JPH09180829A - Electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alignment free electric connector which has high reliability of electric connection and has high flexibility to relative positional dislocation by forming contact parts by folding them back, and relatively thinning a plate thickness of a flexible part. SOLUTION: A contact 14 extends to a flexible part 14c composed of four U-shaped bending parts from contact parts 14a, and is also formed in the shape of extending to tine parts 14b. The flexible part 14c acts to keep electric connection between both housings even if a first housing 11 and a second housing 12 of a cap connector 10 are relatively displaced in the arrow B-B' direction. Since the contact parts are formed by folding them back, antinomic demands of flexibility to positional dislocation and reliability of electric connection are reconciled. For example, the contact parts are formed by folding a metallic plate back, and a plate thickness of the metallic plate can be reduced, and flexibility is increased, and flexibility to positional dislocation can be enhanced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alignment-free type electrical connector which is composed of two housings and whose relative positions can be adjusted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrical connector in which one connector is fixed to a circuit board or a printed circuit board and the other connector is fitted and connected to the connector is widely used. By the way, in such an electrical connector, when the positions of both connectors are fixed, even if both connectors are attempted to be fitted to each other, due to an error in the dimensional accuracy of each connector or an error in the mounting position on the board, the both Sometimes the relative positions of the connectors are misaligned and cannot be easily fitted. Therefore, for such an application, a so-called alignment-free type connector in which either one or both connectors are composed of two housings whose relative positions can be adjusted is used.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-370677 discloses an example of such an alignment-free connector. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the alignment-free type connector disclosed in the above publication by cutting it.
As shown in FIG. 9, the alignment-free type connector 1 is a surface-mounting type connector that is used by being fixed on a substrate 9, and includes a frame-shaped first housing 2 having an opening 2a therein, and an opening. 2a, which is composed of a second housing 3 which is held in a state in which the position can be adjusted in the directions of arrows AA 'and BB' and a plurality of contacts 4 made of a thin metal plate. There is.

One end of the contact 4 has a second housing 3
Are fitted into the grooves 3a on both side surfaces, and a part thereof slightly protrudes from the groove 3a to form a contact portion 4a which makes electrical contact with the contact of the mating partner, and the other end of the first housing 2 is provided. The fixed tine portion 4b is formed. The tine portion 4b is soldered to the substrate 9 to complete the surface mount type connector 1.

From the contact portion 4a of the contact 4 to the tine portion 4
A plurality of flexible portions that are bent in a U shape are formed in a portion on the way to b, and the displacement of the relative position between the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 is caused by these flexible portions. Be absorbed.

[0006]

However, recently, there is a tendency for downsizing of connectors due to an increase in the number of mounted parts, downsizing of housings, etc. Also, with the increase in the number of poles, the relative positions of the connectors in the alignment-free type connector are changed. Higher flexibility with respect to deviation is becoming more demanding. In order to meet this demand, it is necessary to use a highly flexible contact that can follow a large displacement. As a simplest method therefor, a method of reducing the thickness of the metal plate for contact can be considered. However, if the thickness of the metal plate is reduced, the contact portion 4a that comes into contact with the contact on the mating side (see FIG. 9). Also, the plate thickness becomes thin, which causes a problem that the reliability of electrical connection with the contact on the mating side is reduced.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide an alignment-free type electrical connector which has high reliability of electrical connection with a mating contact and high flexibility with respect to displacement of relative positions. .

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, an electrical connector according to the present invention comprises a contact having a flexible portion between a contact portion contacting a mating contact and a tine portion connected to a substrate, and a tine. In an electrical connector including a first housing that holds a contact part and a second housing that holds the contact part and whose relative position to the first housing can be adjusted by bending of the flexible part, the contact part is folded over. It is characterized in that the plate thickness of the flexible portion is made relatively thin by forming the above.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. 1 is a perspective view showing a cap connector in a first embodiment of an electric connector of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cap connector of FIG. 1 as seen from the direction of arrow DD ′.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap connector 10 is a surface mount type connector that is used by being solder-connected to the substrate 9, and includes one first housing 11 and one second housing, respectively. 12 and 2 reinforcing metal fittings 1
3 and a plurality of contacts 14. The plurality of contacts 14 are respectively a contact portion 14 a that comes into contact with a contact of a plug connector (described later) of a mating partner of the cap connector 10 and a tine portion 1 that is soldered to the substrate 9.
4b and a flexible portion 14c in the middle thereof.

The contact portions 14a of the contacts 14 are respectively indicated by arrows C- on the upper and lower inner surfaces 12b of the opening 12a of the second housing 12 which receives the mating plug connector.
They are arranged in parallel in the C'direction. The contact portion 14a is formed in a shape (see FIG. 4) in which the tip is obliquely cut in order to facilitate insertion of the contact tip of the mating plug connector.

As shown in FIG. 2, the contact 14 includes a flexible portion 1 composed of a contact portion 14a and four U-shaped bent portions.
4c, and further from the flexible portion 14c to the tine portion 14b.
It is formed in a shape extending to. In the flexible part 14c, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 of the cap connector 10 are in the arrow AA 'direction or the arrow B-.
Even if it is relatively displaced in the B'direction, it serves to maintain the electrical connection between both housings. As described above, in order to increase the flexibility of the alignment-free connector with respect to relative displacement, it is sufficient to increase the flexibility of the flexible portion 14c, but simply reduce the thickness of the metal plate for contact. Only by doing so, the reliability of the electrical connection at the contact between the contact portion 14a and the contact on the plug connector side may be reduced.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the contact portions are formed by being folded so as to satisfy the trade-off requirements of flexibility for positional displacement and reliability of electrical connection. For example, assuming that the thickness of 0.2 mm or more is the minimum required from the viewpoint of reliability of electrical connection of the contact portion, the metal plate is folded to form the contact portion, so that the thickness of the metal plate becomes 0. 2 mm to 0.1
mm, which increases flexibility,
Flexibility with respect to positional deviation can be improved.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a contact state after fitting the contact portion on the cap connector side and the contact portion on the plug connector side, which are formed by folding metal plates, in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between both contact portions when the contact portion on the plug connector side starts to contact the contact portion on the cap connector side. In FIG. 3A, the crease portion 14d before the metal plates are folded is formed as the contact portion 14a formed as the contact portion of the cap connector side contact 14, and the contact portion 2 of the plug connector side contact 24.
4a and 4a are shown in contact with each other.

Further, in FIG. 3B, both edge portions 14e 'and 14e' of the metal plate before the metal sheet is folded are folded and formed by the both edge portions 14e 'and 14e'. The contact portion 14a 'of the cap connector side contact 14' and the contact portion 24a of the plug connector side contact 24 are shown in contact with each other. In this way, the method of forming the contact portion 14a by folding the metal plate is
There are two possible methods, but comparing the contact parts on the side of the cap connector made by the above two methods, FIG.
The contact portion 14a of FIG. 3A is the contact portion 14 of FIG.
The smoothness of the contact surface is superior to that of a '. This is the contact portion 14a formed by bending the fold portion 14d.
Has a smooth curved surface, whereas the contact portion 14a 'formed by assembling four edges formed by the sheared surface of the metal plate has dimensional accuracy of the edge before folding and folding. It is considered that it is difficult to obtain a smooth contact surface due to the accuracy of the work done.

However, when the contact portions of both connectors when the plug connector is inserted into the cap connector having the contact portion 14a shown in FIG. 3A are viewed from the side, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a horizontal portion is partially formed at a corner portion 14g of the diagonally cut diagonally shaded portion 14f that first contacts the contact portion 24a on the plug connector side. There may be a slight resistance to the intrusion of the contact portion 24a that enters into. This horizontal portion is formed on the outer side of the fold when the metal plate having a constant thickness is subjected to the folding process as described above, while the horizontal portion is formed on the cap connector having the contact portion 14a ′ shown in FIG. 3 (b). When the contact portions of both connectors when the plug connectors are inserted are viewed from the side, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), a horizontal portion is formed at a corner portion 14g 'of the diagonally cut diagonal portion 14f. Therefore, no resistance is found against the entry of the contact portion 24a that enters in the direction of arrow A. FIG.
As shown in (b), in the case of this folding method, the horizontal portion is formed at a corner 14h 'opposite to the corner 14g'.
Therefore, regarding the smoothness when the plug connector is inserted, the type shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B is more advantageous.

Thus, FIG. 3A, that is, FIG.
FIG. 3B, that is, FIG.
Since there are advantages and disadvantages to each of the contact portions 14a 'in (b), either one may be selected according to conditions such as application, material and processing method. Next, the description of the portion other than the contact portion 14a of the cap connector will be continued. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are not directly connected to each other. The first housing 11 is fixed to the substrate 9 for the cap connector 10, while the plug connector 20 (see FIGS. 5 and 6)
After being fixed to the board 9 ', when the boards are fitted to each other at predetermined positions, the contact portions 14 of the connectors are
The relative misalignment between 114 and 114 is automatically adjusted between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12.

In the cap connector 10 of FIG. 1, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are indicated by arrows A-.
The relative position in the A ′ direction and the arrow BB ′ direction is adjusted. The adjustment range of the relative position between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 is set to the first housing 11 and the second housing 12.
Of the housing 12 is determined by the difference in the sizes of both of the portions that contact the housing 12.

That is, the adjustment range of the relative position in the direction of the arrow AA 'is defined by the protrusion 15 formed on the side surface 12c of the second housing 12 and the side end portion 1 of the first housing 11.
The clearance K between the two surfaces facing each other may be set to a desired dimension. In addition, regarding the method of adjusting the relative position in the direction of the arrow BB ′, the second housing 1
The arrow CC ′ of the recess 15a formed in the second protrusion 15
The width W1 in the direction is set to be the same as the width W2 in the direction CC-C 'of the L-shaped tip portion 13a of the reinforcing metal member 13 so that the reinforcing metal member 13 and the second housing 12 are separated from each other by the arrow B-.
By making the structure slidable in the B'direction and setting the height from the surface of the L-shaped tip portion 13a of the reinforcing metal fitting 13 on the substrate 9 side to the substrate 9 to a desired dimension, the arrow BB ' The adjustment range of the relative position in the direction can be defined.

Thus, the first housing 11 and the second housing 11
With housing 12 of arrow A-A 'direction and arrow B-
The cap connector 10 configured to adjust the relative position in the B ′ direction is fixed to the substrate 9. Fixing to the substrate 9 is performed as follows. Tine portion 14 of each contact 14
By soldering b to the corresponding pads on the board 9 side, the cap connector 10 is electrically connected to the board 9 and is a reinforcing metal fitting integrally attached to the side end 11a of the first housing 11. The first housing 11 is attached to the board 9 by soldering the legs 13b of the board 13 to the board 9.
Mechanically fixed to.

Next, the mating plug connector 20 will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a plug connector which is a mating partner of the cap connector of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the plug connector of FIG. 5 viewed from the direction of arrow AA ′. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plug connector 20 includes a second connector of the cap connector 10 that is a mating partner.
A housing main body 22 comprising an upper housing part 22a inserted into the opening 12a (see FIG. 1) of the housing 12 and a lower housing part 22b fixed to the base plate 9'for the plug connector 20, and the housing main body 22. A plurality of contacts 24 and a reinforcing metal member 23 for fixing the housing lower portion 22b to the substrate 9 are provided.

Each contact 24 has a contact portion 2 which comes into contact with a contact of the mating cap connector 10.
4a and a terminal fixing portion 24c, and a tine portion 24b connected to the substrate 9'are formed. Upper part of housing 22
A plurality of holes 22d are formed in the upper surface 22c of a,
A plurality of grooves 22e are formed on both side surfaces 22g of the housing upper portion 22a. These holes 22d and grooves 2
A contact portion 24a of the contact 24 and a terminal fixing portion 24c are provided in the interior of 2e, and the contact portion 24a comes into contact with the contact 14 (see FIG. 1) of the mating cap connector 10.

Each tine portion 24b is soldered to a corresponding pad on the board 9'side so that the plug connector 2
0 is electrically connected to the substrate 9 '. Further, reinforcing metal fittings 23 are integrally attached to both end portions 22f of the housing lower portion 22b, and the leg portions 23b of the reinforcing metal fittings 23 are soldered to the board 9 ', so that the plug connector 20 is provided.
Are mechanically fixed to the substrate 9 '.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cap connector according to a second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cap connector of FIG. 7 viewed from the direction of arrow DD ′. The cap connector of the second embodiment is similar to the cap connector 10 of the first embodiment.
The plug housing 20 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a mating partner.

The cap connector 10 according to the first embodiment includes the cap connector 10 and the plug housing 2.
0 is used when the fixed substrates 9 and 9'are arranged so as to intersect each other at a right angle.
In the cap connector 110 of the second embodiment, the board to which the cap connector 110 is fixed is the plug housing 2
Used when placed parallel to a fixed substrate of zero.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, like the cap connector 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cap connector 110 is a surface-mounting connector that is soldered onto the substrate 9, and one cap connector 110 is provided. The first housing 111 and the second housing 112, and two reinforcing metal fittings 113.
And a plurality of contacts 114. The main difference between the cap connector 110 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and the cap connector 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is that the opening 12 a of the second housing 12 of the cap connector 10 is different.
The direction of the opening (see FIG. 1) is parallel to the substrate 9, whereas the direction of the opening of the opening 112 a (see FIG. 7) of the second housing 112 of the cap connector 110 is the direction of the substrate 9. The line direction and the alignment-free direction are the arrow AA ′ direction and the arrow BB ′ direction in the case of the cap connector 10, while the arrow AA ′ is in the case of the cap connector 110. Direction and arrow C-
This is the point in the C'direction.

Due to the above differences, the first and second housings 111 and 112, the reinforcing metal fitting 113, and the contact 11
The shapes such as 4 are different from those in FIGS. 1 and 2.
In particular, the flexible portion 114c of the contact 114, as shown in FIG. 8, is considerably different in shape from the flexible portion 14c of FIG. Other parts are almost the same as those of the cap connector 10 shown in FIGS.

[0028]

As described above, according to the electrical connector of the present invention, in the alignment-free type electrical connector having the contact having the flexible portion between the contact portion and the tine portion, the contact portion is By forming by folding, it is possible to reduce the plate thickness of the flexible part without impairing the reliability of the electrical connection of the contact part, so the reliability of the electrical connection with the mating contact is high and the relative contact is high. It is possible to obtain an electric connector having high flexibility with respect to positional deviation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cap connector in a first embodiment of an electric connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cap connector of FIG. 1 viewed from a direction of arrow DD ′.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a contact state after fitting of a contact portion on the cap connector side and a contact portion on the plug connector side, which are formed by folding a metal plate, in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between both contact portions when the contact portion on the plug connector side starts to contact the contact portion on the cap connector side.

5 is a perspective view showing a plug connector which is a mating partner of the cap connector of FIG. 1. FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view of the plug connector of FIG. 5 viewed from the direction of arrow AA ′.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cap connector according to a second embodiment of the electrical connector of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cap connector of FIG. 7 viewed from the direction of arrow DD ′.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional alignment-free connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 9 board 10 electric connector 11 first housing 12 second housing 14 contact 14a contact portion 14b tine portion 14c flexible portion

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A contact having a flexible portion between a contact portion that comes into contact with a mating contact and a tine portion that is connected to a substrate, and a first housing that holds the tine portion.
In an electric connector comprising a second housing which holds the contact portion and whose relative position with respect to the first housing can be adjusted by bending of the flexible portion, the contact portion is formed by folding the contact portion. An electrical connector characterized in that the flexible portion has a relatively thin plate thickness.