Floating connector

Abstract

A floating connector is provided with a plurality of contacts, at least one short column member and a movable housing. The movable housing has a first holding portion and a second holding portion. The first holding portion holds a first held portion of the contact, and the second holding portion holds a second held portion of the short column member. At least one short column member corresponds to at least one of the contacts in a one-to-one correspondence. Even when the movable housing moves within a predetermined range, the short column contact point is always pressed against the coupling portion of the contact corresponding to the short column member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a floating connector. Background Art

[0002] An example of a floating connector is disclosed in JP2019-114565A (Patent Document 1). As shown in FIG. 29, the floating connector 90 of Patent Document 1 is provided with a plurality of contacts 92, a first insulator (or a fixed housing) 94, and a second insulator (or a movable housing) 96. Each of the contacts 92 is held by the first insulator 94 and the second insulator 96, and the contact 92 is partially elastically deformable. The second insulator 96 is movable relative to the first insulator 94 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the contact 92. Therefore, when the floating connector 90 and the mating connector (not shown) are mated with each other, the misalignment between the floating connector 90 and the mating connector can be compensated in a plane direction perpendicular to the mating direction. Summary of the invention

[0003] Generally, the length of the contact of the floating connector is often longer than that of the contact of the ordinary connector. This is to give elasticity to the contact to allow the movable housing to move relative to the fixed housing and to ensure a predetermined movable range of the movable housing. However, because the long contact has a high impedance, the long contact is not desirable for signal transmission, especially high-speed signal transmission. Therefore, in the floating connector 90 of Patent Document 1, a wide adjustment portion 98 is provided on the contact 92 to reduce the impedance of the contact 92.

[0004] However, the wide adjustment portion 98 is difficult to elastically deform. Therefore, when the contact 92 is elastically deformed, stress is concentrated at the narrow portion near the wide adjustment portion 98. Therefore, the floating connector 90 of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the contact 92 may be damaged due to the stress concentration. In addition, the floating connector 90 has another problem that the size of the contact 92 may increase because the contact 92 has the wide adjustment portion 98.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a floating connector in which impedance is reduced without providing a wide adjustment portion.

[0006] The floating connector of the present invention adopts a structure in which the impedance of the transmission path is reduced by providing a short column in the transmission path.

[0007] In detail, by providing at least one short column member corresponding to at least one contact point, the impedance of the contact point is reduced. The short column member has a structure that always contacts the contact point even when the contact point is elastically deformed.

[0008] In more detail, one aspect of the present invention provides a floating connector, which is mounted on a substrate when in use, and can be matched with and removed from a mating connector having a mating contact portion in an up-down direction. The floating connector includes a plurality of contacts, at least one short column member and a movable housing. The movable housing has a first holding portion and a second holding portion. Each of the contacts has a fixed portion to be fixed to the substrate, a first held portion held by the first holding portion, a coupling portion for coupling the fixed portion and the first held portion to each other, an extension portion extending upward from the first held portion, and a contact portion supported by the extension portion. When the floating connector is mated with the mating connector, the contact portion contacts the mating contact portion. The coupling portion is elastically deformable so that the movable housing is movable within a predetermined range in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. At least one short column member corresponds to at least one of the contacts in a one-to-one correspondence. The short column member has a second held portion held by the second holding portion, a supporting portion extending from the second held portion, and a short column contact point supported by the supporting portion. Even when the movable housing moves within a predetermined range, the stub contact point is always pressed against the coupling portion of the contact corresponding to the stub member.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention provides a floating connector, which is mounted on a substrate when in use and can be matched with and removed from a mating connector having a mating contact portion. The floating connector includes a plurality of contacts, at least one short column member, a fixed housing and a movable housing. The movable housing has a first holding portion. The fixed housing has a second holding portion and a third holding portion. Each of the contacts has a fixed portion to be fixed to the substrate, a third held portion held by the third holding portion, a first held portion held by the first holding portion, a deformable portion connecting the first held portion and the third held portion to each other, an extension portion extending upward from the first held portion, and a contact portion supported by the extension portion. When the floating connector is mated with the mating connector, the contact portion contacts the mating contact portion. The deformable portion is deformable so that the movable housing is movable within a predetermined range in a plane perpendicular to the up and down direction. At least one short column member corresponds to at least one of the contacts in a one-to-one correspondence. The short column member has a second held portion held by the second holding portion, a supporting portion extending from the second held portion, and a short column contact point supported by the supporting portion. Even when the movable housing moves within a predetermined range, the stub contact point is always pressed against the deformable portion of the contact point corresponding to the stub member.

[0010] The floating connector of the present invention is provided with a plurality of contacts and at least one short column member corresponding to at least one contact. The short column member has a short column contact point. Even when the movable housing moves within a predetermined range, the short column contact point always presses against the contact corresponding to the short column member. With this structure, the impedance of the contact can be reduced without providing a wide adjustment portion for the contact.

[0011] A better understanding of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete appreciation of its structure may be obtained by studying the following description of the preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing a floating connector and a mating connector matable with the floating connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The floating connector and the mating connector are not mated with each other.

[0013] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of a floating connector and a mating connector, the floating connector and the mating connector mating with each other.

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a section taken along line AA Figure 1 A perspective cutaway view of a floating connector and a mating connector.

[0015] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a section taken along line BB Figure 2 A perspective cutaway view of a floating connector and a mating connector.

[0016] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of the floating connector.

[0017] Figure 6 It is shown that the Figure 5 A perspective view of the first row of contacts in a floating connector.

[0018] Figure 7 It is shown that the Figure 5 A perspective view of the first row of short column members in the floating connector.

[0019] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 7 Front view of the short column component.

[0020] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 7 Another stereoscopic view of the short column component.

[0021] Fig.10 is a diagram showing a section taken along line AA Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a floating connector of FIG. The area surrounded by a double-dashed line is shown in an enlarged manner.

[0022] Fig.11 It is shown Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the floating connector and the mating connector along line BB. The area surrounded by the double-dashed line is shown in an enlarged manner.

[0023] Fig.12 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a floating connector and a mating connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The floating connector and the mating connector are not mated with each other. The position of the cross section corresponds to Figure 1 The position of line AA.

[0024] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 A perspective cross-sectional view of a floating connector and a mating connector is shown, wherein the floating connector and the mating connector mate with each other. The position of the cross section corresponds to Figure 2 The position of line BB.

[0025] Fig.14 It is shown Fig.12 A cross-sectional view of a floating connector of FIG. The area surrounded by a double-dashed line is shown in an enlarged manner.

[0026] Fig.15 It is shown that the Fig.14 A perspective view of the first row of short column members in the floating connector.

[0027] Fig.16 It is shown Fig.15 Front view of the short column component.

[0028] Fig.17 It is shown Fig.16 Another stereoscopic view of the short column component.

[0029] Fig.18 is a cross-sectional view showing a floating connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The position of the cross section corresponds to Figure 1 The position of line AA.

[0030] Fig.19 It is shown that the Fig.18 A perspective view of the first row of short column members in the floating connector.

[0031] Fig. 20 It is shown Fig.19 Front view of the short column component.

[0032] Fig.21 It is shown Fig.19 Another stereoscopic view of the short column component.

[0033] Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a floating connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The position of the cross section corresponds to Figure 1 The position of line AA.

[0034] Fig.23 is a perspective view showing a floating connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Fig.24 It shows the interception along line CC Fig.23 A cross-sectional view of a floating connector of FIG. The area surrounded by a double-dashed line is shown in an enlarged manner.

[0036] Fig.25 is a cross-sectional view showing a floating connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The position of the cross section corresponds to Fig.23 The position of line CC.

[0037] Fig.26 is a cross-sectional view showing a floating connector according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The position of the cross section corresponds to Figure 1 The position of line AA.

[0038] Fig. 27 It is shown that the Fig.26 A perspective view of the first row of contacts in a floating connector.

[0039] Fig.28 is a diagram showing a section taken along line DD. Fig.26 Partial cross-sectional view of the floating connector.

[0040] FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a floating connector disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG.

[0041] Although the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, its specific embodiments are shown in the drawings by way of example and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and their detailed description are not intended to limit the present invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the present invention will cover all modifications, equivalents and substitutions within the concept and scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] [First embodiment]

[0043] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the floating connector 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the substrate 30 when in use. The floating connector 10 is mated with and detachable from the mating connector 20 along a mating direction perpendicular to the substrate 30. In this embodiment, the mating direction is the up-down direction or the Z direction. The positive Z direction points upward, while the negative Z direction points downward.

[0044] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the mating connector 20 is provided with a plurality of mating contacts 200 and a mating housing 220. The mating contacts 200 are made of metal, and the mating housing 220 is made of insulating resin. The mating housing 220 has a shape that is longer in a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The mating contacts 200 are arranged in two rows along the pitch direction and are held by the mating housing 220. In the present embodiment, the pitch direction is the Y direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The mating contacts 200 may be arranged in a row.

[0045] As from Figure 3 and Figure 4 As understood in the above, the two rows of mating contacts 200 are separated from each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction. In the present embodiment, the lateral direction is the X direction. Hereinafter, one of the two rows of mating contacts 200 located on the positive X side will be referred to as the first row, and the other row located on the negative X side will be referred to as the second row.

[0046] As from Figure 3 and Figure 4 As understood in the above, in each of the first row and the second row, the mating contacts 200 are arranged at regular intervals in the pitch direction. The mating contacts 200 of the first row and the mating contacts 200 of the second row are arranged to mirror each other.

[0047] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, each of the mating contacts 200 has a substantially L-shape. In detail, each of the mating contacts 200 has a mating fixing portion 202, a mating retained portion 204, a mating coupling portion 206, a mating extension portion 208, and a mating contact portion 210. The mating fixing portion 202 is fixed to a mating substrate (not shown). The mating retained portion 204 is retained by a mating housing 220. The mating coupling portion 206 couples the mating fixing portion 202 and the mating retained portion 204 to each other. The mating extension portion 208 extends downward from the mating retained portion 204. The mating extension portion 208 is elastically deformable. The mating contact portion 210 is supported by the mating extension portion 208. In the present embodiment, the mating contact portion 210 is a portion of the surface of the mating extension portion 208 and is a curved surface. Due to the elastic deformation of the mating extension portion 208, the mating contact portion 210 is movable at least in the lateral direction.

[0048] Reference Figure 5, the floating connector 10 is provided with a plurality of contacts 100, a plurality of short column members 130, a fixed housing 150, a movable housing 160 and a pair of pressers 180. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention does not necessarily require the fixed housing 150 and the presser 180. In this case, the floating connector 10 may use a positioner (not shown) to arrange the contacts 100. The positioner does not hold the contacts 100 and only requires low strength. Therefore, in the case of using the positioner, the floating connector 10 can be miniaturized compared to the case of using the fixed housing 150.

[0049] like Figure 5 As shown, the contacts 100 are arranged in two rows. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The number and arrangement of the contacts 100 should be determined according to the number and arrangement of the mating contacts 200 (see Figure 4 ). Therefore, in the present invention, the contacts 100 may be arranged in a row.

[0050] Reference Figure 5 In this embodiment, the rows of contacts 100 are separated from each other in the lateral direction. Similar to the mating contacts 200, one of the two rows of contacts 100 located on the positive X side will be referred to as the first row, and the other row located on the negative X side will be referred to as the second row.

[0051] Reference Figure 5 In each of the first row of contacts 100 and the second row of contacts 100, the contacts 100 are arranged at regular intervals in the pitch direction. On both sides of each row of contacts 100 in the pitch direction, grounding members 101 are arranged. In addition, the first row of contacts 100 and the second row of contacts 100 are arranged to mirror each other.

[0052] As from Figure 5 and Fig.10 As understood in the above, the short column members 130 correspond to the contacts 100 in a one-to-one correspondence. In other words, the short column members 130 are arranged in two rows along the pitch direction to form a first row and a second row. The first row of short column members 130 and the second row of short column members 130 are positioned to be separated from each other in the lateral direction. In each of the first row of short column members 130 and the second row of short column members 130, the short column members 130 are arranged at regular intervals in the pitch direction. The first row of short column members 130 and the second row of short column members 130 are arranged to be mirror images of each other.

[0053] like Figure 6As shown, each of the contacts 100 has a fixed portion 102, a middle held portion (first held portion) 104, a connecting portion 105, an extension portion 110 and a contact portion 112. In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 105 has a deformable portion 106 and a base held portion (third held portion) 108. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the case where the floating connector 10 does not have a fixed housing 150, the base held portion 108 is unnecessary. In this case, the connecting portion 105 does not have a base held portion 108. In other words, in this case, the connecting portion 105 is formed with only the deformable portion 106.

[0054] like Figure 6 As shown, the deformable portion 106 of the contact 100 has a first portion 120, a first folded portion (conversion portion) 122, a second portion 124, a second folded portion 126, and a third portion 128. The first portion 120 extends downward from the middle portion 104. The first folded portion 122 is located at the lower end of the first portion 120. The second portion 124 extends upward from the first folded portion 122. The second folded portion 126 is located at the upper end of the second portion 124. The third portion 128 extends from the second folded portion 126 to the base portion 108. However, in the case where the floating connector 10 does not have a fixed housing 150, the third portion 128 must extend from the second folded portion 126 to the fixed portion 102. For example, each of the contacts 100 can be made by stamping and bending a metal sheet.

[0055] As from Figure 1 and Figure 2 As understood from FIG. 1 , the fixing portion 102 of the contact 100 is fixed to the substrate 30 by welding or the like. Figure 3 As understood in the above description, the base held portion 108 is held by the fixed housing 150 . The middle held portion 104 is held by the movable housing 160 .

[0056] like Figure 6 As shown, the deformable portion 106 of the contact 100 connects the base held portion 108 and the middle held portion 104 to each other. The extension portion 110 extends upward from the middle held portion 104. The contact portion 112 is supported by the extension portion 110. In the present embodiment, the contact portion 112 is a part of the surface of the extension portion 110 and is a curved surface. Each of the deformable portion 106 and the extension portion 110 is elastically deformable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The extension portion 110 does not always have to be elastically deformable. In the case where the extension portion 110 is not elastically deformable, the extension portion 110 may have a vertically extending blade or rod shape. In this case, the contact portion 112 is a part of the surface of the extension portion 110 and is a flat surface.

[0057] like Figures 7 to 9As shown, each short column member 130 has a held portion (second held portion) 132, a support portion 136 and a short column contact point 138. The held portion 132 has a flat plate shape that is perpendicular to the transverse direction and is longer in the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the held portion 132 has a narrow portion 140 in the middle thereof. In the pitch direction, the size of the held portion 132 is larger than the size of the support portion 136. The support portion 136 extends obliquely downward from near the middle of the held portion 132, then extends in the transverse direction, and further extends obliquely upward. The short column contact point 138 is supported by the support portion 136 near the tip of the support portion 136. In the present embodiment, the short column contact point 138 is a part of the surface of the support portion 136, and is a curved surface. In addition, in the present embodiment, the support portion 136 is elastically deformable. The short column contact point 138 is movable at least in the transverse direction due to the elastic deformation of the support portion 136. For example, each short column member 130 can be made by stamping and bending a metal sheet.

[0058] As from Fig.10 As understood in the above, the movable housing 160 has a pair of long wall portions 162 and an intermediate bottom 164 located between the long wall portions 162. The movable housing 160 further has first retaining portions 170 corresponding to the contacts 100, respectively. In addition, the movable housing 160 has second retaining portions 172 corresponding to the short column members 130, respectively. In the present embodiment, each of the first retaining portion 170 and the second retaining portion 172 is a hole having a rectangular cross-section. The hole is formed with a slit in the longitudinal direction. The slit of the first retaining portion 170 is used to allow the extension portion 110 of the contact 100 and the contact portion 112 of the contact 100 to pass through. In addition, the slit of the second retaining portion 172 is used to allow the support portion 136 of the short column member 130 to pass through.

[0059] As from Fig.10 As understood in the above, the first holding portion 170 of the movable housing 160 is provided in both side portions of the middle bottom 164. In addition, the second holding portion 172 of the movable housing 160 is provided in the long wall portion 162.

[0060] like Fig.10 As shown, the fixed housing 150 has a pair of long edge portions 152. In addition, the fixed housing 150 has third retaining portions 156 corresponding to the contacts 100 respectively. The third retaining portions 156 are arranged in the long edge portions 152. In this embodiment, each third retaining portion 156 is a hole with a rectangular cross section. The hole is formed with a slit in the longitudinal direction. The slit is used to allow the fixed portion 102 of the contact 100 to pass through.

[0061] like Fig.10As shown, the first holding portion 170 of the movable housing 160 holds the middle held portion 104 of the contact 100. In addition, the second holding portion 172 of the movable housing 160 holds the held portion 132 of the short column member 130. Further, the third holding portion 156 of the fixed housing 150 holds the base held portion 108 of the contact 100. Therefore, the contact 100 is held by the movable housing 160 and the fixed housing 150, and the short column member 130 is held by the movable housing 160.

[0062] As from Figures 5 to 10 As understood in the above, the retained portion 132 of the short column member 130 is press-fitted from below in the second retaining portion 172 of the movable housing 160 to be retained. In addition, the base retained portion 108 of the contact 100 is press-fitted from above in the third retaining portion 156 of the fixed housing 150 to be retained. Further, the middle retained portion 104 of the contact 100 is press-fitted from below in the first retaining portion 170 of the movable housing 160 to be retained. The fixed housing 150 and the movable housing 160 are connected to each other through the contact 100. As described above, the deformable portion 106 of the contact 100 is elastically deformable. Therefore, the movable housing 160 is movable relative to the fixed housing 150 within a predetermined range in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0063] like Fig.10 As shown, each stub member 130 and the contact 100 corresponding to each stub member 130 are in contact with each other. In detail, the stub contact point 138 of the stub member 130 is in contact with the deformable portion 106 of the contact 100 corresponding to the stub member 130. In more detail, the stub contact point 138 is located between the first portion 120 and the second portion 124 of the contact 100 corresponding to the stub contact point 138 in the lateral direction, and is pressed against the second portion 124. In the present embodiment, in order to achieve this contact, in the unmated state, the deformable portion 106 of each of the contacts 100 and the stub contact point 138 of the stub member 130 corresponding to the contact 100 are located at positions overlapping each other in the pitch direction.

[0064] As from Figure 1 and Figure 5 As understood in the above, the press 180 is attached to the short edge portion 154 of the fixed housing 150 and fixed to the substrate 30. The fixed housing 150 is fixed to the substrate 30 by the press 180. In addition, the press 180 prevents the ledge portion 166 of the movable housing 160 from moving upward. In detail, each press 180 has a tub 182, and the tub 182 is partially located in the recess 168, wherein the recess 168 is formed in the ledge portion 166 of the movable housing 160. The tub 182 of the press 180 allows the movable housing 160 to move within a predetermined range in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0065] like Fig.11 As shown, when the floating connector 10 is mated with the mating connector 20, the contact portions 112 of the contacts 100 are in contact with the mating contacts 200, respectively. In addition, the mating contact portions 210 of the mating contacts 200 are in contact with the contacts 100, respectively. The contact portion 112 of each of the contacts 100 is supported by the elastically deformable extension portion 110 and is movable at least in the lateral direction. Similarly, the mating contact portion 210 of each mating contact 200 is supported by the extension portion 110 and is movable at least in the lateral direction. With this structure, the mating and removal of the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are allowed. When the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are mated with each other, the contact portion 112 is in contact with the mating contact portion 210. In addition, when the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are mated with each other, the reaction force of the extension portion 110 of the contact 100 and the reaction force of the extension portion 110 of the mating connector 20 ensure the electrical connection between the contact 100 and the mating contact 200.

[0066] Reference Fig.11 , the deformable portion 106 of the contact 100 is deformable as described above. Therefore, even when the movable housing 160 moves within a predetermined range relative to the fixed housing 150 in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, the contact 100 and the mating contact 200 remain in contact with each other. In addition, the support portion 136 of the short column member 130 is elastically deformable. Therefore, even when the deformable portion 106 of the contact 100 corresponding to the short column contact point 138 is elastically deformed, the short column contact point 138 is always pressed against the deformable portion 106 by its reaction force. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The support portion 136 of the short column member 130 may not always be elastically deformable. The short column member 130 should be constructed or arranged so that even when the movable housing 160 moves relative to the fixed housing 150, the short column contact point 138 of the short column member 130 is always pressed against the deformable portion 106 of the contact 100 corresponding to the short column member 130. For example, the stub member 130 may be formed to be non-elastically deformable, and the stub contact point 138 may be pressed against an elastically deformable portion of the contact 100. In this case, the stub contact point 138 is always pressed against the contact 100 due to the reaction force caused by the elastic deformation of the contact 100.

[0067] As described above, in the floating connector 10 according to the present embodiment, the stub member 130 is always electrically connected to the contact 100 corresponding to the stub member 130 through the stub contact point 138. Therefore, the impedance of the contact 100 can be reduced without providing the contact 100 with a wide adjustment portion.

[0068] [Second embodiment]

[0069] Reference Figure 12 to Figure 14 , the floating connector 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention has short column members 130A each having a shape different from that of the short column members 130 of the floating connector 10 according to the first embodiment. In other words, the floating connector 10A of the present embodiment is formed similarly to the floating connector 10 of the first embodiment except for the short column members 130A.

[0070] like Figures 15 to 17 As shown, each short column member 130A in the floating connector 10A of the present embodiment has a held portion (second held portion) 132, a supporting portion 136 and a short column contact point 138. The held portion 132 has a plate shape that is perpendicular to the lateral direction and is long in the up-down direction. In the up-down direction, the held portion 132 further has a narrow portion 140 near its middle. Further, a protrusion 134 is provided on the surface of the held portion 132. In the pitch direction, the size of the held portion 132 is larger than the size of the supporting portion 136. The supporting portion 136 extends downward from the lower end of the held portion 132, then extends obliquely downward, and further extends obliquely downward after being folded back. The short column contact point 138 is supported by the supporting portion 136 near the tip of the supporting portion 136. In the present embodiment, the short column contact point 138 is a part of the surface of the supporting portion 136, and is a curved surface. In addition, in the present embodiment, the supporting portion 136 is elastically deformable. The stub contact point 138 is movable at least in the up-and-down direction due to elastic deformation of the support portion 136. For example, each stub member 130A may be made by punching and bending a metal sheet.

[0071] As from Figure 12 to Figure 14As understood in the above, the held portion 132 of the short column member 130A is held by the second holding portion 172 of the movable housing 160. In the up-down direction, the short column contact point 138 is located above the first folded portion (conversion portion) 122 of the deformable portion 106 of the contact 100 corresponding to the short column contact point 138, and is pressed against the first folded portion 122 by the reaction force of the support portion 136. Here, the first folded portion 122 is relatively located near the middle held portion 104. Therefore, even when the movable housing 160 moves relative to the fixed housing 150 and the contact 100 is elastically deformed, the deformation amount and movement amount of the first folded portion 122 are small. In detail, in the downward direction (negative Z direction) of the up-down direction, the short column contact point 138 is pressed against the first folded portion 122. On the other hand, the direction of relative movement between the fixed housing 150 and the movable housing 160 is a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction (XY direction), and the relative movement in the up-down direction (Z direction) is small. Therefore, the first folded portion 122 has a small vertical movement. Therefore, the relative movement between the stub contact point 138 of the stub member 130A and the contact 100 is small, so that the contact stability between the stub contact point 138 and the contact 100 is higher than that of the first embodiment.

[0072] In the floating connector 10A according to the present embodiment, the stub member 130A is always electrically connected to the contact 100 corresponding to the stub member 130A through the stub contact point 138. Therefore, the impedance of the contact 100 can be reduced without providing the contact 100 with a wide adjustment portion.

[0073] [Third embodiment]

[0074] Reference Fig.18 , the floating connector 10B according to the third embodiment of the present invention has short column members 130B each of which is different in position and shape from the short column member 130A of the floating connector 10A of the second embodiment. In connection with this, the floating connector 10B of the present embodiment is provided with a contact 100B and a movable housing 160B which are different from the contact 100 and the movable housing 160 of the floating connector 10A of the second embodiment, respectively. In other words, the floating connector 10B of the present embodiment is formed similarly to the floating connector 10A of the second embodiment except for the movable housing 160, the short column member 130B and the contact 100B.

[0075] like Figures 19 to 21As shown, each short column member 130B in the floating connector 10B of the present embodiment has a held portion (second held portion) 132, a supporting portion 136 and a short column contact point 138. The held portion 132 has a shape similar to that of the held portion 132 of the short column member 130A. The supporting portion 136 extends downward from the lower end of the held portion 132, then extends in the lateral direction, and then extends upward. The short column contact point 138 is supported by the supporting portion 136 near the tip of the supporting portion 136. In the present embodiment, the short column contact point 138 is a part of the surface of the supporting portion 136. In addition, in the present embodiment, the supporting portion 136 is elastically deformable. The short column contact point 138 is movable at least in the lateral direction due to the elastic deformation of the supporting portion 136. For example, each short column member 130B is made by stamping and bending a metal sheet.

[0076] like Fig.18 As shown, the middle bottom 164 of the movable housing 160B is provided with a second retaining portion 172B. Each second retaining portion 172B is a hole with a rectangular cross section and is formed with a slit in the longitudinal direction. The slit is used to allow the protrusion 134 of the short column member 130 to pass through. The retained portion 132 of the short column member 130B is press-fitted into the second retaining portion 172B from below the movable housing 160B. In this way, the short column member 130B is retained by the movable housing 160B. And, the short column contact point 138 is pressed against the first part 120 of the contact 100B in the lateral direction.

[0077] As from Fig.18 As understood in the above, the first portion 120 of the contact 100B is larger in the vertical direction than the first portion 120 of the contact 100 (see Figure 6 ) is long so that the stub contact point 138 contacts the first portion 120 of the contact 100B. In other words, the middle held portion 104 of the contact 100B is located above the middle held portion 104 of the contact 100 to be close to the tip of the contact 100B. The first holding portion 170 of the movable housing 160B is located above the first holding portion 170 of the movable housing 160. This is because the stub contact point 138 is prevented from contacting the middle held portion 104. This is because the middle held portion 104 is wider than the first portion 120, so that when the stub contact point 138 contacts the middle held portion 104, the impedance is locally reduced too much. However, the stub contact point 138 can be pressed against the middle held portion (first holding portion) 104 according to the desired characteristics.

[0078] In the floating connector 10B according to the present embodiment, the stub member 130B is always electrically connected to the contact 100 corresponding to the stub member 130B through the stub contact point 138. Therefore, the impedance of the contact 100 can be reduced without providing the contact 100 with a wide adjustment portion.

[0079] [Fourth embodiment]

[0080] Reference Fig. 22 , the floating connector 10C according to the present embodiment is different from the floating connector 10 according to the first embodiment in the shape and position of the short column member 130C. In detail, the movable housing 160C of the floating connector 10C according to the present embodiment is not provided with the second retaining portion 172, but the fixed housing 150 is provided with the second retaining portion 172C. In the present embodiment, each second retaining portion 172C is a hole having a rectangular cross section and is formed with a slit in the longitudinal direction. The slit is used to allow the support portion 136 and the short column contact point 138 to pass through.

[0081] like Fig. 22 As shown, the short column member 130C has a retained portion 132, a supporting portion 136 and a short column contact point 138. The retained portion 132 is retained by the second retaining portion 172C of the fixed housing 150. The supporting portion 136 extends upward from the upper end of the retained portion 132 and then extends obliquely upward. The short column contact point 138 is supported by the supporting portion 136. In the present embodiment, the short column contact point 138 is a part of the surface of the supporting portion 136 and is a curved surface. In addition, the supporting portion 136 is elastically deformable. The short column contact point 138 is movable at least in the lateral direction due to the elastic deformation of the supporting portion 136.

[0082] like Fig. 22 As shown, the stub member 130C is located between the second portion 124 of the deformable portion 106 and the third portion 128 of the deformable portion 106 in the lateral direction. The stub contact point 138 is pressed against the second portion 124 of the contact 100 corresponding to the stub contact point 138.

[0083] In the floating connector 10C according to the present embodiment, the stub member 130C is always electrically connected to the contact 100 corresponding to the stub member 130C through the stub contact point 138. Therefore, the impedance of the contact 100 can be reduced without providing the contact 100 with a wide adjustment portion.

[0084] [Fifth embodiment]

[0085] Reference Fig.23 The floating connector 10D according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is a tall type floating connector.

[0086] like Fig.23 and Fig.24 As shown, the floating connector 10D is provided with a plurality of contacts 100D, a plurality of short column members 130D, a fixed housing 150D, a movable housing 160D, and a pair of pressers 180D.

[0087] As from Fig.23 and Fig.24 As understood in the above, the contacts 100D are arranged in two rows along the pitch direction to form the first row and the second row. The contacts 100D in the first row and the contacts 100D in the second row are separated from each other in the transverse direction. In each of the contacts 100D in the first row and the contacts 100D in the second row, the contacts 100 are arranged at regular intervals in the pitch direction. The short column members 130D correspond to the contacts 100D in a one-to-one correspondence. The short column members 130D are also arranged in two rows to form the first and second rows. The short column members 130D in the first row are separated from the short column members 130D in the second row in the transverse direction. In each of the short column members 130D in the first row and the short column members 130D in the second row, the short column members 130D are arranged at regular intervals in the pitch direction.

[0088] like Fig.24 As shown, each of the contacts 100D has a fixed portion 102, a middle held portion (first held portion) 104, a connecting portion 105, a base held portion (third held portion) 108, an extension portion 110, and a contact portion 112. The connecting portion 105 has a deformable portion 106 and a base held portion 108. In addition, the deformable portion 106 has a first portion 120, a conversion portion 122D, and a third portion 128. The first portion 120 extends downward from the middle held portion 104. The conversion portion 122D extends from the lower end of the first portion 120 in the lateral direction. The third portion 128 extends downward from the tip of the conversion portion 122D to the fixed portion 102. For example, each of the contacts 100D can be made by stamping and bending a metal sheet.

[0089] As from Fig.24 As understood in the above, the short column member 130D is formed similar to Figures 15 to 17 In other words, the stub member 130D has a held portion 132 , a supporting portion 136 , and a stub contact point 138 .

[0090] like Fig.24 As shown, movable housing 160D has a first retaining portion 170D and a second retaining portion 172D. In addition, fixed housing 150D has a third retaining portion 156D. In the present embodiment, first retaining portion 170D, second retaining portion 172D and third retaining portion 156D are holes each having a rectangular cross section. Each hole of first retaining portion 170D and third retaining portion 156D is provided with a slit in the longitudinal direction. The slit of first retaining portion 170 is used to allow extension portion 110 and contact portion 112 to pass through. The slit of third retaining portion 156 is used to allow third component 128 to pass through.

[0091] like Fig.24As shown, the first holding portion 170D of the movable housing 160D holds the middle held portion 104 of the contact 100D. In addition, the second holding portion 172D of the movable housing 160D holds the held portion 132 of the short column member 130D. Further, the third holding portion 156D of the fixed housing 150D holds the base held portion 108 of the contact 100D. Therefore, the contact 100D is held by the movable housing 160 and the fixed housing 150D, and the short column member 130D is held by the movable housing 160D.

[0092] As from Fig.24 As understood in the above, the held portion 132 of the short column member 130D is press-fitted from below in the second holding portion 172 of the movable housing 160D to be held. In addition, the base held portion 108 of the contact 100D is press-fitted from below in the third holding portion 156D of the fixed housing 150D to be held. Further, the middle held portion 104 of the contact 100D is press-fitted from below in the first holding portion 170D of the movable housing 160D to be held. The fixed housing 150D and the movable housing 160D are connected to each other through the contact 100D. The deformable portion 106 of the contact 100D is elastically deformable. Therefore, the movable housing 160D is movable relative to the fixed housing 150D within a predetermined range in a plane perpendicular to the up and down direction.

[0093] like Fig.24 As shown, each short column member 130D and the contact 100D corresponding to the short column member 130D are in contact with each other. In detail, the short column contact point 138 of the short column member 130D is in contact with the deformable portion 106 corresponding to the contact 100D of the short column member 130D. In more detail, in the up-down direction, the short column contact point 138 is located above the conversion portion 122D and is pressed against the conversion portion 122D.

[0094] like Fig.23 As understood in the above, the presser 180D is used to fix the fixed housing 150D to the substrate 30. Moreover, the presser 180D prevents the movable housing 160D from moving upward. On the other hand, the presser 180D allows the movable housing 160D to move within a predetermined range in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0095] Reference Fig.24 , even when the movable housing 160D moves within a predetermined range in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, the stub contact point 138 is always pressed against the deformable portion 106 of the contact 100D corresponding to the stub contact point 138. In the present embodiment, the support portion 136 of the stub member 130D is elastically deformable, and the stub contact point 138 is always pressed against the deformable portion 106 due to the reaction force of the support portion 136.

[0096] In the floating connector 10D according to the present embodiment, the stub member 130D is always electrically connected to the contact 100D corresponding to the stub member 130D through the stub contact point 138. Therefore, the impedance of the contact 100D can be reduced without providing a wide adjustment portion to the contact 100D.

[0097] [Sixth embodiment]

[0098] Reference Fig.25 , the floating connector 10E according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is provided with short column members 130E, each of which is different in shape and position from the short column members 130D of the floating connector 10D of the fifth embodiment. In connection with this, the floating connector 10E of the present embodiment is provided with a fixed housing 150E and a movable housing 160E, which are respectively different from the fixed housing 150D and the movable housing 160D of the floating connector 10D of the fifth embodiment. In other words, the floating connector 10E of the present embodiment is formed similarly to the floating connector 10D of the fifth embodiment except for the short column members 130E, the fixed housing 150E and the movable housing 160E.

[0099] like Fig.25 As shown, in the floating connector 10E of this embodiment, the short column member 130E has a shape similar to the inverted shape of the short column member 130B of the third embodiment. In other words, each short column member 130E has a held portion (second holding portion) 132, a supporting portion 136 and a short column contact point 138.

[0100] like Fig.25 As shown, the movable housing 160E does not have the second holding portion 172D that the movable housing 160D has. On the other hand, the fixed housing 150E has the second holding portion 172E. The second holding portion 172E holds the held portion 132 of the short column member 130E.

[0101] like Fig.25 As shown, the short column contact point 138 of the short column member 130E contacts the third portion 128 corresponding to the contact 100D of the short column member 130E. The support portion 136 of the short column member 130E is elastically deformable, whereby the short column contact point 138 is movable at least in the lateral direction. In this embodiment, due to the elastic deformation of the support portion 136, the short column contact point 138 is always pressed against the third portion 128.

[0102] In the floating connector 10E according to the present embodiment, the stub member 130E is always electrically connected to the contact 100D corresponding to the stub member 130E through the stub contact point 138. Therefore, the impedance of the contact 100D can be reduced without providing a wide adjustment portion to the contact 100D.

[0103] [Seventh embodiment]

[0104] Reference Fig.26 The floating connector 10F according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is formed substantially the same as the floating connector 10 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 27 As shown, the contact 100F of the floating connector 10F of the present embodiment is different from the contact 100 of the first embodiment in that a recessed portion 114 is formed.

[0105] As from Fig.26 and Fig.28 As understood in the above, in the pitch direction, the size of the recess 114 of the contact 100F is larger than the size of the stub contact point 138. In the recess 114 of the contact 100F, the stub contact point 138 of the stub member 130 is pressed against the contact 100F corresponding to the stub member 130.

[0106] In the floating connector 10F according to the present embodiment, the stub member 130 is always electrically connected to the contact 100F corresponding to the stub member 130 through the stub contact point 138. In addition, since the stub contact point 138 is located in the recessed portion 114, the contact between the stub contact point 138 and the contact 100 can be surely maintained even when the movable housing 160 moves in a relatively wide range relative to the fixed housing 150. Therefore, the impedance of the contact 100F can be reduced without providing a wide adjustment portion for the contact 100F.

[0107] Although the present invention has been specifically described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and substituted without departing from the idea of ​​the present invention. For example, in each of the second, third, fifth and seventh embodiments, a floating connector may be formed without using a fixed housing. In addition, in each of the second to seventh embodiments, the extension portion 110 of the contact may not be elastically deformable. Further, in each of the second to seventh embodiments, if the short column contact point 138 is always pressed against the contact, the support portion 136 of the short column member may not be elastically deformable. In addition, in each of the first to sixth embodiments, a recessed portion 114 may be formed in the contact. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the structure in which the short column member 130B is pressed against the first portion 120 is suitable for use as Fig.23 Tall floating connector shown.

[0108] The transmission characteristics of the floating connector according to each of the above-described embodiments depend on the contact position between the stub contact point 138 and the contact point and the length of the stub member support portion 136. Therefore, in an actual floating connector, an appropriate shape of the stub member should be selected and the position and size of each portion should be set according to the desired transmission characteristics.

[0109] In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the short column member is arranged to correspond to all the contacts in a one-to-one correspondence. However, the present invention is not limited to this. (Multiple) short column members may be arranged to correspond only to specified (multiple) contacts, such as (multiple) high-speed contacts. For example, when the specified contact is one in number, one short column member is arranged to correspond to the specified contact. In addition, when the number of specified contacts is two, two short column members are arranged to correspond to the specified contacts in a one-to-one manner. Further, when the number of specified contacts is six, six short column members are arranged to correspond to the specified contacts in a one-to-one manner. In other words, in the present invention, at least one short column member 130 should be arranged to correspond to at least one contact 100 in a one-to-one manner.

[0110] While there have been described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A floating connector, which is mounted on a substrate when in use and can be mated with a mating connector having a mating contact portion in an up-down direction and can be detached from the mating connector, wherein: The floating connector includes a plurality of contacts, at least one short column member and a movable housing; The movable housing has a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion; Each of the contacts has a fixing portion to be fixed to the substrate, a first held portion held by the first holding portion, a coupling portion coupling the fixing portion and the first held portion to each other, an extending portion extending upward from the first held portion, and a contact portion supported by the extending portion; When the floating connector is mated with the mating connector, the contact portion contacts the mating contact portion; The coupling portion is elastically deformable so that the movable housing is movable within a predetermined range in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction; At least one of the short column members corresponds to at least one of the contacts in a one-to-one correspondence; The stub member has a second held portion held by the second holding portion, a supporting portion extending from the second held portion, and a stub contact point supported by the supporting portion; as well as Even when the movable housing moves within the predetermined range, the stub contact point is always pressed against the coupling portion of the contact corresponding to the stub member.

2. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the supporting portion of the stub member is elastically deformable and always presses the stub contact point against the coupling portion of the contact point corresponding to the stub member.

3. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein: The contacts are arranged along a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; The stub contact points of the stub members and the coupling portions of the contacts corresponding to the stub members are positioned to always overlap each other in the pitch direction.

4. A floating connector, which is mounted on a substrate when in use and can be mated with a mating connector having a mating contact portion in an up-down direction and can be detached from the mating connector, wherein: The floating connector includes a plurality of contacts, at least one short column member, a fixed housing and a movable housing; The movable housing has a first retaining portion; The fixed housing has a second holding portion and a third holding portion; Each of the contacts has a fixing portion to be fixed to the substrate, a third held portion held by the third holding portion, a first held portion held by the first holding portion, a deformable portion coupling the first held portion and the third held portion to each other, an extending portion extending upward from the first held portion, and a contact portion supported by the extending portion; When the floating connector is mated with the mating connector, the contact portion contacts the mating contact portion; The deformable portion is deformable so that the movable housing is movable within a predetermined range in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction; At least one of the short column members corresponds to at least one of the contacts in a one-to-one correspondence; The stub member has a second held portion held by the second holding portion, a supporting portion extending from the second held portion, and a stub contact point supported by the supporting portion; as well as Even when the movable housing moves within the predetermined range, the stub contact point is always pressed against the deformable portion of the contact point corresponding to the stub member.

5. The floating connector according to claim 4, wherein the supporting portion of the stub member is elastically deformable and always presses the stub contact point against the deformable portion of the contact point corresponding to the stub member.

6. The floating connector according to claim 4, wherein: The contacts are arranged along a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; and The stub contact point of the stub member and the deformable portion of the contact point corresponding to the stub member are positioned to always overlap each other in the pitch direction.

7. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the contacts is made by stamping and bending a metal sheet.

8. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein: The contacts are arranged along a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; The coupling portion has a first portion extending downward from the first held portion, a first folded portion located at a lower end of the first portion, a second portion extending upward from the first folded portion, a second folded portion located at an upper end of the second portion, and a third portion extending from the second folded portion to the fixing portion; as well as In a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction, the stub contact point is located between the first portion of the contact corresponding to the stub member and the second portion of the contact corresponding to the stub member and is pressed against the second portion.

9. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein: The contacts are arranged along a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; The coupling portion has a first portion extending downward from the first held portion and a conversion portion extending from a lower end of the first portion toward the fixing portion along a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction; as well as The short column contact point is located above the conversion portion in the up-down direction and is pressed against the conversion portion.

10. The floating connector according to claim 9, wherein the coupling portion further has a second portion extending upward from the conversion portion, a second folded portion at an upper end of the second portion, and a third portion extending from the second folded portion to the fixing portion.

11. The floating connector according to claim 9, wherein: The coupling portion further has a third portion extending downward from the tip of the conversion portion to the fixing portion.

12. The floating connector according to claim 4, wherein: The contacts are arranged along a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; The deformable portion has a first portion extending downward from the first held portion, a first folded portion located at a lower end of the first portion, a second portion extending upward from the first folded portion, a second folded portion located at an upper end of the second portion, and a third portion extending from the second folded portion to the third held portion; as well as In a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction, the stub contact point is located between the second portion of the contact corresponding to the stub member and the third portion of the contact corresponding to the stub member and is pressed against the second portion.

13. The floating connector according to claim 4, wherein: The contacts are arranged along a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; The deformable portion has a first portion extending downward from the first held portion, a conversion portion extending from a lower end of the first portion toward the fixing portion along a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction, and a third portion extending downward from a tip of the conversion portion to the fixing portion; as well as The stub contact point is pressed against the third portion of the contact corresponding to the stub member.

14. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein: The contacts are arranged along a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; The coupling portion has a first portion extending downward from the first held portion; as well as The stub contact point is pressed against the first held portion of the contact corresponding to the stub member or the first part of the contact corresponding to the stub member in a lateral direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the pitch direction.

15. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the contacts is formed with a recess; and In the recessed portion of the contact, the stub contact point is pressed against a contact corresponding to the stub member.

16. The floating connector according to claim 15, wherein: The contacts are arranged along a pitch direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; In the pitch direction, the size of the recessed portion is larger than the size of the short column contact point.

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