connector

Abstract

A connector includes a plurality of contacts each having a first contact member having a first contact portion and a first connecting portion disposed on the opposite side of the first contact portion, and a second contact member having a second connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion and a second contact portion disposed on the opposite side of the second connecting portion. One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion has a flat plate portion extending along a fitting direction, and the other has a pair of elastic pieces sandwiching the flat plate portion from both sides. In a plane perpendicular to the fitting direction, the array direction of the first contact portions of the plurality of contacts is different from the array direction of the second contact portions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to connectors, and more particularly to connectors that are installed in various machines to connect to a connector on the other side. Background Technology

[0002] Such connectors are disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. Figure 33 As shown, the connector 1 disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a plurality of conductive contacts 3 are held in a metal housing 2. A flange 2A is formed protruding from the outer periphery of the housing 2, and the flange 2A is fixed to the housing of an electrical or electronic machine using mounting screws or the like, thereby mounting the connector 1 on the machine.

[0003] In addition, the housing 2 has a cylindrical portion 2C with a concave opposite-side connector receiving portion 2B formed inside. The contact portion 3A disposed at one end of each contact 3 protrudes into the opposite-side connector receiving portion 2B, and the connecting portion 3B disposed at the other end of each contact 3 protrudes towards the back side of the housing 2, connecting to wiring objects such as circuit boards inside the machine.

[0004] When connector 1 is connected to a counterpart connector (not shown), a portion of the counterpart connector is housed in the counterpart connector housing portion 2B of the cylindrical portion 2C along the mating direction D, and the contact portions 3A of the plurality of contacts 3 are connected to the plurality of contacts of the counterpart connector.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6013116 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] As shown above, the contact portions 3A of the plurality of contacts 3 connected to the connector on the other side are mostly on a plane perpendicular to the mating direction D, and have an arrangement pattern determined according to specifications, etc. For example, in a so-called circular connector in which the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 2C is circular when viewed from the mating direction D, there are cases in which the contact portions 3A of the plurality of contacts 3 are arranged in such a way that they occupy the positions of the four vertices of a rhombus or square.

[0010] In addition, such as Figure 33 As shown, the conductive contact 3 used in conventional connectors extends in a straight line from the contact portion 3A to the connecting portion 3B.

[0011] Therefore, the connecting portions 3B of the plurality of contacts 3 disposed on the inner side of the machine are also arranged in the same pattern as the arrangement pattern of the contact portions 3A, and are arranged to occupy the positions of, for example, four vertices of a rhombus or a square on a plane perpendicular to the mating direction D.

[0012] In recent years, various electrical and electronic machines have been continuously developed and automated through the use of robots in assembly. However, if a plurality of contact 3 connection parts 3B are arranged in the pattern described above, for example, in Figure 33 In this configuration, the connection parts 3B, which are formed by multiple contacts 3, are arranged to overlap each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is difficult to use a robot to perform electrical connection operations and connection confirmation checks on the wiring objects such as circuit boards inside the machine.

[0013] Furthermore, if the connection portion 3B of the plurality of contacts 3 and the object being connected are misaligned due to manufacturing tolerances of the circuit board or other objects inside the machine, the reliability of the electrical connection operation using the robot may be compromised.

[0014] The present invention was made to solve this existing problem, and its object is to provide a connector that can increase the degree of freedom of the arrangement pattern of the connection portions of the plurality of contacts connected to the object being wired, and absorb the positional offset of the connection portions of the plurality of contacts relative to the object being wired.

[0015] Means for solving technical problems

[0016] The connector of the present invention is a connector that fits into the connector on the other side along the mating direction.

[0017] The connector includes: a plurality of contacts and a housing for holding the plurality of contacts.

[0018] The plurality of contacts each have: a first contact component that contacts the contact of the other side connector, and a second contact component connected to the first contact component.

[0019] The first contact component includes: a first contact portion that contacts the contact of the opposite-side connector, a first retaining portion that is held in the housing, and a first connecting portion disposed on the opposite side of the first contact portion relative to the first retaining portion.

[0020] The second contact component includes: a second connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, a second retaining portion movably held in the housing in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and a second contact portion disposed on the opposite side of the second connecting portion relative to the second retaining portion.

[0021] The first contact portion and the first connecting portion of the first contact component are located at the same position when viewed from the mating direction.

[0022] The second connecting portion and the second contact portion of the second contact component are located at different positions when viewed from the mating direction.

[0023] One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion has a flat plate portion extending along the fitting direction, and the other has a pair of elastic sheets that sandwich the flat plate portion from both sides and elastically contact the flat plate portion.

[0024] On a plane perpendicular to the mating direction, the arrangement directions of the first contact portions of the plurality of contacts are different from the arrangement directions of the second contact portions.

[0025] Preferably, the first contact member has a straight shape extending from the first contact portion to the first connecting portion along the fitting direction, the second contact member has a crank shape with the second connecting portion and the second contact portion extending along the fitting direction, and the second retaining portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction.

[0026] It can be configured such that, on a plane perpendicular to the engagement direction, the first contact portions of a plurality of contacts are arranged at any one of the four vertices of a predetermined rhombus, and the second contact portions of the plurality of contacts are arranged in a straight line.

[0027] Preferably, the other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion has two pairs of elastic sheets arranged along the surface of the flat plate portion.

[0028] Preferably, the housing has: a first housing for holding the first contact member, and a second housing fixed to the first housing and holding the second contact member, wherein a second holding portion of the second contact member is movably held between the first housing and the second housing in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction.

[0029] It can be configured such that the second holding portion of at least one of the plurality of contacts, when viewed from the mating direction, is located at a position that at least partially overlaps with the second holding portions of the other contacts in the plurality of contacts.

[0030] Preferably, the first connecting portion has a flat plate portion, and the first housing has a flat plate limiting portion that limits the orientation of the flat plate portion.

[0031] Alternatively, the flat portion of at least one of the plurality of contacts extends in a direction that intersects with the flat portions of the other contacts in the plurality of contacts.

[0032] It can be configured such that the second contact part contacts the object to be wired.

[0033] In this case, preferably, the second contact portion has a pair of elastic sheets that elastically contact the wire object while sandwiching the flat wire object from both sides.

[0034] Alternatively, it can be configured to include: a third housing that can be connected to the housing, and a plurality of third contact members that are held in the third housing and connected to a second contact member of a plurality of contacts, the second contact member having a flat plate extending along the mating direction, and the third contact member having: a third connecting portion consisting of a pair of elastic sheets that elastically contact the flat plate from both sides of the second contact portion, and a third contact portion that contacts the wire connection object.

[0035] In this case, preferably, the third contact portion has a pair of elastic sheets that elastically contact the wire object while sandwiching the flat wire object from both sides.

[0036] It can be configured such that the first contact portion has a pin shape.

[0037] The effects of the invention:

[0038] According to the present invention, a plurality of contacts each have: a first contact component that contacts the contact of the other side connector, and a second contact component connected to the first contact component. One of the first connecting portion of the first contact component and the second connecting portion of the second contact component has a flat plate portion extending along the mating direction, and the other has a pair of elastic sheets that are sandwiched between the two sides and elastically contact the flat plate portion. On a plane perpendicular to the mating direction, the arrangement direction of the first contact portion of the first contact component of the plurality of contacts is different from the arrangement direction of the second contact portion of the second contact component. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the arrangement pattern of the connection portion of the plurality of contacts connected to the wiring object can be increased, and the positional offset of the connection portion of the plurality of contacts of the wiring object can be absorbed. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the connector of an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from a frontal angle.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the connector in its implementation configuration as seen from a diagonal front view.

[0041] Figure 3 A front view showing the connector in an embodiment.

[0042] Figure 4 A rear view of the connector in an embodiment is shown.

[0043] Figure 5 An assembly diagram of the connector in the implementation configuration.

[0044] Figure 6 for Figure 3 AA-line cross-section view.

[0045] Figure 7 for Figure 3BB line cross-section.

[0046] Figure 8 A perspective view showing the first contact component used in the connector of an embodiment.

[0047] Figure 9 A perspective view showing the second contact component used in the connector of an embodiment.

[0048] Figure 10 This is a front view of the second contact component.

[0049] Figure 11 This is a side view of the second contact component.

[0050] Figure 12 A perspective view showing the third contact component used in the connector of an embodiment.

[0051] Figure 13 A perspective view showing the first housing used in the connector embodiment.

[0052] Figure 14 This is a front view of the first outer shell.

[0053] Figure 15 This is a view of the back of the first outer casing.

[0054] Figure 16 for Figure 14 CC line cross-section.

[0055] Figure 17 A perspective view showing the second housing used in the connector of the embodiment.

[0056] Figure 18 This is a front view of the second outer shell.

[0057] Figure 19 This is a side view of the second outer shell.

[0058] Figure 20 A perspective view showing the third housing used in the connector of the embodiment.

[0059] Figure 21 This is a front view of the third outer shell.

[0060] Figure 22 for Figure 21 DD line cross-section.

[0061] Figure 23 A perspective view showing the housing, waterproof component, second contact component held in the second housing, and first contact component connected to the second contact component.

[0062] Figure 24A side view showing the second contact component held in the second housing, and the first and third contact components connected to the second contact component.

[0063] Figure 25 A front view of the third housing containing the third contact component.

[0064] Figure 26 for Figure 25 EE line cross-section.

[0065] Figure 27 A perspective view showing a first contact component, a second contact component connected to the first contact component, and a third contact component connected to the second contact component.

[0066] Figure 28 A side view showing the first contact component, the second contact component connected to the first contact component, and the third contact component connected to the second contact component.

[0067] Figure 29 A side view showing the first contact component, the second contact component connected to the first contact component, and the third contact component connected to the second contact component.

[0068] Figure 30 A perspective view showing the connectors aligned with the wiring object.

[0069] Figure 31 A perspective view showing the connector connected to the object being wired.

[0070] Figure 32 This is a side view showing the connector connected to the object being wired.

[0071] Figure 33 To show a cross-sectional view of a known connector.

[0072] Figure Labels

[0073] 1 Connector 2 Housing 2A Flange 2B Counterpart Connector Reception Part 2C Cylindrical Part

[0074] 3 contacts, 3A contact portion, 3B connection portion, 11 connector, 12 contacts

[0075] 121, 122, 123 are signal contacts; 124 is a grounding contact.

[0076] 121A, 122A, 123A, 124A end caps, 13 housing, 131, 132, 133 insertion holes

[0077] 14. Housing 14A. Front cylindrical section 14B. Rear cylindrical section 14C. Flange

[0078] 14D Counterpart Connector Reception Part; 15 Waterproof Components; 151, 152, 153 Through Holes

[0079] 21, 22, 23 First contact components 21A, 22A, 23A First contact portion

[0080] 21B, 22B, 23B First retaining part; 21C, 22C, 23C First connecting part

[0081] 31, 32, 33 Second contact components; 31A, 32A, 33A Second connecting portion

[0082] 31B, 32B, 33B Second Holding Part; 31C, 32C, 33C Second Contact Part

[0083] 34 Plate-shaped part; 35, 44, 45 Elastic sheet; 41, 42, 43 Third contact component

[0084] 41A, 42A, 43A Third connecting part; 41B, 42B, 43B Third retaining part

[0085] 41C, 42C, 43C Third Contact Part; 51 First Outer Shell; 52 Outer Shell Body

[0086] 531, 532, 533, 534, 731, 732, 733 retaining holes

[0087] 531A, 532A, 533A Flat plate limiting part 54 Protrusion 55, 75 Fitting hole 61 Second outer shell

[0088] 631, 632, 633 Retaining surfaces; 641, 642, 643 Latch; 65, 66 Supports

[0089] 71 Third outer shell 731A, 732A, 733A beam section 74 Hook 80 C-ring

[0090] 81 First connecting terminal 82 Second connecting terminal 83 Third connecting terminal D Engaging direction

[0091] C1 Fitting shaft G gap S diamond L straight line M connection object Detailed Implementation

[0092] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0093] Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are perspective views of the connector 11 in its implementation configuration as seen from the oblique front and from the oblique rear.

[0094] The connector 11 is installed in an electrical or electronic machine and is a so-called circular socket connector with a mating shaft C1. It includes: four contacts 12 formed of conductive material; a housing 13 that holds the four contacts 12 and is formed of insulating material; and a shell 14 that is installed at the front of the housing 13 and is formed of conductive material.

[0095] The four contacts 12 include: three signal contacts 121, 122, and 123; and one grounding contact 124. One end 121A, 122A, 123A, and 124A of the signal contacts 121, 122, and 123 and the grounding contact 124 respectively extend along the mating axis C1 in the mating direction and are exposed at the front of the connector 11 connected to the other side connector in the mating direction.

[0096] Figure 3 This is a front view of connector 11 as seen from the front in the mating direction.

[0097] When viewed from the mating direction, the signal contacts 121, 122 and 123 and one end 121A, 122A, 123A and 124A of the grounding contact 124 are configured as the four vertices of a rhombus S with interior angles of 90 degrees.

[0098] Figure 4 This is a rear view of connector 11 as seen from the mating direction.

[0099] Three insertion holes 131, 132, and 133, extending in the mating direction, are formed on the rear end face of the housing 13. When viewed from the rear in the mating direction, these insertion holes 131, 132, and 133 are arranged on a straight line L perpendicular to the mating direction. The other ends of the three signal contacts 121, 122, and 123 extend to the rear end of the connector 11 and are received within the insertion holes 131, 132, and 133 of the housing 13.

[0100] That is, the arrangement direction of one end 121A, 122A, 123A of the signal contacts 121, 122 and 123 is different from the arrangement direction of the other end of the signal contacts 121, 122 and 123.

[0101] The other end of the grounding contact 124 is connected to the housing 14 inside the connector 11, rather than extending to the rear end of the connector 11.

[0102] For convenience, the direction along the mating axis C1 from the front to the rear of the connector 11 is called the +Z direction, the arrangement direction of the three insertion holes 131, 132 and 133 of the housing 13 is called the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the XZ plane is called the Y direction.

[0103] The unlabeled plug connector of the opposite side connector moves along the mating axis C1 from the -Z direction to the +Z direction and connects to connector 11.

[0104] like Figure 3 As shown, one end 121A of signal contact 121 and one end 122A of signal contact 122 are arranged relative to each other in the X direction, and one end 123A of signal contact 123 and one end 124A of grounding contact 124 are arranged relative to each other in the X direction. Similarly, one end 121A of signal contact 121 and one end 124A of grounding contact 124 are arranged relative to each other in the Y direction, and one end 122A of signal contact 122 and one end 123A of signal contact 123 are arranged relative to each other in the X direction.

[0105] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown, among the three insertion holes 131, 132 and 133 arranged on a straight line L on the rear end face of the housing 13, the insertion hole 131 at the other end of the signal contact 121 is arranged on the side most in the +X direction, the insertion hole 132 at the other end of the signal contact 122 is arranged on the side most in the -X direction, and the insertion hole 133 at the other end of the signal contact 123 is arranged in the center.

[0106] The housing 14 has: a front cylindrical portion 14A and a rear cylindrical portion 14B, both centered on the fitting shaft C1; and a flange 14C that protrudes from the junction of the front cylindrical portion 14A and the rear cylindrical portion 14B in a direction perpendicular to the fitting shaft C1.

[0107] The outer periphery of the -Z direction side portion of the housing 13 is covered by the rear cylindrical portion 14B of the housing 14, and a concave opposite-side connector receiving portion 14D that opens in the -Z direction is formed inside the front cylindrical portion 14A of the housing 14.

[0108] Furthermore, a waterproof component 15 is disposed inside the rear cylindrical portion 14B of the housing 14, adjacent to the outer casing 13 on the -Z direction side, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the -Z direction side end face of the waterproof component 15 is exposed inside the connector receiving portion 14D on the other side. One end 121A, 122A, 123A and 124A of the signal contacts 121, 122 and 123 and the grounding contact 124 protrudes from the connector receiving portion 14D on the other side of the housing 14 through the through hole formed in the waterproof component 15.

[0109] Figure 5 The diagram shows an assembly of connector 11. This assembly is depicted with the Z-direction along the mating axis C1 as the vertical direction.

[0110] Signal contact 121 is composed of a first contact component 21, a second contact component 31, and a third contact component 41 connected sequentially in the +Z direction. Similarly, signal contact 122 is composed of a first contact component 22, a second contact component 32, and a third contact component 42 connected sequentially in the +Z direction. Signal contact 123 is composed of a first contact component 23, a second contact component 33, and a third contact component 43 connected sequentially in the +Z direction.

[0111] Furthermore, the housing 13 is composed of a first housing 51, a second housing 61, and a third housing 71 connected to each other in the Z direction. First contact components 21, 22, and 23 are held in the first housing 51, second contact components 31, 32, and 33 are held in the second housing 61, and third contact components 41, 42, and 43 are held in the third housing 71.

[0112] Among them, Figure 5 For simplicity, the grounding contact 124 and the waterproof component 15 are omitted from the illustration.

[0113] Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is described by defining the Z-direction as the vertical direction. Figure 3 AA-line cross-section and BB-line cross-section.

[0114] like Figure 6 As shown, the first contact component 21 of the signal contact 121 and the first contact component 22 of the signal contact 122, which are held in the first housing 51, are respectively connected to the second contact component 31 of the signal contact 121 and the second contact component 32 of the signal contact 122, which are held in the second housing 61. Furthermore, as... Figure 7 As shown, the second contact component 31 of the signal contact 121 and the second contact component 32 of the signal contact 122, which are held in the second housing 61, are respectively connected to the third contact component 41 of the signal contact 121 and the third contact component 42 of the signal contact 122, which are held in the third housing 71.

[0115] Figure 8 The first contact components 21, 22 and 23 are shown in the image.

[0116] The first contact member 21 has: a first contact portion 21A in the shape of a circular pin extending in the Z direction; a cylindrical first holding portion 21B connected to the +Z direction end of the first contact portion 21A and having a diameter larger than that of the first contact portion 21A; and a first connecting portion 21C, which is a flat plate portion connected to the first holding portion 21B on the +Z direction side opposite to the first contact portion 21A and extending in the Z direction. The first contact member 21 extends along the Z direction from the first contact portion 21A to the first connecting portion 21C and has a straight shape overall. That is, the first contact portion 21A and the first connecting portion 21C have portions that overlap each other when viewed from the Z direction.

[0117] First contact components 22 and 23 have the same shape as first contact component 21. Specifically, first contact component 22 has a first contact portion 22A in the shape of a pin, a first holding portion 22B in the shape of a cylinder, and a first connecting portion 22C formed of a flat plate. Similarly, first contact component 23 has a first contact portion 23A in the shape of a pin, a first holding portion 23B in the shape of a cylinder, and a first connecting portion 23C formed of a flat plate. Furthermore, the first contact portions 22A and 23A and the first connecting portions 22C and 23C are located at the same position when viewed from the Z direction.

[0118] The first contact components 21 and 22 are respectively arranged with first connecting portions 21C and 22C made of flat plates along the YZ plane, and the first contact component 23 is arranged with first connecting portion 23C made of flat plates along the XZ plane.

[0119] Furthermore, the first contact portions 21A, 22A, and 23A of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23 in the shape of round pins contact the corresponding contacts of the opposite connector (not shown), and through these first contact portions 21A, 22A, and 23A, one end 121A, 122A, and 123A of the signal contacts 121, 122, and 123 are formed.

[0120] Figure 9 The second contact components 31, 32 and 33 are shown in the image.

[0121] The second contact member 31 includes: a second connecting portion 31A extending in the Z direction; a plate-shaped second holding portion 31B connected to the +Z direction end of the second connecting portion 31A and extending along the XY plane; and a second contact portion 31C, composed of a plate portion, connected to the second holding portion 31B on the +Z direction side opposite to the second connecting portion 31A and extending along the YZ plane. The second connecting portion 31A includes: two plate-shaped portions 34 extending along the XZ plane and facing each other in the Y direction, with a pair of elastic sheets 35 facing each other in the X direction formed at the -Z direction end of each plate-shaped portion 34. That is, the second connecting portion 31A has two pairs of elastic sheets 35.

[0122] The second connecting portion 31A and the second contact portion 31C of the second contact component 31 extend in the Z direction, and the second holding portion 31B that connects the second connecting portion 31A and the second contact portion 31C extends along the XY plane. The whole has a crank shape. When viewed from the Z direction, the second connecting portion 31A and the second contact portion 31C are located at different positions from each other.

[0123] The second contact components 32 and 33, like the second contact component 31, are all crank-shaped.

[0124] The second contact member 32 includes: a second connecting portion 32A extending in the Z direction; a plate-shaped second retaining portion 32B extending along the XY plane; and a second contact portion 32C formed by a plate portion extending along the YZ plane. Like the second connecting portion 31A of the second contact member 31, the second connecting portion 32A has two plate-shaped portions 34 extending along the XZ plane and facing each other in the Y direction. A pair of elastic sheets 35 facing each other in the X direction are formed at the -Z direction end of each plate-shaped portion 34. That is, the second connecting portion 32A has two pairs of elastic sheets 35. Furthermore, viewed from the Z direction, the second connecting portion 32A and the second contact portion 32C are located at different positions.

[0125] Furthermore, the second contact member 33 includes: a second connecting portion 33A extending in the Z direction; a flat second retaining portion 33B extending along the XY plane; and a second contact portion 33C formed by a flat portion extending along the YZ plane. The second connecting portion 33A has two plate-shaped portions 34 extending along the YZ plane and facing each other in the X direction, and a pair of elastic pieces 35 facing each other in the Y direction are formed at the -Z direction end of each plate-shaped portion 34. That is, the second connecting portion 33A has two pairs of elastic pieces 35. Furthermore, viewed from the Z direction, the second connecting portion 33A and the second contact portion 33C are located at different positions from each other.

[0126] Figure 10 The image shows a front view of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 as viewed from the Z direction. The second connecting portion 31A of the second contact component 31 and the second connecting portion 32A of the second contact component 32 are arranged relative to each other in the X direction, and the second connecting portion 32A of the second contact component 32 and the second connecting portion 33A of the second contact component 33 are arranged relative to each other in the Y direction. Furthermore, in the second connecting portions 31A and 32A of the second contact components 31 and 32, a pair of elastic pieces 35 formed on each of the two plate-like portions 34 face each other in the X direction. Similarly, in the second connecting portion 33A of the second contact component 33, a pair of elastic pieces 35 formed on each of the two plate-like portions 34 face each other in the Y direction.

[0127] The two pairs of elastic plates 35 of these second connecting parts 31A, 32A and 33A are used to elastically contact the first connecting parts 21C, 22C and 23C of the corresponding first contact parts 21, 22 and 23, which are composed of flat plates, from both sides respectively.

[0128] Furthermore, when viewed from the Z direction, the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 are arranged in a straight line in the X direction and are all formed by a flat plate portion extending along the YZ plane.

[0129] like Figure 10 As shown, when viewed from the Z direction, the second contact component 31 and the second contact component 32 are separated from each other in the X direction; while when viewed from the Z direction, a portion of the second contact component 32 and the second contact component 33 overlaps with each other. Specifically, the second connecting portion 32A of the second contact component 32 and the second holding portion 33B of the second contact component 33 overlap in the Z direction.

[0130] Figure 11 The image shows a side view of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 as viewed from the Y direction. The second holding portions 31B and 32B of the second contact components 31 and 32 have the same Z-direction position, but the second holding portion 33B of the second contact component 33 is located further to the +Z-direction side than the second holding portions 31B and 32B of the second contact components 31 and 32. Therefore, as... Figure 9 and Figure 11 As shown, a gap G is formed between the second connecting portion 32A of the second contact member 32 and the second holding portion 33B of the second contact member 33, and the second contact member 32 and the second contact member 33 are configured so that there will be no short circuit between them.

[0131] Figure 12 The third contact components 41, 42 and 43 are shown in the image.

[0132] The third contact member 41 is composed of a plate-shaped member extending along the XZ plane and having an H-shape when viewed from the Y direction. It includes: a third connecting portion 41A composed of a pair of elastic sheets 44 formed at the -Z-direction end of the plate-shaped member and facing each other in the X direction; a third contact portion 41C composed of a pair of elastic sheets 45 formed at the +Z-direction end of the plate-shaped member and facing each other in the X direction; and a third retaining portion 41B formed at the middle portion of the plate-shaped member in the Z-direction and extending in the X direction. The two third contact members 41 having the above-described structure are arranged to face each other in the Y direction.

[0133] The third contact components 42 and 43 are also composed of the same plate-shaped component as the third contact component 41, and have: third connecting portions 42A and 43A formed at the -Z direction end of the plate-shaped component; third contact portions 42C and 43C formed at the +Z direction end of the plate-shaped component; and third holding portions 42B and 43B formed at the middle portion of the plate-shaped component in the Z direction. The two third contact components 42 are arranged to face each other in the Y direction, and similarly, the two third contact components 43 are arranged to face each other in the Y direction.

[0134] Figures 13-16 The diagram shows the configuration of the first housing 51. The first housing 51 has a housing body 52 made of insulating resin, and three retaining holes 531, 532 and 533 extending through in the Z direction are formed in the housing body 52; and one retaining hole 534 with an opening in the -Z direction is formed. The three retaining holes 531, 532 and 533 are used to retain the first contact members 21, 22 and 23 respectively. Flat plate limiting portions 531A and 532A formed by a pair of grooves extending in the Z direction from both sides in the Y direction are formed inside the retaining holes 531 and 532, and flat plate limiting portion 533A formed by a pair of grooves extending in the Z direction from both sides in the X direction is formed inside the retaining hole 533.

[0135] When the first contact components 21, 22 and 23 are inserted into the retaining holes 531, 532 and 533, the plate limiting portions 531A, 532A and 533A receive the first connecting portions 21C, 22C and 23C formed by the plate portions.

[0136] The retaining hole 534 is used to retain the +Z direction end of the grounding contact 124.

[0137] like Figure 13 and Figure 15 As shown, two protrusions 54 are formed on the side of the outer shell body 52 facing the -Y direction, and one protrusion 54 is formed on the side of the outer shell body 52 facing the +Y direction.

[0138] In addition, such as Figure 15 As shown, two fitting holes 55 with openings in the +Z direction are formed on the back side of the outer casing 52 facing the +Z direction.

[0139] Figures 17-19The configuration of the second housing 61 is shown. The second housing 61 has a housing body 62 made of insulating resin, and retaining surfaces 631, 632 and 633 extending along the XY plane are formed on the housing body 62. These retaining surfaces 631, 632 and 633 respectively retain the second retaining portions 31B, 32B and 33B of the second contact members 31, 32 and 33, all facing the -Z direction. The retaining surfaces 631 and 632 are arranged at the same Z direction position, and the retaining surface 633 is arranged on the +Z direction side more than the retaining surfaces 631 and 632.

[0140] Furthermore, latches 641, 642, and 643 are formed on each of the -Z direction sides of the retaining surfaces 631, 632, and 633 in a manner opposite to the retaining surfaces 631, 632, and 633.

[0141] When the second retaining portions 31B, 32B, and 33B, configured as second contact components 31, 32, and 33, contact the retaining surfaces 631, 632, and 633 as shown above, the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 are held movable within a predetermined range in the XY plane. Furthermore, the presence of latches 641, 642, and 643 prevents the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 from detaching from the second housing 61.

[0142] Two support pillars 65 protruding in the -Z direction are formed on the front side of the outer casing 62. The two support pillars 65 are pressed into two fitting holes 55 of the first outer casing 51, thereby connecting the second outer casing 61 to the first outer casing 51. In order to prevent the first outer casing 51 and the second outer casing 61 from being misfitted, the two support pillars 65 have different cross-sectional shapes.

[0143] Furthermore, two support pillars 66 protruding in the +Z direction are formed on the back side of the outer casing 62. These two support pillars 66 have different outer diameters.

[0144] Figures 20-22 The diagram shows the structure of the third outer casing 71. The third outer casing 71 has a casing body 72 made of insulating resin, and three retaining holes 731, 732, and 733 extending through in the Z direction are formed on the casing body 72. The retaining holes 731, 732, and 733 are used to respectively accommodate... Figure 12 The third contact components 41, 42, and 43 shown are held together, and beam portions 731A, 732A, and 733A extending in the Y direction are formed inside the retaining holes 731, 732, and 733. These beam portions 731A, 732A, and 733A are used to swingably hold the third contact components 41, 42, and 43 so that the third retaining portions 41B, 42B, and 43B of the corresponding third contact components 41, 42, and 43 contact the -Z direction side.

[0145] In addition, such as Figure 20 As shown, two U-shaped hooks 74 protrude in the -Z direction at the -Y direction end of the outer shell body 72, and one U-shaped hook 74 protrudes in the -Z direction at the -Z direction end of the outer shell body 72 on the +Y direction.

[0146] In addition, such as Figure 21 and Figure 22 As shown, two fitting holes 75 with openings in the -Z direction are formed on the front side of the outer casing 72 facing the -Z direction. The two fitting holes 75 are pressed into the two supports 66 of the second outer casing 61, thereby connecting the third outer casing 71 to the second outer casing 61.

[0147] Figure 23 The display shows that the second connecting portions 31A, 32A, and 33A of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 held in the second housing 61 are respectively connected to the first connecting portions 21C, 22C, and 23C of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23.

[0148] The first contact portions 21A, 22A, and 23A of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23 are inserted into the interior of the housing 14 from the +Z direction toward the -Z direction through the through holes 151, 152, and 153 of the waterproof component 15, and protrude into the opposite connector receiving portion 14D of the housing 14.

[0149] Figure 24 The image shows a state where the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33, which are held in the second housing 61, are respectively connected to the third connecting portions 41A, 42A, and 43A of the third contact components 41, 42, and 43. The second contact components 31, 32, and 33 are movable within the XY plane and held between the second housing 61 and the third housing 71.

[0150] Figure 25 The third housing 71, which contains the third contact components 41, 42, and 43, is shown. Figure 26 This is a cross-sectional view of the third contact components 41, 42, and 43 housed in the third housing 71, viewed from the +Y direction. The third contact components 41, 42, and 43 are housed in the retaining holes 731, 732, and 733 of the third housing 71, from the -Z direction toward the +Z direction. The third retaining portions 41B, 42B, and 43B of the third contact components 41, 42, and 43 contact the beam portions 731A, 732A, and 733A on the -Z direction side. In this way, the third contact components 41, 42, and 43 can be held within the retaining holes 731, 732, and 733 in a swingable manner within the XZ plane.

[0151] When assembling connector 11, for example, the second contact components 31, 32 and 33 are first held in the second housing 61, and the two pillars 65 protruding in the -Z direction of the second housing 61 are pressed into the two fitting holes 55 of the first housing 51, thereby connecting the second housing 61 to the first housing 51.

[0152] Furthermore, after the third contact components 41, 42, and 43 are housed in the retaining holes 731, 732, and 733 of the third housing 71, the two support pillars 66 protruding in the +Z direction of the second housing 61 are pressed into the two fitting holes 75 of the third housing 71, thereby connecting the second housing 61 to the third housing 71. At this time, the three U-shaped hooks 74 of the third housing 71 are respectively engaged with the corresponding protrusions 54 of the first housing 51, thereby connecting the first housing 51, the second housing 61, and the third housing 71 into a single unit.

[0153] Next, the first contact components 21, 22, and 23 are inserted into the retaining holes 531, 532, and 533 of the first housing 51 from the -Z direction. At this time, the first connecting portions 21C, 22C, and 23C, which are composed of flat plates, are inserted into the flat plate limiting portions 531A, 532A, and 533A of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23 in the retaining holes 531, 532, and 533, restricting the direction of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23 around the Z direction. The first connecting portions 21C, 22C, and 23C are connected to the second connecting portions 31A, 32A, and 33A, which have elastic pieces 35, of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 held in the second housing 61.

[0154] Subsequently, the first contact portions 21A, 22A, and 23A of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23 extend to the through holes 151, 152, and 153 of the waterproof component 15. The first contact portions 21A, 22A, and 23A of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23, along with the -Z direction portions of the waterproof component 15 and the first housing 51, are inserted into the interior of the housing 14 from the +Z direction. Next, Figure 6 and Figure 7 The C-shaped ring 80 shown is embedded between the outer periphery of the first outer shell 51 and the inner periphery of the housing 14, thereby connecting the first outer shell 51 and the housing 14 in a manner that they are not separated from each other.

[0155] Thus, the assembly of connector 11 is completed.

[0156] Figures 27-29 The diagram shows first contact components 21, 22, and 23; second contact components 31, 32, and 33 connected to the first contact components 21, 22, and 23; and third contact components 41, 42, and 43 connected to the second contact components 31, 32, and 33. Figures 27-29The first outer shell 51, the second outer shell 61, and the third outer shell 71, which are connected to each other in the Z direction, are omitted.

[0157] The first connecting portions 21C, 22C, and 23C of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23, which are composed of flat plate portions, are connected to the second connecting portions 31A, 32A, and 33A of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33, which have elastic pieces 35. The second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33, which are composed of flat plate portions, are connected to the third connecting portions 41A, 42A, and 43A of the third contact components 41, 42, and 43, which have elastic pieces 44.

[0158] When viewed from the Z direction, the first contact portions 21A, 22A and 23A of the first contact components 21, 22 and 23 are configured as three vertices of a rhombus with each of the four interior angles located at 90 degrees. In contrast, the third contact portions 41C, 42C and 43C of the third contact components 41, 42 and 43 are arranged in a straight line in the X direction.

[0159] Connector 11 has the configuration shown above. Figure 30 The connector 11 is positioned on the -Z side of the wiring object M. The wiring object M has a first connection terminal 81, a second connection terminal 82, and a third connection terminal 83. When viewed from the Z direction, these first connection terminals 81, second connection terminals 82, and third connection terminals 83 are arranged in a straight line in the X direction and each has a flat plate shape extending along the YZ plane in the -Z direction.

[0160] The first connecting terminal 81, the second connecting terminal 82, and the third connecting terminal 83 are arranged in conjunction with the... Figure 2 and Figure 4 The insertion holes 131, 132, and 133 on the rear end face of the housing 13 of the connector 11 shown are arranged in the X direction with the same spacing. Figure 30 The state shown indicates that the connector 11 is moved toward the wiring object M in the +Z direction, and the first connection terminal 81, the second connection terminal 82, and the third connection terminal 83 of the wiring object M are inserted into the insertion holes 131, 132, and 133 of the connector 11, as shown. Figure 31 and Figure 32 As shown, connector 11 is assembled on the wiring object M.

[0161] In this way, the first connecting terminal 81, the second connecting terminal 82 and the third connecting terminal 83 in the flat plate shape of the object being wired are connected to the third contact portions 41C, 42C and 43 of the third contact components 41, 42 and 43, which are housed in the insertion holes 131, 132 and 133 of the connector 11, which have elastic pieces 45.

[0162] At this time, the second contact parts 31, 32 and 33 of the connector 11 are held movable in the XY plane between the second housing 61 and the third housing 71, and the third contact parts 41, 42 and 43 are held swingably in the XZ plane of the third housing 71. Therefore, even if there is a positional offset due to manufacturing tolerances, assembly tolerances, etc., between the position of the third contact portions 41C, 42C and 43C of the third contact parts 41, 42 and 43 of the connector 11 and the position of the first connection terminal 81, the second connection terminal 82 and the third connection terminal 83 of the connected object M, the signal contacts 121, 122 and 123 of the connector 11 can reliably conduct to the first connection terminal 81, the second connection terminal 82 and the third connection terminal 83 of the connected object M.

[0163] In connector 11, the arrangement directions of the first contact portions 21A, 22A, and 23A of the first contact members 21, 22, and 23 constituting one end 121A, 122A, and 123A of the signal contacts 121, 122, and 123 are different from the arrangement directions of the third contact portions 41C, 42C, and 43C of the third contact members 41, 42, and 43 constituting the other end of the signal contacts 121, 122, and 123. Therefore, even if the first contact portions 21A, 22A, and 23A of the first contact members 21, 22, and 23 are arranged according to a pattern determined by specifications, the third contact portions 41C, 42C, and 43C of the third contact members 41, 42, and 43 can be freely arranged, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the arrangement patterns of the third contact portions 41C, 42C, and 43C.

[0164] As a result, by using robots or the like, connector 11 can be easily and automatically assembled onto the wiring object M.

[0165] In the above-described embodiment, the third contact portions 41C, 42C, and 43C of the third contact components 41, 42, and 43 having elastic sheets 45 are connected to the first connection terminal 81, the second connection terminal 82, and the third connection terminal 83 of the wiring object M having a flat plate shape. However, it is also possible to configure the third contact portions 41C, 42C, and 43C of the third contact components 41, 42, and 43 to have a flat plate shape, and the first connection terminal 81, the second connection terminal 82, and the third connection terminal 83 of the wiring object M to have elastic sheets.

[0166] However, if the first connecting terminal 81, the second connecting terminal 82, and the third connecting terminal 83 of the connector M have elastic sheets, dust generated during use in a dusty environment will adhere to the elastic sheets, making it difficult to remove the dust and compromising the reliability of the electrical connection of the connector 11. If the first connecting terminal 81, the second connecting terminal 82, and the third connecting terminal 83 have a flat plate shape, dust removal is easier. Therefore, as shown in the above embodiment, it is preferable to have elastic sheets 45 in the third contact portions 41C, 42C, and 43C of the third contact components 41, 42, and 43.

[0167] In the above-described embodiment, the second connecting portions 31A, 32A, and 33A of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 each have two pairs of elastic sheets 35, but are not limited to this; they may also have one pair or more pairs of elastic sheets 35. However, in order to improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the first connecting portions 21C, 22C, and 23C of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23, which are composed of flat plate portions, and the second connecting portions 31A, 32A, and 33A of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33, it is preferable that the second connecting portions 31A, 32A, and 33A have two or more pairs of elastic sheets 35.

[0168] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first connecting portions 21C, 22C, and 23C of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23, which are composed of flat plate portions, are connected to the second connecting portions 31A, 32A, and 33A of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33, which have elastic sheets 35. However, it is also possible that, in the opposite case, the second connecting portions 31A, 32A, and 33A of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 have flat plate portions, and the first connecting portions 21C, 22C, and 23C of the first contact components 21, 22, and 23 have elastic sheets that sandwich the flat plate portions from both sides and elastically contact the flat plate portions.

[0169] In the above-described embodiment, two third contact components 41, 42, and 43 are respectively connected to the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33. However, this is not a limitation; it is also possible to configure the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C to each connect one third contact component 41, 42, and 43. However, to improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 and the third contact components 41, 42, and 43, it is preferable to connect two third contact components 41, 42, and 43 to the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C.

[0170] In the connector 11 of this embodiment, one or two pairs of elastic sheets may be formed to replace the flat plate portion in the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33, omitting the third contact components 41, 42, and 43 and the third housing 71. This allows the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 to be connected to the first connection terminal 81, the second connection terminal 82, and the third connection terminal 83 of the connected object M. Even as described above, the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 can be movably held within the XY plane. By absorbing positional shifts through these second contact components 31, 32, and 33, the first contact components 21, 22, and 23 and the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 can be reliably connected to the first connection terminal 81, the second connection terminal 82, and the third connection terminal 83 of the connected object M.

[0171] However, since the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C of the second contact components 31, 32, and 33 are composed of flat plate portions extending along the YZ plane, therefore... Figure 12 As shown in the elastic sheet 45 of the third contact components 41, 42, and 43, if an elastic sheet capable of elastic deformation within the XZ plane is to be formed in the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C, the second contact portions 31C, 32C, and 33C must be deformed into shapes along the XZ plane, thus necessitating ensuring a larger footprint in the X direction. Therefore, to achieve miniaturization of the connector 11, it is preferable to use the third contact components 41, 42, and 43 with the third housing 71, as shown in the embodiment described above.

[0172] In the connector 11 described above, three signal contacts 121, 122, and 123 are used, but the invention is not limited to this. The invention can also be applied to connectors having two or four or more signal contacts. Furthermore, the signal contacts can also be used as power contacts.

Claims

1. A connector to be mated to a counterpart connector in a mating direction, characterized by comprising: a plurality of contacts; and a housing holding the plurality of contacts, wherein the plurality of contacts each has a first contact member to contact a contact of the counterpart connector, and a second contact member connected to the first contact member, the first contact member has a first contact portion to contact a contact of the counterpart connector, a first holding portion held in the housing, and a first connecting portion disposed opposite the first holding portion on a side opposite the first contact portion, the second contact member has a second connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, a second holding portion movably held in the housing in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and a second contact portion disposed opposite the second holding portion on a side opposite the second connecting portion, the first contact portion and the first connecting portion of the first contact member are located at the same position as viewed from the mating direction, the second connecting portion and the second contact portion of the second contact member are located at different positions as viewed from the mating direction, one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion has a flat plate portion extending in the mating direction, and the other has a pair of elastic pieces elastically contacting the flat plate portion from both sides sandwiching the flat plate portion, the arrangement direction of the first contact portions of the plurality of contacts and the arrangement direction of the second contact portions of the plurality of contacts are different from each other in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction, the second contact member is movably held in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction, the first contact member has a straight line shape extending in the mating direction from the first contact portion to the first connecting portion, the second contact member has a crank shape in which the second connecting portion and the second contact portion extend in the mating direction and the second holding portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction, in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction, the first contact portions of the plurality of contacts are arranged to be located at any one of four vertices of a predetermined rhombus, and the second contact portions of the plurality of contacts are arranged in a straight line, the other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion has two pairs of the elastic pieces arranged along the surface of the flat plate portion, the housing has a first housing holding the first contact members, and a second housing fixed to the first housing and holding the second contact members, the second holding portion of the second contact member is movably held between the first housing and the second housing in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction, the second holding portion of at least one of the plurality of contacts is located at a position at least partially overlapping the second holding portion of the other of the plurality of contacts as viewed from the mating direction, and the first connecting portion has the flat plate portion, and the first housing has a flat plate limiting portion limiting the orientation of the flat plate portion. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein ​ ​ 3. The connector of claim 2, wherein ​ 4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, ​ 5. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, ​ ​ 6. The connector of claim 5, wherein ​ 7. The connector of claim 5, wherein ​ 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein The flat plate portion of at least one of the plurality of contacts extends in a direction crossing the flat plate portions of the other contacts.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by The second contact portion contacts a wiring object.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein The second contact portion has a pair of elastic pieces that elastically contact the wiring object from both sides sandwiching the flat plate-shaped wiring object.

11. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by The third contact members are provided with a third housing connectable to the housing, and a plurality of second contact portions of the second contact member held in the third housing and connected to the second contact member of the plurality of contact members, The second contact portion has a flat plate portion extending along the fitting direction, The third contact member has a third connection portion composed of a pair of elastic pieces that elastically contact the flat plate portion of the second contact portion from both sides sandwiching the flat plate portion, and a third contact portion that contacts a wiring object.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein, The third contact portion has a pair of elastic pieces that elastically contact the wiring object from both sides sandwiching the flat plate-shaped wiring object.

13. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by The first contact portion has a round pin shape.

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