JP6960580B2 - Connector and lighting fixtures - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector and a luminaire, and more particularly to a male connector which is a mating connector, a detachable female connector, and a luminaire including the female connector.

A lighting fixture such as a downlight or a base light includes, for example, a lamp unit and a power supply unit that generates electric power for lighting the lamp unit. The power supply unit includes a circuit board on which circuit components for lighting the lamp are mounted, and a circuit case for accommodating the circuit board. The power supply unit and the lamp unit are electrically connected by, for example, a power supply line. In this case, the circuit board of the power supply unit and the power supply line are electrically connected by, for example, connecting two connectors, a connector (board connector) attached to the circuit board and a connector (cable connector) attached to the power supply line. Is connected.

Conventionally, as a board connector of this type, a connector having a connector housing into which a cable connector is inserted and a plurality of terminal fittings provided in the connector housing is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-204370

In a conventional electric device, an electrical connection between units is performed by using a female connector having a plurality of female terminals and a male connector having a plurality of male terminals as two connectors. In this case, the female connector and the male connector are connected by connecting the plurality of female terminals and the plurality of male terminals to each other.

However, in the conventional connector, the plurality of female terminals and the plurality of male terminals may not all be connected at the same time depending on the connection method. In such a case, a problem may occur in the circuit of either of the two units connected by the two connectors due to the difference in the voltage applied to each male terminal (each female terminal).

For example, when the female connector and the male connector have a first terminal for low pressure, a second terminal for high pressure, and a third terminal for grounding as female terminals and male terminals, respectively, the first terminals that are power supply terminals are connected to each other. If the second terminals are connected to each other before the third terminal, which is the ground terminal, the female connector and the male connector are connected to form a circuit of two units that are electrically connected. Unexpected overcurrent may flow through electronic components. As a result, electronic components may be destroyed or deteriorated, or each unit may malfunction. As described above, the conventional connector has a problem that the reliability of the electrical connection between the female terminal and the male terminal is low.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a lighting fixture capable of making an electrical connection with a mating connector with high reliability.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the connector according to the present invention is a connector that is detachable from a mating connector having a first male terminal and a second male terminal, and is connected to the first male terminal. It has a female terminal, a second female terminal connected to the second male terminal, a first insertion port into which the first male terminal is inserted, and a second insertion port into which the second male terminal is inserted. A main body that holds the first female terminal and the second female terminal behind the first insertion port and the second insertion port, and a plate-shaped conductive member held by the main body are provided. A part of the above exists in an insertion passage through which the first male terminal inserted from the first insertion port is inserted, and the conductive member includes a first plate portion facing the inner surface of the first female terminal and the said. It has a second plate portion supported by the main body.

It is possible to make an electrical connection with the mating connector with high reliability.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the luminaire which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the power supply unit in the lighting fixture which concerns on embodiment, and the connection structure of a power supply unit and a power supply line. It is a perspective view of the female connector which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view of the female connector which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the female connector which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view when the male connector which concerns on embodiment is seen obliquely from the rear. It is a perspective view when the male connector which concerns on embodiment is seen obliquely from the front. It is the top view of the male connector which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view of the female terminal in the female connector which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view of the conductive member in the female connector which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view of the conductive member in the female connector which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state when the conductive member is attached to the main body in the female connector which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of connecting a female connector and a male connector. It is sectional drawing which shows the state when the male connector and the female connector are connected (the figure which shows the state before the 1st male terminal comes into contact with a conductive member). It is sectional drawing which shows the state when the male connector and the female connector are connected (the figure which shows the state immediately after the first male terminal comes into contact with a conductive member). It is sectional drawing which shows the state when the male connector and the female connector are connected (the figure which shows the state when a conductive member is in contact with a 1st female terminal). It is sectional drawing which shows the state when the male connector and the female connector are connected (the figure which shows the state when the connection between a female terminal and a male terminal is completed). It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conductive member in the female connector which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the conductive member in the female connector which concerns on modification 2. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions of the components, connection forms, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the highest level concept of the present invention will be described as arbitrary components.

Further, each figure is a schematic view and is not necessarily exactly illustrated. In each figure, substantially the same configuration is designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description may be omitted or simplified.

In this specification and drawings, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis represent the three axes of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and in the present embodiment, the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction (vertical direction). The direction perpendicular to the Z axis (direction parallel to the XY plane) is the horizontal direction. The X-axis and the Y-axis are orthogonal to each other and both are orthogonal to the Z-axis.

(Embodiment)
[lighting equipment]
First, the configuration of the lighting fixture 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lighting fixture 100 according to the embodiment.

The luminaire 100 according to the present embodiment is a ceiling-embedded luminaire that is embedded in an opening hole provided in the ceiling of a building such as a house. The luminaire 100 is a downlight that emits illuminating light downward, for example, on a floor or a wall.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lighting fixture 100 includes a power supply unit 110 and a lamp unit 120 that lights up by supplying power from the power supply unit 110. In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 110 and the lamp unit 120 are structurally separated and are installed at different locations on the ceiling. Specifically, the power supply unit 110 is arranged behind the ceiling, and the lamp unit 120 is embedded and arranged in an opening provided in the ceiling. The power supply unit 110 and the lamp unit 120 are electrically connected by a power supply line 130.

The lamp unit 120 includes, for example, a main body 121 made of aluminum die-cast, a light source 122 fixed to the main body 121, and a mounting spring 123 for mounting the lamp unit 120 on a ceiling or the like.

The main body 121 functions as a base for supporting the light source 122 and also functions as a heat sink. Therefore, heat radiation fins are provided on the back side of the main body 121.

The light source 122 is, for example, an LED light source (LED module) including a substrate and a light emitting diode (LED: Light Emitting Diode) mounted on the substrate. The light source 122 emits white light, for example, as illumination light.

In addition, the lamp unit 120 may be provided with a reflector, a translucent panel, or the like in the main body 121.

The power supply unit 110 is a power supply unit for lighting, generates electric power for lighting the lamp unit 120, and supplies power to the lamp unit 120 via the power supply line 130. In the present embodiment, since the light source 122 of the lamp unit 120 is an LED light source driven by a direct current, DC power is supplied from the power supply unit 110 to the lamp unit 120.

Here, with reference to FIG. 1, a specific configuration of the power supply unit 110 and a connection structure between the power supply unit 110 and the power supply line 130 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the power supply unit 110 and the connection structure between the power supply unit 110 and the power supply line 130 in the lighting fixture 100 according to the embodiment.

First, the configuration of the power supply unit 110 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply unit 110 includes a circuit board 111 and a circuit case 112 for accommodating the circuit board 111.

The circuit board 111 is a printed wiring board on which metal wiring having a predetermined shape is formed. A plurality of electronic components (not shown) constituting the lighting power supply circuit are mounted on the circuit board 111. These electronic components (circuit components) are mounted on the circuit board 111 by soldering.

The circuit case 112 is, for example, a metal housing, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cover member that covers the case body 112a that supports the circuit board 111 and the circuit board 111 fixed to the case body 112a. It has 112b and. The cover member 112b is fixed to the case body 112a.

Next, the connection structure between the power supply unit 110 and the power supply line 130 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power supply unit 110 and the power supply line 130 are electrically and mechanically connected by two connectors, a female connector 1 having a female terminal 10 and a male connector 2 having a male terminal 20. Has been done. The female connector 1 and the male connector 2 form a connector unit.

In the present embodiment, the female connector 1 is a cable connector attached to one end of the power supply line 130. The other end of the power supply line 130 is connected to the light source 122 of the lamp unit 120.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the male connector 2 is a board connector attached to the circuit board 111. Specifically, the male connector 2 is fixed to the end of the circuit board 111 so that a part of the male connector 2 is exposed from the circuit case 112. As a result, the female connector 1 can be easily connected to the male connector 2 even when the circuit board 111 is covered with the circuit case 112.

When connecting the female connector 1 and the male connector 2, the female connector 1 fixed to the power supply line 130 is connected to the male connector 2.

Further, in the present embodiment, the female connector 1 is a connector having a female terminal 10, but has a main body 30 having a male structure to be inserted into the insertion port of the main body 40 of the male connector 2. On the other hand, the male connector 2 is a connector having a male terminal 20, but has a female main body 40 having an insertion port into which the main body 30 of the female connector 1 is inserted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the male connector 2 and the female connector 1 are connected by inserting the female connector 1 connected to the power supply line 130 into the male connector 2. As a result, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are electrically and mechanically connected.

Specifically, the female connector 1 has a plurality of female terminals 10, the male connector 2 has a plurality of male terminals 20, and the plurality of female terminals 10 and the plurality of male terminals 20 are connected one-to-one. By doing so, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are electrically and mechanically connected. In the present embodiment, the number of female terminals 10 of the female connector 1 and the number of male terminals 20 of the male connector 2 are the same, but may be different.

Further, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are detachable. That is, the female connector 1 can be removed from the male connector 2 by pulling out the female connector 1 inserted into the male connector 2 from the male connector 2. Specifically, the main body 30 of the female connector 1 and the main body 40 of the male connector 2 are detachable, and the female terminal 10 of the female connector 1 and the male terminal 20 of the male connector 2 are detachable. There is.

[Female connector, male connector]
Hereinafter, the schematic configuration of the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C and FIGS. 4A to 4C. 3A to 3C are views showing the configuration of the female connector 1 according to the embodiment, FIG. 3A is a perspective view, FIG. 3B is a top view, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view. In FIG. 3B, the female terminal 10 is shown by a solid line, and the main body 30 is shown by a broken line. 4A to 4C are views showing the configuration of the male connector 2 according to the mounting mode, FIG. 4A is a perspective view when viewed from an oblique rear view, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view when viewed from an oblique front view. , FIG. 4C is a top view. In FIG. 4C, the male terminal 20 is shown by a solid line, and the main body 40 is shown by a broken line.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the female connector 1 is a first connector that can be attached to and detached from the male connector 2 that is the mating connector of the female connector 1, and has a plurality of female terminals 10, a main body 30, and a main body 30. It is provided with a conductive member 50 held by. In the present embodiment, the female connector 1 has three female terminals 10 as a plurality of female terminals 10, a first female terminal 10a, a second female terminal 10b, and a third female terminal 10c.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the male connector 2 is a second connector that can be attached to and detached from the female connector 1 that is the mating connector of the male connector 2, and includes a plurality of male terminals 20 and a main body 40. In the present embodiment, the male connector 2 has three terminals, a first male terminal 20a, a second male terminal 20b, and a third male terminal 20c, as a plurality of male terminals 20.

[Female connector]
First, the detailed configuration of the female connector 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C with reference to FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the female terminal 10 of the female connector 1 according to the embodiment, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the conductive member 50 of the female connector 1.

The first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c are made of a conductive material such as metal. In the present embodiment, the first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c are formed by pressing a metal plate made of a copper alloy.

The first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c all have the same shape and the same size, but may have different shapes and sizes. Further, the first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c are made of the same material, but may be made of different materials.

In the present embodiment, the first female terminal 10a is a ground terminal for grounding. The second female terminal 10b and the third female terminal 10c are power supply terminals for power supply. For example, the second female terminal 10b is a power supply terminal on the high voltage side, and the third female terminal 10c is a power supply terminal on the low voltage side.

Each of the first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c is connected to the power supply line 130. Specifically, the first female terminal 10a is connected to a lead wire (ground wire) for grounding the power supply line 130, and the second female terminal 10b is a lead wire (high voltage side power supply) on the high voltage side of the power supply line 130. The third female terminal 10c is connected to a lead wire (low voltage side power supply line) on the low voltage side of the power supply line 130.

Further, each of the first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c has the first male terminal 20a, the second male terminal 20b, and the third female terminal 20b when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected. It is electrically and mechanically connected to each of the third male terminals 20c.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of female terminals 10 has a tubular body 12 having an opening (insertion port) 11 into which the corresponding male terminal 20 is inserted. Specifically, the first female terminal 10a has a tubular first tubular body 12a having a first opening 11a into which the first male terminal 20a is inserted, and the second female terminal 10b is a second male terminal. The third female terminal 10c has a tubular second tubular body 12b having a second opening 11b into which the 20b is inserted, and the third female terminal 10c has a tubular third having a third opening 11c into which the third male terminal 20c is inserted. It has a cylinder 12c. In the present embodiment, the tubular axis direction of each tubular body 12 is the X-axis direction.

At each female terminal 10, the male terminal 20 inserted into the cylinder 12 advances inside the cylinder 12 toward the back of the cylinder 12. That is, the tubular body 12 constitutes an insertion path through which the male terminal 20 is inserted. Specifically, the first tubular body 12a of the first female terminal 10a constitutes a part of the first insertion passage through which the first male terminal 20a is inserted, and the second tubular body 12b of the second female terminal 10b is The second male terminal 20b constitutes a part of the second insertion passage, and the third cylinder body 12c of the third female terminal 10c constitutes a part of the third insertion passage through which the third male terminal 20c passes. ing. In the present embodiment, at each female terminal 10, the tubular body 12 has a square tubular shape. Therefore, the openings 11 of each tubular body 12 are all rectangular.

Further, in each female terminal 10, the tubular body 12 is provided with a narrow portion 13. Each narrow portion 13 is formed by recessing a part of each tubular body 12. Further, each narrow portion 13 is provided at a position deeper than the opening 11 of each tubular body 12. In the present embodiment, the narrow portion 13 of each female terminal 10 is provided at the central portion of the tubular body 12. Specifically, a first narrow portion 13a is provided at the center of the first cylinder 12a of the first female terminal 10a, and a first narrow portion 13a is provided at the center of the second cylinder 12b of the second female terminal 10b. A two narrow portion 13b is provided, and a third narrow portion 13c is provided at the center of the third cylinder 12c of the third female terminal 10c.

Each narrow portion 13 functions as a sandwiching portion that sandwiches the male terminal 20 inserted through the tubular body 12. That is, the first female terminal 10a has a first narrow portion 13a as a first sandwiching portion for sandwiching the first male terminal 20a, and the second female terminal 10b has a second sandwiching portion for sandwiching the second male terminal 20b. The second narrow portion 13b is provided as a portion, and the third female terminal 10c has a third narrow portion 13c as a third sandwiching portion that sandwiches the third male terminal 20c. In each female terminal 10, the narrow portion 13 holds the male terminal 20 by sandwiching the male terminal 20 from the plate thickness direction (Y-axis direction).

By sandwiching the male terminal 20 in the narrow portion 13 in this way, the connection between the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20 is completed. That is, the connection between the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 is completed.

In the present embodiment, in the male terminal 20 inserted through each female terminal 10, the tip portion of the male terminal 20 is temporarily sandwiched by the narrow portion 13 of each female terminal 10, but the tip portion of the male terminal 20 is once sandwiched in the back of the tubular body 12. By being pushed further, the connection with each female terminal 10 is completed. That is, the connection of the male terminal 20 with the female terminal 10 is completed at the position where the tip portion of the male terminal 20 passes through the narrow portion 13. Therefore, when the connection between the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 is completed, each narrow portion 13 sandwiches the intermediate portion of each male terminal 20.

Further, in each female terminal 10, the narrow portion 13 is provided at the same position on the tubular body 12. Therefore, the distance from the first opening 11a in the first female terminal 10a to the first narrow portion 13a (first sandwiching portion) and the distance from the second opening 11b to the second narrow portion 13b (second) in the second female terminal 10b. The distance to the holding portion) and the distance from the third opening 11c to the third narrow portion 13c (third holding portion) at the third female terminal 10c are substantially the same as each other. As a result, the three male terminals 20 are connected to the three female terminals 10 at the same time.

The first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c configured in this way are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction so that the front ends of the cylinders 12 are aligned at the same position. Has been done. That is, the positions of the female terminals 10 at the front end of the tubular body 12 in the X-axis direction are the same.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the main body 30 of the female connector 1 is an insulating housing that holds the female terminals 10 (first female terminal 10a, second female terminal 10b, and third female terminal 10c). be. The main body 30 is a resin molded product made of a resin such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). In the present embodiment, since the main body 30 is a component to be inserted and removed from the main body 40 of the male connector 2 fixed to the circuit board 111, the main body 30 is a material having superior mechanical strength to the main body 40 of the male connector 2. It is good to configure with. For example, the main body 30 may be made of polycarbonate (PC). The material of the main body 30 may be a resin other than PBT and PC, or may be an insulating material other than the resin.

The main body 30 has three protrusions 31 corresponding to each female terminal 10. Specifically, the main body 30 has a first protruding portion 31a corresponding to the first female terminal 10a, a second protruding portion 31b corresponding to the second female terminal 10b, and a third protruding portion corresponding to the third female terminal 10c. It has a part 31c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the main body 30 has a storage portion 32 as a space area for storing the female terminal 10. Specifically, the main body 30 has a first storage unit 32a for storing the first female terminal 10a, a second storage unit 32b for storing the second female terminal 10b, and a third storage unit for storing the third female terminal 10c. It has a part 32c.

Further, each storage portion 32 includes an insertion passage through which the male terminal 20 is inserted. Specifically, the first storage portion 32a includes a first insertion passage through which the first male terminal 20a is inserted, and the second storage portion 32b includes a second insertion passage through which the second male terminal 20b is inserted. (3) The storage portion 32c includes a third insertion passage through which the third male terminal 20c is inserted.

Therefore, each storage portion 32 is formed so as to penetrate the main body 30 in the direction in which the male terminal 20 is inserted (X-axis direction). In the present embodiment, each storage portion 32 is formed so as to pass through each protrusion 31. Therefore, the tip of each protruding portion 31 is provided with an insertion port 33 into which each male terminal 20 is inserted. Specifically, the first protruding portion 31a is provided with a first insertion port 33a into which the first male terminal 20a is inserted, and the second protruding portion 31b is provided with a second male terminal 20b into which the second male terminal 20b is inserted. An insertion port 33b is provided, and the third protrusion 31c is provided with a third insertion port 33c into which the third male terminal 20c is inserted.

Each female terminal 10 is arranged behind the insertion port 33 of each protrusion 31. That is, the main body 30 holds the first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c behind each of the first insertion port 33a, the second insertion port 33b, and the third insertion port 33c. There is.

Specifically, the front end of the first cylinder 10a of the first female terminal 10a is located behind the first insertion port 33a, and the front end of the second cylinder 10b of the second female terminal 10b is the second insertion port. It is located behind 33b, and the front end of the third cylinder 10c of the third female terminal 10c is located behind the third insertion slot 33c. Therefore, in the storage portion 32 in each protruding portion 31, there is a gap between the insertion port 33 of each protruding portion 31 and the front end portion of the tubular body 12 of each female terminal 10 in the insertion direction of the male terminal 20. do.

In this way, each protruding portion 31 functions as a holding portion that holds each female terminal 10 by accommodating it. In addition, each protruding portion 31 also functions as an insertion portion to be inserted into each hollow portion 42 of the main body 40 of the male connector 2. By inserting each protrusion 31 into each cavity 42 of the male connector 2, the protrusion 31 is fitted into the cavity 42, and the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20 come into contact with each other to electrically and mechanically contact each other. Connected to. Specifically, the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a are connected, the second female terminal 10b and the second male terminal 20b are connected, and the third female terminal 10c and the third male terminal 20c are connected. Be connected.

Each female terminal 10 housed in each storage portion 32 is surrounded on the side by each protrusion 31. As a result, the female terminal 10 is not exposed to the outside of the main body 30, so that even if the female terminal 10 is energized, there is no possibility that the user directly touches the female terminal 10. Further, the female terminal 10 can be protected by storing the female terminal 10 in the storage portion 32 in the protruding portion 31. As a result, the female terminal 10 does not come into contact with other parts or the user, so that it is possible to prevent the female terminal 10 from being bent or damaged.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the body 30 further has an arm 34 with a cantilever structure. By applying stress to the arm portion 34, the arm portion 34 elastically deforms in a direction approaching the side surface of the main body 30, that is, in a direction in which the gap between the arm portion 34 and the main body 30 becomes narrower. After that, the arm portion 34 returns to the original position by releasing the application of the stress.

The arm portion 34 functions as a release portion for releasing the connection state with the male connector 2, and also functions as a connection maintenance portion for maintaining the connection state with the male connector 2.

In the present embodiment, the arm portion 34 is provided with a claw portion 34a and a knob portion 34b. The claw portion 34a is formed in the central portion of the arm portion 34, and when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected, the claw portion 34a is locked in the through hole 43 provided in the main body 40 of the male connector 2. The claw portion 34a has a shape of being hooked on the open end portion of the through hole 43. The knob portion 34b is a portion for applying stress to the arm portion 34, and is formed at an end portion of the arm portion 34 on the open end side. The knob portion 34b is, for example, a portion that the user's finger comes into contact with, and the arm portion 34 can be elastically deformed by pinching the knob portion 34b and the main body 30.

Next, the conductive member 50 of the female connector 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the conductive member 50 is arranged in the vicinity of the first female terminal 10a in the main body 30. In the present embodiment, the conductive member 50 is arranged in the first storage portion 32a in which the first female terminal 10a is housed. The conductive member 50 is arranged in the first storage portion 32a of the three storage portions 32, but is not arranged in the second storage portion 32b and the third storage portion 32c. That is, the conductive member 50 is arranged only in the first storage portion 32a.

At least a part of the conductive member 50 exists in the first insertion passage through which the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a is inserted when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected. Further, at least a part of the conductive member 50 is arranged between the first insertion port 33a of the first protruding portion 31a and the tip end portion of the first female terminal 10a. Specifically, at least a part of the conductive member 50 exists in the region between the first insertion port 33a and the first opening 11a of the first tubular body 12a. As a result, the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a when connecting the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 comes into contact with the conductive member 50 before coming into contact with the first female terminal 10a. become.

Further, the conductive member 50 comes into contact with the first female terminal 10a when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected. That is, in a state where the inserted first male terminal 20a is connected to the first female terminal 10a, the conductive member 50 is in contact with the first female terminal 10a. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are not connected, the conductive member 50 is not in contact with the first female terminal 10a. That is, in the state before the first male terminal 20a is inserted into the first protruding portion 31a, the conductive member 50 is not in contact with the first female terminal 10a. That is, the conductive member 50 has a contact / detachment portion in which the male connector 2 is attached / detached to / from the female connector 1 to be attached / detached to / from the first female terminal 10a.

In order to realize such an aspect, the conductive member 50 is formed of a plate-shaped conductive plate. Specifically, the conductive member 50 has a leaf spring structure that elastically deforms. That is, the conductive member 50 is elastically deformed when an external force is applied, and when the external force is released, the conductive member 50 is restored to its original state by the elastic restoring force. In the present embodiment, the conductive member 50 is elastically deformed when the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the conductive member 50, and when the first male terminal 20a is separated from the conductive member 50, the conductive member 50 returns to the original state. .. As a result, the conductive member 50 comes into contact with the first female terminal 10a when the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the conductive member 50, and the first male terminal 20a does not come into contact with the conductive member 50. It does not come into contact with 10a.

Specifically, the conductive member 50 is formed by bending a single long metal plate having a predetermined shape so that one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction face each other. In the present embodiment, the conductive member 50 has a first plate portion 51 and a second plate portion 52 facing each other, and an intermediate portion 53 forming a bent portion. The conductive member 50 is bent so that the first plate portion 51 and the second plate portion 52 face each other with a part of the first female terminal 10a (in the present embodiment, the first cylinder body 12a) interposed therebetween.

In the conductive member 50, the first plate portion 51 is a portion located in the first tubular body 12a and faces the inner surface of the first female terminal 10a. When the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are not connected, the first plate portion 51 is not in contact with the inner surface of the first cylinder body 12a, and the first plate portion 51 and the inner surface of the first cylinder inner 12a are not in contact with each other. There is a gap between and. On the other hand, in a state where the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected, the first plate portion 51 comes into contact with the inner surface of the first tubular body 12a.

The second plate portion 52 is a portion supported by the main body 30. The conductive member 50 is held by the main body 30 by supporting the second plate portion 52 by the main body 30. Further, when the second plate portion 52 is supported by the main body 30, the conductive member 50 exerts a leaf spring function, and when an external force is applied to the conductive member 50, a spring reaction force is generated in the conductive member 50.

In the present embodiment, the second plate portion 52 is supported by the inner wall surface of the main body 30. Specifically, the second plate portion 52 is supported by the inner wall surface of the first storage portion 32a in the first protruding portion 31a.

The intermediate portion 53 is a portion between the first plate portion 51 and the second plate portion 52. The intermediate portion 53 has a protruding portion 53a that protrudes from the first plate portion 51 in a direction approaching the cylinder axis of the first tubular body 12a by bending from the first plate portion 51. The protruding portion 53a exists in the first insertion passage through which the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a passes. That is, the protruding portion 53a exists at a position where it comes into contact with the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a. Specifically, the protruding portion 53a is one of the bent portions of the conductive member 50, and its apex exists at a position beyond the tubular axis of the first tubular body 12a.

In the present embodiment, the intermediate portion 53 includes a first inclined portion 531 connected to the first plate portion 51 and a second inclined portion 532 connected to the first inclined portion 531 and connected to the second plate portion 52. It is composed of and.

The first inclined portion 531 is inclined in a direction in which the front portion (the portion opposite to the first plate portion 51) of the first inclined portion 531 approaches the tubular axis of the first tubular body 12a. That is, the first inclined portion 531 is inclined with the connecting portion between the first inclined portion 531 and the first plate portion 51 as the first bent portion.

In the second inclined portion 532, the front portion (the portion on the second plate portion 52 side) of the second inclined portion 532 is inclined in a direction away from the cylinder axis of the first tubular body 12a. That is, the second inclined portion 532 is inclined with the connecting portion between the second inclined portion 532 and the first inclined portion 531 as the second bent portion. The second inclined portion 532 and the second plate portion 52 have a structure in which the connecting portion between the second inclined portion 532 and the second plate portion 52 is bent as the third bent portion.

The protruding portion 53a of the conductive member 50 is formed by a bent structure of the first inclined portion 531 and the second inclined portion 532, and the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a is a protruding portion. It abuts on 53a. Specifically, the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a abuts on the second inclined portion 532.

In the conductive member 50 configured in this way, when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected, the first male terminal 20a abuts on the second plate portion 52 and elastically deforms into the conductive member 50. As a result, the first plate portion 51 comes into contact with the first female terminal 10a. On the other hand, when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are not connected, the first male terminal 20a does not come into contact with the second plate portion 52, so that the conductive member 50 is released from the stress load by the second male terminal 20a. NS. As a result, the first plate portion 51 is separated from the first female terminal 10a by the spring reaction force of the conductive member 50. The first plate portion 51 and the first female terminal 10a do not come into contact with each other. As described above, the conductive member 50 has the first plate portion 51 as a contact / detachment portion in which the male connector 2 is attached / detached to / from the female connector 1 to be attached / detached to / from the first female terminal 10a.

In order to store the conductive member 50 configured in this way in the first storage portion 32a, as shown in FIG. 7, the conductive member 50 is stored in the first storage portion 32a from the first insertion port 33a of the first protrusion 31a. By pushing it in, it can be arranged in the front portion in the first storage portion 32a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3C, the first insertion port 33a and the first female terminal 10a are arranged so that the first cylinder 12a is sandwiched between the first plate portion 51 and the second plate portion 52 of the conductive member 50. The conductive member 50 is arranged between the two.

[Male connector]
Next, the detailed configuration of the male connector 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C.

As described above, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the male connector 2 has three male terminals 20a, a first male terminal 20a, a second male terminal 20b, and a third male terminal 20c as a plurality of male terminals 20. Have.

The first male terminal 20a, the second male terminal 20b, and the third male terminal 20c are conductive pins made of a conductive material. As an example, the first male terminal 20a, the second male terminal 20b, and the third male terminal 20c are flat metal pins made of a metal plate. In the present embodiment, the first male terminal 20a, the second male terminal 20b, and the third male terminal 20c have the same shape and the same size.

Each of the first male terminal 20a, the second male terminal 20b, and the third male terminal 20c is electrically and mechanically connected to each of the first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c. .. Therefore, the first male terminal 20a is a ground terminal for grounding. The second male terminal 20b and the third male terminal 20c are power supply terminals for power supply. Specifically, the second male terminal 20b is a power supply terminal on the high voltage side, and the third male terminal 20c is a power supply terminal on the low voltage side.

In the present embodiment, each male terminal 20 is connected to a terminal connection portion 21 which is a portion connected to each female terminal 10 by being inserted into a tubular body 12 of each female terminal 10 and to a circuit board 111. It has a substrate connecting portion 22 which is a portion.

The terminal connection portion 21 has a long shape and is formed in a straight line so as to extend in the X-axis direction. The board connecting portion 22 is formed so as to extend from the rear end portion of the terminal connecting portion 21 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the terminal connecting portion 21. The board connection portion 22 is bent in a stepped shape, and the tip end portion is soldered by the circuit board 111.

In each male terminal 20, the tip of the terminal connection portion 21 is formed so that the plate width narrows toward the tip. Specifically, the shape of the tip of the terminal connecting portion 21 is a tapered tapered shape in which the plate width is gradually narrowed. Further, the tip portion of the terminal connecting portion 21 is not only formed in a tapered shape in the plate width direction, but also in a tapered shape in the plate thickness direction. That is, the tip portion of the terminal connection portion 21 is formed in a shape in which the plate thickness narrows toward the tip end. Specifically, the shape of the tip of the terminal connecting portion 21 is a tapered tapered shape in which the plate width is gradually narrowed.

The first male terminal 20a, the second male terminal 20b, and the third male terminal 20c configured in this way are fixed to the main body 40.

The main body 40 of the male connector 2 is an insulating housing that holds the male terminals 20 (first male terminal 20a, second male terminal 20b, and third male terminal 20c). The main body 40 is a resin molded product made of a resin such as PBT. The material of the main body 40 is not limited to resin, and may be made of an insulating material other than resin.

The main body 40 has a hollow portion 42 having an opening 41 facing the tip end portion of the terminal connection portion 21 of the male terminal 20. In the present embodiment, the main body 40 has a plurality of hollow portions 42 having a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of male terminals 20. Specifically, the main body 40 has a first cavity 42a having a first opening 41a facing the tip of the first male terminal 20a and a second opening facing the tip of the second male terminal 20b as the cavity 42. It has a second cavity 42b having a 41b and a third cavity 42c having a third opening 41c facing the tip of the third male terminal 20c.

The first cavity portion 42a, the second cavity portion 42b, and the third cavity portion 42c are formed side by side in a row in the Y-axis direction. Each of the first cavity portion 42a, the second cavity portion 42b, and the third cavity portion 42c has a substantially bottomed tubular shape, and has a spatial region surrounded by the bottom portion and the four side walls. That is, a partition wall for partitioning adjacent spatial regions is formed between the first cavity portion 42a, the second cavity portion 42b, and the third cavity portion 42c.

In each cavity 42, the terminal connection portion 21 of each corresponding male terminal 20 is arranged so as to protrude from the bottom toward the opening 41. Therefore, the terminal connection portion 21 of each male terminal 20 is located in the hollow portion 42, and the lateral periphery is surrounded by the hollow portion 42. As a result, the terminal connection portion 21 of the male terminal 20 is not exposed to the outside of the main body 40, so that even if the male terminal 20 is in the energized state, there is no possibility that the user directly touches the male terminal 20. Further, the male terminal 20 can be protected by surrounding the male terminal 20 with the hollow portion 42. As a result, the male terminal 20 does not come into contact with other parts or the user, so that it is possible to prevent the male terminal 20 from being bent or damaged. The vertices of the tip of the terminal connection portion 21 of each male terminal 20 are aligned at the same position in the horizontal direction.

The hollow portion 42 is an insertion hole into which the main body 30 of the female connector 1 is inserted. That is, the hollow portion 42 functions as an accommodating portion for accommodating the main body 30 of the female connector 1. In the present embodiment, each protrusion 31 of the main body 30 of the female connector 1 is inserted into each cavity 42. Specifically, the first protrusion 31a is inserted into the first cavity 42a, the second protrusion 31b is inserted into the second cavity 42b, and the third protrusion is inserted into the third cavity 42c. Part 31c is inserted. That is, the opening 41 (first opening 41a, second opening 41b, third opening 41c) of each cavity 42 is an insertion port into which the protruding portion 31 of the female connector 1 is inserted. By inserting the protruding portions 31 into the hollow portions 42 in this way, the main body 40 of the male connector 2 and the main body 30 of the female connector 1 are connected.

Further, a through hole 43 is provided on the side surface of the main body 40. In the present embodiment, the through hole 43 is provided on the side wall of the first cavity portion 42a corresponding to the first male terminal 20a which is the ground terminal.

The through hole 43 functions as a release portion for releasing the connection state between the female connector 1 and the male connector 2, and also functions as a connection maintenance portion for maintaining the connection state between the female connector 1 and the male connector 2. do.

In the present embodiment, when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected, the claw portion 34a of the female connector 1 is locked in the through hole 43. Specifically, the claw portion 34a is locked to the through hole 43 so that the claw portion 34a is hooked on the open end portion of the through hole 43.

[How to connect the female connector and the male connector]
Next, a method of connecting the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of connecting the female connector 1 and the male connector 2. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when connecting the female connector 1 and the male connector 2, the protruding portion 31 of the main body 30 of the female connector 1 is inserted into the hollow portion 42 of the main body 40 of the male connector 2. Plug it in.

At this time, the female connector is filled in the hollow portion 42 of the male connector 2 until the claw portion 34a of the arm portion 34 provided in the main body 30 of the female connector 1 is locked in the through hole 43 provided in the main body 40 of the male connector 2. Push in the protruding portion 31 of 1.

At this time, the arm portion 34 of the female connector 1 is elastically deformed by being pressed until the claw portion 34a is locked in the through hole 43. For example, when the user holds the main body 30 of the female connector 1 and inserts the protruding portion 31 into the hollow portion 42 of the male connector 2, the arm portion 34 can be elastically deformed by the pressure received from the side wall of the hollow portion 42.

After that, when the protruding portion 31 is further pushed into the hollow portion 42, the claw portion 34a of the arm portion 34 reaches the open end portion of the through hole 43. At this time, the pressure received by the arm portion 34 from the cavity portion 42 is released, so that the arm portion 34 expands outward due to the spring restoring force due to the resin elastic force and tries to return to the original state. As a result, the claw portion 34a is caught in the through hole 43 and locked, and the connected state of the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 is maintained.

The female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected in this way, and in the process of connection, the female terminal 10 of the female connector 1 and the male terminal 20 of the male connector 2 are shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D. It is connected through the behavior. 9A to 9D show a state from the insertion of the female connector 1 into the male connector 2 to the contact between the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20. FIG. 9A shows a state before the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the conductive member 50, FIG. 9B shows a state immediately after the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the conductive member 50, and FIG. 9C shows a state immediately after the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the conductive member 50. The state when 50 is in contact with the first female terminal 10a is shown. Further, FIG. 9D shows a state when the three female terminals 10 and the three male terminals 20 are all in contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the female connector 1 is brought close to the male connector 2, and the protruding portion 31 of the female connector 1 is inserted into the hollow portion 42 of the male connector 2. As a result, the female terminal 10 of the female connector 1 approaches the male terminal 20 of the male connector 2. Specifically, each of the first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b, and the third female terminal 10c approaches the first male terminal 20a, the second male terminal 20b, and the third male terminal 20c while facing each other. To go. In this case, the first male terminal 20a approaches the conductive member 50 housed in the first storage portion 32a of the first protruding portion 31a.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 9A, the conductive member 50 is in contact with the first female terminal 10a before the first male terminal 20a passes through the first insertion port 33a of the first protruding portion 31a. No. That is, the first plate portion 51 of the conductive member 50 exists at a position where it does not come into contact with the first female terminal 10a before the first male terminal 20a passes through the first insertion port 33a.

As shown in FIG. 9B, when the protruding portion 31 of the female connector 1 is further inserted into the hollow portion 42 of the male connector 2, each male terminal 20 of the male connector 2 is inserted into the insertion port 33 of each protruding portion 31 of the female connector 1. Will be inserted. Specifically, the first male terminal 20a is inserted into the first insertion port 33a of the first protruding portion 31a, the second male terminal 20b is inserted into the second insertion port 33b of the second protruding portion 31b, and the third male is inserted. The terminal 20c is inserted into the third insertion port 33c of the third protrusion 31c.

At this time, since the conductive member 50 is provided in front of the first female terminal 10a to which the first male terminal 20a is connected, the first male terminal 20a of the three male terminals 20 comes into contact with the conductive member 50. It will be. Specifically, the tip of the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the protruding portion 53a of the conductive member 50. Further, since the tip portion of the first male terminal 20a is formed in a tapered shape so that the plate thickness becomes narrower, the tip portion (tapered portion) of the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the protruding portion 53a of the conductive member 50. At the time point, the conductive member 50 remains in the initial state without being elastically deformed. That is, the first plate portion 51 of the conductive member 50 exists at a position where it does not come into contact with the first female terminal 10a when the tip end portion of the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the conductive member 50.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the protruding portion 31 of the female connector 1 is further inserted into the hollow portion 42 of the male connector 2, and the tip of the terminal connecting portion 21 of the first male terminal 20a passes through the protruding portion 53a of the conductive member 50. Then, the conductive member 50 is elastically deformed so that the first plate portion 51 moves downward due to the insertion force of the first male terminal 20a. As a result, the first plate portion 51 of the conductive member 50 comes into contact with the inner surface of the first cylinder body 12a of the first female terminal 10a. As a result, among the three female terminals 10, the first female terminal 10a first conducts with the male terminal 20 (first male terminal 20a). That is, the first male terminal 20a conducts to the first female terminal 10a before the second male terminal 20b and the third male terminal 20c conduct to the second female terminal 10b and the third female terminal 10c. As a result, among the three female terminals 10 and the three male terminals 20, the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a, which are ground terminals, first conduct with each other.

As described above, in the female connector 1, when the first male terminal 20a is inserted into the first insertion port 33a of the first protruding portion 31a of the female connector 1, the tip of the first male terminal 20a is always inserted into the conductive member 50. It is configured to come into contact.

Then, when the conductive member 50 is elastically deformed by the contact of the first male terminal 20a and the first plate portion 51 comes into contact with the first cylinder body 12a of the first female terminal 10a, the first female terminal 10a and the first female terminal 10a are brought into contact with each other. Conduction with the male terminal 20a is completed. That is, the ground connection is completed.

At this point, the second female terminal 10b and the second male terminal 20b have not yet come into contact with each other, and the third female terminal 10c and the third male terminal 20c have not yet come into contact with each other. That is, when the first plate portion 51 of the conductive member 50 comes into contact with the first female terminal 10a, the second female terminal 10b and the third female terminal 10c do not come into contact with the second male terminal 20b and the third male terminal 20c. It is placed in position.

After that, as shown in FIG. 9D, when the protruding portion 31 of the female connector 1 is further pushed into the hollow portion 42 of the male connector 2, each male terminal 20 opens the opening 11 of the tubular body 12 of each female terminal 10. It is inserted into the tubular body 12 and proceeds toward the back of the tubular body 12. At this time, each male terminal 20 moves toward the back of the tubular body 12 while being sandwiched by the narrow portion 13 in the tubular body 12 of each female terminal 10.

In this way, each male terminal 20 is sandwiched between the narrow portions 13 in the tubular body 12 of each female terminal 10, so that the conduction between each male terminal 20 and each female terminal 10 is completed. Specifically, the second male terminal 20b is sandwiched between the second narrow portion 13b in the second cylinder body 12b of the second female terminal 10b, so that the second male terminal 20b and the second female terminal 10b are connected to each other. In addition to being conductive, the third male terminal 20c and the third female terminal 10c are electrically connected by being sandwiched by the third narrow portion 13c in the third cylinder 12c of the third female terminal 10c. do.

On the other hand, with respect to the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a, conduction is completed when the conductive member 50 elastically deformed by the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the first female terminal 10a (FIG. 9C). While the one male terminal 20a advances toward the back of the first cylinder 12a of the first female terminal 10a, the conductive member 50 continues to be in contact with the first female terminal 10a, but the first male terminal 20a is the first. By being sandwiched by the first narrow portion 13a in the first cylinder body 12a of the female terminal 10a, the first male terminal 20a and the first female terminal 10a are surely conductive. That is, in a state where the tip portion of the first male terminal 20a exists in the first tubular body 12a (first insertion passage), the first plate portion 51 of the conductive member 50 is in contact with the first female terminal. The first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a, which are ground terminals, are electrically connected to each other at two locations, the conductive member 50 and the narrow portion 13.

Then, when the tip of the protruding portion 31 of the female connector 1 reaches the bottom of the hollow portion 42 of the male connector 2, the connection between the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 is completed. As described above, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are electrically and mechanically connected.

After the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected, the connection state between the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 is released by removing the claw portion 34a of the female connector 1 from the through hole 43 of the male connector 2. can do. Specifically, the user pinches the knob portion 34b of the female connector 1 and the main body 30 of the female connector 1, and elastically deforms the arm portion 34 so that the arm portion 34 and the main body 30 come close to each other, thereby causing the claw portion 34a. Is removed from the through hole 43. Then, in this state, the female connector 1 can be removed from the male connector 2 by pulling out the protruding portion 31 of the female connector 1 from the hollow portion 42 of the male connector 2. As a result, the connection state between the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 can be released.

Further, when the connection state between the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 is released, since the conductive member 50 is provided in the first storage portion 32a, the third female terminal 10 and the three male terminals 20 are the third. The male terminal 20a and the first female terminal 10a can be kept conductive to the end. That is, the reason why the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a are in a non-conducting state is that the second female terminal 10b and the third female terminal 10c and the second male terminal 20b and the third male terminal 20c are non-conducting. After being in a state.

[summary]
As described above, in the female connector 1 of the present embodiment, the female connector 1 holds the first female terminal 10a and the second female terminal 10b behind the first insertion port 33a and the second insertion port 33b, and the female connector 1 is held by the main body 30. It includes a plate-shaped conductive member 50. A part of the conductive member 50 exists in the first insertion passage through which the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a is inserted, and the conductive member 50 faces the inner surface of the first female terminal 10a. It has a first plate portion 51 and a second plate portion 52 supported by the main body 30.

With this configuration, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected, the first male is before the second female terminal 10b and the second male terminal 20b are electrically connected. The terminal 20a comes into contact with the conductive member 50, and the first plate portion 51 of the conductive member 50 comes into contact with the first female terminal 10a. As a result, the first male terminal 20a and the first female terminal 10a become conductive via the conductive member 50. Therefore, the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a can be made conductive before the second female terminal 10b and the second male terminal 20b are made conductive.

As a result, when the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a are ground terminals as in the present embodiment, when connecting the female connector 1 and the male connector 2, the ground connection is given priority first. It can be carried out.

Therefore, the power supply terminal of the female terminal 10 (second female terminal 10b, third female terminal 10c) and the power supply terminal of the male terminal 20 (second male terminal 20b, third male terminal 20c) are the ground terminals of the female terminal 10. By connecting the (first female terminal 10a) and the ground terminal (first male terminal 20a) of the male terminal 20 before they are connected, it is possible to prevent an unexpected overcurrent from flowing to the electronic component. can.

Moreover, when the connection between the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 is released by providing the conductive member 50, the first is after the conduction state between the second female terminal 10b and the second male terminal 20b is released. The conduction state between the female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a is released. That is, the ground connection state can be maintained until the end.

As described above, according to the female connector 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a connector capable of making a highly reliable electrical connection with the male connector 2. It is also possible to realize a female connector 1 that conforms to the standard (IEC standard) established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Further, in the present embodiment, the first female terminal 10a has a tubular first tubular body 12a forming a first insertion passage through which the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a is inserted. The first plate portion 51 of the conductive member 50 is located in the first tubular body 12a.

With this configuration, it is possible to easily realize that the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a are made conductive before the second female terminal 10b and the second male terminal 20b are made conductive.

Specifically, the conductive member 50 has a protruding portion 53a that protrudes from the first plate portion 51 in a direction approaching the cylinder axis of the first tubular body 12a by bending from the first plate portion 51, and this protruding portion 53a exists in the first insertion passage through which the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a passes.

With this configuration, the first male terminal 20a inserted from the first insertion port 33a can be brought into contact with the protruding portion 53a, so that the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a can be easily made conductive. ..

Further, in the present embodiment, the conductive member 50 has a leaf spring structure.

With this configuration, the shape of the conductive member 50 returns to the original initial state even when the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are repeatedly attached and detached. As a result, each time the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are connected, the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a can be surely made conductive first.

Further, in the present embodiment, the conductive member 50 is bent so that the first plate portion 51 and the second plate portion 52 face each other with a part of the first female terminal 10a interposed therebetween.

With this configuration, it is possible to realize the conductive member 50 having excellent spring reaction force. As a result, even if the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are repeatedly attached and detached, the shape of the conductive member 50 can be easily returned to the original initial state.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first plate portion 51 of the conductive member 50 exists at a position where it does not come into contact with the first female terminal 10a when the tip end portion of the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the conductive member 50. There is.

With this configuration, the first male terminal 20a can be inserted into the first cylinder 12a with a low insertion force, so that workability when connecting the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 can be improved. This point will be described in detail below.

When the tip of the first male terminal 20a is in contact with the conductive member 50, if the first plate portion 51 is in contact with the first female terminal 10a, the conductive member 50 is in contact with the first male terminal 20a and the first female. It will come into contact with both terminals 10a at the same time. That is, the conductive member 50 is supported at two points, the first male terminal 20a and the first female terminal 10a, in addition to the second plate portion 52 being supported by the main body 30. In this case, the reaction force received from the conductive member 50 when the first male terminal 20a is inserted becomes large, and the insertion force of the first male terminal 20a becomes large. As a result, workability when connecting the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 deteriorates.

On the other hand, if the first plate portion 51 is not in contact with the first female terminal 10a when the tip of the first male terminal 20a is in contact with the conductive member 50, the first male terminal 20a is in contact with the conductive member 50. When the tip portion of the conductive member 50 comes into contact with the conductive member 50 (that is, when the insertion force of the first male terminal 20a reaches its peak), the conductive member 50 has a second plate portion 52 supported by the main body 30. Other than that, it will be supported by only one point of the first male terminal 20a. As a result, as compared with the case where the first male terminal 20a and the first female terminal 10a are supported at two points as described above, the reaction force received from the conductive member 50 when the first male terminal 20a is inserted is applied. It can be made smaller, and the insertion force of the first male terminal 20a can be reduced. As a result, workability when connecting the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 can be improved.

Then, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9C, after the tip of the first male terminal 20a passes through the protruding portion 53a of the conductive member 50, the conductive member 50 is moved by the insertion force of the first male terminal 20a. It is elastically deformed, and the first plate portion 51 moves downward and comes into contact with the first female terminal 10a. As a result, the spring reaction force of the conductive member 50 can be reliably taken, so that the contact state between the conductive member 50 and the first female terminal 10a can be reliably maintained.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second female terminal 10b is arranged at a position where the first plate portion 51 of the conductive member 50 does not yet come into contact with the second male terminal 20b when it comes into contact with the first female terminal 10a. ing.

With this configuration, the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a can be reliably conducted before the second female terminal 10b and the second male terminal 20b are electrically connected.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first female terminal 10a has a first narrow portion 13a provided behind the first opening 11a and sandwiching the first male terminal 20a, and the second female terminal 10b. Has a second narrow portion 13b provided behind the second opening 11b and sandwiching the second male terminal 20b. The distance from the first opening 11a to the first narrow portion 13a and the distance from the second opening 11b to the second narrow portion 13b are substantially the same.

With this configuration, while conducting the first female terminal 10a and the first male terminal 20a first through the conductive member 50, the first female terminal 10a and the first female terminal 10a are formed in the first narrow portion 13a and the second narrow portion 13b. It is possible to ensure reliable continuity with the first male terminal 20a and reliable continuity between the second female terminal 10b and the second male terminal 20b. As a result, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 can be electrically connected with even higher reliability.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first female terminal 10a and the second female terminal 10b have the same shape.

With this configuration, the parts of the first female terminal 10a and the second female terminal 10b can be shared. That is, it is possible to give priority to the ground connection simply by adding the conductive member 50 to the existing female connector 1 without manufacturing the first female terminal having a new shape.

Further, in the present embodiment, the female connector 1 is used for the lighting fixture 100.

As a result, it is possible to realize a luminaire 100 in which the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 are electrically connected with high reliability.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the male connector 2 is fixed to the circuit board 111 on the power supply side. This makes it possible to make an electrical connection with higher reliability.

(Modification example)
Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the above embodiment, the second plate portion 52 of the conductive member 50 is supported by the inner wall surface of the first protruding portion 31a of the main body 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the conductive member 50A shown in FIG. 10 is not limited to this. As described above, the second plate portion 52 may be supported by the outer wall surface of the first protruding portion 31a of the main body 30.

Further, in the above embodiment, the conductive member 50 is bent so that the first plate portion 51 and the second plate portion 52 face each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the conductive member 50B may be formed by bending the first plate portion 51 and the second plate portion 52 so as not to face each other.

Further, in the above embodiment, the conductive member 50 and the first female terminal 10a are prevented from coming into contact with each other before the first male terminal 20a comes into contact with the conductive member 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the conductive member 50 may be in contact with the first female terminal 10a even before the first male terminal 20a is in contact with the conductive member 50. That is, the conductive member 50 and the first female terminal 10a may be kept in contact with each other at all times.

Further, in the above embodiment, the hollow portions 42 of the male connector 2 are formed by the number of male terminals 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cavity 42 may be only one common to all male terminals 20. In this case, the cavity 42 has only one opening. Further, in this case, the number of protruding portions 31 of the female connector 1 may remain three, but it may be only one that is common to all the female terminals 10 that collectively store the female terminals 10.

Further, in the above embodiment, the tubular body 12 of the female terminal 10 has a square tubular shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as the tubular body 12 of the female terminal 10, any cylindrical shape having a circular opening, an elliptical tubular shape having an elliptical opening, or a polygonal tubular shape having a polygonal opening can be used. ..

Further, in the above embodiment, the male connector 2 is fixed to the circuit board 111, and the female connector 1 is moved to insert the male connector 2 into the male connector 2, but the structure is not limited to this. For example, the female connector 1 may be fixed and the male connector 2 may be moved to connect with the female connector 1.

Further, in the above embodiment, the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20 are set to three each, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20 may be two each or four or more. When the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20 are divided into two, for example, one of the two sets of the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20 is used for high voltage, and the other female terminal 10 and the male of the two sets are used. The terminal 20 can be used for low pressure.

Further, in the above embodiment, the second female terminal 10b and the third female terminal 10c and the second male terminal 20b and the third male terminal 20c, which are power supply terminals, are used for high voltage and low voltage, and are used as DC terminals. , Not limited to this. For example, the second female terminal 10b and the third female terminal 10c and the second male terminal 20b and the third male terminal 20c may be used as AC terminals.

Further, in the above embodiment, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 connect the power supply unit 110 and the lamp unit 120, and are provided on the secondary side of the power supply unit 110, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 may be configured to connect the power supply unit 110 and a member on the commercial power supply side. That is, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 may be provided on the primary side of the power supply unit 110.

Further, in the above embodiment, the LED light source is used as the light source of the lamp unit 120 in the lighting fixture 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light source of the lamp unit 120 may be an existing lamp such as a HID lamp (High Intensity Discharge Lamp), a fluorescent lamp or a filament lamp, or a light source using a solid-state light emitting element other than an LED such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence). There may be. In this case, the lighting power supply circuit of the power supply unit 110 may be designed according to the type of the light source.

Alternatively, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 can be applied not only when the power supply unit 110 and the lamp unit 120 are connected, but also when various electronic units are connected to each other. That is, the female connector 1 and the male connector 2 can be used for various electronic devices other than those used for lighting.

In addition, a form obtained by applying various modifications to the above embodiment that can be conceived by a person skilled in the art, or a form realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Is also included in the present invention.

1 Female connector 2 Male connector 10a 1st female terminal 10b 2nd female terminal 11a 1st opening 11b 2nd opening 12a 1st cylinder 12b 2nd cylinder 13a 1st narrow part 13b 2nd narrow part 20a 1st male Terminal 20b Second male terminal 30 Main body 33a First insertion port 33b Second insertion port 50, 50A Conductive member 51 First plate part 52 Second plate part 531 First inclined part 532 Second inclined part 100 Lighting equipment

Claims (12)

A connector that is detachable from a mating connector that has a first male terminal , a second male terminal, and a third male terminal.
The first female terminal connected to the first male terminal and
The second female terminal connected to the second male terminal and
The third female terminal connected to the third male terminal and
Having said first first insertion opening the male terminal is inserted, the second insertion opening said second male terminal is inserted, and a third insertion opening said third male terminal is inserted, the first insertion opening , behind the said second insertion opening and the third insertion opening, a body for holding said first female terminal, the second female terminal and the third female terminal,
It is provided with a plate-shaped conductive member held by the main body.
The first female terminal is a ground terminal for grounding.
The second female terminal is a power supply terminal on the high voltage side.
The third female terminal is a power supply terminal on the low voltage side.
A part of the conductive member exists in the insertion passage through which the first male terminal inserted from the first insertion port is inserted.
The conductive member has a first plate portion facing the inner surface of the first female terminal and a second plate portion supported by the main body.
connector. The first female terminal has a tubular body that constitutes the insertion passage, and has a tubular body.
The first plate portion is located inside the cylinder.
The connector according to claim 1. The conductive member has a protruding portion that protrudes from the first plate portion in a direction approaching the tubular axis of the tubular body by bending from the first plate portion.
The protrusion exists in the insertion passage.
The connector according to claim 2. The conductive member is bent so that the first plate portion and the second plate portion face each other with a part of the first female terminal interposed therebetween.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A connector that is detachable from a mating connector that has a first male terminal and a second male terminal.
The first female terminal connected to the first male terminal and
The second female terminal connected to the second male terminal and
It has a first insertion port into which the first male terminal is inserted and a second insertion port into which the second male terminal is inserted, and the first female terminal is behind the first insertion port and the second insertion port. And the main body that holds the second female terminal,
It is provided with a plate-shaped conductive member held by the main body.
A part of the conductive member exists in the insertion passage through which the first male terminal inserted from the first insertion port is inserted.
The conductive member has a first plate portion facing the inner surface of the first female terminal and a second plate portion supported by the main body.
The first plate portion exists at a position where it does not come into contact with the first female terminal when the tip end portion of the first male terminal comes into contact with the conductive member.
Connector. The first plate portion exists at a position where it comes into contact with the first female terminal in a state where the tip end portion of the first male terminal is present in the insertion passage.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The second female terminal is arranged at a position where it does not come into contact with the second male terminal when the first plate portion comes into contact with the first female terminal.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The first female terminal has a tubular first cylinder having a first opening into which the first male terminal is inserted, and is provided on the back side of the first opening and sandwiches the first male terminal. It has a first holding part and
The second female terminal has a tubular second tubular body having a second opening into which the second male terminal is inserted, and is provided on the back side of the second opening and sandwiches the second male terminal. Has a second pinch,
The distance from the first opening to the first holding portion and the distance from the second opening to the second holding portion are substantially the same.
The connector according to claim 1. The conductive member has a leaf spring structure.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The first female terminal and the second female terminal have the same shape.
The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A connector that is detachable from a mating connector that has a first male terminal and a second male terminal.
The first female terminal connected to the first male terminal and
The second female terminal connected to the second male terminal and
A main body having a first insertion port into which the first male terminal is inserted and a second insertion port into which the second male terminal is inserted, and holding the first female terminal and the second female terminal.
At least a part of the conductive member is provided between the first insertion port and the tip of the first female terminal.
The conductive member has a contact / detachment portion that allows the mating connector to be attached / detached to / from the connector to be attached to / detached from the first female terminal.
connector. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is provided.
lighting equipment.

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