Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The present application provides a connector that can electrically connect a contact to a flexible conductor of a connection object even if the flexible conductor is exposed on either of a front surface and a back surface of the connection object. An insertion portion (18A) of an inner contact (18) has a contact portion (P1) that contacts a plug contact (13) inside a recess (13C), and a pressing portion (P2) that is disposed on the opposite side of the contact portion (P1) across a fitting axis (C), the pressing portion (P2) and an inner surface of the recess (13C) sandwich a protruding portion (15K) of a sheet-shaped conductive member (15) in a direction orthogonal to the fitting axis, the inner surface of the recess (13C) contacts a surface of the sheet-shaped conductive member (15), the pressing portion (P2) contacts a back surface of the sheet-shaped conductive member (15), the plug contact (13) is directly electrically connected to a shielding layer (15D), and is electrically connected to a shielding layer (15F) via the inner contact (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector for connecting to a sheet-like connecting object with a flexible conductor exposed on at least one side.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a connector assembly in which such a connector is mounted on a connected object. 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 wearable devices can be made, for example, by using a connector that connects to a flexible conductor extending from the electrodes.

[0005] As such a connector, for example, is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Figure 20 The connector shown is a housing 2 and a base component 3, which sandwich a flexible substrate 1 in the middle and are disposed on both sides of the flexible substrate 1. The cylindrical portion 4A of the contact 4 passes through the contact through hole 2A of the housing 2, and the flange 4B of the contact 4 is sandwiched between the housing 2 and the flexible conductor 1A exposed on the surface of the flexible substrate 1.

[0006] In this state, by pushing the base component 3 into the housing 2, as... Figure 21 As shown, the protrusion 3A of the base component 3 is inserted into the protrusion receiving portion 4C of the contact 4 in such a way that the flexible substrate 1 is sandwiched in the middle. The inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 4C contacts the flexible conductor 1A with a specified contact force, thereby electrically connecting the contact 4 to the flexible conductor 1A.

[0007] In addition, such as Figure 20 As shown, the housing 2 and the base component 3 are fixed together by pressing the housing fixing post 3B protruding from the base component 3 into the post receiving portion 2B of the housing 2.

[0008] Existing technical documents

[0009] Patent documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-129244

[0011] By fitting the wearable device with the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the wearable device can be connected to an electrode made of a flexible conductor.

[0012] However, in the case where the flexible conductor 1A is exposed on the back side of the flexible substrate 1, there is a problem in the connector of Patent Document 1 that the flexible conductor 1A cannot be electrically connected to the contact 4. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The present invention was made to solve such conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a connector and connector assembly that can electrically connect the contacts to the flexible conductor of the connected object even if the flexible conductor is exposed on either the front or back side of the connected object.

[0014] The connector of the present invention comprises:

[0015] A cylindrical conductive plug contact having a recess extending along the engagement axis; and

[0016] The conductive inner contact has a cylindrical, elastically deformable insertion portion that inserts into a recess and through which a fitting shaft passes.

[0017] The insertion portion includes: a contact portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and in contact with a plug contact within a recess; and a pressing portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and located on the opposite side of the contact portion across a fitting shaft.

[0018] A portion of a sheet-like connecting object with at least one exposed flexible conductor is sandwiched between the inner surfaces of a pressing portion and a recess in a direction orthogonal to the mating axis. The inner surface of the recess contacts the surface of the connecting object, and the pressing portion contacts the back side of the connecting object. Thus, when the flexible conductor is exposed on the surface of the connecting object, the plug contact is directly electrically connected to the flexible conductor; when the flexible conductor is exposed on the back side of the connecting object, the plug contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor via an inner contact.

[0019] Preferably, the insertion portion has a contact portion and a pressing portion formed at the same position along the direction of the fitting axis.

[0020] A portion of the object to be connected is sandwiched between the inner surfaces of the pressing part and the recess. The insertion part elastically deforms in such a way that the gap between the contact part and the pressing part narrows. The contact part elastically contacts the inner surface of the recess, and the pressing part elastically presses a portion of the object to be connected toward the inner surface of the recess.

[0021] Preferably, the plug contact has a cylindrical portion and a first flange formed at one end of the cylindrical portion.

[0022] The inner contact has a second flange formed at one end of the insertion portion and configured to overlap with the first flange.

[0023] The concave portion is formed by the interior of the cylindrical portion.

[0024] The object being connected is sandwiched between the first flange and the second flange.

[0025] Preferably, the connector has a housing for maintaining insulation of the connected object, the plug contacts, and the inner contacts.

[0026] The housing has:

[0027] The top insulator has a through hole for the plug contact, which is smaller than the first flange, through which the cylindrical portion of the plug contact passes; and

[0028] Bottom insulator,

[0029] The top insulator is fixed to the bottom insulator in such a way that the cylindrical portion of the plug contact passes through the through hole of the contact, and the connecting object, the first flange and the second flange are sandwiched between the top insulator and the bottom insulator.

[0030] Preferably, the bottom insulator has an inner contact temporary holding portion that is inserted into the interior of the inner contact insertion portion and temporarily holds the inner contact.

[0031] Preferably, the inner contact temporary holding portion has: a cylindrical portion extending along the fitting axis; and a pair of temporary holding pieces protruding from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion in a direction orthogonal to the fitting axis and about the fitting axis in a direction orthogonal to the contact portion and the pressing portion, wherein the inner contact is temporarily held in the bottom insulator by fitting the insertion portion onto the inner contact temporary holding portion.

[0032] The inner contact insertion portion can be configured such that: a large-diameter portion having a cylindrical shape centered on a fitting axis; and a small-diameter portion connected to the large-diameter portion and having a cylindrical shape centered on a fitting axis, which is embedded in the interior of the small-diameter portion by a pair of temporary retaining pieces, the inner contact being temporarily held in the bottom insulator, and the contact portion and the pressing portion being disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion.

[0033] The connector assembly of the present invention comprises:

[0034] Connecting objects; and

[0035] The connector described above is connected to the object to be connected.

[0036] The object to be connected has an opening corresponding to the recess of the plug contact, and a protrusion protruding from the edge of the opening into the opening.

[0037] The insertion part is inserted into the recess through the opening while the protrusion is pushed in, and the protrusion is sandwiched between the pressing part and the inner surface of the recess as part of the object to be connected.

[0038] The effects of the invention:

[0039] According to the present invention, the elastically deformable insertion portion of the inner contact inserted into the recess of the plug contact has: a contact portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and in contact with the plug contact within the recess; and a pressing portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and disposed on the opposite side of the contact portion across a fitting axis. A portion of the object to be connected is sandwiched between the pressing portion and the inner surface of the recess in a direction orthogonal to the fitting axis. The inner surface of the recess is in contact with the surface of the object to be connected, and the pressing portion is in contact with the back surface of the object to be connected. When the flexible conductor is exposed on the surface of the object to be connected, the plug contact is directly electrically connected to the flexible conductor. When the flexible conductor is exposed on the back surface of the object to be connected, the plug contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor via the inner contact. Therefore, even if the flexible conductor is exposed on either the surface or the back surface of the object to be connected, the contact can be electrically connected to the flexible conductor of the object to be connected. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly according to an embodiment.

[0041] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly according to the embodiment.

[0042] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the top insulator used in the connector according to an embodiment.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the bottom insulator used in the connector according to an embodiment.

[0044] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the temporary holding portion of the inner contact formed in the bottom insulator.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a top view showing the temporary holding portion of the inner contact formed in the bottom insulator.

[0046] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional view showing the protrusions formed in the bottom insulator.

[0047] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the plug contacts used in the connector according to an embodiment.

[0048] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the plug contacts used in the connector according to an embodiment.

[0049] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing the connection object used in the connector assembly of the embodiment.

[0050] Figure 11This is a perspective view of the connector object used in the connector assembly of the embodiment, viewed from an oblique top.

[0051] Figure 12 This is a three-dimensional view of the openings and protrusions of the connected objects, viewed from an obliquely upward angle.

[0052] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the connector object used in the connector assembly of the embodiment, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0053] Figure 14 This is a three-dimensional view of the openings and protrusions of the connected objects, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0054] Figure 15 This is a perspective view showing the inner contact used in the connector according to an embodiment.

[0055] Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional view showing the inner contact used in the connector according to an embodiment.

[0056] Figure 17 This is a three-dimensional view of the connector assembly during the assembly process, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0057] Figure 18 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state of a plug with an inner contact inserted into a connector assembly according to an embodiment.

[0058] Figure 19 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state of the connector assembly with protruding plug contacts inserted into it according to the embodiment.

[0059] Figure 20 This is an exploded 3D view of an existing connector.

[0060] Figure 21 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the existing connector.

[0061] Figure Labels

[0062] 1 Flexible substrate, 1A Flexible conductor, 2 Housing, 2A Through hole for contact, 2B Post receiving portion, 3 Base component, 3A Protrusion, 3B Post for housing fixing, 4 Contact, 4A Cylindrical portion, 4B Flange, 4C Protrusion receiving portion, 11 Connector, 12 Housing, 13 Plug contact, 13A Cylindrical portion, 13B First flange, 13C Recess, 15 Sheet conductive component, 15A Sheet body, 15B Signal wiring layer, 15C, 15E, 15G Insulating layers, 15D, 15F Shielding layers, 15H Contact arrangement area 15J Opening, 15K Protrusion, 15L Through Hole, 16 Top Insulator, 16A Recess, 16B Through Hole for Contact, 16C Protrusion, 17 Bottom Insulator, 17A Flat Plate, 17B Recess, 17C Temporary Inner Contact Holding Part, 17D Protrusion, 17E Through Hole, 17F Cylindrical Part, 17G Temporary Holding Plate, 18 Inner Contact, 18A Insertion Part, 18B Second Flange, C Fitting Shaft, R1, R2 Regions, P1 Contact Part, P2 Pressing Part, W1 Width, D1 Inner Diameter, D2 Outer Diameter, F1 Force. Detailed Implementation

[0063] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Figure 1 A connector assembly according to an embodiment is shown. The connector assembly has a connector 11. The connector 11, for example, serves as a clothing-side connector for fitting a wearable device, and has a housing 12 made of insulating material. Four plug contacts 13 are held in the housing 12, and a sheet-like conductive member 15 is also held through the housing 12. The sheet-like conductive member 15 forms a connection object for connecting the connector 11, and the connector 11 and the sheet-like conductive member 15 constitute the connector assembly.

[0065] The four plug contacts 13 are arranged in two parallel rows and protrude perpendicularly relative to the sheet-like conductive component 15.

[0066] For convenience, the sheet-like conductive component 15 extends along the XY plane. The arrangement direction of the four plug contacts 13 is called the Y direction, and the direction in which the four plug contacts 13 protrude is called the +Z direction. The Z direction is the mating direction of the connector 11 and the other side connector.

[0067] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly. The connector 11 has a top insulator 16 and a bottom insulator 17, which together form the housing 12.

[0068] Four plug contacts 13 are arranged on the -Z direction side of the top insulator 16, and a sheet-like conductive member 15 is arranged on the -Z direction side of the four plug contacts 13. Furthermore, an inner contact 18 is arranged on the -Z direction side of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and a bottom insulator 17 is arranged on the -Z direction side of the inner contact 18. The inner contact 18 corresponds to one of the four plug contacts 13 located on the -X and -Y direction sides.

[0069] The connector 11 consists of a top insulator 16 and a bottom insulator 17, four plug contacts 13 and an inner contact 18.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, the top insulator 16 has a recess 16A opening towards the +Z direction and four contact through holes 16B formed within the recess 16A. The recess 16A constitutes a counterpart connector receiving portion that accommodates a part of a counterpart connector (not shown), and the four contact through holes 16B correspond to four plug contacts 13. Furthermore, a plurality of protrusions 16C protruding in the -Z direction are formed on the surface of the top insulator 16.

[0071] like Figure 4 As shown, the bottom insulator 17 has a flat plate portion 17A, on which four circular recesses 17B are formed, each opening in the +Z direction. The four recesses 17B correspond to four plug contacts 13. One of the four recesses 17B, located on the -X and -Y direction sides, has an inner contact temporary holding portion 17C protruding in the +Z direction, while the other three recesses 17B have three protrusions 17D protruding in the +Z direction.

[0072] In addition, a plurality of through holes 17E are formed in the flat plate portion 17A, corresponding to a plurality of protrusions 16C of the top insulator 16.

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown, the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C formed in the recess 17B on the -X and -Y direction sides of the bottom insulator 17 has a cylindrical portion 17F extending in the Z direction, and a pair of temporary holding pieces 17G protruding from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 17F in the +X and -X directions. Figure 6 As shown, the internal contact temporary holding portion 17C has a width W1 in the X direction in the portion where a pair of temporary holding pieces 17G are formed.

[0074] like Figure 7 As shown, the protrusions 17D formed in the other three recesses 17B each have a generally regular hexagonal prism shape extending in the Z direction.

[0075] The four plug contacts 13 are each formed of a conductive material such as metal, and are connected to the corresponding contacts of the opposite side connector when the recess 16A of the top insulator 16 accommodates a part of the opposite side connector (not shown).

[0076] like Figure 8 As shown, the plug contact 13 has a cylindrical portion 13A extending in the Z direction along the mating axis C, and a first flange 13B extending along the XY plane from the -Z direction end of the cylindrical portion 13A. Furthermore, as... Figure 9 As shown, a recess 13C that opens toward the -Z direction is formed inside the cylindrical portion 13A.

[0077] In addition, the mating shaft C is a shaft that passes through the center of the cylindrical portion 13A and extends in the mating direction of the connector 11 and the other side connector.

[0078] Furthermore, the cylindrical portion 13A has a cylindrical shape, but as long as it has a recess 13C inside, the cross-sectional shape is not limited to a circle, and can also have various cross-sectional shapes such as ellipse or polygon.

[0079] In addition, one of the four plug contacts 13 located on the -X and -Y sides is connected to the ground potential and used as a shielding terminal, while the other three plug contacts 13 are used as signal terminals for transmitting electrical signals.

[0080] like Figure 10 As shown, the sheet-like conductive component 15 has a sheet body 15A made of insulating material and has a multilayer structure. On the surface of the sheet body 15A facing the +Z direction, a signal wiring layer 15B formed of flexible conductor, an insulating layer 15C, a shielding layer 15D formed of flexible conductor, and an insulating layer 15E are sequentially stacked. On the back side of the sheet body 15A facing the -Z direction, a shielding layer 15F formed of flexible conductor and an insulating layer 15G are sequentially stacked.

[0081] like Figure 11 As shown, four contact configuration regions 15H for arranging four plug contacts 13 are divided on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 facing the +Z direction. One of the four contact configuration regions 15H located on the -X and -Y direction sides forms region R1 for configuring the plug contact 13 as a shield terminal, and the remaining three contact configuration regions 15H form region R2 for configuring the plug contact 13 as a signal terminal.

[0082] The sheet-like conductive member 15 has a circular opening 15J formed in region R1. The opening 15J corresponds to the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 and extends through the sheet-like conductive member 15 in the Z direction. In addition, the sheet-like conductive member 15 has a generally rectangular protrusion 15K that protrudes into the opening 15J from the edge portion of the opening 15J.

[0083] On the other hand, in three regions R2 of the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 facing the +Z direction, the insulating layer 15E, the shielding layer 15D and the insulating layer 15C are removed respectively, thereby exposing the signal wiring layer 15B facing the +Z direction.

[0084] In addition, the insulating layer 15E is exposed in areas other than regions R1 and R2.

[0085] Multiple through holes 15L are formed on the periphery of the sheet-like conductive member 15, corresponding to multiple protrusions 16C of the top insulator 16.

[0086] like Figure 12 As shown, the protrusion 15K in region R1 protrudes from the edge of the opening 15J in the +Y direction and toward the opening 15J in the -Y direction. In the protrusion 15K, the insulating layer 15E is removed, thereby exposing the shielding layer 15D toward the +Z direction.

[0087] The opening 15J extends through the sheet-like conductive member 15 in the Z direction, therefore... Figure 13 As shown, on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 facing the -Z direction, the opening 15J and the protrusion 15K can also be observed at the position corresponding to region R1.

[0088] On the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 facing the -Z direction, the insulating layer 15G is exposed in the area other than the position corresponding to region R1. Furthermore, as... Figure 14 As shown, in the protrusion 15K, the insulating layer 15G is removed, thereby exposing the shielding layer 15F in the -Z direction.

[0089] Figure 15 and Figure 16 The structure of the inner contact 18 is shown. The inner contact 18 is formed of a conductive material such as metal, and has a cylindrical, elastically deformable insertion portion 18A through which the fitting shaft C passes, and a second flange 18B extending along the XY plane from the -Z direction end of the insertion portion 18A. The insertion portion 18A is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 through an opening 15J in region R1 of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and has a large-diameter portion 18C disposed on the -Z direction side and a small-diameter portion 18D connected to the +Z direction side of the large-diameter portion 18C. Both the large-diameter portion 18C and the small-diameter portion 18D have a cylindrical shape centered on the fitting shaft C, and the small-diameter portion 18D has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 18C.

[0090] The inner diameter D1 of the small diameter portion 18D is formed to be slightly smaller than... Figure 6 The width W1 in the X direction of the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C in the portion of the bottom insulator 17 shown is formed by a pair of temporary holding pieces 17G.

[0091] Therefore, by fitting the insertion portion 18A of the inner contact 18 onto the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C of the bottom insulator 17, and embedding a pair of temporary holding pieces 17G of the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C into the interior of the small diameter portion 18D, the inner contact 18 is configured to be temporarily held in the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C.

[0092] Furthermore, a contact portion P1 and a pressing portion P2 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 18C, which are arranged on opposite sides with a fitting axis C between them. The contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 are arranged at approximately the same Z-direction position along the fitting axis C, with the contact portion P1 located on the -Y-direction side and the pressing portion P2 located on the +Y-direction side.

[0093] The distance between the contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 in the Y direction, i.e., the outer diameter D2 of the large diameter portion 18C, is set to be slightly larger than the value of the inner diameter of the recess 13C of the part where the contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 are in contact, minus the thickness of the sheet-like conductive member 15, when the inner contact 18 is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13.

[0094] In addition, the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 18C is formed to be larger than the diameter or the width in the X direction of any part of the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C.

[0095] In addition, such as Figure 12 As shown, the protrusion 15K in region R1 of the sheet-like conductive member 15 protrudes from the edge of the opening 15J in the +Y direction direction toward the -Y direction. Therefore, if the inner contact 18 is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 through the opening 15J of the sheet-like conductive member 15, the protrusion 15K is pushed into the recess 13C by the inner contact 18 and is sandwiched between the pressing portion P2 formed on the +Y direction side of the large diameter portion 18C and the inner surface of the recess 13C in the +Y direction direction. In addition, the contact portion P1 formed on the -Y direction side of the large diameter portion 18C contacts the inner surface of the recess 13C in the -Y direction direction.

[0096] Here, the Y-direction spacing between the contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 is set to be slightly larger than the value of the inner diameter of the recess 13C from the part of the contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 that is in contact with the inner contact 18 inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, minus the thickness of the sheet-like conductive member 15. Therefore, the contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 are respectively subjected to a force F1 in the Y direction from the inner surface of the recess 13C toward the fitting axis C. Figure 16As shown by the dashed line, the insertion portion 18A of the inner contact 18 elastically deforms in such a way that the distance between the contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 in the Y direction narrows.

[0097] In addition, both the large-diameter portion 18C and the small-diameter portion 18D of the insertion portion 18A have a cylindrical shape centered on the fitting axis C, but are not limited to a cylindrical shape. For example, any cylindrical shape with various cross-sectional shapes such as ellipse or polygon can be used.

[0098] The four contacts of the top insulator 16 are arranged in a through hole 16B, the four plug contacts 13, the four contact configuration area 15H of the sheet conductive member 15, and the four recesses 17B of the bottom insulator 17 are arranged in a position aligned with each other in the Z direction.

[0099] The inner contact 18 is positioned aligned in the Z direction relative to the contact configuration area 15H of the four contact configuration areas 15H of the sheet conductive member 15, the contact configuration area 15H that forms region R1 on the -X direction side and the -Y direction side, and the recess 17B of the four recesses 17B of the bottom insulator 17 that forms the inner contact temporary holding part 17C on the -X direction side and the -Y direction side.

[0100] Furthermore, the plurality of protrusions 16C of the top insulator 16, the plurality of through holes 15L of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and the plurality of through holes 17E of the bottom insulator 17 are arranged in positions aligned with each other in the Z direction.

[0101] When assembling the connector assembly, firstly, the cylindrical portions 13A of the plug contacts 13, corresponding to the four contact through holes 16B of the top insulator 16, are inserted into the four contact through holes 16B from the -Z direction. A sheet-like conductive member 15 is then arranged on the -Z direction side of the four plug contacts 13. At this time, the sheet-like conductive member 15 is configured such that the four contact arrangement regions 15H contact the first flanges 13B of the four plug contacts 13.

[0102] Furthermore, the inner contact 18 is temporarily held in the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C by fitting the insertion portion 18A of the inner contact 18 onto the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C of the bottom insulator 17.

[0103] In this state, the bottom insulator 17 is pressed toward the top insulator 16 in the +Z direction.

[0104] Thus, the insertion portion 18A of the inner contact 18, which is temporarily held in the bottom insulator 17, is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 through the opening 15J while being pushed into the protrusion 15K of the sheet-like conductive member 15, until the sheet-like conductive member 15 is sandwiched between the first flange 13B of the plug contact 13 and the second flange 18B of the inner contact 18.

[0105] In addition, the three protrusions 17D of the bottom insulator 17 are inserted into the recesses 13C of the corresponding plug contacts 13 while being pushed into the region R2 of the sheet-like conductive member 15.

[0106] At this time, region R2 of the sheet-like conductive member 15 extends through the protrusion 17D of the bottom insulator 17 and is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13. However, if the extensibility of the sheet-like conductive member 15 is insufficient, it is preferable to pre-form multiple cuts in each region R2 that penetrate the sheet-like conductive member 15 in the Z direction. Thus, the protrusion 17D opens the multiple cuts in region R2 and is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13.

[0107] Furthermore, by pressing the bottom insulator 17 against the top insulator 16, the plurality of protrusions 16C of the top insulator 16 sequentially penetrate the plurality of through holes 15L of the sheet-like conductive member 15 and the plurality of through holes 17E of the bottom insulator 17. And, as... Figure 17 As shown, by thermally deforming the front ends of the plurality of protrusions 16C protruding toward the -Z direction side of the bottom insulator 17, the top insulator 16 and the bottom insulator 17 are fixed to each other, thus completing the assembly of the connector assembly.

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

[0109] like Figure 18 As shown, in the plug contact 13 used as a shielding terminal, the insertion portion 18A of the inner contact 18 is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 while being pushed into the protrusion 15K of the sheet conductive member 15. Thus, the sheet conductive member 15 is sandwiched between the first flange 13B of the plug contact 13 and the second flange 18B of the inner contact 18.

[0110] Furthermore, the protrusion 15K of the sheet-like conductive member 15, which protrudes from the edge portion on the +Y direction side of the opening 15J in the -Y direction, is sandwiched between the pressing portion P2 formed on the +Y direction side of the inner contact 18 and the inner surface on the +Y direction side of the recess 13C, and the contact portion P1 formed on the -Y direction side of the inner contact 18 contacts the inner surface on the -Y direction side of the recess 13C.

[0111] As a result, the insertion portion 18A of the inner contact 18 elastically deforms in such a way that the distance between the contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 in the Y direction narrows, and the contact portion P1 of the inner contact 18 elastically contacts the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 on the -Y direction side, and the inner contact 18 is electrically connected to the plug contact 13.

[0112] Furthermore, the protrusion 15K of the sheet-like conductive member 15, which is sandwiched between the pressing portion P2 of the inner contact 18 and the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 in the +Y direction, is elastically pressed by the pressing portion P2 toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 in the +Y direction.

[0113] Here, as Figure 12 and Figure 14 As shown, in the protrusion 15K, the shielding layer 15D is exposed on the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and the shielding layer 15F is exposed on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15.

[0114] Therefore, the shielding layer 15D on the surface side of the protrusion 15K contacts the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 in the +Y direction with a specified contact pressure. In addition, the shielding layer 15F on the back side of the protrusion 15K contacts the pressing portion P2 of the inner contact 18 with a specified contact pressure.

[0115] Therefore, the shielding layer 15D exposed on the surface of the protrusion 15K of the sheet-like conductive member 15 is directly electrically connected to the plug contact 13, and the shielding layer 15F exposed on the back side of the protrusion 15K is electrically connected to the plug contact 13 via the inner contact 18. That is, both shielding layers 15D and 15F are connected to the plug contact 13, which is used as a shielding terminal.

[0116] Thus, according to connector 11, by using inner contact 18, both the shielding layer 15D disposed on the surface side of the protrusion 15K of the sheet conductive member 15 and the shielding layer 15F disposed on the back side can be electrically connected to a plug contact 13 disposed in region R1.

[0117] On the other hand, in the three regions R2 of the three plug contacts 13 used as signal terminals, which are arranged in the four contact configuration regions 15H divided on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15, such as Figure 19 As shown, the protrusion 17D of the bottom insulator 17 is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13.

[0118] If the protrusion 17D of the bottom insulator 17 is inserted into the recess 13C of the corresponding plug contact 13 while being pushed into the region R2 of the sheet conductive member 15, the sheet conductive member 15 pushed into the recess 13C is pressed by the protrusion 17D toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13.

[0119] Here, as Figure 11As shown, the signal wiring layer 15B is exposed in region R2 on the surface of the sheet conductive member 15. Therefore, the sheet conductive member 15 is sandwiched between the side of the protrusion 17D and the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13. The signal wiring layer 15B contacts the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 with a specified contact pressure and is electrically connected to the plug contact 13 disposed in region R2.

[0120] In addition, the signal wiring layer 15B is graphically defined, and three wirings formed by the signal wiring layer 15B and insulated from each other are connected to the three plug contacts 13 arranged in the three regions R2.

[0121] like Figure 10 As shown, the signal wiring layer 15B is stacked between the shielding layers 15D and 15F in a state of insulation from the shielding layer 15D disposed on the surface side of the sheet conductive member 15 and the shielding layer 15F disposed on the back side. Therefore, by connecting the plug contact 13 disposed in region R1 and connected to the shielding layers 15D and 15F to the ground potential, the shielding effect of the signal wiring layer 15B can be achieved, and high-precision signal transmission can be performed with the interference caused by electromagnetic waves and the like.

[0122] In addition, Figure 16 In this case, the contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 are respectively represented as points on the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 18C of the inner contact 18. However, the large diameter portion 18C has a cylindrical shape centered on the fitting axis C, so it is also possible to set the contact portion P1 and the pressing portion P2 to extend linearly along the Z direction.

[0123] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the protrusion 15K of the sheet-like conductive member 15 has a generally rectangular shape that protrudes from the edge of the opening 15J into the opening 15J. However, it is not limited to this. As long as the protrusion 15K is pushed into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 together with the insertion portion 18A of the inner contact 18 and sandwiched between the pressing portion P2 of the insertion portion 18A and the inner surface of the recess 13C, the shape of the protrusion 15K is not limited.

[0124] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the sheet-like conductive member 15 has a protrusion 15K that protrudes into the opening 15J. However, the number of protrusions 15K is not limited to one, and it can also be configured such that two or more protrusions 15K protrude into the opening 15J from the edge portion of the opening 15J. These two or more protrusions 15K are sandwiched between the pressing portion P2 of the insertion portion 18A and the inner surface of the recess 13C.

[0125] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when assembling the connector assembly, after temporarily holding the inner contact 18 in the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C of the bottom insulator 17, the bottom insulator 17 is pressed toward the top insulator 16, but it is not necessary to temporarily hold the inner contact 18 in the inner contact temporary holding portion 17C.

[0126] For example, the cylindrical portion 13A of the plug contact 13, corresponding to the four contact through holes 16B of the top insulator 16, can be inserted into the four contact through holes 16B. With the sheet-like conductive member 15 arranged on the -Z direction side of the four plug contacts 13, while pushing the protrusion 15K into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 arranged in the region R1 of the sheet-like conductive member 15, the insertion portion 18A of the inner contact 18 can be inserted. After that, the bottom insulator 17 is pressed against the top insulator 16. Thus, the temporary inner contact holding portion 17C of the bottom insulator 17 is not needed.

[0127] In addition, in the above embodiment, the plug contact 13 disposed in region R1 of the sheet conductive member 15 is connected to both the shielding layer 15D exposed on the surface side of the sheet conductive member 15 and the shielding layer 15F exposed on the back side of the sheet conductive member 15. For example, it is also possible to connect only the shielding layer 15F exposed on the back side of the sheet conductive member 15 to the plug contact 13 disposed in region R1.

[0128] The sheet-like conductive component 15 used in the above embodiments has Figure 10 The multi-layered structure shown is not limited to this, as long as it has at least one flexible conductor disposed on at least one side of the sheet body.

[0129] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the two conductive layers consisting of the shielding layer 15D and the shielding layer 15F of the sheet-like conductive member 15 are connected to a plug contact 13 used as a shielding terminal. However, it is not limited to this, and three or more conductive layers may also be connected to a plug contact 13.

[0130] Furthermore, the connector 11 in the above embodiment has four plug contacts 13, including contacts used as shielding terminals and contacts used as signal terminals. However, the number of plug contacts 13 is not limited, as long as at least one plug contact 13 is electrically connected to a flexible conductor disposed on the surface side or back side of the sheet body of the sheet-like conductive member 15.

[0131] In the connector 11 of this embodiment, a sheet-like conductive member 15 is directly disposed on the -Z direction side of the top insulator 16. However, a reinforcing sheet (not shown) made of insulating material may also be disposed between the top insulator 16 and the sheet-like conductive member 15. The reinforcing sheet has an opening formed in the center, through which four plug contacts 13 are inserted into the four contact through holes 16B of the top insulator 16. By using such a reinforcing sheet, the object to which the connector 11 is mounted, such as clothing, can be reinforced.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that, have: A cylindrical conductive plug contact having a recess extending along the engagement axis; and The conductive inner contact has a cylindrical, elastically deformable insertion portion that is inserted into the recess and through which the fitting shaft passes. The insertion portion includes: a contact portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and in contact with the plug contact within the recess; and a pressing portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and disposed on the opposite side of the contact portion across the fitting axis. A portion of a sheet-like connecting object, with at least one side exposed, is sandwiched between the inner surfaces of the pressing portion and the recess in a direction orthogonal to the engagement axis. The inner surface of the recess contacts the surface of the connecting object, and the pressing portion contacts the back side of the connecting object. Thus, when the flexible conductor is exposed on the surface of the connecting object, the plug contact is directly electrically connected to the flexible conductor; when the flexible conductor is exposed on the back side of the connecting object, the plug contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor via the inner contact. The insertion portion has a contact portion and a pressing portion that are formed at the same position relative to each other along the direction of the fitting axis. A portion of the object to be connected is sandwiched between the inner surface of the pressing part and the recess, the insertion part elastically deforms in such a way that the gap between the contact part and the pressing part narrows, the contact part elastically contacts the inner surface of the recess, and the pressing part elastically presses a portion of the object to be connected toward the inner surface of the recess.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plug contact has a cylindrical portion and a first flange formed at one end of the cylindrical portion. The inner contact has a second flange formed at one end of the insertion portion and configured to overlap with the first flange. The recess is formed by the interior of the cylindrical portion. The object to be connected is sandwiched between the first flange and the second flange.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connector includes a housing for maintaining insulation of the connected object, the plug contacts, and the inner contacts. The housing has: The top insulator has a contact through-hole smaller than the first flange, through which the cylindrical portion of the plug contact passes; and Bottom insulator, The top insulator is fixed to the bottom insulator such that the cylindrical portion of the plug contact passes through the through hole for the contact, and the connecting object, the first flange, and the second flange are sandwiched between the top insulator and the bottom insulator.

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bottom insulator has an inner contact temporary holding portion that is inserted into the insertion portion of the inner contact and temporarily holds the inner contact.

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inner contact temporary holding portion has: a cylindrical portion extending along the engagement axis; and a pair of temporary holding tabs protruding from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion in a direction orthogonal to the engagement axis and about the engagement axis in a direction orthogonal to the contact portion and the pressing portion. The inner contact is temporarily held in the bottom insulator by fitting the insertion part onto the inner contact temporary holding part.

6. The connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The insertion portion of the inner contact has: a large-diameter portion having a cylindrical shape centered on the fitting axis; and a small-diameter portion connected to the large-diameter portion, also having a cylindrical shape centered on the fitting axis. The inner contact is temporarily held in place by the bottom insulator through the pair of temporary retaining tabs embedded inside the small-diameter portion. The contact portion and the pressing portion are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion.

7. A connector assembly, characterized in that, It possesses: The connected object; and The connector of any one of claims 1 to 6 that is connected to the object to be connected, The object to be connected has an opening corresponding to the recess of the plug contact, and a protrusion protruding from the edge of the opening into the opening. The insertion part is inserted into the recess through the opening while the protrusion is pushed in, and the protrusion is sandwiched between the pressing part and the inner surface of the recess as part of the connecting object.

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