Electrical connecting device

Abstract

To prevent the contact pressure between a conductive member and a terminal from becoming excessively high and suppress a decrease in the stability of connection of the conductive member and the terminal even when the conductive member is connected in a bent state.SOLUTION: An electrical connecting device 1 comprises a first connector 11 to which a conductive member 100 is connected, and a second connector 12 to which the first connector 11 is connected. The first connector 11 includes a conductive member mounting part 13, and a holding part 14 for holding the conductive member mounting part 13. The second connector 12 includes a terminal 37 electrically connected to a conductor 102 of the conductive member 100, and a housing 36 for holding the terminal 37, and which the conductive member mounting part 13 fits to. Positioning parts (20, 21) projecting in a convex form on one side in a height direction are disposed in the conductive member mounting part 13, and the positioning parts (20, 21) come into contact with the inner wall of the housing 36 in the height direction when fitted, thereby determining the position of the conductive member 100 with respect to the housing 36 in the heigh direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 30

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection device comprising a first connector to which a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or flexible board having a plurality of conductors is connected, and a second connector to which the first connector is connected. [Background technology]

[0002] As an electrical connection device including a first connector to which a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or flexible board having a plurality of conductors is connected, and a second connector to which the first connector is connected, for example, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The electrical connection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to include a first connector 11 to which a conductive member 100 is connected, and a second connector 12 to which the first connector 11 is connected. The first connector 11 has a conductive member mounting portion 13 to which an end of the conductive member 100 is attached, and a holding portion 14 that holds the conductive member mounting portion 13 together with the conductive member 100. The second connector 12 has a plurality of terminals 35 that are in contact with and electrically connected to the plurality of conductors 102 in the conductive member 100, respectively, and a housing 34 that holds the plurality of terminals 35 and into which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted.

[0003] In the electrical connection device of Patent Document 1, a first connector 11 in a state in which a conductive member mounting portion 13, to which an end of a conductive member 100 is attached, is held by a holding portion 14 is connected to a second connector 12. At this time, the conductive member mounting portion 13 fits into a housing 34 of the second connector 12, and a conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 attached to the conductive member mounting portion 13 comes into contact with a terminal 35 held by the housing 34 and is electrically connected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6040333 specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the electrical connection device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the conductive member 100 connected to the first connector 11 is pulled out extending straight from the first connector 11 without bending, and the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected, the conductive member 100 and the terminal 35 are maintained in contact with each other with an appropriate contact pressure.

[0006] However, when the conductive member 100 connected to the first connector 1 is bent and extended from the first connector 11, a large force of elastic recovery is generated in the conductive member 100. Therefore, when the conductive member 100 is bent and extended from the first connector 11, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is strongly pressed to one side in the housing 34 of the second connector 12 by the elastic force generated in the conductive member 100. As a result, the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the terminal 35 held in the housing 34 becomes excessively high. When the electrical connection device is installed on a board or the like, once the electrical connection device is installed, the installation state of the electrical connection device does not change. Therefore, when the electrical connection device is installed in a state in which the conductive member 100 is bent and extended from the first connector 11, the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 35 remains excessively high for a long period of time. As a result, a high load will continue to act on the terminal 35 for a long period of time, which may reduce its durability and decrease the stability of the connection between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 35.

[0007] In consideration of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention aims to provide an electrical connection device that can prevent the contact pressure between a conductive member and a terminal from becoming excessively high, even when a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or flexible board having multiple conductors is connected in a bent state, and can prevent a decrease in the connection stability between the conductive member and the terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) In order to achieve the above object, an electrical connection device according to one aspect of the present invention relates to an electrical connection device including a first connector to which a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or flexible board having a plurality of conductors is connected, and a second connector to which the first connector is connected. In the electrical connection device according to one aspect of the present invention, the first connector has a conductive member mounting portion configured to mount an end of the conductive member, and a holding portion that holds the conductive member mounting portion together with the conductive member in a state in which the end of the conductive member is mounted, and the holding portion is provided with engaged portions configured to engage with engaging portions provided on each of a portion of both ends of the conductive member in the width direction, and the second connector has a plurality of terminals configured to be in contact with and electrically connected to the plurality of conductors in the conductive member mounted on the conductive member mounting portion, and a plurality of the and a housing configured to hold a terminal and into which the conductive material mounting portion fits and into which the holding portion engages, wherein the conductive material mounting portion is provided with a positioning portion that protrudes convexly on one side in a height direction that is perpendicular to a width direction of the conductive material mounting portion and a connection direction that is parallel to the direction in which the conductive material mounting portion fits into and connects with the housing, and the positioning portion abuts against an inner wall of the housing in the height direction when the conductive material mounting portion is fitted into the housing, thereby positioning the conductive member in the height direction relative to the housing.

[0009] According to this configuration, the conductive member mounting portion, to which the end of the conductive member is attached and fitted into the housing, is provided with a positioning portion that protrudes convexly on one side in the height direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the connection direction. When the conductive member mounting portion is fitted into the housing, the positioning portion of the conductive member mounting portion abuts against the inner wall of the housing in the height direction, and the position of the conductive member in the height direction relative to the housing is positioned. Therefore, even when the conductive member is bent and extended from the first connector, and an elastic force generated in the conductive member acts on the conductive member mounting portion and the holding portion that holds it together with the conductive member, the position of the conductive member mounting portion in the height direction within the housing is positioned. This prevents the contact pressure between the conductive member attached to the conductive member mounting portion and the terminal held by the housing from becoming excessively high. Therefore, even when the electrical connection device is installed in a state in which the conductive member is bent and connected, the contact pressure between the conductive member and the terminal is prevented from becoming excessively high, and the deterioration of durability is prevented, and the deterioration of the connection stability between the conductive member and the terminal is prevented.

[0010] Therefore, with the above configuration, even when a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or flexible substrate having multiple conductors is connected in a bent state, an electrical connection device can be provided that can prevent the contact pressure between the conductive member and the terminal from becoming excessively high and can prevent a decrease in the connection stability between the conductive member and the terminal.

[0011] (2) The conductive material mounting portion may be provided with a protrusion that is provided at both ends of the width direction of the conductive material mounting portion so as to protrude toward the tip side of the conductive material mounting portion in the connection direction, and that is guided along a guide groove provided in the housing and fitted into the guide groove when the conductive material mounting portion is fitted to the housing. The positioning portion may be a first positioning portion that is provided as the positioning portion so as to protrude convexly on one side of the protrusion in the height direction and abuts against an inner wall of the guide groove in the housing to position the conductive material relative to the housing in the height direction.

[0012] According to this configuration, the positioning portion is provided on the protruding portion that protrudes in the connection direction at both ends of the width direction of the conductive member mounting portion and is fitted into the guide groove of the housing. Therefore, the positioning portion that positions the conductive member mounting portion in the housing can be compactly provided in the portion that fits into the housing at both ends of the width direction of the conductive member mounting portion. Furthermore, since the positioning portion is provided on the protruding portion at both ends of the width direction of the conductive member mounting portion, the positioning portions can be arranged on both sides of the width direction so as to be aligned in the width direction, and it is possible to prevent the first connector from becoming long in the connection direction. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the positioning portion can be provided in a compact configuration without increasing the size of the first connector, and it is possible to prevent the electrical connection device from becoming large.

[0013] (3) The positioning portion may be provided so as to protrude in a convex shape from one side in the height direction of the conductive member attachment portion and to extend along the connection direction.

[0014] According to this configuration, the positioning portion is arranged to extend along the connection direction, so that the height position of the conductive member attached to the conductive member attachment portion within the housing can be stably positioned along the connection direction.

[0015] (4) The conductive member mounting portion may be provided with a rib in a widthwise central portion of the conductive member mounting portion, the rib being configured to extend toward the tip side of the conductive member mounting portion in the connection direction, and the positioning portion may further include a second positioning portion that protrudes convexly from one side of the rib in the height direction and abuts against an inner wall of the housing to position the conductive member relative to the housing in the height direction.

[0016] According to this configuration, the positioning portion is also provided on the rib extending in the connection direction at the widthwise center of the conductive member attachment portion, so that the conductive member attached to the conductive member attachment portion can be stably positioned in the height direction within the housing even at the widthwise center.

[0017] (5) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an electrical connection device according to an aspect of the present invention relates to an electrical connection device including a first connector to which a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or flexible board having a plurality of conductors is connected, and a second connector to which the first connector is connected. In the electrical connection device according to an aspect of the present invention, the first connector has a conductive member mounting portion configured to receive an end of the conductive member, and a holding portion that holds the conductive member mounting portion with the end of the conductive member mounted thereon, and the holding portion is provided with engaged portions configured to engage with engaging portions provided on a portion of each of both ends in the width direction of the conductive member, and the second connector holds a plurality of terminals configured to be in contact with and electrically connected to the plurality of conductors in the conductive member mounted on the conductive member mounting portion, and a housing configured to fit with the conductive material mounting portion and engage with the retaining portion, wherein an inner wall of the housing is provided with a positioning portion that protrudes convexly toward the inside of the housing on one side in a height direction that is perpendicular to the width direction of the housing and a connection direction that is parallel to the direction in which the conductive material mounting portion fits into and connects with the housing, and the positioning portion abuts against the conductive material mounting portion in the height direction when the conductive material mounting portion is fitted into the housing, thereby positioning the conductive material in the height direction relative to the housing.

[0018] According to this configuration, the inner wall of the housing, into which the conductive member mounting portion to which the end of the conductive member is attached is fitted, is provided with a positioning portion that protrudes convexly toward the inside of the housing on one side in the height direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the connection direction. Then, when the conductive member mounting portion is fitted into the housing, the positioning portion of the housing abuts against the conductive member mounting portion to position the position of the conductive member in the height direction relative to the housing. Therefore, even when the conductive member is bent and extended from the first connector, and an elastic force generated in the conductive member acts on the conductive member mounting portion and the holding portion that holds it together with the conductive member, the position of the conductive member mounting portion in the height direction within the housing is positioned. This prevents the contact pressure between the conductive member attached to the conductive member mounting portion and the terminal held by the housing from becoming excessively high. Therefore, even when the electrical connection device is installed in a state in which the conductive member is bent and connected, the contact pressure between the conductive member and the terminal is prevented from becoming excessively high, and the deterioration of durability is prevented, and the deterioration of the connection stability between the conductive member and the terminal is prevented.

[0019] Therefore, with the above configuration, even when a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or flexible substrate having multiple conductors is connected in a bent state, an electrical connection device can be provided that can prevent the contact pressure between the conductive member and the terminal from becoming excessively high and can prevent a decrease in the connection stability between the conductive member and the terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, an electrical connection device can be provided that can prevent the contact pressure between the conductive member and the terminal from becoming excessively high, even when a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or flexible substrate having multiple conductors is connected in a bent state, and can prevent a decrease in the connection stability between the conductive member and the terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of an electrical connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a conductive member and a portion of a substrate; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connecting device, showing a conductive member and a portion of a substrate. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first connector in the electrical connecting device, showing a portion of a conductive member. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the first connector together with a portion of a conductive member, in which FIG. 5A is a plan view and FIG. 5B is a front view. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first connector and the conductive member. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first connector, in which the position is reversed in the height direction from that of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] 8(A) and 8(B) are perspective views showing a conductive member mounting portion of the first connector. [Figure 9] 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams showing a conductive member mounting portion, in which FIG. 9A is a plan view, FIG. 9B is a front view, and FIG. 9C is a bottom view. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a conductive member mounting portion, in which FIG. 10A is a rear view and FIG. 10B is a side view seen from the direction of an arrow X6 in FIG. 10A. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a holding portion in the first connector. [Figure 12] 12A and 12B are views showing a holding portion, in which FIG. 12A is a plan view and FIG. 12B is a front view. [Figure 13] 13A is a diagram showing only the rear view of the holding portion, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the rear view of the holding portion and also showing each area in the insertion hole of the holding portion. [Figure 14]14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the manner in which a conductive member is connected to a first connector, in which FIG. 14(A) is an oblique view showing the state before the conductive member is inserted into the holding portion, and FIG. 14(B) is an oblique view showing the state before the conductive member inserted into the holding portion is attached to the conductive member attachment portion. [Figure 15] 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining the manner in which a conductive member is connected to a first connector, in which FIG. 15(A) is an oblique view showing a state in which the conductive member is in the middle of being inserted into a holding portion, the oblique view including a partial cross section, and FIG. 15(B) is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 15(A). [Figure 16] These are figures for explaining the manner in which a conductive member is connected to a first connector, FIG. 16(A) being an oblique view showing a state in which the conductive member is inserted into the holding portion and attached to the conductive member attachment portion, and FIG. 16(B) being an oblique view showing a state in which the conductive member attachment portion, to which the conductive member inserted into the holding portion is attached, is connected to the holding portion. [Figure 17] 17A and 17B are diagrams showing the state in which a conductive member is attached to a conductive member attachment portion, where FIG. 17(A) is an oblique view seen from one end wall side in the height direction of the conductive member attachment portion, and FIG. 17(B) is an oblique view seen from the other end wall side in the height direction of the conductive member attachment portion. [Figure 18] 18A and 18B are diagrams showing a state in which a conductive member is attached to a conductive member attachment portion, in which FIG. 18A is a perspective view and FIG. 18B is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of the perspective view of FIG. 18A is shown in cross section. [Figure 19] 19(A) is a perspective view showing a state in which a conductive member is attached to a conductive member attachment portion, the perspective view including a partial cross section, and FIG. 19(B) is a perspective view showing a state including a cross section different from that of FIG. 19(A). [Figure 20] These are figures for explaining the manner in which a conductive member is connected to a first connector, Figure 20(A) being an oblique view including a partial cross section showing the state in which the conductive member is inserted into the holding portion and attached to the conductive member attachment portion, and Figure 20(B) being an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 20(A). [Figure 21]21(A) is a perspective view showing a state in which a conductive member is connected to a first connector, and FIG. 21(B) is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 21(A). [Figure 22] 1 is a perspective view, partially in cross section, showing a state in which a conductive member is connected to a first connector. FIG. [Figure 23] These are figures for explaining the manner in which a conductive member is connected to the first connector, where Figure 23(A) is an oblique view showing a state in which the conductive member is inserted into the holding portion and attached to the conductive member attachment portion, and Figure 23(B) is an oblique view, including a partial cross-section, showing a state in which the conductive member is connected to the first connector. [Figure 24] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a conductive member is connected to a first connector. FIG. [Diagram 25] 25A and 25B are diagrams showing a state in which a conductive member is connected to a first connector, where FIG. 25A is a side view and FIG. 25B is a cross-sectional view taken from the position of the arrows X10-X10 in FIG. 25A. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second connector in the electrical connecting device. [Figure 27] FIG. 4 is a front view of the second connector. [Figure 28] 28A and 28B are diagrams showing a second connector, in which FIG. 28A is a plan view and FIG. 28B is a side view. [Figure 29] 13 is a diagram showing a form in which the electrical connecting device is installed on a substrate so that the conductive member connected to the electrical connecting device is arranged in a bent state. FIG. [Diagram 30] Figure 30(A) is a side view showing a portion of Figure 29, illustrating the state in which the conductive member is connected to the electrical connection device, and Figure 30(B) is a cross-sectional view seen from the position of the arrows X16-X16 in Figure 30(A). [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 30(B). [Diagram 32] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the electrical connecting device according to the first modified example is connected to a conductive member. [Diagram 33]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first connector of an electrical connecting device according to a first modified example. [Diagram 34] 33 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the electrical connecting device according to the first modified example is connected to a conductive member, taken along the line X17-X17 in FIG. 32. FIG. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 34. [Diagram 36] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration in which electrical connection devices are connected to both ends of a conductive member, and the conductive member is arranged in a state in which it is bent multiple times. [Figure 37] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an electrical connecting device according to a second modified example is connected to a conductive member. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 37. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be widely applied to an electrical connection device including a first connector to which a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or a flexible substrate having a plurality of conductors is connected, and a second connector to which the first connector is connected.

[0023] [Electrical connection device] 1 and 2 are perspective views of an electrical connecting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a conductive member 100 and a portion of a substrate 101. FIG.

[0024] The electrical connection device 1 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is configured as a device that electrically connects a conductive member 100 and a substrate 101. The electrical connection device 1 includes a first connector 11 to which the conductive member 100 is connected, and a second connector 12 to which the first connector 11 is connected. Note that Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show only a part of the conductive member 100 in a cutaway state, and Fig. 2 shows only a part of the substrate 101 in a cutaway state. Fig. 1 shows a state before the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected, and Fig. 2 shows a state after the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected.

[0025] The first connector 11 of the electrical connection device 1 is configured to be electrically connected to the conductive member 100 and to be electrically connected to the second connector 12 of the electrical connection device 1. In this embodiment, the first connector 11 configured to be electrically connectable to a plurality of conductive members 100 is illustrated, and more specifically, the first connector 11 configured to be electrically connectable to two conductive members 100 is illustrated. Note that the first connector 11 may be used in a state where two conductive members 100 are connected, or may be used in a state where one conductive member 100 is connected.

[0026] The second connector 12 of the electrical connection device 1 is configured to be electrically connected to the substrate 101 and to be electrically connected to the first connector 11. The first connector 11, which is electrically connected to the conductive member 100, is fitted and connected to the second connector 12, which is electrically connected to the substrate 101, so that the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are mechanically and electrically connected. Furthermore, the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are electrically connected to each other, so that the conductive member 100 and the substrate 101 are electrically connected to each other.

[0027] 1 and 2, the substrate 101 is shown in a partially cut-out schematic view, and is configured as a substrate having a conductive circuit pattern provided on at least one of the front and back surfaces. The conductive circuit pattern on the substrate 101 is omitted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0028] [Conductive material] Here, the conductive member 100 connected to the first connector 11 will be further described. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the conductive member 100. In FIG. 3, a part of the conductive member 100 including an end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 is illustrated typically. In this embodiment, the conductive member 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is configured as a flexible cable having a plurality of conductors covered with an insulating coating. More specifically, the conductive member 100 is configured as a flexible flat cable (FFC). The conductive member 100 includes a plurality of conductors 102, a coating portion 103, a reinforcing plate 104, and the like.

[0029] The conductive member 100 has an elongated shape with a flat overall shape. However, in Figures 1 to 3, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 and a portion nearby it are shown in a cut-out state. That is, in Figures 1 to 3, a portion of the conductive member 100 including the end 100a in the longitudinal direction is shown.

[0030] The multiple conductors 102 are each formed in an elongated shape and are arranged at equal intervals in the conductive member 100. The multiple conductors 102 are provided so as to extend parallel to one another in the conductive member 100. The direction in which the multiple conductors 102 arranged so as to extend parallel to one another is the width direction of the conductive member 100. Each conductor 102 is configured, for example, as a single elongated, flat, foil-shaped metal wire, or as an assembly of bundled fine metal wires. In this embodiment, a form in which each conductor 102 is configured as a single flat, foil-shaped metal wire is exemplified.

[0031] The covering portion 103 is formed of an insulating material and is provided so as to cover the multiple conductors 102. That is, the multiple conductors 102 are insulated and covered by the covering portion 103. In this embodiment, the covering portion 103 is exemplified by a form configured to include a pair of insulating sheets or insulating films provided on the front side and the back side of the conductive member 100, respectively. In this example, for example, the pair of insulating sheets or the pair of insulating films are integrated in a state in which the multiple conductors 102 arranged in parallel are sandwiched between them. In this way, the covering portion 103 that covers the multiple conductors 102 with an insulating material is configured.

[0032] The reinforcing plate 104 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and is provided at the end 100a of the conductive member 100. The reinforcing plate 104 is provided as a long and thin flat plate-like member for increasing the rigidity of the tip of the end 100a of the conductive member 100 and reinforcing it. Note that, when the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11, the reinforcing plate 104 is provided at the end 100a of the conductive member 100 so that the connection process can be performed smoothly.

[0033] The reinforcing plate 104 is attached and fixed to one of the front and back surfaces at the tip of the end 100a of the conductive member 100. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates the surface of the conductive member 100 opposite to the side to which the reinforcing plate 104 is fixed. The reinforcing plate 104 is attached to the end 100a of the conductive member 100 so as to extend along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conductive member 100 and along the edge portion of the end 100a. Note that in FIG. 3, the longitudinal direction of the conductive member 100 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X1, and the width direction of the conductive member 100 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X2. In the following description, the width direction of the conductive member attachment portion 13 is also referred to as the width direction X2.

[0034] Moreover, the conductive member 100 is provided at its end 100a with a conductor exposed portion 105 where ends of the multiple conductors 102 are exposed. The conductor exposed portion 105 is provided at the end 100a of the conductive member 100 as a portion exposing the ends of the multiple conductors 102 on the surface opposite to the side where the reinforcing plate 104 is attached, among the flatly spreading front and back surfaces.

[0035] 3 shows the conductive member 100 viewed from the side where the conductor exposed portion 105, where the multiple conductors 102 are exposed, is formed. Meanwhile, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conductive member 100 is shown viewed from the side where the ends of the multiple conductors 102 are not exposed. Note that the reinforcing plate 104 is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 because it is disposed inside the first connector 11. In the conductive member 100, one of the surface where the conductor exposed portion 105 is formed and the surface where the reinforcing plate 104 is attached is the front surface, and the other surface is the back surface.

[0036] The conductive member 100 is provided with an engaging portion 106 at a portion of each of both ends in the width direction X2. The engaging portions 106 are provided in pairs at the end 100a of the conductive member 100. Each engaging portion 106 is provided as a portion that protrudes in a generally rectangular shape toward the outside in the width direction X2 at each of both ends in the width direction X2 at the end 100a of the conductive member 100. Each engaging portion 106 is provided as a portion that engages with an engaged portion 32 (to be described later) of the first connector 11 when the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11.

[0037] In this embodiment, the conductive member 100 configured as a flexible cable is connected to the first connector 11, but this is not necessarily the case. That is, the conductive member connected to the first connector 11 is not limited to the flexible cable of the above-mentioned form, and may be any conductive member having a plurality of conductors. For example, a flexible cable having a layer structure or conductor arrangement structure different from the above-mentioned form may be used as the conductive member. Furthermore, a flexible cable configured in a form other than a flexible flat cable may be used as the conductive member. Furthermore, a flexible board such as a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) may be used as the conductive member.

[0038] [Outline of the first connector] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the first connector 11 in the electrical connecting device 1, together with a part of the conductive member 100. Fig. 5 is a view showing the first connector 11 together with a part of the conductive member 100, with Fig. 5(A) being a plan view and Fig. 5(B) being a front view. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the first connector 11 and the conductive member 100. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the first connector 11, seen in a state in which the attitude in the height direction is reversed from that in Fig. 4.

[0039] The first connector 11 shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 to 7 is configured to include a conductive member mounting portion 13 and a holding portion 14. In this embodiment, a form of the first connector 11 including two conductive member mounting portions 13 is illustrated. The two conductive member mounting portions 13 are configured in the same manner. Note that the first connector 11 may be implemented in a form including only one conductive member mounting portion 13 or in a form including three or more conductive member mounting portions 13.

[0040] [Conductive material attachment part] Fig. 8(A) and Fig. 8(B) are perspective views showing the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the first connector 11. Fig. 9 is a view showing the conductive member mounting portion 13, Fig. 9(A) is a plan view, Fig. 9(B) is a front view, and Fig. 9(C) is a bottom view. Fig. 10 is a view showing the conductive member mounting portion 13, Fig. 10(A) is a rear view, and Fig. 10(B) is a side view seen from the direction of the arrow X6 in Fig. 10(A). Note that Figs. 8 to 10 show only one conductive member mounting portion 13.

[0041] The conductive member mounting portion 13 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 to FIG. 10 is formed of an insulating resin material and configured to mount the end 100a of the conductive member 100. The conductive member mounting portion 13 is held by a holding portion 14 described later in a state in which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted and mounted, and is further configured to be fitted and connected to a housing 36 of a second connector 12 described later. The conductive member mounting portion 13 has a rectangular outer shape that is long in the width direction and has a length in a connection direction that is parallel to the direction in which the conductive member mounting portion 13 connects to a housing 36 described later, shorter than the length in the width direction. The width direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13 corresponds to the width direction X2 of the conductive member 100, and is configured as a direction in which a plurality of conductors 102 of the conductive member 100 inserted into the conductive member mounting portion 13 are arranged. The connection direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the conductive member mounting portion 13 fits and connects to a housing 36 of a second connector 12 described later. The conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted and connected to the housing 36 of the second connector 12 described later in the connection direction, with the end 100a of the conductive member 100 being inserted and mounted in the connection direction. The height direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is configured as a direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the connection direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13. In addition, in Figs. 8 to 10, the width direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X3, the connection direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X4, and the height direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X5. In the following description, the width direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is also referred to as the width direction X3, the connection direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is also referred to as the connection direction X4, and the height direction of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is also referred to as the height direction X5.

[0042] The conductive member mounting portion 13 has a main body portion 15 into which an end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted and mounted. The conductive member mounting portion 13 is provided with a protrusion 16, a blocking portion 17, a rib 18, and an engaging protrusion portion 19, which are provided integrally with the main body portion 15. Furthermore, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is provided with a positioning portion 20 and a positioning portion 21 on the protrusion 16 and the rib 18.

[0043] The main body 15 is provided as a flat tubular portion that defines an insertion opening 22 into which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted (see FIG. 10). More specifically, the main body 15 is provided as a rectangular tubular portion having a low dimension in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13. The inner region of the main body 15 becomes the insertion opening 22. The insertion opening 22 opens to the outside at one side in the connection direction X4 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 so that the end 100a of the conductive member 100 can be inserted. The end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member mounting portion 13 by being inserted into the insertion opening 22 from one side in the connection direction X4 of the conductive member mounting portion 13.

[0044] 8 to 10, the main body 15 has end walls 23 and 24 provided as walls on both ends of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5. The end walls 23 and 24 are configured to sandwich the end 100a of the conductive member 100 inserted and mounted in the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the front and back directions of the conductive member 100. The area between the end walls 23 and 24 is defined as an insertion opening 22. Each of the end walls 23 and 24 is provided as a portion extending in a flat shape along the width direction X3 in the conductive member mounting portion 13. When the first connector 11 including the conductive member mounting portion 13 is connected to the second connector 12 connected to the board 101, the end wall 24 is disposed in the conductive member mounting portion 13 in a state facing the front surface of the board 101, and the end wall 23 is disposed on the opposite side to the board 101 side.

[0045] 7 to 9, the main body 15 is provided with an opening 25 on the end wall 24 side, which is one side in the height direction X5. The opening 25 is provided as an area that opens at the tip side in the connection direction X4 of the conductive member mounting part 13. The tip side of the conductive member mounting part 13 in the connection direction X4 is the end side that is connected to the second connector 12 described later in the connection direction X4 of the conductive member mounting part 13. The opening 25 is provided as an area that opens at the tip side in the connection direction X4 on the end wall 24 side of the conductive member mounting part 13. The opening 25 is provided as an area that opens so as to expose the conductor exposed part 105 at the end 100a of the conductive member 100 inserted and mounted in the conductive member mounting part 13 to the outside of the conductive member mounting part 13. In this embodiment, two openings 25 are provided side by side in the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting part 13, sandwiching a rib 18 described later. Since the conductive member mounting portion 13 has an opening 25, the areas between each of a pair of protrusions 16 described later and the rib 18 on the end wall portion 24 side are formed into a notched recessed shape.

[0046] 4, 5, 7 to 10, the protrusions 16 are provided at both ends of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the width direction X3 so as to protrude toward the tip side of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the connection direction X4. The protrusions 16 are provided integrally with the main body portion 15 and are provided at both ends of the main body portion 15 in the width direction X3 so as to protrude toward the tip side in the connection direction X4. The protrusions 16 are provided in a pair and are provided as protruding portions with a substantially rectangular cross section at both ends of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the width direction X3. The protrusions 16 are configured to be guided along a guide groove 62 described later provided in the housing 36 and fitted into the guide groove 62 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36 of the second connector 12 described later.

[0047] 8 to 10, blocking portion 17 is provided as an end portion of end wall portion 24 on the opposite side to opening 25. Blocking portion 17 is provided as a portion that blocks a part of insertion hole 28 of holding portion 14, which will be described later. Blocking portion 17 is configured to block a part of insertion hole 28 of holding portion 14 with engaging portion 106 engaged with engaged portion 32 of holding portion 14 when conductive member mounting portion 13, in a state in which end 100a of conductive member 100 inserted into insertion hole 28 of holding portion 14 is mounted, is fitted into holding portion 14, as will be described later.

[0048] The rib 18 is provided in the center of the conductive member attachment portion 13 in the width direction X3, and is configured to extend toward the tip side of the conductive member attachment portion 13 in the connection direction X4. More specifically, the rib 18 is provided integrally with the end wall portion 24 of the conductive member attachment portion 13, and is provided to extend from the center portion of the end wall portion 24 in the width direction X3 toward the tip side in the connection direction X4. Two openings 25 are defined by the rib 18. In addition, the tip side end of the rib 18 in the connection direction X4 is integrally connected to the tip side end of the end wall portion 23 in the connection direction X4.

[0049] When end 100a of conductive member 100 is inserted into insertion opening 22 from the side opposite to the tip side in connection direction X4 of conductive member mounting portion 13 and mounted in conductive member mounting portion 13, end 100a of conductive member 100 is sandwiched between rib 18 and end wall portion 23. In this state, the edge portion of the tip of end 100a of conductive member 100 abuts against a portion bridging the tip side end of end wall portion 23 in connection direction X4 and rib 18, and is positioned relative to conductive member mounting portion 13.

[0050] 7 to 9, an abutting end 23a extending across the width direction X3 is provided at the end of the end wall 23 on the tip side in the connection direction X4. When the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted into the insertion opening 22 and attached to the conductive member mounting portion 13 and is sandwiched between the rib 18 and the end wall 23, the edge portion of the tip of the end 100a of the conductive member 100 also abuts against the abutting end 23a, and is positioned relative to the conductive member mounting portion 13. When the end 100a of the conductive member 100 abuts against the abutting end 23a and is positioned relative to the conductive member mounting portion 13, the conductor exposed portion 105 is exposed to the outside from the opening 25 (see FIG. 7).

[0051] 8 to 10, the engaging protrusion 19 is provided as a portion that engages with the holding portion 14 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into and connected to the holding portion 14 described below. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into and connected to the holding portion 14, the engaging protrusion 19 engages with the holding portion 14, whereby the conductive member mounting portion 13 is held in a locked state relative to the holding portion 14 and the conductive member mounting portion 13 is prevented from coming loose and falling off the holding portion 14.

[0052] The engaging protrusions 19 are provided on both sides of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the width direction X3 so as to protrude in a cantilever shape toward the side opposite the tip side of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the connection direction X4. A pair of engaging protrusions 19 are provided on each side of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the width direction X3. A protrusion 19a is provided on the end protruding in a cantilever shape of each engaging protrusion 19. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the holding portion 14 and connected, the protrusion 19a of each engaging protrusion 19 engages with the holding portion 14.

[0053] 5 and 7 to 10, the positioning portion 20 and the positioning portion 21 are provided as a portion that protrudes convexly on one side in the height direction X5 in the conductive member mounting portion 13. The positioning portion 20 and the positioning portion 21 are provided as a portion that abuts against an inner wall of the housing 36 in the height direction X5 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into a housing 36 of a second connector 12 described later, thereby positioning the position of the conductive member 100 in the height direction X5 relative to the housing 36. The positioning portion 20 and the positioning portion 21 that protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5 in the conductive member mounting portion 13 abut against the inner wall of the housing 36 in the height direction X5 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36, thereby positioning the position of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 within the housing 36. Then, by positioning the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 within the housing 36, the position of the end 100a of the conductive member 100 mounted to the conductive member mounting portion 13 is determined within the housing 36. Note that one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 from which the positioning portion 20 and the positioning portion 21 protrude in a convex shape is set as the side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 to which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased by the elastic force of the conductive member 100 when the conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1 in a bent state.

[0054] The positioning portion 20 is provided on the protruding portion 16. A pair of the positioning portions 20 is provided on each of the pair of protruding portions 16. The positioning portion 20 is provided on the protruding portion 16 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 20 is provided on the protruding portion 16 on the end wall portion 24 side, which is one side in the height direction X5. The positioning portion 20 is configured to abut against an inner wall of a guide groove 40 (described later) in the housing 36 in the height direction X5 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into a housing 36 of the second connector 12 (described later) to determine the position of the conductive member 100 in the height direction X5 relative to the housing 36. The positioning portion 20 is provided on the protrusion 16 and constitutes a first positioning portion of this embodiment that abuts against the inner wall of the guide groove 40 of the housing 36 in the height direction X5 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36, thereby positioning the position of the conductive member 100 in the height direction X5 of the housing 36.

[0055] The positioning portion 20 is provided on the protruding portion 16 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 and extend along the connection direction X4. Therefore, the positioning portion 20 is provided on one side in the height direction X5 of the protruding portion 16 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5 and extend like a rail along the connection direction X4 in which the protruding portion 16 extends. The positioning portion 20 is provided on the protruding portion 16 protruding in the connection direction X4 on both ends in the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 along the extension direction of the protruding portion 16. Therefore, the positioning portion 20 protruding convexly on one side in the height direction X5 on the protruding portion 16 is also provided on both ends in the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 so as to extend along the connection direction X4.

[0056] The positioning portion 21 is provided on the rib 18. The positioning portion 21 is provided on the rib 18 so as to protrude in a convex shape on one side in the height direction X5. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 21 is provided on the rib 18 on the end wall portion 24 side, which is one side in the height direction X5. The positioning portion 21 is configured to abut against an inner wall of the housing 36 in the height direction X5 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into a housing 36 of a second connector 12 described later, thereby positioning the position of the conductive member 100 in the height direction X5 relative to the housing 36. The positioning portion 21 is provided on the rib 18 and constitutes a second positioning portion of this embodiment that abuts against an inner wall of the housing 36 in the height direction X5 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36, thereby positioning the position of the conductive member 100 in the height direction X5 of the housing 36.

[0057] Moreover, the positioning portion 21 is provided on the rib 18 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 and extend along the connection direction X4. Therefore, the positioning portion 21 is provided on one side in the height direction X5 of the rib 18 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5 and extend like a rail along the connection direction X4, which is the direction in which the rib 18 extends. The positioning portion 21 is provided along the extension direction of the rib 18 extending along the connection direction X4 at the center part in the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting portion 13. Therefore, the positioning portion 21 protruding convexly on one side in the height direction X5 of the rib 18 is also provided so as to extend along the connection direction X4 at the center part in the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting portion 13.

[0058] [Holding part] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the holding portion 14 in the first connector 11. Fig. 12 is a view showing the holding portion 14, Fig. 12(A) is a plan view and Fig. 12(B) is a front view. Fig. 13 is a view showing the holding portion 14, Fig. 13(A) is a view showing only the rear view of the holding portion 14, and Fig. 13(B) is a view showing the rear view of the holding portion 14 and also a view showing each area of ​​the insertion hole 28 of the holding portion 14.

[0059] The holding portion 14 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 to 7, and 11 to 13 is configured to hold the conductive member mounting portion 13 with the end 100a of the conductive member 100 attached together with the conductive member 100. The holding portion 14 is configured so that the conductive member 100 is inserted therethrough and the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted in and connected to the holding portion 14. The end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member mounting portion 13 with the conductive member 100 inserted through the holding portion 14, and the conductive member mounting portion 13 with the end 100a of the conductive member 100 attached is fitted into the holding portion 14 and connected to the holding portion 14, so that the conductive member mounting portion 13 is held by the holding portion 14 together with the conductive member 100. The holding portion 14 is configured to be engaged and connected to the second connector 12 described later. The holding portion 14 is formed of an insulating resin material. The holding portion 14 is configured to include a main body portion 26, a lock arm portion 27, and the like.

[0060] The main body 26 of the holding portion 14 is provided as a portion having a housing-like outer shape, and is provided as a portion extending elongated in the width direction of the holding portion 14. The width direction of the holding portion 14 corresponds to the width direction X2 of the conductive member 100 and the width direction X3 of the conductive member attachment portion 13. The width direction of the holding portion 14 is configured as the direction in which the multiple conductors 102 of the conductive member 100 are arranged when the conductive member attachment portion 13 to which the conductive member 100 is attached is fitted into the holding portion 14 and connected. Note that in Figures 11 to 13, the width direction of the holding portion 14 is indicated by an arrow X7 at both ends, and in the following description, the width direction of the holding portion 14 will also be referred to as the width direction X7.

[0061] The main body 26 is provided with an insertion hole 28 through which the conductive member 100 is inserted. A plurality of insertion holes 28 are provided in the main body 26, and two are provided in this embodiment. The main body 26 is also provided with a fitting hole 29 configured to fit and engage with the conductive member mounting portion 13 in a state in which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 and attached. A plurality of fitting holes 29 are provided in the main body 26, and two are provided in this embodiment corresponding to the conductive member mounting portion 13 of the first connector 11.

[0062] Each insertion hole 28 is formed in the main body 26 in a hole shape extending along the width direction X7 of the holding portion 14. Two insertion holes 28 are provided in the main body 26 side by side in the height direction of the holding portion 14. The height direction of the holding portion 14 corresponds to the height direction X5 of the conductive member attachment portion 13. In Figures 11 to 13, the height direction of the holding portion 14 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X8, and in the following description, the height direction of the holding portion 14 will also be referred to as the height direction X8.

[0063] Each fitting hole 29 is formed in the main body 26 in a hole shape extending along the width direction X7 of the holding portion 14. The two fitting holes 29 are provided in the main body 26 side by side in the height direction X8 of the holding portion 14.

[0064] Each of the insertion holes 28 communicates with each of the fitting holes 29. Each of the insertion holes 28 opens at an end of the main body 26 opposite to the side connected to the second connector 12 described later in the connection direction of the holding portion 14. The connection direction of the holding portion 14 corresponds to the connection direction X4 of the conductive member mounting portion 13, and constitutes a direction parallel to the direction in which the conductive member mounting portion 13 fits into the holding portion 14. The connection direction of the holding portion 14 is also configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the holding portion 14 is connected to the second connector 12 described later. In addition, in Figs. 11 and 12, the connection direction of the holding portion 14 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X9, and in the following description, the connection direction of the holding portion 14 is also referred to as the connection direction X9.

[0065] Each fitting hole 29 opens at an end of the main body 26 that is connected to the second connector 12 in the connection direction X9 of the holding part 14 and that is fitted with the conductive member attachment part 13. The communicating insertion holes 28 and fitting holes 29 are configured to penetrate the main body 26 in the connection direction X9 of the holding part 14.

[0066] The holding portion 14 is connected to the second connector 12 connected to the board 101 in a state in which the conductive member 100 is inserted through the insertion hole 28 and the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the fitting hole 29. In a state in which the holding portion 14 is connected to the second connector 12, one end face 26a of the main body portion 26 in the height direction X8 is disposed facing the surface of the board 101, and the other end face 26b of the main body portion 26 in the height direction X8 is disposed on the opposite side to the board 101 side. Note that the one end face 26a and the other end face 26b of the main body portion 26 are configured as both end faces of the holding portion 14 in the height direction X8.

[0067] Here, the configuration of the insertion holes 28 provided in the main body 26 of the holding part 14 will be described in more detail. Each insertion hole 28 of the holding part 14 is configured to include a conductive member passing region 30 and a conductive member arrangement region 31 (see FIG. 13(B)). The conductive member passing region 30 and the conductive member arrangement region 31 in each insertion hole 28 are configured as mutually continuous regions, and open at the end of the main body 26 on the side connected to the second connector 12 described below in the connection direction X9 of the holding part 14. Moreover, the conductive member passing region 30 and the conductive member arrangement region 31, which are mutually continuous, are both configured as regions extending in the width direction X7 of the holding part 14.

[0068] 13, the conductive member passing region 30 is configured as a region through which the conductive member 100 passes when the conductive member 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 28. When the conductive member 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 28, the conductive member 100 passes through the conductive member passing region 30 with its width direction X2 expanding in the width direction X7 of the holding portion 14 in the insertion hole 28. The conductive member passing region 30 includes an engagement portion passing region 30a at both ends of the insertion hole 27 in the width direction X7. The engagement portion passing region 30a is included in a pair in the conductive member passing region 30. The engagement portion passing region 30a is configured as a region at both ends of the insertion hole 28 in the width direction X7 and as a region through which the engagement portion 106 of the conductive member 100 passes when the conductive member 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 and passes through the insertion hole 28.

[0069] 13, the conductive member arrangement region 31 is provided as a region continuous with the conductive member passing region 30 on the other end face 26b side of the main body 26. The conductive member arrangement region 31 is configured as a region in which the conductive member 100 is arranged in a state in which the conductive member 100 is displaced so as to be shifted from the conductive member passing region 30 after being inserted into the insertion hole 28. Since the conductive member arrangement region 31 is arranged on the other end face 26b side with respect to the conductive member passing region 30, the conductive member 100 is arranged in the conductive member arrangement region 31 in a state in which the conductive member 100 is displaced so as to be shifted from the conductive member passing region 30 to the other end face 26b side after being inserted into the insertion hole 28. When the conductive member 100 is arranged in the conductive member arrangement region 31, the conductive member 100 is arranged in the conductive member arrangement region 31 in a state in which the width direction X2 of the conductive member 100 is expanded in the width direction X7 of the holding portion 14 at the insertion hole 28.

[0070] 12 and 13, the main body 26 of the holding part 14 is provided with engaged parts 32 configured to engage with the engaging parts 106 of the conductive member 100. The engaged parts 32 are provided in pairs corresponding to each of the insertion holes 28 in the main body 26. The pair of engaged parts 32 provided corresponding to each insertion hole 28 are provided on the inside of the main body 26 at positions corresponding to both ends of the insertion hole 28 in the width direction X7.

[0071] Each engaged portion 32 is provided as a stepped portion protruding from the inside of the main body 26 so as to engage with an engaging portion 106 provided as a generally rectangular protruding portion protruding outward at both ends of the conductive member 100 in the width direction X2. In addition, in the main body 26, a pair of engaged portions 32 provided at positions corresponding to each insertion hole 28 are provided at positions adjacent to both ends of the conductive member disposing region 31 in the width direction X7 on the outside in the width direction X7 and adjacent to the other end face 26b side of the engaging portion passing region 30a. As a result, the pair of engaged portions 32 are configured to engage with the pair of engaging portions 106 of the conductive member 100 in a state in which the conductive member 100 is displaced from the conductive member passing region 30 to the other end face 26b side and disposed in the conductive member disposing region 31 after the conductive member 100 is inserted through the insertion hole 28.

[0072] 13, the main body 26 is provided with an engaging protrusion 33. The engaging protrusion 33 is provided as a portion that engages with the engaging projection 19 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the fitting hole 29 and connected to the holding portion 14. A pair of the engaging protrusions 33 is provided in the main body 26 to correspond to each of the fitting holes 29. The pair of engaging protrusions 33 provided to correspond to each fitting hole 29 is provided on the inside of the main body 26 at positions corresponding to both ends of the fitting hole 29 in the width direction X7.

[0073] Each of the engaging protrusions 33 is provided as a protruding portion on the inside of the main body 26 so as to engage with the protrusion 19a of the engaging protrusions 19 provided on both sides of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the width direction X3. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is inserted into the holding portion 14 through the fitting hole 29, the engaging protrusion 19 provided in a cantilever shape on the inside of the main body 26 of the holding portion 14 first comes into contact with the engaging protrusion 33 and is temporarily bent. Then, when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is further inserted and fitted into the inner side of the fitting hole 29, the bent engaging protrusion 19 elastically recovers, and the protrusion 19a at the end of the cantilever engaging protrusion 19 engages with the engaging protrusion 33. As a result, the engaging protrusion 19 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 engages with the holding portion 14 at the engaging protrusion 33, and the conductive member mounting portion 13 is locked and held relative to the holding portion 14. As a result, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is prevented from slipping off and falling off the holding portion 14. Furthermore, by holding the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the holding portion 14, the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 is also held in the holding portion 14 together with the conductive member mounting portion 13. In this manner, the holding portion 14 is configured to hold the conductive member mounting portion 13 together with the conductive member 100 with the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 mounted thereon.

[0074] 12 and 13, the main body 26 of the holding part 14 is provided with an abutment wall 34 that abuts against the conductive member mounting part 13 to position the conductive member mounting part 13, which is fitted and connected to the holding part 14, at a fitting completion position with respect to the holding part 14. The abutment wall 34 is provided in the main body 26 at a position corresponding to each insertion hole 28 communicating with each fitting hole 29. More specifically, the abutment wall 34 is provided as a wall extending along the width direction X7 of the holding part 14 at a position adjacent to the opening of each insertion hole 28 on the other end face 26b side in the main body 26.

[0075] The conductive member mounting portion 13 is provided with an abutment end portion 35 that abuts against the abutment wall portion 32 of the main body portion 26 of the holding portion 14 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted and connected to the holding portion 14 (see Figs. 8 to 10). The abutment end portion 35 is provided as a part of the end portion of the conductive member mounting portion 13 opposite to the tip side in the connection direction X4, and is provided as a portion extending along the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting portion 13. The abutment end portion 35 is provided between the pair of engagement protrusion portions 19 in the conductive member mounting portion 13. The abutment end portion 35 is provided on the end wall portion 23 side with respect to the blocking portion 17 in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13.

[0076] When the conductive material mounting portion 13 is fitted and connected to the holding portion 14 through the fitting hole 29, the engaging protrusion 19 of the conductive material mounting portion 13 engages with the engaging protrusion 33 of the holding portion 14. Then, in a state in which the engaging protrusion 19 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 33, the abutting end portion 35 of the conductive material mounting portion 13 abuts against the abutting wall portion 34 of the holding portion 14 on the inside of the holding portion 14. This allows the conductive material mounting portion 13, which is fitted and connected to the holding portion 14, to be positioned at the fitting completion position with respect to the holding portion 14.

[0077] The lock arm portion 27 of the holding portion 14 is provided as a portion that engages with the second connector 12 to lock the first connector 11 to the second connector 12 when the first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12 described below. The first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12 in a state in which the conductive member mounting portion 13, to which the conductive member 100 inserted into the holding portion 14 is attached, is fitted into and connected to the holding portion 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0078] The lock arm portions 27 are provided in a pair, one on each side of the holding portion 14 in the width direction X7. The pair of lock arm portions 27 are provided integrally with the main body portion 26. Each of the pair of lock arm portions 27 is provided so as to protrude in a cantilever manner from the holding portion 14. Each of the pair of lock arm portions 27 protrudes along the connection direction X9 of the holding portion 14, and is provided so as to protrude along the connection direction X9 from the end side of the main body portion 26 on the side where the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted.

[0079] An engagement claw 27a is provided at the end of each lock arm 27 that protrudes in a cantilever shape. The engagement claw 27a is provided as a protruding portion that protrudes inward in the width direction X7 of the holding portion 14 in each lock arm 27. When the first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12, the engagement claw 27a of each lock arm 27 engages with the second connector 12. The holding portion 14, into which the conductive member mounting portion 13 to which the conductive member 100 is attached is fitted, engages with the second connector 12, whereby the first connector 11 is connected to and locked in the second connector 12. This prevents the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 from being disconnected from each other.

[0080] [Connection between the first connector and the conductive member] Next, a configuration relating to the connection between the first connector 11 and the conductive member 100 will be described in more detail. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining a form in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11, Fig. 14(A) is a perspective view showing a state before the conductive member 100 is inserted into the holding portion 14, and Fig. 14(B) is a perspective view showing a state before the conductive member 100 inserted into the holding portion 14 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13. Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining a form in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11, Fig. 15(A) is a perspective view showing a state in which the conductive member 100 is in the middle of being inserted into the holding portion 14, including a partial cross section, and Fig. 15(B) is an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 15(A). 14 and 15 show perspective views of a state in which one end surface 26a of the main body 26 of the holding part 14 is facing up, and show a part of the conductive member 100. Also, Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 show an example in which the first connector 11 and one conductive member 100 are connected to each other.

[0081] 14 and 15, when the first connector 11 and the conductive member 100 are connected, first, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted into the holding portion 14. At this time, as shown in Fig. 14(A), insertion of the conductive member 100 into the insertion hole 28 starts from a state in which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 faces the insertion hole 28 of the holding portion 14.

[0082] When insertion of the conductive member 100 into the insertion hole 28 begins, as shown in Figures 15(A), 15(B), and 14(B), the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 and the fitting hole 29 and passes through the insertion hole 28 and the fitting hole 29. At this time, the conductive member 100 passes through the conductive member passing region 30 in the insertion hole 28. Then, each of the pair of engaging portions 106 of the conductive member 100 passes through each of the pair of engaging portion passing regions 30a in the insertion hole 28.

[0083] After passing through the insertion hole 28 and the fitting hole 29, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is then attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13. At this time, attachment of the conductive member 100 to the conductive member attachment portion 13 starts from a state in which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 faces the insertion opening 22 of the conductive member attachment portion 13 (see FIG. 14(B) and FIG. 10).

[0084] 14 and 15 show an example in which the conductive member 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 from the end portion 100a side, but this is not necessarily required. For example, if the length of the conductive member 100 is relatively short, the conductive member 100 may be inserted into the fitting hole 29 from the side opposite the end portion 100a, rather than from the end portion 100a side, and may be further inserted into the insertion hole 28.

[0085] Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining a form in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11, Fig. 16(A) is a perspective view showing a state in which the conductive member 100 is inserted into the holding portion 14 and attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, and Fig. 16(B) is a perspective view showing a state in which the conductive member attachment portion 13, to which the conductive member 100 inserted into the holding portion 14 is attached, is connected to the holding portion 14. Note that Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of a state in which the end wall portion 24 side of the conductive member attachment portion 13 and one end face 26a side of the main body portion 26 of the holding portion 14 are facing up, and a part of the conductive member 100 is illustrated. Fig. 16 also shows a state in which the first connector 11 and one conductive member 100 are connected.

[0086] When the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted into the holding portion 14, then, as shown in Fig. 16(A), the conductive member attachment portion 13 is attached to the end 100a of the conductive member 100 inserted into the insertion hole 28 of the holding portion 14. Then, as shown in Fig. 16(B), with the conductive member 100 inserted into the insertion hole 28 and the conductive member attachment portion 13 attached to the end 100a of the conductive member 100, the conductive member attachment portion 13 is fitted into and connected to the holding portion 14.

[0087] Fig. 17 shows a state in which the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, Fig. 17(A) is a perspective view of the conductive member attachment portion 13 as viewed from one end wall portion 24 side in the height direction X5, and Fig. 17(B) is a perspective view of the conductive member attachment portion 13 as viewed from the other end wall portion 23 side in the height direction X5. Fig. 18 shows a state in which the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, Fig. 18(A) is a perspective view, and Fig. 18(B) is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of the perspective view of Fig. 18(A) is shown in cross section. Fig. 18(B) is shown as a perspective view including a cross section perpendicular to the width direction X3 of the conductive member attachment portion 13. FIG. 19 shows a state in which the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, where FIG. 19(A) is a perspective view showing a state including a partial cross section, and FIG. 19(B) is a perspective view showing a state including a cross section different from that of FIG. 19(A). FIG. 19(A) is shown as a perspective view including a cross section perpendicular to the height direction X5 of the conductive member attachment portion 13. FIG. 19(B) is shown as a perspective view including a cross section perpendicular to the connection direction X4 of the conductive member attachment portion 13. Note that FIG. 17 to FIG. 19 only show a part of the conductive member 100. Also, FIG. 17 to FIG. 19 omit the illustration of the holding portion 14. Also, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show perspective views of the conductive member attachment portion 13 with the end wall portion 24 side facing up.

[0088] When the conductive member 100 inserted through the insertion hole 28 of the holding portion 14 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13 at the end 100a of the conductive member 100, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted into the insertion opening 22 of the conductive member attachment portion 13. At this time, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is inserted from the insertion opening 22 toward the tip side in the connection direction X4 of the conductive member attachment portion 13 in parallel with the connection direction X4 of the conductive member attachment portion 13. When the end 100a of the conductive member 100 inserted into the insertion opening 22 is inserted to the back of the insertion opening 22, the edge portion of the tip of the end 100a abuts against the abutment wall portion 23a from the inside of the conductive member attachment portion 13. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16(A) and FIG. 17 to FIG. 19, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 inserted into the insertion opening 22 is attached in a state where it is positioned relative to the conductive member attachment portion 13.

[0089] When the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, the conductor exposed portion 105 of the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is exposed to the outside through the opening 25 of the conductive member attachment portion 13. Furthermore, when the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, a predetermined region of the end 100a of the conductive member 100 in the longitudinal direction of the conductive member 100 is covered and surrounded by the main body portion 15 of the conductive member attachment portion 13 so that the periphery of the conductive member 13 is sandwiched all around. More specifically, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is covered and surrounded by the main body portion 15 so that a portion adjacent to the conductor exposed portion 105 in the longitudinal direction of the conductive member 100 is sandwiched all around.

[0090] Fig. 20 is a diagram for explaining a form in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11, Fig. 20(A) is a perspective view including a partial cross section showing a state in which the conductive member 100 is inserted into the holding portion 14 and attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, and Fig. 20(B) is a diagram showing an enlarged portion of Fig. 20(A). Note that Fig. 20 illustrates a state in the middle of an operation in which the conductive member attachment portion 13 is fitted into the holding portion 14 and connected. Fig. 20 also illustrates a part of the conductive member 100. Fig. 20 also illustrates a perspective view including a cross section perpendicular to the width direction X7 of the holding portion 14.

[0091] 20 , when the conductive member 100 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 and the conductive member mounting portion 13 is mounted on the end 100a of the conductive member 100, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the holding portion 14 and connected. At this time, in a state in which the conductive member 100 is displaced so as to be shifted from the conductive member passing region 30 to the conductive member arrangement region 31 in the insertion hole 28, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the holding portion 14 through the fitting hole 29. That is, when the conductive member mounting portion 13 with the conductive member 100 attached thereto is fitted into the holding portion 14, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the fitting hole 29 of the holding portion 14 so that the conductive member 100 passes through the conductive member arrangement region 31 in the insertion hole 28.

[0092] Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a state in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11, Fig. 21(A) is a perspective view including a partial cross section, and Fig. 21(B) is a view showing a part of Fig. 21(A) in an enlarged scale. Fig. 21 is illustrated as a perspective view including a cross section perpendicular to the width direction X7 of the holding portion 14. Fig. 22 is a perspective view including a partial cross section showing a part of a state in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11. Fig. 22 is illustrated as a perspective view including a cross section perpendicular to the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the height direction X8 of the holding portion 14. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a form in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11, FIG. 23(A) is a perspective view showing a state in which the conductive member 100 is inserted into the holding portion 14 and attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, and FIG. 23(B) is a perspective view including a partial cross section showing a state in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11. FIG. 23(B) is illustrated as a perspective view including a cross section perpendicular to the height direction X8 of the holding portion 14. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a state in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a state in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11, FIG. 25(A) is a side view, and FIG. 25(B) is a cross section seen from the position of the X10-X10 arrows in FIG. 25(A). In FIG. 21 to FIG. 25, a part of the conductive member 100 is illustrated. Moreover, Figures 21 to 23 show a state in which the first connector 11 and one conductive member 100 are connected, and Figures 24 and 25 show a state in which the first connector 11 and two conductive members 100 are connected.

[0093] When the conductive member mounting portion 13 with the conductive member 100 attached thereto is fitted into the holding portion 14, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the fitting hole 29 of the holding portion 14 from the end where the blocking portion 17, the engaging protrusion portion 19, and the abutment portion 35 are provided (see FIGS. 20 and 23(A)). When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the holding portion 14 all the way to the back side of the fitting hole 29, the conductive member 100 is arranged in the conductive member arrangement region 31 in the insertion hole 28.

[0094] When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the holding portion 14, the pair of engaging portions 106 of the conductive member 100 are engaged with the pair of engaged portions 32 of the holding portion 14 (see FIGS. 21, 22, and 25). When the pair of engaging portions 106 are engaged with the pair of engaged portions 32, the pair of engaging portions 106 are firmly held between the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the holding portion 14 in the connection direction X4 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 (connection direction X9 of the holding portion 14) and in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 (height direction X8 of the holding portion 14). Therefore, the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 is firmly held by the holding portion 14 together with the conductive member mounting portion 13.

[0095] 24 and 25, when two conductive members 100 are connected to the first connector 11, each conductive member mounting portion 13 to which each conductive member 100 is mounted is fitted into each fitting hole 29 of the holding portion 14. Then, a pair of engaging portions 106 of each conductive member 100 engages with a pair of engaged portions 32 corresponding to each insertion hole 28 of the holding portion 14.

[0096] Furthermore, in a state where the conductive member attachment portion 13 is fitted into the holding portion 14, the blocking portion 17 of the conductive member attachment portion 13 is configured to block the conductive member passing area 30, which is a part of the insertion hole 28, when fitted into the insertion hole 28 of the holding portion 14 (see FIGS. 21 and 24). Thus, when the conductive member attachment portion 13 with the end 100a of the conductive member 100 inserted into the insertion hole 28 attached thereto is fitted into the holding portion 14, the blocking portion 17 is configured to block the conductive member passing area 30 in the insertion hole 28 with the engaging portion 106 engaged with the engaged portion 32. Furthermore, due to the above-mentioned configuration, when the conductive member mounting portion 13 with the end 100a of the conductive member 100 inserted into the insertion hole 28 attached is fitted into the holding portion 14, the blocking portion 17 is configured to block at least the engagement portion passing area 30a in the insertion hole 28 with the engaging portion 106 engaged with the engaged portion 32.

[0097] Furthermore, in a state where the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the holding portion 14, the pair of engaging protrusions 19 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 are engaged with the pair of engaging protrusions 33 of the holding portion 14 at the respective protrusions 19a inside the holding portion 14 (see FIG. 23(B)). As a result, the conductive member mounting portion 13 with the conductive member 100 mounted thereon is locked and held relative to the holding portion 14, and the conductive member mounting portion 13 is held together with the conductive member 100 by the holding portion. Note that, when two conductive members 100 are connected to the first connector 11 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the pair of engaging protrusions 19 of each conductive member mounting portion 13 with each conductive member 100 mounted thereon engages with the pair of engaging protrusions 33 corresponding to each insertion hole 28 of the holding portion 14 at the respective protrusions 19a.

[0098] Furthermore, in a state where the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the holding portion 14, the abutment portion 35 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 abuts against the abutment wall portion 34 of the holding portion 14 on the inside of the holding portion 14 (see FIG. 23(B)). This allows the conductive member mounting portion 13, which is fitted and connected to the holding portion 14, to be positioned at a fitting completion position relative to the holding portion 14. Note that, when two conductive members 100 are connected to the first connector 11 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the abutment portions 35 of the conductive member mounting portions 13 to which the conductive members 100 are attached abut against the abutment wall portions 34 corresponding to the insertion holes 28 of the holding portion 14.

[0099] [Second connector] Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the second connector 12 in the electrical connecting device 1. Fig. 27 is a front view of the second connector 12. Fig. 28 is a view showing the second connector 12, where Fig. 28(A) is a plan view and Fig. 28(B) is a side view.

[0100] 1, 2, and 26 to 28 is mechanically and electrically connected to the first connector 11. The second connector 12 is connected to the first connector 11 in a state where it is connected to the board 101. The second connector 12 is configured to include a housing 36, a plurality of terminals 37, a fixing metal fitting 38, and the like.

[0101] 1 and 26 to 28, the terminals 37 are each made of a metal material having electrical conductivity and are held by the housing 36. The terminals 37 are held in the housing 36 in a state of being arranged in two rows along the width direction of the housing 36. The terminals 37 are configured to be in contact with the conductors 102 in the conductive member 100 attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13 and to be electrically connected to the conductors 102. More specifically, when the first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12, the terminals 37 are in contact with the conductors 102 and are electrically connected to the conductors 102. The terminals 37 are mechanically and electrically connected to the substrate 101. More specifically, the terminals 37 are mechanically fixed to the substrate 101 and electrically connected to the conductive circuit pattern of the substrate 101 by being soldered to the surface of the substrate 101.

[0102] Each of the terminals 37 includes a board connection portion 37a and a conductor connection portion 37b that are integrally provided. The board connection portion 37a is provided as a portion on one end side of each terminal 37 and is provided as a portion that is connected to the board 101. The conductor connection portion 37b is provided as a portion on the other end side of each terminal 37 and is provided as a portion that is connected to the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100.

[0103] Each terminal 37 has a pair of gripping portions provided as a pair of cantilevered ends on the other end side, i.e., on the side opposite to the board connection portion 37a, which sandwich the end 100a of the conductive member 100 and the portion of the conductive member mounting portion 13 where the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached, in the height direction of the housing 36. The conductor connection portion 37b is configured as one part of the pair of gripping portions. With the pair of gripping portions sandwiching the end 100a of the conductive member 100, the conductor connection portion 37b provided as one of the pair of gripping portions comes into contact with the conductor 102 exposed at the conductor exposed portion 105 of the end 100a of the conductive member 100, and is electrically connected thereto.

[0104] The fixing metal fittings 38 are formed of a metal material, and are provided as members for firmly fixing the second connector 12 to the board 101. The fixing metal fittings 38 are provided in pairs, and are fixed to both ends of the housing 36 in the width direction. Each fixing metal fitting 38 is fixed to the housing 36 by being press-fitted. Furthermore, each fixing metal fitting 38 is mechanically fixed to the board 101 by being soldered to the surface of the board 101.

[0105] 1, 2, and 26 to 28, housing 36 is formed of an insulating resin material and holds a plurality of terminals 37. Housing 36 is configured so that conductive member mounting portion 13 of first connector 11 fits into and connects with holding portion 14 of first connector 11. Housing 36 is provided as a member having a casing-like outer shape that is long in the width direction and whose length in the connection direction, which is a direction parallel to the direction in which conductive member mounting portion 13 fits into and connects with housing 36, is shorter than its length in the width direction.

[0106] The width direction of the housing 36 is configured as a direction in which the multiple terminals 37 held by the housing 36 are arranged side by side. In the housing 36, the multiple terminals 37 are arranged in two rows along the width direction. The width direction of the housing 36 corresponds to the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 that is fitted and connected to the housing 36. The connection direction of the housing 36 is configured as a direction parallel to the direction in which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted and connected to the housing 36. The connection direction of the housing 36 corresponds to the connection direction X4 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 that is fitted and connected to the housing 36. The height direction of the housing 36 is configured as a direction perpendicular to both the width direction and the connection direction of the housing 36. In addition, in Figs. 26 to 28, the width direction of the housing 36 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X11, the connection direction of the housing 36 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X12, and the height direction of the housing 36 is indicated by a double-ended arrow X13. In the following description, the width direction of the housing 36 will also be referred to as the width direction X11, the connection direction of the housing 36 will also be referred to as the connection direction X12, and the height direction of the housing 36 will also be referred to as the height direction X13.

[0107] When the second connector 12 is mounted on the board 101, the housing 36 is installed on the board 101 by connecting the terminals 37 held by the housing 36 and the fixing brackets 38 to the board 101 by soldering. When the housing 36 is installed on the board 101, one end face 36a of the housing 36 in the height direction X13 is disposed facing the surface of the board 101, and the other end face 36b of the housing 36 in the height direction X13 is disposed on the opposite side to the board 101. The one end face 36a and the other end face 36b of the housing 36 are configured as both end faces of the housing 36 in the height direction X13.

[0108] 1, 26 and 27, the housing 36 is provided with a connection port 39, a guide groove 40, a locking protrusion 41, and the like.

[0109] 1, 26, and 27, the connection port 39 is provided as an opening into which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted and connected. A plurality of connection ports 39 are provided in the housing 36, and in this embodiment, two connection ports 39 are provided corresponding to the conductive member mounting portions 13 of the first connector 11. Each connection port 39 is formed in the housing 36 in an opening shape extending along the width direction X11 of the housing 36. The two connection ports 39 are provided in the housing 36 side by side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36.

[0110] Each connection port 39 opens at one end of the housing 36 in the connection direction X12, which is the end to which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is connected. Inside each connection port 39, the conductor connection portions 37b of the multiple terminals 37 arranged in the width direction X11 of the housing 36 are exposed. The conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted and connected to the connection port 39 at the tip side in the connection direction X4 where the opening 25 is provided. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 to which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached is fitted into the connection port 39, each of the multiple conductors 102 of the conductive member 100 exposed from the opening 25 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 comes into contact with each of the conductor connection portions 37b exposed inside the connection port 39. As a result, each conductor 102 of the conductive member and each terminal 37 are electrically connected.

[0111] In addition, inside the connection port 39, a pair of cantilever-shaped gripping parts are exposed, which are provided at the end of each terminal 37 opposite to the board connection part 37a side and sandwich the end 100a of the conductive member 100 and the conductive member mounting part 13 to which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached. The pair of gripping parts of each terminal 37 are arranged side by side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36, and one of the pair of gripping parts arranged side by side in the height direction X13 constitutes the conductor connection part 37b that contacts and is electrically connected to the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100. In this embodiment, of the pair of gripping parts arranged side by side in the height direction X13, one of the gripping parts arranged on the side of one end face 36a, which is the end face of the housing 36 that is arranged opposite to the board 101, constitutes the conductor connection part 37b. The conductive member mounting portion 13 with the conductive member 100 mounted thereon is inserted into the connection port 39 with the opening 25 exposing the conductor exposed portion 105 facing one end face 36a of the housing 36, and is fitted into the connection port 39. Then, inside the connection port 39, each of the multiple conductors 102 of the conductive member 100 exposed from the opening 25 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 fitted into the connection port 39 comes into contact with the conductor connecting portion 37b of each terminal 37, and the conductors 102 and the terminals 37 are electrically connected.

[0112] Further, the connection port 39 is defined in a central portion in the width direction X11 of the housing 36, so that the rib 18 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is inserted so as to fit into the recess 39a when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the connection port 39. The recess 39a is provided in a central portion in the width direction X11 of the connection port 39 so as to be recessed in a groove shape toward one end face 36a, and is provided inside the housing 36 so as to extend along the connection direction X12 in a groove-like recessed state. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the connection port 39, the rib 18 is inserted so as to fit into the recess 39a, and the positioning portion 21 provided on the rib 18 and protruding in a convex shape toward one side in the height direction X5 abuts against the inner wall of the housing 36 defining the recess 39a in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 and in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. That is, among the inner walls of the housing 36, the inner wall defining the recess 39a of the connection port 39 constitutes the inner wall of the housing 36 that abuts against the positioning portion 21 provided on the rib 18 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36, the positioning portion 21 provided on the rib 18 abuts against the inner wall of the housing 36 that defines the recess 39a of the connection port 39 in the height direction X5 and the height direction X13, thereby positioning the conductive member 100 attached to the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (the height direction X13 of the housing 36) of the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36. Note that hereinafter, the recess 39a will also be referred to as the inner wall 39a of the housing 36 that abuts against the positioning portion 21 provided on the rib 18.

[0113] 1, 26, and 27, the guide grooves 40 are provided in pairs in the housing 36 corresponding to the respective connection ports 39, and are provided as grooves that communicate with the respective connection ports 39 at both ends of the respective connection ports 39 in the width direction X11 and extend inside the housing 36. The guide grooves 40 open at one end of the housing 36 in the connection direction X12, which is an end on the side where the conductive member mounting portion 13 is connected. The guide grooves 40 communicate with the connection ports 39 in the width direction X11, and are provided inside the housing 36 so as to extend along the connection direction X12 with a substantially rectangular cross section. The guide grooves 40 are configured as grooves that guide the direction in which the protrusions 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 are fitted into the housing 36 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36. That is, when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36 , the protrusion 16 is guided along the guide groove 40 and fitted into the guide groove 40 .

[0114] When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36 and the protrusion 16 is fitted into the guide groove 40, the positioning portion 20 provided on the protrusion 16 and protruding convexly on one side in the height direction X5 abuts against an inner wall 40a of the guide groove 40 in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 and in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. The inner wall 40a of the guide groove 40 is a part of the inner wall of the housing 36 that defines the guide groove 40, and constitutes an inner wall on one end face 36a side of the housing 36 in the height direction X13. The inner wall 40a of the guide groove 40 constitutes the inner wall of the housing 36 that abuts against the positioning portion 20 provided on the protrusion 16 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36, the positioning portion 20 provided on the protruding portion 16 abuts against the inner wall of the housing 36 configured as the inner wall 40a of the guide groove 40 in the height direction X5 and the height direction X13, thereby positioning the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (the height direction X13 of the housing 36) relative to the housing 36. Note that hereinafter, the inner wall 40a of the guide groove 40 will also be referred to as the inner wall 40a of the housing 36 that abuts against the positioning portion 20 provided on the protruding portion 16.

[0115] The locking protrusions 41 are provided as portions that engage with the engaging claw portions 27a of the locking arm portions 27 of the holding portion 14 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the connection port 39 and the first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12. The locking protrusions 41 are provided in a pair on the housing 36, one on each end of the housing 36 in the width direction X11.

[0116] Each of the pair of locking protrusions 41 is provided as a protruding portion on the outside of the housing 36 so as to engage with the engaging claw portion 27a of the locking arm portion 27 provided on each side of the holding portion 14 in the width direction X7. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36 to connect the first connector 11 to the second connector 12, first, each of the locking arms 27 provided in a cantilever shape on both sides of the holding portion 14 in the width direction X7 abuts against the locking protrusion 41 and is temporarily bent. Then, when the tip of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is inserted into the back side of the connection port 39 and fitted in, the bent locking arm portion 27 elastically recovers, and the engaging claw portion 27a at the end of the cantilever locking arm portion 27 engages with the locking protrusion 41. As a result, with the conductive member attachment portion 13 fitted into the housing 36, the retaining portion 14 engages with the housing 36 at the locking arm portion 27, and the first connector 11 is locked and retained with respect to the second connector 12. As a result, the first connector 11 is prevented from coming off and falling off the second connector 12.

[0117] [Connection between the first connector and the second connector] Next, a configuration relating to the connection between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 will be described in more detail. With reference to Fig. 1, the connection between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is performed in a state in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is installed on the board 101. When the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected, the connection operation is first started from a state in which the tip side of the conductive member mounting portion 13 of the first connector 11 in the connection direction X4 faces the connection port 39 of the second connector 12. At this time, the connection operation of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is started in a state in which one end wall portion 24 in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 and one end face 26a in the height direction X8 of the holding portion 14 correspond to one end face 36a in the height direction X13 of the housing 36, and the other end wall portion 23 in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the other end face 26b in the height direction X8 of the holding portion 14 correspond to the other end face 36b in the height direction X13 of the housing 36.

[0118] When the connection operation of the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 is started, first, each protrusion 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 of the first connector 11 is inserted into each guide groove 40 of the connection port 39 of the housing 36 of the second connector 12. At this time, a pair of protrusions 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 fitted into the fitting hole 29 on one end face 26a side of the main body 26 of the holding portion 14 of the first connector 11 is inserted into a pair of guide grooves 40 communicating with the connection port 39 on one end face 36a side of the housing 36 of the second connector 12. Then, a pair of protrusions 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 fitted into the fitting hole 29 on the other end face 26b side of the main body 26 of the holding portion 14 of the first connector 11 is inserted into a pair of guide grooves 40 communicating with the connection port 39 on the other end face 36b side of the housing 36 of the second connector 12. Each protrusion 16 inserted into each guide groove 40 is guided along each guide groove 40 and inserted further toward the back, and is fitted into each guide groove 40 .

[0119] When each protrusion 16 is fitted deep into each guide groove 40, the portion of the conductive member mounting portion 13 where the opening 25 is provided is fitted so as to fit into the connection port 39 of the housing 36. Then, referring to FIG. 2, when the first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12, each conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into each connection port 39 of the housing 36 until the end of the holding portion 14 abuts against the end of the housing 36. That is, when the first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12, the end of the body portion 26 of the holding portion 14 on the side of the fitting hole 29 into which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted abuts against the end of the housing 36 on the side where the connection port 39 is opened. Also, when the first connector 11 is connected to the second connector 12, the portion of the conductive member mounting portion 13 where the opening 25 is provided is fully fitted into the inside of the connection port 39 of the housing 36.

[0120] As described above, when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected, the multiple conductors 102 of the conductive member 100 contact the conductor connection parts 37b of the multiple terminals 37 inside the connection port 39, and each terminal 37 and each conductor 102 are electrically connected. In addition, when the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 are connected, the pair of locking arm parts 27 of the holding part 14 are engaged with the pair of locking protrusions 41 of the housing 36 at the respective engagement claws 41a. As a result, the holding part 14 engages with the housing 36 at the locking arm parts 27 in a state in which the conductive member mounting part 13 engaged with the fitting hole 29 of the holding part 14 is further engaged with the connection port 39 of the housing 36. As a result, the first connector 11 is locked and held with respect to the second connector 12.

[0121] [Use form in which the conductive member is connected to the electrical connection device in a bent state] The electrical connection device 1 is used in a form in which the conductive member 100 is connected in a bent state. With reference to Figs. 29 to 31, a use form of the electrical connection device 1 in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1 in a bent state will be described. Fig. 29 is a diagram showing a form in which the electrical connection device 1 is installed on a board 101 so that the conductive member 100 connected to the electrical connection device 1 is arranged in a bent state. Fig. 30(A) is a side view showing a part of Fig. 29, showing a state in which the conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1, and Fig. 30(B) is a cross-sectional view seen from the position of the arrows X16-X16 in Fig. 30(A). Fig. 31 is an enlarged view of a part of Fig. 30(B).

[0122] With reference to FIG. 29, the electrical connection device 1 is connected to the conductive member 100 in a state where it is installed on a board 101. The conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1 at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the conductive member 100, and is connected to another electrical connection device 110 at the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the conductive member 100. The other electrical connection device 110 to which the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the conductive member 100 is connected is installed on another board 111. The board 101 on which the electrical connection device 1 is installed and the other board 111 on which the other electrical connection device 110 is installed are installed at positions shifted in the vertical direction while both extend along the horizontal direction and extend parallel to each other. The board 111 is installed below the board 101. The boards 101 and 111 are fixed and installed on structures such as housings (not shown) in a state where they extend parallel to each other at positions shifted in the vertical direction. 29, the horizontal direction is indicated by a double-headed arrow X14, and the up-down direction is indicated by a double-headed arrow X15. In the following description, the horizontal direction is also referred to as the horizontal direction X14, and the up-down direction is also referred to as the up-down direction X15.

[0123] The conductive member 100, one end of which is connected to the electrical connection device 1 installed on the substrate 101, extends from the electrical connection device 1 in the horizontal direction X14. The conductive member 100 extending from the electrical connection device 1 in the horizontal direction X14 is then bent in an arc shape over approximately 90 degrees, extends downward in the vertical direction X15, and is connected at the other end to another electrical connection device 110 in the vertical direction X15. Therefore, the conductive member 100, both ends of which are connected to the electrical connection device 1 installed on the substrate 101 and the other electrical connection device 110 installed on the other substrate 111, is arranged while being bent in an arc shape over approximately 90 degrees.

[0124] The conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1 placed on the substrate 101 along the horizontal direction X14 in a state where it is bent from the lower side toward the upper side and curved at approximately 90 degrees toward the horizontal direction X14. The electrical connection device 1 to which the conductive member 100 is connected is placed on the lower surface side of the substrate 101. Therefore, a force is generated from the conductive member 100 to the electrical connection device 1, which biases the electrical connection device 1 upward toward the substrate 101 side, due to an elastic force generated in the conductive member 100.

[0125] 30 and 31, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, and the conductive member attachment portion 13 to which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached is fitted into the housing 36. Therefore, when a force is generated from the conductive member 100 in a bent state to the electrical connection device 1 to urge the electrical connection device 1 toward the board 101 side, the conductive member attachment portion 13 to which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached is urged toward the board 101 side inside the housing 36.

[0126] When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward the board 101 inside the housing 36, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward one end face 36a of the housing 36 in the height direction X13 inside the housing 36. The protruding portion 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is provided with a positioning portion 20 that protrudes convexly on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13, which is the same side as the one end face 36a in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. The one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 from which the positioning portion 20 protrudes convexly is set as the side to which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased by the elastic force of the conductive member 100 when the conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1 in a bent state in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13. Then, when the conductive material mounting portion 13 is biased toward one end face 36a of the housing 36 in the height direction X13 inside the housing 36, the positioning portion 20 biased to one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive material mounting portion 13 abuts against the inner wall 40a of the housing 36, which serves as the inner wall 40a of the guide groove 40, in the height direction X5 of the conductive material mounting portion 13 and in the height direction X13 of the housing 36, and this state is maintained.

[0127] The positioning portion 20 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 fitted into the housing 36 abuts against the inner wall 40a of the housing 36, thereby positioning the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13 of the housing 36) relative to the housing 36. The positioning of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) relative to the housing 36 determines the position of the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) relative to the housing 36. Therefore, the positions of the conductor 102 exposed at the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 are determined in the height direction X5 (height direction X13). This allows the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 attached to the conductive member mounting portion 13 to come into contact with the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held in the housing 36 with an appropriate contact pressure, preventing the contact pressure between the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 from becoming excessively high.

[0128] In addition, the rib 18 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is also provided with a positioning portion 21 that protrudes convexly on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13, which is the same side as the one end face 36a side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. The one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 on which the positioning portion 21 protrudes convexly is set as the side to which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased by the elastic force of the conductive member 100 when the conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1 in a bent state in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward the one end face 36a side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 inside the housing 36, the positioning portion 21 biased to one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 abuts against the inner wall 39a of the housing 36 as the recess 39a of the connection port 39 in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 and in the height direction X13 of the housing 36, and this state is maintained.

[0129] The positioning portion 21 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 fitted into the housing 36 abuts against the inner wall 39a of the housing 36, thereby positioning the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13 of the housing 36) relative to the housing 36. The positioning of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) relative to the housing 36 determines the position of the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) relative to the housing 36. Therefore, the positions of the conductor 102 exposed at the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 are determined in the height direction X5 (height direction X13). This allows the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 attached to the conductive member mounting portion 13 to come into contact with the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held in the housing 36 with an appropriate contact pressure, preventing the contact pressure between the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 from becoming excessively high.

[0130] [Effects of this embodiment] According to the present embodiment, conductive member mounting portion 13, to which end portion 100a of conductive member 100 is attached and which fits into housing 36, is provided with positioning portions (20, 21) which protrude convexly on one side in a height direction X5 perpendicular to both width direction X3 and connection direction X4. When conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into housing 36, the positioning portions (20, 21) of conductive member mounting portion 13 abut against inner walls (40a, 39a) of housing 36 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13), thereby determining the position of conductive member 100 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) relative to housing 36. Therefore, even when the conductive member 36 is bent and extends from the first connector 11, and an elastic force generated in the conductive member 100 acts on the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the holding portion 14 that holds the conductive member 100 together with the conductive member mounting portion 13, the position of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the housing 36 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) is determined. This prevents the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the terminal 37 held in the housing 36 from becoming excessively high. Therefore, even when the electrical connection device 1 is installed in a state in which the conductive member 100 is bent and connected, the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37 is prevented from becoming excessively high, and thus a decrease in durability is prevented, and a decrease in the connection stability between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37 is prevented.

[0131] Therefore, according to this embodiment, even when the conductive member 100 configured as a flexible cable or flexible substrate having a plurality of conductors 102 is connected in a bent state, an electrical connection device 1 can be provided that can prevent the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37 from becoming excessively high and can prevent a decrease in the connection stability between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37.

[0132] Moreover, according to this embodiment, the positioning portion 20 is provided on the protruding portion 16 that protrudes in the connection direction X4 at both ends of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the width direction X3 and is fitted into the guide groove 40 of the housing 36. Therefore, the positioning portion 20 that positions the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the housing 36 can be compactly provided in the portion that fits into the housing 36 at both ends of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the width direction X3. Furthermore, since the positioning portion 20 is provided on the protruding portion 16 at both ends of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the width direction X3, the positioning portions 20 can be arranged on both sides in the width direction so as to be aligned in the width direction, and the first connector 11 can be prevented from becoming long in the connection direction X4. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the positioning portion 20 can be provided in a compact configuration without increasing the size of the first connector 11, and the electrical connecting device 1 can be prevented from becoming large.

[0133] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the positioning portion 21 is also provided on the rib 18 extending along the connection direction X4 in the central portion in the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting portion 13. Therefore, the position of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 within the housing 36 can be stably positioned even in the central portion in the width direction X4.

[0134] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the positioning portions (20, 21) are arranged to extend along the connection direction X4, so that the position of the conductive member 100 attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13 in the height direction X5 within the housing 36 can be stably positioned along the connection direction X4.

[0135] [Variations] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the following modifications may be made.

[0136] (1) Fig. 32 is a side view showing a state in which the electrical connection device 1a according to the first modified example is connected to a conductive member 100. Fig. 33 is a perspective view of a first connector 11 of the electrical connection device 1a according to the first modified example. Fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the electrical connection device 1a according to the first modified example is connected to a conductive member 100, as viewed from the position of the arrows X17-X17 in Fig. 32. Fig. 35 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 34.

[0137] The electrical connection device 1a according to the first modified example is configured similarly to the electrical connection device 1 of the previously described embodiment, but differs from the electrical connection device 1 of the previously described embodiment in the configuration related to the height direction X5 in which the positioning portions (20a, 21a) provided on the conductive member mounting portion 13 protrude from the conductive member mounting portion 13. Hereinafter, the electrical connection device 1 according to the first modified example will be described only in terms of the configuration that differs from the electrical connection device 1 of the previously described embodiment. Elements configured similarly to the previously described embodiment and elements configured corresponding to the previously described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings or by quoting the same reference numerals, thereby omitting redundant description.

[0138] 32 to 34, the conductive member mounting portion 13 of the first connector 11 of the electrical connection device 1a is provided with a positioning portion 20a and a positioning portion 21a, similar to the positioning portion 20 and the positioning portion 21 of the electrical connection device 1. The positioning portion 20a and the positioning portion 21a are provided as portions that protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5 in the conductive member mounting portion 13 of the first connector 11 of the electrical connection device 1a. However, the positioning portion 20a and the positioning portion 21a protrude in the height direction X5 from the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the opposite direction to the positioning portion 20 and the positioning portion 21 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0139] 32 to 34, the positioning portion 20a is provided on the protruding portion 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13. The positioning portion 20a is provided in a pair, and is provided on each of the pair of protruding portions 16. The positioning portion 20a is provided on the protruding portion 16 so as to protrude in a convex shape on one side in the height direction X5. Unlike the positioning portion 20 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the positioning portion 20a is provided on the end wall portion 23 side of the protruding portion 16 opposite to the end wall portion 24 side in the height direction X5. The positioning portion 20a is configured to abut against an inner wall of the guide groove 40 of the housing 36 in the height direction X5 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36 of the second connector 12, thereby determining the position of the conductive member 100 in the height direction X5 relative to the housing 36.

[0140] While the positioning portion 20 in the above-described embodiment is configured to abut against the inner wall 40a of the guide groove 40 in the housing 36 on the side of the end face 36a of the housing 36, the positioning portion 20a is configured to abut against the inner wall 40b of the guide groove 40 on the opposite side in the height direction X5 to the inner wall 40a. The inner wall 40b of the guide groove 40 is a part of the inner wall of the housing 36 that defines the guide groove 40, and constitutes the inner wall on the side of the end face 36b of the housing 36 in the height direction X13, and constitutes the inner wall of the guide groove 40 on the opposite side in the height direction X5 to the inner wall 40a. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36, the positioning portion 20a provided on the protruding portion 16 abuts against the inner wall of the housing 36 configured as the inner wall 40b of the guide groove 40, thereby determining the position of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (the height direction X13 of the housing 36) relative to the housing 36. Note that hereinafter, the inner wall 40b of the guide groove 40 will also be referred to as the inner wall 40a of the housing 36 that abuts against the positioning portion 20a provided on the protruding portion 16.

[0141] The positioning portion 20a is provided on the protruding portion 16 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 toward the end wall portion 23 and extend along the connection direction X4. Therefore, the positioning portion 20a is provided on one side in the height direction X5 of the protruding portion 16 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5 and extend like a rail along the connection direction X4 in which the protruding portion 16 extends. The positioning portion 20a is provided on the protruding portion 16 protruding in the connection direction X4 at both ends in the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 along the extension direction of the protruding portion 16. Therefore, the positioning portion 20a on the protruding portion 16 protruding in the connection direction X4 at one side in the height direction X3 toward the end wall portion 23 is also provided on both ends in the width direction X3 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 so as to extend along the connection direction X4.

[0142] 33 to 35, the positioning portion 21a is provided in the conductive member mounting portion 13 at the center of the end wall portion 23 in the width direction X3. The positioning portion 21a is provided in the end wall portion 23 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5, and is provided so as to protrude convexly from the end wall portion 23 to one side in the height direction X5 toward the opposite side to the end wall portion 24 side on which the rib 18 is provided. Unlike the positioning portion 21 of the above-mentioned embodiment provided on the rib 18, the positioning portion 21a is provided on the end wall portion 23 on the opposite side to the end wall portion 24 side in the height direction X5. The positioning portion 21a is configured to abut against the inner wall of the housing 36 in the height direction X5 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36 of the second connector 12, thereby positioning the position of the conductive member 100 in the height direction X5 relative to the housing 36.

[0143] While the positioning portion 21 in the above-described embodiment is configured to abut against the recess 39a of the connection port 39 in the housing 36, the positioning portion 21a is configured to abut against an inner wall 39b of the inner wall defining the connection port 39 of the housing 36, the inner wall 39b being on the opposite side in the height direction X5 to the recess 39a. The inner wall 39b of the connection port 39 is provided as an inner wall on the end face 36b side in the central portion in the width direction X11 of the connection port 39. When the conductive member attachment portion 13 is fitted into the connection port 39, the positioning portion 21a provided on the end wall portion 23 and protruding in a convex shape on one side in the height direction X5 abuts against the inner wall of the housing 36 configured as the inner wall 39b of the connection port 39 on the opposite side in the height direction X5 to the recess 39a. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36, the positioning portion 21a provided on the end wall portion 23 abuts against the inner wall of the housing 36 that defines the inner wall 39b of the connection port 39, thereby positioning the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (the height direction X13 of the housing 36) of the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36. Note that hereinafter, the inner wall 39b will also be referred to as the inner wall 39b of the housing 36 that abuts against the positioning portion 21a provided on the end wall portion 23.

[0144] Moreover, the positioning portion 21a is provided on the end wall portion 23 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member attachment portion 13, opposite the rib 18, and extend along the connection direction X4. For this reason, the positioning portion 21a is provided in the central portion of the end wall portion 23 in the width direction X3 so as to protrude convexly on one side in the height direction X5, opposite the rib 18, and extend like a rail along the connection direction X4.

[0145] 32, the electrical connection device 1a is used in a form in which the conductive member 100 is connected in a bent state, similar to the electrical connection device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment. However, the electrical connection device 1a is configured to be used in a state in which the connected conductive member 100 is bent in a direction opposite to that of the electrical connection device 1. The conductive member 100, one end of which is connected to the electrical connection device 1a installed on the board 101, extends from the electrical connection device 1a along the horizontal direction X14. The conductive member 100 extending from the electrical connection device 1a in the horizontal direction X14 is bent in an arc shape over approximately 90 degrees, and then extends upward along the vertical direction X15. The other end of the conductive member 100 extending upward is connected to another electrical connection device 110 not shown.

[0146] The conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1a placed on the substrate 101 along the horizontal direction X14 in a state where it is bent from the upper side toward the lower side and curved at approximately 90 degrees toward the horizontal direction X14. The electrical connection device 1a to which the conductive member 100 is connected is placed on the lower surface side of the substrate 101. For this reason, a force is generated from the conductive member 100 to the electrical connection device 1a, due to an elastic force generated in the conductive member 100, which biases the electrical connection device 1a downward on the opposite side to the substrate 101 above.

[0147] 34 and 35, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, and the conductive member attachment portion 13 to which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached is fitted into the housing 36. Therefore, when a force is generated from the conductive member 100 in a bent state to the electrical connection device 1a, which urges the electrical connection device 1a toward the side opposite to the board 101 side, the conductive member attachment portion 13 to which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached is urged toward the side opposite to the board 101 side inside the housing 36.

[0148] When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward the opposite side to the board 101 side inside the housing 36, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward the end face 36b side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 inside the housing 36. The protruding portion 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is provided with a positioning portion 20a that protrudes in a convex shape on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13, which is the same side as the end face 36b side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. The one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 from which the positioning portion 20a protrudes in a convex shape is set as the side to which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased by the elastic force of the conductive member 100 when the conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1a in a bent state in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13. Then, when the conductive material mounting portion 13 is biased toward the end face 36b in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 inside the housing 36, the positioning portion 20a biased to one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive material mounting portion 13 abuts against the inner wall 40b of the housing 36, which serves as the inner wall 40b of the guide groove 40, and this state is maintained.

[0149] The positioning portion 20a of the conductive member mounting portion 13 fitted into the housing 36 abuts against the inner wall 40b of the housing 36, thereby positioning the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13 of the housing 36) relative to the housing 36. The positioning of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) relative to the housing 36 determines the position of the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) relative to the housing 36. Therefore, the positions of the conductor 102 exposed at the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 are determined in the height direction X5 (height direction X13). This prevents the contact pressure between the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held in the housing 36 from becoming excessively high.

[0150] The end wall 23 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is also provided with a positioning portion 21a that protrudes convexly on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13, which is the same side as the end face 36b side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. The one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 on which the positioning portion 21a protrudes convexly is set as the side to which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased by the elastic force of the conductive member 100 when the conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1a in a bent state in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward the end face 36b side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 inside the housing 36, the positioning portion 21a biased to one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 abuts against the inner wall 39b of the housing 36, which is the inner wall 39b of the connection port 39, and this state is maintained.

[0151] The positioning portion 21a of the conductive member mounting portion 13 fitted into the housing 36 abuts against the inner wall 39b of the housing 36, thereby positioning the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13 of the housing 36) relative to the housing 36. The positioning of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) relative to the housing 36 determines the position of the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) relative to the housing 36. Therefore, the positions of the conductor 102 exposed at the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 are determined in the height direction X5 (height direction X13). This prevents the contact pressure between the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held in the housing 36 from becoming excessively high.

[0152] According to this modified example, as in the above-described embodiment, even when the conductive member 100 configured as a flexible cable or flexible substrate having a plurality of conductors 102 is connected in a bent state, it is possible to provide an electrical connection device 1a that can prevent the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37 from becoming excessively high and can prevent a decrease in the connection stability between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37.

[0153] The electrical connection device 1a and the electrical connection device 1 can also be used in a configuration in which the electrical connection device 1 according to this modification and the electrical connection device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment are connected to both ends of the conductive member 100. Fig. 36 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the electrical connection devices (1, 1a) are connected to both ends of the conductive member 100, and the conductive member 100 is arranged in a state in which it is bent multiple times.

[0154] With reference to FIG. 36, the electrical connection device 1a is connected to one end of the conductive member 100 in a state where it is installed on a board 101, and the electrical connection device 1 is connected to the other end of the conductive member 100 in a state where it is installed on a board 101 different from the board 101 on which the electrical connection device 1 is installed. The board 101 on which the electrical connection device 1a is installed and the board 101 on which the electrical connection device 1 is installed are both installed at positions shifted in the vertical direction X15 while extending along the horizontal direction X14 and extending parallel to each other. That is, the board 101 on which the electrical connection device 1a is installed and the board 101 on which the electrical connection device 1 is installed are installed in a state of being staggered in the height direction X15. The board 101 on which the electrical connection device 1 is installed is installed above the board 101 on which the electrical connection device 1a is installed. Moreover, both the electrical connection device 1 and the electrical connection device 1a are installed on the lower surface side of each board 101.

[0155] The conductive member 100, one end of which is connected to the electrical connection device 1a, extends from the electrical connection device 1a along the horizontal direction X14, and the conductive member 100 extending from the electrical connection device 1a along the horizontal direction X14 once bends upward in an arc shape and extends. Then, the conductive member 100 once bent upward in an arc shape then bends upward in an arc shape and extends along the horizontal direction X14, and then extends along the horizontal direction X14 and is connected at the other end to the electrical connection device 1. Therefore, the conductive member 100 is connected at both ends to the electrical connection device 1a installed on one board 101 and the electrical connection device 1 installed on the other board 101, and is bent twice while curving and disposed between the electrical connection device 1a and the electrical connection device 1.

[0156] The conductive member 100, which is connected to the electrical connection device 1a at one end, is connected to the electrical connection device 1a in a bent state while curving from the upper side toward the lower side and toward the horizontal direction X14. The electrical connection device 1a to which one end of the conductive member 100 is connected is installed on the lower surface side of the substrate 101. Therefore, a force is generated from the conductive member 100 to the electrical connection device 1a, which urges the electrical connection device 1a downward on the opposite side to the upper substrate 101, due to an elastic force generated in the conductive member 100. The conductive member 100, which is connected to the electrical connection device 1 at the other end, is connected to the electrical connection device 1 in a bent state while curving from the lower side toward the upper side and toward the horizontal direction X14. The electrical connection device 1 to which the other end of the conductive member 100 is connected is installed on the lower surface side of the substrate 101. Therefore, a force is generated from the conductive member 100 to the electrical connection device 1, which biases the electrical connection device 1 upward toward the board 101 side, due to the elastic force generated in the conductive member 100.

[0157] In the electrical connection device 1a to which one end of the conductive member 100 is connected, a force is generated from the conductive member 100 to urge the electrical connection device 1a toward the side opposite the board 101, so that the conductive member mounting portion 13 to which one end of the conductive member 100 is attached is urged toward the side opposite the board 101 inside the housing 36. Therefore, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is urged toward the end face 36b side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 inside the housing 36. Also, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is provided with positioning portions (20a, 21a) that protrude in a convex shape on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13, which is the same side as the end face 36b side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 (see FIGS. 34 and 35). Then, inside the housing 36, when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward the end face 36b side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36, the positioning portions (20a, 21a) of the conductive member mounting portion 13 biased to one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 abut against the inner wall (40b, 39b) of the housing 36. This positions the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13 of the housing 36), and positions one end of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13). Therefore, the positions of the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) are positioned. This prevents the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 mounted in the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the terminal 37 held in the housing 36 from becoming excessively high.

[0158] Furthermore, in the electrical connection device 1 to which the other end of the conductive member 100 is connected, a force is generated from the conductive member 100 to urge the electrical connection device 1 toward the board 101, so that the conductive member mounting portion 13 to which the other end of the conductive member 100 is attached is urged toward the board 101 inside the housing 36. Therefore, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is urged toward the end face 36a side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 inside the housing 36. Furthermore, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is provided with positioning portions (20, 21) that protrude in a convex shape on one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13, which is the same side as the end face 36a side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 (see FIGS. 30 and 31). Then, inside the housing 36, when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward the end face 36a side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36, the positioning portions (20, 21) of the conductive member mounting portion 13 biased to one side in the height direction X5 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 abut against the inner wall (40a, 39a) of the housing 36. This positions the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13 of the housing 36), and positions the other end of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13). Therefore, the positions of the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 in the height direction X5 (height direction X13) are positioned. This prevents the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 mounted in the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the terminal 37 held in the housing 36 from becoming excessively high.

[0159] As described above, even when the electrical connection device 1a and the electrical connection device 1 are used in a configuration in which the electrical connection device 1a and the electrical connection device 1 are connected to both ends of the conductive member 100 and the conductive member 100 is arranged in a state in which it is bent multiple times, both the electrical connection device 1a and the electrical connection device 1 can prevent the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37 from becoming excessively high, and can prevent a decrease in the stability of the connection between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37.

[0160] (2) Fig. 37 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an electrical connection device 1b according to a second modified example is connected to a conductive member 100. Fig. 38 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 37. Fig. 38 shows a cross-sectional view of a state in which an electrical connection device 1b according to a second modified example is connected to a conductive member 100 in a similar state to a state in which the electrical connection device 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment is connected to the conductive member 100 in the form shown in Fig. 29. Fig. 38 also shows a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection device 1b at a cross-sectional position corresponding to the cross-sectional view of Fig. 30(b) for the electrical connection device 1 according to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0161] The electrical connection device 1b according to the second modified example is configured similarly to the electrical connection device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, but differs from the electrical connection device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment in that the positioning portions (20a, 20b) are provided in the housing 36 of the second connector 12, not in the conductive member mounting portion 13 of the first connector 11. Hereinafter, only the configuration of the electrical connection device 1b according to the second modified example that differs from the electrical connection device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described. Elements configured similarly to the above-mentioned embodiment and elements configured corresponding to the above-mentioned embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings or by quoting the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0162] 37 and 38, in the electrical connection device 1b, unlike the electrical connection device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the positioning portions (20b, 21b) are not provided in the conductive member mounting portion 13 of the first connector 11, but are provided on the inner wall of the housing 36 of the second connector 12. The inner wall of the housing 36 of the second connector 12 of the electrical connection device 1b is provided with positioning portions (20b, 21b) that protrude in a convex shape toward the inside of the housing 36 on one side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36, which is a direction perpendicular to the width direction X11 of the housing 36 and the connection direction X12 of the housing 36. The positioning portions (20b, 21b) are configured to abut against the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36, thereby positioning the position of the conductive member 100 in the height direction X13 relative to the housing 36.

[0163] 37 and 38, the positioning portion 20b is provided on a part of the inner wall of the housing 36 that defines the guide groove 40. More specifically, the positioning portion 20b is provided on an inner wall 40a of the inner wall of the guide groove 40 in the housing 36 on one end face 36a side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. The positioning portion 20b is provided on the inner wall 40a of each guide groove 40 arranged on both sides of each connection port 39 in the width direction X11 in the housing 36. The housing 36 is provided with two connection ports 39 into which the conductive member attachment portion 13 is fitted, and a guide groove 40 is provided on both sides of each of the two connection ports 39 in the width direction X11, for a total of four guide grooves 40. The positioning portion 20b is provided on the inner wall 40a of each of the four guide grooves 40. Therefore, for one conductive member attachment portion 13 that fits into one connection port 39, a pair of positioning portions 20b arranged on both sides in the width direction X11 are provided correspondingly.

[0164] The positioning portion 20b is provided on an inner wall 40a of each guide groove 40 on one side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 so as to protrude inward of each guide groove 40. The positioning portion 20b is provided on the inner wall 40a of each guide groove 40 so as to protrude in a convex manner along the height direction X13, and is provided on the inner wall 40a of each guide groove 40 so as to protrude in a convex manner toward the inner wall 40b side opposite the inner wall 40a in the height direction X13 of each guide groove 40. The positioning portion 20b is configured to come into contact with one end surface 16a of the protrusion 16 in the height direction X13 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36 and the protrusion 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is inserted into the guide groove 40. One end face 16a of the protrusion 16 in the height direction X13 is configured as an end face facing the inner wall 40a of the guide groove 40 in the height direction X13 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36 and the protrusion 16 is inserted into the guide groove 40. The positioning portion 20b abuts against one end face 16a in the height direction X13 of the protrusion 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 fitted into the housing 36, thereby positioning the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X13.

[0165] The positioning portion 20b is provided on an inner wall 40a on one side of the guide groove 40 in the height direction X13 of the housing 36, so as to protrude in a convex shape toward the inside of the guide groove 40 and extend along the connecting direction X12. Therefore, the positioning portion 20b is provided on the inner wall 40a on one side of the guide groove 40 in the height direction X13, so as to protrude in a convex shape along the height direction X13 and extend like a rail along the connecting direction X12, which is the direction in which the guide groove 40 extends.

[0166] 37 and 38, the positioning portion 21b is provided on a part of the inner wall of the housing 36 that defines the connection port 39. More specifically, the positioning portion 21b is provided on an inner wall that defines the connection port 39 of the housing 36, on one side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. The recess 39a is provided in a groove-like recess toward one end face 36a in the center portion of the connection port 39 in the width direction X11, and is provided as a groove into which the rib 18 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is inserted when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is inserted into the connection port 39. The positioning portion 21b is provided on an inner wall that defines the recess 39a on one side in the height direction X13, on the center portion of each connection port 39 of the housing 36 in the width direction X11.

[0167] The positioning portion 21b is provided on an inner wall that defines the recess 39a on one side in the height direction X13 of each connection port 39 in the housing 36, so as to protrude in a convex manner toward the inside of each connection port 39. The positioning portion 21b is provided on an inner wall that defines the recess 39a of each connection port 39, so as to protrude in a convex manner along the height direction X13, and is provided on an inner wall that defines the recess 39a of each connection port 39, so as to protrude in a convex manner toward the opposite side to the side on which the recess 39a is provided in the height direction X13 of each connection port 39. The positioning portion 21b is configured to come into contact with one end surface 18a of the rib 18 in the height direction X13 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the connection port 39 of the housing 36 and the rib 18 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 is inserted into the recess 39a. One end face 18a of the rib 18 in the height direction X13 is configured as an end face facing an inner wall defining the recess 39a in the height direction X13 when the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the connection port 39 of the housing 36 and the rib 18 is inserted into the recess 39a. The positioning portion 21b abuts against one end face 18a in the height direction X13 of the rib 18 of the conductive member mounting portion 13 fitted into the housing 36, thereby positioning the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X13.

[0168] The positioning portion 21b is provided on an inner wall that defines the recess 39a on one side in the height direction X13 of the connection port 39 in the housing 36, so as to protrude convexly toward the inside of the connection port 39 and extend along the connection direction X12. Therefore, the positioning portion 21b is provided on an inner wall that defines the recess 39a on one side in the height direction X13 of the connection port 39, so as to protrude convexly along the height direction X13 and extend like a rail along the connection direction X12, which is the direction in which the recess 39 extends.

[0169] The electrical connection device 1b is used in a form in which the conductive member 100 is connected in a bent state, similar to the electrical connection device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment. The electrical connection device 1b is connected to the conductive member 100 in a state similar to the state in which the electrical connection device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment is connected to the conductive member 100 in the form shown in FIG. 29. With reference to FIGS. 29, 37, and 38, the conductive member 100, one end of which is connected to the electrical connection device 1b installed on the board 101, extends from the electrical connection device 1b along the horizontal direction X14. The conductive member 100 extending from the electrical connection device 1b in the horizontal direction X14 is bent in an arc shape over approximately 90 degrees, and then extends downward along the up-down direction X15. The other end of the conductive member 100 extending downward is connected to another electrical connection device 110.

[0170] The conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1b placed on the substrate 101 along the horizontal direction X14 in a state where the conductive member 100 is bent while curving approximately 90 degrees from the lower side toward the upper side toward the horizontal direction X14. The electrical connection device 1b to which the conductive member 100 is connected is placed on the lower surface side of the substrate 101. For this reason, a force is generated from the conductive member 100 to the electrical connection device 1b, urging the electrical connection device 1b upward toward the substrate 101 side, due to an elastic force generated in the conductive member 100.

[0171] 37 and 38, the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13, and the conductive member attachment portion 13 to which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached is fitted into the housing 36. Therefore, when a force is generated from the conductive member 100 in a bent state to the electrical connection device 1b, which urges the electrical connection device 1b toward the board 101 side, the conductive member attachment portion 13 to which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached is urged toward the board 101 side inside the housing 36.

[0172] When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward the board 101 inside the housing 36, the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased toward the end face 36a side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 inside the housing 36. Moreover, a positioning portion 20b that protrudes in a convex shape along the height direction X13 toward the inside of the guide groove 40 of the housing 36 is provided on an inner wall 40a on one side in the height direction X13 of the guide groove 40 of the housing 36. The one side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 from which the positioning portion 20b protrudes in a convex shape on the inner wall of the housing 36 is set as a side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 to which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is biased by the elastic force of the conductive member 100 when the conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1b in a bent state. Then, when the conductive material mounting portion 13 is urged toward the end face 36a of the housing 36 in the height direction X13 inside the housing 36, the positioning portion 20b provided on the inner wall 40a on one side of the guide groove 40 of the housing 36 in the height direction X13 abuts against the end face 16a of the protrusion 16 of the conductive material mounting portion 13 urged toward one side in the height direction X13, and this state is maintained.

[0173] The positioning portion 20b provided on the inner wall of the housing 36 into which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted abuts against the protruding portion 16 of the conductive member mounting portion 13, thereby positioning the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. The positioning of the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X13 of the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 is positioned in the height direction X13. Therefore, the positions of the conductor 102 exposed at the end portion 100a of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 in the height direction X13 are positioned. This prevents the contact pressure between the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 from becoming excessively high.

[0174] Moreover, a positioning portion 21b that protrudes convexly along the height direction X13 toward the inside of the connection port 39 of the housing 36 is also provided on an inner wall that defines the recess 39a on one side in the height direction X13 of the connection port 39 of the housing 36. Note that the one side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 from which the positioning portion 21b protrudes convexly on the inner wall of the housing 36 is set as a side in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 to which the conductive member attachment portion 13 is biased by the elastic force of the conductive member 100 when the conductive member 100 is connected to the electrical connection device 1b in a bent state. Then, when the conductive material mounting portion 13 is biased toward the end face 36a of the housing 36 in the height direction X13 inside the housing 36, the positioning portion 21b provided on the inner wall that defines the recess 39a on one side of the connection port 39 of the housing 36 in the height direction X13 abuts against the end face 18a of the rib 18 of the conductive material mounting portion 13 that is biased to one side in the height direction X13, and this state is maintained.

[0175] The positioning portion 21b provided on the inner wall of the housing 36 into which the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted abuts against the rib 18 of the conductive member mounting portion 13, thereby positioning the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X13 of the housing 36. The positioning of the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X13 of the housing 36 is thereby positioned, thereby positioning the end 100a of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 relative to the housing 36 in the height direction X13. Therefore, the positions of the conductor 102 exposed at the end 100a of the conductive member 100 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 in the height direction X13 are positioned. This prevents the contact pressure between the conductor 102 of the conductive member 100 mounted on the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the conductor connection portion 37b of the terminal 37 held by the housing 36 from becoming excessively high.

[0176] According to this modification, the inner wall of the housing 36 into which the conductive member mounting portion 13, to which the end 100a of the conductive member 100 is attached, is provided with a positioning portion (20b, 21b) that protrudes in a convex shape toward the inside of the housing 36 on one side in a height direction X13 perpendicular to both the width direction X11 and the connection direction X12. When the conductive member mounting portion 13 is fitted into the housing 36, the positioning portion (20b, 21b) of the housing 36 abuts against the conductive member mounting portion 13 to position the position of the conductive member 100 in the height direction X13 relative to the housing 36. Therefore, even when the conductive member 100 bends and extends from the first connector 11 and an elastic force generated in the conductive member 100 acts on the conductive member mounting portion 13 and the holding portion 14 that holds the conductive member 100 together with the conductive member 100, the position of the conductive member mounting portion 13 in the height direction X13 within the housing 36 is determined. This prevents the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 attached to the conductive member attachment portion 13 and the terminal 37 held in the housing 36 from becoming excessively high. Therefore, even when the electrical connection device 1b is installed with the conductive member 100 bent and connected, the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37 is prevented from becoming excessively high, a decrease in durability is prevented, and a decrease in the connection stability between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37 is prevented.

[0177] Therefore, according to this modified example, even when the conductive member 100 configured as a flexible cable or flexible substrate having multiple conductors is connected in a bent state, an electrical connection device 1b can be provided that can prevent the contact pressure between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37 from becoming excessively high and can prevent a decrease in the connection stability between the conductive member 100 and the terminal 37. [Industrial Applicability]

[0178] The present invention can be widely applied to electrical connection devices that include a first connector to which a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or flexible substrate having a plurality of conductors is connected, and a second connector to which the first connector is connected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0179] 1, 1a, 1b: electrical connection device, 11: first connector, 12: second connector, 13: conductive member mounting portion, 14: holding portion, 16: protrusion, 20, 20a, 20b, 21, 21a, 21b: positioning portion, 32: engaged portion, 36: housing, 37: terminal, 39: connection port, 39a: recess (inner wall), 40: guide groove, 40a: inner wall, 100: conductive member, 100a: end, 102: conductor, 106: engaged portion

Claims

1. An electrical connection device comprising: a first connector to which a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or a flexible substrate having a plurality of conductors is connected; and a second connector to which the first connector is connected, The first connector includes: A conductive member mounting portion configured to mount an end portion of the conductive member; a holding portion that holds the conductive member mounting portion together with the conductive member in a state in which the end portion of the conductive member is mounted, the holding portion is provided with an engaged portion configured to engage with an engaging portion provided at a portion of each of both ends in a width direction of the conductive member; The second connector includes: a plurality of terminals configured to be in contact with and electrically connected to the plurality of conductors of the conductive member attached to the conductive member attachment portion, respectively; a housing configured to hold a plurality of the terminals and into which the conductive member mounting portion is fitted and into which the holding portion is engaged; the conductive member mounting portion is provided with a positioning portion that protrudes convexly on one side in a height direction that is perpendicular to a width direction of the conductive member mounting portion and a connection direction that is parallel to a direction in which the conductive member mounting portion is fitted into and connected to the housing, An electrical connection device characterized in that the positioning portion abuts against the inner wall of the housing in the height direction when the conductive member mounting portion is engaged with the housing, thereby positioning the conductive member in the height direction relative to the housing.

2. 2. The electrical connection device according to claim 1, the conductive member mounting portion is provided with protrusions at both ends in a width direction of the conductive member mounting portion so as to protrude toward a tip side of the conductive member mounting portion in the connection direction, and which are guided along a guide groove provided in the housing and fitted into the guide groove when the conductive member mounting portion is fitted into the housing, The electrical connection device is characterized in that the positioning portion is a first positioning portion that protrudes convexly from the protrusion on one side of the height direction and abuts against the inner wall of the guide groove in the housing to position the conductive member in the height direction relative to the housing.

3. 3. The electrical connecting device according to claim 1, The electrical connecting device, wherein the positioning portion is provided so as to protrude in a convex shape on one side in the height direction of the conductive member mounting portion and to extend along the connection direction.

4. 3. The electrical connection device according to claim 2, the conductive member attachment portion is provided with a rib at a central portion in a width direction of the conductive member attachment portion so as to extend toward a tip side of the conductive member attachment portion in the connection direction, An electrical connection device characterized in that the positioning portion further includes a second positioning portion that protrudes convexly from the rib on one side in the height direction and abuts against the inner wall of the housing to position the conductive member in the height direction relative to the housing.

5. An electrical connection device comprising: a first connector to which a conductive member configured as a flexible cable or a flexible substrate having a plurality of conductors is connected; and a second connector to which the first connector is connected, The first connector includes: A conductive member mounting portion configured to mount an end portion of the conductive member; a holding portion that holds the conductive member mounting portion together with the conductive member in a state in which the end portion of the conductive member is mounted, the holding portion is provided with an engaged portion configured to engage with an engaging portion provided at a portion of each of both ends in a width direction of the conductive member; The second connector includes: a plurality of terminals configured to be in contact with and electrically connected to the plurality of conductors of the conductive member attached to the conductive member attachment portion, respectively; a housing configured to hold a plurality of the terminals and into which the conductive member mounting portion is fitted and into which the holding portion is engaged; a positioning portion that protrudes in a convex manner toward the inside of the housing on one side of an inner wall of the housing in a height direction that is perpendicular to a width direction of the housing and a connection direction that is parallel to a direction in which the conductive member attachment portion is fitted into the housing to connect the conductive member attachment portion, An electrical connection device characterized in that the positioning portion abuts the conductive member mounting portion in the height direction when the conductive member mounting portion is fitted into the housing, thereby positioning the conductive member in the height direction relative to the housing.

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