connector

Abstract

A connector capable of connecting with a sheet-shaped connection object and also capable of achieving thinness is provided. The connector includes a first insulator (13) having a first support surface (S1), a second insulator (14) having a second support surface (S2), and a contact member (15) held by the second insulator and having a contact portion (C) exposed at the second support surface. A protrusion (15B) formed in the contact portion and reaching the back surface side of the first insulator through a first through-hole (13C) of the first insulator and a protruding portion (15D) formed at the front end of the protrusion are used to press the contact portion against the first support surface. A portion of a sheet-shaped conductive member (21) having a conductive portion (23) exposed at the second support surface is sandwiched between the first support surface and the second support surface, the contact portion is brought into contact with the conductive portion, and the contact member is electrically connected with the conductive portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, to a connector for connecting to a sheet-like connecting object. Background Technology

[0002] 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 placed in the measuring areas, and by electrically connecting the wearable device, which serves as the measuring device, to the electrodes, biometric information can be transmitted to the wearable device.

[0003] The connection between the electrodes and the wearable device can be made, for example, by using a connector that connects to a conductor led out from the electrode.

[0004] As such a connector, for example, is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Figure 29 The connector shown is a housing 2 and a base component 3 that 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 conductor 1A exposed on the surface of the flexible substrate 1.

[0005] In this state, by pushing the base component 3 into the housing 2, as... Figure 30 As shown, the protrusion 3A of the base component 3 sandwiches the flexible substrate 1 in the middle and inserts it into the protrusion receiving portion 4C of the contact 4. The inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 4C contacts the conductor 1A with a predetermined contact force, thereby electrically connecting the contact 4 and the conductor 1A.

[0006] In addition, such as Figure 29 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.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-129244

[0010] By fitting the wearable device with the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the wearable device can be connected to the electrodes of the smart fabric.

[0011] However, by inserting the side of the protrusion 3A into the protrusion receiving portion 4C of the contact 4, the conductor 1A of the flexible substrate 1 comes into contact with the inner surface of the protrusion receiving portion 4C of the contact 4. Therefore, a contact area of ​​a predetermined size needs to be ensured in the protruding direction of the protrusion 3A, that is, in the height direction of the connector, which results in the problem of increasing the overall height of the connector.

[0012] For example, as a connector installed in smart fabrics, a thin connector is desired. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The present invention was made to solve such previous problems, and its purpose is to provide a connector that can connect to a sheet-like object and can also achieve a thin profile.

[0014] The connector of the present invention includes:

[0015] The first insulator has a first support surface extending in a predetermined direction on its surface;

[0016] The second insulator is disposed in a superposition direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction relative to the first insulator, and has a second support surface facing the first support surface;

[0017] The contact component is held by a second insulator and has a contact portion exposed on a second support surface; and a pressing mechanism is provided for pressing the contact portion against the first support surface.

[0018] The first insulator has a first through hole, which extends from the first support surface to the back surface of the first insulator in the stacking direction at a position corresponding to the contact portion.

[0019] The pressing mechanism has a protrusion that reaches the back side of the first insulator through the first through hole, and uses the protrusion to press the contact portion against the first support surface;

[0020] A portion of a sheet-shaped connecting object with a conductive part exposed toward the second support surface is sandwiched between the first support surface and the second support surface, and the contact part contacts the conductive part, thereby electrically connecting the contact component to the conductive part.

[0021] It can be configured such that the pressing mechanism is formed by a contact member, the contact member including a protrusion formed on the contact portion and a protrusion formed on the front end of the protrusion and protruding from the first through hole in a predetermined direction on the back side of the first insulator.

[0022] In this case, preferably, the second insulator has a second through hole that extends through the second insulator in the stacking direction and opens in the second support surface, and the contact member has a contact body that is inserted into the second through hole and forms a contact portion.

[0023] Alternatively, the first and second insulators can be flexible.

[0024] Alternatively, the contact component may have a contact through-hole, which penetrates the contact component in the stacking direction through the contact portion and communicates with the first through-hole; the pressing mechanism is formed of a second insulator; the second insulator includes a protrusion that reaches the back side of the first insulator through the contact through-hole and the first through-hole, and a protrusion formed at the front end of the protrusion and protruding from the first through-hole in a predetermined direction on the back side of the first insulator.

[0025] In this case, preferably, the second insulator has a second through hole penetrating the second insulator in the stacking direction, and a recess communicating with the second through hole and opening in the second support surface; the contact member has a contact body inserted into the second through hole, and a flat plate portion adjacent to the contact body and inserted into the recess; the contact portion and the contact through hole are formed in the flat plate portion.

[0026] Preferably, the contact portion has at least one protrusion that protrudes toward the first support surface of the first insulator.

[0027] Additionally, preferably, the first insulator has at least one protrusion that protrudes from the first support surface toward the contact portion of the contact member at a position corresponding to the contact portion.

[0028] It can also be configured to have multiple contact components, each held by a second insulator.

[0029] The first insulator has a plurality of first through holes corresponding to a plurality of contact components.

[0030] A portion of the connecting object, which has multiple conductive parts exposed toward the second support surface, is sandwiched between the first support surface and the second support surface. The contact portions of the multiple contact components contact the multiple conductive parts, thereby electrically connecting the multiple contact components to the multiple conductive parts.

[0031] Effects of the invention:

[0032] According to the present invention, the contact member has a contact portion exposed on the second support surface of the second insulator, and the first insulator has a first through hole extending from the first support surface to the back surface of the first insulator at a position corresponding to the contact portion of the contact member. The pressing mechanism has a protrusion that reaches the back surface of the first insulator through the first through hole, and the protrusion is used to press the contact portion against the first support surface. A portion of the sheet-like connecting object with a conductive portion exposed toward the second support surface is sandwiched between the first support surface and the second support surface, and the contact portion contacts the conductive portion, thereby electrically connecting the contact member to the conductive portion. Therefore, it is possible to connect with the sheet-like connecting object, and it is also possible to achieve thinness. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1This is a perspective view of the connector of Implementation Method 1, which is connected to the object being connected, viewed from an obliquely upward angle.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the connector of Embodiment 1, which is connected to the object being connected, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0035] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector involved in Embodiment 1.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the first insulator of the connector used in Embodiment 1.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the first insulator of the connector used in Embodiment 1.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the second insulator used in the connector of Embodiment 1.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the second insulator of the connector used in Embodiment 1.

[0040] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the contact component of the connector used in Embodiment 1, viewed from an obliquely upward angle.

[0041] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the contact component of the connector used in Embodiment 1, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0042] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the object to be connected using the connector in Embodiment 1, viewed from an oblique angle.

[0043] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector in Implementation 1, showing the process of connecting with the object to be connected.

[0044] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector in Embodiment 1, which completes the connection with the object to be connected.

[0045] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0046] Figure 14 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector involved in a variation of Implementation 1, which completes the connection with the connected object.

[0047] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the connector of Embodiment 2, which is connected to the object being connected, viewed from an obliquely upward angle.

[0048] Figure 16 This is a perspective view of the connector of Embodiment 2, which is connected to the object being connected, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0049] Figure 17 This is an exploded perspective view of the connector involved in Embodiment 2.

[0050] Figure 18 This is a perspective view showing the first insulator of the connector used in Embodiment 2.

[0051] Figure 19 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the first insulator of the connector used in Embodiment 2.

[0052] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of the second insulator of the connector used in Embodiment 2, viewed from an obliquely upward angle.

[0053] Figure 21 This is a perspective view of the second insulator of the connector used in Embodiment 2, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0054] Figure 22 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the second insulator of the connector used in Embodiment 2.

[0055] Figure 23 This is a perspective view of the contact component of the connector used in Embodiment 2, viewed from an obliquely upward angle.

[0056] Figure 24 This is a perspective view of the contact component of the connector used in Embodiment 2, viewed from a slightly lower angle.

[0057] Figure 25 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector in Implementation Method 2, showing the process of connecting with the object to be connected.

[0058] Figure 26 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector in Embodiment 2, which completes the connection with the object to be connected.

[0059] Figure 27 yes Figure 26 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0060] Figure 28 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector involved in a variation of Implementation 2, which demonstrates the connection to the connected object.

[0061] Figure 29 This is an exploded 3D view of a traditional connector.

[0062] Figure 30 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional connector.

[0063] Figure Labels

[0064] 1 Flexible substrate, 1A 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, 31 Connector, 12, 32 Housing, 13, 33 First insulator, 13A, 14A, 33A, 34A Surface, 13B, 14B, 33B, 34B Back side, 13C, 33C First through hole, 13D, 33D, 34D Recess, 13E, 15C, 33E, 35 D protrusion, 14, 34 second insulator, 14C, 34C second through hole, 15, 35 contact component, 15A, 35A contact body, 15B, 34F protrusion, 15D, 34G protrusion, 21 sheet-like conductive component, 22 sheet-like body, 22A first sheet-like part, 22B second sheet-like part, 22C through hole, 23 conductive part, 23A first connecting part, 23B second connecting part, 34E bottom surface, 35B flat plate part, 35C contact through hole, S1 first support surface, S2 second support surface, C contact part. Detailed Implementation

[0065] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0066] Implementation Method 1

[0067] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The connector 11 according to Embodiment 1, which is connected to the sheet-like conductive member 21, is shown. The connector 11, for example, serves as a clothing-side connector for fitting a wearable device, and has a flat-shaped housing 12 formed of an insulating material. The housing 12 is composed of a first insulator 13 and a second insulator 14. A portion of the sheet-like conductive member 21 is sandwiched between the first insulator 13 and the second insulator 14, and the first insulator 13 and the second insulator 14 are fixed in a superimposed manner, thereby mounting the housing 12 to the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0068] Additionally, the connector 11 has a plurality of contact members 15 held in the housing 12. The plurality of contact members 15 are arranged in two parallel rows in the housing 12.

[0069] For convenience, the direction in which the sheet-like conductive component 21 and the housing 12 extend along the XY plane and the arrangement of the multiple contact components 15 is referred to as the X direction, and the direction in which the second insulator 14 is superimposed on the first insulator 13 is referred to as the +Z direction.

[0070] Figure 3An exploded perspective view of connector 11 is shown. A sheet-like conductive member 21 is disposed on the +Z direction side of the first insulator 13, a second insulator 14 is disposed on the +Z direction side of the sheet-like conductive member 21, and a plurality of contact members 15 are disposed on the +Z direction side of the second insulator 14.

[0071] like Figure 4 As shown, the first insulator 13 has a flat plate shape extending along the XY plane, and has a surface 13A facing the +Z direction and a back surface 13B facing the -Z direction.

[0072] A plurality of first through holes 13C are formed on the first insulator 13 from the surface 13A to the back surface 13B, respectively, penetrating the first insulator 13 in the Z direction. The plurality of first through holes 13C correspond to a plurality of contact components 15 and are arranged in two parallel rows extending in the X direction.

[0073] And, as Figure 5 As shown, a recess 13D is formed on the back surface 13B of the first insulator 13, the recess 13D communicating with each first through hole 13C, and the diameter of the recess 13D being larger than the diameter of the first through hole 13C.

[0074] Furthermore, a first support surface S1 extending along the XY plane is formed by the surface 13A on the +Z direction side of the first insulator 13.

[0075] like Figure 6 As shown, the second insulator 14 has a flat plate shape extending along the XY plane, and has a surface 14A facing the +Z direction and a back surface 14B facing the -Z direction.

[0076] A plurality of second through holes 14C extending through the second insulator 14 in the Z direction are formed on the second insulator 14 from the surface 14A to the back surface 14B. The plurality of second through holes 14C correspond to the plurality of contact components 15 and the plurality of first through holes 13C of the first insulator 13, and are arranged in two parallel rows extending in the X direction.

[0077] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, a second support surface S2 extending along the XY plane is formed by the back surface 14B of the -Z direction side of the second insulator 14, and the second through hole 14C opens on the second support surface S2.

[0078] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the contact component 15 is formed of a conductive material such as metal, and has a contact body 15A and a protrusion 15B. The protrusion 15B is integrally formed with the contact body 15A and extends from the contact body 15A toward the -Z direction.

[0079] The contact body 15A has a rectangular prism shape with its central axis extending along the Z direction and its corners rounded. One side of the contact body 15A in the -Z direction extends along the XY plane to form the contact portion C of the contact component 15.

[0080] The protrusion 15B is pin-shaped and protrudes from the center of the contact portion C in the -Z direction.

[0081] In addition, the contact portion C is formed with a plurality of protrusions 15C, which are arranged around the protrusion 15B to surround the protrusion 15B and protrude in the -Z direction respectively.

[0082] Furthermore, the height of the contact body 15A in the Z direction is approximately equal to the thickness of the second insulator 14, which is in the shape of a flat plate. In addition, the size on the XY plane is slightly smaller than the second through hole 14C of the second insulator 14.

[0083] When the connector 11 is assembled, it is in the following state: the contact body 15A is inserted into the second through hole 14C of the second insulator 14, and the contact portion C formed by the -Z direction side of the contact body 15A is exposed on the second support surface S2 of the second insulator 14.

[0084] In addition, the height dimension of the protrusion 15B in the Z direction is greater than the sum of the thickness of the first insulator 13 in the flat plate shape and the thickness of the sheet-like conductive member 21. Furthermore, its diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first through hole 13C of the first insulator 13.

[0085] The sheet-like conductive component 21 is used, for example, to electrically connect multiple wiring sections of clothing on which the connector 11 is mounted to multiple contact components 15, such as... Figure 10 As shown, it has a sheet-like body 22 formed of insulating material and a conductive portion 23 formed on the sheet-like body 22.

[0086] The sheet-like body 22 has a generally rectangular sheet portion 22A extending along the XY plane and a generally trapezoidal sheet portion 22B connected to the first sheet portion 22A and extending along the XY plane. The first sheet portion 22A is the portion sandwiched between the first insulator 13 and the second insulator 14 when the connector 11 is connected to the sheet-like conductive member 21, and has a plurality of through holes 22C corresponding to a plurality of first through holes 13C in the first insulator 13 and a plurality of second through holes 14C in the second insulator 14.

[0087] Furthermore, the diameter of the through hole 22C is approximately equal to the diameter of the protrusion 15B of the contact component 15 and smaller than the size on the XY plane of the contact body 15A.

[0088] The conductive portion 23 has a conductive pattern exposed at least on the +Z direction side of the sheet-like body 22. The conductive pattern has: a plurality of first connecting portions 23A, which are configured to correspond to a plurality of through holes 22C in the first sheet-like portion 22A and each includes a corresponding through hole 22C; and a plurality of second connecting portions 23B, which are disposed in the second sheet-like portion 22B and connected to the plurality of first connecting portions 23A of the first sheet-like portion 22A.

[0089] Various conductive components can be used as the sheet-like conductive component 21, including: a conductive component in which a conductive portion 23 consisting of a conductive layer is formed on the surface of the sheet-like main body 22 made of an insulating material such as resin in the +Z direction; a conductive component in which the conductive portion 23 consisting of a conductive layer is formed on the surface of the sheet-like main body 22 made of an insulating fabric or knitted fabric by printing; and a conductive component in which the conductive portion 23 is formed by sewing or weaving the conductive portion 23 to the sheet-like main body 22 made of an insulating fabric or knitted fabric. The conductive portion 23 must be exposed at least on the +Z direction side of the sheet-like main body 22.

[0090] When assembling connector 11, firstly, the plurality of first through holes 13C of the first insulator 13 and the plurality of through holes 22C of the sheet conductive member 21 and the plurality of second through holes 14C of the second insulator 14 are aligned with each other. In this state, the first sheet portion 22A of the sheet conductive member 21 is sandwiched between the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 13 and the second support surface S2 of the second insulator 14.

[0091] That is, the first sheet portion 22A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 overlaps on the +Z direction side of the first insulator 13, and the second insulator 14 overlaps on the +Z direction side of the first sheet portion 22A of the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0092] Next, multiple contact components 15 are sequentially inserted from the +Z direction into multiple second through holes 14C of the second insulator 14, multiple through holes 22C of the sheet-like conductive component 21, and multiple first through holes 13C of the first insulator 13.

[0093] Here, the Z-direction height of the contact body 15A of the contact component 15 is approximately equal to the thickness of the second insulator 14, and the Z-direction height of the protrusion 15B is greater than the sum of the thickness of the first insulator 13 and the thickness of the sheet-like conductive component 21. Therefore, as Figure 11 As shown, the surface of the contact body 15A in the +Z direction is formed to be approximately the same as the surface 14A of the second insulator 14, and the front end of the protrusion 15B is in a state of protruding from the first through hole 13C of the first insulator 13 in the -Z direction.

[0094] Therefore, as Figure 12As shown, this causes the front end of the protrusion 15B of the plurality of contact components 15 protruding from the plurality of first through holes 13C of the first insulator 13 in the -Z direction to deform.

[0095] Therefore, as Figure 13 As shown, the front end of the deformed protrusion 15B is accommodated in the recess 13D that communicates with the first through hole 13C of the first insulator 13, forming a protrusion 15D that protrudes from the first through hole 13C along the XY plane.

[0096] This completes the assembly of connector 11.

[0097] Furthermore, the surface of the contact body 15A of the plurality of contact components 15 in the +Z direction is exposed from the second insulator 14.

[0098] A pressing mechanism is formed by a contact member 15 having a contact portion C, a protrusion 15B, and a projection 15D, which presses the contact portion C against the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 13. That is, the portion of the first insulator 13 located around the first through hole 13C and the sheet-like conductive member 21 are sandwiched between the contact portion C and the projection 15D of the contact member 15, and the contact portion C of the contact member 15 is pressed against the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 13.

[0099] Thus, the contact portion C exposed on the second support surface S2 of the second insulator 14 contacts the first connecting portion 23A of the conductive portion 23 exposed on the +Z direction side at the periphery of the through hole 22C of the sheet-like conductive member 21, and the contact member 15 is electrically connected to the conductive portion 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0100] Furthermore, the contact portion C of the contact member 15 is formed with a plurality of protrusions 15C protruding in the -Z direction toward the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 13, thereby improving the reliability of the electrical connection between the contact member 15 and the conductive portion 23 of the sheet conductive member 21.

[0101] And, as Figure 14 As shown, at the position corresponding to the contact portion C of the contact member 15, a plurality of protrusions 13E can be formed protruding in the +Z direction from the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 13 toward the contact portion C. In this way, the compressive force in the Z direction acts on the sheet-like conductive member 21 through the plurality of protrusions 15C of the contact member 15 and the plurality of protrusions 13E of the first insulator 13, further improving the reliability of the electrical connection between the contact member 15 and the conductive portion 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0102] In addition, by forming multiple protrusions 13E only on the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 13 and not on the contact member 15, it is also possible to improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the contact member 15 and the conductive portion 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0103] Furthermore, the number of protrusions 15C of the contact component 15 or protrusions 13E of the first insulator 13 is not limited to multiple, but at least one protrusion 15C or protrusion 13E is sufficient.

[0104] Furthermore, it is desirable to use an adhesive or the like to bond the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 13 to the first sheet portion 22A of the sheet conductive member 21 to the second support surface S2 of the second insulator 14. For example, adhesive sheets can be inserted between the first support surface S1 and the first sheet portion 22A, and between the first sheet portion 22A and the second support surface S2, respectively, and heated to melt the adhesive sheets, thereby bonding the first insulator 13 to the sheet conductive member 21 and the second insulator 14. This forms a connector 11 with waterproof functionality.

[0105] Furthermore, the protrusion 15D of each contact component 15 can be formed by machining the front end of the protrusion 15B to deform it. In addition, by applying a compressive force in the Z direction to the protrusion 15B while heating is used during the bonding of the first insulator 13 and the sheet conductive component 21 with the second insulator 14, the front end of the protrusion 15B can also be deformed.

[0106] The first insulator 13 and the second insulator 14 can also be formed using flexible resin materials such as flexible epoxy resin or rubber materials. In this way, if the first insulator 13 and the second insulator 14 are flexible, the comfort of the clothing can be improved when the connector 11 is used as a clothing-side connector.

[0107] Implementation Method 2

[0108] Figure 15 and Figure 16 The connector 31 according to Embodiment 2, which is connected to the sheet-like conductive component 21, is shown. Similar to the connector 11 of Embodiment 1, the connector 31, for example used as a clothing-side connector for fitting a wearable device, has a flat-shaped housing 32 formed of an insulating material. The housing 32 is composed of a first insulator 33 and a second insulator 34.

[0109] The sheet-like conductive component 21 is the same as the sheet-like conductive component used in Embodiment 1.

[0110] Additionally, the connector 31 has a plurality of contact members 35 held in the housing 32. The plurality of contact members 35 are arranged in two parallel rows in the housing 32.

[0111] Figure 17An exploded perspective view of connector 31 is shown. A sheet-like conductive member 21 is disposed on the +Z direction side of the first insulator 33, a plurality of contact members 35 are disposed on the +Z direction side of the sheet-like conductive member 21, and a second insulator 34 is disposed on the +Z direction side of the plurality of contact members 35.

[0112] like Figure 18 As shown, the first insulator 33 is in the shape of a flat plate extending along the XY plane, having a surface 33A facing the +Z direction and a back surface 33B facing the -Z direction.

[0113] The first insulator 33 is formed with a plurality of first through holes 33C extending from the surface 33A to the back surface 33B in the Z direction. The plurality of first through holes 33C correspond to a plurality of contact components 35 and are arranged in two parallel rows extending in the X direction.

[0114] And, as Figure 19 As shown, a recess 33D is formed on the back surface 33B of the first insulator 33, which communicates with each first through hole 33C and has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first through hole 33C.

[0115] Furthermore, a first support surface S1 extending along the XY plane is formed by the surface 33A on the +Z direction side of the first insulator 33.

[0116] like Figure 20 and Figure 21 As shown, the second insulator 34 is in the shape of a flat plate extending along the XY plane, having a surface 34A facing the +Z direction and a back surface 34B facing the -Z direction.

[0117] The second insulator 34 is formed with a plurality of second through holes 34C extending from the surface 34A to the back surface 34B. The plurality of second through holes 34C correspond to the plurality of contact components 35 and the plurality of first through holes 33C of the first insulator 33, and are arranged in two parallel rows extending along the X direction.

[0118] like Figure 22 As shown, a recess 34D is formed on the back surface 34B of the second insulator 34. The recess 34D is configured to communicate with each second through hole 34C and to be adjacent to the second through hole 34C in the -Y direction. The recess 34D opens toward the -Z direction.

[0119] Furthermore, a pin-shaped protrusion 34F protrudes from the bottom surface 34E of the recess 34D facing the -Z direction and extends in the -Z direction. The height dimension of the protrusion 34F in the Z direction is greater than the value obtained by adding the depth of the recess 34D to the sum of the thickness of the flat plate-shaped first insulator 33 and the thickness of the sheet-shaped conductive member 21.

[0120] Additionally, a second support surface S2 extending along the XY plane is formed from the back surface 34B on the -Z direction side of the second insulator 34, and a second through hole 34C and a recess 34D open into the second support surface S2.

[0121] like Figure 23 and Figure 24 As shown, the contact member 35 is formed of a conductive material such as metal, and has a contact body 35A and a flat plate portion 35B disposed adjacent to the contact body 35A in the -Y direction. The flat plate portion 35B is formed to be thinner than the height dimension in the Z direction of the contact body 35A, and the -Z direction side surface of the contact body 35A and the -Z direction side surface of the flat plate portion 35B form the same surface.

[0122] A contact through hole 35C is formed in the center of the plate portion 35B, which penetrates the plate portion 35B in the Z direction, and a contact portion C extending along the XY plane is formed on the -Z direction side of the plate portion 35B.

[0123] In addition, the contact portion C is formed with a plurality of protrusions 35D, which are arranged around the contact through hole 35C to surround the contact through hole 35C and protrude in the -Z direction respectively.

[0124] In addition, the height of the contact body 35A in the Z direction is approximately equal to the thickness of the second insulator 34 in the shape of a flat plate, and the size on the XY plane is slightly smaller than the second through hole 34C of the second insulator 34.

[0125] In addition, the height of the plate portion 35B in the Z direction is approximately equal to the depth of the recess 34D of the second insulator 34, and the size on the XY surface is slightly smaller than that of the recess 34D.

[0126] When assembling connector 31, the flat plate portion 35B is inserted into the recess 34D of the second insulator 34, and the contact portion C formed by the -Z direction side of the flat plate portion 35B is exposed on the second support surface S2 of the second insulator 34.

[0127] Furthermore, the diameter of the contact through hole 35C is slightly larger than the diameter of the protrusion 34F of the second insulator 34.

[0128] When assembling connector 31, firstly, multiple contact components 35 are moved relative to the second insulator 34 in the -Z direction, so that multiple protrusions 34F of the second insulator 34 pass through the contact through holes 35C of multiple contact components 35, thereby holding multiple contact components 35 in the second insulator 34.

[0129] At this time, the contact body 35A of each contact component 35 is inserted into the corresponding second through hole 34C of the second insulator 34, and the flat plate portion 35B of each contact component 35 is inserted into the corresponding recess 34D of the second insulator 34.

[0130] Here, the Z-direction height of the contact body 35A of the contact member 35 is approximately equal to the thickness of the second insulator 34, and the Z-direction height of the plate portion 35B is approximately equal to the depth of the recess 34D of the second insulator 34. Therefore, the +Z-direction side surface of the contact body 35A is formed to be approximately the same as the surface 34A of the second insulator 34, and the -Z-direction side surface of the contact body 35A and the plate portion 35B is formed to be approximately the same as the back surface 34B of the second insulator 34.

[0131] Next, the plurality of first through holes 33C of the first insulator 33 and the plurality of through holes 22C of the sheet-like conductive member 21 are aligned with the plurality of contact members 35 held in the second insulator 34. In this state, the first sheet-like portion 22A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 is sandwiched between the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 33 and the second support surface S2 of the second insulator 34.

[0132] At this time, the multiple protrusions 34F of the second insulator 34 are sequentially inserted into the multiple through holes 22C of the sheet-like conductive component 21 and the multiple first through holes 33C of the first insulator 33.

[0133] Here, the height dimension of the protrusion 34F of the second insulator 34 in the Z direction is greater than the value obtained by adding the depth of the recess 34D to the sum of the thickness of the first insulator 33 and the thickness of the sheet-like conductive member 21. Therefore, as Figure 25 As shown, the front end of the protrusion 34F is protruding from the first through hole 33C of the first insulator 33 in the -Z direction.

[0134] Therefore, as Figure 26 As shown, this causes the front end of the protrusion 34F of the second insulator 34, which protrudes from the plurality of first through holes 33C of the first insulator 33 in the -Z direction, to deform.

[0135] Therefore, as Figure 27 As shown, the front end of the deformed protrusion 34F is accommodated in the recess 33D that communicates with the first through hole 33C of the first insulator 33, forming a protrusion 34G that protrudes from the first through hole 33C along the XY plane.

[0136] This completes the assembly of connector 31.

[0137] Furthermore, the surface of the contact body 35A of the plurality of contact components 35 in the +Z direction is exposed from the second insulator 34.

[0138] A pressing mechanism is formed by using a second insulator 34 having a recess 34D, a protrusion 34F, and a projection 34G to press the contact portion C of the contact member 35 against the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 33. Specifically, the flat plate portion 35B of the contact member 35, the portion of the first insulator 33 located around the first through hole 33C, and the sheet-like conductive member 21 are sandwiched between the bottom surface 34E of the recess 34D and the projection 34G, and the contact portion C of the contact member 35 is pressed against the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 33.

[0139] Thus, the contact portion C exposed on the second support surface S2 of the second insulator 34 contacts the first connecting portion 23A of the conductive portion 23 exposed on the +Z direction side at the periphery of the through hole 22C of the sheet-like conductive member 21, and the contact member 35 is electrically connected to the conductive portion 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0140] Furthermore, multiple protrusions 35D are formed on the contact portion C of the contact member 35, protruding in the -Z direction toward the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 33, thereby improving the reliability of the electrical connection between the contact member 35 and the conductive portion 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0141] And, as Figure 28 As shown, at the position corresponding to the contact portion C of the contact member 35, a plurality of protrusions 33E can be formed protruding in the +Z direction from the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 33 toward the contact portion C. In this way, the compressive force in the Z direction acts on the sheet-like conductive member 21 through the plurality of protrusions 35D of the contact member 35 and the plurality of protrusions 33E of the first insulator 33, thereby further improving the reliability of the electrical connection between the contact member 35 and the conductive portion 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0142] In addition, by forming multiple protrusions 33E only on the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 33 and not on the contact member 35, it is also possible to improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the contact member 35 and the conductive portion 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0143] Furthermore, the number of protrusions 35D of the contact component 35 or protrusions 33E of the first insulator 33 is not limited to multiple, but only one protrusion 35D or protrusion 33E is required.

[0144] Furthermore, it is desirable to use an adhesive or similar agent to bond the first support surface S1 of the first insulator 33 to the first sheet portion 22A of the sheet conductive member 21 to the second support surface S2 of the second insulator 34. For example, adhesive sheets can be inserted between the first support surface S1 and the first sheet portion 22A, and between the first sheet portion 22A and the second support surface S2, respectively, and heated to melt the adhesive sheets, thereby bonding the first insulator 33 to the sheet conductive member 21 and the second insulator 34. This forms a connector 31 with waterproof functionality.

[0145] Furthermore, the multiple protrusions 34G of the second insulator 34 are formed by thermal deformation of the front end of the protrusion 34F.

[0146] When the connector 11 of Embodiment 1 and the connector 31 of Embodiment 2 are installed, for example, on clothing, they are configured in... Figure 10 The second sheet portion 22B of the sheet-like conductive member 21 shown is connected to a plurality of second connecting portions 23B of the garment. Furthermore, the object-side connector (not shown) is fitted with connectors 11 and 31, and a plurality of contact components of the object-side connector are in contact with the contact bodies 15A and 35A of a plurality of contact components 15 and 35 exposed from housings 12 and 32.

[0147] Furthermore, the connectors involved in this invention are not limited to the number of contact components 15 in the connector 11 of Embodiment 1 and the number of contact components 35 in the connector 31 of Embodiment 2, as long as they have at least one contact component 15 or 35 that is electrically connected to the conductive portion 23 of the sheet-like conductive component 21.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: The first insulator has a first support surface extending in a predetermined direction on its surface; The second insulator is disposed in a superposition direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction relative to the first insulator, and has a second support surface facing the first support surface; The contact component is held by the second insulator and has a contact portion exposed on the second support surface; as well as A pressing mechanism is used to press the contact portion against the first support surface. The first insulator has a first through hole that extends from the first support surface to the back surface of the first insulator in the stacking direction at a position corresponding to the contact portion. The pressing mechanism has a protrusion that extends through the first through hole to the back side of the first insulator, and uses the protrusion to press the contact portion against the first support surface. A portion of a sheet-shaped connecting object with a conductive portion exposed toward the second support surface is sandwiched between the first support surface and the second support surface, and the contact portion contacts the conductive portion, thereby electrically connecting the contact component to the conductive portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing mechanism is formed by the contact component. The contact component includes a protrusion formed on the contact portion and a protrusion formed on the front end of the protrusion and protruding from the first through hole in the predetermined direction on the back side of the first insulator.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second insulator has a second through hole that extends through the second insulator in the stacking direction and opens into the second support surface. The contact component has a contact body that is inserted into the second through hole and forms the contact portion.

4. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first insulator and the second insulator are flexible.

5. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact component has a contact through-hole that extends through the contact portion in the stacking direction and communicates with the first through-hole. The pressing mechanism is formed by the second insulator. The second insulator includes the protrusion that extends through the contact through-hole and the first through-hole to the back side of the first insulator, and a protrusion formed at the front end of the protrusion and protruding from the first through-hole along the predetermined direction on the back side of the first insulator.

6. The connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second insulator has a second through hole penetrating the second insulator in the stacking direction, and a recess communicating with the second through hole and opening in the second support surface. The contact component has a contact body inserted into the second through hole, and a flat plate portion adjacent to the contact body and inserted into the recess. The contact portion and the contact through hole are formed on the flat plate portion.

7. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact portion has at least one protrusion that protrudes toward the first support surface of the first insulator.

8. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first insulator has at least one protrusion that protrudes from the first support surface toward the contact portion of the contact member at a position corresponding to the contact portion.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It has a plurality of contact components, each held by the second insulator. The first insulator has a plurality of first through holes corresponding to the plurality of contact components. A portion of the connected object, which has a plurality of conductive parts exposed toward the second support surface, is sandwiched between the first support surface and the second support surface, and the contact portions of the plurality of contact members contact the plurality of conductive parts, thereby electrically connecting the plurality of contact members to the plurality of conductive parts.

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