Connector device

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector device with excellent reliability of connection operation. The connector device includes: a first housing (11) mounted on a first circuit board (Pa); a plurality of mounting terminals (13) assembled to the first housing (11) and connected to the first circuit board (Pa); a plurality of movable terminals (40) capable of swinging individually with the plurality of mounting terminals (13) as fulcrums and individually connected to a plurality of mating terminals (36); and a connecting member (60) in a form through which the plurality of movable terminals (40) pass.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector device. Background Art

[0002] A connector device is disclosed in Patent Document 1, which has a first connector and a second connector facing each other, and the two connectors are connected via an adapter. The adapter is assembled to the first connector so as to be swingable relative to the first connector. When the first connector and the second connector are displaced in a direction crossing the facing direction, the adapter is tilted to absorb the displacement of the two connectors, so that the two connectors can be connected.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent No. 8,801,459 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the case where the above-described connection structure for connecting the first connector and the second connector via the adapter is applied to a multi-pole connector device, the following problems are concerned. Since the adapter can swing freely relative to the first connector, in a state where the first connector and the second connector are not engaged, each adapter may be tilted in a direction different from that of other adapters. Therefore, when connecting a plurality of first connectors and a plurality of second connectors, it is difficult to connect a plurality of adapters to the second connector at the same time.

[0008] The connector device of the present disclosure is completed based on the above facts, and an object thereof is to provide a connector device having excellent reliability in connection operation.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The connector device of the present disclosure includes:

[0011] a housing mounted on a circuit board;

[0012] a plurality of mounting terminals assembled to the housing and connected to the circuit board;

[0013] a plurality of movable terminals that can swing independently with the plurality of mounting terminals as fulcrums and are individually connected to a plurality of counterparty terminals; and

[0014] a connecting member in a form through which the plurality of movable terminals pass.

[0015] Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is excellent in terms of the reliability of the connection operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the connector device of Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector device.

[0019] Figure 3 is a front sectional view of the connector device.

[0020] Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the connector device.

[0021] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the movable terminal.

[0022] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the connection member as viewed obliquely from above.

[0023] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the connection member as viewed obliquely from below.

[0024] Figure 8 is a top view of a state in which the movable terminal is assembled in the through hole of the connection member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0026] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described side by side.

[0027] The connector device of the present disclosure includes:

[0028] (1) A housing that is mounted on a circuit board; a plurality of mounting terminals that are assembled in the housing and connected to the circuit board; a plurality of movable terminals that can swing independently with the plurality of mounting terminals as fulcrums and are individually connected to a plurality of mating terminals; and a connection member that is configured to allow the plurality of movable terminals to pass therethrough. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, the plurality of movable terminals swing integrally through the connection member, so that the plurality of movable terminals maintain a constant positional relationship. As a result, the plurality of movable terminals are reliably connected to the mating terminals. Therefore, the connector device of the present disclosure is excellent in terms of the connection function.

[0029] (2) Preferably, the plurality of movable terminals are formed with a retaining portion that holds the plurality of movable terminals in a state where the plurality of movable terminals are passed through the connecting member. With this structure, the connecting member can hold the plurality of movable terminals in a state where the plurality of movable terminals are passed through, thereby eliminating the need for a structure in the housing to prevent the connecting member from detaching from the plurality of movable terminals. This allows for miniaturization of the housing, and ultimately, miniaturization of the entire device.

[0030] (3) Preferably, the connecting member is formed with an elastic retaining piece, which is elastically engaged with the retaining portion. According to this structure, when the connecting member and the movable terminal are tilted relative to each other as the plurality of movable terminals swing, the elastic retaining piece is pressed by the retaining portion and softly elastically deformed, thereby making it difficult for the connecting member and the movable terminal to be pried. As a result, the movable terminal can swing smoothly.

[0031] (4) Preferably, the connecting member is formed of a conductive material, and a resilient contact piece is formed on the connecting member. The resilient contact piece elastically contacts the movable-side outer conductor of the movable terminal. With this configuration, the plurality of movable-side outer conductors are electrically connected to each other via the connecting member, thereby preventing a potential difference from occurring between the plurality of movable-side outer conductors. Consequently, the connector device of the present disclosure exhibits excellent grounding performance.

[0032] (5) Preferably, the connecting member is plate-shaped and has a rib-shaped reinforcement portion formed thereon. This configuration prevents the connecting member from being deformed in a twisting manner by the reinforcement portion, thereby aligning the orientations and postures of the plurality of movable terminals during swinging.

[0033] (6) Preferably, in (5), the reinforcing portion includes: a first reinforcing rib protruding in a bent shape from the outer periphery of the connecting member; and a second reinforcing rib arranged along the outer periphery in a region of the connecting member separated from the outer periphery. The region of the connecting member along the outer periphery is reinforced by the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing portion. The region of the region connected to the outer periphery of the connecting member where the first reinforcing rib protruding in a bent shape from the outer periphery cannot be formed can be reinforced by the second reinforcing rib.

[0034] (7) Preferably, in (6), the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib are locally arranged in the same region in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery. According to this configuration, the entire region of the portion connected to the outer periphery of the connecting member can be reliably reinforced by either the first reinforcing rib or the second reinforcing rib.

[0035] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure]

[0036] [Example 1]

[0037] Combination Figures 1 to 8 Embodiment 1 in which the connector device of the present disclosure is embodied will be described. In addition, the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is represented by the scope of the claims, and it is expected to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all changes within the scope of the claims. In Embodiment 1, regarding the front-rear direction, Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 6 the lower right oblique direction in, and Figure 4 , 8 the right direction in are defined as the front. Regarding the up-down direction, the orientation shown in Figures 1 to 7 is defined as the lower side as it is. Regarding the left-right direction, the lower left oblique direction in Figure 1 , Figure 2 is defined as the left side, and the orientation shown in Figure 3 is defined as the left side and the right side as it is.

[0038] As Figure 1 , 2 shown, the connector device of Embodiment 1 has a first connector 10, a second connector 30, a movable terminal 40, and a connecting member 60. As Figure 3 shown, the first connector 10 is mounted on the first circuit board Pa, and the second connector 30 is mounted on the second circuit board Pb. The first circuit board Pa is disposed, for example, in an ECU (not shown) assembled to the roof of an automobile so as to be horizontally arranged with the mounting surface facing upward, that is, facing the antenna side. The second circuit board Pb is disposed, for example, in an antenna (not shown) assembled to the roof of an automobile (not shown). The second circuit board Pb is horizontally arranged with the mounting surface facing downward, that is, facing the vehicle interior side. The first circuit board Pa and the second circuit board Pb are arranged in a positional relationship in which their mounting surfaces face each other in parallel.

[0039] If the first circuit board Pa and the second circuit board Pb are brought close to each other, the two circuit boards Pa and Pb are connected via the first connector 10, the second connector 30, and the movable terminal 40. Since the first circuit board Pa and the second circuit board Pb are connected without passing through a wire harness, high-speed communication can be achieved between the first circuit board Pa and the second circuit board Pb. In the mounting portion of the antenna on the roof of the automobile, since the assembly tolerance between the roof and the antenna is relatively large, there may be a positional deviation between the first circuit board Pa and the second circuit board Pb in the horizontal direction crossing the fitting direction of the two connectors 10 and 30. The connector device of the present embodiment can perform the fitting of the two connectors 10 and 30 while absorbing the positional deviation between the two circuit boards Pa and Pb by the swing of the movable terminal 40.

[0040] <The first connector 10>

[0041] As Figure 3 ,4 As shown in 4 , the first connector 10 includes a first housing 11 and a plurality of mounting terminals 13. In a state where the first connector 10 is mounted on the first circuit board Pa, the lower surface of the first housing 11 is fixed to the first circuit board Pa, and the lower ends of the plurality of mounting terminals 13 are connected to a printed circuit (not shown) of the first circuit board Pa.

[0042] The first housing 11 is a single component made of synthetic resin in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers 12 having the same number as the number of mounting terminals 13 are formed in the first housing 11. The first terminal accommodation chambers 12 are in a form that penetrates the first housing 11 vertically. The plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers 12 are arranged such that they are divided into two left and right columns, and three accommodation chambers in each column are arranged in a row along the front-rear direction. The plurality of mounting terminals 13 are individually accommodated in the plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers 12.

[0043] The mounting terminal 13 includes a metal mounting-side inner conductor 14, a synthetic resin mounting-side dielectric 17, and a metal mounting-side outer conductor 18. The mounting-side inner conductor 14 is in a cylindrical shape with its axis oriented in the vertical direction orthogonal to the first circuit board Pa, and is a single component having a mounting portion 15 and a mounting-side connection portion 16. The mounting-side dielectric 17 is in a cylindrical shape with its axis oriented in the vertical direction. The mounting portion 15 of the mounting-side inner conductor 14 is accommodated in the central hole of the mounting-side dielectric 17. The mounting-side connection portion 16 protrudes upward from the upper end surface of the mounting-side dielectric 17.

[0044] The mounting-side outer conductor 18 is a single component having a regular octagonal square tube portion 19 and eight elastic arm portions 20. The eight elastic arm portions 20 protrude upward from the square tube portion 19 and are arranged side by side at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction. At the upper end portion (protruding end portion) of each elastic arm portion 20, an anti-disengagement portion 21 is formed to bend inwardly toward the inner circumferential side. Above the mounting-side dielectric 17, the eight elastic arm portions 20 surround the mounting-side connection portion 16 of the mounting-side inner conductor 14.

[0045] By individually accommodating the plurality of mounting terminals 13 in the plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers 12, the first connector 10 is constituted. The first connector 10 is mounted on the first circuit board Pa. In a state where the first connector 10 is mounted on the first circuit board Pa, the mounting portion 15 of the mounting-side inner conductor 14 is welded to the mounting surface of the first circuit board Pa in a manner that can be electrically connected to the mounting surface, and the lower end portion of the mounting-side outer conductor 18 is welded to the ground circuit (not shown) of the mounting surface of the first circuit board Pa in a manner that can be electrically connected to the ground circuit.

[0046] <The second connector 30>

[0047] As Figure 3 、 4As shown, the second connector 30 includes a second housing 31 and a number of mating terminals 36 equal to the number of mounting terminals 13. In a state where the second connector 30 is mounted on the second circuit board Pb, the upper surface of the second housing 31 is fixed to the mounting surface of the second circuit board Pb, and the upper ends of the plurality of mating terminals 36 are connected to a printed circuit (not shown) of the second circuit board Pb. The second housing 31 is a single synthetic resin component having a rectangular parallelepiped terminal holding portion 32 and a square guide portion 34.

[0048] A plurality of (six in the first embodiment) second terminal receiving chambers 33 are formed in the terminal holding portion 32, and the second terminal receiving chambers 33 penetrate the terminal holding portion 32 vertically. The second terminal receiving chambers 33 are in a form that is the vertical inversion of the first terminal receiving chambers 12. A plurality of mating terminals 36 are individually received in the plurality of second terminal receiving chambers 33. The mating terminals 36 are the same components as the mounting terminals 13 and are assembled in the second terminal receiving chambers 33 in an orientation that is the vertical inversion of the mounting terminals 13. Therefore, for the components and parts of the mating terminals 36 that are the same as the components and parts of the mounting terminals 13, the description is omitted, and the same reference numerals as the components and parts of the mounting terminals 13 are used.

[0049] The guide portion 34 is in a form that protrudes obliquely downward in a skirt shape from the outer peripheral edge of the lower end of the terminal holding portion 32. The guide portion 34 is inclined such that the lower hem unfolds in the fitting direction of the two connectors 10 and 30 as it faces downward (toward the first connector 10 side). The internal space of the guide portion 34 communicates with the plurality of second terminal receiving chambers 33 and opens downward of the second housing 31. The second connector 30 is mounted on the mounting surface of the second circuit board Pb in the same manner as the first connector 10 is mounted on the first circuit board Pa.

[0050] <Movable terminal 40>

[0051] As Figures 2 to 5 shown, the movable terminal 40 is overall in an elongated shape with its axis oriented in the vertical direction (the direction in which the first circuit board Pa and the second circuit board Pb face each other). In the first embodiment, the lower end portion of the movable terminal 40, that is, the end portion on the side of the first circuit board Pa and the first connector 10, is defined as the base end portion 40P. The upper end portion of the movable terminal 40, that is, the end portion on the side of the second circuit board Pb and the second connector 30, is defined as the tip end portion 40T. The movable terminal 40 is a component formed by assembling a metal movable-side inner conductor 41, a synthetic resin movable-side dielectric 44, and a metal movable-side outer conductor 48.

[0052] The movable-side inner conductor 41 is in the shape of a cylinder elongated in the axial direction of the movable terminal 40. The movable-side inner conductor 41 is a single component having a cylindrical main body portion 42 and a pair of movable-side connection portions 43 formed at the upper and lower end portions of the main body portion 42. The movable-side dielectric 44 is in the shape of a cylinder coaxial with the movable-side inner conductor 41. The movable-side inner conductor 41 is coaxially accommodated in the insertion hole 45 of the movable-side dielectric 44. Circular accommodation recesses 46 are formed at both axial ends of the movable-side dielectric 44. The accommodation recesses 46 are in a form in which the upper and lower end faces of the movable-side dielectric 44 are coaxially recessed. The accommodation recesses 46 communicate with the insertion hole 45. The movable-side connection portions 43 are accommodated in the accommodation recesses 46.

[0053] The movable-side outer conductor 48 is entirely in the shape of a cylinder. The movable-side outer conductor 48 coaxially surrounds the movable-side dielectric 44. The lower end portion of the movable-side dielectric 44 protrudes downward from the lower end of the movable-side outer conductor 48, and the upper end portion of the movable-side dielectric 44 protrudes upward from the upper end of the movable-side outer conductor 48. By assembling the movable-side inner conductor 41, the movable-side dielectric 44, and the movable-side outer conductor 48, the movable terminal 40 is constituted.

[0054] As Figure 5 shown, on the outer peripheral surface of the movable-side outer conductor 48, there are formed a positioning protrusion 49, a protruding first holding portion 51 in the shape of a protrusion, a protruding second holding portion 52 in the shape of a protrusion, and four anti-disengagement protrusions 53. The positioning protrusion 49 is in the shape of a rib extending in the vertical direction parallel to the axis of the movable-side outer conductor 48 and protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the movable-side outer conductor 48. The first holding portion 51 is in a form that further protrudes radially outward in a stepped manner from the protruding end face in the lower end portion of the positioning protrusion 49.

[0055] The second holding portion 52 is in a form that protrudes obliquely downward from a position on the outer peripheral surface of the movable-side outer conductor 48 within the formation range of the positioning protrusion 49 in the vertical direction. The second holding portion 52 is disposed at a position above the first holding portion 51 and at a position different from the first holding portion 51 in the circumferential direction. The four anti-disengagement protrusions 53 are arranged at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction. The four anti-disengagement protrusions 53 are disposed at a position below (on the base end portion 40P side of the movable terminal 40) the first holding portion 51 and the second holding portion 52 and protrude obliquely upward from the outer peripheral surface of the movable-side outer conductor 48.

[0056] The movable terminal 40 is assembled to the first connector 10 by inserting the base end portion 40P of the movable terminal 40 from above into the first terminal accommodation chamber 12 of the first housing 11. During the assembly process, the mounting-side connection portion 16 of the mounting-side inner conductor 14 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 46 and elastically contacts the movable-side connection portion 43 of the movable-side inner conductor 41.

[0057] During the process of assembling the movable terminal 40 to the first connector 10, the anti-disengagement protrusion 53 interferes with the anti-disengagement portion 21, causing the elastic arm portion 20 to elastically deform radially outward. As a result, a frictional resistance is generated between the elastic arm portion 20 and the movable-side outer conductor 48. However, since the number of anti-disengagement protrusions 53 is half the number of elastic arm portions 20, that is, 4, the resistance caused by the interference between the anti-disengagement protrusion 53 and the anti-disengagement portion 21 is suppressed to a smaller extent compared to the case where 8 anti-disengagement protrusions 53 interfere with 8 elastic arm portions 20. The movable-side outer conductor 48 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the anti-disengagement portion 21, so that the movable-side outer conductor 48 and the mounting-side outer conductor 18 can be conductively connected.

[0058] The anti-disengagement portion 21 protrudes inwardly. Therefore, by engaging the anti-disengagement protrusion 53 with the anti-disengagement portion 21, the movable terminal 40 is restricted from disengaging upward relative to the mounting terminal 13 and is held in a state where it can swing. In the axial direction of the movable terminal 40, the contact position between the anti-disengagement portion 21 and the movable-side outer conductor 48 is at the same height as the contact position between the mounting-side connection portion 16 and the movable-side connection portion 43. The fulcrum of the swing of the movable terminal 40 is the contact portion of the movable-side connection portion 43 with the mounting-side connection portion 16.

[0059] The lower end portion of the movable-side dielectric 44 protrudes downward beyond the lower end edge of the movable-side outer conductor 48. Therefore, when the movable terminal 40 swings, the movable-side outer conductor 48 does not contact the upper end surface of the mounting-side dielectric 17, and the metal movable-side outer conductor 48 does not damage the synthetic resin mounting-side dielectric 17.

[0060] The movable terminal 40 assembled to the mounting terminal 13 protrudes upward from the first housing 11. The upper end portion (tip portion 40T) of the movable terminal 40 is formed to be connected to the mating terminal 36 of the second connector 30. One movable terminal 40 is supported in a state of contacting only one mounting terminal 13, so that a plurality of movable terminals 40 are formed to be able to swing independently in directions different from those of other movable terminals 40. In the connector device of the present Embodiment 1, a connecting member 60 is provided as a means for swinging a plurality of movable terminals 40 integrally.

[0061] <Connecting member 60>

[0062] The connecting member 60 is a member obtained by punching a conductive plate such as metal into a specified shape by stamping. As Figure 6 、 7As shown, the connecting member 60 is a single member having a substrate portion 61 in the shape of a flat plate, a pair of obliquely facing portions 62 that are flat and symmetric left and right, and a pair of vertical wall portions 63 that are flat and symmetric left and right. When viewed from above, the connecting member 60 is rectangular. When viewed from the front, the connecting member 60 is an equilateral trapezoid.

[0063] In a plan view, the substrate portion 61 is rectangular. The pair of obliquely facing portions 62 extend obliquely downward and outward from the left and right side edges of the substrate portion 61. The pair of vertical wall portions 63 project downward from the lower end edges of the obliquely facing portions 62 at a right angle to the substrate portion 61. The dimensions of the substrate portion 61, the obliquely facing portions 62, and the vertical wall portions 63 in the front-rear direction are the same.

[0064] In the connecting member 60, six holding holes 64 that penetrate the substrate portion 61 are formed in a configuration corresponding to the first terminal accommodation chamber 12. In a plan view, the holding holes 64 open in a circular shape. The inner diameter of the holding holes 64 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the movable-side outer conductor 48. As Figures 6 to 8 shown, on the opening edge portions of the respective holding holes 64, three abutting portions 65 each arranged at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction and one positioning recess 66 are formed. One of the three abutting portions 65 is arranged at the position closest to the holding hole 64 adjacent in the left-right direction. Two of the three abutting portions 65 are arranged parallel to the boundary line in the front-rear direction between the substrate portion 61 and the obliquely facing portion 62 and are arranged side by side at intervals. The positioning recess 66 is arranged at the front end of the holding hole 64.

[0065] Each abutting portion 65 is in a form in which a portion protruding radially inward from the opening edge portion of the holding hole 64 is bent upward. The fracture surface during stamping is exposed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening edge portion of the holding hole 64, but the surface of the abutting portion 65 facing the opening area of the holding hole 64 is a non-fractured surface that was not fractured during stamping. The positioning recess 66 is in a form in which the opening edge portion of the holding hole 64 is partially recessed.

[0066] As Figure 8 shown, six slit groups 68 corresponding individually to the six holding holes 64 are formed in the connecting member 60. Each slit group 68 is composed of three slits, namely, a first slit 69A, a second slit 69B, and a third slit 69C, that communicate with the opening edge of the corresponding holding hole 64. The three slits 69A, 69B, and 69C are parallel to each other and extend in the left-right direction. Specifically, the three slits 69A, 69B, and 69C start from the area between the two abutting portions 65 arranged in the front-rear direction among the opening edges of the holding hole 64, pass through the substrate portion 61 and the obliquely facing portion 62, and reach the central portion in the height direction of the vertical wall portion 63.

[0067] A portion of the connecting member 60 sandwiched between the first slit 69A and the second slit 69B functions as an elastically deformable elastic contact piece 70. One elastic contact piece 70 is provided corresponding to each holding hole 64. The elastic contact piece 70 has a bent shape in a front view and extends in a cantilever shape from the vertical wall portion 63 toward the holding hole 64. In a top view, the elastic contact piece 70 extends toward the center of the holding hole 64. As shown in Figure 3 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , a contact portion 71 that is bent downward in an arc shape is formed at the protruding end of the elastic contact piece 70. The surface of the contact portion 71 facing the opening area of the holding hole 64 is, like the abutting portion 65, a non - broken surface that was not broken during the stamping process of the connecting member 60.

[0068] A portion of the connecting member 60 sandwiched between the second slit 69B and the third slit 69C functions as an elastically deformable elastic holding piece 72. The end of the third slit 69C that communicates with the holding hole 64 is bent in a direction parallel to the radial direction of the holding hole 64. One elastic holding piece 72 is provided corresponding to each holding hole 64. Similar to the elastic contact piece 70, the elastic holding piece 72 has a bent shape in a front view and extends in a cantilever shape from the vertical wall portion 63 toward the holding hole 64. In a top view, the elastic holding piece 72 extends toward a position eccentric from the center of the holding hole 64. The protruding end of the elastic holding piece 72 is arranged to be adjacent to the contact portion 71 along the circumferential direction and faces the opening area of the holding hole 64.

[0069] As Figures 6 to 8 shown, the connecting member 60 has four first reinforcing ribs 74 and two second reinforcing ribs 78 as portions for enhancing the rigidity of the connecting member 60. The outer periphery of the connecting member 60 is composed of a front edge, a rear edge, and left and right side edges. A strip - shaped area along the front edge of the connecting member 60 is defined as the front edge portion 60F. A strip - shaped area along the rear edge of the connecting member 60 is defined as the rear edge portion 60R. The first reinforcing ribs 74 are formed integrally with the front edge portion 60F and the rear edge portion 60R. Specifically, the first reinforcing rib 74 is composed of a base plate rib 75, an inclined surface rib 76, and a vertical wall rib 77. The base plate rib 75 protrudes downward at a right angle to the base plate portion 61 by removing the central region in the left - right direction from the front end and the rear edge of the base plate portion 61. The inclined surface rib 76 protrudes obliquely downward at a right angle to the inclined surface portion 62 from the entire region of the front edge and the rear edge of the inclined surface portion 62. The vertical wall rib 77 protrudes from the entire region of the front edge and the rear edge of the vertical wall portion 63 toward the opposite vertical wall portion 63 at a right angle to the vertical wall portion 63. The base plate rib 75, the inclined surface rib 76, and the vertical wall rib 77 have a bent shape in a front view and are connected into one.

[0070] The second reinforcing rib 78 protrudes upward in a rib shape from the central portion in the left-right direction of the upper surface of the base plate portion 61. The second reinforcing rib 78 is disposed at the front edge portion 60F which is a portion behind the front edge of the base plate portion 61 and the rear edge portion 60R which is a portion in front of the rear edge of the base plate portion 61. The second reinforcing rib 78 extends linearly in the left-right direction parallel to the front edge and the rear edge. In the left-right direction along the front edge portion 60F and the rear edge portion 60R of the connecting member 60, the formation range of the second reinforcing rib 78 overlaps with the formation range of the first reinforcing rib 74. Specifically, in a front view, the end portions of the first reinforcing rib 74 in the base plate portion 61, that is, the end portions of the base plate rib 75, are disposed in an overlapping manner with the left and right end portions of the second reinforcing rib 78.

[0071] In the forming process of the connecting member 60, a plurality of connecting members 60 in a state where a carrier (not shown) connected in a band shape is divided. Since the connecting member 60 of the first embodiment 1 is connected to the carrier at the central portions in the left-right direction of the front edge and the rear edge of the base plate portion 61, the first reinforcing rib 74 in a bent shape cannot be formed at the portion of the base plate portion 61 connected to the carrier. However, for the region in the base plate portion 61 where the first reinforcing rib 74 cannot be formed, reinforcement is achieved by the second reinforcing rib 78.

[0072] After the movable terminal 40 has been assembled to the first connector 10, the connecting member 60 is assembled to the six movable terminals 40. When assembling the connecting member 60, each holding hole 64 is fitted to the movable terminal 40 from above. When the fitting of the holding hole 64 to the movable terminal 40 starts, the contact portion 71 of the elastic contact piece 70 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the movable-side outer conductor 48. During the continuous assembly of the connecting member 60 relative to the movable terminal 40, the elastic contact piece 70 elastically deforms, and the contact portion 71 makes sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the movable-side outer conductor 48.

[0073] During the process of fitting the holding hole 64 to the movable terminal 40, when the opening edge portion of the holding hole 64 has been butted against the upper end portion of the positioning projection 49, the movable terminal 40 is rotated about the axis of the movable terminal 40, and the upper end portion of the positioning projection 49 is fitted into the positioning recess 66. By the fitting of the positioning recess 66 and the positioning projection 49, the circumferential orientation of the movable terminal 40 is butted against the holding hole 64, and the six movable terminals 40 are positioned relative to the connecting member 60.

[0074] After the movable terminal 40 has been positioned, if the connecting member 60 is further lowered, the protruding end portion of the elastic holding piece 72 interferes with the second holding portion 52. Therefore, the elastic holding piece 72 elastically displaces obliquely upward in a manner of radially moving away from the outer peripheral surface of the movable-side outer conductor 48. After the elastic holding piece 72 has passed the second holding portion 52 through elastic displacement, it elastically recovers. The protruding end portion of the elastically recovered elastic holding piece 72 is configured to be able to engage with the second holding portion 52 from below. At the same time as, or immediately after, the elastic recovery of the elastic holding piece 72, the opening edge portion of the holding hole 64 abuts against the first holding portion 51 from above.

[0075] As described above, the assembly of the connecting member 60 to the movable terminal 40 is completed. The relative displacement of each movable terminal 40 with respect to the connecting member 60 is restricted, and the six movable terminals 40 are connected via the connecting member 60. The connecting member 60 restricts the relative displacement between the six movable terminals 40. Therefore, when an external force in the swinging direction is applied to any one of the movable terminals 40, the six movable terminals 40 all swing in the same direction by the same angle integrally with the connecting member 60.

[0076] In a state where the connecting member 60 and the movable terminal 40 are assembled, the upward detachment of the connecting member 60 with respect to the movable terminal 40 is restricted by the engagement of the elastic holding piece 72 with the second holding portion 52. By the engagement of the opening edge portion of the holding hole 64 with the first holding portion 51, the connecting member 60 is held at a height floating upward from the first housing 11, that is, held in a state of non-interference with the first housing 11. The contact portion 71 of the elastic contact piece 70 elastically contacts the outer peripheral surface of the movable-side outer conductor 48. Therefore, the six movable-side outer conductors 48 are held via the connecting member 60 in a state of being at the same potential.

[0077] <Functions and Effects of Embodiment 1>

[0078] When the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are engaged, when the first circuit board Pa and the second circuit board Pb are relatively displaced, the tip portion 40T of any one of the movable terminals 40 abuts against the inner surface of the guiding portion 34. If the engagement of the two connectors 10, 30 is further performed from this state, the tip portion 40T of the movable terminal 40 slidably contacts the inclined inner surface of the guiding portion 34, and the tip portions 40T of all the movable terminals 40 are integrally guided toward the connection position with the counterparty terminal 36 while jointly changing the swinging angle. The tip portion 40T of the movable terminal 40 is connected to the counterparty terminal 36 after passing through the guiding portion 34, and the first connector 10 and the second connector 30 are in a proper engaged state. If the two connectors 10, 30 are properly engaged, the first circuit board Pa and the second circuit board Pb are connected via the mounting terminal 13 and the counterparty terminal 36.

[0079] The connector device of the first embodiment includes a first housing 11 mounted on a first circuit board Pa, a plurality of mounting terminals 13, a plurality of movable terminals 40, and a connecting member 60. The plurality of mounting terminals 13 are assembled to the first housing 11 and mounted on the first circuit board Pa to be in a connected state. The plurality of movable terminals 40 can swing independently with the plurality of mounting terminals 13 as fulcrums. The plurality of movable terminals 40 are individually connected to the plurality of mating terminals 36. The connecting member 60 is in a form that penetrates the plurality of movable terminals 40 individually and enables integral swinging.

[0080] According to this structure, the plurality of movable terminals 40 swing integrally through the connecting member 60, and the tip portions 40T of the plurality of movable terminals 40 are maintained in a constant positional relationship and are reliably connected to the plurality of mating terminals 36. Therefore, the connector device of the first embodiment is excellent in the connection function between the movable terminals 40 and the mating terminals 36.

[0081] A first holding portion 51 and a second holding portion 52 for holding the plurality of movable terminals 40 in a state of passing through the connecting member 60 are formed on the plurality of movable terminals 40. According to this structure, the connecting member 60 holds the plurality of movable terminals 40 in a state of passing through the connecting member 60. Therefore, there is no need to provide a structure in the first housing 11 for preventing the connecting member 60 from detaching from the plurality of movable terminals 40. As a result, the first housing 11 can be miniaturized, and thus the entire connector device can be miniaturized.

[0082] An elastic holding piece 72 that elastically engages with the second holding portion 52 is formed on the connecting member 60. When the connecting member 60 and the movable terminal 40 are inclined relative to each other as the plurality of movable terminals 40 swing, the elastic holding piece 72 is pressed by the second holding portion 52 and elastically deformed softly. Therefore, it is not easy for prying to occur between the connecting member 60 and the movable terminal 40. As a result, the swinging of the movable terminal 40 can be performed smoothly.

[0083] The connecting member 60 is formed of a conductive material. An elastic contact piece 70 that elastically contacts the movable-side outer conductor 48 of the movable terminal 40 is formed on the connecting member 60. According to this structure, the plurality of movable-side outer conductors 48 are electrically connected to each other through the connecting member 60. Therefore, no potential difference is generated between the plurality of movable-side outer conductors 48. Therefore, the connector device of the first embodiment is excellent in grounding performance.

[0084] The connecting member 60 is plate-shaped, so there is a concern that it may be deformed in a twisted manner when the movable terminal 40 swings. However, in the connecting member 60 of the first embodiment 1, the first reinforcing rib 74 and the second reinforcing rib 78 are integrally formed as reinforcing portions protruding in a rib shape, so that the connecting member 60 can be prevented from being deformed in a twisted manner. As a result, the orientations / poses of the plurality of movable terminals 40 during swinging can be made consistent.

[0085] The reinforcing portions for improving the rigidity of the connecting member 60 include the first reinforcing rib 74 and the second reinforcing rib 78. The first reinforcing rib 74 protrudes in a bent shape from the front end edge of the front edge portion 60F and the rear end edge of the rear edge portion 60R among the outer peripheral edges of the connecting member 60. The second reinforcing rib 78 is disposed on the front edge portion 60F and the rear edge portion 60R. The second reinforcing rib 78 is separated from the front end edge and the rear end edge of the connecting member 60 and extends along the front end edge and the rear end edge. The portions along the front end edge and the rear end edge in the connecting member 60 are strengthened by the first reinforcing rib 74 and the second reinforcing rib 78. The first reinforcing rib 74 is not formed in the central portion in the left-right direction among the front end edge and the rear end edge of the connecting member 60. However, the second reinforcing rib 78 is disposed in the region where the first reinforcing rib 74 is not formed in the front edge portion 60F and the rear edge portion 60R. For the region in the front edge portion 60F of the connecting member 60 where the first reinforcing rib 74 that protrudes in a bent shape from the front end edge of the front edge portion 60F cannot be formed, it can be strengthened by the second reinforcing rib 78 formed in the front edge portion 60F. For the region in the rear edge portion 60R of the connecting member 60 where the first reinforcing rib 74 that protrudes in a bent shape from the rear end edge of the rear edge portion 60R cannot be formed, it can be strengthened by the second reinforcing rib 78 formed in the rear edge portion 60R.

[0086] The end portions in the base plate portion 61 of the first reinforcing rib 74 and the left and right end portions of the second reinforcing rib 78 are locally disposed in the same region in the length direction of the front edge portion 60F and the rear edge portion 60R of the connecting member 60. According to this structure, the entire region of the front edge portion 60F of the connecting member 60 and the entire region of the rear edge portion 60R of the connecting member 60 can be reliably strengthened by any one of the first reinforcing rib 74 and the second reinforcing rib 78, or the two reinforcing ribs 74 and 78.

[0087] [Other Embodiments]

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the above description and drawings, but is represented by the claims. It is expected that the present invention includes meanings equivalent to the claims and all changes within the scope of the claims, including the following embodiments.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the connecting member has an elastic holding piece that elastically engages with the holding portion. However, the connecting member may be in a form in which only a non-elastic-deforming portion engages with the holding portion.

[0090] In the above embodiment, a plurality of movable-side outer conductors are electrically connected via the connecting member. However, the connecting member may be formed of a non-conductive material.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the elastic contact piece elastically contacts the movable-side outer conductor in a state of protruding from the outer surface of the connecting member. However, the elastic contact piece may elastically contact the movable-side outer conductor in a state flush with the outer surface of the connecting member or in a state recessed inward from the outer surface.

[0092] In the above embodiment, a reinforcing portion is formed on the connecting member. However, the connecting member may be in a form without a reinforcing portion.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion is composed of a first reinforcing rib and a second reinforcing rib. However, the reinforcing portion may be composed of only one of the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib are partially arranged in the same region in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the connecting member. However, the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib may be arranged only in mutually different regions in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the connecting member.

[0095] Description of Reference Numerals

[0096] 10…First Connector

[0097] 11…First Housing (Housing)

[0098] 12…First Terminal Accommodation Chamber

[0099] 13…Mounting Terminal

[0100] 14…Mounting-Side Inner Conductor

[0101] 15…Mounting Portion

[0102] 16…Mounting-Side Connection Portion

[0103] 17…Mounting-Side Dielectric

[0104] 18…Mounting-Side Outer Conductor

[0105] 19…Square Tube Portion

[0106] 20…Elastic Arm Portion

[0107] 21…Anti-Disengagement Portion

[0108] 30…Second Connector

[0109] 31…Second housing

[0110] 32…Terminal holding part

[0111] 33…Second terminal storage chamber

[0112] 34…Guide part

[0113] 36…Counterpart terminal

[0114] 40…Movable terminal

[0115] 40P…Base end part of the movable terminal

[0116] 40T…Tip end part of the movable terminal

[0117] 41…Movable side inner conductor

[0118] 42…Main body part

[0119] 43…Movable side connection part

[0120] 44…Movable side dielectric

[0121] 45…Insertion through hole

[0122] 46…Storage recess

[0123] 48…Movable side outer conductor

[0124] 49…Positioning protrusion

[0125] 51…First holding part

[0126] 52…Second holding part

[0127] 53…Anti - detachment protrusion

[0128] 60…Connecting member

[0129] 60F…Leading edge part of the connecting member

[0130] 60R…Trailing edge part of the connecting member

[0131] 61…Substrate part

[0132] 62…Slanting surface part

[0133] 63…Vertical wall part

[0134] 64…Holding hole

[0135] 65…Contact part

[0136] 66…Positioning recess

[0137] 68…Slit group

[0138] 69A…First slit

[0139] 69B…Second slit

[0140] 69C…Third slit

[0141] 70…Elastic contact piece

[0142] 71…Contact part

[0143] 72…Elastic holding piece

[0144] 74…First reinforcing rib

[0145] 75…Substrate rib

[0146] 76…Inclined rib

[0147] 77…Vertical wall rib

[0148] 78…Second reinforcing rib

[0149] Pa…First circuit board (circuit board)

[0150] Pb…Second circuit board

Claims

1. A connector device, comprising: A housing, which is mounted on a circuit board; A plurality of mounting terminals, the plurality of mounting terminals being assembled to the housing and connected to the circuit board; A plurality of movable terminals, the plurality of movable terminals being capable of swinging independently with the plurality of mounting terminals as fulcrums and being individually connected to a plurality of mating terminals; and A connecting member, which is formed of a conductive material, has a plurality of holding holes in a penetrating form, and is in a form in which the plurality of movable terminals individually pass through the plurality of holding holes, A holding portion is formed on the plurality of movable terminals, and the holding portion holds the plurality of movable terminals in a state of passing through the connecting member, The connecting member has an elastic holding piece that elastically engages with the holding portion, and an elastic contact piece that elastically contacts the movable-side outer conductor of the movable terminal, Three slits are formed in the connecting member, and the three slits are parallel to each other and communicate with the opening edge of the holding hole, The elastic holding piece and the elastic contact piece are formed by the three slits.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein The connecting member is in a plate shape, A reinforcing portion protruding in a rib shape is formed in the connecting member.

3. The connector device according to claim 2, wherein The reinforcing portion includes: a first reinforcing rib that protrudes in a bent shape from the outer peripheral edge of the connecting member; and a second reinforcing rib that is arranged along the outer peripheral edge in a region separated from the outer peripheral edge in the connecting member.

4. The connector device according to claim 3, wherein The first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib are locally arranged in the same region in the length direction of the outer peripheral edge.

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