Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a connector which can reliably connect a conductor part of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet-shaped conductive member and can realize miniaturization. The first insulator (14) has a recessed portion (14C) formed in the first holding surface (14B) and a protrusion (14D) formed in the recessed portion (14C) and protruding higher than the first holding surface (14B), and the second insulator (15) has a protruding portion (15C) formed in the second holding surface (15B) and a recessed protrusion accommodating portion (15D) formed in the protruding portion (15C) and deeper than the second holding surface (15B). The conductor portion (13A) of the electric wire (13) is electrically connected to the flexible conductor (12A) of the sheet-like conductive member (12) between the outer surface of the protrusion (14D) and the inner surface of the protrusion accommodating portion (15D) by at least a portion of the protrusion (14D) being accommodated in the protrusion accommodating portion (15D).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and in particular to a connector for connecting a conductor portion of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet-shaped conductive component.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a connector assembly in which a conductor portion of an electric wire is connected to a flexible conductor of a sheet-like conductive member via such a connector. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, so-called smart clothing that can obtain the user's biological information such as heart rate and body temperature simply by wearing it has attracted attention. The smart clothing has electrodes composed of flexible conductors arranged at the measurement site, and can transmit the biological information to the wearable device by electrically connecting the wearable device as a measurement device to the electrodes.

[0004] The connection between the electrode and the wearable device can be performed, for example, by using a connector connected to a flexible conductor.

[0005] However, when the wearable device is far from the measurement site, a circuit needs to be constructed from the electrodes arranged at the measurement site to the mounting position of the connector. If such a circuit is formed by a flexible conductor, the resistance becomes high and the cost increases.

[0006] Therefore, in order to connect electrodes made of flexible conductors and wearable devices through low-resistance and inexpensive wires, it is desired to develop a small connector that connects the wires to the flexible conductors arranged on clothes.

[0007] As a connector for connecting an electric wire to a flexible conductor, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a Fig.19 The connector includes a first connector 2 connected to the end of a sheet-like conductive component 1 and a second connector 4 mounted on the front end of an electric wire 3. By fitting the second connector 4 with the first connector 2, the electric wire 3 can be connected to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive component 1.

[0008] Prior art literature

[0009] Patent Literature

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-214087

[0011] However, in order to connect the wire 3 to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive component 1, the first connector 2 and the second connector 4 need to be fitted with each other, so the device is large-scaled, and there is a separable connection portion between the first connector 2 and the second connector 4, so there is a problem of reduced reliability of electrical connection. Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a connector assembly that can reliably connect a conductor portion of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet-like conductive member and can be miniaturized.

[0013] The connector of the present invention connects the conductor portion of the electric wire to the flexible conductor exposed on at least one side of a sheet-like conductive member having an opening, and the connector comprises:

[0014] A first insulator having a first holding surface, a recess formed in the first holding surface, and a protrusion formed in the recess and protruding higher than the first holding surface; and

[0015] The second insulator has a second holding surface opposite to the first holding surface, a convex portion formed on the second holding surface and opposite to the concave portion, and a concave protrusion receiving portion formed on the convex portion and deeper than the second holding surface.

[0016] The first insulator and the second insulator are connected to each other in such a manner that the protrusion is inserted into the opening of the sheet-like conductive component, the sheet-like conductive component and the wire are respectively clamped between the first holding surface and the second holding surface, and the sheet-like conductive component and the wire are overlapped and arranged between the concave portion and the convex portion.

[0017] With at least a portion of the protrusion accommodated in the protrusion accommodation portion, the conductor portion of the electric wire is electrically connected to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member between the outer side surface of the protrusion and the inner side surface of the protrusion accommodation portion.

[0018] The sheet-shaped conductive member may extend from the first insulator and the second insulator in a predetermined direction along the first holding surface and the second holding surface, and the wire may extend from the first insulator and the second insulator in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction along the first holding surface and the second holding surface.

[0019] Preferably, the first insulator and the second insulator are bonded to each other directly or via a sheet-like conductive member.

[0020] A contact force ensuring member may be provided, the contact force ensuring member being arranged outside the conductor portion and the flexible conductor that are in contact with each other in the protrusion accommodating portion and ensuring the contact force between the conductor portion and the flexible conductor.

[0021] Preferably, the contact force ensuring member includes: a protrusion through-hole formed by a bent metal plate and through which the protrusion of the first insulator passes; and a pair of pressing portions facing each other across the protrusion through-hole.

[0022] Preferably, one of the first insulator and the second insulator includes a front end holding portion that holds a front end of a conductor portion of the electric wire.

[0023] The front end holding portion may include a slit into which the front end of the conductor portion is inserted.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferable that the electric wire has an insulating coating covering an outer peripheral portion of the conductor portion, and the first insulator and the second insulator have insulating coating holding portions holding the insulating coating of the electric wire.

[0025] Preferably, one of the first insulator and the second insulator has a protrusion, and the other of the first insulator and the second insulator has a protrusion through-hole through which the protrusion passes, and the head of the protrusion passing through the protrusion through-hole is thermally deformed.

[0026] The connector assembly of the present invention comprises:

[0027] The above connector;

[0028] a sheet-shaped conductive member; and

[0029] electric wire,

[0030] The conductor portion of the electric wire is electrically connected to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member through the connector.

[0031] The sheet-shaped conductive member may have an H-shaped opening and a pair of protrusions, the pair of protrusions protruding from mutually opposing edges of the opening into the opening and exposing the flexible conductor.

[0032] The conductor portion of the electric wire is electrically connected to the flexible conductors of the pair of protruding portions between the inner side surface of the protrusion receiving portion of the connector and the outer side surface of the protrusion.

[0033] Effects of the present invention:

[0034] According to the present invention, the first insulator has a recessed portion formed on the first holding surface and a protrusion formed on the recessed portion and protruding higher than the first holding surface, and the second insulator has a protrusion formed on the second holding surface and a recessed protrusion accommodating portion formed on the protrusion and deeper than the second holding surface. The first insulator and the second insulator are connected to each other in a manner that the sheet-like conductive component and the electric wire are respectively clamped between the first holding surface and the second holding surface, and the sheet-like conductive component and the electric wire are overlapped and arranged between the recessed portion and the protrusion. At least a portion of the protrusion is accommodated in the protrusion accommodating portion, and the conductor portion of the electric wire is electrically connected to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive component between the outer side surface of the protrusion and the inner side surface of the protrusion accommodating portion. Therefore, the conductor portion of the electric wire can be connected to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive component with good reliability, and miniaturization can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 It is a top view showing the connector assembly according to the embodiment.

[0036] Figure 2 It is a bottom view showing the connector assembly according to the embodiment.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a side view which shows the connector assembly of this embodiment.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a front view showing the connector assembly according to the embodiment.

[0039] Figure 5 This is an assembly diagram of the connector assembly according to the embodiment as viewed obliquely from above.

[0040] Figure 6 This is an assembly diagram of the connector assembly according to the embodiment as viewed diagonally from below.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing a first insulator used in the connector assembly according to the embodiment.

[0042] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a second insulator used in the connector assembly according to the embodiment, as seen from obliquely below.

[0043] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view showing a contact force ensuring member used in the connector assembly according to the embodiment.

[0044] Fig.10 This is a perspective view showing a sheet-like conductive member used in the connector assembly according to the embodiment.

[0045] Fig.11 It is a perspective view showing a state where the second adhesive sheet, the contact force ensuring member, and the conductor portion of the electric wire are arranged on the second insulator.

[0046] Fig.12 It is a perspective view showing a state where a sheet-shaped conductive member is arranged on a second insulator.

[0047] Fig.13 It is a perspective view showing a state where a first adhesive sheet is arranged on a sheet-like conductive member.

[0048] Fig.14 It is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a first adhesive sheet is arranged on a sheet-like conductive member.

[0049] Fig.15 It is a perspective view showing a state where the first insulator is arranged on the second insulator.

[0050] Fig.16 It is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the first insulator is arranged on the second insulator.

[0051] Fig.17 yes Figure 2 AA line section view.

[0052] Fig.18 yes Figure 3 BB line cross-sectional view.

[0053] Fig.19 It is a perspective view showing a conventional connector.

[0054] Reference numerals

[0055] 1 sheet-like conductive component, 2 first connector, 3 electric wire, 4 second connector, 11 connector, 12 sheet-like conductive component, 12A flexible conductor, 12B opening portion, 12C protruding portion, 12D, 12E through-holes, 13 covered electric wire, 13A conductor portion, 13B insulating covering portion, 14 first insulator, 14A, 15A flat plate portions, 14B first holding surface, 14C recessed portion, 14D protrusion, 14E, 14F, 15E, 15F insertion groove, 14G insertion hole, 14H protrusion through-hole, 14J step portion, 15 second insulator, 15B second holding surface, 15C protruding portion, 15D protrusion accommodating portion, 15G front end holding portion, 15H slit, 15J protrusion, 15K side plate, 16 first adhesive sheet, 17 second adhesive sheet, 18 contact force ensuring component, 18A protrusion through-hole, 18B pressing portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0057] Figure 1 to Figure 4 A connector assembly according to an embodiment is shown. In this connector assembly, a covered electric wire 13 is connected to a sheet-like conductive member 12 using a connector 11 .

[0058] The sheet-like conductive component 12 has a front surface and a back surface facing opposite directions, and the flexible conductor 12A is exposed at least on the front surface. As the sheet-like conductive component 12, for example, a conductive cloth woven with conductive threads such as silver can be used. When such a conductive cloth is used, the flexible conductor 12A is exposed not only on the surface of the sheet-like conductive component 12 but also on the back surface. In addition, a component in which the flexible conductor 12A is formed on the surface of a non-conductive cloth by applying a conductive ink on the surface by printing or the like can be used as the sheet-like conductive component 12. In addition, a component in which the flexible conductor 12A consisting of a conductive pattern is formed on the surface of an insulating sheet body such as a resin film can be used as the sheet-like conductive component 12.

[0059] The sheet-like conductive member 12 has a belt shape extending in a predetermined direction.

[0060] The insulated wire 13 has a structure in which the outer periphery of a conductor part described later is covered with an insulating coating part. The conductor part of the insulated wire 13 is electrically connected to the flexible conductor 12A of the sheet-like conductive member 12 via the connector 11 .

[0061] The covered electric wire 13 extends in the same direction as the belt-shaped sheet-like conductive member 12 .

[0062] Here, for convenience, a predetermined direction in which the sheet-like conductive member 12 extends toward the connector 11 is referred to as the −Y direction, a width direction of the strip-shaped sheet-like conductive member 12 is referred to as the X direction, and a direction perpendicular to the XY plane is referred to as the Z direction.

[0063] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The connector assembly is shown in an assembled view. The connector assembly includes a first insulator 14 and a second insulator 15 .

[0064] The sheet-like conductive member 12 is arranged on the +Z direction side of the first insulator 14 via the first adhesive sheet 16, and the conductor portion 13A exposed from the insulating coating portion 13B of the covered electric wire 13 is arranged on the +Z direction side of the sheet-like conductive member 12. The conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13 may be either a so-called single wire composed of one conductor or a so-called stranded wire composed of a plurality of conductors twisted together.

[0065] Furthermore, the contact force ensuring member 18 is arranged on the +Z direction side of the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13 via the second adhesive sheet 17 , and the second insulator 15 is arranged on the +Z direction side of the contact force ensuring member 18 .

[0066] The connector 11 is constituted by the first insulator 14 , the first adhesive sheet 16 , the second adhesive sheet 17 , the contact force ensuring member 18 , and the second insulator 15 .

[0067] like Figure 7 As shown, the first insulator 14 has a substantially rectangular flat plate portion 14A extending along the XY plane, and a first holding surface 14B in a planar shape is formed by the surface on the +Z direction side of the flat plate portion 14A. A recessed portion 14C recessed in the -Z direction is formed in the center of the first holding surface 14B, and a substantially prism-shaped protrusion 14D protruding in the +Z direction is formed in the center of the recessed portion 14C. The protrusion 14D protrudes higher in the +Z direction than the first holding surface 14B.

[0068] Furthermore, an insertion groove 14E extending from the recess 14C in the −Y direction is formed on the first holding surface 14B, and an insertion groove 14F having a groove width greater than that of the insertion groove 14E is formed at the −Y direction end of the insertion groove 14E.

[0069] A concave insertion hole 14G communicating with the concave portion 14C is formed at the +Y direction end portion of the concave portion 14C.

[0070] The flat plate portion 14A has three boss through holes 14H which are formed on both sides of the insertion groove 14E in the X direction and on the +Y direction side of the insertion hole 14G and penetrate the flat plate portion 14A in the Z direction.

[0071] Furthermore, step portions 14J extending in the Y direction are formed on both side surfaces in the X direction of the flat plate portion 14A.

[0072] like Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the second insulator 15 has a substantially rectangular flat plate portion 15A extending along the XY plane, and a second holding surface 15B in a planar shape is formed by the surface on the -Z direction side of the flat plate portion 15A. A convex portion 15C that bulges in the -Z direction is formed at the center of the second holding surface 15B, and a concave protrusion receiving portion 15D that is recessed in the +Z direction and deeper than the second holding surface 15B is formed at the center of the convex portion 15C.

[0073] An insertion groove 15E extending in the -Y direction is formed on the -Y direction side of the protrusion accommodation portion 15D, and an insertion groove 15F having a groove width greater than that of the insertion groove 15E is formed at the -Y direction end of the insertion groove 15E.

[0074] A cylindrical front end holding portion 15G is formed on the +Y direction side of the convex portion 15C so as to protrude from the second holding surface 15B in the -Z direction, and a slit 15H extending in the Y direction so as to divide the front end holding portion 15G into two parts in the X direction is formed in the front end holding portion 15G. The front end holding portion 15G is used to hold the front end of the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13, and the slit 15H has a slit width slightly narrower than the diameter of the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13, and is configured to allow the conductor portion 13A to be inserted.

[0075] The flat plate portion 15A has three projections 15J which are formed on both sides of the insertion groove 15E in the X direction and on the +Y direction side of the front end holding portion 15G and project in the -Z direction.

[0076] Furthermore, side plates 15K are formed on both sides of the flat plate portion 15A in the X direction so as to protrude in the −Z direction and extend in the Y direction.

[0077] When the first insulator 14 and the second insulator 15 are connected to each other, the insertion groove 14E of the first insulator 14 and the insertion groove 15E of the second insulator 15 are parts that cooperate with each other to hold the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13, and the insertion groove 14F of the first insulator 14 and the insertion groove 15F of the second insulator 15 become insulating coating retaining parts that cooperate with each other to hold the insulating coating portion 13B of the covered electric wire 13.

[0078] The contact force ensuring member 18 is used to ensure the contact force between the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13 and the flexible conductor 12A of the sheet-like conductive member 12. Fig. 9 As shown, the contact force ensuring member 18 is formed of a bent metal plate and has a protrusion through-hole 18A through which the protrusion 14D of the first insulator 14 passes, and a pair of pressing portions 18B that face each other in the Y direction across the protrusion through-hole 18A and protrude in the +Z direction.

[0079] like Fig.10 As shown, the sheet-like conductive member 12 has an H-shaped opening 12B that passes through the sheet-like conductive member 12 in the Z direction, and a pair of protrusions 12C that protrude from both edges of the opening 12B in the Y direction into the opening 12B and face each other in the Y direction.

[0080] The sheet-like conductive member 12 is provided with through holes 12D and 12E which pass through the sheet-like conductive member 12 in the Z direction, corresponding to the front end holding portion 15G of the second insulator 15 and the protrusion 15J on the +Y direction side.

[0081] When assembling the connector 11 to make a connector assembly, first, Fig.11 As shown, the second adhesive sheet 17 is arranged on the second holding surface 15B of the second insulator 15. The second adhesive sheet 17 has an opening corresponding to the convex portion 15C and the front end holding portion 15G of the second insulator 15 and three openings corresponding to the three protrusions 15J, and is arranged on the second holding surface 15B in a state where the convex portion 15C, the front end holding portion 15G and the three protrusions 15J pass through these openings.

[0082] Furthermore, the contact force ensuring member 18 is disposed on the convex portion 15C of the second insulator 15 , and a pair of pressing portions 18B of the contact force ensuring member 18 are inserted along the inner side surface in the Y direction of the protrusion receiving portion 15D of the second insulator 15 .

[0083] In addition, the conductor portion 13A exposed by removing the insulating coating portion 13B at the +Y direction end of the covered electric wire 13 is arranged on the contact force ensuring component 18, and the front end of the conductor portion 13A is pressed into the slit 15H formed in the front end retaining portion 15G of the second insulator 15 and temporarily retained by the front end retaining portion 15G.

[0084] Then, if Fig.12 As shown, the protrusion 15J on the +Y direction side of the second insulator 15 is made to penetrate the through hole 12E of the sheet-like conductive member 12 , and the sheet-like conductive member 12 is arranged on the second insulator 15 .

[0085] In addition, if Fig.13As shown, the first adhesive sheet 16 is arranged on the sheet-like conductive component 12. The first adhesive sheet 16 has an opening corresponding to the opening 12B and the through hole 12D of the sheet-like conductive component 12 and three openings corresponding to the three protrusions 15J of the second insulator 15, and is arranged on the sheet-like conductive component 12 in a state where the three protrusions 15J pass through the corresponding openings.

[0086] At this time, if Fig.14 As shown, the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13 extends in the Y direction on the protrusion receiving portion 15D of the second insulator 15, and the front end of the conductor portion 13A in the +Y direction is pressed into the slit 15H of the front end holding portion 15G of the second insulator 15. In addition, the H-shaped opening 12B of the sheet-like conductive member 12 is located on the conductor portion 13A extending in the Y direction on the protrusion receiving portion 15D of the second insulator 15. The opening 12B of the sheet-like conductive member 12 is exposed in the -Z direction through the corresponding opening of the first adhesive sheet 16.

[0087] In this state, by pressing the first insulator 14 relatively toward the second insulator 15 in the +Z direction, as shown in FIG. Fig.15 As shown, the first insulator 14 is arranged on the second insulator 15 while the three protrusions 15J of the second insulator 15 are passed through the three protrusion through holes 14H of the first insulator 14. Thus, the sheet-like conductive member 12 and the conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13 are sandwiched between the first holding surface 14B of the first insulator 14 and the second holding surface 15B of the second insulator 15, respectively.

[0088] At this time, if Fig.16 As shown, the protrusion 14D protruding from the recess 14C of the first insulator 14 is inserted into the H-shaped opening 12B of the sheet-like conductive component 12, and the +Z direction end of the protrusion 14D is pushed into a pair of protrusions 12C of the sheet-like conductive component 12 and the conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13, while being accommodated in the protrusion accommodating portion 15D of the second insulator 15.

[0089] The three protrusions 15J of the second insulator 15 penetrate the three protrusion through-holes 14H of the first insulator 14 , and are in a state of protruding from the first insulator 14 toward the −Z direction side.

[0090] With the first insulator 14 pressed against the second insulator 15, a heat treatment is performed to melt the first adhesive sheet 16 and the second adhesive sheet 17, thereby the first insulator 14 and the second insulator 15 are bonded to each other directly or via the sheet-like conductive member 12, thereby sealing the first insulator 14 and the second insulator 15. In addition, by thermally deforming the front ends of the three protrusions 15J protruding toward the -Z direction side of the first insulator 14, the first insulator 14 and the second insulator 15 are fixed to each other, thereby completing the assembly of the connector 11.

[0091] Fig.17 The connector assembly thus manufactured is shown. The +Z direction end of the protrusion 14D of the first insulator 14 is pushed into the pair of protrusions 12C of the sheet-like conductive component 12 and the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13, while being accommodated in the protrusion accommodation portion 15D of the second insulator 15, and the pair of pressing portions 18B of the contact force ensuring component 18 are inserted into the protrusion accommodation portion 15D. Therefore, the protrusion 12C of the sheet-like conductive component 12 is deformed in a manner along the surface of the protrusion 14D, and the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13 is sandwiched between the surface of the protrusion 12C of the sheet-like conductive component 12 and the pressing portion 18B of the contact force ensuring component 18, and is bent along the surface of the deformed protrusion 12C of the sheet-like conductive component 12.

[0092] The protrusion 14D has a roughly prismatic shape, so the protrusion 12C of the sheet-like conductive component 12 and the conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13, which are deformed in a manner along the surface of the protrusion 14D, are sandwiched between the pressing portion 18B of the contact force ensuring component 18 extending along the inner side surface of the protrusion accommodating portion 15D in the Y direction and the outer side surface of the protrusion 14D in the Y direction. The conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13 contacts the flexible conductor 12A exposed on the surface of the protrusion 12C of the sheet-like conductive component 12 with a specified contact force in the Y direction and is electrically connected.

[0093] In addition, in the -Y direction portion of the connector 11, the conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13 is held by the insertion groove 14E of the first insulator 14 and the insertion groove 15E of the second insulator 15, and the insulating covering portion 13B of the covered wire 13 is held by the insertion groove 14F of the first insulator 14 and the insertion groove 15F of the second insulator 15.

[0094] The conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13 bends along the surface of the protruding portion 12C of the deformed sheet-like conductive member 12 , whereby the front end of the conductor portion 13A temporarily held in the slit 15H of the front end holding portion 15G of the second insulator 15 is pulled out of the slit 15H.

[0095] In addition, if Fig.18 As shown, the pair of side plates 15K of the second insulator 15 are embedded in the pair of step portions 14J of the first insulator 14 .

[0096] In this way, according to the connector 11 of the embodiment, the protrusion 14D of the first insulator 14 is inserted into the interior of the contact force ensuring component 18 while pushing the sheet-like conductive component 12 and the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13, and the contact force ensuring component 18 is inserted into the protrusion accommodating portion 15D of the second insulator 15, thereby electrically connecting the flexible conductor 12A exposed on the surface of the sheet-like conductive component 12 to the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13, thereby improving the reliability of the electrical connection between the flexible conductor 12A and the conductor portion 13A, and realizing miniaturization of the connector.

[0097] In particular, the protrusion 14D of the first insulator 14 is inserted into the opening 12B of the sheet-like conductive member 12, and the protrusion 12C of the sheet-like conductive member 12 contacts the conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13 between the inner side surface of the protrusion receiving portion 15D of the second insulator 15 and the outer side surface of the protrusion 14D, so that the sheet-like conductive member 12 does not exist between the top of the protrusion 14D in the +Z direction and the bottom of the protrusion receiving portion 15D, and only the conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13 is arranged. In addition, the pair of pressing portions 18B of the contact force ensuring member 18 are inserted into the protrusion receiving portion 15D, but these pressing portions 18B do not extend between the top of the protrusion 14D in the +Z direction and the bottom of the protrusion receiving portion 15D. Therefore, the connector 11 can be made thinner.

[0098] Furthermore, the first insulator 14 has a recessed portion 14C formed on the first holding surface 14B and a protrusion 14D formed on the recessed portion 14C and protruding higher in the +Z direction than the first holding surface 14B, and the second insulator 15 has a convex portion 15C formed on the second holding surface 15B and a concave protrusion receiving portion 15D formed on the convex portion 15C and deeper than the second holding surface 15B. Therefore, without thinning the entire portion of the first insulator 14 other than the protrusion 14D, the first insulator 14 is thinned in the portion where the recessed portion 14C is formed and the protrusion 14D is removed, and further, the portion of the second insulator 15 where the protrusion receiving portion 15D is formed is thinned, thereby realizing a thin connector 11.

[0099] In this way, by limiting the portions that need to be thinned in the first insulator 14 and the second insulator 15 , the first insulator 14 and the second insulator 15 can be molded with the insulating resin without impairing the fluidity of the molten resin in the molding die.

[0100] Furthermore, by limiting the portion that needs to be thinned, the strength of the first insulator 14 and the second insulator 15 can be ensured, and even if external force acts on the connector 11 via the covered wire 13 or the sheet-like conductive member 12, damage or the like can be avoided.

[0101] Furthermore, since the first and second adhesive sheets 16 and 17 are used to seal the space between the first and second insulators 14 and 15 , water can be prevented from entering the electrical connection portion between the flexible conductor 12A of the sheet-like conductive member 12 and the conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13 .

[0102] When the connector 11 of the embodiment is applied to smart clothing and electrodes (not shown) are connected to the flexible conductor 12A of the sheet-like conductive member 12, the electrodes arranged at the measurement site and the wearable device can be connected using the low-resistance and inexpensive covered wire 13.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the front end holding portion 15G that holds the front end of the conductor portion 13A of the covered electric wire 13 is formed on the second insulator 15 , but the front end holding portion may be formed on the first insulator 14 .

[0104] In the above embodiment, the three protrusions 15J of the second insulator 15 penetrate the three protrusion through-holes 14H of the first insulator 14 . However, conversely, a plurality of protrusions formed on the first insulator 14 may penetrate a plurality of through-holes formed on the second insulator 15 .

[0105] In the above embodiment, a pair of pressing portions 18B of the contact force ensuring component 18 are inserted into the protrusion accommodating portion 15D of the second insulator 15, and the protrusion 12C of the sheet-like conductive component 12 and the conductor portion 13A of the covered wire 13 are sandwiched between the outer side surface of the protrusion 14D and the pressing portion 18B of the contact force ensuring component 18, but it is not limited to this.

[0106] Even without using the contact force ensuring member 18, by directly sandwiching the protruding portion 12C of the sheet-like conductive member 12 and the conductor portion 13A of the insulated electric wire 13 between the outer side surface of the protrusion 14D and the inner side surface of the protrusion accommodating portion 15D, the conductor portion 13A of the insulated electric wire 13 can be brought into contact with and electrically connected to the flexible conductor 12A exposed on the surface of the protruding portion 12C of the sheet-like conductive member 12. However, using the contact force ensuring member 18 is preferred because the contact force between the conductor portion 13A of the insulated electric wire 13 and the flexible conductor 12A of the sheet-like conductive member 12 can be reliably ensured.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the covered wire 13 is used as the wire connected to the sheet-like conductive member 12 . However, only the wire of the conductor portion 13A whose outer periphery is not covered by the insulating coating 13B made of an insulator may be connected to the sheet-like conductive member 12 .

[0108] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the conductor portion 13A of one covered electric wire 13 is connected to the flexible conductor 12A of one sheet-like conductive component 12 by accommodating one protrusion 14D formed on the first insulator 14 in a protrusion accommodating portion 15D formed on the second insulator 15. However, similarly, a configuration may be adopted in which the conductor portions of a plurality of electric wires are connected to the flexible conductors of a plurality of sheet-like conductive components by using a first insulator having a plurality of protrusions and a second insulator having a plurality of protrusion accommodating portions.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a conductor portion of an electric wire to a flexible conductor exposed on at least one side of a sheet-like conductive member having an opening, characterized in that: The connector features: A first insulator having a first holding surface, a recess formed on the first holding surface, and a protrusion formed on the recess and protruding higher than the first holding surface; as well as The second insulator has a second holding surface opposite to the first holding surface, a convex portion formed on the second holding surface and opposite to the concave portion, and a concave protrusion receiving portion formed on the convex portion and deeper than the second holding surface. The first insulator and the second insulator are connected to each other in such a manner that the protrusion is inserted into the opening of the sheet-like conductive component, the sheet-like conductive component and the wire are respectively clamped between the first holding surface and the second holding surface, and the sheet-like conductive component and the wire are overlapped and arranged between the concave portion and the convex portion. With at least a portion of the protrusion accommodated in the protrusion accommodation portion, the conductor portion of the electric wire is electrically connected to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member between an outer side surface of the protrusion and an inner side surface of the protrusion accommodation portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sheet-shaped conductive member extends from the first insulator and the second insulator in a predetermined direction along the first holding surface and the second holding surface. The electric wires extend from the first insulator and the second insulator along the first holding surface and the second holding surface in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first insulator and the second insulator are bonded to each other directly or via the sheet-shaped conductive member.

4. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector includes a contact force ensuring member that is disposed outside the conductor portion and the flexible conductor that are in contact with each other in the protrusion accommodating portion and that ensures contact force between the conductor portion and the flexible conductor.

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The contact force ensuring member includes: a protrusion through-hole formed by a bent metal plate and through which the protrusion of the first insulator passes; and a pair of pressing portions facing each other across the protrusion through-hole.

6. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the first insulator and the second insulator includes a front end holding portion that holds a front end of the conductor portion of the electric wire.

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The front end holding portion has a slit into which the front end of the conductor portion is inserted.

8. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electric wire has an insulating coating portion covering the outer periphery of the conductor portion. The first insulator and the second insulator include an insulation coating holding portion that holds the insulation coating portion of the electric wire.

9. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the first insulator and the second insulator has a protrusion, The other of the first insulator and the second insulator has a protrusion through hole through which the protrusion passes. The head of the protrusion that passes through the protrusion through-hole is thermally deformed.

10. A connector assembly, characterized in that: have: The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The sheet-shaped conductive component; and The wire, The conductor portion of the electric wire is electrically connected to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member through the connector.

11. The connector assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that: The sheet-shaped conductive member has the H-shaped opening and a pair of protrusions, the pair of protrusions protruding from mutually opposing edges of the opening into the opening and exposing the flexible conductor. The conductor portion of the electric wire is electrically connected to the flexible conductors of the pair of protruding portions between the inner side surface of the protrusion accommodating portion of the connector and the outer side surface of the protrusion.

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