Connector, and terminal used in the connector

Abstract

To improve the reliability of an electrical connection by reducing the mutual wear of contacts.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises a first terminal 11, a second terminal 21 and a hold member 31. A first opposite surface 12 of the first terminal 11 includes three first terminal side contact parts 15, and a second opposite surface 22 of the second terminal 21 includes one second terminal side contact part 25. In total three first terminal side contact point portions that the three first terminal side contact parts 15 include one by one, two first terminal side contact point portions are disposed separately in a first direction, and the remaining one first terminal side contact point portion is disposed between the two first terminal side contact point portions and separately in a second direction which is orthogonal with the first direction. The one second terminal side contact part 25 includes three second terminal side contact point portions in contact with the three first terminal side contact point portions, such that the three first terminal side contact parts 15 and the one second terminal side contact part 25 are brought into point-contact in three locations by the three first terminal side contact point portions and the three second terminal side contact point portions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a terminal used in the connector. [Background technology]

[0002] A connector has been known that includes a first terminal having a flat first opposing surface, a second terminal having a flat second opposing surface disposed opposite the first opposing surface, and an elastic member that applies an elastic force to press the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface against each other when the first and second opposing surfaces are attached in opposing contact with each other, thereby connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to each other. Patent Document 1 listed below is a prior art document that discloses this type of connector. The conventional connector (terminal unit (10)) disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 36, comprises a first terminal (12), a second terminal (14), and an elastic member (16). The first terminal (12) has a first side opposing surface (24) that faces the second terminal (14) in the left direction and is pressed toward the second terminal (14). The second terminal (14) has a second side opposing surface (38) that faces the first terminal (12) in the right direction and is pressed toward the first terminal (12). The second side opposing surface (38) has an engaging protrusion (40) that extends in the assembly direction of the first terminal (12) and the second terminal (14) and protrudes in the right direction. The first side opposing surface (24) has a first contact surface (28) and a second contact surface (30) that extend in the assembly direction and come into contact with the engaging protrusion (40) on both sides in the front-rear direction perpendicular to both the assembly direction and the left direction. In addition, the symbols used in the explanations of the prior art documents are placed in parentheses to distinguish them from the embodiments of the present invention. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-150224 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional connector (terminal unit (10)) disclosed in the above Patent Document 1 prevents or suppresses rotational displacement of the second terminal (14) relative to the first terminal (12), but is structured so that it can be displaced in the assembly direction, posing the problem of wear between the contacts in a vibrating environment.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector in which the mutual displacement of opposing contact first and second terminals within the opposing plane is restricted, even in a vibrating environment, thereby reducing wear between the contacts and improving the reliability of the electrical connection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector according to the present invention is a connector comprising: a first terminal having a flat first opposing surface; a second terminal having a flat second opposing surface arranged opposite the first opposing surface; and a holding member that is attached in a state in which the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface are in opposing contact with each other, thereby exerting a holding force that presses the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface against each other to connect the first terminal and the second terminal to each other, wherein the first opposing surface has at least one or more first terminal side contact portions that protrude or recess toward the second opposing surface with which it faces and is in opposing contact, and the second opposing surface has at least one or more second terminal side contact portions that protrude or recess toward the first opposing surface with which it faces and is in opposing contact, the protruding or recessed surface shapes of the first terminal side contact portions and the second terminal side contact portions are formed with a curved surface or a linear inclined surface, and a portion of the curved surface or the inclined surface that forms the first terminal side contact portion that comes into contact with the second terminal side contact portion is a first terminal side contact portion, and the second terminal side contact portion is formed When a portion of the curved surface or the inclined surface that comes into contact with the first terminal side contact portion is defined as a second terminal side contact portion, the at least one or more first terminal side contact portions have at least three or more first terminal side contact portions, and the at least one or more second terminal side contact portions have at least three or more second terminal side contact portions that contact the at least three or more first terminal side contact portions, respectively, of the at least three or more first terminal side contact portions, at least two first terminal side contact portions are arranged apart in a first direction, and at least one remaining first terminal side contact portion is arranged apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between the at least two first terminal side contact portions arranged apart in the first direction, and the at least one or more first terminal side contact portions and the at least one or more second terminal side contact portions are in point contact or line contact at three or more locations by the at least three or more first terminal side contact portions and the at least three or more second terminal side contact portions.

[0007] In other words, in the connector of the present invention, at least one or more of the first terminal side contact portions and at least one or more of the second terminal side contact portions are in point or line contact at at least three locations by at least three or more of the first terminal side contact portions and at least three or more of the second terminal side contact portions, so that the first terminal and the second terminal are held together in a state where linear and rotational movement in any direction parallel to the imaginary plane formed by the first direction and the second direction is restricted.

[0008] In addition, in the connector of the present invention, at each of the points where at least three or more of the first terminal side contact portions and at least three or more of the second terminal side contact portions make point or line contact at three or more locations, a load vector acts in the normal direction of the contact surface, and the three or more load vectors acting at three or more locations can be balanced throughout the connector to cancel out each other.

[0009] In the connector according to the present invention, the first terminal contact portion may be circular when viewed from the first opposing surface.

[0010] In addition, in the connector of the present invention, at least three or more first terminal side contact portions are formed, and among the first terminal side contact portions, at least two first terminal side contact portions each having at least two first terminal side contact portions arranged at a distance in a first direction can be oval when viewed from the first opposing surface, and a first terminal side contact portion having at least one remaining first terminal side contact portion arranged at a distance in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between the at least two first terminal side contact portions arranged at a distance in the first direction can be circular when viewed from the first opposing surface.

[0011] In addition, in the connector of the present invention, the second terminal side contact portion is elliptical when viewed from the second opposing surface, and at least two or more second terminal side contact portions are arranged on each of the two semicircular arc surfaces that constitute the ellipse, and at least one or more second terminal side contact portions are arranged on either one of the two straight line surfaces that constitute the ellipse.

[0012] In addition, in the connector of the present invention, the second terminal side contact portion has a protruding or recessed annular shape when viewed from the second opposing surface, and at least three or more of the second terminal side contact portions can be arranged on the protruding inner surface or the recessed outer surface of the annular shape.

[0013] The present invention further includes a first terminal for use in the connector described above.

[0014] The present invention further includes a second terminal for use in the connector described above. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, even in a vibrating environment, the opposing contact first and second terminals are restricted from displacement relative to each other within the opposing plane, thereby providing a connector in which wear between the contacts is reduced and the reliability of the electrical connection is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the upper front left. [Diagram 2] 1 is an external perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the lower right rear side. [Diagram 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of a second terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view illustrating a connection state between a first terminal and a second terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part showing load vectors acting on the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view showing a main part of the connector according to the first embodiment, illustrating load vectors projected onto an XY plane. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view showing a main part of the connector according to the first embodiment, illustrating the mechanism by which a load vector projected onto an XY plane is balanced in the rotational direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view showing a main part of the connector according to the first embodiment, illustrating the mechanism by which a load vector projected onto an XY plane is balanced in the planar direction. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the first terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first terminal according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the upper left rear side. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second terminal according to a second embodiment as viewed from the front upper right. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a perspective front view illustrating a connection state between a first terminal and a second terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the first terminal according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a first terminal according to a third embodiment, as viewed from the upper left rear side. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second terminal according to a third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second terminal according to a third embodiment, as viewed from the upper right front side. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a perspective front view illustrating a connection state between a first terminal and a second terminal according to a third embodiment. [Figure 23] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 in FIG. 22. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the first terminal according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 25]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first terminal according to a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the upper left rear. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a front view of a second terminal according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second terminal according to a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the upper right front side. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a perspective front view illustrating a connection state between a first terminal and a second terminal according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 29] 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 29-29 in FIG. 28. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the first terminal according to the fifth embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first terminal according to a fifth embodiment, as viewed from the upper left rear side. [Diagram 32] FIG. 13 is a front view of a second terminal according to a fifth embodiment. [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second terminal according to a fifth embodiment, as viewed from the upper right front side. [Diagram 34] FIG. 13 is a perspective front view illustrating a connection state between a first terminal and a second terminal according to a fifth embodiment. [Diagram 35] 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 35-35 in FIG. 34. [Diagram 36] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a connector disclosed in Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction are defined, and in the drawings, for convenience of explanation, each direction is shown as an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction. In this specification, the first direction is a left-right direction. In the drawings, the left-right direction is shown as an X direction. In particular, the right side is the +X direction, and the left side is the -X direction. In addition, in this specification, the second direction is a top-bottom direction. In the drawings, the top-bottom direction is shown as a Y direction. In particular, the top is the +Y direction, and the bottom is the -Y direction. Furthermore, in this specification, the third direction is a front-back direction. In the drawings, the front-back direction is shown as a Z direction. In particular, the front is the +Z direction, and the rear is the -Z direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the following embodiments do not limit the inventions related to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in each embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0019] [First embodiment] A connector 10 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a connector 10 according to the first embodiment includes a first terminal 11, a second terminal 21, and a holding member 31. The first terminal 11 is a first terminal.

[0021] The first terminal 11 is a member made of a flat conductive metal. The first terminal 11 has a first opposing surface 12 in the left rear area and a cord attachment surface 13 in the right rear area. In the first embodiment, the rear surface of the first terminal 11 on which the first opposing surface 12 and the cord attachment surface 13 are formed is arranged to be parallel to the XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction. The first opposing surface 12 is a portion that faces and contacts a second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21 described later. On the other hand, an electric cord 41 capable of conducting electricity is connected to the cord attachment surface 13, so that electricity transmitted using the electric cord 41 is conducted from the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 to the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21, and further transmitted to a conductive member (not shown) connected to the second terminal 21, thereby transferring electricity through the connector 10.

[0022] The second terminal 21 is a member made of a conductive metal, and has a flat second opposing surface 22 arranged opposite the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 described above. The second opposing surface 22 is a portion arranged on the front side of the second terminal 21. In the first embodiment, the second opposing surface 22 arranged on the front side of the second terminal 21 is arranged so as to be parallel to the XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction. The second opposing surface 22 faces and contacts the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11, so that the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 can be electrically connected to each other. Furthermore, the second terminal 21 has an attachment surface 23 bent in an L shape below the second opposing surface 22, and this attachment surface 23 can be connected to a conductive member not shown. Therefore, electricity transmitted using the electrical cord 41 is conducted from the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 to the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21, and then transmitted to a conductive member (not shown) connected to the second terminal 21 via the mounting surface 23, thereby enabling electricity to be transferred by the connector 10.

[0023] The holding member 31 is a member that connects the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 to each other. The holding member 31 is formed with a plurality of plate-like elastic parts 32 that can exert an elastic force as a holding force. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the holding member 31 is attached in a state in which the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21 are in opposing contact with each other, so that the plurality of plate-like elastic parts 32 exert an elastic force that presses the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22 against each other, thereby connecting the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 to each other. The holding member 31 may be made of any material that can exert an elastic force, and may be made of, for example, metal or resin.

[0024] 4, the procedure for assembling the first terminal 11, the second terminal 21, and the holding member 31 to form the connector 10 is described below. First, the left end of the first terminal 11 to which the electric cord 41 is connected is inserted into an opening formed on the right side surface of the holding member 31 in the -X direction. When the first terminal 11 is inserted into the holding member 31, the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 is stored inside the holding member 31, and the first terminal 11 is stored inside the holding member 31 with a space for storing the second terminal 21. From this state, the upper end of the second terminal 21 is inserted upward in the +Y direction into the opening formed on the lower side surface of the holding member 31. By inserting the second terminal 21 into the retaining member 31, the retaining member 31 is assembled in a state in which the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21 are in opposing contact with each other, completing the connector 10 in the state shown in Fig. 2. At this time, in the connector 10, the multiple plate-shaped elastic portions 32 of the retaining member 31 exert an elastic force that presses the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22 against each other, so that the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 can maintain their connection with each other.

[0025] The basic configuration of the connector 10 according to the first embodiment has been described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Next, a specific configuration of the connector 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 in addition to the reference drawings.

[0026] 4 and 5, the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 is provided with three first terminal side contact portions 15 that protrude toward the second opposing surface 22 that it faces, that is, toward the rear. All three first terminal side contact portions 15 are formed as circles when viewed from the first opposing surface 12. The three first terminal side contact portions 15 are each composed of a first terminal side first contact portion 151 disposed in the upper right corner of the first opposing surface 12, a first terminal side second contact portion 152 disposed in the upper left corner of the first opposing surface 12, and a first terminal side third contact portion 153 disposed in the lower center of the first opposing surface 12. In other words, the two first terminal side contact portions 15, the first terminal side first contact portion 151 and the first terminal side second contact portion 152 located on the upper left and right sides, are arranged apart in the left-right direction, which is the first direction (X direction), and the remaining first terminal side contact portion 15, the first terminal side third contact portion 153 located in the lower center, is arranged between the two first terminal side contact portions 15 (151, 152) and apart in the downward direction, which is the second direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X direction).

[0027] 3 and 6, a second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed on the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21, protruding toward the first opposing surface 12 with which it faces, that is, protruding forward. The second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed in an elliptical shape when viewed from the second opposing surface 22.

[0028] The protruding surfaces of the first terminal side contact portion 15 and the second terminal side contact portion 25 are formed as curved surfaces. Therefore, when the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21 come into contact with each other, the curved surfaces come into point contact with each other.

[0029] As for the portions that come into point contact, as shown in FIG. 5, the portions that come into contact with the second terminal side contact portion 25 on the curved surfaces that form the first terminal side first contact portion 151, the first terminal side second contact portion 152, and the first terminal side third contact portion 153 that constitute the three first terminal side contact portions 15 are referred to as first terminal side contact portions P. 151 ,P 152 ,P153 6, the portion of the curved surface forming the second terminal side contact portion 25 that comes into contact with the first terminal side contact portion 15 is defined as the second terminal side contact portion P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 In this case, each of the three first terminal side contact portions 15 (the first terminal side first contact portion 151, the first terminal side second contact portion 152, and the first terminal side third contact portion 153) has one first terminal side contact portion P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 Of these, two first terminal side contact parts P 151 ,P 152 are arranged apart in the left-right direction, which is the first direction (X direction), and the remaining first terminal side contact portion P 153 The two first terminal contact parts P 151 ,P 152 The three second terminal side contact portions P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 As shown in FIG. 6, the second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed as an ellipse, and has two second terminal side contact portions P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10, P11, P12, P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19, P20, P21, P22, P23, P24, P25, P26, P27, P28, P30, P31, P32, P41, P42, P43, P44, P45, P46, P47, P48, P49, P50, P51, P52, P53, P54, P55, P66, P67, P70, P71, P72, P73, P74, P75, P76, P77, P78, P7 251 ,P 252 is arranged on the lower straight surface of the two straight surfaces that form the oval, and one second terminal side contact part P 253 That is, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 The first terminal side contact part P has three 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 are arranged at positions corresponding to each other, so that the contact portions are configured to come into point contact with each other.

[0030] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153and three second terminal side contact parts P corresponding to these three contact parts. 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 When the contacts of the contact parts are in point contact with each other, they are arranged to form an inverted triangle as viewed from the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22 when virtual lines are connected to each other. Also, one second terminal side contact part 25 formed as an oval as viewed from the second opposing surface 22 is arranged to be sandwiched between the contact parts arranged to form this inverted triangle. Furthermore, the three first terminal side contact parts 15 (first terminal side first contact part 151, first terminal side second contact part 152, first terminal side third contact part 153) and the one second terminal side contact part 25 form a pair of first terminal side contact parts P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 Since the connector 10 according to the first embodiment has a three-point contact configuration, the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22, which are in opposing contact with each other, are held together in a state in which linear movement and rotational movement in any direction parallel to a virtual XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction are restricted. Therefore, according to the connector 10 according to the first embodiment, even if the connector 10 is in an environment in which vibration is applied to the connector 10, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, which are in opposing contact with each other, are restricted from being displaced relative to each other within the opposing plane, so that wear between the contacts can be reduced and the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved.

[0031] The specific configuration of the connector 10 according to the first embodiment has been described above with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Next, the mechanism by which the connector 10 according to the first embodiment is stably held will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 12.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 9, when the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 of the connector 10 according to the first embodiment are assembled, a contact load for terminal attachment is applied to the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21 from the first opposing surface 12 side of the first terminal 11 that is in opposing contact with the second opposing surface 22 side, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 9. This load is applied to the three first terminal side contact parts P151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 This force acts as a load vector directed in the normal direction to the contact surface at the three-point contact point.

[0033] Here, since the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 are held by the holding member 31 so as not to move relatively in the third direction (Z direction), the force of the front-rear direction component, which is the third direction (Z direction), can be ignored in the load vector shown as an arrow in Fig. 9. Therefore, it is necessary to consider only the load vector projected onto the imaginary XY plane formed by the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction) as shown in Fig. 10.

[0034] Based on the above, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the contact part (P 153 ,P 253 ) is the contact point a, and the contact point (P 152 ,P 252 ) at the contact point b, and the contact point (P 151 ,P 251 ) is contact point c, the load vectors directed in the normal direction to the contact surface at each contact point a, b, and c can be represented as load vectors A, B, and C, respectively.

[0035] First, referring to FIG. 11, the balance of moments in the XY plane is considered. For example, when focusing on contact point a in FIG. 11, the rotational moment around contact point a generated by load vector B and load vector C applied to other contact points b and c is a clockwise rotational moment Mb and a counterclockwise rotational moment Mc. Here, the two rotational moments Mb and Mc are rotational moments in opposite directions, so they cancel each other out. That is, in the connector 10 according to the first embodiment, moment balance is established in the XY plane.

[0036] Next, referring to FIG. 12, the balance of forces in the XY plane will be considered. For example, in FIG. 12, the load vector B and the load vector C applied to the contact portion b and the contact portion c can be decomposed into left-right components (B1 and C1) in the first direction (X direction) and downward components (B2 and C2) in the second direction (Y direction). Here, the left-right components (B1 and C1) are load vectors in opposite directions, so they cancel each other out. On the other hand, the downward components (B2 and C2) are loads in the opposite directions to the upward load vector A applied to the contact portion a, so the load components (B2 and C2) and the load vector A cancel each other out. Therefore, in the connector 10 according to the first embodiment, the balance of forces is established in the XY plane.

[0037] Incidentally, with regard to the connector 10 of the first embodiment, even if an external force other than the three load vectors A, B, and C shown in Figures 11 and 12 is applied, the magnitude of the force of the load vectors A, B, and C changes depending on the external force, so that the rotational moment and force balance are maintained throughout the connector, and the first terminal 11 and second terminal 21, which are in opposing contact, do not shift within the XY plane.

[0038] As described above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the connector 10 according to the first embodiment has three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 At each of the three points of point contact, load vectors A, B, and C are applied in the normal direction of the contact surface, and the three load vectors A, B, and C applied at the three points are balanced throughout the connector to cancel each other out. Therefore, according to the connector 10 of the first embodiment, even if the connector 10 is in an environment where vibrations are applied to the connector 10, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 that are in opposing contact with each other are restricted from being displaced relative to each other within the opposing plane, so that wear between the contacts is reduced and the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved.

[0039] The mechanism by which the connector 10 according to the first embodiment, which has been described with reference to Figures 9 to 12, is stably held also functions similarly for the connectors 10 according to the second to fifth embodiments, which will be described later.

[0040] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiment. Therefore, a second embodiment to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 17. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate members that are the same as or similar to those described in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0041] [Second embodiment] 13 and 14, the first terminal 11 according to the second embodiment has a first opposing surface 12 on which three first terminal side contact portions 15 are formed, which protrude toward the second opposing surface 22 with which it faces and comes into contact, i.e., toward the rear. Of the three first terminal side contact portions 15, two first terminal side contact portions 15 are formed as ovals when viewed from the first opposing surface 12, and the remaining first terminal side contact portion 15 is formed as a circle when viewed from the first opposing surface 12. More specifically, the three first terminal side contact portions 15 are composed of a first terminal side first contact portion 151 arranged in the upper right corner of the first opposing surface 12, a first terminal side second contact portion 152 arranged in the upper left corner of the first opposing surface 12, and a first terminal side third contact portion 153 arranged in the lower center of the first opposing surface 12, and the first terminal side first contact portion 151 and the first terminal side second contact portion 152 are formed as ovals when viewed from the first opposing surface 12, and the first terminal side third contact portion 153 is formed as a circle when viewed from the first opposing surface 12. In other words, the two first terminal side contact portions 15, the first terminal side first contact portion 151 and the first terminal side second contact portion 152, which are oval-shaped and located on the upper left and right, are arranged apart in the left-right direction, which is the first direction (X direction), and the remaining first terminal side contact portion 15, the first terminal side third contact portion 153, which is circular and located at the lower center, is arranged between the two first terminal side contact portions 15 (151, 152) and apart in the downward direction, which is the second direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X direction).

[0042] 15 and 16, a second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed on the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21, protruding toward the first opposing surface 12 with which it faces, that is, protruding forward. The second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed in an elliptical shape when viewed from the second opposing surface 22.

[0043] The protruding surfaces of the first terminal side contact portion 15 and the second terminal side contact portion 25 are formed as curved surfaces. Therefore, when the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21 come into contact with each other, the curved surfaces come into point contact with each other.

[0044] As for the portions that come into point contact, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the portions that come into contact with the second terminal side contact portion 25 on the curved surfaces that form the first terminal side first contact portion 151, the first terminal side second contact portion 152, and the first terminal side third contact portion 153 that constitute the three first terminal side contact portions 15 are referred to as first terminal side contact portions P. 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 15 and 16, the portion of the curved surface forming the second terminal side contact portion 25 that comes into contact with the first terminal side contact portion 15 is defined as the second terminal side contact portion P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 In this case, each of the three first terminal side contact portions 15 (the first terminal side first contact portion 151, the first terminal side second contact portion 152, and the first terminal side third contact portion 153) has one first terminal side contact portion P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 Of these, two first terminal side contact parts P 151 ,P 152 are arranged apart in the left-right direction, which is the first direction (X direction), and the remaining first terminal side contact portion P 153 The two first terminal contact parts P 151 ,P 152 The three second terminal side contact portions P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed as an ellipse, and has two second terminal side contact portions P1, one on each of the two semicircular arc surfaces constituting the ellipse. 251 ,P 252 is arranged on the lower straight surface of the two straight surfaces that form the oval, and one second terminal side contact part P 253 That is, as shown in FIG. 17, three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 The first terminal side contact part P has three 151 ,P 152 ,P153 are arranged at positions corresponding to each other, so that the contact portions are configured to come into point contact with each other.

[0045] Therefore, in the second embodiment, three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P corresponding to these three contact parts. 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 When the contacts of the contact parts are in point contact with each other, they are arranged to form an inverted triangle as viewed from the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22 when virtual lines are connected to each other. Also, one second terminal side contact part 25 formed as an oval as viewed from the second opposing surface 22 is arranged to be sandwiched between the contact parts arranged to form this inverted triangle. Furthermore, the three first terminal side contact parts 15 (first terminal side first contact part 151, first terminal side second contact part 152, first terminal side third contact part 153) and the one second terminal side contact part 25 form a pair of first terminal side contact parts P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 Since the connector 10 according to the second embodiment has a three-point contact configuration, the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22, which are in opposing contact with each other, are held together in a state in which linear movement and rotational movement in any direction parallel to a virtual XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction are restricted. Therefore, according to the connector 10 according to the second embodiment, even if the connector 10 is in an environment in which vibration is applied to the connector 10, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, which are in opposing contact with each other, are restricted from being displaced relative to each other within the opposing plane, so that wear between the contacts can be reduced and the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved.

[0046] As described above, the second embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment, which shows that various modifications can be applied to the first terminal side contact portion 15 constituting the connector according to the present invention.

[0047] Various possible embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in each of the above embodiments. Various modifications or improvements can be made to each of the above embodiments. Therefore, a third embodiment to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to Figs. 18 to 23. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate members that are the same as or similar to those described in the first and second embodiments, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0048] [Third embodiment] 18 and 19, the first terminal 11 according to the third embodiment has a first opposing surface 12 having three first terminal side contact portions 15 that protrude toward the second opposing surface 22 with which it faces, that is, toward the rear. All three first terminal side contact portions 15 are formed as circles when viewed from the first opposing surface 12. The three first terminal side contact portions 15 are each composed of a first terminal side first contact portion 151 disposed in the upper right corner of the first opposing surface 12, a first terminal side second contact portion 152 disposed in the upper left corner of the first opposing surface 12, and a first terminal side third contact portion 153 disposed in the lower center of the first opposing surface 12. In other words, the two first terminal side contact portions 15, the first terminal side first contact portion 151 and the first terminal side second contact portion 152 located on the upper left and right sides, are arranged apart in the left-right direction, which is the first direction (X direction), and the remaining first terminal side contact portion 15, the first terminal side third contact portion 153 located in the lower center, is arranged between the two first terminal side contact portions 15 (151, 152) and apart in the downward direction, which is the second direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X direction).

[0049] 20 and 21, a second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed on the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21, protruding toward the first opposing surface 12 with which it faces, that is, toward the front. The second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed in a ring shape (annular shape) protruding from the second opposing surface 22.

[0050] The protruding surfaces of the first terminal side contact portion 15 and the second terminal side contact portion 25 are formed as curved surfaces. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 22 and Fig. 23, when the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21 are in contact with each other, the curved surfaces are in point contact with each other.

[0051] As for the portions that come into point contact, as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the portions that come into contact with the second terminal side contact portion 25 on the curved surfaces that form the first terminal side first contact portion 151, the first terminal side second contact portion 152, and the first terminal side third contact portion 153 that constitute the three first terminal side contact portions 15 are referred to as first terminal side contact portions P. 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 20 and 21, the portion of the curved surface forming the second terminal side contact portion 25 that comes into contact with the first terminal side contact portion 15 is defined as the second terminal side contact portion P. 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 In this case, each of the three first terminal side contact portions 15 (the first terminal side first contact portion 151, the first terminal side second contact portion 152, and the first terminal side third contact portion 153) has one first terminal side contact portion P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 Of these, two first terminal side contact parts P 151 ,P 152 are arranged apart in the left-right direction, which is the first direction (X direction), and the remaining first terminal side contact portion P 153 The two first terminal contact parts P 151 ,P 152 The three second terminal side contact portions P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 As shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed as a protruding ring shape (annular shape), and three second terminal side contact portions P are provided on the protruding inner peripheral surface of the ring shape (annular shape). 251 ,P 252 ,P 253That is, as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 The first terminal side contact part P has three 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 are arranged at positions corresponding to each other, so that the contact portions are configured to come into point contact with each other.

[0052] Therefore, in the third embodiment, three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P corresponding to these three contact parts. 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 are arranged so that when they are in point contact with each other and the contact points of each contact portion are connected by imaginary lines, they form an inverted triangle as viewed from the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22. Also, one second terminal side contact portion 25 formed as a ring shape (annular shape) protruding from the second opposing surface 22 is arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of each contact portion arranged to form this inverted triangle. Furthermore, the three first terminal side contact portions 15 (first terminal side first contact portion 151, first terminal side second contact portion 152, first terminal side third contact portion 153) and the one second terminal side contact portion 25 form the three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 Since the connector 10 according to the third embodiment has a three-point contact configuration, the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22, which are in opposing contact with each other, are held together in a state in which linear movement and rotational movement in any direction parallel to a virtual XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction are restricted. Therefore, according to the connector 10 according to the third embodiment, even if the connector 10 is in an environment in which vibration is applied to the connector 10, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, which are in opposing contact with each other, are restricted from being displaced relative to each other within the opposing plane, so that wear between the contacts can be reduced and the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved.

[0053] As described above, the third embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first and second embodiments described above. This shows that various modifications can be applied to the second terminal side contact portion 25 constituting the connector according to the present invention.

[0054] Various possible embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in each of the above embodiments. Various modifications or improvements can be made to each of the above embodiments. Therefore, a fourth embodiment to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to Figs. 24 to 29. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate members that are the same as or similar to those described in the first to third embodiments, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0055] [Fourth embodiment] 24 and 25, the first terminal 11 according to the fourth embodiment has a first opposing surface 12 on which three first terminal side contact portions 15 are formed, which protrude toward the second opposing surface 22 with which the first terminal 11 faces, that is, toward the rear. All three first terminal side contact portions 15 are formed in a circular shape when viewed from the first opposing surface 12. The three first terminal side contact portions 15 are each composed of a first terminal side first contact portion 151 disposed in the upper right corner of the first opposing surface 12, a first terminal side second contact portion 152 disposed in the upper left corner of the first opposing surface 12, and a first terminal side third contact portion 153 disposed in the lower center of the first opposing surface 12. In other words, the two first terminal side contact portions 15, the first terminal side first contact portion 151 and the first terminal side second contact portion 152 located on the upper left and right sides, are arranged apart in the left-right direction, which is the first direction (X direction), and the remaining first terminal side contact portion 15, the first terminal side third contact portion 153 located in the lower center, is arranged between the two first terminal side contact portions 15 (151, 152) and apart in the downward direction, which is the second direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X direction).

[0056] 26 and 27, a second terminal 21 has a second opposing surface 22 formed with a second terminal side contact portion 25 that is recessed toward the opposite side of the opposing contact first opposing surface 12, that is, toward the rear. The second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed as a recessed ring shape (annular shape) when viewed from the second opposing surface 22.

[0057] The protruding surface shape of the first terminal side contact portion 15 and the recessed surface shape of the second terminal side contact portion 25 are formed as curved surfaces. Therefore, as shown in Figures 28 and 29, when the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21 are brought into contact with each other, the curved surfaces come into point contact with each other.

[0058] As for the portions that come into point contact, as shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, the portions that come into contact with the second terminal side contact portion 25 on the curved surfaces that form the first terminal side first contact portion 151, the first terminal side second contact portion 152, and the first terminal side third contact portion 153 that constitute the three first terminal side contact portions 15 are referred to as first terminal side contact portions P. 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 26 and 27, the portion of the curved surface forming the second terminal side contact portion 25 that comes into contact with the first terminal side contact portion 15 is defined as the second terminal side contact portion P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 In this case, each of the three first terminal side contact portions 15 (the first terminal side first contact portion 151, the first terminal side second contact portion 152, and the first terminal side third contact portion 153) has one first terminal side contact portion P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 Of these, two first terminal side contact parts P 151 ,P 152 are arranged apart in the left-right direction, which is the first direction (X direction), and the remaining first terminal side contact portion P 153 The two first terminal contact parts P 151 ,P 152The three second terminal side contact portions P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 As shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, the second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed as a recessed ring shape (annular shape), and three second terminal side contact portions P are provided on the recessed outer peripheral surface of the ring shape (annular shape). 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 That is, as shown in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 The first terminal side contact part P has three 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 are arranged at positions corresponding to each other, so that the contact portions are configured to come into point contact with each other.

[0059] Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P corresponding to these three contact parts. 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 are arranged so that when they are in point contact with each other and the contact points of each contact portion are connected by imaginary lines, they form an inverted triangle as viewed from the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22. Also, one second terminal side contact portion 25 formed as a sunken ring shape (annular shape) as viewed from the second opposing surface 22 is arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of each contact portion arranged to form this inverted triangle. Furthermore, the three first terminal side contact portions 15 (first terminal side first contact portion 151, first terminal side second contact portion 152, first terminal side third contact portion 153) and the one second terminal side contact portion 25 form the three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253Since the connector 10 according to the fourth embodiment has a three-point contact configuration, the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22, which are in opposing contact with each other, are held together in a state in which linear movement and rotational movement in any direction parallel to a virtual XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction are restricted. Therefore, according to the connector 10 according to the fourth embodiment, even in an environment in which the connector 10 is subjected to vibration, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, which are in opposing contact with each other, are restricted from being displaced relative to each other within the opposing plane, so that wear between the contacts can be reduced and the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved.

[0060] As described above, the fourth embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first to third embodiments described above. This shows that various modifications can be applied to the second terminal side contact portion 25 constituting the connector according to the present invention.

[0061] Various possible embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in each of the above embodiments. For example, in the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, three first terminal side contact portions 15 are formed for one second terminal side contact portion 25, but the present invention can also be applied to an embodiment in which one first terminal side contact portion 15 is formed for one second terminal side contact portion 25. Therefore, a fifth embodiment to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to Figs. 30 to 35. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to designate members that are the same as or similar to those described in the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] [Fifth embodiment] 30 and 31, a first terminal 11 according to the fifth embodiment has a first opposing surface 12 formed with a single first terminal side contact portion 15 that protrudes toward the opposing and contacting second opposing surface 22, i.e., toward the rear. The single first terminal side contact portion 15 is formed in a circular ring shape (annular shape) when viewed from the first opposing surface 12.

[0063] 32 and 33, a second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed on the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21, protruding toward the first opposing surface 12 with which it faces, that is, protruding forward. The second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed in an elliptical shape when viewed from the second opposing surface 22.

[0064] The protruding surface shape of the first terminal side contact portion 15 and the protruding surface shape of the second terminal side contact portion 25 are formed as curved surfaces. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 34 and Fig. 35, when the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second opposing surface 22 of the second terminal 21 are in contact with each other, the curved surfaces are in point contact with each other.

[0065] As for the portion of the first terminal side contact portion 15 that comes into contact with the second terminal side contact portion 25, as shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, the portion of the curved surface that forms the first terminal side contact portion 15 that comes into contact with the second terminal side contact portion 25 is called the first terminal side contact portion P. 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 As shown in Figs. 32 and 33, the portion of the curved surface forming the second terminal side contact portion 25 that comes into contact with the first terminal side contact portion 15 is defined as the second terminal side contact portion P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 In this case, as shown in Fig. 30 and Fig. 31, a single first terminal side contact portion 15 formed as a protruding ring shape (annular shape) has a total of three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 Of these, two first terminal side contact parts P 151 ,P 152 are arranged apart in the left-right direction, which is the first direction (X direction), and the remaining first terminal side contact portion P 153 The two first terminal contact parts P 151 ,P 152 The three second terminal side contact portions P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253As shown in Figs. 32 and 33, the second terminal side contact portion 25 is formed as a protruding ellipse, and three second terminal side contact portions P are provided on the protruding outer peripheral surface of the ellipse. 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 34 and 35, one first terminal side contact portion 15 formed as a protruding ring shape (annular shape) is arranged so as to surround the periphery of one second terminal side contact portion 25 formed as a protruding oval shape, thereby forming three second terminal side contact portions P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 The first terminal side contact part P has three 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 are arranged at positions corresponding to each other, so that the contact portions are configured to come into point contact with each other.

[0066] Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P corresponding to these three contact parts. 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 When the contacts of the contact parts are in point contact with each other, they are arranged to form an inverted triangle as viewed from the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22 when connected by imaginary lines. In addition, one first terminal side contact part 15 and one second terminal side contact part 25 are arranged so that the three first terminal side contact parts P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253Since the connector 10 according to the fifth embodiment has a three-point contact configuration, the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22, which are in opposing contact with each other, are held together in a state in which linear movement and rotational movement in any direction parallel to a virtual XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction are restricted. Therefore, according to the connector 10 according to the fifth embodiment, even in an environment in which the connector 10 is subjected to vibration, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, which are in opposing contact with each other, are restricted from being displaced relative to each other within the opposing plane, so that wear between the contacts can be reduced and the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved.

[0067] As described above, the fifth embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first to fourth embodiments. This shows that various modifications can be applied to the second terminal side contact portion 25 constituting the connector according to the present invention.

[0068] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments.

[0069] For example, the holding member 31 of the first embodiment described above is formed with a plurality of plate-shaped elastic parts 32 capable of exerting an elastic force, and a configuration is adopted in which the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 are connected to each other by the elastic force exerted by the plurality of plate-shaped elastic parts 32. However, the holding force that can be exerted by the holding member of the present invention is not limited to elastic force, and holding forces exerted by any other holding force imparting means can be used. For example, it is possible to connect the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 to each other by employing screws as the holding member of the present invention and using the fastening force of the screws as the holding force.

[0070] Also, for example, in the first embodiment described above, a configuration was adopted in which a cord attachment surface 13 is formed on the first terminal 11 to connect the electric cord 41 to the first terminal 11, and a attachment surface 23 is formed on the second terminal 21 to connect a conductive member (not shown) to the second terminal 21. However, in the present invention, a attachment surface may be formed on the first terminal to connect a conductive member (not shown) and a cord attachment surface may be formed on the second terminal to connect an electric cord.

[0071] In addition, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 A configuration in which three points of contact are made by the above is exemplified, but this configuration is merely an example of the minimum configuration required to achieve the effects of the present invention, and it is clear from the claims that the number of contact points in point contact with each other is not limited to three, but includes four or more.

[0072] In addition, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the three first terminal side contact portions P 151 ,P 152 ,P 153 and three second terminal side contact parts P corresponding to these three contact parts. 251 ,P 252 ,P 253 In the above example, when the contacts of the contact parts are in point contact with each other, they are arranged to form an inverted triangle as viewed from the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22 when the contacts of the contact parts are connected by imaginary lines. However, the scope of the present invention also includes a configuration in which the contacts of the contact parts are arranged to form an equilateral triangle as viewed from the first opposing surface 12 and the second opposing surface 22 when the contacts of the contact parts are connected by imaginary lines. Furthermore, the arrangement of the contact parts may adopt any shape as long as it can achieve the same effects as the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0073] For example, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the protruding or recessed surface shapes of the first terminal side contact portion 15 and the second terminal side contact portion 25 are formed as curved surfaces. However, the protruding or recessed surface shapes of the first terminal side contact portion and the second terminal side contact portion of the present invention may be formed as linear inclined surfaces in addition to the above-mentioned curved surfaces. That is, in the present invention, the protruding or recessed surface shape of either one of the first terminal side contact portion and the second terminal side contact portion may be formed as a curved surface, and the protruding or recessed surface shape of the other may be formed as a linear inclined surface. In this case, the contact portion where the curved surface and the linear inclined surface come into contact with each other will be in point contact, so that the same effect as in each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be obtained. Furthermore, in the present invention, the protruding or recessed surface shapes of both the first terminal side contact portion and the second terminal side contact portion may be formed as linear inclined surfaces. In this case, the contact portion where the linear inclined surfaces come into contact will be in point contact or line contact, so that the first terminal and the second terminal that face each other will be in contact at three points (locations) as in the above-mentioned embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such a configuration is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0074] Also, for example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the first opposing surface 12 of the first terminal 11 has at least one or more first terminal side contact portions 15 that protrude or sink toward the second opposing surface 22 with which it faces and comes into contact. The first terminal 11 is a single flat plate-shaped member. Here, the present invention includes cases in which the first terminal is configured not only of a single integrated member, but also of a plurality of divided flat plate-shaped members. In this case, it is not necessary to form at least one or more first terminal side contact portions for each of the divided plurality of flat plate-shaped members, and it is sufficient that the first terminal as a whole has at least one or more first terminal side contact portions.

[0075] It will be apparent from the description of the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0076] The connector according to the present invention and the terminals (first terminal and second terminal) used in this connector can be used, for example, in locations in a vehicle that handle large currents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10 Connectors 11 1st terminal 12 First opposing surface 13 Cord attachment surface 15 1st terminal side contact part 151 1st terminal side 1st contact part 152 1st terminal side 2nd contact part 153 1st terminal side 3rd contact part 21 2nd terminal 22 Second opposing surface 23 Mounting surface 25 2nd terminal side contact part 31 Retaining member 32 Plate-shaped elastic part 41 Electrical cord P 151 1st terminal side contact part P 152 1st terminal side contact part P 153 1st terminal side contact part P 251 2nd terminal side contact part P 252 2nd terminal side contact part P 253 2nd terminal side contact part A,B,C load vector a,b,c contact part

Claims

1. a first terminal having a first opposing surface in a flat plate shape; a second terminal having a flat second opposing surface disposed opposite the first opposing surface; a holding member that is attached in a state in which the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface are in opposing contact with each other, thereby exerting a holding force that presses the first opposing surface and the second opposing surface against each other, thereby connecting the first terminal and the second terminal to each other; A connector comprising: the first opposing surface has at least one first terminal side contact portion that protrudes or recesses toward the second opposing surface that faces and contacts the first opposing surface, the second opposing surface has at least one second terminal side contact portion that protrudes or recesses toward the first opposing surface that faces and contacts the second opposing surface, the protruding or recessed surface shape of the first terminal side contact portion and the second terminal side contact portion is formed to have a curved surface or a linear inclined surface, a portion of the curved surface or the inclined surface that forms the first terminal side contact portion, the portion being in contact with the second terminal side contact portion, the portion being a first terminal side contact portion; When a portion of the curved surface or the inclined surface that forms the second terminal side contact portion that comes into contact with the first terminal side contact portion is defined as a second terminal side contact portion, At least one of the first terminal side contact portions includes at least three of the first terminal side contact portions, the at least one second terminal side contact portion has at least three second terminal side contact portions which respectively come into contact with the at least three first terminal side contact portions, Among the at least three or more first terminal side contact portions, at least two first terminal side contact portions are arranged spaced apart in a first direction, and at least one remaining first terminal side contact portion is arranged spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between the at least two first terminal side contact portions arranged spaced apart in the first direction, A connector characterized in that at least one of the first terminal side contact portions and at least one of the second terminal side contact portions are in point contact or line contact at three or more locations by at least three of the first terminal side contact portions and at least three of the second terminal side contact portions.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, A connector characterized in that at each of three or more points where at least three or more of the first terminal side contact portions and at least three or more of the second terminal side contact portions make point or line contact at three or more points, a load vector acts in the normal direction of the contact surface, and the three or more load vectors acting at three or more points are balanced throughout the connector and cancel each other out.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, A connector, characterized in that the first terminal side contact portion is circular when viewed from the first opposing surface.

4. 2. The connector of claim 1, At least three first terminal side contact portions are formed, Among the first terminal side contact portions, at least two first terminal side contact portions each having at least two first terminal side contact portions spaced apart from each other in a first direction are elliptical when viewed from the first opposing surface, A connector characterized in that a first terminal side contact portion has at least one remaining first terminal side contact portion arranged between at least two first terminal side contact portions arranged apart in a first direction and arranged apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and is circular when viewed from the first opposing surface.

5. 2. The connector of claim 1, A connector characterized in that the second terminal side contact portion is elliptical when viewed from the second opposing surface, at least one of the second terminal side contact portions is arranged on each of the two semicircular arc surfaces that constitute the ellipse, for a total of two or more second terminal side contact portions, and at least one of the second terminal side contact portions is arranged on either one of the two straight line surfaces that constitute the ellipse.

6. 2. The connector of claim 1, A connector characterized in that the second terminal side contact portion has a protruding or recessed annular shape when viewed from the second opposing surface, and at least three or more of the second terminal side contact portions are arranged on the protruding inner surface or the recessed outer surface of the annular shape.

7. A first terminal for use in the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A second terminal for use in the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images