Connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a connector assembly capable of improving a work efficiency for a cable connection for input and output of power or electricity.SOLUTION: A connector assembly comprises a cable-side connector, and a board-side connector that is fitted to the cable-side connector in an electrically connectable manner. The cable-side connector includes: a main body part in which a first composite contact is installed; and a movable part that is connected to the main body part and is movable in one direction toward the inside of the main body part. The movable part has a holding part in which a cable can be inserted and held. The cable includes: a plurality of conductors; an insulator surrounding each of the plurality of conductors; and a sheath surrounding the plurality of conductors with the insulator. One end side of the first composite contact is a pressure contact, and the pressure contact is pushed into the cable by movement of the movable part in the one direction, and the conductors of the cable and the pressure contact can come into contact with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure is a connector combination. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, methods have been used to electrically connect LED lighting units arranged at a predetermined interval. This method may be known as a transition wiring method. In this method, in each LED lighting unit, a power supply or electrical input cable, a power supply or electrical output cable, a terminal block, a power supply module, and each LED are electrically connected in this order. Adjacent LED lighting units are interconnected by a cable. This interconnecting cable can function as an output cable for one LED lighting unit and as an input cable for the other LED lighting unit.

[0003] Each of the input and output cables may include multiple conductors (e.g., two or three), insulators surrounding each of the multiple conductors, and a sheath surrounding the multiple conductors with the insulators. In this case, an operator can strip away part of the sheath and each insulator from each cable to expose part of each internal conductor, and insert each conductor into a terminal block to make an electrical connection between the cable and the terminal block. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-349310 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, before electrically connecting the cables to the terminal blocks, a worker must strip off part of the sheath and part of the insulation from each cable to expose part of the internal conductors, which can reduce work efficiency.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a connector assembly that can improve the efficiency of connecting cables for power supply or electrical input / output. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides: a cable-side connector and a board-side connector that is electrically connectable with the cable-side connector; the cable-side connector includes a main body portion in which a first composite contact is provided, and a movable portion connected to the main body portion and movable in one direction toward the inside of the main body portion, the movable part has a holding part into which a cable can be inserted and held; The cable includes a plurality of conductors, an insulator surrounding each of the plurality of conductors, and a sheath surrounding the plurality of conductors with the insulators, one end of the first composite contact is an insulation displacement contact, A connector assembly is provided in which the movement of the movable part in one direction presses the insulation displacement contacts into the cable, allowing the conductors of the cable to come into contact with the insulation displacement contacts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The connector assembly of the present disclosure makes it possible to improve the efficiency of work required to connect cables for power supply or electrical input / output. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a connector assembly according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2A]FIG. 2A is a perspective view schematically showing a cable-side connector (output side) of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a perspective view that schematically shows the cable-side connector (input side) of the connector combination of the present disclosure. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a top view schematically showing the cable-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2C. [Figure 2E] FIG. 2E is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2C. [Figure 2F] FIG. 2F is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2D. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a perspective view schematically illustrating a board-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] 3B is a perspective view schematically illustrating the board-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure as viewed from the opposite side to that of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a front view schematically showing the board-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 3C. [Figure 3E] FIG. 3E is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 3C. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a perspective view schematically showing a cable-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure in a pre-use state. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a perspective view schematically showing a first use state of the cable-side connector of the connector combination of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a perspective view schematically showing a second use state of the cable-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a perspective view schematically showing a first use state of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a perspective view schematically showing a second use state of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is a perspective view schematically showing a third use state of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the configuration of the connector assembly of the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a connector assembly of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A is a perspective view schematically showing a second cable-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a perspective view schematically showing a first cable-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C is a top view schematically showing the cable-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. FIG. 2D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2C. FIG. 2E is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2C. FIG. 2F is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2D. FIG. 3A is a perspective view schematically showing a board-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a perspective view schematically showing the board-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure as seen from the opposite side to FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a front view schematically showing the board-side connector of the connector assembly of the present disclosure. FIG. 3D is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 3C. FIG. 3E is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 3C.

[0012] The connector combination 500 of the present disclosure includes a cable connector 100 and a board connector 200 that mates with the cable connector 100 so as to be electrically connectable. In other words, the connector combination 500 is a structure formed by combining the cable connector 100 and the board connector 200. Two cable connectors 100 that mate with the board connector 200 are provided, one of which functions as a first cable connector 100A for inputting power or electricity, and the other functions as a second cable connector 100B for outputting power or electricity.

[0013] Each of the first cable side connector 100A and the second cable side connector 100B (cable side connector 100) includes a main body 110 having a plurality of first composite contacts 130 installed therein, and a movable part 120 connected to the main body 110 and movable in one direction toward the inside of the main body 110. The number of first composite contacts 130 installed corresponds to the number of conductors provided in the cable 300 described below. Each first composite contact 130 may be made of a metal member such as copper.

[0014] Each of the plurality of first composite contacts 130 has an insulation displacement contact 131 at one end and a female or male contact 132 at the other end, with the insulation displacement contact 131 and the female or male contact 132 being continuous with each other. In this specification, the insulation displacement contacts 131 may be referred to as IDC contacts.

[0015] The main body 110 has a first region 111 in which insulation displacement contacts 131 can be installed, and a second region 112 that is continuous with the first region 111 and in which female or male contacts 132 can be installed. The outer surface of the second region 112 is provided with a locking portion 113 that can be locked to a board-side connector 200, which will be described later.

[0016] Moreover, the movable part 120 has a holding part 121 into which the cable 300 can be inserted and held. For example, the movable part 120 can be moved in one direction toward the inside of the main body part 110 by an operator pinching the bottom surface of the main body part 110 and the top surface of the movable part 120 with a tool such as pliers or pincers.

[0017] With this configuration, the majority of the movable part 120 is positioned outside the main body part 110, on the premise that a portion of the movable part 120 is engaged with the main body part 110 before the cable 300 is inserted. On the other hand, after the cable 300 is inserted, the movable part 120 can be moved in one direction into the main body part 110 to perform pressure contact by the insulation displacement contact contacts 131 of the main body part 110.

[0018] The cable 300 includes a plurality of conductors 310, an insulator 320 surrounding each of the plurality of conductors 310, and a sheath 330 surrounding the plurality of conductors 310 with the insulators 320.

[0019] The conductor 310 may be made of, for example, aluminum, copper, or the like. The insulator 320 and the sheath 330 may be made of an insulating resin. Although not particularly limited, the insulator 320 and the sheath 330 may include, by way of example only, at least one resin material selected from the group consisting of vinyl resin, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, and unsaturated polyester resin. In one example, the cable 300 may be a VVF cable in which the insulator 320 and the sheath 330 may be made of an insulating vinyl resin.

[0020] A sheath 330 may collectively surround multiple conductors 310 with insulators 320. In the illustrated embodiment, three conductors 310 are provided, one of which serves as a ground and the other two conductors 310 serve as power input or power output to the power module.

[0021] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, when the movable part 120 moves in one direction, the insulation displacement contacts 131 are pushed into the cable 300, and each conductor 310 of the cable 300 and each insulation displacement contact 131 can come into contact with each other.

[0022] The insulation displacement contact 131 includes a first contact pin 131a and a second contact pin 131b that face each other to form a groove 131c (see FIG. 2E). Each contact pin can be configured to be pressed into the cable 300.

[0023] Specifically, in each contact pin, the width of the upper end of the groove portion 131c (i.e., the distance between the tip end of the first contact pin 131a and the tip end of the second contact pin 131b) is slightly larger than the diameter of the conductor 310 of the cable 300, in order to make it easier to guide the conductor 310 into the inside of the groove portion 131c.

[0024] On the other hand, the width of the main region other than the upper end side of the groove portion 131c (i.e., the distance between the main part other than the tip side of the first contact pin 131a and the main part other than the tip side of the second contact pin 131b) is slightly smaller than the diameter of the conductor 310 of the cable 300, from the viewpoint of ensuring that both contact pins sandwich the conductor 310 and make reliable contact with the conductor 310.

[0025] With the above configuration, each contact pin can be configured to penetrate the insulator 320 and the sheath 330 without penetrating the conductor 310 of the cable 300 .

[0026] With this configuration, the worker does not need to strip off a portion of the sheath 330 and a portion of each insulator 320 of each cable 300 to partially expose each internal conductor 310. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of work when connecting cables for power supply or electrical input / output.

[0027] From the viewpoint of ensuring strength against external forces, the main body 110 can be made of glass-containing polyamide or the like. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of making it easy to check whether each contact pin is pierced into the sheath 330, the movable part 120 can be made of a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic.

[0028] The single board-side connector 200 has a main body 230 including a first internal space 210A and a second internal space 210B with openings that can accommodate the first cable-side connector 100A and the second cable-side connector 100B, respectively. The main body 230 of the board-side connector 200 can be made of glass-filled polyamide or the like to ensure strength against external forces and heat resistance when soldered to a board (for example, a substrate in a power supply module).

[0029] The first cable side connector 100A is inserted into a first internal space 210A with an opening, and the second cable side connector 100B is inserted into a second internal space 210B with an opening, and the locking portion 113 provided on the outer surface of the main body 110 of the cable side connector locks onto the board side connector 200, thereby maintaining the mated state of the first and second cable side connectors 100A, 100B with the board side connector 200.

[0030] The board-side connector 200 also has second composite contacts 220 therein for power or electrical input and output between the board (e.g., a substrate in a power module). The number of second composite contacts 220 provided corresponds to the number of conductors provided in the cable 300. The second composite contacts 220 may be made of a metal material such as copper.

[0031] One end of the second composite contact 220 may be a male or female contact 221 (221A, 221B) that can be mated with a female or male contact 132 provided in the first cable side connector 100A and / or a female or male contact 132 provided in the second cable side connector 100B. The contact 221A may be arranged in the first internal space 210A, and the contact 221B may be arranged in the second internal space 210B. Meanwhile, the other end of the second composite contact 220 may be a board connecting contact 222 that can be electrically connected to a board.

[0032] In this embodiment, the contact 221A arranged in the first internal space 210A and the contact 221B arranged in the second internal space 210B may be continuous with each other within the board-side connector 200. Without being limited to this, for example, the contact 221A arranged in the first internal space 210A and the contact 221B arranged in the second internal space 210B may be separate entities within the board-side connector 200 and may be continuous with each other outside the board-side connector 200, for example, by copper foil wiring on the board.

[0033] With the above configuration, the cable-side connector 100 can be electrically connected to the board-side connector 200 by mating the contacts of each connector. This enables a suitable electrical connection, assuming power input (or power supply) and power output, between a cable 300 having multiple conductors and a power module via the connector combination 500 of the present disclosure. In other words, the connector combination 500 of the present disclosure is interposed between the cable 300 and the power module so that the cable 300 and the power module can be electrically connected to each other.

[0034] By using the connector assembly 500 of the present disclosure, it is possible to configure an LED lighting unit in which a cable 300, a connector assembly 500, a power supply module, and an LED are electrically connected in this order. In addition, it is possible to arrange a plurality of the above LED lighting units at predetermined intervals and electrically connect adjacent LED lighting units to each other.

[0035] A method of using the cable-side connector of the connector combination 500 of the present disclosure will now be described (see FIGS. 4A to 4C).

[0036] First, prepare the cable connectors 100 to be used as the first cable connector 100A and the second cable connector 100B before use (see FIG. 4A). Although FIGS. 4A to 4C show an example in which the second cable connector is used, the same procedure is followed for the first cable connector.

[0037] Next, the cable 300 is inserted into the cable holding portion 121 of the movable part 120 (see FIG. 4B). Next, using a tool such as pliers, cutting pincers, or the like, the movable part 120 is moved in one direction into the main body part 110 (see FIG. 4C). This movement of the movable part 120 in one direction presses the above-mentioned insulation displacement contacts 131 into the cable 300, allowing each conductor 310 of the cable 300 to come into contact with each insulation displacement contact 131.

[0038] With this configuration, the worker does not need to strip off a portion of the sheath 330 and a portion of each insulator 320 of each cable 300 to partially expose each internal conductor 310. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of work when connecting cables for power supply or electrical input / output.

[0039] As described above, the conductors 310 of the cable 300 come into contact with the insulation displacement contacts 131 in each of the first cable connector 100A and the second cable connector 100B.

[0040] A method of using connector assembly 500 of the present disclosure after implementing the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C will be described (see FIGS. 5A to 5C).

[0041] First, preparations are made to insert the first cable side connector 100A into the first internal space 210A of the board side connector 200. Also, preparations are made to insert the second cable side connector 100B into the second internal space 210B of the board side connector 200 (see FIG. 5A).

[0042] Next, the first cable connector 100A starts to be inserted into the first internal space 210A of the board connector 200. Also, the second cable connector 100B starts to be inserted into the second internal space 210B of the board connector 200 (see FIG. 5B).

[0043] Thereafter, the above insertion is continued to complete insertion of the first cable side connector 100A into the first internal space 210A of the board side connector 200. Also, insertion of the second cable side connector 100B into the second internal space 210B of the board side connector 200 is completed (see FIG. 5C).

[0044] As a result, the cable-side connector 100 can be electrically connected to the board-side connector 200 by mating the contacts of each connector. This enables a suitable electrical connection, premised on power input (or power supply) and power output, between the cable 300 having multiple conductors and the power module via the connector combination 500 of the present disclosure.

[0045] The above describes embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to these, and various modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art are possible, such as combining the above configurations, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the claims.

[0046] The connector assembly of the present disclosure may take the following forms. <1> a cable-side connector and a board-side connector that is electrically connectable with the cable-side connector; the cable-side connector includes a main body portion in which a first composite contact is provided, and a movable portion connected to the main body portion and movable in one direction toward the inside of the main body portion, the movable part has a holding part into which a cable can be inserted and held; The cable includes a plurality of conductors, an insulator surrounding each of the plurality of conductors, and a sheath surrounding the plurality of conductors with the insulators, one end of the first composite contact is an insulation displacement contact, The movement of the movable part in one direction presses the insulation displacement contacts into the cable, enabling contact between the conductors of the cable and the insulation displacement contacts. <2> two cable-side connectors are provided, and one first cable-side connector and the other second cable-side connector are each capable of being fitted to a single board-side connector; <1> The connector assembly according to claim 1. <3> The board-side connector has a second composite contact therein, and the other end side of the first composite contact of the main body and the second composite contact can be fitted together. <1> The connector assembly according to claim 1. <4> The other end of the first composite contact is a female contact, and the second composite contact has a male contact. <3> The connector assembly according to claim 1. <5> The main body has a first region in which the insulation displacement contact at one end side of the composite contact can be installed, and a second region continuous with the first region in which the contact at the other end side of the composite contact can be installed, and a locking portion that can be locked to the board-side connector is provided on the outer surface of the second region. <1> ~ <4> 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein <6> an electrical connector disposed between the cable and the power module such that the cable and the power module can be electrically connected to each other; <1> ~ <5> 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 500 Connector combination 300 Cable 310 Conductor 320 Insulator 330 Sheath 200 Board Side Connector 210A First internal space with opening 210B Second internal space with opening 220 Second Composite Contact 221, 221A, 221B contacts (contacts that can be mated with contacts in the cable-side connector) 222 contacts (board connection contacts that can be electrically connected to the board) 230 Main body 100 Cable side connector 100A 1st cable side connector 100B 2nd cable side connector 110 Main body 111 First region of main body 112 second region of the main body 113 Locking part 120 Moving parts 121 Cable holding part 130 First Composite Contact 131 Pressure contact 131a First contact pin 131b Second contact pin 131c Groove 132 female or male contact

Claims

1. a cable-side connector and a board-side connector that is electrically connectable with the cable-side connector; the cable-side connector includes a main body portion in which a first composite contact is provided, and a movable portion connected to the main body portion and movable in one direction toward the inside of the main body portion, the movable part has a holding part into which a cable can be inserted and held; The cable includes a plurality of conductors, an insulator surrounding each of the plurality of conductors, and a sheath surrounding the plurality of conductors with the insulators, one end of the first composite contact is an insulation displacement contact, The movement of the movable part in one direction presses the insulation displacement contacts into the cable, enabling contact between the conductors of the cable and the insulation displacement contacts.

2. 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein two of said cable-side connectors are provided, one first cable-side connector and the other second cable-side connector being each capable of being mated with a single said board-side connector.

3. 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the board-side connector has a second composite contact therein, and the other end of the first composite contact of the main body and the second composite contact are capable of being fitted together.

4. 4. The connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the other end of the first composite contact is a female contact, and the second composite contact has a male contact.

5. 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion has a first region in which the pressure-displacement contact at one end side of the composite contact can be installed, and a second region continuous with the first region in which the contact at the other end side of the composite contact can be installed, and a locking portion capable of being engaged with the board-side connector is provided on the outer surface of the second region.

6. 2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cable and the power module are interposed between the cable and the power module so as to be electrically connectable to each other.

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