Connector, connector assembly, and connection method

Abstract

The present application provides a connector capable of reliably electrically connecting a conductor portion of an electric wire with a contact portion exposed on the back of a sheet-shaped connection object, and capable of achieving miniaturization. After a conductor portion (31A) of a covered electric wire (31) is arranged on a conductor portion arrangement surface (S) of a connector (11) from the -Y direction, a connection object (21) is arranged on the connector (11) in such a manner that an opening portion (21B) of the connection object (21) is located directly above a spring portion (13B) of a metal terminal (13) of the connector (11), and the connection object (21) is pulled in the +Y direction, whereby a contact portion (21C) exposed on the back of the connection object (21) is electrically connected with the conductor portion (31A) of the covered electric wire (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector and connector assembly for electrically connecting the conductor portion of an wire to a contact portion exposed on the back side of a sheet-like connector.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a connection method for electrically connecting the conductor portion of an electric wire to a contact portion exposed on the back side of a sheet-like connecting 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 made of flexible conductors located in the measuring areas. By electrically connecting the wearable device, which serves as the measuring device, to the electrodes, biometric information can be transmitted to the wearable device.

[0004] The connection between the electrodes and wearable devices can be made, for example, using connectors that connect to flexible conductors.

[0005] However, when wearable devices are located far from the measurement site, a circuit needs to be formed from the electrodes located at the measurement site to the mounting position of the connector. If such a circuit is formed with a flexible conductor, the resistance becomes high and the cost increases.

[0006] Therefore, in order to connect electrodes made of flexible conductors to wearable devices using low-resistance and inexpensive wires, it is desirable to develop a small connector that connects the wires to the flexible conductors configured in clothing.

[0007] As a connector for connecting wires to a flexible conductor, for example, a method is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Figure 19 The connector shown has a first connector 2 that connects to the end of the substrate 1 and a second connector 4 that is mounted on the front end of the wire 3. By engaging the second connector 4 with the first connector 2, the wire 3 can be connected to the flexible conductor of the substrate 1.

[0008] Existing technical documents

[0009] Patent documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-214087

[0011] However, in order to connect the wire 3 to the flexible conductor of the substrate 1, the first connector 2 and the second connector 4, which are respectively installed at the end of the substrate 1 and the front end of the wire 3, need to be interlocked. Therefore, the device is large-scale, and there is a separable connection part between the first connector 2 and the second connector 4, which leads to a problem of reduced reliability of the electrical connection. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The present invention was made to solve such conventional problems, and its object is to provide a connector and connector assembly that can reliably and effectively connect the conductor portion of an electric wire to a contact portion exposed on the back of a sheet-like connector, and can achieve miniaturization.

[0013] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connection method for electrically connecting the conductor portion of an electric wire to a contact portion exposed on the back side of a sheet-like connecting object.

[0014] The connector of the present invention connects the conductor portion of an electrical wire to a contact portion exposed on the back side of a sheet-like connector, and the connector comprises:

[0015] An insulator, forming at least a portion of the conductor portion mounting surface of a wire; and

[0016] The pressing part, held in place by the insulator, protrudes from the conductor part arrangement surface in a direction orthogonal to the conductor part arrangement surface, and extends in a predetermined first direction along the conductor part arrangement surface.

[0017] The pressing part can elastically deform in a direction orthogonal to the surface where the conductor part is disposed.

[0018] The conductor portion of the wire extending along the conductor portion arrangement surface in the first direction is arranged between the conductor portion arrangement surface and the pressing portion. The opening portion of the connecting object extends along the conductor portion arrangement surface in the second direction, which is opposite to the first direction. The connecting object is sandwiched between the pressing portion passing through the opening portion of the connecting object and the conductor portion of the wire, thereby making contact portion of the connecting object contact and electrically connected with the conductor portion of the wire.

[0019] Preferably, the metal terminal is held in the insulator and has: a flat plate portion extending along the conductor portion arrangement surface; and a cantilever beam-shaped spring portion protruding from the end of the flat plate portion in a second direction in a direction orthogonal to the flat plate portion and extending in a first direction, wherein the surface of the flat plate portion forms the conductor portion arrangement surface together with the insulator, and the spring portion forms a pressing portion.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferable that the spring portion has a slit extending from the connection portion with the flat plate portion in a first direction, and the conductor portion of the wire is disposed between the conductor portion placement surface and the pressing portion in a state that passes through the slit.

[0021] Preferably, the plate portion has at least one protrusion that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the plate portion and contacts the conductor portion of the wire.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferable that the end of the spring portion in the first direction bends in a direction orthogonal to the flat plate portion.

[0023] Preferably, the metal terminal insert is formed on the insulator.

[0024] Preferably, with the pressing part passing through the opening of the object to be connected, the contact part of the object to be connected, which is displaced in the second direction relative to the pressing part, contacts the conductor part of the wire.

[0025] Preferably, the insulator has a protrusion that is separated from the pressing portion in the second direction and protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the surface where the conductor portion is disposed, and the protrusion is inserted into the opening of the connecting object that is displaced in the second direction relative to the pressing portion.

[0026] Furthermore, preferably, the insulator has an end formed in the first direction of the insulator and a wire receiving groove for receiving the wire.

[0027] It can be configured such that the conductor portion arrangement surface extends upward in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions.

[0028] It has multiple pressing parts arranged in a third-direction upward and each held in an insulator.

[0029] The conductor portions of multiple wires are electrically connected to multiple contact portions of the object to be connected via multiple pressing portions.

[0030] The connector assembly of the present invention comprises:

[0031] The aforementioned connectors,

[0032] Connecting objects, and

[0033] electric wire,

[0034] The connecting object has a contact portion on the back side of the end of the connecting object disposed in a first direction, and an opening portion disposed adjacent to the contact portion in a second direction.

[0035] The connection method of the present invention connects the conductor portion of the wire to a contact portion exposed on the back side of the sheet-like connection object.

[0036] The conductor portion of the wire extending from a predetermined first direction toward a second direction opposite to the first direction is positioned on the conductor portion mounting surface of the connector.

[0037] A pressing part, which protrudes from the conductor part arrangement surface in a direction orthogonal to the conductor part arrangement surface and extends toward a first direction, passes through an opening of a connecting object that extends along the conductor part arrangement surface in a second direction.

[0038] By displacing the object to be connected relative to the pressing part in the second direction, the object to be connected is sandwiched between the conductor part of the wire and the pressing part, and the contact part of the object to be connected contacts and electrically connects with the conductor part of the wire.

[0039] The effects of the invention:

[0040] According to the present invention, the conductor portion of an electric wire extending in a first direction along the conductor portion arrangement surface of an insulator is disposed between the conductor portion arrangement surface and the pressing portion, and the opening of the connecting object extends along the conductor portion arrangement surface in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The connecting object is sandwiched between the pressing portion passing through the opening of the connecting object and the conductor portion of the electric wire. Therefore, the conductor portion of the electric wire can be reliably and well electrically connected to the contact portion exposed on the back side of the connecting object, and miniaturization can be achieved. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the connector assembly according to an embodiment.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the connector used in the embodiment.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a top view showing the connector used in the embodiment.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a bottom view showing the connector used in the embodiment.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the metal terminals used in the embodiment.

[0046] Figure 6 This is a side view showing the metal terminals used in the embodiment.

[0047] Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the connector used in the embodiment.

[0048] Figure 8 yes Figure 3 A sectional view along line AA.

[0049] Figure 9 This is a partially enlarged front view showing the connector used in the embodiment.

[0050] Figure 10 This is a top view showing the sheet-like connecting object used in the embodiment.

[0051] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the sheet-like connecting object used in the implementation method, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0052] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing a connector with multiple wires configured on it.

[0053] Figure 13 yes Figure 12Enlarged view of the main parts.

[0054] Figure 14 This is a partially enlarged front sectional view showing a connector with a conductor portion containing wires.

[0055] Figure 15 It is a perspective view showing the state of a connector with sheet-like connecting objects arranged on it.

[0056] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 Enlarged view of the main parts.

[0057] Figure 17 It is a side sectional view showing the state in which a sheet-like connecting object is arranged on the connector.

[0058] Figure 18 This is a side sectional view of the connector assembly illustrating an embodiment.

[0059] Figure 19 This is a 3D view showing an existing connector.

[0060] Figure Labels

[0061] 1. Substrate, 2. First connector, 3. Wire, 4. Second connector, 11. Connector, 12. Insulator, 12A. Flat surface, 12B. Wall, 12C. Wire receiving groove, 12D. Protrusion, 12E. Through hole, 13. Metal terminal, 13A. Flat plate, 13B. Spring, 13C. Step, 13D. Base plate, 13E. Surface, 13F. Protrusion, 13G. Erected part, 13H. Arm, 13J. Slit, 13K. Bend, 21. Connecting object, 21A, 21D. Insulating layer, 21B. Opening, 21C. Contact part, 31. Covered wire, 31A. Conductor part, 31B. Insulating covering part, P1. Arrangement spacing, S. Conductor part arrangement surface, H1. Height. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] Figure 1 The connector assembly of the embodiment is shown. The connector assembly uses connector 11 to connect the conductor portions 31A of multiple covered wires 31 to a sheet-like connector object 21.

[0064] The connector 11 has an insulator 12 in a generally flat shape formed of insulating resin material and a plurality of metal terminals 13 held in the insulator 12.

[0065] Multiple sheathed wires 31 are arranged in a predetermined direction and extend parallel to the surface of the insulator 12 of the connector 11 in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction. Each sheathed wire 31 has a structure in which the outer periphery of the conductor portion 31A is covered by an insulating sheath portion 31B. The conductor portions 31A of the multiple sheathed wires 31 are electrically connected via the connector 11 to multiple contact portions exposed on the back side of the connected object 21 (described later). Furthermore, the conductor portions 31A of the sheathed wires 31 can be either a so-called single wire composed of a single conductor or a so-called stranded wire composed of multiple conductors twisted together.

[0066] For convenience, the insulator 12 of connector 11 is considered to extend along the XY plane, and the direction of the arrangement of multiple covered wires 31 is called the X direction. The direction in which each covered wire 31 extends toward connector 11 is called the +Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the XY plane is called the Z direction.

[0067] like Figures 2-4 As shown, the insulator 12 of connector 11 has a rectangular shape that extends along the XY plane and is elongated in the X direction, and has a flat surface 12A that extends along the XY plane and faces the +Z direction.

[0068] Wall portions 12B protruding in the +Z direction are formed at the -X, +X, and -Y directions of the insulator 12, respectively. Multiple wire receiving grooves 12C arranged in the X direction are formed at the -Y direction end of the insulator 12. Each wire receiving groove 12C corresponds to a multiple sheathed wire 31, extends transversely through the wall portion 12B in the Y direction, and is recessed from the flat surface 12A in the -Z direction, having a groove width in the X direction corresponding to the diameter of the sheathed wire 31.

[0069] Furthermore, a plurality of protrusions 12D arranged in the X direction and protruding in the +Z direction are formed near the +Y end of the insulator 12.

[0070] In the insulator 12, a through hole 12E is formed in the Z direction at a position adjacent to the -Y direction side of a plurality of protrusions 12D arranged in the X direction. The through hole 12E extends in the X direction in such a manner that it covers the entire plurality of protrusions 12D arranged in the X direction.

[0071] Furthermore, at a position adjacent to the -Y direction side of the through hole 12E, a plurality of metal terminals 13 are exposed on the flat surface 12A.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, multiple wire receiving slots 12C, multiple protrusions 12D, and multiple metal terminals 13 are arranged in the X direction with an arrangement spacing P1. When viewed from the Z direction, the corresponding wire receiving slots 12C, protrusions 12D, and metal terminals 13 are arranged in a straight line along the Y direction.

[0073] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the metal terminal 13 has: a flat plate portion 13A, which is made of a bent metal plate and extends along the XY plane; a spring portion 13B, which is connected to the +Y direction end of the flat plate portion 13A; and a base plate portion 13D, which is connected to the -Y direction end of the flat plate portion 13A via a step portion 13C and extends along the XY plane.

[0074] The flat plate portion 13A has a surface 13E facing the +Z direction and two protrusions 13F protruding from the surface 13E in the +Z direction. The two protrusions 13F extend in the X direction and are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction.

[0075] The spring portion 13B forms a pressing portion that presses the sheet-shaped connecting object 21 against the conductor portion 31A extending from the covered wire 31. It is formed by an upright portion 13G that rises from the +Y direction end of the flat plate portion 13A in the +Z direction and an arm portion 13H that bends from the +Z direction end of the upright portion 13G and extends in the -Y direction. With such an upright portion 13G and arm portion 13H, the spring portion 13B has a cantilever beam shape that protrudes from the flat plate portion 13A in the +Z direction and extends in the -Y direction (first direction).

[0076] Furthermore, a slit 13J is formed in the center of the spring portion 13B in the X direction, near the -Z direction end of the upright portion 13G connected to the flat plate portion 13A and the -Y direction end of the arm portion 13H.

[0077] Furthermore, a curved portion 13K that bends in the +Z direction is formed at the -Y direction end of the spring portion 13B.

[0078] Furthermore, due to the presence of the stepped portion 13C, the base plate portion 13D is positioned offset in the -Z direction from the flat plate portion 13A.

[0079] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the metal terminal 13 is held in the insulator 12 such that the surface 13E of the flat plate portion 13A is flush with the flat surface 12A of the insulator 12 and protrudes in the +Z direction. A conductor placement surface S for the conductor portion 31A covering the wire 31 is formed by the flat surface 12A of the insulator 12 and the surface 13E of the flat plate portion 13A of the metal terminal 13. The conductor placement surface S extends along the flat surface 12A of the insulator 12 in the X direction (third direction).

[0080] The spring portion 13B of the metal terminal 13 protrudes from the conductor portion arrangement surface S in the +Z direction, and the +Y direction end of the spring portion 13B is located above the through hole 12E that penetrates the insulator 12 in the Z direction.

[0081] The stepped portion 13C of the metal terminal 13 is embedded in the insulator 12, and the lower surface of the base plate portion 13D on the -Z direction side forms the same surface as the lower surface of the insulator 12, protruding from the insulator 12 in the -Z direction. The bottom of the wire receiving groove 12C of the insulator 12 is formed by the base plate portion 13D of the metal terminal 13.

[0082] like Figure 9 As shown, the height H1 of the bottom plate portion 13D of the metal terminal 13 at the bottom of the wire receiving groove 12C forming the insulator 12, from the surface on the +Z direction side to the conductor placement surface S in the Z direction, is set to be approximately equal to the thickness of the insulating covering portion 31B covering the outer periphery of the conductor portion 31A of the wire 31. Therefore, if the conductor portion 31A is led out from the front end of the wire 31 and the wire 31 is received in the wire receiving groove 12C, the insulating covering portion 31B is configured to be disposed on the bottom plate portion 13D of the metal terminal 13, and the conductor portion 31A led out from the insulating covering portion 31B is disposed on the conductor placement surface S.

[0083] For example, a connector 11 with multiple metal terminals 13 integrated with an insulator 12 can be manufactured by insert molding.

[0084] Figure 10 A sheet-like connection object 21 is shown. The connection object 21 has, for example, a multilayer structure having at least one wiring layer formed of conductors and multiple insulating layers stacked on top of each other.

[0085] The connected object 21 extends along the XY plane, and its surface facing the +Z direction is covered by an insulating layer 21A.

[0086] Furthermore, a plurality of openings 21B arranged in the X direction and penetrating the connecting object 21 in the Z direction are formed near the -Y direction end of the connecting object 21. The openings 21B have dimensions that allow the spring portion 13B of the metal terminal 13 protruding from the conductor portion arrangement surface S of the connector 11 in the +Z direction to pass through in the Z direction.

[0087] like Figure 11 As shown, along the -Y direction end of the connecting object 21, contact portions 21C arranged in the X direction are exposed on the back side of the connecting object 21 facing the -Z direction. Multiple contact portions 21C correspond to multiple openings 21B, and multiple openings 21B are arranged adjacent to the +Y direction side of the multiple contact portions 21C. That is, at the same X direction position as the openings 21B, contact portions 21C corresponding to the -Y direction side of the openings 21B are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0088] The multiple openings 21B and multiple contacts 21C are arranged in the X direction with a spacing P1, similar to the multiple wire receiving slots 12C, multiple protrusions 12D and multiple metal terminals 13 of the connector 11.

[0089] In addition, a plurality of contacts 21C are formed from a portion of a wiring layer of the connecting object 21 and are connected to a plurality of wiring portions (not shown) covered by an insulating layer 21D.

[0090] When assembling the connector assembly, firstly, as follows: Figure 12 As shown, multiple covered wires 31 are arranged in the X direction, and the insulating covering portion 31B of each covered wire 31 is accommodated in the corresponding wire receiving groove 12C of the insulator 12 of the connector 11. The conductor portion 31A leading out from the insulating covering portion 31B is arranged on the conductor portion arrangement surface S of the connector 11 from the -Y direction.

[0091] At this time, as Figure 13 As shown, the conductor portion 31A extends in the +Y direction on the conductor portion arrangement surface S formed by the flat surface 12A of the insulator 12 and the surface 13E of the flat plate portion 13A of the metal terminal 13, and is disposed on the two protrusions 13F of the metal terminal 13.

[0092] In addition, such as Figure 14 As shown, the conductor portion 31A is arranged between the conductor portion arrangement surface S and the spring portion 13B in a state where the slit 13J of the spring portion 13B formed in the metal terminal 13 passes through the slit 13J in the Y direction.

[0093] Next, as Figure 15 As shown, the connecting object 21, which is a sheet-like connecting object extending from the +Y direction (second direction) toward the conductor portion arrangement surface S of the connector 11, is disposed on the connector 11 with its back side facing the conductor portion arrangement surface S. Figure 16 As shown, the connecting object 21 is positioned relative to the connector 11 with multiple openings 21B located directly above the spring portions 13B of the multiple metal terminals 13 of the connector 11.

[0094] At this time, as Figure 17 As shown, the portion of the connecting object 21 that is closer to the +Y direction than the opening 21B contacts the upper part of the protrusion 12D of the insulator 12 of the connector 11, and the portion that is closer to the -Y direction than the opening 21B is located above the conductor portion 31A disposed on the conductor portion placement surface S.

[0095] Furthermore, the bent portion 13K, which is formed at the -Y direction end of the spring portion 13B of the metal terminal 13 of the connector 11 and bends in the +Z direction, is located on the +Z direction side of the connecting object 21 through the opening portion 21B of the connecting object 21.

[0096] In this state, such as Figure 18 As shown, by pulling the connecting object 21 in the +Y direction, the connecting object 21 is displaced relative to the connector 11 in the +Y direction. Here, the bent portion 13K of the spring portion 13B of the metal terminal 13 of the connector 11 is located on the +Z direction side of the connecting object 21 through the opening portion 21B. Therefore, the portion adjacent to the -Y direction side of the opening portion 21B of the connecting object 21, which is displaced in the +Y direction relative to the spring portion 13B, pushes the spring portion 13B away and enters the -Z direction side of the spring portion 13B.

[0097] Thus, the object to be connected 21 is sandwiched between the spring portion 13B passing through the opening 21B and the conductor portion 31A disposed on the conductor portion placement surface S. Utilizing the elastic force of the spring portion 13B, the contact portion 21C exposed on the back side of the object to be connected 21 contacts the conductor portion 31A with a predetermined contact pressure, thereby electrically connecting with the conductor portion 31A.

[0098] By displacing the connecting object 21 in the +Y direction, the opening 21B of the connecting object 21 moves to the position of the protrusion 12D of the insulator 12 of the connector 11, and the protrusion 12D is inserted into the opening 21B.

[0099] Thus, the assembly of the connector assembly is completed.

[0100] The connector 11 has a simple structure in which multiple metal terminals 13 are held in an insulator 12 of a generally flat shape, enabling the realization of a thin connector 11 and a thin connector assembly.

[0101] In addition, the conductor portion 31A leading out from the covered wire 31 is arranged between the conductor portion arrangement surface S and the spring portion 13B in a state that passes through the slit 13J formed in the spring portion 13B of the metal terminal 13. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the conductor portion 31A from shifting its position relative to the metal terminal 13. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the metal terminal 13 adjacent to the conductor portion 31A from contacting and short-circuiting.

[0102] Furthermore, the metal terminal 13 is held in the insulator 12 such that the +Y direction end of the spring portion 13B is located above the through hole 12E of the insulator 12, therefore... Figure 17 and Figure 18 As shown, the slit 13J through the through hole 12E, at the +Y direction end of the conductor portion 31A of the covered wire 31, which passes through the spring portion 13B of the metal terminal 13, can be visually confirmed from the -Z direction side of the connector 11. This improves the reliability of the connection between multiple covered wires 31 and the connected object 21.

[0103] In addition, in the above embodiment, the plurality of metal terminals 13 are held in the insulator 12 by insert molding, but it is not limited to this. For example, the plurality of metal terminals 13 can also be held in the insulator 12 by pressing.

[0104] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the spring portion 13B held in the metal terminal 13 of the insulator 12 forms a pressing portion for pressing the sheet-shaped connecting object 21 onto the conductor portion 31A of the covered wire 31. However, it is not limited to this and may also have the following structure: using a cantilever beam-shaped pressing portion integrally formed with the insulator 12 by the insulating resin material constituting the insulator 12, the connecting object 21 is pressed onto the conductor portion 31A of the covered wire 31.

[0105] As the sheet-like connecting object 21, either a flexible substrate or a rigid (hard) substrate can be used.

[0106] In the above embodiment, after the conductor portions 31A of the multiple covered wires 31 are arranged in the -Y direction on the conductor portion arrangement surface S of the connector 11, the connector 21 is arranged on the connector 11 such that the multiple openings 21B of the connector 21 are located directly above the spring portions 13B of the multiple metal terminals 13 of the connector 11, and the connector 21 is pulled in the +Y direction, thereby electrically connecting the multiple contact portions 21C exposed on the back side of the connector 21 to the conductor portions 31A of the multiple covered wires 31. Therefore, even if a flexible substrate is used as the connector 21, it is not necessary to strengthen the flexible substrate with a reinforcing plate or the like, and the conductor portions 31A of the multiple covered wires 31 can be reliably and effectively electrically connected to the multiple contact portions of the flexible substrate.

[0107] Alternatively, the insulator 12 of the connector 11 can be formed from a flexible material such as rubber, and a flexible substrate can be used as the connection object 21, for example, to form a connector assembly that can deform along the arrangement direction of the multiple covered wires 31.

[0108] In addition, in the above embodiment, the conductor portions 31A of multiple covered wires 31 are connected to multiple contact portions 21C of the connected object 21. However, it is not limited to this, and a connector assembly in which the conductor portion 31A of a single covered wire 31 is connected to the contact portion 21C of the connected object 21 can also be constructed in the same way.

[0109] In addition, a sheathed wire 31 is used as the wire connected to the object to be connected 21, but it is also possible to connect only the conductor portion 31A, whose outer periphery is not covered by the insulation sheath portion 31B, to the object to be connected 21.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting a conductor portion of an electrical wire to a contact portion exposed on the back side of a sheet-like connector, characterized in that, The connector includes: An insulator, forming at least a portion of the conductor portion arrangement surface of the conductor portion of the wire; and The pressing portion, held in place by the insulator, protrudes from the conductor portion arrangement surface in a direction orthogonal to the conductor portion arrangement surface, and extends in a predetermined first direction along the conductor portion arrangement surface. The pressing part is capable of elastic deformation in a direction orthogonal to the surface where the conductor part is disposed. The conductor portion of the wire extending from the first direction along the conductor portion arrangement surface is disposed between the conductor portion arrangement surface and the pressing portion. The opening of the connecting object extends from the second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, along the conductor portion arrangement surface. The connecting object is sandwiched between the pressing portion passing through the opening of the connecting object and the conductor portion of the wire, thereby the contact portion of the connecting object contacts and is electrically connected to the conductor portion of the wire.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector has metal terminals that are held in place by the insulator. The metal terminal has: a flat plate portion extending along the surface of the conductor portion; and a cantilever beam-shaped spring portion protruding from an end of the flat plate portion in the second direction in a direction orthogonal to the flat plate portion, and extending in the first direction. The surface of the plate portion, together with the insulator, forms the surface on which the conductor portion is disposed. The pressing part is formed by the spring part.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spring portion has a slit extending from the connection portion with the flat plate portion in the first direction. The conductor portion of the wire is disposed between the conductor portion placement surface and the pressing portion in a manner that passes through the slit.

4. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flat plate portion has at least one protrusion that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the flat plate portion and contacts the conductor portion of the wire.

5. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end of the spring portion in the first direction is bent in a direction orthogonal to the flat plate portion.

6. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The metal terminal insert is formed on the insulator.

7. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, With the pressing part passing through the opening of the object to be connected, the contact part of the object to be connected, which is displaced in the second direction relative to the pressing part, comes into contact with the conductor part of the wire.

8. The connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The insulator has a protrusion that is separated from the pressing portion in the second direction and protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the surface where the conductor portion is disposed. The protrusion is inserted into the opening of the connecting object that is displaced in the second direction relative to the pressing part.

9. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulator has a wire receiving groove formed at the end of the insulator in the first direction and for receiving the wire.

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The conductor portion arrangement surface extends upward in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The connector includes a plurality of pressing portions arranged upwards on the third side and respectively held in the insulator. The conductor portions of the plurality of wires are electrically connected to the plurality of contact portions of the object to be connected via the plurality of pressing portions.

11. A connector assembly comprising: The connector as described in claim 1 The connected objects, and The wire, The connecting object has a contact portion disposed on the back side of the end of the connecting object in the first direction, and an opening portion disposed adjacent to the second direction side of the contact portion.

12. A connection method, characterized in that, The conductor portion of the wire is connected to the contact portion exposed on the back of the sheet-like connecting object. The conductor portion of the wire, extending from a predetermined first direction toward a second direction opposite to the first direction, is disposed on the conductor portion disposal surface of the connector. A pressing portion, which protrudes from the conductor portion arrangement surface in a direction orthogonal to the conductor portion arrangement surface and extends toward the first direction, passes through the opening of the connecting object extending along the conductor portion arrangement surface in the second direction. By displacing the connecting object relative to the pressing part in the second direction, the connecting object is sandwiched between the conductor part of the wire and the pressing part, and the contact part of the connecting object contacts and is electrically connected to the conductor part of the wire.

Images