Connector capable of accommodating misalignment at time of counterpart terminal insertion

Abstract

To eliminate the need for a movable housing to be provided in order to accommodate misalignment at the time of counterpart terminal insertion.SOLUTION: A connector includes: a housing having a height direction, a width direction, and a depth direction; and cantilevered terminals having one end side secured to the housing on one side in the depth direction and having a resilient member forming a free end in an end portion on the other end side opposite to the one end side on the side opposite to the one side in the depth direction. Counterpart terminals are inserted into an insertion space within the housing from locations spaced apart in the height direction through insertion apertures occupying a predetermined area in a plane formed by the depth direction and the width direction of the housing. The resilient member has contact points that contact with the counterpart terminals inserted through the insertion apertures, and at least a portion of the resilient member other than the contact points, along with the contact points, is positioned within the bounds of the predetermined area in at least the plane.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector that can tolerate misalignment of a mating terminal when it is inserted. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional connector of the above type. In this conventional connector, a movable housing is held on one end of the terminal and a fixed housing is held on the other end of the terminal, and the movable housing can move relative to the fixed housing due to elastic deformation of the terminal. This movement of the movable housing relative to the fixed housing is useful for, for example, allowing for misalignment between the mating connector and the mating connector due to vibration or impact when connecting with the mating connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5606588 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above conventional connector, a movable housing is provided in addition to a fixed housing to allow for misalignment of the mating terminals when they are inserted. In addition, in the above conventional configuration, since the movable housing is supported on the fixed housing substantially only by the terminals, the weight of the movable housing tends to apply a large load to the terminals, resulting in a problem that the terminals do not have sufficient strength to withstand large shocks and vibrations. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a connector which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing having a height, width, and depth direction, and a cantilever-shaped terminal having an elastic member whose one end is fixed to the housing on one side in the depth direction and whose other end opposite the one end forms a free end on the opposite side to the one end on the opposite side in the depth direction, wherein the mating terminal is configured to be inserted into an insertion space of the housing from a position separated in the height direction through an insertion opening that occupies a predetermined area on a surface formed by the depth direction and width direction of the housing, the elastic member has a contact that contacts the mating terminal inserted through the insertion opening, and at least a part of the elastic member other than the contact is positioned within the range of the predetermined area, at least on the surface, together with the contact. According to this aspect of the connector, by removing the movable housing, the load on the terminals can be reduced, and the durability of the terminals can be improved. In addition, since there is no need to provide a movable housing, the structure can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced, which results in a reduction in manufacturing costs. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector which overcomes the drawbacks of conventional connectors. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing a state in which the connector is fixed to the board. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the housing body of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the housing body of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the lid member of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 6. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a side view of the terminal of FIG. 13. [Figure 16] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the terminal of FIG. 13. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of a connector. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of a connector. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration for preventing excessive displacement of an elastic member; [Figure 20] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a configuration for preventing excessive displacement of an elastic member. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a plan view of the connector of FIG. 21. [Figure 23] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 21. [Figure 24] FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the connector of FIG. 21. [Diagram 25] FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a plan view of the housing body of FIG. 25. [Figure 27] FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the housing body of FIG. 25. [Figure 28] FIG. [Figure 29]FIG. 29 is a bottom perspective view of the lid member of FIG. 28. [Diagram 30] FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a top perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 30. [Diagram 32] FIG. 31 is a bottom perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 30. [Diagram 33] FIG. 31 is a side view of the terminal of FIG. 30. [Diagram 34] FIG. 31 is a plan view of the terminal of FIG. 30. [Diagram 35] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of a connector. [Diagram 36] FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view of a connector according to a reference example. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of FIG. 36. [Figure 38] FIG. 37 is a plan view of the connector of FIG. 36. [Figure 39] FIG. 37 is a bottom view of the connector of FIG. 36. [Diagram 40] FIG. [Diagram 41] FIG. 41 is a bottom view of the housing of FIG. 40. [Diagram 42] FIG. [Diagram 43] FIG. 41 is a side view of the terminal of FIG. 40. [Diagram 44] FIG. 41 is a plan view of the terminal of FIG. 40. [Diagram 45] FIG. 41 is a bottom view of the terminal of FIG. 40. [Diagram 46] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of a connector. [Figure 47] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a usage mode of a connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the materials, sizes, shapes, and relative positions of components described in the following embodiments are arbitrary and can be changed according to the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied or various conditions. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described below.

[0009] <First embodiment> FIG. 1 shows an upper oblique view of a connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows an exploded oblique view of the connector 1 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a plan view thereof, FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows a bottom view thereof. Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows a rear view of an example of the connector 1 in use.

[0010] The connector 1 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape overall, and includes a housing (2, 3), and terminals 6 and fixing brackets 8 fixed to the housing (2, 3). In this embodiment, three terminals 6 are provided, but the number is not limited to three, and there may be more or less than three. The arrangement direction of the terminals 6 coincides with the width direction "γ" of the housing (2, 3).

[0011] As shown in FIG. 6, in actual use, the connector 1 is used in a state where it is attached to a substrate 13 or a housing (not shown), which is a member to be fixed. Attachment to the substrate 13 or the like can be mainly performed by using the fixing bracket 8 attached to the housing (2, 3), and can also be performed by using the fixing portion 630 of the terminal 6. The fixing bracket 8 includes a base portion 80 and a screw fastening portion 82, and is generally L-shaped in a side view. In order to fix the fixing bracket 8 to the housing (2, 3), a press-fit protrusion 80a that protrudes outward is provided on each of both sides of the base portion 80. When attaching the connector 1 to the substrate 13 or the housing (not shown), the screw fastening portion 82 of the fixing bracket 8 is positioned along, for example, the back surface of the substrate 13, and the screw (not shown) is screwed into the substrate 13 with a part of the screw hooked on a semicircular notch 82a provided in the screw fastening portion 82.

[0012] The connector 1 can be connected to a mating connector, in particular, to its mating terminal 11 (see Figs. 1 and 6). At the time of connection, at least a part of the mating terminal 11 can be inserted into the insertion space 20 of the housing (2, 3) from one side (m) toward the other side (n) or from the other side (n) toward the one side (m) from a position separated in the height direction "α" of the housing (2, 3), and can be electrically connected to at least a part of the terminal 6 positioned in the insertion space 20. As described later, the mating terminal 11 can also be inserted from the other side (n) toward the one side (m).

[0013] The housing includes a housing body 2 and a lid-like member 3. Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the housing body 2, Fig. 8 shows a plan view thereof, and Fig. 9 shows a bottom view thereof. Fig. 10 shows an upper perspective view of the lid-like member 3, Fig. 11 shows a lower perspective view thereof, and Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 6, which shows the relationship between the lid-like member 6 and the housing body 2. Both the housing body 2 and the lid-like member 3 are made of resin.

[0014] In order to attach the fixing metal fittings 8 to the housing body 2, a pair of grooves 23a recessed in the width direction "γ" along the height direction "α" and the depth direction "β" are provided on opposing sides in the width direction "γ" of the housing body 2. By press-fitting the fixing metal fittings 8 from the other side (n) to one side (m) along the height direction "α" into each groove 23a, the fixing metal fittings 8 can be press-fit and fixed to the housing body 2 by utilizing the press-fit protrusions 80a.

[0015] An insertion space 20 into which the mating terminal 11 is inserted is formed inside the housing (2, 3) by the housing body 2 and the lid-like member 3. A part of the terminal 6 is positioned in the insertion space 20 in a state where it can come into contact with the inserted mating terminal 11 and can move inside the insertion space 20 through the contact with the mating terminal 11. An insertion opening 21 (first insertion opening) and an insertion opening 22 (second insertion opening) for inserting a mating terminal 11, which are connected to the insertion space 20, are provided on one side "m" and the other side (n) in the height direction "α" of the housing (2, 3).

[0016] The insertion opening 21 occupies a predetermined area (x) in a first "β-γ" plane (X plane) (see Figure 3) formed by the depth direction "β" and width direction "γ" of the housing (2, 3), while the insertion opening 22 occupies a predetermined area (y) in a second "β-γ" plane (Y plane) (see Figure 5) formed by the same directions. The insertion opening 21 is provided in the housing main body 2, more specifically, in the neck portion 24 of the housing main body 2 protruding to one side (m) in the height direction "α". The insertion opening 21 is provided with inclined surfaces 21a and 21b to facilitate the introduction of the mating terminal 11 into the insertion space 20. The inclined surfaces 21a are a pair of inclined surfaces that extend along the width direction "γ" at opposing positions in the depth direction "β" of the first "β-γ" surface (X surface). On the other hand, the inclined surfaces 21b are a pair of inclined surfaces that extend along the depth direction "β" at opposing positions in the width direction "γ" of the first "β-γ" surface (X surface). Here, the inclined surface 21a extends further into the insertion opening 21 in the height direction "α" than the inclined surface 21b. Therefore, the inclined surfaces 21a and 21b form a step in the height direction "α" near their boundary. On the other hand, the insertion opening 22 is provided in the lid-like member 3, not in the housing main body 2. The insertion opening 22 also has inclined surfaces 22a and 22b to facilitate the introduction of the mating terminal 11 into the insertion space 20. The inclined surfaces 22a are a pair of inclined surfaces that extend along the width direction "γ" at opposing positions in the depth direction "β" of the second "β-γ" surface (Y surface). On the other hand, the inclined surfaces 22b are a pair of inclined surfaces that extend along the depth direction "β" at opposing positions in the width direction "γ" of the second "β-γ" surface (Y surface). Here, the inclined surfaces 22a and 22b both extend the same amount into the insertion opening 21 in the height direction "α", so that the inclined surfaces 22a and 22b form a rectangular peripheral inclined surface in the second "β-γ" surface (Y surface).

[0017] The mating terminal 11 is inserted through the insertion opening 21 from one side (m) toward the other side (n) into the insertion space 20 of the housing (2, 3) from a position spaced apart in the height direction "α", and through the insertion opening 22 from the other side (n) toward one side (m) into the insertion space 20 of the housing (2, 3) from a position spaced apart in the height direction "α".

[0018] The insertion openings 21, 22 also function as through-holes for allowing the mating terminal 11 to escape. For example, when the mating terminal 11 is inserted from one insertion opening 21 toward one side "m" and the other side (n), and the mating terminal 11 has a length compared to the size of the housing (2, 3), the mating terminal 11 can penetrate the insertion space 20 and further protrude from the other insertion opening 22. Therefore, the connector can be connected without paying attention to the length of the mating terminal 11.

[0019] In order to attach the terminals 6, one groove 25a is provided for each terminal 6 along the height direction "α" on one side (f) in the depth direction "β" of the housing body 2. In this embodiment, three terminals 6 are provided, so a total of three grooves 25a are provided along the width direction "γ". Each terminal 6 is inserted into the insertion space 20 from the other side (n) to one side (m) in the height direction "α" through an opening 27 provided across the second "β-γ" surface (Y surface) and the "α-β" surface (Z surface) formed by the height direction "α" and the width direction "γ" of the housing (2, 3). At this time, a part (621) of the terminal 6 is press-fitted into each groove 25a along the height direction "α", and the terminal 6 is fixed to the housing body 2 at its one end side 61a and elastically supported in a cantilever shape.

[0020] After the terminals are fixed to the housing body 2, the lid member 3 is attached to the opening 27. By attaching the lid member 3 to the housing body 2, the insertion space 20 is substantially closed, and it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the insertion space 20. Furthermore, by providing the lid member 3, it is possible to prevent the terminals 6 from falling out of the housing body 2. The lid member 3 is attached to the opening 27 provided in the housing body 2 by sliding it along the depth direction "β" from the other side (b) in the depth direction "β" to one side (f).

[0021] The lid-like member 3 has a generally box-shaped main body 31 that is open at the top, a locking portion 32 provided at the tip side of the main body 31, and further a blocking portion 35 provided in an upright state at the rear end side of the main body 31. The main body 31 has an opening penetrating in the height direction "α" to define the insertion opening 22. The locking portion 32 has an elastic locking piece 32a that can elastically deform in the width direction "γ", and can be locked to a protrusion 28 provided on the opening 27 when the lid-shaped member 3 is attached to the housing main body 2. The closing portion 35 has a shape complementary to an opening portion of the opening 27 in the peripheral wall of the housing main body 2 on the opposite side (b) to one side (f) in the depth direction "β" of the housing main body 2 in the "α-β" plane (Z plane), and can substantially close the peripheral wall of the housing when the lid-shaped member 3 is attached to the housing main body 2.

[0022] Fig. 13 shows an upper perspective view of terminal 6, Fig. 14 shows a lower perspective view thereof, Fig. 15 shows a side view thereof, and Fig. 16 shows a plan view thereof. Terminal 6 is formed into a substantially plate-like shape by punching out a metal plate and bending it.

[0023] Each terminal 6 includes a base 621 and a fixed portion 630 at one end 61a, and an elastic member 62 forming a free end at the other end 61b opposite to the one end 61a. When the terminal 6 is attached to the housing body 2, the one end 61a is positioned at one side (f) in the depth direction "β", and the other end 61b is positioned at the opposite side (b) to the one side (f) in the depth direction "β".

[0024] The base 621 has press-fit protrusions 621a protruding outward on both sides in the width direction "γ". The base 621 of each terminal 6 is press-fitted into the respective grooves 25a (see FIG. 9, etc.) provided in the housing main body 2 from positions spaced apart in the height direction "α", whereby each terminal 6 is press-fit and fixed to the housing main body 2 by utilizing the press-fit protrusions 621a.

[0025] The fixing portion 630 is a portion that forms a substantial L-shape between the base portion 621 in a side view, and is positioned along, for example, the back surface of the board 13 with the base portion 621 pressed into the groove 25a. The fixing portion 630 is fixed to the board 13, which is the member to be fixed, by using solder or the like. Therefore, the fixing portion 630 can also be used to attach the connector 1 to the board 13 or the like, similar to the fixing metal fitting 8.

[0026] The terminal 6 is fixed to the housing body 2 only at one end side 61a, and is provided in the insertion space 20 in a cantilever shape. The other end side 61b on which the elastic member 62 is formed is not fixed. Therefore, the elastic member 62 is installed in the insertion space 20 of the housing body 2 with some play, and the other end side 61b of the terminal 6 can move in the insertion space 20 and relative to the housing (2, 3), particularly the insertion opening 21. The size of the terminal 6 needs to be such that it can be installed in the insertion space 20 with some play, but the size of the terminal 6 in the first "β-γ" plane (X plane) may be larger than the predetermined area (x) that the insertion opening 21 occupies in that plane (X plane), and similarly, the size of the terminal 6 in the second "β-γ" plane (Y plane) may be larger than the predetermined area (y) that the insertion opening 21 occupies in that plane (Y plane). As a result, the elastic member 62 is not affected by, for example, vibrations caused by other members, and the resonance frequency can be appropriately suppressed. Also, unlike the conventional connectors described in the prior art, there is no movable housing fixed to the terminals 6, so the load on the terminals 6 can be reduced and the durability of the terminals can be improved.

[0027] The elastic member 62 includes a plurality of height portions 622, 623 extending between one side (m) and the other side (n) in the height direction "α", a plurality of curved portions 631, 632, 633, 634 having apexes 631a, 632a, 633a, 634a on the one side (m) or the other side (n), respectively, and a contact member 64 forming a free end at the end of the other end side 61b. The curved portions 633, 634 also constitute a part of the contact member 64. The plurality of height portions 622, 623 and the plurality of curved portions 631, 632, 633, 634 are alternately connected, and further, these portions and the contact member 64 are connected to each other so as to extend as a whole toward the depth direction "β".

[0028] The height portions 622, 623 are formed as substantially straight members extending between one side (m) and the other side (n) in the height direction "α", but may be slightly inclined. The curved portions 631, 632, 633, 634, together with the height portions 622, 623, are portions that connect the contact member 64 to one end side 61a of the terminal 6, and as a whole, impart elasticity to the contact member 64. The curved portions 631, 633 are formed as approximately U-shaped portions, and their apexes 631a, 633a are directed to the other side (n) in the height direction "α", in other words, the side of the insertion opening 22. The curved portion 632 is also formed as an approximately U-shaped portion like the curved portions 631, 633, but its apex 632a is directed to one side (m) in the height direction "α", in other words, the side of the insertion opening 21. On the other hand, the curved portion 634 is formed as an approximately half U-shaped portion, and its apex 634a is directed to the other side (n) in the height direction "α", in other words, the side of the insertion opening 22.

[0029] 4 and 5, when the terminal 6 is installed in the housing body 2, at least a part of the curved portions 633, 634, for example, the parts 633b, 634b slightly closer to the insertion opening 22 than the apexes 633a, 634a of the curved portions 633, 634, are positioned within a predetermined region (y) occupied by the insertion opening 22 in the second "β-γ" plane (Y plane). This makes it possible to reliably guide the mating terminal 11, which is inserted in a state of being misaligned with respect to the insertion opening 22, into the insertion space 20 by using the parts 633b, 634b of the curved portions 633, 634 as guiding parts. In this embodiment and in the embodiments and reference examples described later, the "misalignment" includes not only the "misalignment" that may occur when the mating terminal 11 is inserted linearly almost completely along the height direction "α", but also the "misalignment" that may occur when the mating terminal 11 is inserted in a direction that is not completely along the height direction "α", i.e., in an oblique direction. In addition, regardless of whether the mating terminal 11 is inserted linearly or in an oblique direction, it also includes the "misalignment" in which the mating terminal 11 is forcibly inserted in a state where it is significantly displaced from the insertion opening 22. In other words, the "misalignment" in this specification includes all "misalignment" modes that may occur when the mating terminal 11 is inserted into the insertion opening 22 from a position separated in the height direction "α". In all "misalignment" modes in this embodiment and in the embodiments and reference examples described later, the mating terminal 11 can be reliably guided into the insertion space 20.

[0030] The contact member 64 forms a free end at the end of the elastic member 62. The contact member 64 includes a pair of contact pieces 624, 625 spaced apart from each other in the depth direction "β", a plate-shaped support portion 640 extending between one side (m) and the other side (n) in the depth direction "β" and connecting the pair of contact pieces 624, 625 at the end of the one side (m) in the height direction "α", and further curved portions 633, 634 which are also part of the contact member 64, a plate-shaped support portion 642 connecting these curved portions 633, 634, and a plate portion 641 connecting the plate-shaped support portion 642 and the plate-shaped support portion 640 and extending between the one side (m) and the other side (n) in the height direction "α". The contact point 62a with the mating terminal 11 is formed in a convex shape by bending the pair of contact pieces 624, 625 in a dogleg shape toward the side where they approach each other in the depth direction "β" at a part of the position by the other side (n) in the height direction "α". By bending the pair of contact pieces 624, 625 in a dogleg shape, the pair of contact pieces 624, 625 form an inclination that approaches each other toward the back of the insertion space 20 in the height direction "α", and these inclined parts 624a, 625a cooperate with the guide parts 633b, 634b of the curved parts 633, 634 to guide the mating terminal 11 and reliably guide the mating terminal 11 to the contact point 62a. The mating terminal 11 inserted into the insertion space 20 through the insertion openings 21, 22 is finally sandwiched between the contact points 62a formed on the pair of contact pieces 624, 625 and is connected to the terminal 6 in a state of elastic contact.

[0031] 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, etc., in this configuration, at least a part of the elastic member 62 other than the contact 62a of the terminal 6, for example, at least a part 624a, 625a or 624b, 625b of the pair of contact pieces 624, 625, together with the contact 62a, is positioned within a range of a predetermined region (x) in the first "β-γ" plane (X plane) defined by the insertion opening 21, and is also positioned within a range of a predetermined region (y) in the second "β-γ" plane (Y plane) defined by the insertion opening 22. In other words, the insertion openings 21, 22 are widely opened with respect to the contact 62a. In this case, the mating terminal 11 inserted in a state where it is misaligned with respect to the insertion openings 21 and 22 collides with the mating terminal 11 at a portion other than the contact 62a, for example, at the portion 624a, 625a, or 624b, 625b, before contacting the contact 62a. Through this collision, the contact member 64 formed as a free end is moved in a predetermined region (x) or (y) by the action of the elastic member 62, and the mating terminal 11 can be reliably contacted with the contact 62a in a state where the misalignment is corrected. In this way, the contact pieces 624 and 625 not only have a function of guiding the mating terminal 11 inserted through the insertion openings 21 and 22 to the contact 62a, but also have a function of correcting the misalignment through the collision with the mating terminal 11 inserted in a state where it is misaligned with respect to the insertion openings 21 and 22. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to allow the misalignment of the mating terminal 11 during insertion without providing a movable housing. In order to allow for "misalignment" such as when the mating terminal 11 is forcibly inserted in a state where it is significantly misaligned from the insertion opening 22, a part of the terminal 6 may be provided at a location misaligned from the insertion opening 22. In other words, in this configuration, it is sufficient that the part other than the contact point 62a with the mating terminal 11 is positioned within the range of the insertion opening 22, and the present configuration also includes a mode in which a part of the terminal 6 is positioned outside the range of the insertion opening 22.

[0032] 17 to 20 show an example of a usage mode of the connector 1. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the mating terminal 11 is inserted into the insertion space 20 through the insertion opening 21 from one side (m) to the other side (n) in the height direction "α" and is clamped by the contacts 62a provided on the pair of contact pieces 624, 625, in other words, a state in which the mating terminal 11 and the terminal 6 are completely connected. On the other hand, Figure 18 is a side cross-sectional view showing the state in which the mating terminal 11 is inserted into the insertion space 20 through the insertion opening 22 from the other side (n) to one side (m) in the height direction "α" and the mating terminal 11 and terminal 6 are completely connected. As is clear from these figures, with this configuration, the mating terminal 11 can be inserted not only from one side (m) to the other side (n) in the height direction "α", but also from the other side (n) to one side (m) in the height direction "α".

[0033] Figures 19 and 20 are side cross-sectional views showing the state before the mating terminal 11 and terminal 6 are completely connected, and more specifically, are figures explaining the configuration for preventing excessive displacement of the elastic member 62. Figure 19 shows the state when the mating terminal 11 is inserted from one side (m) to the other side (n) in the height direction "α" through the insertion opening 21 and collides with a pair of contact pieces 624, 625, and Figure 20 shows the state when the mating terminal 11 is inserted from the other side (n) to one side (m) in the height direction "α" through the insertion opening 22 and collides with the pair of contact pieces 624, 625.

[0034] According to this configuration, the elastic action of the elastic member 62 is utilized to cause at least a portion of the elastic member 62 to collide with any of the inner walls of the insertion space 20, thereby making it possible to prevent the elastic member 62 from being excessively displaced.

[0035] 19, when the mating terminal 11 is inserted through the insertion opening 21 and collides with the contact pieces 624, 625, the contact member 64 is also pushed together with the mating terminal 11 from one side (m) to the other side (n) in the height direction "α" by the action of the elastic member 62, and as a result, at least a part of the curved portions 633, 634, for example, the tops 633a, 634a, may collide with the inner walls 33a, 34a of the lid-like member 3 constituting the housing. This prevents excessive displacement to the other side (n).

[0036] 20, when the mating terminal 11 is inserted through the insertion opening 22 and collides with the contact pieces 624, 625, the contact member 64 is also pushed together with the mating terminal 11 from the other side (n) in the height direction "α" toward one side (m) by the action of the elastic member 62, and as a result, the pair of contact pieces 624, 625 and the edge portion 640a on one side (m) in the height direction "α" of the plate-shaped support portion 640 may collide with the inner wall 24a of the insertion space 20. This prevents excessive displacement toward one side (m).

[0037] Second Embodiment Next, a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are used for components corresponding to the connector 1 in the first embodiment, and the letters "AB" are added. Items that are not specifically described may be considered to be the same as those in the connector 1.

[0038] Fig. 21 shows an upper perspective view of a connector 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 22 shows a plan view of the connector 1A in Fig. 1, Fig. 23 shows a cross-sectional view along line XXIII-XXIII in Fig. 22, and Fig. 24 shows a bottom view thereof. The connector 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the connector 1 according to the first embodiment in the shape of the terminal 6A and the insertion direction of the mating terminal 11, i.e., the configuration is intended to insert the mating terminal 11 only from one side (m) to the other side (n) into the insertion space 20A of the housing (2A, 3A). In other respects, it can be considered that the connector 1A basically has the same or corresponding configuration as the connector 1 according to the first embodiment. It should be noted that the mating terminal 11 can also be inserted from the other side (n) to one side (n), but such an insertion mode is not basically intended.

[0039] Like the connector 1 in the first embodiment, the connector 1A also includes a housing (2A, 3A), and a terminal 6A and a fixing metal fitting 8A fixed to the housing (2A, 3A).

[0040] Fig. 25 shows a perspective view of housing main body 2A, Fig. 26 shows its plan view, and Fig. 27 shows its bottom view. Fig. 28 shows an upper perspective view of lid-like member 3A, and Fig. 29 shows its lower perspective view.

[0041] The housing body 2A and the lid-like member 3A form an insertion space 20A inside the housing (2A, 3A). A part of the terminal 6A is positioned in the insertion space 20A so that it can come into contact with the inserted mating terminal 11 and can move inside the insertion space 20A through the contact with the mating terminal 11. As in the first embodiment, both the one side "m" and the other side (n) in the height direction "α" are open, but only the one side "m" functions as an insertion opening 21A for inserting the mating terminal 11, and the other side "n" mainly functions only as a through opening 22A for letting the mating terminal 11 escape. The mating terminal 11 is inserted from the one side (m) to the other side (n) through the insertion opening 21A into the insertion space 20A of the housing (2A, 3A) from a position separated in the height direction "α".

[0042] The insertion opening 21A occupies a predetermined area (xA) in a first "β-γ" plane (X plane) formed by the depth direction "β" and width direction "γ" of the housing (2A, 3A). The insertion opening 21A is provided with inclined surfaces 21Aa and 21Ab in order to facilitate guiding the mating terminal 11 into the insertion space 20A.

[0043] Each terminal 6A is inserted into the insertion space 20A from the other side (n) to the one side (m) in the height direction "α" through an opening 27A provided across the second "β-γ" plane (Y plane) and the "α-β" plane (Z plane), and is fixed at a predetermined position in the housing main body 2A.

[0044] After the terminals 6A are fixed to the housing main body 2A, a lid-like member 3A is attached to the opening 27A provided for attaching the terminals 6A. The lid-like member 3A has a generally box-shaped main body 31A with an open top, a locking portion 32A provided at the front end of the main body 31A, and a closing portion 35A provided at the rear end of the main body 31A. Although the shape is slightly different from the lid-like member 3A in the first embodiment, there is no substantial difference in function.

[0045] 30 and 31 are upper perspective views of the terminal 6A, FIG. 32 is a lower perspective view thereof, FIG. 33 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 34 is a plan view thereof.

[0046] The terminals 6A are fixed at one end 61Aa to the housing main body 2A and elastically supported in a cantilever shape. Each terminal 6A includes a base 621A and a fixed portion 630A at one end 61Aa, and includes an elastic member 62A forming a free end at the other end 61Ab opposite to the one end 61Aa. When the terminals 6A are attached to the housing main body 2A, the one end 61Aa is positioned at one side (f) in the depth direction "β", and the other end 61Ab is positioned at the opposite side (b) to the one side (f) in the depth direction "β".

[0047] The base 621A has press-fit projections 621Aa, and is press-fitted and fixed to the housing main body 2A by being press-fitted into respective grooves 25aA (see FIG. 27, etc.) provided in the housing main body 2A. The fixing portion 630A is fixed to the substrate 13, etc., in the same manner as the fixing metal fitting 8A.

[0048] The elastic member 62A includes a plurality of height portions 622A, 623A, 626 extending between one side (m) and the other side (n) in the height direction "α", a plurality of curved portions 631A, 632A, 633A having apexes 631Aa, 632Aa, 633Aa on one side (m) or the other side (n), respectively, and a contact member 64A forming a free end at an end of the other end side 61Ab. The plurality of height portions 622A, 623A and the plurality of curved portions 631A, 632A, 633A are alternately connected, and further, these portions and the contact member 64A are connected to each other so as to extend in the depth direction "β" as a whole.

[0049] The height portions 622A, 623A, 626 are formed as substantially straight members extending between one side (m) and the other side (n) in the height direction "α", but may be slightly inclined. The height portion 626 constitutes a part of the contact member 64A. The curved portions 631A, 632A, 633A, together with the height portions 622A, 623A, are portions that connect the contact member 64A to one end side 61Aa of the terminal 6A, and impart elasticity to the contact member 64A. The curved portions 631A, 633A are formed as approximately U-shaped portions, and their apexes 631Aa, 633Aa are directed to the other side (n) in the height direction "α", in other words, the side of the through hole 22A. Similarly to the curved portions 631A, 633A, the curved portion 632A is also formed as an approximately U-shaped portion, but its apex 632Aa is directed to one side (m) in the height direction "α", in other words, the side of the insertion hole 21A.

[0050] The contact member 64A forms a free end at the end of the elastic member 62. The contact member 64A includes a pair of contact pieces 624A, 625A spaced apart from each other in the depth direction "β", a pair of height portions 626, 627 spaced apart from each other in the depth direction "β" while sandwiching the pair of contact pieces 624A, 625A therebetween in the depth direction "β", a plate-shaped connecting portion 640A extending between one side (f) and the other side (b) in the depth direction "β" and connecting the height portions 626, 627 at their intermediate positions in the height direction "α", a curved portion 635 connecting the height portion 626 and the contact piece 624A, and a curved portion 636 connecting the height portion 627 and the contact piece 625A. The contact point 62Aa with the mating terminal 11 is formed in a convex shape by bending the pair of contact pieces 624A, 625A in a dogleg shape toward the side where they approach each other in the depth direction "β" at a part of a position near the other side (n) in the height direction "α". By bending the pair of contact pieces 624A, 625A in a dogleg shape, the pair of contact pieces 624A, 625A form an inclination that approaches each other toward the back of the insertion space 20A in the height direction "α", and these inclined portions 624Aa, 625Aa guide the mating terminal 11 and reliably lead it to the contact point 62Aa. The mating terminal 11 inserted into the insertion space 20A through the insertion opening 21A is finally connected to the terminal 6A in a state of elastic contact with the contact point 62Aa formed on the pair of contact pieces 624A, 625A.

[0051] 22 and 23, when the terminal 6A is installed in the housing main body 2A, at least a part of the curved portions 635, 636, for example, the parts 635b, 636b slightly closer to the insertion opening 21A than the apexes 635a, 636a of the curved portions 635, 636, are positioned within a predetermined area (xA) occupied by the insertion opening 21A in the first "β-γ" plane (X plane). This allows the mating terminal 11, which is inserted in a state of being misaligned with respect to the insertion opening 21A, to be reliably guided into the insertion space 20A by using the parts 635b, 636b of the curved portions 635, 636 as guiding parts.

[0052] 22, 23, 26, 33, etc., in this configuration, at least a part of the elastic member 62A other than the contact 62Aa of the terminal 6, for example, at least a part 624Ab, 625Ab of the pair of contact pieces 624A, 625A, together with the contact 62Aa, is positioned within a range of a predetermined region (xA) in the first "β-γ" plane (X plane) defined by the insertion opening 21A. In other words, the insertion opening 21A is widely opened with respect to the contact 62Aa. In this case, the mating terminal 11 inserted in a state where it is misaligned with respect to the insertion opening 21A collides with the mating terminal 11 at a portion other than the contact 62Aa, for example, at portions 624Ab and 625Ab, before coming into contact with the contact 62Aa, and through this collision, the contact member 64A formed as a free end is moved in a predetermined region (xA) by the action of the elastic member 62A, and the mating terminal 11 can be reliably brought into contact with the contact 62Aa in a state where the misalignment is corrected. In this way, the contact pieces 624A and 625A not only have the function of guiding the mating terminal 11 inserted through the insertion opening 21A to the contact 62Aa, but also have the function of correcting the misalignment through the collision with the mating terminal 11 inserted in a state where it is misaligned with respect to the insertion opening 21A.

[0053] FIG. 35 shows an example of a usage mode of the connector 1A. Figure 35 is a cross-sectional oblique view showing a state in which the mating terminal 11 is inserted into the insertion space 20A through the insertion opening 21A from one side (m) to the other side (n) in the height direction "α" and clamped by the contacts 62Aa provided on the pair of contact pieces 624A, 625A, in other words, a state in which the mating terminal 11 and the terminal 6A are completely connected.

[0054] In this configuration, the elastic action of the elastic member 62A is utilized to collide at least a part of the elastic member 62A with any of the inner walls of the insertion space 20A, thereby preventing excessive displacement of the elastic member 62A. For example, as is clear from Fig. 23, Fig. 35, etc., the edge portions 640Aa, 640Ab on one side (m) and the other side (n) in the height direction "α" of the plate-like connecting portion 640A can be collided with any of the inner walls of the housing main body 2A forming the insertion space 20A, for example, the upper step portion 35 and the lower step portion 36 formed on the back side of the housing main body 2A. This prevents excessive displacement to one side (m) and the other side (n).

[0055] <Reference example> Next, a connector according to a reference example utilizing the technical concept of the present invention will be described. The same reference numbers are used for components corresponding to the connector 1 in the first embodiment, and the letter "B" is added. Items that are not specifically described may be considered to be the same as those in the connector 1.

[0056] FIG. 36 is an upper perspective view of a connector 1B according to a reference example, FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1B of FIG. 36, FIG. 38 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 39 is a bottom view thereof.

[0057] The connector 1B differs from the connector 1 according to the first embodiment mainly in the shape of the housing 2B, the shape of the terminal 6B, and the insertion direction of the mating terminal 11, i.e., in that the mating terminal 11 is intended to be inserted only from one side (m) to the other side (n) into the insertion space 20B of the housing 2. Although the mating terminal 11 can also be inserted from the other side (n) to the one side (n), such an insertion mode is not intended in principle. In other respects, the connector 1B can be considered to have a configuration similar to or corresponding to the connectors 1, 1A according to the first or second embodiment.

[0058] Like the connector 1 in the first embodiment, the connector 1B also includes a housing, and terminals 6A and fixing metal fittings 8A fixed to the housing. However, the housing 2B is configured as a single housing, and is not separated into the housing main body 2 and the lid-like member 3 as in the first and second embodiments.

[0059] FIG. 40 shows a perspective view of the housing 2B, and FIG. 41 shows a bottom view thereof. The housing 2B is made of resin. An insertion space 20B is formed inside the housing 2B. A part of the terminal 6B is positioned in the insertion space 20B in a state where it can come into contact with the inserted mating terminal 11 and can move inside the insertion space 20B through the contact with the mating terminal 11. As in the first embodiment, both the one side "m" and the other side (n) in the height direction "α" are open, but only the one side "m" functions as an insertion opening 21B for inserting the mating terminal 11, and the other side "n" mainly functions only as a through opening 22B for letting the mating terminal 11 escape. The mating terminal 11 is inserted from the one side (m) to the other side (n) through the insertion opening 21B from a position separated in the height direction "α" into the insertion space 20A of the housing 2B.

[0060] The insertion opening 21B occupies a predetermined area (xB) in a first "β-γ" plane (X plane) formed by the depth direction "β" and width direction "γ" of the housing 2B, while the through opening 22B occupies a predetermined area (yB) in a substantially flat second "β-γ" plane (Y plane) formed by the same directions.

[0061] Each terminal 6B is inserted into the insertion space 20B from the other side (f) to one side (n) in the depth direction "β" through the opening 27B provided only on the "α-β" surface (Z surface) and fixed at a predetermined position in the housing 2B. At this time, the opening 27B is at least partially blocked by a part (621B) of the terminal 6B on the "α-β" surface (Z surface). In this way, each terminal 6B is attached to the housing 2B along the depth direction "β", and the opening 27B of the housing 2B is blocked by the terminal 6B, so that unlike the first and second embodiments, no cover-like member is provided.

[0062] Fig. 42 shows a top perspective view of the terminal 6B, Fig. 43 shows a side view thereof, Fig. 44 shows a plan view thereof, and Fig. 45 shows a plan view thereof. The terminal 6B is fixed at one end 61Ba to the housing 2B and is elastically supported in a cantilever shape. Each terminal 6B includes a base 621B and a fixed portion 630B at one end 61Ba, and includes an elastic member 62B forming a free end at the other end 61Bb opposite to the one end 61Ba. When the terminal 6B is attached to the housing 2B, the one end 61Ba is positioned at one side (f) in the depth direction "β", and the other end 61Bb is positioned at the opposite side (b) to the one side (f) in the depth direction "β".

[0063] A fixing plate portion 610 extends from the base portion 621B along the depth direction "β". The plate portion 610 has press-fit projections 610a, and each terminal 6B is press-fitted and fixed to the housing 2B by being press-fitted into each groove 25Ba (see FIGS. 36, 37, etc.) provided in the housing 2B. The fixing portion 630B is fixed to the board 13, etc., in the same manner as the fixing metal fittings 8B.

[0064] The elastic member 62B includes a plurality of height portions 622B, 623B extending between one side (m) and the other side (n) in the height direction "α", a plurality of curved portions 631B, 632B, 633B having apexes 631Ba, 632Ba, 633Ba on one side (m) or the other side (n), respectively, and a contact member 64B forming a free end at an end of the other end side 61Bb. The plurality of height portions 622B, 623B and the plurality of curved portions 631B, 632B, 633B are alternately connected, and further, these portions and the contact member 64B are connected to each other so as to extend in the depth direction "β" as a whole.

[0065] The height portions 622B, 623B are formed as substantially straight members extending between one side (m) and the other side (n) in the height direction "α", but may be slightly inclined. The curved portions 631B, 632B, 633B, together with the height portions 622B, 623B, are portions that connect the contact member 64B to one end side 61Ba of the terminal 6B, and impart elasticity to the contact member 64B. The curved portions 631B, 633B are formed as approximately U-shaped portions, and their apexes 631Ba, 633Ba are directed to the other side (n) in the height direction "α", in other words, the side of the through hole 22B. Similarly to the curved portions 631B, 633B, the curved portion 632B is also formed as an approximately U-shaped portion, but its apex 632Ba is directed to one side (m) in the height direction "α", in other words, the side of the insertion hole 21B.

[0066] The contact member 64B forms a free end at the end of the elastic member 62B. The contact member 64B includes a pair of contact pieces 624B, 625B spaced apart from each other in the depth direction "β", and a plate-shaped connecting portion 640B extending between one side (f) and the other side (b) in the depth direction "β" and connecting the pair of contact pieces 624B, 625B at the end of one side (n) in the height direction "α". The contact point 62Ba with the mating terminal 11 is formed in a convex shape by bending the pair of contact pieces 624B, 625B in a dogleg shape toward the sides approaching each other in the depth direction "β" at a part of a position near one side (m) in the height direction "α". By bending the contact pieces 624B, 625B in an "L" shape, the pair of contact pieces 624B, 625B form an inclination in the height direction "α" that approaches each other toward the back of the insertion space 20, and these inclined portions 624Ba, 625Ba guide the mating terminal 11 and reliably lead it to the contact point 62Ba. The mating terminal 11 inserted into the insertion space 20B through the insertion opening 21B is finally connected to the terminal 6B in a state of elastic contact with the contact point 62Ba formed on the pair of contact pieces 624B, 625B.

[0067] 38 to 41, in this configuration, at least a part of the elastic member 62B other than the contact 62Ba of the terminal 6B, for example, at least a part 624Bb, 625Bb of the pair of contact pieces 624B, 625B, together with the contact 62Ba, is positioned within a range of a predetermined region (xB) in the first "β-γ" plane (X plane) defined by the insertion opening 21B, and is also positioned within a range of a predetermined region (yB) in the second "β-γ" plane (Y plane) defined by the through opening 22B. In other words, the insertion opening 21B and the through opening 22B are widely opened with respect to the contact 62Ba. In this case, the mating terminal 11 inserted in a state where it is misaligned with respect to the insertion opening 21B (and / or the through opening 22B) collides with the mating terminal 11 at a portion other than the contact 62Ba, for example, at the portion 624Bb, 625Bb, before contacting the contact 62Ba, and through this collision, the contact member 64B formed as a free end is moved in a predetermined region (xB) or (yB) by the action of the elastic member 62B, and the mating terminal 11 can be reliably contacted with the contact 62Ba in a state where the misalignment is corrected. In this way, the contact pieces 624B, 625B not only have the function of guiding the mating terminal 11 inserted through the insertion opening 21B (or the through opening 22B) to the contact 62Ba, but also have the function of correcting the misalignment through the collision with the mating terminal 11 inserted in a state where it is misaligned with respect to the insertion opening 21B (or the through opening 22B).

[0068] 46 and 47 show an example of a usage mode of the connector 1B. Figure 46 is a cross-sectional oblique view showing a state in which the mating terminal 11 is inserted into the insertion space 20B through the insertion opening 21B from one side (m) to the other side (n) in the height direction "α" and clamped by the contacts 62Ba provided on the pair of contact pieces 624B, 625B, in other words, a state in which the mating terminal 11 and the terminal 6B are completely connected. On the other hand, Figure 47 is a side cross-sectional view showing the state before the mating terminal 11 and terminal 6B are completely connected, and more specifically, a figure explaining the configuration for preventing excessive displacement of the elastic member 62B, showing the state when the mating terminal 11B is inserted from one side (m) to the other side (n) in the height direction "α" through the insertion opening 21B and collides with a pair of contact pieces 624B, 625B.

[0069] In this configuration, the elastic action of the elastic member 62B is utilized to collide at least a part of the elastic member 62B with any of the inner walls of the insertion space 20B, thereby preventing excessive displacement of the elastic member 62B. For example, as is clear from Figs. 46 and 47, the edge portions 640Ba, 640Bb on one side (m) and the other side (n) in the height direction "α" of the plate-shaped connecting portion 640B can be collided with any of the inner walls of the housing 2B forming the insertion space 20B, for example, the step portion 35B formed on the back side of the housing 2B and the bottom inner wall 36B. This prevents excessive displacement to one side (m) and the other side (n).

[0070] It should be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments and is merely representative of the articles. It can be appreciated that variations and modifications of different embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. Thus, exemplary embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, can be made without departing from the spirit of the articles and methods as set forth in the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Connector 2 Housing body (housing) 3 Lid-like member (housing) 6 Terminals 8 Fixing bracket 11 Mating terminal 13 Substrate 20 Insertion Space 21 Insertion port (first insertion port) 22 Insertion port (second insertion port) 62 Elastic member 62a Contact 64 Contact member 622, 623 Height 624, 625 Contact piece 631, 632, 633, 634 Curved section 633a, 634a top 640 Plate-shaped joint 640a Edge x, y given area X First Side Y Second Face

Claims

1. a housing having a height direction, a width direction, and a depth direction; a cantilever-shaped terminal having an elastic member whose one end is fixed to the housing on one side in the depth direction and whose other end opposite to the one end is formed as a free end on an end side opposite to the one side in the depth direction; Equipped with the mating terminal is configured to be inserted into the insertion space of the housing from a position spaced apart in the height direction through an insertion opening that occupies a predetermined area on a surface defined by the depth direction and the width direction of the housing, the elastic member has a contact point that comes into contact with the mating terminal inserted through the insertion opening, A connector, characterized in that at least a portion of the elastic member other than the contacts is positioned, together with the contacts, within the range of the specified area at least on the surface.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the connector is positioned so that the mating terminal inserted through the insertion opening collides with the mating terminal before contacting the contact, thereby allowing the free end to move in the specified area.

3. The elastic member is A plurality of height portions extending between one side and the other side in the height direction; A plurality of curved portions each having an apex on one side or the other side in the height direction; a contact member having the contact point and forming a free end at the other end side; The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of height portions and the plurality of curved portions are alternately connected to each other.

4. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the contact member includes a pair of contact pieces spaced apart from each other in the depth direction.

5. 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the contacts are formed by bending parts of the pair of contact pieces in a dogleg shape toward each other in the depth direction.

6. The connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein at least a portion of the elastic member is configured to be capable of colliding with any one of inner walls of the insertion space.

7. The connector according to claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of curved portions is configured to be capable of colliding with any of the inner walls of the insertion space.

8. A connector as described in claim 6 or 7, wherein the pair of contact pieces are connected at one end in the height direction by using a plate-shaped support portion extending between one side and the other side in the depth direction.

9. 9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein an edge portion of one side in the height direction of the pair of contact pieces and the plate-shaped support portion can collide with any one of inner walls of the insertion space.

10. A connector as described in claim 6 or 7, wherein each of the pair of contact pieces is connected to the height portion using the curved portion, and the pair of height portions respectively connected to the pair of contact pieces are connected at an intermediate position in the height direction using a plate-shaped connecting portion extending between one side and the other side in the depth direction.

11. The connector according to claim 10 , wherein edges of the plate-like connecting portion on one side and the other side in the height direction can collide with any of the inner walls of the insertion space.

12. 12. A connector as described in any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein an apex of at least one of the curved portions is arranged facing the insertion port, and at least a portion of the at least one of the curved portions, together with the contact, is positioned within the specified area on the surface.

13. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the insertion port includes a first insertion port into which the mating terminal is inserted from one side to the other side in the height direction, and a second insertion port into which the mating terminal is inserted from the other side to the one side in the height direction.

14. 14. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an opening is provided on a surface defined by the depth direction and the width direction of the housing, for placing a part of the terminal in the insertion space.

15. The connector according to claim 14 , wherein the opening is at least partially covered by a member that is a part of the housing and that is configured to slide along the depth direction.

Images