Sheet-shaped conductive member and connector

Abstract

The present application provides a sheet-shaped conductive member which can electrically connect flexible conductors respectively arranged on a surface side and a back surface side to one contact without using a dedicated relay conductive member. A sheet-shaped conductive member (15) has a tongue-shaped portion (15C) protruding in a tongue shape, an area (R2) in which a contact of a connector is arranged is divided on a surface of the sheet-shaped conductive member (15), a shielding layer (18D) is exposed in the area (R2), a shielding layer (18F) is exposed on a back surface of the tongue-shaped portion (15C), and a contact connecting portion (C) composed of a part of the shielding layer (18D) and a part of the shielding layer (18F) is formed in the area (R2) by turning back at least a part of the tongue-shaped portion (15C) to the surface side of the sheet-shaped conductive member (15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sheet-like conductive component, and more particularly to a sheet-like conductive component in which flexible conductors are exposed on both sides.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a connector having a sheet-like conductive component. Background Technology

[0003] In recent years, so-called smart fabrics that can obtain users' biometric information such as heart rate and body temperature simply by wearing them have attracted attention. These smart fabrics have electrodes installed in the measuring areas, and by electrically connecting wearable devices, which serve as measuring devices, to the electrodes, biometric information can be transmitted to the wearable devices.

[0004] The connection between the electrodes and the wearable device can be made, for example, by using a connector that connects to a flexible conductor extending from the electrodes.

[0005] As a structure for connecting the contacts of a connector to a flexible conductor, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses... Figure 30 The connection structure is shown. A contact 2 is disposed on the surface 1A of the flexible substrate 1, and a relay conductive member 3, pressed from the back side 1B of the flexible substrate 1 towards the surface 1A, is inserted into the recess 2A of the contact 2. When the relay conductive member 3 is inserted into the recess 2A of the contact 2, the cut end 1C of the flexible substrate 1 is rolled in and clamped between the inner surface of the recess 2A of the contact 2 and the relay conductive member 3.

[0006] Thus, the surface 1A of the flexible substrate 1 contacts the inner surface of the recess 2A of the contact 2, and the back surface 1B of the flexible substrate 1 contacts the relay conductive member 3. Furthermore, the contact portion 3A of the relay conductive member 3 contacts the inner surface of the recess 2A of the contact 2 on the inner side.

[0007] Therefore, if the flexible conductor is exposed on the surface 1A of the flexible substrate 1, the flexible conductor is directly connected to the contact 2. If the flexible conductor is exposed on the back surface 1B of the flexible substrate 1, the flexible conductor is electrically connected to the contact 2 via the relay conductive member 3. Furthermore, when the flexible conductor is exposed on both the surface 1A and the back surface 1B of the flexible substrate 1, both flexible conductors can be connected to a single contact 2.

[0008] Existing technical documents

[0009] Patent documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-187972

[0011] Thus, the flexible conductor exposed on the surface 1A of the flexible substrate 1 is directly in contact with the contact 2 and electrically connected. However, for the flexible conductor exposed on the back side 1B of the flexible substrate 1, the flexible conductor is connected to the contact 2 via a relay conductive member 3 disposed between the flexible conductor and the contact 2. Therefore, the number of contact points on the conductive path from the flexible conductor exposed on the back side 1B of the flexible substrate 1 to the contact 2 increases.

[0012] Furthermore, the number of components has increased due to the use of a dedicated relay conductive component 3. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The present invention was made to solve such conventional problems, and its object is to provide a sheet-like conductive component that can electrically connect a first flexible conductor disposed on the surface side of the sheet body and a second flexible conductor disposed on the back side of the sheet body to a contact without using a dedicated relay conductive component.

[0014] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector having such a sheet-like conductive component.

[0015] The sheet-like conductive member of the present invention extends along a predetermined plane and is mounted on a connector, the sheet-like conductive member comprising:

[0016] Insulating sheet body; and

[0017] A first flexible conductor disposed on the surface side of the sheet body and a second flexible conductor disposed on the back side of the sheet body.

[0018] The sheet-like conductive component has a tongue-shaped portion that protrudes in a tongue-like manner within a defined plane.

[0019] The surface of the sheet-like conductive component is divided into contact configuration areas for configuring the contacts of the connector.

[0020] The first flexible conductor is exposed in the contact configuration area.

[0021] The second flexible conductor is exposed on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion.

[0022] By folding at least a portion of the tongue toward the surface of the sheet-like conductive member, a contact connection portion consisting of a portion of the first flexible conductor and a portion of the second flexible conductor is formed in the contact configuration area.

[0023] Preferably, the tongue portion has an insertion hole extending from the surface of the sheet-like conductive member to the back side, and the tongue portion has an insertion portion at the front end that is wider than the insertion hole. The tongue portion is inserted into the insertion hole by means of the insertion portion of the tongue portion that is folded back towards the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member, and the folded-back tongue portion is retained.

[0024] In addition, the insertion hole can be formed in the contact configuration area or on the outside of the contact configuration area.

[0025] It can be configured such that the tongue-shaped portion extends outward from the contact configuration area in a direction away from the contact configuration area.

[0026] Alternatively, it can be configured to have an opening formed in the contact configuration area, with a tongue-shaped portion extending from the periphery of the contact configuration area into the opening.

[0027] In this case, preferably, the sheet-like conductive member has at least one protrusion in the contact configuration area that protrudes from the periphery of the contact configuration area into the opening in a defined plane, and the first flexible conductor is exposed on the surface of the at least one protrusion.

[0028] Alternatively, it may have a third flexible conductor, which is disposed between the first flexible conductor and the second flexible conductor and is electrically insulated from the first flexible conductor and the second flexible conductor.

[0029] The connector of the present invention comprises:

[0030] The aforementioned sheet-like conductive component;

[0031] The contact, in the contact configuration area of ​​the sheet-like conductive member, is electrically connected to a contact connection portion formed by a portion of a first flexible conductor and a portion of a second flexible conductor; and

[0032] An insulating housing is used to hold the sheet-like conductive parts and contacts.

[0033] The aforementioned connector engages with the connector on the other side along the engagement direction.

[0034] Preferably, the contact has a concave protrusion receiving portion.

[0035] The housing has a protrusion that inserts into a protrusion receiving portion of the contact.

[0036] The protrusion and the sheet-like conductive component are inserted together into the protrusion receiving portion of the contact. The first flexible conductor and the second flexible conductor, which are disposed in the contact configuration area, are sandwiched between the side of the protrusion and the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion in a direction orthogonal to the mating direction and are in contact with the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion. The contact is electrically connected to the first flexible conductor and the second flexible conductor.

[0037] Preferably, the contact has a cylindrical portion with a protruding receiving portion formed inside, and a flange formed at one end of the cylindrical portion.

[0038] The housing has a top insulator with a cylindrical portion through which the contacts are formed and a through hole for the contacts that is smaller than the flange, and a bottom insulator with protrusions.

[0039] The top insulator is fixed to the bottom insulator by means of a cylindrical portion of the contact passing through a through hole, and the sheet-like conductive component and flange are sandwiched between the top insulator and the bottom insulator, while the sheet-like conductive component and the contact are held in the housing.

[0040] The effects of the invention:

[0041] According to the present invention, a sheet-like conductive member has a tongue-shaped portion protruding in a tongue shape within a defined plane. A contact configuration area for configuring contacts of a connector is divided on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member. A first flexible conductor is exposed in the contact configuration area, and a second flexible conductor is exposed on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion. By folding at least a portion of the tongue-shaped portion back toward the surface side of the sheet body, a contact connection portion consisting of a portion of the first flexible conductor and a portion of the second flexible conductor is formed in the contact configuration area. Therefore, without using a dedicated relay conductive member, it is possible to electrically connect the first flexible conductor disposed on the surface side of the sheet body and the second flexible conductor disposed on the back side of the sheet body to a single contact. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the connector of Embodiment 1.

[0043] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 1.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the sheet-like conductive component used in the connector of Embodiment 1.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the sheet-like conductive component used in the connector of Embodiment 1, viewed from an obliquely upward angle.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the sheet-like conductive component used in the connector of Embodiment 1, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0047] Figure 6 This is a magnified three-dimensional view of a sheet-like conductive component, showing its tongue-shaped portion folded back, as viewed from an obliquely upward angle.

[0048] Figure 7 This is a magnified three-dimensional view of a sheet-like conductive component, showing its tongue-shaped portion folded back, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0049] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the contacts used in the connector of Embodiment 1.

[0050] Figure 9 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connector of Embodiment 1.

[0051] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the sheet-like conductive component in a modified example of Embodiment 1, viewed from an obliquely upward angle.

[0052] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the sheet-like conductive component in a modified example of Embodiment 1, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0053] Figure 12 This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a modified embodiment 1, showing the tongue-shaped portion in its folded-back state as viewed from an obliquely upward angle, of the sheet-like conductive component.

[0054] Figure 13 This is a partially enlarged perspective view of a modified embodiment 1, showing the tongue-shaped portion in its folded-back state as viewed from a slightly downward angle.

[0055] Figure 14 This is a partial perspective view showing the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0056] Figure 15 This is a partially exploded perspective view of the connector in Embodiment 2.

[0057] Figure 16 This is a partial perspective view showing the sheet-like conductive component used in the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0058] Figure 17 This is a partial top view showing the sheet-like conductive component used in the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0059] Figure 18 This is a partial bottom view showing the sheet-like conductive component used in the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0060] Figure 19 This is a cross-sectional view showing the contacts used in the connector of embodiment 2.

[0061] Figure 20 This is a partial perspective view showing the bottom insulator used in the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0062] Figure 21 This is a partial top view showing the bottom insulator used in the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0063] Figure 22 yes Figure 21 A sectional view along line AA.

[0064] Figure 23 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the top insulator used in the connector of embodiment 2.

[0065] Figure 24 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connection state of the tongue and contact in the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0066] Figure 25 This is a partial perspective cross-sectional view showing the connection state of the tongue and contact in the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0067] Figure 26 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the connection state of the protrusion and the contact in the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0068] Figure 27 This is a partial perspective sectional view showing the connection state of the protrusion and the contact in the connector of Embodiment 2.

[0069] Figure 28 This is a partial top view showing a sheet-like conductive component in a modified example of Embodiment 2.

[0070] Figure 29 This is a partial top view showing a sheet-like conductive component in another variation of Embodiment 2.

[0071] Figure 30 This is a cross-sectional view showing the existing connection structure.

[0072] Figure Labels

[0073] 1. Flexible substrate; 1A. Surface; 1B. Back side; 1C. Cut end; 2. Contact; 2A. Recess; 3. Relay conductive component; 3A. Contact portion; 11. Connector; 31. Housing; 12. Housing; 32. Contact; 13. Contact; 33A. Cylindrical portion; 13B. Flange; 33B. Flange; 13C. Protrusion receiving portion; 14. Reinforcing sheet; 14A. Opening; 14B. Cutout; 15. Sheet conductive component; 15A. Contact arrangement area; 15B. Through hole; 16C. Tongue portion; 15C. Tongue portion; 15D. Tongue portion; 16C. Through hole; 17C. Tongue portion; 18C. Tongue portion; 19D. Tongue portion; 20D. Tongue portion; 19D. Tongue portion; 10D. Tongue portion; 11. Connector; 12. Housing; 13. Contact; 14. Contact; 15A. Back side; 15B. Tongue portion; 15C. Back side; 16. Contact; 17C. Back side; 18C. Tongue portion; 19D. Tongue portion; 19D. Tongue portion; 10 ... 45F and 55F insertion holes, 15E, 25E, 45E, and 55E insertion portions, 16 bottom insulator, 16A and 36A flat plate portions, 16B and 36B protrusions, 17 top insulator, 17A recess, 17B and 37A through holes for contacts, 17C protrusion, 18A sheet body, 18B signal wiring layer (third flexible conductor), 18C and 18E insulating layers, 18D shielding layer (first flexible conductor), 18F shielding layer (second flexible conductor), 35B, 45B, and 55B openings, 35D, 45D, and 55D protrusions, 36C pressing portion, R1 and R2 areas, and C contact connection portion. Detailed Implementation

[0074] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] Implementation Method 1

[0076] Figure 1The connector 11 of embodiment 1 is shown. The connector 11 is used, for example, as a clothing-side connector for fitting a wearable device, and has a housing 12 made of insulating material. Four contacts 13 are held in the housing 12, and a reinforcing sheet 14 and a sheet-like conductive member 15 are held in an overlapping manner through the housing 12.

[0077] The four contacts 13 are arranged in two parallel columns and protrude perpendicularly relative to the sheet-like conductive component 15.

[0078] For convenience, the direction in which the reinforcing sheet 14 and the sheet-like conductive component 15 extend along the XY plane and the arrangement of the four contacts 13 is referred to as the Y direction, and the direction in which the four contacts 13 protrude is referred to as the +Z direction. The Z direction is the mating direction in which the connector 11 and the other-side connector are mated.

[0079] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of connector 11. Connector 11 has a bottom insulator 16 and a top insulator 17, which together form housing 12.

[0080] The top insulator 17 has a recess 17A opening in the +Z direction and four contact through holes 17B formed within the recess 17A. The recess 17A constitutes a counterpart connector receiving portion that accommodates a part of a counterpart connector (not shown), and the four contact through holes 17B correspond to four contacts 13. Furthermore, a plurality of protrusions 17C protruding in the -Z direction are formed on the surface of the top insulator 17.

[0081] The reinforcing sheet 14, made of insulating material, is used to reinforce mounting objects such as clothing (not shown) for mounting the connector 11 and has an opening 14A formed in the center. Furthermore, multiple cutouts 14B corresponding to the multiple protrusions 17C of the top insulator 17 are formed along the periphery of the opening 14A of the reinforcing sheet 14.

[0082] The four contacts 13 are plug-type contacts made of conductive materials such as metal. When a portion of the counterpart connector (not shown) is accommodated in the recess 17A of the top insulator 17, they connect with the corresponding contacts of the counterpart connector. Each contact 13 has a cylindrical portion 13A extending in the Z direction and a flange 13B extending along the XY plane from the -Z direction end of the cylindrical portion 13A.

[0083] In addition, three of the four contacts 13 are used as signal terminals for transmitting electrical signals, and the remaining contact 13 is connected to the ground potential and used as a shielding terminal.

[0084] Four contact configuration areas 15A for configuring four contacts 13 are divided on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 facing the +Z direction. Multiple through holes 15B corresponding to multiple protrusions 17C of the top insulator 17 are formed on the periphery of the sheet-like conductive member 15.

[0085] The bottom insulator 16 has a flat plate portion 16A, on which four protrusions 16B protruding in the +Z direction are formed. The four protrusions 16B correspond to four contacts 13. In addition, a plurality of through holes 16C corresponding to a plurality of protrusions 17C of the top insulator 17 are formed in the flat plate portion 16A.

[0086] The four contacts of the top insulator 17 are arranged in a position aligned with each other in the Z direction by the through hole 17B, the four contacts 13, the four contact configuration area 15A of the sheet conductive member 15, and the four protrusions 16B of the bottom insulator 16.

[0087] Similarly, the plurality of protrusions 17C of the top insulator 17, the plurality of cutouts 14B of the reinforcing sheet 14, the plurality of through holes 15B of the sheet conductive member 15, and the plurality of through holes 16C of the bottom insulator 16 are arranged in positions aligned with each other in the Z direction.

[0088] The contact through hole 17B of the top insulator 17 has an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 13A of the contact 13 and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 13B, thus enabling the cylindrical portion 13A of the contact 13 to be smoothly inserted.

[0089] In addition, the cutout 14B of the reinforcing sheet 14, the through hole 15B of the sheet conductive component 15, and the through hole 16C of the bottom insulator 16 each have a size that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the protrusion 17C of the top insulator 17.

[0090] like Figure 3 As shown, the sheet-like conductive component 15 has a sheet body 18A made of insulating material and has a multilayer structure. On the surface of the sheet body 18A facing the +Z direction, a signal wiring layer 18B (third flexible conductor) made of conductive material, an insulating layer 18C, a shielding layer 18D (first flexible conductor) made of conductive material and an insulating layer 18E are stacked sequentially. On the back side of the sheet body 18A facing the -Z direction, a shielding layer 18F (second flexible conductor) made of conductive material and an insulating layer 18G are stacked sequentially.

[0091] like Figure 4As shown, three of the four contact configuration areas 15A divided on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 facing the +Z direction form area R1, which is configured to serve as a signal terminal for three contacts 13, and the remaining contact configuration area 15A forms area R2, which is configured to serve as a shield terminal for a contact 13.

[0092] In the region R1 where the three contacts 13 that serve as signal terminals are configured, the signal wiring layer 18B is exposed in the +Z direction by removing the insulating layer 18E, the shielding layer 18D and the insulating layer 18C respectively.

[0093] On the other hand, in the +X direction side portion of region R2 where the contact 13, which serves as the shielding terminal, is disposed, the shielding layer 18D is exposed in the +Z direction by removing the insulating layer 18E. Furthermore, in the +X direction side portion of the sheet-like conductive member 15, the shielding layer 18D is also exposed in the +Z direction, and is integrally connected with the shielding layer 18D exposed in region R2.

[0094] Other areas of the surface of the sheet-like conductive component 15 facing the +Z direction are covered by the insulating layer 18E.

[0095] Furthermore, the sheet-like conductive member 15 has a tongue-shaped portion 15C protruding in a tongue-like manner in the -X direction within the XY plane on the outer side of the contact configuration region 15A forming region R2. The surface of the tongue-shaped portion 15C facing the +Z direction is also covered by an insulating layer 18E.

[0096] Furthermore, an insertion hole 15D extending in the Y direction and penetrating from the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 to the back side is formed in region R2, and an insertion portion 15E, which is wider in the Y direction than the insertion hole 15D, is formed at the -X direction end of the tongue-shaped portion 15C.

[0097] In addition, the multiple through holes 15B of the sheet-like conductive component 15 are configured to surround the four contact configuration areas 15A.

[0098] like Figure 5 As shown, on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion 15C facing the -Z direction, the shielding layer 18F is exposed in the -Z direction by removing the insulating layer 18G. Furthermore, on the +X direction side portion of the sheet-like conductive member 15, the shielding layer 18F is exposed in the -Z direction on the back side facing the -Z direction, and is integrally connected with the shielding layer 18F exposed in the tongue-shaped portion 15C.

[0099] Other areas of the back side of the sheet-like conductive component 15 facing the -Z direction are covered by an insulating layer 18G.

[0100] Here, if the tongue-shaped portion 15C protruding in the -X direction from the outer side of region R2 of the sheet-like conductive member 15 is folded back towards the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member 15, then as Figure 6As shown, the shielding layer 18F exposed on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion 15C faces the +Z direction. In this state, as... Figure 7 As shown, the insertion portion 15E formed at the end of the tongue-shaped portion 15C is inserted into the insertion hole 15D of the sheet-shaped conductive member 15 from the +Z direction side to the -Z direction side.

[0101] The insertion portion 15E is wider in the Y direction than the insertion hole 15D, so it is inserted into the insertion hole 15D through the insertion portion 15E, as shown below. Figure 6 As shown, the tongue-shaped portion 15C is held in a state where it is folded back towards the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member 15. Thus, in the region R2 defined on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15, a shielding layer 18F exposed on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion 15C is disposed on the -X direction side of the insertion hole 15D.

[0102] That is, the shielding layer 18D is partially exposed on the +X direction side of region R2, and the shielding layer 18F is partially exposed on the -X direction side of region R2. A contact connection portion C, which is composed of a portion of the shielding layer 18D and a portion of the shielding layer 18F, is formed in region R2. The contact connection portion C is electrically connected to the contact 13, which is disposed in region R2 in connector 11 and serves as a shielding terminal.

[0103] like Figure 8 As shown, a concave protrusion receiving portion 13C with an opening in the -Z direction is formed inside the cylindrical portion 13A of the contact 13, and a flange 13B extends from the opening end of the protrusion receiving portion 13C along the XY plane.

[0104] When assembling connector 11, firstly, multiple protrusions 17C of the top insulator 17 are inserted into multiple cuts 14B of the reinforcing sheet 14. At this time, the four contacts of the top insulator 17 are located within the openings 14A of the reinforcing sheet 14 via through holes 17B.

[0105] Next, the cylindrical portions 13A of the contacts 13 corresponding to the four contacts of the top insulator 17 via the through holes 17B are inserted from the -Z direction, and the bottom insulator 16 clamps the sheet-like conductive member 15 in the middle and presses it toward the top insulator 17 in the +Z direction. At this time, the flanges 13B of each contact 13 are located above the corresponding contact arrangement areas 15A of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and the corresponding protrusions 16B of the bottom insulator 16 are pressed into the sheet-like conductive member 15 and inserted into the protrusion receiving portion 13C of the contact 13.

[0106] At this time, if the sheet-like conductive member 15 is elastic, the protrusion 16B is inserted into the protrusion receiving portion 13C while being surrounded by the sheet-like conductive member 15. However, if the sheet-like conductive member 15 lacks elasticity, it is preferable to insert the sheet-like conductive member 15 into the protrusion receiving portion 13C after pre-cutting the sheet-like conductive member 15 at the position corresponding to the protrusion 16B.

[0107] Furthermore, by pressing the bottom insulator 16 onto the top insulator 17, the multiple protrusions 17C of the top insulator 17 sequentially penetrate the multiple through holes 15B of the sheet-like conductive member 15 and the multiple through holes 16C of the bottom insulator 16, and by thermally deforming the front ends of the multiple protrusions 17C protruding toward the -Z direction side of the bottom insulator 16, the top insulator 17 and the bottom insulator 16 are fixed to each other, thus completing the assembly of the connector 11.

[0108] Additionally, each contact 13 is fixed to the top insulator 17 and the bottom insulator 16 by being clamped between the top insulator 17 and the bottom insulator 16 via the flange 13B.

[0109] Here, in region R2, where the sheet-like conductive member 15, which serves as a shielding terminal, is arranged, such as Figure 6 As shown, the shielding layer 18D is exposed on the +X direction side of region R2, and the shielding layer 18F is exposed on the -X direction side of region R2. Therefore, if the protrusion 16B of the bottom insulator 16 is inserted into the protrusion receiving portion 13C of the contact 13 disposed in region R2, then as Figure 9 As shown, the sheet-like conductive member 15 is sandwiched between the side of the protrusion 16B and the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 13C of the contact 13. The shielding layer 18D contacts the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 13C of the contact 13 in the +X direction with a predetermined contact pressure. Furthermore, the shielding layer 18F contacts the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 13C of the contact 13 in the -X direction with a predetermined contact pressure. Thus, both the shielding layer 18D and the shielding layer 18F forming the contact connection portion C are electrically connected to the contact 13 disposed in region R2.

[0110] Thus, according to embodiment 1, the connector 11 can electrically connect the shielding layer 18D (first flexible conductor) disposed on the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 and the shielding layer 18F (second flexible conductor) disposed on the back side to a contact 13 disposed in region R2 without using a dedicated relay conductive member.

[0111] Furthermore, in the three regions R1 of the four contact configuration regions 15A divided on the surface of the sheet conductive member 15, where the three contacts 13 are configured as signal terminals, the signal wiring layer 18B is exposed. Therefore, if the protrusion 16B of the bottom insulator 16 is inserted into the protrusion receiving portion 13C of the contact 13 configured in region R1, although not shown, the sheet conductive member 15 is sandwiched between the side of the protrusion 16B and the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 13C of the contact 13. The signal wiring layer 18B (third flexible conductor) contacts the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 13C of the contact 13 with a specified contact pressure and is electrically connected to the contact 13 configured in region R1.

[0112] In addition, a prescribed pattern is implemented on the signal wiring layer 18B, and three contacts 13 disposed in the three regions R1 are respectively connected to three wirings formed by the signal wiring layer 18B and insulated from each other.

[0113] like Figure 3 As shown, the signal wiring layer 18B is stacked between the shielding layers 18D and 18F in a state of insulation by the shielding layer 18D disposed on the surface side of the sheet conductive member 15 and the shielding layer 18F disposed on the back side. Therefore, by connecting the contact 13 disposed in region R2 and connected to the shielding layers 18D and 18F to the ground potential, the shielding effect of the signal wiring layer 18B can be achieved, and high-precision signal transmission with suppression of interference caused by electromagnetic waves and the like can be performed.

[0114] In the above embodiment 1, the insertion hole 15D of the sheet-like conductive member 15 is formed in the region R2, and the insertion portion 15E of the tongue-shaped portion 15C is inserted into the insertion hole 15D. However, it is not limited to this; for example, such as... Figure 10 As shown in the sheet-like conductive component 25, an insertion hole 25D can also be formed on the outside of region R2 and near region R2.

[0115] In the sheet-like conductive member 25, insertion holes 25D extending in the Y direction are formed on both the +Y and -Y direction sides of region R2, separated by region R2. A pair of insertion portions 25E are formed at intervals in the Y direction at the -X direction end of the tongue-shaped portion 25C of the sheet-like conductive member 25. Each insertion portion 25E is wider in the Y direction than its corresponding insertion hole 25D.

[0116] The sheet-like conductive component 25 has a similarity to Figure 3 The sheet-like conductive component 15 shown has the same multilayer structure, with the shielding layer 18D exposed in the +Z direction on the +X side of region R2.

[0117] In addition, such as Figure 11As shown, on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion 25C facing the -Z direction, the shielding layer 18F is exposed in the -Z direction.

[0118] If the tongue-shaped portion 25C is folded back towards the surface of the sheet-like conductive component 25, then as Figure 12 As shown, the shielding layer 18F exposed on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion 25C faces the +Z direction. In this state, as... Figure 13 As shown, a pair of insertion portions 25E formed at the end of the tongue-shaped portion 25C are inserted from the +Z direction side to the -Z direction side into a pair of insertion holes 25D of the sheet-shaped conductive member 25.

[0119] Therefore, as Figure 12 As shown, the tongue-shaped portion 25C is held in a state of being folded back towards the surface side of the sheet-shaped conductive member 25. A shielding layer 18D is disposed on the +X direction side portion of region R2, and a shielding layer 18F is disposed on the -X direction side portion of region R2. A contact connection portion C composed of a part of the shielding layer 18D and a part of the shielding layer 18F is formed in region R2.

[0120] Using such a sheet-like conductive component 25, similar to Embodiment 1 described above, without using a dedicated relay conductive component, it is possible to electrically connect both the shielding layer 18D (first flexible conductor) disposed on the surface side of the sheet-like conductive component 25 and the shielding layer 18F (second flexible conductor) disposed on the back side to a contact 13 disposed in region R2.

[0121] Implementation Method 2

[0122] Figure 14 The connector 31 of Embodiment 2 is shown. Connector 31 is also similar to connector 11 of Embodiment 1, for example, used as a clothing-side connector for fitting wearable devices, and has four contacts 33, but... Figure 14 Only the vicinity of contact 33, which serves as a shielding terminal, is shown in the figure; other contacts used as signal terminals are omitted from the illustration.

[0123] The connector 31 has a housing 32 made of insulating material and a sheet-like conductive part 35 and a contact 33 held by the housing 32.

[0124] like Figure 15 As shown, connector 31 has a bottom insulator 36 and a top insulator 37, which together form housing 32. A sheet-like conductive member 35 and a contact 33 are disposed between the bottom insulator 36 and the top insulator 37.

[0125] The surface of the sheet-like conductive member 35 facing the +Z direction is divided into four contact arrangement areas 35A, similar to those of the sheet-like conductive member 15 in Embodiment 1. However, as... Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, a generally circular opening 35B is formed inside the contact configuration area 35A of the contact 33, which is configured as a shielding terminal, and extends through the sheet-like conductive member 35 in the Z direction.

[0126] The opening 35B includes: a tongue-shaped portion 35C extending in the X direction from the periphery of the contact arrangement region 35A on the -X direction side within the opening 35B; and a pair of protrusions 35D protruding in the XY plane from the peripheries of the contact arrangement region 35A on the +Y direction side and the periphery on the -Y direction side, respectively, towards the opening 35B in the Y direction. The tongue-shaped portion 35C has an X-direction length longer than the radius of the generally circular opening 35B, and the pair of protrusions 35D each have a Y-direction length shorter than the radius of the generally circular opening 35B.

[0127] like Figure 17 As shown, the shielding layer 18D disposed on the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member 35 is exposed on the surface of a pair of protrusions 35D facing the +Z direction, as... Figure 18 As shown, the shielding layer 18F disposed on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 35 is exposed on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion 35C facing the -Z direction.

[0128] like Figure 19 As shown, contact 33, like contact 13 in Embodiment 1, is a plug-type contact made of a conductive material such as metal. It has a cylindrical portion 33A extending in the Z direction and a flange 33B extending along the XY plane from the -Z end of the cylindrical portion 33A. A concave protrusion receiving portion 33C opening in the -Z direction is formed inside the cylindrical portion 33A.

[0129] like Figures 20-22 As shown, the bottom insulator 36 has a flat plate portion 36A, on which a protrusion 36B protruding in the +Z direction is formed. When assembling the connector 31, the protrusion 36B, together with the sheet-like conductive member 35, is inserted into the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33. A pressing portion 36C is formed on the side of the protrusion 36B in the -X direction, which presses the tongue-shaped portion 35C of the sheet-like conductive member 35 against the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33.

[0130] The tongue-shaped portion 35C is sandwiched between the protrusion 36B and the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 33C in a state where it is folded back in the middle part of the tongue-shaped portion 35C in the X direction. Therefore, the pressing portion 36C has a width that is slightly wider than the width dimension of the tongue-shaped portion 35C in the circumferential direction of the protrusion 36B, and has a shape that is more concave towards the central axis of the protrusion 36B than the side surface on the +Y direction side and the side surface on the -Y direction side of the protrusion 36B.

[0131] like Figure 23As shown, the top insulator 37 has a contact through hole 37A. The contact through hole 37A has an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 33A of the contact 33 and smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 33B, thus enabling the cylindrical portion 33A of the contact 33 to be smoothly inserted.

[0132] When assembling connector 31, such as Figure 24 As shown, the cylindrical portion 33A of the contact 33 is inserted into the contact through-hole 37A of the top insulator 37 from the -Z direction, and the bottom insulator 36 clamps the sheet-like conductive member 35 in the middle and presses it towards the top insulator 37 in the +Z direction. At this time, the shielding layer 18F exposed on the back side of the tongue-like portion 35C by folding back in the middle of the length direction of the tongue-like portion 35C faces the +Z direction. In this state, the tongue-like portion 35C of the sheet-like conductive member 35 is bent in the +Z direction by the protrusion 36B of the bottom insulator 36 and inserted into the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33.

[0133] Thus, the tongue-shaped portion 35C is sandwiched between the pressing portion 36C of the protrusion 36B and the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33. However, since the tongue-shaped portion 35C is folded back, the shielding layer 18F contacts the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33 in the -X direction with a specified contact pressure, and the shielding layer 18F is electrically connected to the contact 33.

[0134] Figure 25 This shows the contact state between the shielding layer 18F of the tongue portion 35C of the sheet conductive member 35 and the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33.

[0135] In addition, such as Figure 26 As shown, a pair of protrusions 35D of the sheet-like conductive member 35 also bend in the +Z direction through the protrusion 36B of the bottom insulator 36 and are inserted into the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33, and are sandwiched between the side of the protrusion 36B and the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33.

[0136] In these protrusions 35D, the shielding layer 18D is exposed on the surface facing the +Z direction. Therefore, the shielding layer 18D of a pair of protrusions 35D contacts the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33 on the +Y direction side and the inner surface on the -Y direction side with a specified contact pressure, respectively, and the shielding layer 18D is electrically connected to the contact 33.

[0137] Figure 27 This shows the contact state between the shielding layer 18D of the protrusion 35D of the sheet-like conductive member 35 and the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 33C of the contact 33.

[0138] Thus, the shielding layer 18F of the tongue portion 35C and the shielding layer 18D of the pair of protrusions 35D are electrically connected to the contact 33.

[0139] Thus, with the connector 31 of embodiment 2, without using a dedicated relay conductive component, it is possible to electrically connect the shielding layer 18D (first flexible conductor) disposed on the surface side of the sheet conductive component 35 and the shielding layer 18F (second flexible conductor) disposed on the back side to a contact 33 disposed in the contact configuration area 35A.

[0140] Furthermore, although not shown, other contacts 33 used as signal terminals are also arranged in the contact arrangement area of ​​the exposed sheet-like conductive member 35 of the signal wiring layer 18B in the same manner as in Embodiment 1, and are electrically connected to the signal wiring layer 18B. The signal wiring layer 18B is stacked between these shielding layers 18D and 18F in a state of insulation by the shielding layer 18D arranged on the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member 35 and the shielding layer 18F arranged on the back side. Therefore, by connecting the contacts 33 connected to the shielding layers 18D and 18F to the ground potential, the shielding effect of the signal wiring layer 18B can be achieved, and high-precision signal transmission with suppression of interference caused by electromagnetic waves and the like can be performed.

[0141] It can also be used Figure 28 The sheet-like conductive member 45 shown replaces the sheet-like conductive member 35. Similar to the sheet-like conductive member 35, an opening 45B is formed inside the contact arrangement region 45A defined on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 45 facing the +Z direction. Within the opening 45B, a tongue-shaped portion 45C extending in the +X direction and a pair of protrusions 45D extending in the Y direction are arranged. Although not shown, the shielding layer 18F is exposed on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion 45C facing the -Z direction, and the shielding layer 18D is exposed on the surface of the pair of protrusions 45D facing the +Z direction.

[0142] In the sheet-like conductive member 45, an insertion hole 45F is formed at the base end of the tongue-shaped portion 45C and inside the contact arrangement area 45A, extending from the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 45 to the back side. An insertion portion 45E is formed at the +X direction end of the tongue-shaped portion 45C, which is wider in the Y direction than the insertion hole 45F.

[0143] By using the sheet-like conductive member 45 with this structure, when the tongue-shaped portion 45C is folded back at the middle part in the X direction, similarly to Embodiment 1, the tongue-shaped portion 45C is held in a state of being folded back towards the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member 45 by inserting the insertion portion 45E formed at the end of the tongue-shaped portion 45C into the insertion hole 45F of the sheet-like conductive member 45.

[0144] Therefore, it can improve the workability during connector assembly.

[0145] In addition, it can also be used Figure 29 The sheet-like conductive member 55 is shown. Similar to the sheet-like conductive member 45, an opening 55B is formed inside the contact arrangement region 55A defined on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 55 in the +Z direction. Within the opening 55B, a tongue-shaped portion 55C extending in the +X direction and a pair of protrusions 55D extending in the Y direction are arranged. Although not shown, the shielding layer 18F is exposed on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion 55C in the -Z direction, and the shielding layer 18D is exposed on the surface of the pair of protrusions 55D in the +Z direction.

[0146] In the sheet-like conductive member 55, an insertion hole 55F is formed on the -X direction side of the tongue portion 55C and on the outside of the contact arrangement area 55A, extending from the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 55 to the back side. An insertion portion 55E is formed at the +X direction end of the tongue portion 55C, which is wider in the Y direction than the insertion hole 55F.

[0147] By using the sheet-like conductive member 55 with this structure, when the tongue-like portion 55C is folded back at the middle part in the X direction, the tongue-like portion 55C is held in a state of being folded back towards the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member 55 by inserting the insertion portion 55E formed at the end of the tongue-like portion 55C into the insertion hole 55F of the sheet-like conductive member 55.

[0148] Therefore, the use of sheet-shaped conductive components 55 can also improve the workability during connector assembly.

[0149] Furthermore, the sheet-like conductive components 15, 25, and 35 used in embodiments 1 and 2 described above have Figure 3 The multilayer structure shown is not limited to this, as long as it has at least a first flexible conductor disposed on the surface side of the sheet body and a second flexible conductor disposed on the back side of the sheet body.

[0150] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 and 2 described above, the two conductive layers consisting of shielding layers 18D and 18F of the sheet-like conductive members 15, 25, and 35 are connected to a contact 13, 33 serving as a shielding terminal, but this is not a limitation. For example, by forming multiple tongue-shaped portions in the sheet-like conductive members having three or more conductive layers and folding these tongue-shaped portions back, it is also possible to form a contact connection portion consisting of a portion of each conductive layer in the contact arrangement area, and to connect three or more conductive layers to a single contact.

[0151] Furthermore, the connector 11 of Embodiment 1 and the connector 31 of Embodiment 2 described above have four contacts 13 and 33, including a contact used as a shielding terminal and a contact used as a signal terminal. However, the number of contacts is not limited to this, as long as at least one contact is electrically connected to a first flexible conductor disposed on the surface side of the sheet body of the sheet conductive members 15, 25, and 35 and a second flexible conductor disposed on the back side of the sheet body.

[0152] In the above embodiments 1 and 2, plug-type contacts 13 and 33 were used, but it is not limited to this. Similarly, a connector with socket-type contacts can also be constructed.

[0153] In the connector 11 of Embodiment 1, a reinforcing sheet 14 is disposed between the bottom insulator 16 and the top insulator 17. However, if it is not necessary to reinforce the object to which the connector 11 is mounted, such as clothing, the reinforcing sheet 14 may be omitted. Alternatively, the reinforcing sheet 14 used in Embodiment 1 may be disposed between the bottom insulator 36 and the top insulator 37 of the connector 31 of Embodiment 2.

Claims

1. A sheet-like conductive component extending along a defined plane and mounted on a connector, characterized in that, The sheet-like conductive component includes: Insulating sheet body; and A first flexible conductor disposed on the surface side of the sheet body and a second flexible conductor disposed on the back side of the sheet body. The sheet-like conductive component has a tongue-shaped portion that protrudes in a tongue shape within the defined plane. A contact configuration area for configuring the contacts of the connector is defined on the surface of the sheet-like conductive component. The first flexible conductor is exposed in the contact configuration area. The second flexible conductor is exposed on the back side of the tongue-shaped portion. By folding at least a portion of the tongue toward the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member, a contact connection portion consisting of a portion of the first flexible conductor and a portion of the second flexible conductor is formed in the contact configuration area.

2. The sheet-like conductive component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sheet-like conductive component has an insertion hole extending from the surface of the sheet-like conductive component to its back side. The tongue-shaped portion has an insertion portion at its front end that is wider than the insertion hole. The tongue-shaped portion, which is folded back towards the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member, is inserted into the insertion hole, and the folded-back tongue-shaped portion is held in place.

3. The sheet-like conductive component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insertion hole is formed within the contact configuration area.

4. The sheet-like conductive component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The insertion hole is formed on the outside of the contact configuration area.

5. The sheet-like conductive component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tongue-shaped portion extends outward from the contact configuration area in a direction away from the contact configuration area.

6. The sheet-like conductive component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sheet-like conductive component has an opening formed within the contact configuration area. The tongue-shaped portion extends from the periphery of the contact configuration area into the opening.

7. The sheet-like conductive component according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sheet-like conductive component has at least one protrusion within the defined plane protruding from the periphery of the contact configuration area into the opening. The first flexible conductor is exposed on the surface of the at least one protrusion.

8. The sheet-like conductive component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sheet-like conductive component includes a third flexible conductor disposed between the first flexible conductor and the second flexible conductor, and is electrically insulated from both the first flexible conductor and the second flexible conductor.

9. A connector, characterized in that, have: The sheet-like conductive component according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The contact, in the contact configuration region of the sheet-like conductive member, is electrically connected to the contact connection portion formed by a portion of the first flexible conductor and a portion of the second flexible conductor; and An insulating housing is provided to hold the sheet-like conductive component and the contacts. The connector engages with the connector on the opposite side along the engagement direction.

10. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that, The contact has a concave protrusion receiving portion. The housing has a protrusion that inserts into the protrusion receiving portion of the contact. The protrusion, together with the sheet-like conductive component, is inserted into the protrusion receiving portion of the contact. The first flexible conductor and the second flexible conductor, disposed in the contact configuration area, are sandwiched between the side of the protrusion and the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion in a direction orthogonal to the mating direction, and thus contact the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion. The contact is electrically connected to the first flexible conductor and the second flexible conductor.

11. The connector according to claim 10, characterized in that, The contact has a cylindrical portion with the protrusion receiving portion formed inside, and a flange formed at one end of the cylindrical portion. The housing has a top insulator with a through hole for the contact formed by the cylindrical portion of the contact and smaller than the flange, and a bottom insulator with the protrusion formed thereon. The top insulator is fixed to the bottom insulator by having the cylindrical portion of the contact pass through the contact through hole, and by clamping the sheet-like conductive member and the flange between the top insulator and the bottom insulator, while the sheet-like conductive member and the contact are held in the housing.

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