Electrical connector

Abstract

This design prevents the electrical connection between the contacts and the plug contacts from being momentarily broken even if the plug connector is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing. [Solution] The electrical connector 1 comprises a contact 12 with one end connected to a circuit board 100 and the other end connected to a plug contact 102, and a housing 11 into which the plug connector 101 is fitted. The contact 12 has a main body 27 held by the bottom wall 22 of the housing 11, and a plug connection portion 29 that bends sharply from the main body 27 and extends cantilevered within the opening 21 of the housing 11 and is connected to the plug contact 102. The plug connection portion 29 has a leaf spring portion 29a extending from the main body 27, an inclined portion 29b that rises on the opposite side from the main body 27 relative to the leaf spring portion 29a and extends inclined from the leaf spring portion 29a, and a contact portion 29c provided on the inclined portion 29b that contacts and connects with the plug contact 102.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a receptacle-type electrical connector that is installed on a substrate and is fitted and connected with a plug connector having plug contacts.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a receptacle-type electrical connector that is installed on a substrate and is fitted and connected with a plug connector having plug contacts has been known, and for example, it is used as a LAN connector or the like. In a plug connector connected to such an electrical connector, a plurality of plug contacts formed in a plate shape or the like are provided, and between the plug contacts, an inter-pole wall for insulating between the plug contacts is provided. In an electrical connector to which a plug connector is connected, a housing provided with an opening into which the plug connector is fitted and a plurality of contacts held by the housing and contacting and connected to the plug contacts are provided. The contact is provided with a main body portion held by the housing and a plug connection portion extending from the main body portion held by the housing into the opening of the housing and contacting the plug contact. As such an electrical connector, for example, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a receptacle 100A as an electrical connector that is mounted on a substrate and into which a plug 80, which is a plug connector having plug contacts, is mated and connected. The plug 80, which is a plug connector connected to the receptacle 100A, is provided with a plurality of electrical contacts 19 as plug contacts, and between the plug contacts, an inter-electrode wall is provided to provide insulation between the plug contacts. The receptacle 100A to which the plug connector is connected is provided with an insulating housing 10 into which the plug connector is mated, and a plurality of contacts 20 that are held by the insulating housing 10 and contact the plug contacts. The contacts 20 are provided with a main body held by the insulating housing 10 and a contact spring 24 that bends from the main body held by the insulating housing 10 and extends cantilevered, and extends diagonally within the opening 40 of the insulating housing 10 to contact the plug contacts. When the plug connector is mated and connected to the receptacle 100A, the tip of the plug contact, which is inserted into the opening 40 of the insulating housing 10, comes into contact with the contact spring 24. The contact spring 24, which is the plug connection part, then elastically deforms and bends when it comes into contact with the tip of the plug contact, thereby electrically connecting to the plug contact. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-268921 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] In the receptacle 100A of Patent Document 1, a contact spring 24, which is a plug connection portion, is provided on the contact 20 held in the insulating housing 10 and contacts and connects to the plug contact. The contact spring 24 is configured to bend from the main body of the contact 20 held in the insulating housing 10 and extend in a cantilever shape, and also extend diagonally within the opening 40 of the insulating housing 10 to contact the tip portion of the plug contact. With this configuration, when the plug connector is fitted into the insulating housing 10, a large area of ​​the contact spring 24, which is the plug connection portion, is positioned on the side of the inter-pole wall of the plug connector. Therefore, when the plug connector is displaced in a way that causes it to pry against the insulating housing 10, a large area of ​​the contact spring 24 of the contact 20 interferes with the inter-pole wall of the plug connector, and the contact spring 24, which is the plug connection portion, is pushed down as a whole toward the main body of the contact 20. As a result, if the plug connector is displaced in a way that causes it to twist against the insulating housing 10, the contact spring 24, which is the plug connection part of the contact 20, and the plug contact will momentarily separate, causing the contact to be momentarily broken, and the electrical connection between the contact 20 and the plug contact to be momentarily broken.

[0006] Based on the above, the present invention aims to provide an electrical connector of the receptacle type, in which a plug connector having plug contacts is mated and connected to a substrate, that can suppress the instantaneous disconnection of the electrical connection between the contacts and the plug contacts even when the plug connector is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) An electrical connector according to a certain aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems relates to a receptacle-type electrical connector that is installed on a substrate and into which a plug connector having a plug contact is mated and connected. The electrical connector according to a certain aspect of the present invention comprises a contact whose one end is connected to the substrate and electrically connected to the substrate, and whose other end is in contact with the plug contact and electrically connected to the plug contact, and a housing that holds the contact and into which the plug connector is mated, wherein the housing has an opening into which the plug connector is mated and a bottom wall portion that holds the contact, and the contact has a main body portion that extends linearly and is held by the bottom wall portion of the housing, and is provided so as to extend from one end of the main body portion and is connected to the substrate The housing has a substrate connection portion and a plug connection portion which is bent at an acute angle relative to the main body at the other end of the main body and extends cantilevered within the opening of the housing, and elastically deforms and bends when it comes into contact with the plug contact and connects to the plug contact, wherein the plug connection portion has a leaf spring portion which extends linearly after bending from the main body, an inclined portion which extends inclined from the leaf spring portion so as to rise toward the opposite side from the main body relative to the leaf spring portion, and a contact portion which is provided on the inclined portion and comes into contact with the plug contact and connects to the plug contact.

[0008] In this configuration, the contact is provided with a plug connection portion that extends within the opening of the housing, bending at an acute angle from the main body portion which is held by the bottom wall of the housing. The plug connection portion is provided with a leaf spring portion that extends linearly after bending from the main body portion, an inclined portion that extends inclined from the leaf spring portion so as to protrude on the opposite side from the main body portion relative to the leaf spring portion, and a contact portion provided on the inclined portion that contacts and connects to the plug contact. In this way, in the plug connection portion of the contact, the inclined portion on which the contact portion is provided is provided so as to protrude from the leaf spring portion, so when the plug connector is fitted into the housing and connected, the leaf spring portion is hardly positioned on the side of the inter-pole wall of the plug connector, and almost only the inclined portion is positioned. Therefore, even if the plug connector is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing, the area of ​​the contact that interferes with the inter-pole wall of the plug connector is almost only the inclined portion, and the plug connection portion as a whole is prevented from being pushed down toward the bottom wall of the housing. This prevents the plug connector from momentarily separating from the plug contact and the plug contact, thus preventing the momentary loss of contact, even if the plug connector is displaced in a way that causes it to twist against the housing.

[0009] Therefore, according to the above configuration, in a receptacle-type electrical connector that is mounted on a substrate and connected by mating a plug connector having plug contacts, it is possible to suppress the momentary disconnection of the electrical connection between the contacts and the plug contacts even if the plug connector is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing.

[0010] (2) The leaf spring portion is provided so as to extend from the main body portion at a predetermined first angle relative to the main body portion after being bent, and the inclined portion is provided so as to extend inclined from the leaf spring portion at a predetermined second angle greater than the first angle relative to the main body portion.

[0011] With this configuration, by setting the angle of the inclined portion of the plug connection portion relative to the main body to be greater than the angle of the leaf spring portion of the plug connection portion relative to the main body, it is possible to easily create a plug connection structure in which the inclined portion is positioned with almost no leaf spring portion on the side of the inter-pole wall of the plug connector when the plug connector is fitted into the housing.

[0012] (3) The plug contact is provided with a bottom surface that faces the bottom wall of the housing when the plug connector is fitted into the housing, and the contact portion is provided as the apex of the inclined portion that extends inclined from the leaf spring portion so as to rise toward the opposite side from the main body portion relative to the leaf spring portion, and may be connected to the plug contact by contacting the bottom surface portion.

[0013] With this configuration, the contact portion of the plug connector connects to the plug contact by contacting the bottom surface of the plug contact. Therefore, even if the plug connector is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing, the contact portion can easily follow the plug contact, making it less likely for the contact portion to separate further from the plug contact. This further suppresses the momentary loss of electrical connection between the contact and the plug contact.

[0014] (4) The inclined portion may be formed by bending so as to be inclined with respect to the leaf spring portion.

[0015] With this configuration, even if the plug connector is displaced in a twisting motion relative to the housing, the area in the contact that interferes with the inter-pole wall of the plug connector can be limited to almost only the inclined portion, preventing the plug connection portion from being pushed down towards the bottom wall of the housing. This contact structure can be constructed with a simple structure formed by bending the inclined portion relative to the leaf spring portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, in a receptacle-type electrical connector that is installed on a substrate and into which a plug connector having a plug contact is fitted and connected, even when the plug connector is displaced so as to jam against the housing, it is possible to suppress an instantaneous interruption of the electrical connection between the contact and the plug contact.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) and FIG. 1(B) are perspective views showing an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective cross-sectional view of an electrical connector connected to a substrate, and is shown together with a plug connector connected to the electrical connector. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector. [Figure 4] It is a perspective cross-sectional view of a plug connector connected to the electrical connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(A) is a front view of the plug connector, and FIG. 5(B) is a bottom view of the plug connector. [Figure 6] It is a perspective cross-sectional view of the electrical connector. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(A) is a front view of the electrical connector, and FIG. 7(B) is a rear view of the electrical connector. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector. [Figure 9] [[ID=3十二条]]It is a view showing a contact in the electrical connector. FIG. 9(A) is a perspective view, and FIG. 9(B) is a side view. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the electrical connector and the plug connector are connected. [Figure 11] It is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which the plug connector is being fitted and connected to the electrical connector. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the plug connector is being fitted and connected to the electrical connector. [Figure 13]It is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state where a plug connector is fitted and connected to an electrical connector. [Figure 14] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a plug connector is fitted and connected to an electrical connector. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a plug connector is fitted and connected to an electrical connector. [Figure 16] It is a perspective cross-sectional view showing an electrical connector according to a modified example. [Figure 17] It is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector according to a modified example. [Figure 18] It is a view showing contacts in an electrical connector according to a modified example, where Fig. 18(A) is a perspective view and Fig. 18(B) is a side view. [Figure 19] It is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a state where a plug connector is fitted and connected to an electrical connector according to a modified example. [Figure 20] It is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a plug connector is fitted and connected to an electrical connector according to a modified example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be widely applied to a receptacle-type electrical connector that is installed on a substrate and to which a plug connector having plug contacts is fitted and connected.

[0019] [Schematic Configuration of Electrical Connector and Plug Connector] Figs. 1(A) and 1(B) are perspective views showing an electrical connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 1 connected to a substrate 100, showing the electrical connector 1 together with a plug connector 101 connected thereto. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector 1. In Figs. 2 and 3, the electrical connector 1 is shown together with the substrate 100 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected. Also, in Figs. 2 and 3, only a part of the substrate 100 is shown in a cutout state.

[0020] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the electrical connector 1 is configured as a receptacle-type electrical connector that is mounted on a substrate 100 and into which a plug connector 101 having a plug contact 102 is mated and connected. The electrical connector 1 is mounted on the substrate 100 and is electrically connected to the substrate 100. The substrate 100 on which the electrical connector 1 is mounted has a recessed area 100a cut out in a concave shape at its edge. The electrical connector 1 is mounted on the substrate 100 in a state where it is fitted into the recess 100a of the substrate 100. With the electrical connector 1 mounted on the substrate 100 and electrically connected, the plug connector 101 is mated and connected.

[0021] The electrical connector 1 comprises a housing 11, a plurality of contacts 12 held in the housing 11, and a shielding member 13 attached to the outer circumference of the housing 11, and is configured as an electrical connector into which a plug connector 101 is mated and connected.

[0022] The housing 11 is made of an insulating resin material and has a basic outer shape that is roughly rectangular with one end having a large opening. The housing 11 is provided in a housing-like form that holds a plurality of contacts 12 and into which the plug connector 101 is fitted. The housing 11 has an opening 21 into which the plug connector 101 is fitted and a bottom wall portion 22 that holds the plurality of contacts 12. In the housing 11, the contacts 12 held by the bottom wall portion 22 are arranged in an exposed state within the opening 21 of the housing 11.

[0023] Each of the multiple contacts 12 is formed from a conductive metal material. Each of the multiple contacts 12 is formed by bending a long, slender, plate-shaped metal member that extends linearly. Each of the multiple contacts 12 is held in the housing 11 by being fitted into the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11 by press-fitting a portion of it. Furthermore, each of the multiple contacts 12 is configured such that one end is connected to the substrate 100 and electrically connected to the substrate 100, and the other end is in contact with the plug contact 102 of the plug connector 101 and electrically connected to the plug contact 102.

[0024] The shielding member 13 is made of a conductive metal material and is provided to shield the electrical connector 1 from electromagnetic noise. The shielding member 13 is formed by further bending a punched metal plate and is shaped to be attached to the outer circumference of the housing 11. The shielding member 13 is also provided with a tab 13a that fits onto the substrate 100 when the electrical connector 1 is installed on the substrate 100. The tab 13a fits into a hole provided in the substrate 100, thereby fixing and installing the electrical connector 1 on the substrate 100. The shielding member 13 is also provided with a locking portion 13b that engages with a lock arm 104 provided on the plug connector 101 when the plug connector 101 is mated and connected to the electrical connector 1. The locking portion 13b is formed as a concave cutout.

[0025] Figure 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the plug connector 101 connected to the electrical connector 1. Figure 5(A) is a front view of the plug connector 101, and Figure 5(B) is a bottom view of the plug connector 101. Referring to Figures 2, 4, and 5, the plug connector 101 that mates and connects to the electrical connector 1 comprises a plurality of plug contacts 102, a plug housing 103 that holds the plurality of plug contacts 102, and a lock arm 104 provided integrally with the plug housing 103.

[0026] Each of the multiple plug contacts 102 is formed of a conductive metal material. Each of the multiple plug contacts 102 is formed in the shape of a plate, for example, having an elongated, roughly rectangular outer shape, and is inserted into a groove provided in the plug housing 103 and held in the plug housing 103. When the plug connector 101 is mated with the electrical connector 1 and connected, each of the multiple plug contacts 102 makes contact with each of the multiple contacts 12 of the electrical connector 1 and is electrically connected. The plug contacts 102 are provided with a bottom surface portion 102a that faces the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11 when the plug connector 101 is mated with the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1. When the plug connector 101 is mated with the electrical connector 1 and connected, each plug contact 102 makes contact with each contact 12 held by the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11 at its bottom surface portion 102a and is electrically connected.

[0027] Furthermore, the multiple plug contacts 102 are electrically connected to the ends of multiple electric wires (not shown) inside the plug housing 103. The multiple electric wires (not shown), which are connected to the multiple plug contacts 102 and extend outwards from the plug housing 103, are bundled together and housed in a tube 105, and are extended outwards from the plug housing 103.

[0028] The plug housing 103 is made of an insulating resin material and has a basic outer shape that is substantially rectangular. The plug housing 103 holds a plurality of plug contacts 102 and is configured to fit into the opening 21 of the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1 at one end that extends in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0029] The plug housing 103 is provided with multiple grooves into which multiple plug contacts 102 are each inserted. The multiple plug contacts 102 are held in the plug housing 103 in a state where they extend parallel to each other as they are inserted into the multiple grooves of the plug housing 103. In addition, the multiple plug contacts 102 inserted into the multiple grooves of the plug housing 103 are exposed to the outside through the grooves at the end side of the plug housing 103 that fits into the opening 21 of the housing 11. When the plug connector 101 is mated and connected to the electrical connector 1, the exposed portion of each plug contact 102 comes into contact with each contact 12 of the electrical connector 1, and each plug contact 102 and each contact 12 are electrically connected.

[0030] Furthermore, the plug housing 103 is provided with inter-electrode walls 103a to provide insulation between adjacent plug contacts 102 that are held side by side in the plug housing 103. The inter-electrode walls 103a are provided in the plug housing 103 as walls that demarcate the grooves into which the plug contacts 102 are inserted.

[0031] The lock arm 104 is provided as a lever-shaped member for locking the plug connector 101 to the electrical connector 1 by engaging with the electrical connector 1 when the plug connector 101 is mated and connected to the electrical connector 1. The lock arm 104 is provided as a cantilevered extension from the plug housing 103 to the outside of the plug housing 103. The base portion of the lock arm 104 that extends cantilevered from the plug housing 103 is provided integrally with the plug housing 103. The lock arm 104 that extends cantilevered from the plug housing 103 is provided to be elastically deformable so as to bend. When the plug connector 101 is connected to the electrical connector 1, the lock arm 104 is configured to contact the shield member 13 of the electrical connector 1, elastically deform and bend, and then elastically recover to engage with the locking portion 13b of the shield member 13. Furthermore, the lock arm 104 is provided with stepped locking projections 104a on both sides in the width direction of the lock arm 104, in the portion that extends cantilevered from the plug housing 103. The lock arm 104 is configured to engage with the locking projections 104a of the shielding member 13 of the electrical connector 1.

[0032] [Detailed configuration of electrical connectors] The following describes the configuration of the electrical connector 1 in more detail. In the following description, the mating direction X1, width direction X2, and height direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 are defined as shown by the double-ended arrows X1, X2, and X3 in Figures 1 to 5 and the drawings described later. The mating direction X1 is configured as the direction in which the plug connector 101 is mated to the electrical connector 1. The mating direction X1 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the mating direction X1 of the plug connector 101. Furthermore, the mating direction X1 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the mating direction X1 of the housing 11 and as the mating direction X1 of the contacts 12. The width direction X2 is the direction perpendicular to the mating direction X1 and is configured as the direction in which the multiple contacts 12 held in the housing 11 are aligned in a line in the housing 11. The width direction X2 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the width direction X2 of the plug connector 101. Furthermore, the width direction X2 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the width direction X2 of the housing 11 and as the width direction X2 of the contact 12. The height direction X3 is configured as a direction perpendicular to both the mating direction X1 and the width direction X2. The height direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the height direction X3 of the plug connector 101. Furthermore, the height direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the height direction X3 of the housing 11 and as the height direction X3 of the contact 12.

[0033] <Housing> Figure 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 1. Figure 7(A) is a front view of the electrical connector 1, and Figure 7(B) is a rear view of the electrical connector 1. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector 1. In Figures 6 and 8, the electrical connector 1 is shown together with the substrate 100 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected.

[0034] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 8, the housing 11 is made of a resin material and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An opening 21 into which a plug connector 101 is fitted is provided at one end in the fitting direction X1. The area inside the opening 21 in the housing 11 constitutes an internal space into which the end of the plug connector 101 fitted through the opening 21 is housed. The housing 11 has a bottom wall portion 22 and a top wall portion 23 facing each other in the height direction X3, a pair of side wall portions 24 and 25 facing each other in the width direction X2, and an end wall portion 26 provided on the side opposite to the opening 21 in the fitting direction X1. The housing 11 is formed so that it has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped basic shape with one end opening at the opening 21 in the fitting direction X1, by integrally providing the bottom wall portion 22 and the top wall portion 23, the pair of side wall portions 24 and 25, and the end wall portion 26.

[0035] The housing 11 is configured to hold a plurality of contacts 12 at its bottom wall portion 22. The bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11 is provided with a plurality of retaining grooves 22a for each of the plurality of contacts 12. The plurality of retaining grooves 22a are provided as grooves that open on the inside of the housing 11 in the bottom wall portion 22 and extend along the fitting direction X1. Each of the plurality of contacts 12 is press-fitted into the plurality of retaining grooves 22a in the bottom wall portion 22 from the end wall portion 26 side along the fitting direction X1. Each contact 12 is press-fitted into each retaining groove 22a at its main body portion 27, as will be described later. Each contact 12 is held in place by the bottom wall portion 22 by being press-fitted into each retaining groove 22a. The end wall portion 26 is provided with a plurality of slit grooves 26a that communicate with each of the plurality of retaining grooves 22a. Each of the plurality of slit grooves 26a penetrates the end wall portion 26 and communicates with the retaining grooves 22a. Each contact 12 is inserted into the housing 11 through each slit groove 26a and press-fitted into each retaining groove 22a.

[0036] Furthermore, the ceiling wall portion 23 of the housing 11 is provided with a notched recess 23a, which is formed by cutting out a rectangular recess along the fitting direction X1. When the plug housing 103 of the plug connector 101 is fitted into the housing 11 from the opening 21, the lock arm 104 of the plug connector 101 is positioned in the notched recess 23a. Above the notched recess 23a in the height direction X3, a locking portion 13b provided on the shield member 13 attached to the outer circumference of the housing 11 is positioned. When the plug connector 101 is fitted into the housing 11 from the opening 21, the locking projection 104a of the lock arm 104 positioned in the notched recess 23a and the locking portion 13b of the shield member 13 engage with each other.

[0037] <Contact> Figure 9 shows the contacts 12 in the electrical connector 1, where Figure 9(A) is a perspective view and Figure 9(B) is a side view. Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 9, the multiple contacts 12 are held in the housing 11 and are electrically connected to the substrate 100 when the electrical connector 1 is installed on the substrate 100, and are electrically connected to the multiple plug contacts 102 of the plug connector 101 when the electrical connector 1 is connected to the plug connector 101. Each of the multiple contacts 12 is inserted into the housing 11 from each slit groove 26a along the mating direction X1 and press-fitted into each retaining groove 22a of the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11, thereby being held in the bottom wall portion 22. The multiple contacts 12 held in the housing 11 at the bottom wall portion 22 are held in the housing 11 in an orderly manner along the width direction X2.

[0038] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 9, each of the multiple contacts 12 is formed by bending a long, slender, plate-shaped metal member that extends linearly. Each of the multiple contacts 12 is held in the housing 11, with one end connected to the substrate 100 for electrical connection, and the other end in contact with the plug contact 102 for electrical connection. More specifically, each of the multiple contacts 12 has a main body portion 27 held in the housing 11, a substrate connection portion 28 provided on one end of the main body portion 27 and connected to the substrate 100, and a plug connection portion 29 provided on the other end of the main body portion 27 and connected to the plug contact 102.

[0039] Referring to Figures 6 to 9, the main body portion 27 of the contact 12 is provided as a part that extends linearly and is held by the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11. The main body portion 27 is formed as an elongated plate shape that extends linearly, and when the contact 12 is inserted into and held in the housing 11, it is fitted into the retaining groove 22a of the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11 by press-fitting along the fitting direction X1. The main body portion 27 that is fitted into the retaining groove 22a of the bottom wall portion 22 and held by the bottom wall portion 22 is held in a state that extends linearly along the fitting direction X1 on the bottom wall portion 22. Small, protruding press-fitting claws 27a are provided on both sides of the main body portion 27 in the width direction X2. When the main body portion 27 is fitted into the retaining groove 22a, the press-fitting claws 27a bite into the inner wall of the retaining groove 22a to lock it in place, thereby press-fitting the main body portion 27 into the retaining groove 22a and holding the contact 12 to the bottom wall portion 22.

[0040] Referring to Figures 6 to 9, the substrate connection portion 28 of the contact 12 is provided as a portion that extends from one end of the main body portion 27 in the mating direction X1 and is connected to the substrate 100. The substrate connection portion 28 is provided so as to bend approximately perpendicular to the main body portion 27 from one end of the main body portion 27 and extend along the height direction X3, and is inserted into a through-hole 100b provided in the substrate 100 at the tip end that extends in the height direction X3 and is connected to the substrate 100 (see Figures 6 and 8). The substrate connection portion 28 is electrically connected to the substrate 100 by soldering while inserted into the through-hole 100b of the substrate 100 (soldering is not shown in Figures 6 and 8). When the contact 12 is held by the main body 27 against the bottom wall 22 of the housing 11, the substrate connection portion 28 extending from one end of the main body 27 is provided to pass through the slit groove 26a of the end wall 26 of the housing 11 and extend along the height direction X3 on the outside of the housing 11. When the electrical connector 1 is installed on the substrate 100, the substrate connection portion 28 extending to the outside of the housing 11 is electrically connected to the substrate 100.

[0041] Referring to Figures 6 to 9, the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 is provided so as to bend at an acute angle relative to the main body portion 27 from the other end side in the mating direction X1 of the main body portion 27 and extend cantilevered within the opening 21 of the housing 11. The plug connection portion 29 is also provided so as to bend at an acute angle relative to the main body portion 27 from the end of the main body portion 27 that is held by the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11 and extend cantilevered within the housing 11. Furthermore, the plug connection portion 29 is provided as the part that contacts the plug contact 102 of the plug connector 101 and is electrically connected to the plug contact 102 when the plug connector 101 is mated and connected to the electrical connector 1. The plug connection portion 29, which bends at an acute angle relative to the main body portion 27 and extends cantilevered from the main body portion 27, is configured to elastically deform and bend when it comes into contact with the plug contact 102, and to electrically connect to the plug contact 102.

[0042] More specifically, the plug connection portion 29 includes a leaf spring portion 29a that extends linearly after being bent from the main body portion 27, an inclined portion 29b that extends further from the leaf spring portion 29a at an angle to the leaf spring portion 29a, and a contact portion 29c provided on the inclined portion 29b and connected to the plug contact 102.

[0043] The leaf spring portion 29a of the plug connection portion 29 is provided so as to extend linearly after being bent at an acute angle relative to the main body portion 27 from the end of the main body portion 27 facing the opening 21, and is provided so as to extend diagonally at an acute angle with respect to the fitting direction X1 while being spaced apart in the height direction X3 from the bottom wall portion 22 within the opening 21. The leaf spring portion 29a is configured as a leaf spring-like part that elastically deforms and flexes when the plug connection portion 29 and the plug contact 102 come into contact and are connected.

[0044] The inclined portion 29b is provided to extend inclined from the leaf spring portion 29a so as to rise toward the opposite side of the main body portion 27 relative to the leaf spring portion 29a. The inclined portion 29b is formed by bending inclined with respect to the leaf spring portion 29a. The inclined portion 29b extends linearly in a continuous manner from the leaf spring portion 29a, and is continuous with the leaf spring portion 29a at the end of the leaf spring portion 29a which bends from the end of the main body portion 27 and extends linearly at a different angle from the leaf spring portion 29a. Referring to Figure 9(B), the leaf spring portion 29a is provided to extend at a predetermined first angle θ1 relative to the main body portion 27 after bending from the main body portion 27. Furthermore, the inclined portion 29b is provided to extend inclined from the leaf spring portion 29a at a predetermined second angle θ2 that is larger than the first angle θ1 with respect to the main body portion 27. That is, in the plug connection portion 29, the leaf spring portion 29a extends at a first angle θ1 that forms a relatively small acute angle with respect to the main body portion 27, and the inclined portion 29b extends at a second angle θ2 that forms a larger acute angle with respect to the main body portion 27 than the first angle θ1.

[0045] The contact portion 29c of the plug connection portion 29 is provided on the inclined portion 29b and is configured to contact the plug contact 102 and electrically connect to the plug contact 102. The contact portion 29c is provided as the apex of the inclined portion 29b, which extends inclined from the leaf spring portion 29a so as to rise toward the opposite side from the main body portion 27 relative to the leaf spring portion 29a. The contact portion 29c is configured to electrically connect to the plug contact 102 by contacting the bottom surface portion 102a of the plug contact 102, which faces the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11, when the plug connector 101 is mated into the electrical connector 1.

[0046] [Connection operation between electrical connectors and plug connectors] Next, the connection operation between the electrical connector 1 and the plug connector 101 will be described. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state before the electrical connector 1 and the plug connector 101 are connected. Referring to Figures 2 and 10, the electrical connector 1 is connected to the circuit board 100 and then connected to the plug connector 101. One end of the plug connector 101 in the mating direction X1 is inserted into the opening 21 of the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1, and the plug connector 101 is mated into the electrical connector 1, thereby connecting the plug connector 101 and the electrical connector 1.

[0047] Figure 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the plug connector 101 in the process of being mated and connected to the electrical connector 1. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the plug connector 101 in the process of being mated and connected to the electrical connector 1. Referring to Figures 11 and 12, when the plug connector 101 is connected to the electrical connector 1, the plug connector 101 is inserted into the opening 21 of the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1 from one end in the mating direction X1. The plug connector 101 is mated to the electrical connector 1 when the end of the plug connector 101 is inserted along the mating direction X1 to the back of the opening 21 of the housing 11. Once the plug connector 101 is inserted into the opening 21 of the housing 11, the plug connection portion 29 of each contact 12 is inserted into the groove between the inter-pole walls 103a of the plug housing 103. Each contact 12 has its main body 27 held by the bottom wall 22 of the housing 11, and its plug connection portion 29 extends within the opening 21 of the housing 11. When the plug connector 101 is inserted into the opening 21 of the housing 11, the plug connection portion 29 extending within the opening 21 is inserted into the groove between the inter-pole walls 103a of the plug housing 103.

[0048] Figure 13 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the state in which the plug connector 101 is mated and connected to the electrical connector 1. Figures 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views showing the state in which the plug connector 101 is mated and connected to the electrical connector 1. Note that both Figures 14 and 15 are cross-sections perpendicular to the width direction X2, and show cross-sections at different positions. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view at the position corresponding to Figure 13, and Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view at the position where the locking projection 104a of the lock arm 104 of the plug connector 101 and the locking portion 13b of the shield member 13 of the electrical connector 1 are visible.

[0049] Referring to Figures 13 to 15, when the plug connector 101 is inserted all the way into the opening 21 of the housing 11 of the electrical connector 1, the plug connector 101 is fitted into the electrical connector 1, and the plug connector 101 and the electrical connector 1 are connected. When the plug connector 101 is fitted into the electrical connector 1 and connected, the lock arm 104 of the plug connector 101 comes into contact with the shield member 13 of the electrical connector 1, bends temporarily, then elastically recovers, and its locking projection 104a engages with the locking portion 13b of the shield member 13. The locking projection 104a of the lock arm 104 and the locking portion 13b of the shield member 13 engage in the direction in which the plug connector 101 is pulled out of the electrical connector 1 along the fitting direction X1, thus preventing the plug connector 101 from coming out of the electrical connector 1.

[0050] Here, the form of electrical connection between the plug contact 102 and the contact 12 when the plug connector 101 is mated and connected to the electrical connector 1 will be described in more detail. Referring to Figures 12 to 15, as the plug connector 101 is inserted into the back of the opening 21, the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12, which is inserted into the groove between the inter-pole walls 103a of the plug housing 103, comes into contact with the end of the plug contact 102 at the inclined portion 29b. When the end of the plug contact 102 and the inclined portion 29b come into contact, the inclined portion 29b, which extends inclined from the leaf spring portion 29a, is biased at the end of the plug contact 102, and the leaf spring portion 29a elastically deforms so that it bends toward the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11. Then, when the plug connector 101 is inserted all the way into the opening 21 and fitted into the housing 11, the leaf spring portion 29a that has bent toward the bottom wall portion 22 bends to a position where it is out of the groove between the inter-pole walls 103a in the plug housing 103, and the contact portion 29c provided at the apex of the inclined portion 29b comes into contact with the bottom surface portion 102a of the plug contact 102. In other words, as the leaf spring portion 29a bends, the inclined portion 29b displaces so as to slide against the end of the plug contact 102 and enter the area between the bottom surface portion 102a of the plug contact 102 and the bottom wall portion 22, and the contact portion 29c provided at the apex of the inclined portion 29b comes into contact with the bottom surface portion 102a of the plug contact 102. When the plug connector 101 is mated with the electrical connector 1, the contact portion 29c of the plug connection portion 29 is in contact with the bottom portion 102a of the plug connector 101, and the contact 12 and the plug contact 102 are electrically connected.

[0051] Furthermore, when the plug connector 101 is mated with the electrical connector 1, and the contact portion 29c of the plug connection portion 29 is in contact with the bottom surface portion 102a of the plug contact 102, thereby electrically connecting the contact 12 and the plug contact 102, the leaf spring portion 29a is in a state where it is displaced from the groove between the inter-pole walls 103a in the plug housing 103. In this state, the leaf spring portion 29a is hardly positioned on the side of the inter-pole walls 103a of the plug housing 103, and almost only the inclined portion 29b is positioned. That is, in the width direction X2, the leaf spring portion 29a does not overlap with the inter-pole walls 103a, and only the inclined portion 29b, which is provided to protrude from the leaf spring portion 29a, is positioned opposite the inter-pole walls 103a in the width direction X2. Therefore, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing 11, the area in the contact 12 that interferes with the interpole wall 103a of the plug connector 101 will be almost exclusively the inclined portion 29b, preventing the plug connection portion 29 from being pushed down towards the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11 as a whole.

[0052] In addition, an example of a case in which the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to pry relative to the housing 11 is when an external force is applied to the plug connector 101 while the plug connector 101 and the electrical connector 1 are mated and connected, causing the plug connector 101 to be displaced relative to the housing 11 by slightly swaying along the width direction X2. Even when the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to pry relative to the housing 11 by slightly swaying along the width direction X2 while the plug connector 101 and the electrical connector 1 are mated and connected, the area in which the contact 12 interferes with the interpole wall 103a of the plug connector 101 is almost only the inclined portion 29b, and the plug connection portion 29 as a whole is prevented from being pushed down toward the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11. Therefore, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing 11, the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 and the plug contact 102 are prevented from momentarily separating and momentarily losing contact, thereby preventing the electrical connection between the contact 12 and the plug contact 102 from momentarily being lost.

[0053] Referring to Figure 15, when the plug connector 101 is mated with the electrical connector 1 and the plug connector 101 and the electrical connector 1 are connected, the locking projection 104a of the lock arm 104 and the locking portion 13b of the shield member 13 are in a state where they can be locked in the direction in which the plug connector 101 is pulled out from the electrical connector 1. However, when no external force is acting on the plug connector 101 in the direction of pulling it out from the electrical connector 1, a small gap G is created between the locking projection 104a of the lock arm 104 and the locking portion 13b of the shield member 13. In this state, if an external force is applied to the plug connector 101 that causes it to vibrate along the width direction X2, the plug connector 101 will be displaced in a way that causes it to pry against the housing 11. However, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing 11, the area in the contact 12 that interferes with the interpole wall 103a of the plug connector 101 is almost exclusively the inclined portion 29b, thus preventing the plug connection portion 29 from being pushed down towards the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11 as a whole.

[0054] [Effects of this embodiment] According to this embodiment, the contact 12 is provided with a plug connection portion 29 that extends within the opening 21 of the housing 11, bending at an acute angle relative to the main body portion 27 from the main body portion 27 which is held by the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11. The plug connection portion 29 is provided with a leaf spring portion 29a that extends linearly after bending from the main body portion 27, an inclined portion 29b that extends inclined from the leaf spring portion 29a so as to protrude on the side opposite to the main body portion 27 relative to the leaf spring portion 29a, and a contact portion 29c provided on the inclined portion 29b that contacts and connects with the plug contact 102. Thus, in the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12, the inclined portion 29b on which the contact portion 29c is provided is provided so as to protrude from the leaf spring portion 29a. Therefore, when the plug connector 101 is fitted and connected to the housing 11, the leaf spring portion 29a is hardly positioned on the side of the inter-pole wall 103a of the plug connector 101, and almost only the inclined portion 29b is positioned. For this reason, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing 11, the area of ​​the contact 12 that interferes with the inter-pole wall 103a of the plug connector 101 is almost only the inclined portion 29b, and the plug connection portion 29 as a whole is prevented from being pushed down toward the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11. As a result, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing 11, it is possible to suppress the instantaneous separation of the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 and the plug contact 102, thereby preventing the instantaneous interruption of the electrical connection between the contact 12 and the plug contact 102.

[0055] Therefore, according to this embodiment, in a receptacle-type electrical connector 1 installed on a substrate 100 and connected by mating a plug connector 101 having a plug contact 102, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to be twisted relative to the housing 11, it is possible to suppress the momentary disconnection of the electrical connection between the contact 12 and the plug contact 102.

[0056] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by setting the angle θ2 of the inclined portion 29b in the plug connection portion 29 with respect to the main body portion 27 to be larger than the angle θ1 of the leaf spring portion 29a in the plug connection portion 29 with respect to the main body portion 27, it is possible to easily form a plug connection portion 29 in which, when the plug connector 101 is fitted into the housing 11, the inclined portion 29b is positioned with almost no leaf spring portion 29a positioned to the side of the interpole wall 103a of the plug connector 101.

[0057] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the contact portion 29c of the plug connection portion 29 is in contact with the bottom surface portion 102a of the plug contact 102, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing 11, the contact portion 29c is more likely to follow the plug contact 102, and the contact portion 29c is less likely to separate from the plug contact 102. As a result, the instantaneous disconnection of the electrical connection between the contact 12 and the plug contact 102 is further suppressed.

[0058] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing 11, the area in the contact 12 that interferes with the interpole wall 103a of the plug connector 101 can be limited to almost only the inclined portion 29b, thereby preventing the plug connection portion 29 from being pushed down towards the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11 as a whole. This contact 12 structure can be constructed with a simple structure formed by bending the inclined portion 29b relative to the leaf spring portion 29a.

[0059] [Differentiation] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible as long as they are within the scope of the claims. For example, it may be implemented with the following modifications.

[0060] Figure 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing an modified electrical connector 2. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the modified electrical connector 2. Figure 18 is a diagram showing the contact 12 in the modified electrical connector 2, where Figure 18(A) is a perspective view and Figure 18(B) is a side view.

[0061] The modified electrical connector 2 is configured similarly to the electrical connector 1 of the previously described embodiment, but differs from the electrical connector 1 of the previously described embodiment in the manner in which the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 and the plug contact 102 are in contact and connected. Hereinafter, only the configuration of the modified electrical connector 2 that differs from the electrical connector 1 of the previously described embodiment will be described. For elements configured similarly to the previously described embodiment and elements configured in correspondence with the previously described embodiment, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings, or the same reference numerals are used for reference, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0062] Referring to Figures 16 to 18, in the modified electrical connector 2, the configuration regarding the position of the contact portion 29c in the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 differs from that of the electrical connector 1 of the above-described embodiment. In the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 2, the length of the leaf spring portion 29a is provided to be longer than that of the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1. Furthermore, the contact portion 29c provided on the inclined portion 29b is provided not at the apex of the inclined portion 29b, but as an intermediate portion of the inclined portion 29b that extends inclined from the leaf spring portion 29a. As a result, the contact portion 29c provided on the inclined portion 29b is configured to contact and connect with the plug contact 102 not at the bottom surface portion 102a of the plug contact 102, but at the corner portion of the end of the plug contact 102.

[0063] Figure 19 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the state in which the plug connector 101 is mated and connected to the electrical connector 2. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the plug connector 101 is mated and connected to the electrical connector 2. Referring to Figures 19 and 20, as the plug connector 101 is inserted into the back of the opening 21, the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 inserted into the groove between the interpole walls 103a of the plug housing 103 comes into contact with the end of the plug contact 102 at the inclined portion 29b. However, in the electrical connector 2, the length of the leaf spring portion 29a of the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 is longer than the length of the leaf spring portion 29a of the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1. Therefore, when the plug connector 101 is inserted further into the back of the opening 21, the inclined portion 29b of the plug connection portion 29 comes into contact with the end of the plug contact 102. The inclined portion 29b abuts against the plug contact 102 at the corner portion opposite the bottom wall portion 22 at the end of the plug contact 102.

[0064] When the plug connector 101 is inserted all the way into the opening 21 and the inclined portion 29b comes into contact with the corner of the end of the plug contact 102, the inclined portion 29b is biased by the end of the plug contact 102, and the leaf spring portion 29a elastically deforms so as to bend toward the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11. When the plug connector 101 is inserted all the way into the opening 21 and fitted into the housing 11, the leaf spring portion 29a that has bent toward the bottom wall portion 22 bends to a position where it is out of the groove between the inter-pole walls 103a of the plug housing 103, and the contact portion 29c, which is provided as an intermediate part of the inclined portion 29b extending from the leaf spring portion 29a, comes into contact with the corner of the end of the plug contact 102. In other words, as the leaf spring portion 29a flexes, the inclined portion 29b slides against the corner portion of the end of the plug contact 102, shifting its position of contact with the corner portion of the end of the plug contact 102, so that the contact portion 29c provided in the middle of the inclined portion 29b extending from the leaf spring portion 29a comes into contact with the corner portion of the end of the plug contact 102. When the plug connector 101 is mated with the electrical connector 2, the contact portion 29c of the plug connection portion 29 is in contact with the corner portion of the end of the plug contact 102, and the contact 12 and the plug contact 102 are electrically connected.

[0065] In this modified electrical connector 2, the contact 12 is provided with a plug connection portion 29 that extends within the opening 21 of the housing 11, bending at an acute angle relative to the main body portion 27 from the main body portion 27, which is held by the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11. The plug connection portion 29 is provided with a leaf spring portion 29a that extends linearly after bending from the main body portion 27, an inclined portion 29b that extends inclined from the leaf spring portion 29a so as to protrude on the opposite side from the main body portion 27 relative to the leaf spring portion 29a, and a contact portion 29c provided on the inclined portion 29b that contacts and connects with the plug contact 102. Thus, in the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12, the inclined portion 29b on which the contact portion 29c is provided is provided so as to protrude from the leaf spring portion 29a. Therefore, when the plug connector 101 is fitted and connected to the housing 11, the leaf spring portion 29a is hardly positioned on the side of the inter-pole wall 103a of the plug connector 101, and almost only the inclined portion 29b is positioned. For this reason, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing 11, the area of ​​the contact 12 that interferes with the inter-pole wall 103a of the plug connector 101 is almost only the inclined portion 29b, and the plug connection portion 29 as a whole is prevented from being pushed down toward the bottom wall portion 22 of the housing 11. As a result, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to twist relative to the housing 11, it is possible to suppress the instantaneous separation of the plug connection portion 29 of the contact 12 and the plug contact 102, thereby preventing the instantaneous interruption of the electrical connection between the contact 12 and the plug contact 102.

[0066] Therefore, according to this modified example, in a receptacle-type electrical connector 2 installed on a substrate 100 and connected by mating a plug connector 101 having a plug contact 102, even if the plug connector 101 is displaced in a way that causes it to be twisted relative to the housing 11, it is possible to suppress the momentary disconnection of the electrical connection between the contact 12 and the plug contact 102. [Industrial applicability]

[0067] The present invention can be broadly applied to receptacle-type electrical connectors that are mounted on a substrate and connected by mating a plug connector having plug contacts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1,2 Electrical connector, 11 Housing, 12 Contact, 13 Shielding member, 13a Tab, 13b Locking part, 21 Opening, 22 Bottom wall, 23 Top wall, 23a Notched recess, 24,25 Side wall, 26 End wall, 26a Slit groove, 27 Main body, 28 Board connection part, 29 Plug connection part, 29a Leaf spring part, 29b Inclined part, 29c Contact part, 100 Board, 100a Recess, 100b Through hole, 101 Plug connector, 102 Plug contact, 102a Bottom surface, 103 Plug housing, 103a Inter-pole wall, 104 Locking arm, 104a Locking projection, 105 Tube

Claims

1. A receptacle-type electrical connector that is mounted on a circuit board and connected by mating a plug connector having plug contacts, The system comprises a contact having one end connected to the substrate and electrically connected to the substrate, and the other end in contact with the plug contact and electrically connected to the plug contact, and a housing that holds the contact and into which the plug connector is fitted, The housing has an opening into which the plug connector is fitted and a bottom wall portion that holds the contact, The contact has a main body portion that extends linearly and is held by the bottom wall portion of the housing, a substrate connection portion that extends from one end of the main body portion and is connected to the substrate, and a plug connection portion that bends at an acute angle relative to the main body portion at the other end of the main body portion, extends cantilevered within the opening of the housing, and elastically deforms and bends when it comes into contact with the plug contact and is connected to the plug contact, The plug connection portion is characterized by having a leaf spring portion that extends linearly after being bent from the main body portion, an inclined portion that extends inclined from the leaf spring portion so as to rise toward the opposite side from the main body portion relative to the leaf spring portion, and a contact portion provided on the inclined portion that contacts the plug contact and is connected to the plug contact.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1, The leaf spring portion is provided such that it extends from the main body portion at a predetermined first angle relative to the main body portion after being bent, An electrical connector characterized in that the inclined portion is provided so as to extend inclined from the leaf spring portion at a predetermined second angle greater than the first angle with respect to the main body portion.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, The plug contact is provided with a bottom surface that faces the bottom wall of the housing when the plug connector is fitted into the housing. The contact portion is provided as the apex of an inclined portion that extends inclined from the leaf spring portion so as to rise toward the opposite side from the main body portion relative to the leaf spring portion, and is connected to the plug contact by contacting the bottom surface portion, in an electrical connector.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, An electrical connector characterized in that the inclined portion is formed by bending so as to be inclined with respect to the leaf spring portion.

Images