Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector that can maintain a stable connection while absorbing misalignment of the mating device.SOLUTION: A connector 1 includes a housing 30 and a terminal fitting 10 accommodated in the housing 30. The terminal fitting 10 includes a box portion 10A into which a mating terminal 50 is inserted, a connection portion 10H connected to a circuit board S, and a spring portion 10G extending from the connection portion 10H and provided in non-contact with the housing 30 to support the box portion 10A in a displaceable manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector for connecting boards together. This electrical connector is mounted on a circuit board, and connects the circuit board and the mating circuit board by mating with a mating connector mounted on the mating circuit board. This electrical connector has a movable housing provided with a fixed housing fixed to the circuit board via terminal fittings. The movable housing is movable with respect to the fixed housing by elastically deforming the terminal fittings, thereby absorbing positional deviation of the mating connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-64443 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The movable housing has a structure in which the terminals are sandwiched laterally around a synthetic resin side wall, and therefore, if the side wall expands due to, for example, a change in temperature or humidity, the side wall will press the terminals outward, which may cause a change in the contact pressure with the terminals of the mating connector.

[0005] The connector of the present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a connector that can maintain a stable connection while absorbing positional deviation of the mating side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The connector of the present disclosure comprises: Housing and A terminal metal fitting accommodated in the housing; Equipped with The terminal fitting has a box portion into which the mating terminal is inserted, a connection portion connected to a circuit board, and a spring portion extending from the connection portion and arranged non-contact with the housing to support the box portion so as to be displaceable. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to maintain a stable connection while absorbing positional deviations on the other side. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the terminal fitting as viewed from above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the terminal fitting with a part of the box portion cut away. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the connector as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a mating terminal is inserted into the terminal fitting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) Housing; A terminal metal fitting accommodated in the housing; Equipped with The terminal fitting of this connector has a box portion into which a mating terminal is inserted, a connection portion connected to a circuit board, and a spring portion extending from the connection portion and arranged non-contact with the housing to support the box portion so as to be displaceable.

[0010] In the terminal fitting (1), for example, if the housing is made of a material that is subject to changes in temperature and humidity, the spring portion is not in contact with the housing, and therefore can absorb the misalignment of the mating terminal without being affected by the housing that is deformed due to changes in temperature and humidity, while maintaining a stable connection between the terminal fitting and the mating terminal.

[0011] (2) The box portion is tubular with both ends open, The connector according to (1), wherein when the box portion is viewed from the opening direction, the spring portion and the connection portion are positioned outside the opening.

[0012] In the terminal fitting (2), the spring portion is disposed outside the opening. For example, when inspecting the unevenness inside the box portion using a laser beam, the inspection is easy because the spring portion and the connection portion do not block the laser beam.

[0013] (3) The housing has an insertion hole formed to face one of the openings of the box portion, The connector according to (2), wherein when viewed from the opening direction, at least a portion of an inner surface of the insertion hole is located inside an outer surface of the box portion.

[0014] The terminal fitting (3) can make it difficult for the mating terminal to hit the open end of the box portion when the mating terminal is inserted into the box portion.

[0015] (4) A connector according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the spring portion has a plurality of bent portions connected in a single strip shape.

[0016] (4) The terminal fitting can have a long excess length of the spring portion, so that it is easy to elastically deform and can easily maintain the function of supporting the box portion so that it can be displaced.

[0017] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the connector 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. In the drawings, "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "right side", and "left side" are represented by "F", "B", "U", "D", "R", and "L", respectively. Note that the directional references are defined for convenience, and do not necessarily coincide with the directions when the connector 1 including the terminal fittings 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like. For example, the up-down direction is not limited to the direction of gravity.

[0018] 1, the connector 1 is capable of connecting a mating terminal 50 of a mating connector (not shown) to a terminal fitting 10 accommodated in a housing 30. The connector 1 includes a pair of terminal fittings 10 and a housing 30. The connector 1 is attached to a circuit board S.

[0019] [Circuit board configuration] The circuit board S is in the shape of a flat plate. Electronic components (not shown) are mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board S. A pair of through holes H are formed penetrating the circuit board S in the plate thickness direction. A conductive portion L is provided on the lower surface of the circuit board S so as to surround the through holes H. A connection portion 10H of a terminal fitting 10 that is inserted into the through holes H and protrudes from the lower surface of the circuit board S is fixed to the conductive portion L by soldering.

[0020] [Terminal metal fitting configuration] The terminal fitting 10 is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate or the like. The terminal fitting 10 is a so-called female terminal fitting. The pair of terminal fittings 10 have the same shape and differ only in the position in which they are arranged. Therefore, the terminal fittings 10 will be described with reference to one of the terminal fittings 10. As shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the terminal fitting 10 has a box portion 10A, a plurality of inclined portions 10C, a plurality of elastic contact portions 10D, a plurality of protrusions 10E, a spring portion 10G, and a connection portion 10H.

[0021] The box part 10A has a rectangular cylindrical shape, its axis is oriented in the vertical direction, and its upper and lower ends (i.e., both ends) are open (see FIG. 4). The upper end of the box part 10A is an insertion opening 10J into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted (see FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the box part 10A has the insertion opening 10J into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted.

[0022] The inclined portions 10C are provided one by one and connected to the upper ends of a pair of opposing walls of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 4). Each inclined portion 10C is connected to the opening edge portion (the opening edge portion at the upper end) of the insertion opening 10J and extends outward in the left-right direction and upward at an incline (see FIG. 4). The inclined portion 10C has a guide surface 10L that extends upward (forward in the opening direction of the insertion opening 10J) and is connected to the opening edge portion so as to widen.

[0023] The elastic contact portions 10D are formed in threes on the wall portion of the box portion 10A where the inclined portion 10C is continuous. Each elastic contact portion 10D is a part of the wall portion, and is formed by cutting and raising the wall portion so as to protrude inward from the wall portion. Each elastic contact portion 10D is formed to extend upward in a cantilever shape (see Figs. 3 and 4). In other words, each elastic contact portion 10D is elongated and extends in the insertion / removal direction of the mating terminal 50. The elastic contact portion 10D can be elastically deformed inward and outward of the box portion 10A with its lower end as a base point. Each elastic contact portion 10D is arranged in a line in the circumferential direction of the box portion 10A. Each elastic contact portion 10D is formed to be inclined so as to protrude inward from the wall portion of the box portion 10A (see Fig. 1). The tip portion (upper end portion) of each elastic contact portion 10D is inclined outward in the left-right direction and upward (see Fig. 1).

[0024] The protrusions 10E are formed in the wall of the box part 10A where the elastic contact parts 10D are arranged, so that two of them protrude inward. Each protrusion 10E is a part of the wall, and is formed by hammering the wall. The lower end of each protrusion 10E is flush with the upper end of the opening 10P that opens along the upper end of the elastic contact part 10D (see FIG. 3). That is, the protrusions 10E are formed on the edge of the opening 10P that is formed by cutting and raising the elastic contact part 10D. In other words, the protrusions 10E are arranged in a position on the wall closer to the insertion opening 10J than the elastic contact part 10D. The protrusions 10E are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the box part 10A (see FIG. 2). Each protrusion 10E is formed to protrude inward from the wall of the box part 10A (see FIG. 2). The upper part of each protrusion 10E is inclined downward toward the opposing wall (see FIG. 1). When the box portion 10A is viewed from above, each protrusion 10E is disposed so as to correspond to a space between adjacent elastic contact portions 10D (see FIG. 2). The distance between the protrusions 10E facing each other in the left-right direction is greater than the distance between the elastic contact portions 10D facing each other in the left-right direction (see FIG. 2).

[0025] The spring portion 10G is formed in the box portion 10A so as to be continuous with the lower edge of one of the pair of walls on which the elastic contact portion 10D is formed. The spring portion 10G is formed in a strip shape, and is formed in an S-shape so as to extend in a direction away from the opposing wall portion of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the spring portion 10G has two bent portions 10M connected in a strip shape (see FIG. 4). When the box portion 10A is viewed from above, the spring portion 10G is disposed outside the opening of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 2). A pair of locking pieces 10N are formed at the lower end of the spring portion 10G so as to protrude in the width direction.

[0026] The connection portion 10H is formed to be continuous with the lower end edge of the spring portion 10G and extend downward (see FIG. 4). That is, the spring portion 10G is provided between the box portion 10A and the connection portion 10H while extending from the connection portion 10H. The connection portion 10H is formed by folding back so as to overlap in the plate thickness direction (see FIGS. 2 and 4). When the box portion 10A is viewed from above, the connection portion 10H and the spring portion 10G are disposed outside the opening of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 2).

[0027] [Housing configuration] The housing 30 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 30 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape extending in the vertical direction. The housing 30 has a partition wall 30A. The partition wall 30A is arranged so as to divide the space inside the housing 30 into a left side and a right side. A terminal fitting 10 is arranged in each of the left and right spaces inside the housing 30 divided by the partition wall 30A. These spaces are accommodation spaces A that accommodate the terminal fittings 10. An insertion hole 30B is formed in the upper end of the housing 30 corresponding to each accommodation space A.

[0028] A pair of protrusions 30C are formed in the lower part of the housing 30 so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction so that the storage space A expands outward in the left-right direction. A pair of locking grooves 30D are formed in each of the protrusions 30C. In one of the protrusions 30C, the pair of locking grooves 30D are formed so as to extend upward from the lower end of each of a pair of walls whose plate thickness direction faces a direction intersecting the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Only one of the pair of locking grooves 30D is shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] [An example of assembling terminal fittings to a housing] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal fittings 10 are adjusted so that the connection parts 10H are lower than the box part 10A, and the terminal fittings 10 are accommodated in the accommodation spaces A from below the housing 30. At this time, the terminal fittings 10 are accommodated in the accommodation spaces A with the connection parts 10H of the terminal fittings 10 facing away from each other. Then, the locking pieces 10N are press-fitted into the locking grooves 30D of the housing 30 from below. In this way, the assembly of the housing 30 and the terminal fittings 10 is completed, and the connector 1 is completed. The insertion hole 30B of the housing 30 is formed so as to face the insertion opening 10J, which is one opening of the box part 10A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when the connector 1 is viewed from above (opening direction), a part of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 30B is located inside the outer peripheral surface of the box part 10A. Specifically, the entire portion of the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 30B that is located above the wall portion of the box portion 10A on which the elastic contact portion 10D is arranged is located inside the outer circumferential surface of the box portion 10A.

[0030] In the completed connector 1, the terminal fitting 10 is disposed apart from the inner surface of the housing 30. That is, the terminal fitting 10 is not in contact with the housing 30 except for the locking piece 10N. The spring portion 10G is also provided not in contact with the housing 30. Therefore, the box portion 10A of the terminal fitting 10 can swing left and right from the end of the spring portion 10G connected to the locking piece 10N as a base point within a range not contacting the inner surface of the housing 30 (see FIG. 6). That is, the spring portion 10G is provided not in contact with the housing 30 and supports the box portion 10A so as to be displaceable.

[0031] [An example of assembling a connector to a circuit board] The connecting portion 10H of the terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the through hole H of the circuit board S. At this time, the connecting portion 10H is inserted into the through hole H from the upper surface side of the circuit board S. Then, while keeping the lower end surface of the housing 30 in contact with the upper surface of the circuit board S, the connecting portion 10H is connected and fixed to the conductive portion L of the circuit board S using solder. In this manner, the connector 1 is assembled to the circuit board S (see FIG. 1).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6, the mating terminal 50 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 30B of the housing 30 to connect to the terminal fitting 10. At this time, if the axial direction of the mating terminal 50 is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the box part 10A of the terminal fitting 10, the mating terminal 50 contacts the guide surface 10L of the inclined part 10C and presses the box part 10A to the side to which it is inclined. As a result, the spring part 10G is elastically deformed and the box part 10A is inclined. Then, the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the insertion opening 10J and contacts the protrusion 10E. Then, the mating terminal 50 presses the protrusion 10E to the side to which it is inclined. As a result, the spring part 10G is further elastically deformed and the box part 10A is inclined. At this time, the protrusion 10E prevents the tip of the mating terminal 50 from hitting the tip of the elastic contact part 10D. When the mating terminal 50 is further inserted, the mating terminal 50 comes into contact with each of the elastic contact portions 10D. Each of the elastic contact portions 10D is elastically deformed by being pressed outward in the left-right direction by the mating terminal 50. In this way, even if the axial direction of the mating terminal 50 is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the box portion 10A, the mating terminal 50 and the terminal fitting 10 can be satisfactorily connected.

[0033] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0034] The connector 1 includes a housing 30 and a terminal fitting 10 accommodated in the housing 30. The terminal fitting 10 includes a box portion 10A into which a mating terminal 50 is inserted, a connection portion 10H connected to a circuit board S, and a spring portion 10G extending from the connection portion 10H and provided in non-contact with the housing 30 to support the box portion 10A in a displaceable manner.

[0035] According to this configuration, for example, if the housing 30 is made of a material that is subject to changes in temperature and humidity, the spring portion 10G is not in contact with the housing 30, and therefore is not affected by the housing 30 that is deformed due to changes in temperature and humidity, and can absorb any misalignment of the mating terminal 50 while maintaining a stable connection between the terminal fitting 10 and the mating terminal 50.

[0036] The box portion 10A is cylindrical with both ends open, and when the box portion 10A is viewed from the opening direction, the spring portion 10G and the connection portion 10H are disposed outside the opening. With this configuration, the spring portion 10G is disposed outside the opening. For example, when inspecting the unevenness inside the box portion 10A using a laser light, the inspection is easy because the spring portion 10G and the connection portion 10H do not block the laser light.

[0037] The housing 30 has an insertion hole 30B formed to face one opening of the box part 10A, and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 30B is located inside the outer peripheral surface of the box part 10A when the connector 1 is viewed from the opening direction. With this configuration, when the mating terminals 50 are inserted into the box part 10A, the mating terminals 50 are unlikely to hit the opening edge of the box part 10A.

[0038] The spring portion 10G has a plurality of bent portions 10M connected in a single belt shape. With this configuration, the excess length of the spring portion 10G can be increased, so that the spring portion 10G can be easily elastically deformed and the function of supporting the box portion 10A in a displaceable manner can be easily maintained.

[0039] [Other embodiments] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0040] The number of inclined portions, the number of elastic contact portions, the number of protrusions, and the number of bent portions of the spring portion are not limited to those in the above embodiment.

[0041] Unlike the above embodiment, the spring portion may be bent in a Z-shape or a crank shape. Also, the spring portion may have a plurality of band-shaped bent portions arranged in parallel.

[0042] Unlike the above embodiment, the box portion may be in a polygonal tubular or cylindrical shape. Also, one end of the box portion may be closed.

[0043] Unlike the above embodiment, the entire inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole may be located inside the outer peripheral surface of the box portion when viewed from the opening direction. Also, the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole may be located outside the outer peripheral surface of the box portion.

[0044] The terminal fitting may be a male terminal fitting.

[0045] Unlike the above embodiment, the spring portion and the connection portion may be disposed inside the edge of the opening when the box portion is viewed from the opening direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1: Connector 10: Terminal fitting 10A: Hakobe 10C: Inclined part 10D: Elastic contact part 10E: Projection 10G: Spring part 10H: Connection part 10J: Insertion port 10L: Induction surface 10M: Bent part 10N: Locking piece 10P: Opening 30: Housing 30A: Partition wall 30B: Through hole 30C:Protrusion 30D: Locking groove 50: Terminal of the other side A: Storage space H:Through hole L: Conductive part S: Circuit board

Claims

1. Housing and A terminal metal fitting accommodated in the housing; Equipped with The terminal fitting has a box portion into which a mating terminal is inserted, a connection portion connected to a circuit board, and a spring portion extending from the connection portion and arranged non-contact with the housing to support the box portion so as to be displaceable.

2. The box portion is tubular with both ends open, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein when the box portion is viewed from an opening direction, the spring portion and the connection portion are disposed outside the opening.

3. The housing has an insertion hole formed to face the opening of one of the box portions, The connector according to claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole is located more inward than an outer circumferential surface of the box portion when viewed from the opening direction.

4. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the spring portion has a plurality of bent portions connected in a single strip shape.

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