting direction D11 with respect to the mating connector C1. Further, when the connector 1 is moved in the fitting direction D11, the convex portion 232 of the fitting wall portion 23 starts to fit with the mating concave portion C233 of the mating wall portion C23 on the detaching direction D12 side. Further, on the fitting direction D11 side, the concave portion 233 of the fitting wall portion 23 begins to fit with the mating convex portion C232 of the mating wall portion C23 (see FIG. 1A). As a result, the misalignment of the connector 1 with respect to the mating connector C1 in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 is further reduced. As described above, the convex portion 232 not only lengthens the insulation distance of the connector 1, but also guides the connector 1 to the fitting direction D11 at the time of fitting, and prevents the connector 1 from being displaced with respect to the mating connector C1. Also fulfills.

Further, in the internal space S2 of the fitting portion 22 (see FIG. 1A), as shown in FIG. 1B, the mating contact portion C31 of the mating contact C3 is connected to the contact 3 by the guiding portion 42 of the biasing member 4. Guided by the space S3 between 4 and, as shown in FIG. 2B, it is housed inside the urging member 4. At that time, in the present embodiment, as described above, the urging member 4 is movably held by the second holding portion 27 in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 within a predetermined range (FIG. 7A). Region A2, see FIG. 7B). The housing 2 (see FIG. 1A), the contact 3, and the urging member 4 may be manufactured with dimensional errors. Similarly, the mating housing C2 (see FIG. 1A), the mating contact C3, and the mating urging member C4 may also be manufactured with dimensional errors. Even in such a case, as shown in FIG. 11, the urging member 4 follows the mating contact C3 or the mating urging member C4 while absorbing the dimensional error, and follows the second direction D2 and the third direction. Move to D3. Due to such movement, the urging member 4 accommodates the counterpart contact C3 in the space S3 between the contact 3 and the urging member 4. Therefore, the force applied when the connector 1 is fitted with the mating connector C1 (see FIG. 2A) is released by the movement of the urging member 4. This prevents damage to the contact 3 or the urging member 4 due to a collision with the other party contact C3 or the other party urging member C4, which occurs when the urging member 4 is fixed so as not to move (FIG. 2B). reference). As a result, the connection reliability of the connector 1 is improved. The urging member 4 may be movable in only one of the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. In this case, the dimensional error can be absorbed in each direction.

Further, when the connector 1 is fitted with the mating connector C1 (see FIG. 2B), as shown in FIG. 11, the mating contact C3 or the mating first holding portion is formed at an angle deviating from the desired mating direction D11. C26 may be inserted into space S3. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the urging member 4 is movably held by the second holding portion 27 in the first direction D1 in addition to the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 (FIG. 6A). Region A1, see FIG. 6B). Therefore, the urging member 4 can move in a plurality of directions following the position and direction at the time of insertion of the counterparty contact C3 or the counterparty first holding portion C26. Due to such movement, the urging member 4 accommodates the counterparty contact C3 or the counterparty first holding portion C26 in the space S3. When the urging member 4 has a gap in any two of the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3, the urging member 4 is predetermined when the mating contact C3 is inserted. It is possible to rotate around the axis of. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the urging member 4 is linearly moved in the first direction D1, the second direction D2, the third direction D3, and the like according to the insertion position and the direction of the contact 3. Therefore, the rotation operation in the rotation directions R1, R2, R3 and the like becomes possible. Therefore, when the urging member 4 is movable in two or more directions, the force applied to forcibly fit the contact 3 is released by the rotational movement of the urging member 4. Therefore, damage to the contact 3 or the urging member 4 due to a collision with the other party contact C3 or the other party urging member C4 is prevented. As a result, the connection reliability of the connector 1 is improved.

After that, as shown in FIG. 10, when the connector 1 is further moved in the fitting direction D11, the tip of the mating inner wall portion C24 comes into contact with the closing wall 2b of the insertion portion 28 of the connector 1, and the tip of the inner wall portion 24 comes into contact with the closing wall 2b. , It comes into contact with the counterpart closing wall C2b of the counterpart insertion portion C28 of the counterpart connector C1. At the same time, the locking portion 241 shown in FIG. 1A engages with the mating locked portion (see locked portion 231 of the connector 1), and the locked portion 231 shown in FIG. 1A engages with the mating locking portion (connector). 1) engages with the locking portion 241). As a result, the connector 1 is electrically connected to the counterparty connector C1 in the state shown in FIG. 2A. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the urging member 4 is movable in the second direction D2 within a predetermined range, and is further made of an elastic material. Therefore, the counterparty contact C3 is pressed toward the contact 3 by the urging member 4 with an appropriate urging force. As a result, the contact resistance between the connector 1 and the mating connector C1 is further reduced.

When separating the connector 1 and the counterparty connector C1, after removing the holding member 5 and the counterparty holding member C5, as shown in FIG. 2A, an exposed locking portion on the outer surface of the housing 2 (the locking portion of FIG. 1A). The operation unit 242 of the counterparty housing C2 (see 241) is pressed downward, and the operation unit of the counterparty locking portion (see the locking portion 241 of the connector 1 in FIG. 1A) exposed on the outer surface of the counterparty housing C2 (see the operation unit 242 of the connector 1). Press upwards. As a result, the engagement between the locking portion 241 of the connector 1 and the mating locked portion of the mating connector C1 and the engagement between the locking portion C241 of the mating connector C1 and the locked portion 231 of the connector 1 are released. .. After that, the connector 1 may be moved in the detaching direction D12 with respect to the counterparty connector C1.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9 and the like, the fitting structure of the connector 1 according to the present embodiment will be described together with the effect of the fitting structure. The following description of the fitting structure is merely an example, and the connector of the present invention is not limited to the following description.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the connector 1 is fitted with the mating connector C1, the end face 23a of the mating wall portion 23 faces the mating end face C23a of the mating wall portion C23, so that the end face 23a and the mating end face C23a become A fitting boundary portion B1 is formed between the two. In the fitting boundary portion B1, the convex portion 232 of the fitting wall portion 23 fits with the mating concave portion C233 of the mating fitting wall portion C23 on the detaching direction D12 side (see FIG. 9). On the fitting direction D11 side, the concave portion 233 of the fitting wall portion 23 fits with the mating convex portion C232 of the mating fitting wall portion C23 (see FIG. 1A). As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the insulating wall portion IW in which the cross section perpendicular to the first direction D1 of the fitting boundary portion B1 where a minute gap may occur is not formed linearly, is fitted to the fitting wall portion 23 and the mating wall portion 23. It is formed by the wall portion C23.

That is, when the cross-sectional shapes of the end face and the other end face are flat as in the conventional case, the distance along the boundary between the end face and the other end face does not become long. On the other hand, when the cross-sectional shapes of the end face 23a and the mating end face C23a are formed into a concavo-convex shape that fits each other, the distance between the end face 23a and the mating end face C23a becomes longer due to the unevenness provided. As a result, the insulating distance between the contact 3 inside the housing 2 and the outer surface of the housing 2 becomes long, so that the insulating property of the connector 1 is enhanced when the connector C1 is connected to the other party.

As described above, in order to reduce the contact resistance, when the contact 3 has a substantially rectangular shape having a long side and a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction D1, the side surface 31c of the contact 3 is arranged close to the housing 2. Often done. In such a case, the convex portion 232 is provided on the extension line of the long side of the contact 3 in the third direction D3, that is, on the extension line of the upper surface 31a or the lower surface 31b of the contact 3 in the cross section perpendicular to the first direction D1. If so, the insulation distance between the side surface 31c of the contact 3 and the outer surface of the housing 2 becomes long. Therefore, the insulation property of the connector 1 can be efficiently improved when the connector 1 is connected to the other party connector C1.

Further, since the urging member 4 is located outside the contact 3 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1, when the urging member 4 is conductive and the urging member 4 conducts by energizing the contact 3. The urging member 4 serves as a starting point for a substantial insulation distance in the connector 1. In this case, in order to increase the insulating distance between the urging member 4 and the outer surface of the housing 2, which is a substantial insulating distance, the convex portion 232 and the urging member 4 are in the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. It is preferably provided on the end surface 23a of the corresponding fitting wall portion 23.

Although the connector 1 according to the present embodiment has been described above, the connector according to the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the connector 1 is fitted with the counterparty connector C1, the end surface 24a of the inner wall portion 24 faces the counterpart end surface C24a of the counterpart inner wall portion C24, so that between the end surface 24a and the counterpart end surface C24a. The boundary portion B2 is formed in the area. In addition to the fitting structure of the outer wall portion 23, or instead of the fitting structure of the outer wall portion 23, a fitting structure similar to the fitting boundary portion B1 may be formed in the boundary portion B2. In this case, a convex portion is formed on the detaching direction D12 side of the end face 24a, and a mating concave portion is formed on the mating end face C24a facing the convex portion. Further, a concave portion is formed on the fitting direction D11 side of the end face 24a, and a mating convex portion is formed on the mating end face C24a facing the concave portion. Then, the convex portion is fitted with the mating concave portion, and the concave portion is fitted with the mating convex portion, whereby a fitting structure is formed at the boundary portion B2. In this case, an insulating wall portion is formed inside the housing 2. Therefore, since the insulation distance between the contact 3 inside the housing 2 and the outer surface of the housing 2 becomes long, the insulation property of the connector 1 is enhanced at the time of connection with the mating connector C1. Further, when the fitting structure described above is provided on both the outer wall portion 23 and the inner wall portion 24, the insulating wall portion is formed on both the outer side and the inner side of the housing 2. In this case, the insulation distance can be further lengthened, and the insulation property of the connector 1 is further improved.

In FIG. 1A and the like, the urging member 4 urges the contact 3 so that the substantially C-shaped opening is on the opposite side of the space S3 between the urging member 4 and the contact 3 with the contact 3 interposed therebetween. It was housed inside 4, but it is not limited to this. For example, the urging member 4 may accommodate the contact 3 inside the urging member 4 so that the substantially C-shaped opening is on the opposite side of the contact 3 with the space S3 in between. Also in this case, since the urging member 4 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the second direction D2, a uniform pressing force is applied to the contact surface 31a of the contact 3. As a result, the contact resistance between the contact 3 and the counterparty contact C3 becomes uniform on the contact surface 31a, so that the connection reliability of the connector 1 is improved.

The shape of the urging member 4 is not limited to FIG. 1A and the like. For example, in FIG. 1A and the like, the urging member 4 has a substantially C shape in the longitudinal direction (second direction D2) when viewed from the first direction D1 so that the contact surface 31a of the contact 3 faces a substantially C-shaped opening. It has a letter-shaped opening. However, as shown in FIG. 12A, in the urging member 4a, the side surface 31c of the contact 3 faces the substantially C-shaped opening in the lateral direction of the urging member 4 when viewed from the first direction D1. It may have a substantially C-shaped opening in the three directions D3). Even in such a case, the urging member 4a can be easily manufactured by bending a flat single plate. Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the urging member 4b may be formed seamlessly from the first direction D1 so as to completely surround the contact 3 in the circumferential direction of the first direction D1. Also in this case, if the urging member 4b has a symmetrical shape with respect to the second direction D2, the contact resistance between the contact 3 and the mating contact C3 becomes uniform, so that the connection reliability of the connector 1 is further improved. To do.

The shape of the fitting portion 41 of the urging member 4 is not limited to FIG. 1A and the like. For example, the fitting portion may have a concave shape, and the fitted portion of the second holding portion that fits the fitting portion may have a convex shape. Further, in FIG. 1A and the like, the fitting portion 41 is provided at the end of the urging member 4 in the fitting direction D11, but the position of the fitting portion 41 in the first direction D1 is the fitted portion 271. It is not limited to this as long as it is held movable. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the fitting portions 41a and 41b may be provided at intervals from the ends of the biasing members 4a and 4b in the fitting direction D11 in the detaching direction D12.

When the guiding portion 42 is provided on the urging member 4, the shape of the guiding portion 42 is not limited to FIG. 1A and the like. In FIG. 1A and the like, the guide portion 42 has a shape that protrudes from the end of the fitting direction D11 of the urging member 4 so as to spread toward the fitting direction D11, but the urging member 4 and the contact 3 If the contact C3 of the other party can be guided to the space S3 between and, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the urging member 4c shown in FIG. 12C, the guiding portion 42c may be folded back from the end portion of the urging member 4 in the fitting direction D11. In this case, it is preferable that the guide portion 42c is folded back so as to narrow in the detaching direction D12.

1 Connector 2 Housing 2a Partition 2b Blocking wall 21 Base 211 Wall 212 Locking 21a Opening 21b Guide groove 21d Holding hole 22 Fitting 22a Opening 22a1 Opening edge 23 Fitting wall (outer wall)
231 Locked part 23a End face 232 Convex part 233 Concave part 24 Inner wall part (fitting wall part)
241 Locking part 242 Operation part 24a End face 25 Holding part 26 First holding part 261 Protecting part 27 Second holding part 271 Fitted part 272 Wall part 28 Inserting part 3 Contact 31 Contact part 31a Top surface (contact surface)
31b Bottom surface 31c Side surface 31d Through hole 311 Locked part 32 Connection part 4, 4a to 4c Biasing member 41, 41a to 41c Fitting part 42, 42a to 42c Guiding part 5 Holding member A1, A2 area B1 Fitting boundary part B2 Boundary C1 Opposite connector C2 Opposite housing C2b Opposite obstruction wall C21a Opposite opening C21b Opposite guide groove C22 Opposite fitting wall C23 Opposite fitting wall C23a Opposite end face C231 Opposite locked part C232 Opposite convex part C232 Opposite recess C24 Part C241 Opponent locking part C24a Opposite end face C26 Opposite first holding part C28 Opposite insertion part C3 Opposite contact C31 Opposite contact part C31a Opposite upper surface (opposite contact surface)
C4 Opposite urging member C5 Opposite holding member D1 First direction D11 Fitting direction D12 Detachment direction D2 Second direction (thickness direction)
D3 3rd direction (width direction)
DS2, DS3 direction G1 to G3 gap IW insulation wall part R1 to R3 rotation direction S1, S2 internal space S3 space W electric wire

Claims (7)

A connector that is connected by mating with a counterparty connector that has a counterparty contact.
The connector is
A contact extending along a first direction, which is a mating / detaching direction with the mating connector,
An urging member that urges the other contact in a second direction, which is a direction in which the contact and the other contact face each other and is perpendicular to the first direction.
Including the contact and a housing for holding the urging member.
The urging member has a space between the urging member and the contact into which the mating contact is inserted, and is provided so as to surround the contact in the circumferential direction of the fitting direction.
The housing moves the urging member in the second and / or first direction so that the urging member can move following the mating contact when the connector mates with the mating connector. And an electrical connector that holds movably in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction. The cross-sectional shape of the contact is a substantially rectangular shape having a long side and a short side.
The surface including the long side and extending in the fitting direction forms the contact surface with the counterparty contact.
The electrical connector according to claim 1. The urging member has a substantially C shape that surrounds the contact in the circumferential direction of the first direction.
The urging member accommodates the contact inside the urging member so that when the mating contact is not inserted, the substantially C-shaped opening is opposite to the space with the contact in between. The electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2. The housing has an opening at the end of the fitting direction into which the mating contact is inserted, and the fitting direction is provided in an internal space extending from the opening along a detaching direction opposite to the fitting direction. A holding portion that extends along and holds the urging member is provided.
The urging member has a fitting portion, and the holding portion has a fitted portion to be fitted with a gap from the fitting portion.
The urging member is guided to the holding portion along the detaching direction, so that the urging member is fitted into the fitted portion and the fitting portion at a predetermined distance from the opening in the detaching direction. The electric connector according to any one of 1 to 3. The electric connector according to claim 4, wherein the urging member is held with a gap between the fitting portion and the fitted portion in the second direction. The electric connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the fitting portion is held with a gap between the fitting portion and the fitted portion in the third direction. The electricity according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the fitting portion is held with a gap between the fitting portion and the fitted portion in the first direction. connector.

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