Terminal fittings

Abstract

To provide terminal fittings that can ensure the stability of electrical connections. [Solution] The terminal fitting 30 comprises base portions 52, 53 and elastic contact portions 46, 47 extending from the base portions 52, 53 in a first direction. The elastic contact portions 46, 47 have contact portions 54 that contact the mating terminal 95. The base portions 52, 53 have an elastically deformable pivot portion 57 and a reinforcing portion 58 that is more rigid than the surrounding area. The reinforcing portion 58 is provided on the base portions 52, 53 at a position that coincides with a part of the pivot portion 57 or is adjacent to the pivot portion 57 in a second direction that intersects with the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal fitting.

Background Art

[0002] The floating connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a connector device for electrically connecting a first substrate and a second substrate. The connector device includes a plug connector, a plug-side contact disposed on the plug connector, a receptacle connector fitted to the plug connector, and a receptacle-side contact disposed on the receptacle connector. The plug connector is provided on the first substrate. The plug-side contact has a contact portion that bends convexly. The receptacle connector is provided on the second substrate. The receptacle-side contact has a holding portion, a lead portion, a contact portion, and an elastic portion. The holding portion is held by a fixed-side housing of the receptacle connector. The lead portion is soldered to a wiring pattern of the second substrate and connected. The contact portion is held by a movable-side housing of the receptacle connector. Also, the contact portion of the receptacle-side contact contacts the contact portion of the plug-side contact. The elastic portion is disposed between the holding portion and the contact portion so as to be elastically deformable.

[0003] When the fitting position of the plug connector and the receptacle connector varies from the normal position due to misalignment or the like between the first substrate and the second substrate, the elastic portion elastically deforms following the position variation. Along with this, the movable-side housing moves relative to the fixed-side housing, so that the position variation between the two connectors can be absorbed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] For example, if a plug connector and a receptacle connector are mounted on a vehicle, vibrations from the vehicle could transmit to both connectors, potentially causing a momentary interruption of contact between the receptacle-side contact and the plug-side contact.

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide terminal fittings that can ensure the stability of electrical connections. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The terminal fitting of this disclosure is a terminal fitting made of a conductive plate material, comprising a base portion and an elastic contact portion extending from the base portion in a first direction, wherein the elastic contact portion has a contact portion that contacts a mating terminal, and the base portion has an elastically deformable pivot portion and a reinforcing portion that is more rigid than the surrounding area, wherein the reinforcing portion is provided on the base portion at a position that coincides with a part of the pivot portion or is adjacent to the pivot portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure makes it possible to provide terminal fittings that can ensure the stability of electrical connections. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to this embodiment 1 in which the housing and the mating housing are mated at a predetermined mating position, and the main body of the terminal fitting is connected to the mating terminal at a predetermined connection position. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to this embodiment 1 in which the housing and the mating housing are mated after shifting positions from a predetermined mating position, and the main body of the terminal fitting is connected to the mating terminal at an angle from a predetermined connection position. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the housing in the connector according to this embodiment 1. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a perspective view of the terminal fittings in the connector according to this embodiment 1, viewed from one direction. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the terminal fittings in the connector according to this embodiment 1, viewed from another direction. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the main body of the terminal fitting in the connector according to this embodiment 1. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a rear view of the terminal fitting in the connector according to this embodiment 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to this embodiment 1, showing the main body of the terminal fitting cut in the front-to-back center, and viewed from the side of the receiving space towards the opposing side surface. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The terminal fittings disclosed herein are (1) A terminal fitting made of a conductive plate material, comprising a base portion and an elastic contact portion extending from the base portion in a first direction, wherein the elastic contact portion has a contact portion that contacts the mating terminal, and the base portion has an elastically deformable pivot portion and a reinforcing portion that is more rigid than the surrounding area, wherein the reinforcing portion is provided on the base portion at a position that coincides with a part of the pivot portion or is adjacent to the pivot portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction. According to the configuration described in (1) above, the rigidity of the base of the elastic contact portion can be increased, and the spring reaction force of the elastic contact portion can be increased. As a result, the state in which the contact portion of the elastic contact portion is in contact with the mating terminal can be stably maintained.

[0011] (2) In the terminal fitting described in (1) above, it is preferable that the reinforcing portion has a shape in which a part of the base portion is bulged out. According to the configuration described in (2) above, a reinforcing portion can be easily formed at the base.

[0012] (3) In the terminal fitting according to (2) above, it is preferable that the base portion is arranged in pairs with respect to the elastic deformation direction of the fulcrum portion, and the reinforcing portion projects toward the space between the opposing surfaces of the paired base portions. According to the configuration of (3) above, it is possible to prevent the terminal fitting from becoming large in the elastic deformation direction due to the presence of the reinforcing portion.

[0013] (4) In the terminal fitting according to (3) above, the elastic deformation direction is a direction intersecting the height direction and the width direction, the base portion has a connecting portion extending in the height direction from the fulcrum portion, and it is preferable that a plurality of the elastic contact portions are arranged side by side and connected in the width direction with respect to the tip of the connecting portion in the height direction. According to the configuration of (4) above, regardless of the shape and size of each of the plurality of elastic contact portions, the reinforcing portion can be formed within the formation range of the base portion including the connecting portion, so that the degree of freedom in forming the reinforcing portion can be increased.

[0014] (5) In the terminal fitting according to (4) above, the elastic contact portions are arranged in pairs, the contact portion projects toward the space between the opposing surfaces of the paired elastic contact portions, the space penetrates in the height direction between the opposing surfaces of each of the base portion and the elastic contact portion, and it is preferable that the top of the contact portion is displaced in the width direction with respect to the tip of the projecting direction of the reinforcing portion. According to the configuration of (5) above, for example, when performing a gap inspection between the contact portions of the paired elastic contact portions, inspection light can be irradiated from the height direction to the top of the contact portion projecting into the space. Here, since the top of the contact portion is displaced in the width direction with respect to the tip of the projecting direction of the reinforcing portion, the inspection light is not blocked by the reinforcing portion, and the gap inspection can be performed without trouble.

[0015] (6) In the terminal fitting according to (4) or (5) above, it includes a rectangular tube-shaped box portion, the box portion has side portions facing the elastic deformation direction, the side portions have a plurality of slits extending in the height direction, the plurality of slits include a first vertical slit and second vertical slits arranged on both sides in the width direction sandwiching the first vertical slit, among the plurality of elastic contact portions, the end-side elastic contact portions located at the end side in the width direction are partitioned between the first vertical slit and the second vertical slit in the width direction, and it is preferable that the second vertical slit extends longer than the first vertical slit in each height direction from the end-side elastic contact portion to the connecting portion. According to the configuration of (6) above, the first vertical slit and the second vertical slit formed on the side portion of the box portion can easily form the plurality of elastic contact portions and the base portion. In particular, by adjusting the length in the height direction of each of the first vertical slit and the second vertical slit, the spring force of each elastic contact portion can be easily adjusted.

[0016] (7) In the terminal fitting according to any one of (1) to (6) above, it is preferable to include a fixing portion fixed to a circuit board and a spring portion extending from the fixing portion to the base portion. According to the configuration of (7) above, when the spring portion elastically deform, it can absorb the positional variation between the elastic contact portion and the mating terminal. On the other hand, when the spring portion elastically deform, there is a concern that the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic contact portion will increase. However, in the case of the present disclosure, since the reinforcing portion improves the rigidity on the root side of the elastic contact portion, it can prevent the sagging of the elastic contact portion and ensure the contact pressure of the elastic contact portion against the mating terminal.

[0017] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this exemplification, and is shown by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0018] <Embodiment 1> The connector 10 according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is exemplified as a connector arranged between circuit boards 110 and 120 that face each other in the vertical direction, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Embodiment 1, the connector 10 is provided on the lower circuit board 120. The connector 10 is mated with the mating connector 90. The mating connector 90 is provided on the upper circuit board 110. The connector 10 comprises a housing 11 and a terminal fitting 30 housed in the housing 11. The mating connector 90 comprises a mating housing 91 and a mating terminal 95 housed in the mating housing 91. The mating terminal 95 is electrically connected to the terminal fitting 30. In Figures 1-5, the reference numerals X, Y, and Z represent the front, right, and up directions, respectively. In Embodiment 1, the left-right direction is synonymous with the width direction, and the up-down direction is synonymous with the height direction. The concept of direction is for convenience only and does not necessarily correspond to the concept of direction when the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like (not shown).

[0019] (Opponent's housing 91) The mating housing 91 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mating housing 91 has a base wall 92 and a peripheral wall 93. The base wall 92 is positioned facing the upper circuit board 110. The peripheral wall 93 is rectangular in shape and protrudes downward from the outer peripheral end of the base wall 92.

[0020] (Mating terminal 95) The mating terminal 95 is made of conductive metal and is configured as a tab or busbar. The mating terminal 95 is inserted through the base wall 92 and protrudes into the interior of the peripheral wall 93 with its plate surface facing the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment 1, the mating terminals 95 are paired and spaced apart in the front-to-back direction.

[0021] (Housing 11) The housing 11 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figure 3, has an overall box shape. The housing 11 has an upper end wall 12 and four side walls 13, 14. The upper end wall 12 has a rectangular shape in plan view, which is longer in the front-to-back direction than in the left-to-right direction. The four side walls 13, 14 are composed of front and rear side walls 13 that protrude downward from the front and rear ends of the upper end wall 12, and left and right side walls 14 that protrude downward from the left and right ends of the upper end wall 12. The front and rear side walls 13 and the left and right side walls 14 are connected to each other at the four corners of the upper end wall 12.

[0022] The upper end wall 12 and each side wall 13, 14 divide a pair of front and rear storage spaces 15. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 31 of the terminal fitting 30, which will be described later, is placed in each storage space 15. Each storage space 15 is open downwards within the housing 11. The front and rear storage spaces 15 are separated by a partition wall 16. The upper end of the partition wall 16 is connected to the front and rear center of the upper end wall 12. The left and right ends of the partition wall 16 are connected to the left and right side walls 14, respectively.

[0023] The upper end wall 12 has a pair of front and rear insertion openings 17 at positions corresponding to each housing space 15. Each insertion opening 17 penetrates the upper end wall 12 in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 3, each insertion opening 17 has a rectangular opening shape that is elongated in the left-right direction relative to the front-back direction. Each mating terminal 95 is inserted into each housing space 15 from each insertion opening 17.

[0024] The left and right side walls 14 each have a pair of retaining portions 18 at the front and rear. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each retaining portion 18 protrudes into the housing space 15 from the lower end of the inner surface of each side wall 14. As shown in Figure 3, the left and right side walls 14 each have notches 19 on both the front and rear sides, flanking each retaining portion 18. The portion between the pair of notches 19 in the front-rear direction on the left and right side walls 14 is configured as a flexible piece 21 including the retaining portion 18. During the process of inserting the main body 31 of the terminal fitting 30 into the housing space 15 from below, the main body 31 interferes with the retaining portion 18, causing the flexible piece 21 to elastically deform outwards to the left and right. When the main body 31 of the terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the housing space 15, the flexible piece 21 elastically returns to its original position, and the retaining portion 18 is positioned below the main body 31. The main body 31 is prevented from coming out of the storage space 15 downwards by contacting the retaining part 18 from above.

[0025] Each of the front and rear side walls 13 has an extension portion 22. Each extension portion 22 has a shape in which the lower end of each side wall 13 is extended outward in a stepped manner. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the interior of each extension portion 22 is configured as an extension space 23 that accommodates the fixing portion 33 of the terminal fitting 30, which will be described later. The extension space 23 of each extension portion 22 is located at the lower end of the front and rear outer sides of the accommodation space 15 and is open downwards. The upright portion 34 of the fixing portion 33 of the terminal fitting 30, which will be described later, is arranged along the front and rear inner surfaces of the extension space 23.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1-3, the front and rear side walls 13 each have an opening 24. Each opening 24 penetrates in the front-rear direction at the upper end of each side wall 13. Each opening 24 is located at the upper end of the front and rear outer sides of the housing space 15 and is open to the front and rear outer sides. Each opening 24 has a rectangular opening shape when viewed from the side. The left-right width of the opening 24 is smaller than the left-right width of the side wall 13. Of the housing space 15, the areas on both the front and rear sides, including the openings 24, are configured as movable allowable areas 15A. The movable allowable areas 15A are the spatial portions within the housing space 15 that allow movement of the main body 31 of the terminal fitting 30.

[0027] The upper end wall 12 has a pair of upper end openings 25 at its front and rear ends, corresponding to the front and rear side walls 13. Each upper end opening 25 penetrates the upper end wall 12 vertically, opens onto the upper surface of the upper end wall 12, and communicates with the opening 24. The top and front and rear outer sides of each upper end opening 25 are open. Furthermore, each upper end opening 25 is positioned on both the front and rear sides of the upper end wall 12, flanking each insertion opening 17. The left-right width of the upper end opening 25 and the left-right width of the opening 24 are the same. As shown in Figure 3, the upper end opening 25 is continuous with the opening 24 without any step.

[0028] (Terminal fitting 30) The terminal fitting 30 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the terminal fitting 30 has a main body 31, a spring 32, and a fixing part 33. The fixing part 33 is positioned with its plate surface facing the front-to-back direction. The fixing part 33 has a double plate portion that overlaps in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the double plate portion of the fixing part 33 is inserted into the insertion hole 121 of the lower circuit board 120 and fixed to the circuit board 120 by soldering or the like, and is electrically connected to a conductive part of the circuit board 120 (not shown). The fixing part 33 also has an upright portion 34 that rises upward from the front-to-back inner plate portion of the double plate portion.

[0029] The spring portion 32 is positioned between the main body portion 31 and the fixing portion 33. The spring portion 32 is bent from the fixing portion 33 to the main body portion 31. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the spring portion 32 has an inclined portion 35 that extends downward in the front and rear inward directions from the upper end of the upright portion 34, and a connecting portion 36 that extends upward from the lower end (front and rear inner end) of the inclined portion 35. The upper end of the connecting portion 36 is connected to the base portion 53 of the main body portion 31, which will be described later. The spring portion 32 is elastically deformable with the upper end of the upright portion 34 as a fulcrum. The main body portion 31 is supported (floating supported) in a state in which it can tilt relative to the fixing portion 33 via the spring portion 32.

[0030] The terminal fitting 30 has a plurality of locking protrusions 37 that project outward to the left and right from the upright portion 34. Each locking protrusion 37 protrudes from both the left and right ends of the upright portion 34 at intervals in the vertical direction. Each locking protrusion 37 is pressed into the left and right inner surfaces of each extension portion 22 of the housing 11 and locked in place. The terminal fitting 30 is held in place by the locking action of each locking protrusion 37.

[0031] The main body 31 has a rectangular tubular box section 38 that penetrates vertically. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the box section 38 has front and rear side sections 39 that face each other in the front-rear direction, and left and right side sections 41 that face each other in the left-right direction. Each side section 39 has a rectangular outer shape when viewed from the front, which is elongated vertically with respect to the left-right direction. Each side section 41 has a rectangular outer shape when viewed from the side, which is elongated vertically with respect to the front-rear direction. The left-right dimension of each side section 39 is greater than the front-rear dimension of each side section 41. One left and right end of each side section 39 is connected to the front and rear ends of the side section 41 located on the side of this left or right end. The box section 38 is formed by bending, for example, from the left side section 41 to the front side section 39, the right side section 41, and then to the rear side section 39. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the left end of the rear side section 39 and the rear end of the left side section 41 interlock in a concave-concave manner to form an interlocking section 42. The box section 38 maintains its rectangular tubular shape through the interlocking section 42. The interior of the box portion 38 is a receiving space 43 for receiving the mating terminal 95. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the inner surface of the receiving space 43 is configured as an opposing surface 44 where each side portion 39 faces each other and each side portion 41 faces each other. The surfaces where the elastic contact portions 46, 47 and base portions 52, 53 of each side portion 39 face each other in the front-rear direction are included in the opposing surface 44.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the main body 31 has a pair of guide portions 45 that expand outward and upward from each side 39 of the box portion 38. Each guide portion 45 has a rectangular outer shape in side view, which is elongated in the left-right direction relative to the vertical direction. The mating terminal 95 is guided into the guide portion 45 and inserted into the receiving space 43.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each side portion 39 has a plurality of elastic contact portions 46, 47 and base portions 52, 53. Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 and base portion 52, 53 is partitioned by a plurality of slits 48, 49, 51 formed by cuts in the side portion 39. Each slit 48, 49, 51 has a plurality (two in this embodiment 1) of first vertical slits 48 arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the widthwise center side of the side portion 39, and a pair of second vertical slits 49 arranged on both sides in the widthwise direction flanking each first vertical slit 48. In addition, each slit 48, 49, 51 has a horizontal slit 51 that extends in the left-right direction and connects to the upper ends of each of the first vertical slits 48 and each of the second vertical slits 49.

[0034] Each first vertical slit 48 extends vertically and is of the same length as the others. Each second vertical slit 49 also extends vertically and is of the same length as the others. Each second vertical slit 49 extends vertically longer than each first vertical slit 48. The lower end of each second vertical slit 49 is located below the lower end of each first vertical slit 48.

[0035] The base portions 52 and 53 are located below each of the first vertical slits 48 in the vertical direction and constitute the lower half of the side portion 39. Specifically, the base portions 52 and 53 are composed of a connecting portion 52 located below each of the first vertical slits 48 and above each of the second vertical slits 49 in the side portion 39, and a base end portion 53 located below each of the second vertical slits 49. The base end portion 53 constitutes the lower end of the side portion 39.

[0036] Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 has, in the side portion 39, a middle elastic contact portion 46 partitioned between the first vertical slits 48 in the left-right direction, and a pair of end elastic contact portions 47 partitioned between the first vertical slit 48 and a second vertical slit 49 adjacent to it in the left-right direction. The upper ends of the middle elastic contact portion 46 and each end elastic contact portion 47 are partitioned by a horizontal slit 51. The second vertical slit 49 partitions the left and right outer ends of the end elastic contact portions 47 and the connecting portion 52.

[0037] Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 extends cantilevered upward (in the first direction) from its base (root) connected to the upper end of the connecting portion 52 to its upper end demarcated by the lateral slit 51. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each elastic contact portion 46, 47 has a contact portion 54 that protrudes toward the receiving space 43 near its upper end. The contact portion 54 is formed by pressing a part of the elastic contact portion 46, 47 to create an embossed bulge. The contact portions 54 of the elastic contact portions 46, 47 of each side portion 39 face each other in the front-rear direction. The mating terminal 95 contacts the opposing contact portion 54. Before the terminal fitting 30 is connected to the mating terminal 95, the distance between each contact portion 54 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the front-rear thickness of the mating terminal 95.

[0038] Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 is inclined so as to gradually enter the receiving space 43 from its base toward the contact portion 54. Furthermore, each elastic contact portion 46, 47 expands outward and forward from the contact portion 54 upward. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the upper end of the side portion 39 has a plurality of protrusions 56 that project toward the receiving space 43. Each protrusion 56 is formed by bulging out a part of the side portion 39 by hammering it with a press. The lower end of each protrusion 56 is demarcated by a transverse slit 51.

[0039] Each side portion 39 has a pivot point 57 at the boundary between the connecting portion 52 and the base end portion 53. The pivot point 57 is configured as a linear portion extending in the left-right direction (second direction) at a vertical height corresponding to the lower end of each second vertical slit 49. The pivot point 57 is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment 1, the pivot point 57 is located below each elastic contact portion 46, 47.

[0040] Furthermore, each side portion 39 has multiple reinforcing portions 58 extending from the base portion 53 to the connecting portion 52. Each reinforcing portion 58 is formed by pressing a part of the base portion 52, 53 to create an embossed bulge toward the receiving space 43. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each reinforcing portion 58 is formed as a recess on the outer surface (front and rear outward-facing surface) of the base portion 52, 53 and as a bulge on the inner surface (surface facing the receiving space 43) of the base portion 52, 53. In this embodiment 1, each reinforcing portion 58 has a square outer circumference shape with rounded corners when viewed from the side. The tip of each reinforcing portion 58 in the protruding direction (front and rear inner end in the bulging direction) is an end face aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions. Each reinforcing portion 58 is configured to be more rigid than the surrounding portion (adjacent portion) of the base portion 52, 53.

[0041] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, each reinforcing portion 58 is positioned at a height that overlaps with the pivot point 57 in the vertical direction. In other words, the pivot point 57 is positioned to include each reinforcing portion 58 in the vertical direction. In this first embodiment, the upper end of each reinforcing portion 58 is part of the pivot point 57. The upper end of each reinforcing portion 58 is inclined to enter the receiving space 43 as it goes downwards. The portion of each reinforcing portion 58 excluding the upper end is positioned at the base end 53.

[0042] Each reinforcing portion 58 is formed at the base portions 52 and 53, spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each reinforcing portion 58 is positioned at the same height in the vertical direction and faces each other in the front-rear direction between each side portion 39. Furthermore, each reinforcing portion 58 is positioned to overlap with each first vertical slit 48 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 6, the top portion 54A of each contact portion 54 and the tip of each reinforcing portion 58 in the protruding direction are offset from each other in the left-right direction.

[0043] Here, the distance between the tops 54A of the contact portion 54 at the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 of each side portion 39 is managed as a gap G (see Figure 6) for connecting with the mating terminal 95. In managing this gap G, for example, inspection light is irradiated from a light emitter (not shown) installed on the outside (upper or lower) of one end of the box portion 38 in the vertical direction toward the receiving space 43 of the box portion 38. In this embodiment 1, the inspection light passes between the tops 54A of the contact portion 54 without being obstructed by each reinforcing portion 58 and is irradiated by a light receiver (not shown) installed on the outside (downper or upper) of the other end of the box portion 38 in the vertical direction. Therefore, according to this embodiment 1, the gap inspection between the tops 54A of the contact portion 54 can be properly performed.

[0044] (Function of connector 10) When assembling the connector 10, each terminal fitting 30 is inserted into each housing space 15 of the housing 11 from below. The terminal fitting 30 is held in the housing 11 by locking each locking projection 37 onto the inner surface of the expansion portion 22. The main body 31 of the terminal fitting 30 is housed in the housing space 15 without contacting the side walls 13, 14. The fixing portion 33 of the terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 121 and fixed to the lower circuit board 120 by soldering or the like. The housing 11 is positioned on the upper surface of the circuit board 120. When the spring portion 32 is not elastically deformed, the main body 31 is positioned in an upright position along the vertical axis in the housing space 15.

[0045] When connector 10 and mating connector 90 are mated, the upper and lower circuit boards 110 and 120 are brought close to each other. The mating connector 90 is provided on the upper circuit board 110. As shown in Figure 1, when the upper and lower circuit boards 110 and 120 are positioned at a predetermined mating position (a position where connector 10 and mating connector 90 can be mated facing each other), the mating terminal 95 is inserted into the receiving space 43 of the main body 31 from the front-to-back center of the insertion opening 17. The mating terminal 95 is then sandwiched between the contact portions 54 of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47, passing between the guide portions 45 and the protrusions 56. In this way, the contact portions 54 of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 come into contact with the mating terminal 95, and the terminal fitting 30 is electrically connected to the mating terminal 95 at a predetermined connection position (a position where the terminal fitting 30 and the mating terminal 95 can be connected facing each other). At this time, each elastic contact portion 46, 47 is elastically deformed outward and forward, with the pivot portion 57 as the pivot point. The main body portion 31 is maintained in an upright position.

[0046] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, if each circuit board 110, 120 is misaligned from a predetermined mating position to a side parallel to the plane direction of each circuit board 110, 120, for example, to one side (front or rear, in the case of Figure 2, the front side), the mating terminal 95 is inserted into the receiving space 43 of the main body 31 from one end of the insertion opening 17 on one side. The mating terminal 95 is guided between each guiding portion 45 and each protrusion 56, and is sandwiched between the contact portions 54 of each elastic contact portion 46, 47. Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 elastically deforms outward and forward with the pivot point 57 as the pivot point, and the contact portions 54 of each elastic contact portion 46, 47 come into contact with the mating terminal 95. At this time, the main body 31 takes an inclined position that tilts from an upright position to one side on the front or rear with respect to the vertical axis, and is electrically connected to the mating terminal 95 in an inclined state from the predetermined connection position. The spring portion 32 is elastically deformed to accommodate the inclined position of the main body portion 31.

[0047] The main body 31, which assumes an inclined position, has a movable part 31A as a variable part that moves in a direction that tilts from an upright position to one side, front or back. The movable part 31A is a movable part at the upper end of the main body 31 and includes a guide part 45. The movable part 31A is positioned in the movable allowable area 15A of the housing space 15 of the housing 11. The movable allowable area 15A defines the range in which the movable part 31A moves. In this embodiment 1, even if the main body 31 is tilted to its maximum extent from a predetermined connection position relative to the mating terminal 95 due to misalignment of the circuit boards 110, 120, the movable part 31A is set to stay within the movable allowable area 15A and not exceed the housing space 15.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, the front and rear guide portion 45 is the part of the movable portion 31A with the greatest range of motion. When this guide portion 45 is tilted to one side, the tip (upper end) of the guide portion 45 enters the opening 24. Here, even when the tip of the guide portion 45 is tilted to its maximum extent, it remains within the opening 24. The opening 24 in the side wall 13 is covered by the peripheral wall 93 of the mating housing 91. Therefore, according to this embodiment 1, interference of external foreign objects with the tip of the guide portion 45 can be avoided, and the connection between the terminal fitting 30 and the mating terminal 95 can be stably maintained.

[0049] As described above, the connector 10 of this embodiment 1 comprises a terminal fitting 30 and a housing 11 having a housing space 15. The terminal fitting 30 has a main body portion 31 housed in the housing space 15, a fixing portion 33 fixed to the circuit board 120, and a spring portion 32 extending from the fixing portion 33 to the main body portion 31. The main body portion 31 is capable of tilting in accordance with the elastic deformation of the spring portion 32. The housing space 15 of the housing 11 has a movable allowable region 15A that allows the movement of the main body portion 31. When the housing 11 and the mating housing 91 change position from a predetermined mating position and are mated, the spring portion 32 elastically deforms and the main body portion 31 moves within the range of the movable allowable region 15A, thereby absorbing the position change. In this embodiment 1, since the movable allowable region 15A is limited to the minimum necessary range to allow the movement of the main body portion 31, it is possible to avoid increasing the size of the connector 10.

[0050] The terminal fitting 30 of this embodiment 1 includes a fixing portion 33 fixed to the circuit board 120 and a spring portion 32 extending from the fixing portion 33 to the base portions 52 and 53. In such a configuration, there is a concern that if the spring portion 32 undergoes elastic deformation, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 will also increase. However, in this embodiment 1, the reinforcing portion 58 improves the rigidity of the base side of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47, so that the contact pressure of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 with respect to the mating terminal 95 can be ensured.

[0051] Furthermore, the housing 11 has an opening 24 facing the housing space 15 in the side wall 13 that partitions the periphery of the housing space 15. This opening 24 is included in the movable allowable area 15A. Therefore, if the positional fluctuation of the main body 31 is large, the movable part 31A of the main body 31 can be moved into the opening 24. By utilizing the thickness of the side wall 13, the opening 24 can be provided as part of the movable allowable area 15A, thus further avoiding an increase in the size of the connector 10.

[0052] In this embodiment 1, the housing 11 has an insertion opening 17 for receiving the mating terminal 95, and the main body 31 has a guide portion 45 that expands toward the insertion opening 17 when housed in the housing space 15, and the guide portion 45 is positioned in the housing space 15 so that it can tilt toward the opening 24. Therefore, the guide portion 45, which has a large amount of positional movement, can be effectively moved toward the opening 24.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, since the opening 24 penetrates the upper end of the side wall 13, the guide portion 45 can be reliably guided into the opening 24 at the upper end of the side wall 13. Moreover, the housing 11 has an upper end opening 25 that extends from the upper surface of the upper end wall 12 to the opening 24, and both the opening 24 and the upper end opening 25 are open upward in the direction in which the insertion opening 17 penetrates the upper end wall 12. Therefore, the opening 24, the upper end opening 25, and the insertion opening 17 can be easily molded using the same mold. Furthermore, the formation range of the upper end opening 25 can be limited to the thickness of the upper end wall 12.

[0054] Furthermore, the terminal fitting 30 of this embodiment 1 is made of a conductive plate material and comprises base portions 52, 53 and elastic contact portions 46, 47 extending upward (in the first direction) from the base portions 52, 53. The elastic contact portions 46, 47 have contact portions 54 that contact the mating terminal 95. The base portions 52, 53 have an elastically deformable pivot portion 57 and a reinforcing portion 58 that is more rigid than the surrounding area. The reinforcing portion 58 is provided on the base portions 52, 53 at a position that coincides with a part of the pivot portion 57 in the left-right direction (second direction intersecting the first direction). This increases the rigidity of the root side of the elastic contact portions 46, 47 and increases the spring reaction force of the elastic contact portions 46, 47. As a result, the state in which the contact portions 54 of the elastic contact portions 46, 47 contact the mating terminal 95 can be stably maintained.

[0055] Here, since the reinforcing portion 58 is shaped by bulging out a part of the base portions 52 and 53, the reinforcing portion 58 can be easily processed. Also, since the base portions 52 and 53 are arranged in pairs in the front-rear direction, which is the elastic deformation direction of the pivot portion 57, and the reinforcing portion 58 protrudes toward the receiving space 43 between the opposing surfaces 44 of the pair of base portions 52 and 53, the main body portion 31 of the terminal fitting 30 does not become larger in the front-rear direction due to the presence of the reinforcing portion 58.

[0056] In this embodiment 1, the base portions 52 and 53 have a connecting portion 52 that extends upward from the pivot portion 57, and multiple elastic contact portions 46 and 47 are connected in a left-right direction to the upper end (tip) of the connecting portion 52. With this configuration, regardless of the shape or size of each elastic contact portion 46 and 47, the reinforcing portion 58 can be formed within the formation range of the base portions 52 and 53, including the connecting portion 52. As a result, the degree of freedom in forming the reinforcing portion 58 can be increased.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 are arranged in pairs in the front-rear direction, and the contact portion 54 protrudes toward the receiving space 43 between the opposing surfaces 44 of the paired elastic contact portions 46 and 47. The receiving space 43 penetrates vertically through the box portion 38 between the base portions 52 and 53 and the respective opposing surfaces 44 of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47, and the top portion 54A of the contact portion 54 is offset horizontally relative to the tip of the reinforcing portion 58 in the protruding direction. As a result, regardless of the presence of the reinforcing portion 58, gap inspection between the contact portions 54 of the paired elastic contact portions 46 and 47 can be performed without hindrance.

[0058] Furthermore, the terminal fitting 30 includes a rectangular tubular box portion 38, the box portion 38 having a pair of side portions 39 facing each other in the front-rear direction. Each side portion 39 has a plurality of slits 48, 49, 51 extending in the vertical direction. Each slit 48, 49, 51 has a first vertical slit 48 and second vertical slits 49 located on both the left and right sides of the first vertical slit 48. Of the elastic contact portions 46, 47, the end elastic contact portions 47 located at both the left and right ends are partitioned in the left-right direction between the first vertical slit 48 and the second vertical slit 49. The second vertical slit 49 extends longer than the first vertical slit 48 in each vertical direction from the end elastic contact portion 47 to the connecting portion 52.

[0059] According to this, the first vertical slit 48 and the second vertical slit 49 allow for the easy formation of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 and the base portions 52 and 53. In particular, the spring force of each elastic contact portion 46 and 47 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the vertical length of the first vertical slit 48 and the second vertical slit 49.

[0060] [Other embodiments of this disclosure] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. In the first embodiment described above, the reinforcing portion 58 was provided at a position overlapping with the pivot point portion 57 at the base portions 52 and 53. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the reinforcing portion may be provided at a position adjacent to the pivot point portion at the base portion. For example, the entire reinforcing portion may be located at the base end. In the first embodiment described above, the reinforcing portion 58 had a shape in which a part of the base portions 52 and 53 was bulged out. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the reinforcing portion may be configured as a laminated portion in which the plate portions of the base are stacked in the thickness direction. Alternatively, the reinforcing portion may be formed thicker than the surrounding area at the base. In the first embodiment described above, the reinforcing portion 58 was formed at the base portions 52 and 53, spaced apart in the left-right direction. In contrast, according to another embodiment, the reinforcing portion may be configured as a single rib extending linearly in the left-right direction at the base portion. In the first embodiment described above, the main body 31 was structured so that it did not come into contact with the housing 11 when it moved to tilt into the movable range 15A. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the main body may come into contact with the housing when it moves to tilt into the movable range. For example, the guide portion may be configured to come into contact with the inner surface of the opening in the side wall when it is in motion. In the first embodiment described above, the main body 31 was configured to move to its maximum extent in the movable allowable region 15A, and the guiding portion 45 was configured to enter the opening 24. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the guiding portion may be positioned between the inner surfaces of the front and rear side walls in the accommodation space when the main body is moved to its maximum extent in the movable allowable region. When the main body remains between the inner surfaces of the front and rear side walls in this manner, it is not necessary to form an opening in the side wall. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 10… Connectors 11… Housing 12…Top end wall 13… (front and rear) side walls 14… (Left and right) side walls 15…Containment space 15A…Allowable range of movement 16...Bulkhead 17…Insertion opening 18... Retaining part 19... Cut section 21...flexible piece 22... Expansion section 23...Expanded Space 24…Opening 25...Top opening 30…Terminal fittings 31...Main body 31A…Movable part 32... Spring part 33…Fixed part 34…Standing part 35…Slope part 36...Connection part 37…Latching protrusion 38…Hakobe 39... Side 41... Side 42...Mating part 43…Receptive space 44… Opposite side 45... The enticing part 46...Middle elastic contact area (elastic contact area) 47…End-side elastic contact area (elastic contact area) 48…First vertical slit (slit) 49...Second vertical slit (slit) 51... Horizontal slit (slit) 52...Connecting part (base) 53...Proximal end (base) 54... Contact point 54A…Top 55...Expanded section 56… protrusion 57...Fulfillment point 58…Reinforcement 90...Mother connector 91...Opponent's housing 92...Base wall 93...peripheral wall 95...Mutual terminal 110…(Upper) circuit board 120…(Lower) circuit board 121... Insertion hole G... Gap

Claims

1. A terminal fitting made of a conductive plate material, The base and, It comprises an elastic contact portion extending in a first direction from the base, The elastic contact portion has a contact portion that contacts the mating terminal, The base has an elastically deformable support portion and a reinforcing portion that is more rigid than the surrounding area. The reinforcing portion is a terminal fitting provided on the base at a position that coincides with or is adjacent to a part of the pivot point in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

2. The terminal fitting according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion has a shape in which a part of the base portion is bulged out.

3. The base portion is arranged in pairs in the direction of elastic deformation of the fulcrum portion, The terminal fitting according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing portion protrudes toward the space between the opposing surfaces of the pair of base portions.

4. The aforementioned elastic deformation direction is a direction that intersects the height direction and the width direction. The base portion has a connecting portion that extends from the pivot point portion in the height direction, The terminal fitting according to claim 3, wherein the elastic contact portions are connected in a plurality in the width direction to the tip of the connecting portion in the height direction.

5. The elastic contact portions are arranged in pairs in the direction of elastic deformation. The contact portion protrudes toward the space between the opposing surfaces of the pair of elastic contact portions, The space extends in the height direction between the opposing surfaces of the base and the elastic contact portion. The terminal fitting according to claim 4, wherein the top of the contact portion is offset in the width direction with respect to the tip of the reinforcing portion in the protruding direction.

6. It has a rectangular cylindrical box section, The box portion has sides facing the direction of elastic deformation, The aforementioned side portion has a plurality of slits extending in the height direction, The plurality of slits include a first vertical slit and second vertical slits arranged on both sides in the width direction, flanking the first vertical slit. Of the multiple elastic contact portions, the end-side elastic contact portion located at the end in the width direction is partitioned between the first vertical slit and the second vertical slit in the width direction. The terminal fitting according to claim 4, wherein the second vertical slit extends longer than the first vertical slit in each of the height directions from the end elastic contact portion to the connecting portion.

7. A fixing part that is fixed to the circuit board, A terminal fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a spring portion extending from the fixed portion to the base portion.

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