Connector device

Abstract

A connector device (1) is provided with: a first connector (2) mounted on a flexible substrate (9); and a second connector (3) configured so as to hold a plurality of terminals (4) attached to the plurality of electric wires (10), to be connectable to the first connector (2), and to connect the electric wires (10) to the flexible substrate (9) via the terminals (4) by connection to the first connector (2), the second connector (3) having a protruding portion (72) extending so as to protrude in a connection direction (X), the first connector (2) forming a housing portion (55), and the housing portion (55) being configured so as to accommodate the electric wires (10) in the housing portion (55). And a housing part (55) into which the protruding part (72) can be inserted and which houses the protruding part (72), the connection between the first connector (2) and the second connector (3) is guided by the insertion of the protruding part (72), and the housing part (55) is configured such that a tapered part (551) that is tapered toward the inner side of the housing part (55) is formed.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, regarding connector devices, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a connector in which a female terminal is mounted on a flexible substrate (FPC) and the female terminal is held in a housing. This connector is used by being connected to, for example, a counterpart connector in which a male terminal is mounted on an electric wire. In a connector device composed of a connector and a counterpart connector, the male terminal mounted on the electric wire is connected to the flexible substrate via a female terminal mounted on the flexible substrate.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-206992 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the above connector device, there is room for improvement in the connection between the planar circuit body such as the flexible substrate and the electric wire. For example, when the planar circuit body has a plurality of contacts, the lateral width of the housing mounted on the planar circuit body is long. In this case, when the housing is connected to the housing of the other connector, it is not easy to connect the housings straightly, and there is a case where the housings cannot be properly connected, such as being obliquely fitted.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector device capable of appropriately and smoothly connecting a planar circuit body and an electric wire.

[0009] Technical solutions to the problem

[0010] That is, the connector device involved in the present invention is composed of: a first connector, which is installed on a planar circuit body; and a second connector, which is configured to hold a plurality of terminals installed on a plurality of wires and can be connected to the first connector, and the wires are connected to the planar circuit body via the terminals through the connection between the second connector and the first connector. One of the first connector and the second connector has a protrusion extending protrudingly in the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector, and the other of the first connector and the second connector is formed with a receiving portion, and the receiving portion can allow the protrusion to be inserted and receive the protrusion, and guide the connection between the first connector and the second connector through the insertion of the protrusion. At least one of the protrusion and the receiving portion is formed with a tapered portion that becomes tapered toward the inner side of the receiving portion.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the connector device of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately and smoothly connect a planar circuit body and an electric wire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a connector device according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view of the first connector of the connector device according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the first connector of the connector device according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the second connector of the connector device according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of a terminal of the connector device according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram of connection of the connector device involved in the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 It is an explanatory diagram of connection of the connector device involved in the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing a connection state of the connector device according to Embodiment VIII-VIII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements.

[0022] [Example]

[0023] The present embodiment relates to a connector device. Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a connector device according to the embodiment. Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the first connector of the connector device according to the embodiment. Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the second connector of the connector device according to the embodiment. Figure 5 It is a perspective view of a terminal of the connector device according to the embodiment. Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is an explanatory diagram of connection of the connector device involved in the embodiment. Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing a connection state of the connector device according to Embodiment VIII-VIII.

[0024] In addition, in the following description, the first direction among the mutually intersecting first direction, second direction and third direction is referred to as "connection direction X", the second direction is referred to as "width direction Y", and the third direction is referred to as "height direction Z". Here, the connection direction X, the width direction Y and the height direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The connection direction X is equivalent to the connection direction between the first connector and the second connector or the extension direction of the wire. The width direction Y and the height direction Z are equivalent to the intersection direction that intersects with the connection direction X. In addition, the directions used in the following description represent the directions in the state where the parts are assembled to each other unless otherwise specified. In addition, the orthogonal mentioned here includes substantially orthogonal.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector device 1 is a device for connecting a flexible substrate 9 and an electric wire 10, and is used, for example, when mounted on a vehicle, as a wire harness WH for connecting electrical devices installed in the vehicle. The electrical devices include electronic control devices, sensors, circuit devices, motors, batteries, etc. For example, the flexible substrate 9 is used as a trunk portion of the wire harness WH, and the electric wire 10 is used as a branch portion of the wire harness WH.

[0026] The connector device 1 includes a first connector 2 , a second connector 3 , and a terminal 4 . Figure 1 The connector device 1 shows a state in which the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 are connected, and for convenience of explanation, a part of the second connector 3 is cut away.

[0027] The first connector 2 is a connector mounted on a flexible substrate 9, and is configured to be connectable to the second connector 3. The flexible substrate 9 is a planar circuit body in which the circuit is configured in a planar shape, and is called a flexible wiring substrate (FPC (Flexible Printed Cericits)), which is a printed wiring substrate having flexibility. The planar shape mentioned here also includes a substantially planar shape. The flexible substrate 9 is formed by, for example, bonding a base film, a conductor foil, and a cover layer via an adhesive layer. The conductor foil is a wiring pattern of the flexible substrate 9, and constitutes a wiring portion 91 of the flexible substrate 9. The flexible substrate 9 may be a single-sided substrate having a wiring pattern only on one side of the base film, or a double-sided substrate having wiring patterns on both sides of the base film. In addition, the flexible substrate 9 may be provided with electrical components such as resistors and capacitors mounted on the wiring pattern, or may not be provided with electrical components.

[0028] like Figure 2As shown, the first connector 2 has a first housing 5 and a first cover 6, and is mounted on, for example, an end 92 of a flexible substrate 9. Specifically, the first housing 5 and the first cover 6 are joined with the flexible substrate 9 sandwiched therebetween, so that the first connector 2 is mounted on the flexible substrate 9. The first housing 5 is a component that holds the flexible substrate 9 together with the first cover 6 and is connected to the second connector 3. The first housing 5 has a plate-shaped housing body 51 extending in the width direction Y, and is arranged on the front side 93 of the flexible substrate 9. The first cover 6 is a component that holds and holds the flexible substrate 9 together with the first housing 5. The first cover 6 has a plate-shaped cover body 61 extending in the width direction Y, and is arranged on the back side 94 of the flexible substrate 9.

[0029] The projection 62 is provided on the installation surface 61A of the first cover 6. The installation surface 61A is a surface of the cover body 61 that faces the flexible substrate 9 and sandwiches the flexible substrate 9 between the first shell 5 and the projection 62. The projection 62 protrudes from the installation surface 61A toward the back surface 94 of the flexible substrate 9. The protruding length of the projection 62 is set to be longer than the thickness of the flexible substrate 9. A plurality of projections 62 are provided, for example, one is provided at each end 63 in the width direction Y of the first cover 6, and two are provided at the middle position between the end 63 and the end 63. A through hole 95 is formed in the flexible substrate 9. The through hole 95 is a hole that penetrates the front surface 93 and the back surface 94. A plurality of through holes 95 are formed, and are formed at positions corresponding to the projections 62. The recess 52 is formed on the installation surface 51A of the first shell 5. The installation surface 51A is a surface of the shell body 51 that faces the flexible substrate 9 and sandwiches the flexible substrate 9 between the first shell 6 and the first cover 6. The recessed portion 52 is formed by recessing the installation surface 51A, and is formed to have a size that allows the protruding portion 62 to be inserted therethrough. A plurality of recessed portions 52 are provided, and are formed at positions corresponding to the protruding portions 62.

[0030] An engaging portion 64 is formed at the end 63 of the first cover 6, and an engaged portion 54 is formed at the end 53 of the first housing 5. The engaging portion 64 and the engaged portion 54 constitute a locking mechanism for locking the first cover 6 and the first housing 5. For example, the engaged portion 54 is a protrusion that protrudes laterally from the side surface of the first housing 5, and the engaging portion 64 extends from the end 63 of the first cover 6 to the first housing 5 side and is formed with a hole 64A into which the engaged portion 54 can be inserted.

[0031] In mounting the first cover 6 and the first housing 5 to the flexible substrate 9, the first cover 6 is firstly arranged on the back surface 94 of the flexible substrate 9 so that the protrusion 62 is inserted into the through hole 95. The protrusion 62 is in a state of protruding from the front surface 93 by passing through the through hole 95. Then, the protrusion 62 protruding from the front surface 93 of the flexible substrate 9 is inserted into the recess 52, thereby installing the first housing 5. Thus, the first cover 6 and the first housing 5 are installed at accurate positions relative to the flexible substrate 9. That is, among the flexible substrate 9, the first cover 6 and the first housing 5, the through hole 95, the protrusion 62 and the recess 52 function as a positioning portion, and function as a portion to prevent the flexible substrate 9 from falling off between the first cover 6 and the first housing 5.

[0032] The engaging portion 64 of the first cover 6 engages with the engaged portion 54 of the first housing 5, and the first housing 5 and the first cover 6 are joined in an uneasy manner. Thus, the first cover 6 and the first housing 5 are joined with the flexible substrate 9 sandwiched therebetween, and the first cover 6 and the first housing 5 are attached to the flexible substrate 9.

[0033] The first housing 5 has a receiving portion 55. The receiving portion 55 is a portion into which the protrusion 72 of the second connector 3 is inserted, and defines a receiving space 55A for the protrusion 72. For example, the receiving portion 55 is formed by a wall portion 55B provided on the housing body 51. The wall portion 55B is located on the second connector 3 side (at the Figure 2 The receiving space 55A is opened in the width direction Y and is arranged along the connection direction X. The length of the receiving space 55A in the width direction Y is set to be the same or substantially the same as the length of the protrusion 72 in the width direction Y. By inserting the protrusion 72 into the receiving portion 55, the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 are accurately connected, and the terminal 4 contacts the desired wiring portion 91. In addition, the length of the receiving space 55A in the connection direction X is set to a length that can suppress the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 from being connected obliquely. Therefore, the connector device 1 can suppress the situation where the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 are obliquely fitted and connected.

[0034] The receiving portion 55 is formed with a tapered portion 551. The tapered portion 551 is formed so that the receiving portion 55 becomes tapered toward the inner side of the receiving portion 55. That is, the tapered portion 551 functions as a portion where the protrusion 72 is easily inserted into the receiving portion 55. For example, the tapered portion 551 is formed so that the length L1 of the receiving space 55A in the width direction Y is enlarged relative to the length L2 of the protrusion 72 in the width direction Y at the entrance portion of the receiving portion 55, and the length L1 of the receiving space 55A in the width direction Y is reduced relative to the length L2 of the protrusion 72 in the width direction Y as it approaches the inner side of the receiving portion 55. The tapered portion 551 is formed, for example, at a position on the left and right of the entrance portion of the receiving portion 55 in the width direction Y. By forming the tapered portion 551, the connector device 1 can easily insert the protrusion 72 into the receiving portion 55, and can smoothly connect the first connector 2 and the second connector 3. In particular, even when the gap between the housing space 55A of the housing portion 55 and the protruding portion 72 is small, the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 can be easily connected.

[0035] The accommodating portion 55 is formed, for example, at a central position in the width direction Y of the first shell 5. In addition, the accommodating portion 55 may be formed in plurality, or may be formed at positions separated in the width direction Y of the first shell 5. A latched portion 56 is provided in the accommodating portion 55. The latched portion 56 is a portion that is engaged with the latching portion 74 of the second connector 3, and is used for latching when the first connector 2 is connected to the second connector 3. The latched portion 56 is provided on the inner side of the accommodating portion 55. That is, the latched portion 56 is formed in a manner surrounded by the wall portion 55B of the accommodating portion 55, and is protected by the accommodating portion 55. The latched portion 56 is, for example, a protrusion protruding in the height direction Z, which is latched by the latching portion 74, and functions as a locking mechanism for the first connector 2 and the second connector 3.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, a wiring portion 91 is formed on the flexible substrate 9. The wiring portion 91 is a portion that becomes a contact portion of the electrical connection of the flexible substrate 9 and is a part of the wiring pattern. At the position of the wiring portion 91, the surface protection cover layer is removed, and the conductor foil is exposed. In addition, the wiring portion 91 is subjected to a surface treatment for preventing oxidation of the conductor foil, for example. For example, a plurality of wiring portions 91 are arranged in parallel along the width direction Y at the end 92 of the back surface 94 of the flexible substrate 9. The number of wiring portions 91 is set, for example, according to the number of terminals 4 of the second connector 3. The end 92 of the flexible substrate 9 formed with the wiring portion 91 is arranged adjacent to the connection insertion portion 51B of the first housing 5. The connection insertion portion 51B is a part of the housing body 51 of the first housing 5, and is a plate-shaped portion that protrudes toward the second connector 3 side along the connection direction X.

[0037] like Figure 4As shown, the second connector 3 is a connector connected to the first connector 2 and electrically connects the terminal 4 to the wiring portion 91 of the flexible substrate 9. That is, the second connector 3 is configured to hold the terminal 4 and be connectable to the first connector 2, and the terminal 4 is directly contacted and connected to the wiring portion 91 of the flexible substrate 9 by being connected to the first connector 2.

[0038] The second connector 3 has a second housing 7 and a second cover 8. For ease of description, Figure 4 The second housing 7 and the second cover 8 are partially cut away and a portion of the wire 10 is omitted. The second housing 7 is a component that holds the terminal 4 mounted on the wire 10, and the second cover 8 is a component that is mounted on the second housing 7 to hold the wire 10 and prevent the terminal 4 from falling off.

[0039] The second housing 7 is a component for holding the terminal 4 mounted on the electric wire 10, and is formed in a block shape, for example. The second housing 7 forms a storage chamber 71 for accommodating the terminal 4 and the electric wire 10, and holds the terminal 4 together with the second cover 8. The second connector 3 can hold a plurality of terminals 4, and a plurality of storage chambers 71 are arranged in parallel along the width direction Y in the second housing 7. The storage chamber 71 extends along the connection direction X, and can accommodate the terminal 4 and the electric wire 10. The storage chamber 71 includes a first storage chamber 71A and a second storage chamber 71B. The first storage chamber 71A is a space for accommodating the electric wire 10, and the second storage chamber 71B is a space for accommodating the terminal 4. The second storage chamber 71B is formed on the first connector 2 side relative to the first storage chamber 71A. The second storage chamber 71B is formed to be narrower than the first storage chamber 71A in the width direction Y. Therefore, the terminal 4 accommodated in the second storage chamber 71B is held in the second storage chamber 71B with limited movement. In other words, the terminal 4 is positioned and held relative to the second connector 3 in the width direction Y and the height direction Z by being accommodated in the second storage chamber 71B.

[0040] In addition, a support portion 712 (see Figure 8 ). The support portion 712 is a portion that supports the first contact piece 421A of the terminal 4 described later. The support portion 712 is formed in a state separated from the inner surface of the second receiving chamber 71B. The first contact piece 421A passes between the inner surface of the second receiving chamber 71B and the support portion 712 and is received in the second receiving chamber 71B. At this time, the first contact piece 421A is pressed between the inner surface of the second receiving chamber 71B and the support portion 712, and the terminal 4 is received in the second receiving chamber 71B. As a result, the terminal 4 is firmly held in the second receiving chamber 71B. In addition, a convex portion 421C protruding relative to the height direction Z may be formed in the portion of the first contact piece 421A located between the inner surface of the second receiving chamber 71B and the support portion 712 (refer to Figure 5 , Figure 8By forming the convex portion 421C, the connector device 1 can smoothly accommodate the first contact piece 421A relative to the second accommodation chamber 71B, and the first contact piece 421A can be pressure-contacted between the inner surface of the second accommodation chamber 71B and the support portion 712 at the position of the convex portion 421C, and the terminal 4 can be firmly held in the second accommodation chamber 71B.

[0041] Both ends of the receiving chamber 71 in the connection direction X are open. The connection insertion portion 51B of the first connector 2 and the end 92 of the flexible substrate 9 can be inserted into the end of the receiving chamber 71 on the first connector 2 side. The electric wire 10 extends from the end of the receiving chamber 71 on the side opposite to the first connector 2. In the second housing 7, a partition 711 is formed between adjacent receiving chambers 71 and the receiving chambers 71, and is configured so that adjacently arranged terminals 4 are not short-circuited.

[0042] A protrusion 72 and a latched portion 73 are formed on the upper surface 75A of the top portion 75 of the second housing 7. The protrusion 72 is a block-shaped or plate-shaped portion protruding toward the first connector 2, and together with the receiving portion 55 of the first connector 2, constitutes a connection guide portion or an inclined connection inhibiting portion. That is, the protrusion 72 is formed to a size that can be inserted into the receiving portion 55, and is inserted into the receiving portion 55 when the first connector 2 is connected to the second connector 3. As a result, the protrusion 72 inhibits the inclined engagement of the first connector 2 and the second connector 3, so that the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 are properly connected. A latching portion 74 is provided on the protrusion 72. The latching portion 74 is a portion for latching when the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 are connected, and together with the latched portion 56 of the first connector 2, constitutes a locking mechanism. The latching portion 74 is provided on the inner side of the protrusion 72. That is, the latching portion 74 is formed in a manner surrounded by the outer wall portion of the protrusion 72 and is protected by the protrusion 72. An entry hole 72A is formed in the outer wall portion of the protruding portion 72 on the first connector 2 side. The entry hole 72A is a hole for allowing the latched portion 56 to enter the protruding portion 72 when the first connector 2 is connected to the second connector 3. The latching portion 74 is an arm-shaped portion formed with a latching hole 74A that can be latched with the protruding latched portion 56, and is engaged with the latched portion 56 when the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 are connected. The latched portion 73 is a portion that is engaged with the latching portion 83 of the second cover 8, and together with the latching portion 83, constitutes a locking mechanism of the second housing 7 and the second cover 8. The latched portion 73 is a protrusion protruding from the upper surface 75A. A plurality of the latched portions 73 are separately provided in the width direction Y, for example, three are provided.

[0043] The second cover 8 is mounted relative to the second housing 7 from the connection direction X, and holds the terminal 4 and the wire 10. For example, the second cover 8 is a plate-shaped component extending in the width direction Y, and is mounted on the second housing 7 that accommodates the terminal 4 and the wire 10 to hold the terminal 4 and the wire 10. The second cover 8 has a top 81 and a contact portion 82. The top 81 and the contact portion 82 extend side by side in the connection direction X, and are formed separately in the height direction Z. The top 81 and the contact portion 82 are connected on the opposite side to the connection side with the first connector 2, and the top 81 is located above the contact portion 82. The second cover 8 is mounted on the second housing 7 in a manner that the top 75 of the second housing 7 is clamped by the top 81 and the contact portion 82.

[0044] A locking portion 83 is formed at the top 81. The locking portion 83 is a portion that is engaged with the locked portion 73 of the second housing 7. The locking portion 83 extends from the top 81 toward the second housing 7 along the connection direction X and is formed in an arm shape, and is formed with a locking hole 83A that is locked by the locked portion 73. A plurality of the locking portions 83 are separately provided in the width direction Y, for example, three are provided. When the second cover 8 and the second housing 7 are installed, the locking portion 83 is engaged with the locked portion 73, and locked so that the second cover 8 and the second housing 7 do not fall off.

[0045] When the second cover 8 and the second housing 7 are installed, the contact portion 82 is inserted into the second housing 7. The contact portion 82 forms a part of the storage chamber 71 and functions as the top of the first storage chamber 71A. A plurality of partitions 821 are formed along the width direction Y on the lower surface 82A of the contact portion 82. The partitions 821 are portions that partition adjacent storage chambers 71. The contact portion 82 is configured to contact the terminal 4 when the second cover 8 and the second housing 7 are assembled (see Figure 8 That is, the end surface 82B of the contact portion 82 supports the terminal 4 from behind, and holds the terminal 4 so as not to fall out of the accommodation chamber 71 .

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, the terminal 4 is a terminal mounted on the electric wire 10, for example, a crimping terminal mounted on the end of the electric wire 10 by crimping. The terminal 4 has a wire connecting portion 41 and a substrate connecting portion 42. The terminal 4 is made of, for example, a conductive metal, and is formed by stamping or bending a plate having a shape corresponding to the wire connecting portion 41 and the substrate connecting portion 42, thereby integrally forming the wire connecting portion 41 and the substrate connecting portion 42. The terminal 4 is formed by connecting the wire connecting portion 41 and the substrate connecting portion 42 along the connection direction X. The electric wire 10 is, for example, an electric wire in which a sheath portion 10B is provided on the outer periphery of a conductor 10A.

[0047] The electric wire connecting portion 41 includes, for example, a sheath crimping portion 411 and a conductor crimping portion 412. The sheath crimping portion 411 is crimped to the sheath portion 10B of the electric wire 10. For example, the sheath crimping portion 411 includes two barrels 411A, and is attached to the sheath portion 10B by winding the barrels 411A around and crimping the barrels 411A to the sheath portion 10B. For example, the conductor crimping portion 412 includes two barrels 412A, and is attached to the conductor 10A by pressing and crimping the barrels 412A to the conductor 10A exposed by removing the sheath portion 10B.

[0048] The substrate connection portion 42 is a portion for making contact with the flexible substrate 9, and has a pair of contact pieces 421. The pair of contact pieces 421 is composed of a first contact piece 421A and a second contact piece 421B. The substrate connection portion 42 makes connection with the flexible substrate 9 by, for example, making the second contact piece 421B directly contact the flexible substrate 9. The first contact piece 421A and the second contact piece 421B are plate-like bodies or rod-like bodies extending along the connection direction X, separated in the height direction Z, and connected by a connecting portion 423 on the base end side. That is, the substrate connection portion 42 including the pair of contact pieces 421 forms a tuning fork terminal portion in a forked shape. The second contact piece 421B is formed to be able to bend and elastically deform in a direction away from the first contact piece 421A (height direction Z). When connecting to the first connector 2, the flexible substrate 9 is inserted between the first contact piece 421A and the second contact piece 421B. During the insertion, the second contact piece 421B is elastically deformed in a direction away from the first contact piece 421A, thereby smoothly inserting the flexible substrate 9. In addition, the second contact piece 421B is strongly in contact with the flexible substrate 9 by the restoring force of the elastic deformation. At this time, the first contact piece 421A functions as a load receiving portion that receives the contact load of the second contact piece 421B.

[0049] The axial direction B of the substrate connection portion 42 deviates from the axial direction A of the wire connection portion 41 in the height direction Z. That is, the axial direction B in which the substrate connection portion 42 extends deviates from the axial direction A in which the wire connection portion 41 extends in the direction intersecting the axial direction A. Therefore, the substrate connection portion 42 is formed so as to protrude in the direction (height direction Z) intersecting the axial direction A relative to the wire connection portion 41. Here, the axial direction A of the wire connection portion 41 is the central axis of the wire connection portion 41, and the axial direction B of the substrate connection portion 42 is the central axis of the substrate connection portion 42. For example, the substrate connection portion 42 is formed so as to protrude to a position where the axial direction B is offset from the wire connection portion 41.

[0050] The first contact piece 421A is provided with a convex portion 421C that protrudes toward the second contact piece 421B. That is, the convex portion 421C protrudes inwardly compared to other portions of the first contact piece 421A, thereby narrowing the distance between the first contact piece 421A and the second contact piece 421B. The convex portion 421C is formed, for example, at a position closer to the base end than the center position in the connection direction X of the first contact piece 421A.

[0051] A contact portion 421D is formed at the end of the second contact piece 421B. The contact portion 421D protrudes toward the first contact piece 421A side compared to the other parts of the second contact piece 421B, so that the distance between the first contact piece 421A and the second contact piece 421B is narrowed. The contact portion 421D is a portion that contacts the wiring portion 91 of the flexible substrate 9, and is, for example, in a mountain shape toward the first contact piece 421A. Figure 5 , the terminal 4 is attached to the electric wire 10 by crimping, but the terminal 4 may be attached to the electric wire 10 by a method other than crimping, for example, by press-fitting or welding.

[0052] Next, connection of the connector device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0053] like Figure 6 As shown, the connection of the connector device 1 is performed by connecting the first connector 2 and the second connector 3. The first connector 2 has a flexible substrate 9 mounted thereon, and the second connector 3 holds the terminal 4 mounted on the electric wire 10.

[0054] The first connector 2 and the second connector 3 are arranged in a state of being separated in the connection direction X. Then, for example, the second connector 3 is brought close to the first connector 2 for connection. First, the protrusion 72 of the second connector 3 is inserted into the receiving portion 55 of the first connector 2. At this time, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , a tapered portion 551 is formed at the entrance of the receiving portion 55 , and the opening width of the receiving portion 55 is formed to be wide. Therefore, the protrusion 72 is smoothly inserted into the receiving portion 55 through the tapered portion 551 .

[0055] The protrusion 72 enters along the wall portion 55B of the receiving portion 55 in the connection direction X. Thus, the second connector 3 is prevented from being inserted obliquely relative to the first connector 2, and the second connector 3 is prevented from being obliquely mated with the first connector 2. Furthermore, when the protrusion 72 is inserted deep into the receiving portion 55, the locked portion 56 enters the protrusion 72 and is engaged with the locking portion 74. Thus, the connection state between the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 is locked.

[0056] like Figure 8As shown, by connecting the first connector 2 and the second connector 3, the connection insertion portion 51B of the first connector 2 and the flexible substrate 9 are inserted into the second housing 7 of the second connector 3. That is, the connection insertion portion 51B and the flexible substrate 9 are inserted into the receiving chamber 71 of the second housing 7, and inserted between the first contact piece 421A and the second contact piece 421B of the terminal 4 held by the receiving chamber 71. At this time, by inserting the connection insertion portion 51B, the interval between the first contact piece 421A and the second contact piece 421B is expanded, and the second contact piece 421B is bent in a manner away from the first contact piece 421A. As a result, the connection insertion portion 51B and the flexible substrate 9 can be smoothly inserted between the first contact piece 421A and the second contact piece 421B.

[0057] Furthermore, a pair of contact pieces 421 are crimped and contacted with the wiring portion 91 of the flexible substrate 9, the flexible substrate 9 is connected to the terminal 4, and the flexible substrate 9 is electrically connected to the electric wire 10. Thus, the flexible substrate 9 and the electric wire 10 are connected via one terminal 4, and the connector device 1 can improve the electrical performance of the flexible substrate 9 and the electric wire 10. That is, the connector device 1 can omit the provision of the terminal in the first connector 2 by using the flexible substrate 9 as a contact point, and can set the physical contact portion to two in the connection between the electric wire 10 and the flexible substrate 9. Therefore, the connector device 1 can reduce the risk of increased resistance and poor connection caused by oxidation, wear, foreign matter, etc. at the contact portion, and can improve the electrical performance of the flexible substrate 9 and the electric wire 10. In addition, the connector device 1 can omit the provision of the terminal in the first connector 2, so the cost of the connector device 1 can be reduced.

[0058] For example, assuming that in the first connector 2, a flexible substrate terminal is installed on the flexible substrate 9 and connected to the second connector 3, the number of components increases and the cost increases due to the setting of the flexible substrate terminal. In addition, in the connection between the flexible substrate 9 and the wire 10, there are three contact locations. That is, electrical contact is made at three locations: the flexible substrate 9 and the flexible substrate terminal, the flexible substrate terminal and the terminal 4, and the terminal 4 and the wire 10. Therefore, due to the increase in the contact locations, the resistance value may increase and the electrical performance may decrease due to oxidation, wear, foreign matter, etc. of the contact locations. In contrast, the connector device 1 and the terminal 4 involved in this embodiment can omit the setting of the flexible substrate terminal, and can set the contact locations to two in the connection between the flexible substrate 9 and the wire 10. Therefore, the connector device 1 and the terminal 4 can achieve improved electrical performance and reduced costs in the connection between the flexible substrate 9 and the wire 10.

[0059] In addition, in the state where the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 are connected, the flexible substrate 9 and the terminal 4 are reliably connected in the second housing 7, thereby suppressing the connection failure between the flexible substrate 9 and the terminal 4. For example, the substrate connection portion 42 of the terminal 4 is doubly locked by the support portion 712 and the abutment portion 82 in the second housing 7. Specifically, the first contact piece 421A of the terminal 4 is pressed between the inner surface of the second housing chamber 71B and the support portion 712 when inserted into the second housing chamber 71B. Therefore, the terminal 4 is firmly locked and held in the second housing 7. In addition, the substrate connection portion 42 of the terminal 4 is shaped to protrude in the height direction Z relative to the wire connection portion 41, and the substrate connection portion 42 is abutted by the abutment portion 82 from the rear side (the wire 10 side). Therefore, the terminal 4 is firmly locked and held in the second housing 7 against the force of pulling out from the wire 10 side. Therefore, even if a force in the pulling-out direction is applied to the wire 10, it is possible to suppress the terminal 4 from being pulled out. In addition, even if the connector device 1 applies a force in the pulling direction to the electric wire 10, the pulling force is difficult to be transmitted between the flexible substrate 9 and the contact portion 421D, and the connection between the terminal 4 and the flexible substrate 9 can be stabilized. When the connector device 1 is used for the wire harness WH, it is assumed that a pulling force is applied to the electric wire 10 when the wire harness WH is laid. Even in such a case, since the terminal 4 is firmly engaged and held with respect to the second housing 7 in the connector device 1, it is possible to prevent the connection between the flexible substrate 9 and the terminal 4 from being released or becoming unstable.

[0060] As described above, the connector device 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 from being obliquely engaged by providing the protruding portion 72 and the receiving portion 55, and can appropriately connect the first connector 2 and the second connector 3. In addition, the connector device 1 according to the present embodiment can smoothly connect the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 by providing the tapered portion 551.

[0061] In addition, the connector device 1 according to the present embodiment directly contacts the terminal 4 with the wiring portion 91 of the flexible substrate 9 by connecting the first connector 2 and the second connector 3. Even in such a structure, the connector device 1 according to the present embodiment can accurately connect the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 and accurately contact the terminal 4 with the wiring portion 91 of the flexible substrate 9 by providing the protruding portion 72 and the receiving portion 55.

[0062] The connector device 1 according to the present embodiment includes the terminal 4 having the pair of contact pieces 421 . Therefore, the terminal 4 can be inserted between the pair of contact pieces 421 into the flexible substrate 9 so that the pair of contact pieces 421 can contact the wiring portion 91 of the flexible substrate 9 .

[0063] In addition, the connector device 1 involved in this embodiment forms the locking portion 74 inside the protrusion 72 and the locked portion 56 inside the receiving portion 55, so that the locking portion 74 and the locked portion 56 can be protected by the protrusion 72 and the receiving portion 55.

[0064] The connector device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. The connector device 1 according to this embodiment can also be configured by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[0065] For example, although the connector device 1 according to the above embodiment is described as being mounted on a vehicle, it may be used without being mounted on a vehicle.

[0066] In addition, in the connector device 1 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the flexible substrate 9 is used as a planar circuit body has been described, but a planar circuit body other than the flexible substrate 9 can also be used. For example, as a planar circuit body, a flat cable (FC (Flat Cable)), a flexible flat cable (FFC (Flexible Flat Cable)), etc. can also be used and connected to the terminal 4. Even such a connector device can obtain the same effect as the connector device 1 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment. That is, the connector device can suppress the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 from being obliquely engaged by providing the protrusion 72 and the receiving portion 55, and can appropriately connect the first connector 2 and the second connector 3. In addition, the connector device can smoothly connect the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 by providing the tapered portion 551.

[0067] In addition, in the connector device 1 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the tapered portion 551 is formed in the receiving portion 55 of the first connector 2 is described, but the tapered portion may be formed in the protruding portion 72 of the second connector 3. For example, it is sufficient to set the corner of the protruding portion 72 in the insertion direction to be chamfered so that it becomes tapered in the insertion direction of the protruding portion 72. As a result, at the entrance position of the receiving portion 55, the length of the width direction Y of the receiving portion 55 becomes wider relative to the length of the width direction Y of the protruding portion 72, and the same effect as the connector device 1 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained. That is, the protruding portion 72 is easily inserted into the receiving portion 55, and the connection between the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 is smoothly performed. In addition, the tapered portion 551 may be formed on both the receiving portion 55 of the first connector 2 and the protruding portion 72 of the second connector 3. Even in such a connector device, the same effect as the connector device 1 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained, the protruding portion 72 is easily inserted into the receiving portion 55, and the connection between the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 is smoothly performed.

[0068] In addition, in the connector device 1 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the receiving portion 55 is formed in the first connector 2 and the protruding portion 72 is formed in the second connector 3 is described, but the protruding portion 72 may be formed in the first connector 2 and the receiving portion 55 may be formed in the second connector 3. In this case, the same effects as those of the connector device 1 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0069] In the connector device 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment, the terminal 4 of the second connector 3 is in direct contact with the flexible substrate 9 of the first connector 2, but the terminal 4 may not be in direct contact with the flexible substrate 9. Even in this case, as long as the connector device is provided with the protruding portion 72 and the accommodating portion 55, the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 can be connected appropriately and smoothly, as in the connector device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0070] In the connector device 1 according to the above embodiment, the terminal 4 forms a pair of contact pieces 421, but a terminal may be used which does not form a pair of contact pieces 421. Even in this case, as long as the connector device is provided with the protrusion 72 and the receiving portion 55, the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 can be connected appropriately and smoothly, as in the connector device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0071] In addition, in the connector device 1 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment, the locking portion 74 is provided inside the protruding portion 72, and the locked portion 56 is provided inside the receiving portion 55. However, the locking portion 74 may be provided inside the receiving portion 55, and the locked portion 56 may be provided inside the protruding portion 72. Even in such a connector device, the locking portion 74 and the locked portion 56 can be protected by the protruding portion 72 and the receiving portion 55, as in the connector device 1 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0072] Description of Reference Numerals

[0073] 1: Connector device

[0074] 2: First connector

[0075] 3: Second connector

[0076] 4: Terminal

[0077] 5: First shell

[0078] 6: First Shield

[0079] 7: Second shell

[0080] 8: Second hood

[0081] 9: Flexible substrate (planar circuit body)

[0082] 10: Wires

[0083] 55: Containment

[0084] 56: Stopped part

[0085] 72: Protrusion

[0086] 74: Stopper

[0087] 91: Wiring Department

[0088] 421: A pair of contact pieces

[0089] 551: Conical part

[0090] L1: Length

[0091] L2: Length

Claims

1. A connector device, characterized in that: A first connector, wherein the first connector is mounted on a planar circuit body; as well as a second connector configured to hold a plurality of terminals mounted on a plurality of electric wires and connectable to the first connector, wherein the electric wires are connected to the planar circuit body via the terminals by connecting the second connector to the first connector; One of the first connector and the second connector has a protrusion extending protrudingly in a connection direction between the first connector and the second connector, The other of the first connector and the second connector is formed with a receiving portion, the receiving portion being capable of receiving and receiving the protruding portion, and guiding the connection between the first connector and the second connector by the insertion of the protruding portion, At least one of the protruding portion and the housing portion is formed with a tapered portion that tapers toward the back side of the housing portion.

2. The connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal is in direct contact with the planar circuit body through the connection between the first connector and the second connector.

3. The connector device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The terminal has a pair of contact pieces, and the pair of contact pieces are brought into direct contact with the planar circuit body by inserting the planar circuit body between the pair of contact pieces.

4. The connector device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A locking portion is formed on an inner side of one of the protruding portion and the receiving portion, A locked portion that is engaged with the locking portion is formed on the inner side of the other of the protruding portion and the receiving portion. The locking portion and the locked portion are engaged with each other when the first connector is connected to the second connector, so that the first connector is engaged with the second connector.

5. The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The planar circuit body is a flexible substrate.

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