Connector mating method and connector connection structure

Abstract

To provide a connector mating method and connector connection structure that offer high reliability in connecting a first connector and a second connector. [Solution] The process involves the following steps: when the socket connector 5 is fitted into the housing 8, the contact portion 8e1 contacts the first substrate 2, stopping the fitting of the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5, and a fitting gap S2 is formed between the housing 8 and the socket connector 5; when the distance between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4 decreases, the contact portion 8e1 is pushed in by the first substrate 2, causing the fitting gap S2 to shrink and the fitting position between the housing 8 and the socket connector 5 to deepen; and after the fitting position has deepened, when the distance between the substrates changes, the movable part of the plug terminal 11 elastically deforms while the plug contact portion maintains contact with the socket connector 5 without displacement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector that makes electrical contact with an object to be connected.

Background Art

[0002] Among connectors including a connector that makes electrical connection with a substrate and an object to be connected that fits into this connector, there are some in which the terminals have movable parts in order to cope with vibrations. This movable part is provided between a substrate connection part fixed to the substrate and a contact part of the object to be connected. When vibration occurs, the movable part elastically deforms to absorb the vibration, and electrical contact between the contact part and the object to be connected can be maintained (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In such connectors, with respect to vibrations in the cross direction with respect to the insertion / removal direction of the connector and the object to be connected (hereinafter also referred to as the fitting direction and the removal direction), the movable part can also elastically deform in the same direction to absorb the vibration. On the other hand, with respect to vibrations in the insertion / removal direction, the movable part does not displace in the insertion / removal direction, and the connector terminals and the object to be connected slide relative to each other in the insertion / removal direction to absorb the vibration and maintain the electrical contact state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in such connectors, wear may occur in the sliding parts between the terminals due to repeated application of vibrations in the insertion / removal direction. In particular, the surfaces of the terminals may be plated to enhance conductivity, and the plating may peel off due to sliding with the object to be connected. These situations may reduce the connection reliability between the connector and the object to be connected.

[0006] The present invention was made against the backdrop of the above-mentioned prior art, and its purpose is to provide a connector that does not easily reduce connection reliability even when vibrations occur along the insertion / removal direction with respect to the object being connected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention is configured as follows.

[0008] The present invention provides an electrical connector comprising a first connector fixed to a first substrate and an object to be connected electrically to the first connector, wherein the first connector comprises a first terminal having a first contact portion and a first housing holding the first terminal, and the object to be connected comprises a contact that contacts the first contact portion at a normal contact position when mated with the first connector, wherein at least one of the first connector and the object to be connected has a movable portion that elastically deforms so that the contact portion or the contact at the normal contact position is displaced in the insertion / removal direction between the first connector and the object to be connected, wherein the displacement load of the movable portion displaced in the insertion / removal direction is smaller than the load that causes at least one of the first contact portion and the contact to be misaligned from the normal contact position in the insertion / removal direction.

[0009] Furthermore, the object to be connected according to the present invention may be a second connector that mates with the first connector. Alternatively, the object to be connected according to the present invention may be an electrical element having terminals that mates with the first connector.

[0010] According to the present invention described above, by having the aforementioned movable part, even if vibrations in the insertion / removal direction are applied to the connector or electrical element, the movable part can be displaced in the insertion / removal direction to absorb those vibrations.

[0011] Here, if the load required for the movable part to be displaced in the insertion / removal direction is greater than the load required for at least one of the first contact part and the contact element to be misaligned from the normal contact position in the insertion / removal direction, then when vibration along the insertion / removal direction is applied to the terminal, the contact part and the contact element will be misaligned before the movable part is displaced. In this case, the contact part and the contact element will slide against each other, causing wear and potentially leading to peeling of the plating, etc.

[0012] In contrast, in the present invention, the displacement load that displaces the movable part in the insertion / extraction direction is smaller than the load that causes at least one of the first contact portion and the contact element to shift position from the normal contact position in the insertion / extraction direction. As a result, when vibration causes the housing and the object to be connected to begin to separate from each other in at least one of the insertion direction and the extraction direction, elastic deformation of the movable part occurs before the contact portion and the contact element shift position relative to each other. Therefore, for example, when a load is applied to the contact element from one of the contact portions in the insertion / extraction direction, the movable part elastically deforms in the insertion / extraction direction before the contact portion and the contact element shift position relative to each other. In this way, the movable part elastically deforms to expand and contract in the insertion / extraction direction, allowing either the contact portion or the contact element to follow the other. As a result, vibration can be absorbed by the movable part while maintaining conductive contact at the normal contact position without one of the contact portion and the contact element shifting position relative to the other. Therefore, wear due to sliding between the contact portion and the contact element is less likely to occur, and connection reliability can be less likely to decrease. Furthermore, even when vibration occurs, the holding force of the contact points and contacts maintains a conductive connection, resulting in fewer parts and easier insertion and removal compared to, for example, using a locking component to maintain the conductive contact of terminals and contacts.

[0013] Furthermore, when vibrations reach the natural frequency of the substrate, the substrate may resonate, causing the connector fixed to the substrate to vibrate significantly. In this case, conventional methods of maintaining conductive contact by sliding the contact portion and contact element have a limited range of motion, making them insufficient to cope with large vibrations, resulting in unstable conductive contact between the contact portion and contact element. However, according to the present invention, even if such resonance occurs, the movable part displaces sufficiently, allowing one contact portion to follow the displacement of the contact element, thereby reliably maintaining a conductive contact state. Therefore, a connector with higher connection reliability can be achieved. The above-described effects can also be obtained when the first connector is mated with an object that is not fixed to a substrate, rather than with a second connector that is fixed to a substrate. In this case, the second contact portion of the terminal of the second connector acts as a contact element and makes conductive contact with the first contact portion.

[0014] Furthermore, the second connector or electrical element of the present invention may be mounted on a second substrate that is positioned opposite the first substrate. Therefore, even if vibration occurs in either the first or second substrate and they are displaced relative to each other, the movable part can absorb the displacement through elastic deformation. Moreover, the second connector or electrical element of the present invention may be attached to a fixed member that is positioned opposite the first substrate. In this case, if the first substrate is displaced relative to the fixed member, the movable part can absorb the displacement through deformation. Also, even if the fixed member is displaced, such as moving closer to or further away from the substrate, the movable part can again absorb the displacement through elastic deformation.

[0015] The present invention also provides an electrical connector for electrically connecting to an object to be connected, characterized by comprising: a movable housing that mates with the object to be connected; a fixed housing fixed to a substrate; a first contact portion that electrically contacts the object to be connected when mated with the movable housing; and a first terminal having a movable portion that supports the fixed housing so as to be displaceable relative to the movable housing in the direction in which the object to be connected is fitted to the movable housing and in the direction in which the object to be connected is removed, while maintaining the contact state of the first contact portion with the object to be connected.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention provides an electrical connector comprising a first connector and a second connector electrically connected to the first connector, wherein the first connector comprises a movable housing that mates with the second connector, a fixed housing fixed to a substrate, a first contact portion that electrically contacts the second terminal of the second connector mated with the movable housing, and a first terminal having a movable portion that supports the fixed housing so as to be displaceable relative to the movable housing in the mating direction and the disengagement direction of the second connector relative to the movable housing, while maintaining the contact state of the first contact portion with the second terminal of the second connector.

[0017] If the circuit board vibrates in the mating and unmating directions between the first connector and the second connector or the object to be connected, the fixed housing will also be displaced in conjunction with the vibration. However, since the electrical connector of the present invention is equipped with the movable part described above, the movable part can displace the fixed housing relative to the movable housing. As a result, the movable part can absorb vibrations, and the conductive contact state between the second connector or the object to be connected and the first contact part can be maintained. Therefore, compared to conventional methods where vibrations in the mating and unmating directions of the circuit board and the object to be connected are handled only by sliding between the second connector or the object to be connected and the first contact part, wear on the terminals can be reduced. Furthermore, it can withstand even greater vibrations.

[0018] The present invention also provides an electrical connector comprising a first connector, a first support member to which the first connector is attached, an object to be connected electrically to the first connector, and a second support member to which the object to be connected is attached, wherein the first connector comprises a first terminal having a first contact portion and a first housing that holds the first terminal, and the object to be connected comprises a contact that contacts the first contact portion at a normal contact position when mated with the first connector, wherein at least one of the first connector or the object to be connected is provided with a movable spring that supports the first contact portion or the contact at the normal contact position so as to be displaceable in the insertion / removal direction between the first connector and the object to be connected when the first support member or the second support member is displaced.

[0019] The movable spring can support the first contact portion or contact element, which is in its normal contact position, so that it can be displaced in the insertion / removal direction between the first connector and the object to be connected, when the first support member or the second support member is displaced. Therefore, when the first support member or the second support member is a circuit board, the movable spring can maintain the normal contact position between the first contact portion of the first connector and the contact element of the object to be connected when the circuit board is displaced due to vibration or the like. Also, when both or either of the support members are, for example, a housing, the movable spring can maintain the normal contact position between the first contact portion and the contact element when the support members are displaced from each other.

[0020] The movable housing of the present invention may have a contact portion with a substrate that fixes the fixed housing.

[0021] The movable housing of the present invention may have a contact portion with respect to the fixed housing.

[0022] As a result, even if the movable housing is pressed toward the circuit board or fixed housing by the second connector or the object to be connected during the mating process, the contact portion will come into contact with the circuit board or fixed housing, thereby preventing excessive movement.

[0023] The present invention also relates to an inter-board connection structure for electrically connecting a connector fixed to a first substrate and an object to be connected fixed to a second substrate, with the first substrate and the second substrate facing each other while maintaining a certain distance. The connector includes a movable housing that fits with the object to be connected, a fixed housing fixed to the first substrate, a first contact portion that makes electrical contact with the object to be connected fitted with the movable housing, and a first terminal having a movable portion that elastically connects the movable housing and the fixed housing. When at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate flexes in the fitting and removal directions of the movable housing and the object to be connected, the movable portion elastically supports the displacement of the fixed housing interlocked with the first substrate while the first contact portion maintains the contact state with the object to be connected. An inter-board connection structure is provided.

[0024] Thereby, while maintaining a constant distance between the substrates, the first contact portion of the connector and the object to be connected can be brought into electrical contact. Further, when the first substrate or the second substrate vibrates in the fitting and removal directions of the first connector and the second connector in this state, the fixed housing also displaces in conjunction with the vibration. However, since the inter-board connection structure of the present invention includes the movable portion as described above, the movable portion can absorb the vibration by elastically supporting the fixed housing in a displaceable state as described above.

[0025] The movable housing of the present invention has a contact portion with respect to the first substrate, and either the movable housing or the object to be connected has a fitting gap in which at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate flexes so that the distance between the substrates becomes shorter, and the contact portion of the movable housing is relatively pushed in by the first substrate, thereby deepening the fitting position with the other.

[0026] The movable housing of the present invention has an abutting portion against the fixed housing, and at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is deflected so that the distance between the substrates becomes shorter on either the movable housing or the connection object, and the abutting portion of the movable housing is relatively pushed in by the fixed housing, so that the fitting position with the other has a fitting gap that becomes deeper.

[0027] By providing such a fitting gap, even if at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is deflected so that the distance between the substrates becomes shorter, the fitting position of the movable housing and the connection object becomes deeper by the amount of deflection, and the load applied to the movable housing or the connection object due to the deflection of the substrate can be relieved.

[0028] A movable gap can be provided between the first substrate of the present invention and the movable housing.

[0029] A movable gap can be provided between the fixed housing and the movable housing of the present invention.

[0030] By doing so, in the fitting state of the first connector and the connection object, the movable housing can be displaced toward the first substrate or the fixed housing so as to narrow the movable gap.

[0031] The movable part of the present invention can elastically support the displacement of the fixed housing when at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is deflected in a direction in which the distance between the substrates expands.

[0032] By doing so, even if at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is deflected in a direction in which the distance between the substrates expands, the conductive contact between the contact portions can be maintained.

[0033] Also, the movable part of the present invention can elastically support the displacement of the fixed housing when at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate is deflected in a direction in which the distance between the substrates becomes shorter.

[0034] In this way, even if at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate bends in a direction that shortens the distance between the substrates, the electrical contact between the contact points can be maintained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] According to the present invention, an electrical connector can be made that maintains conductive contact without wear on the contact portion even when vibrations occur in the mating direction and the unmating direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] External perspective view of a plug connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Front view of the plug connector in Figure 1. [Figure 3] A plan view of the plug connector shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Bottom view of the plug connector in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Right side view of the plug connector in Figure 1. [Figure 6] External perspective view of a socket connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Front view of the socket connector in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is a plan view of the socket connector. [Figure 9] Bottom view of the socket connector in Figure 6. [Figure 10] Right side view of the socket connector in Figure 6. [Figure 11] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the plug terminals. [Figure 12] Figure 11 shows the plug terminals, with subdivision (a) being the front view, subdivision (b) being the rear view, subdivision (c) being the right side view, subdivision (d) being the top view, and subdivision (e) being the bottom view. [Figure 13] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the socket terminals. [Figure 14] Figure 13 shows the socket terminals, with subdivision (a) being the front view, subdivision (b) being the rear view, subdivision (c) being the right side view, subdivision (d) being the top view, and subdivision (e) being the bottom view. [Figure 15] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the plug connector and Figure 6 showing the socket connector before mating. [Figure 16] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the mated state of the plug connector and the socket connector shown in Figure 6. [Figure 17] Figure 1 shows the plug connector and Figure 6 socket connector from before mating to the mated top dead center state. Diagram (a) shows the state before mating, Diagram (b) shows the initial mated state, Diagram (c) shows the mated bottom dead center state, Diagram (d) shows the mated state, Diagram (e) shows the mated top dead center state, and Diagram (f) shows the mated state. [Figure 18] A cross-sectional view showing the plug connector in Figure 1 and the socket connector in Figure 6 before mating. [Figure 19] A cross-sectional view showing the initial mating state of the plug connector in Figure 1 and the socket connector in Figure 6. [Figure 20] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the bottom dead center state of the vibration of the plug connector and socket connector. [Figure 21] A cross-sectional view showing the mating state of the plug connector in Figure 1 and the socket connector in Figure 6. [Figure 22] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the top dead center state of the vibrating plug connector and socket connector. [Figure 23] A cross-sectional view showing the state of the plug connector and socket connector of the second embodiment before mating. [Figure 24] A cross-sectional view showing the initial mating state of the plug connector and socket connector of the second embodiment. [Figure 25] A cross-sectional view showing the mating state of the plug connector and socket connector in the second embodiment. [Figure 26] This schematic diagram shows an electrical connector of a modified example of the second embodiment, illustrating the state from before mating of the socket connector and electrical element to the top dead center state of vibration, with diagram (a) showing the state before mating, diagram (b) showing the initial mating state, diagram (c) showing the top dead center state of vibration, diagram (d) showing the mating state, diagram (e) showing the bottom dead center state of vibration, and diagram (f) showing the mating state. [Figure 27] A cross-sectional view showing the state of the plug connector and socket connector of the third embodiment before mating. [Figure 28] A cross-sectional view showing the initial mating state of the plug connector and socket connector of the third embodiment. [Figure 29] A cross-sectional view showing the mating state of the plug connector and socket connector in the third embodiment. [Figure 30] A cross-sectional view, equivalent to Figure 21, showing an electrical connector with a modified spacer. [Figure 31] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical connector, where diagram (a) shows the mating state of the socket connector and plug connector, diagram (b) shows the vibration bottom dead center state, and diagram (c) shows the vibration top dead center state. [Figure 32] A schematic diagram showing an electrical connector without a spacer as a modified example, wherein diagram (a) shows the mating state of the socket connector and the plug connector, diagram (b) shows the vibration bottom dead center state, and diagram (c) shows the vibration top dead center state. [Figure 33] A schematic diagram showing an electrical connector in an example where the substrates of a modified configuration do not face each other, wherein diagram (a) shows the mating state of the socket connector and plug connector, diagram (b) shows the vibration bottom dead center state, and diagram (c) shows the vibration top dead center state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the electrical connector of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Components common to each of the following embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Similarly, redundant explanations of common usage methods, effects, etc., will also be omitted.

[0038] In this specification, the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the electrical connectors 1, 21, 41, and 61 is described as the X direction, the front-to-back direction (short direction) as the Y direction, and the height direction (up-down direction) as the Z direction. In the height direction Z of the electrical connectors 1, 21, and 41, the side of the first substrate 2 is described as the "lower side," and the side of the second substrate 4, which is positioned opposite the first substrate 2, is described as the "upper side." However, for the electrical connector 61, the side of the fixing member 62 is described as the "upper side," and the side of the first substrate 2 is described as the "lower side." However, these do not limit the mounting method or usage method of the electrical connectors 1, 21, 41, and 61 on the substrates 2 and 4. Also, Figures 17 to 25 and 27 to 29 show examples in which only the second substrate 4 vibrates, and Figures 26 and 30 to 33 show examples in which only the first substrate 2 vibrates. However, the vibration of the substrates is not limited to these.

[0039] Note that the rear view of plug connector 3, socket connector 5, plug terminal 11, and socket terminal 10 is represented in the same way as the front view, so it is omitted from the description. Also, the left side view of these components is represented symmetrically to the right side view, so it is omitted from the description.

[0040] First embodiment [Figures 1 to 22]: As shown in Figure 16, the electrical connector 1 of the first embodiment comprises a first substrate 2 as a "first support member," a second substrate 4 as a "second support member," a plug connector 3 as a "first connector" mounted on the first substrate 2, and a socket connector 5 as a "second connector" or "connection target" mounted on the second substrate 4. The plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5 are fitted together to electrically connect the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4.

[0041] [Plug connector] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the plug connector 3 of this embodiment comprises a plug housing 6 as the "first housing" and a plug terminal 11 as the "first terminal". The plug connector 3 is a surface-mount type connector and is surface-mounted to the substrate surface of the first substrate 2, thereby making electrical contact with the first substrate 2.

[0042] [Plug housing] The plug housing 6 is made of a molded insulating resin and is a floating connector comprising a fixed housing 7 and a movable housing 8.

[0043] The fixed housing 7 has a rectangular tube shape with openings at the top and bottom. The fixed housing 7 also has a front portion 7a and a rear portion 7b along the width direction X, and a side portion 7c along the front-to-back direction Y. The fixed housing 7 also includes a movable space portion 7d surrounded by the front portion 7a, the rear portion 7b, and the side portions 7c, 7c.

[0044] The front portion 7a and the rear portion 7b have terminal housing holes 7a1 and 7b1 on the plate surface facing the movable space portion 7d for fixing the plug terminal 11. Multiple terminal housing holes 7a1 and 7b1 are provided in parallel at equal intervals along the width direction X. In addition, mounting fixtures 7e for fixing the plug connector 3 to the first substrate 2 are provided at both ends of the front portion 7a and the rear portion 7b in the width direction X.

[0045] The movable housing 8 has a box-like shape with an open top surface and includes a front portion 8a, a rear portion 8b, two side portions 8c, 8c, and a bottom portion 8e. The movable housing 8 also has a fitting wall portion 8f that protrudes upward from the center of the bottom portion 8e. The fitting wall portion 8f of the movable housing 8 and the plug contact portion 11e of the plug terminal 11 (described later) form a fitting portion 3A that is inserted into the receiving opening 9d1 of the socket housing 9. Furthermore, the bottom portion 8e has a contact portion 8e1 that abuts against the first substrate 2.

[0046] The mating wall portion 8f is a flat plate shape that follows the XZ plane and has a plate surface facing the front portion 8a and a plate surface facing the rear portion 8b. Each plate surface has a terminal groove 8f2 for accommodating the plug contact portion 11e of the plug terminal 11, which will be described later. The movable housing 8 also has a mating chamber 8d into which the socket connector 5 is inserted, and the mating chamber 8d is formed as a space enclosed by the front portion 8a, the rear portion 8b, the side portions 8c, 8c and the bottom portion 8e. The plug terminal 11 and the socket terminal 10, which will be described later, are in electrical contact in this mating chamber 8d.

[0047] [Plug terminals] The plug terminal 11 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate in the thickness direction. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the plug terminal 11 has a substrate connection portion 11a, a fixed portion 11b, a movable portion 11c as a "movable spring", a base end portion 11d fixed to the movable housing 8, and a plug contact portion 11e as a "first contact portion" or "first contact portion". The plug terminal 11 forms a pair of opposing terminals via a mating wall portion 8f.

[0048] The substrate connection portion 11a is provided at the end of the plug terminal 11 and is formed as a plate-like piece that conforms to the surface of the first substrate 2. The plug terminal 11 is fixed to the first substrate 2 by soldering this substrate connection portion 11a to the first substrate 2.

[0049] The fixing portion 11b is connected to the substrate connection portion 11a and is provided along the height direction Z. In addition, multiple press-fitting protrusions 11b1 are provided on both ends along the width direction X. As shown in Figure 18, this fixing portion 11b is press-fitted into the terminal housing holes 7a1 and 7b1 of the fixing housing 7, and the press-fitting protrusions 11b1 bite into the inner walls (not shown) of the terminal housing holes 7a1 and 7b1, thereby fixing the plug terminal 11 to the fixing housing 7.

[0050] Since the movable part 11c has multiple bends that can be folded in the direction of the plate surface, it is more elastically deformable in the direction of further bending or, conversely, stretching, compared to, for example, a case where there are bends that bend in the direction of the plate edge. Also, since the movable part 11c is not fixed to the plug housing 6, it can be easily displaced when subjected to a load. The movable part 11c elastically connects the movable housing 8 and the fixed housing 7 in the direction of fitting the socket connector 5 to and removing it from the movable housing 8, and supports the fixed housing 7 so that it can be displaced relative to the movable housing 8.

[0051] The movable part 11c includes a first extension part 11c1 extending upward from the upper end of the fixed part 11b, a first bending part 11c2 connected to the upper end of the first extension part 11c1 and folded back in a substantially inverted U shape, a second extension part 11c3 connected to the first bending part 11c2 and extending downward, a second bending part 11c4 connected to the lower end of the second extension part 11c3, a third extension part 11c5 connected to the second bending part 11c4 and extending along the front-rear direction Y, and a third bending part 11c6 connected to the third extension part 11c5 and bending upward.

[0052] The first extension portion 11c1 is formed in the shape of a thin strip extending from the upper end of the fixed portion 11b. Furthermore, the first extension portion 11c1 extends inclined upward in the height direction Z from the fixed portion 11b and toward the plug contact portion 11e in the front-rear direction Y. Therefore, in the plug terminal 11 fixed to the front portion 7a of the fixed housing 7, a movable gap 7f is formed between the first extension portion 11c1 and the front portion 7a. Similarly, in the plug terminal 11 fixed to the rear portion 7b of the fixed housing 7, a movable gap 7f is formed between the first extension portion 11c1 and the rear portion 7b. The first extension portion 11c1 can be displaced along the front-rear direction Y and the height direction Z within this movable gap 7f.

[0053] The first bent portion 11c2 is connected to the upper end of the first extended portion 11c1 and is folded back in a roughly U-shape in the direction of the plate surface. Furthermore, the first bent portion 11c2 is formed with a wider plate width than the first extended portion 11c1, thereby increasing its rigidity.

[0054] The second extension portion 11c3 connects to the end of the first bending portion 11c2 opposite to the first extension portion 11c1, and extends downward in the height direction Z. This second extension portion 11c3 can be elastically displaced along the front-rear direction Y and the height direction Z.

[0055] The second bent portion 11c4 is connected to the lower end of the second extended portion 11c3, connecting the second extended portion 11c3 and the third extended portion 11c5. It then bends at approximately a right angle in the direction of the plate surface.

[0056] The third extension portion 11c5 is connected to the second bending portion 11c4 and is a narrow strip that extends along the front-rear direction Y. This third extension portion 11c5 can be elastically displaced along the height direction Z and the front-rear direction Y. Furthermore, as the bending portions 11c2, 11c4, 11c6, etc., elastically deform in the direction of further bending or extension, the third extension portion 11c5 is displaced and tilted upward in the height direction Z, for example, on the side of the third bending portion 11c6 rather than the side of the second bending portion 11c4, thereby elastically displacing the plug contact portion 11e, described later, upward in the height direction Z (Figure 22). Conversely, the third extension portion 11c5 is displaced and tilted downward in the height direction Z on the side of the third bending portion 11c6 rather than on the side of the second bending portion 11c4, for example, thereby elastically displacing the plug contact portion 11e, described later, downward in the height direction Z (Figure 20).

[0057] The third bent portion 11c6 connects to the third extended portion 11c5, and connects the third extended portion 11c5 to the base end portion 11d. The third bent portion 11c6 is bent at approximately a right angle in the direction of the plate surface.

[0058] The base end 11d is connected to the movable part 11c and is provided along the height direction Z. In addition, multiple press-fitting protrusions 11d1 are provided on both ends in the width direction X. As shown in Figure 18, these press-fitting protrusions 11d1 are press-fitted into the terminal groove 8f2 of the movable housing 8, and the plug terminal 11 is fixed to the movable housing 8 by the press-fitting protrusions 11d1 biting into the inner wall (not shown) of the terminal groove 8f2.

[0059] The plug contact portion 11e is connected to the base end portion 11d and is provided as a plate-shaped piece that extends upward along the mating wall portion 8f. One surface of the plug contact portion 11e becomes the contact surface 11e1 that is exposed to the mating space when the plug terminal 11 is fixed to the fixed housing 7. This contact surface 11e1 makes electrical contact with the socket terminal 10.

[0060] [Socket connector] The socket connector 5 comprises a socket housing 9 and socket terminals 10 acting as "contacts". The socket connector 5 is a DIP (Dual In-line Package) type connector, and the socket terminals 10 are fixed to the second circuit board 4 by inserting the pin-shaped board connection portion 10a of the socket terminals 10 into through-holes 4a provided in the second circuit board 4 and soldering them.

[0061] [Socket Housing] The socket housing 9 is made of a molded insulating resin and has a hollow box shape with an opening at the top surface 9d, as shown in Figures 6 to 10. The socket housing 9 also has a front surface 9a, a rear surface 9b, and side surfaces 9c, 9c, and mounting fixtures 9f, which are soldered to the second substrate 4, are provided on the upper part of both side surfaces 9c, 9c (the lower part in Figures 6 to 10).

[0062] The socket housing 9 also has a mating chamber 9e surrounded by a front portion 9a, a rear portion 9b, and side portions 9c, 9c, and a receiving opening 9d1 that communicates with the mating chamber 9e and opens to the top portion 9d. The receiving opening 9d1 receives the mating portion 3A, which consists of the mating wall portion 8f of the plug housing 6 and the plug contact portion 11e of the plug terminal 11. This allows the socket connector 5 and the plug connector 3 to be mated together.

[0063] In the front section 9a and the rear section 9b, terminal housing holes 9g1 are provided in the inner wall 9g facing the mating chamber 9e, in which the socket terminals 10 are housed. Multiple terminal housing holes 9g1 are provided in parallel at equal intervals along the width direction X.

[0064] [Socket terminals] The socket terminal 10 is a punched terminal formed by punching out a conductive metal plate. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the socket terminal 10 has a substrate connection portion 10a, a base end portion 10b, and a socket contact portion 10c as a "second contact portion." The socket terminal 10 forms a pair of opposing terminals via a mating chamber 9e.

[0065] The board connection portion 10a is pin-shaped and extends along the height direction Z. The socket terminal 10 is then inserted into a through-hole 4a provided in the second board 4 and soldered, thereby making electrical contact with the second board 4.

[0066] The base end portion 10b is connected to the lower end (upper end in Figures 6 to 10) of the substrate connection portion 10a and is formed as a flat plate with a plate surface that follows the XZ plane. In addition, multiple press-fit protrusions 10b1 that protrude along the width direction X are provided on both ends of the base end portion 10b in the width direction X. The base end portion 10b is press-fitted into the terminal housing hole 9g1 provided in the inner wall 9g of the socket housing 9, and the press-fit protrusions 10b1 bite into the inner wall (not shown), thereby fixing the socket terminal 10 to the socket housing 9.

[0067] The socket contact portion 10c has a rear terminal 12 and a front terminal 13.

[0068] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the rear terminal 12 has a rear contact portion 12a that makes electrical contact with the plug terminal 11, and a rear spring portion 12b that elastically supports the rear contact portion 12a.

[0069] The rear spring portion 12b is formed in the shape of a narrow strip that connects to the lower end of the base portion 10b (the upper end in Figures 6-10, 13, and 14) and is approximately in the center in the width direction X. The rear spring portion 12b extends downward (upward in Figures 6-10, 13, and 14) while being inclined in the direction of contact with the plug terminal 11 of the plug connector 3 when it is mated. The tip end is bent in the thickness direction and curved in a mountain shape toward the direction of contact with the plug terminal 11, and this bent portion makes electrical contact with the plug terminal 11 as the rear contact portion 12a. In addition, the base end of the rear spring portion 12b is made larger in the width direction than the tip end. This increases the rigidity of the base end of the rear spring portion 12b, and when the rear contact portion 12a is pressed by the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11, the stress can be distributed. Therefore, for example, plastic deformation can be prevented, and the rear contact portion 12a is less likely to be damaged or broken at the base end. In addition, by forming the rear spring portion 12b as a tapered spring with a narrower plate width towards the tip, it is made possible to softly and elastically deform along its entire length.

[0070] Furthermore, a tip-inclined portion 12c is formed on the tip side of the rear contact portion 12a, which is inclined toward the plug terminal 11 of the plug connector 3 when it is mated. When the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5 are mated, the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11 slides against the tip-inclined portion 12c, causing the rear contact portion 12a to be displaced toward the contact surface 11e1.

[0071] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the front terminal 13 has a front contact portion 13a that makes conductive contact with the plug terminal 11, and a front spring portion 13b that elastically supports the front contact portion 13a. Since the front contact portion 13a is arranged at the same position in the width direction X as the rear contact portion 12a, the front contact portion 13a can wipe the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11 to remove foreign matter, as will be described later.

[0072] The front spring portion 13b is bifurcated and has two narrow front leg portions 13b1, 13b1 that are formed as strips and connect to both sides of the rear spring portion 12b in the width direction X, at the lower end (upper end in Figures 6 to 10) of the base portion 10b.

[0073] Each front leg portion 13b1 extends downward (upward in Figures 6 to 10) from its base end to its tip end, inclined in the direction of contact with the plug terminal 11 of the mated plug connector 3. The front legs 13b1, 13b1 extend parallel to the rear spring portion 12b on both sides of the rear spring portion 12b, but at their tip end, below the tip inclined portion 12c of the rear terminal 12 in the height direction Z (upward in Figures 6 to 10, 13, and 14), the two front legs 13b1 bend toward each other, and the two front legs 13b1, 13b1 connect and become one unit. Further toward the tip end from there, it bends in a mountain shape toward the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11 of the mated plug connector 3, and this bent portion makes electrical contact with the plug terminal 11 as the front contact portion 13a. Furthermore, a tip inclined portion 13c is formed further toward the tip end of the front contact portion 13a. When the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5 are mated, the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11 slides against the inclined tip portion 13c, displacing the front contact portion 13a away from the contact surface 11e1.

[0074] A space 10d is formed between the front leg portion 13b1 and the rear spring portion 12b, and the front leg portion 13b1 and the rear spring portion 12b deform elastically independently of each other. Furthermore, in both the mated and unmated states of the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5, the front terminal 13 does not come into contact with the rear terminal 12. During normal mating operations, the rear terminal 12 deforms along the front-rear direction Y, and therefore does not come into contact with the front terminal 13. Even if the rear terminal 12 is deformed in the width direction X due to prying or the like, and deforms toward the front leg portion 13b1, the rear spring portion 12b is located in the space sandwiched between the two front leg portions 13b1, and further deformation is restricted by contact with the front leg portions 13b1. Thus, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the rear terminal 12 is unintentionally deformed excessively in the width direction X. Furthermore, since the front spring portion 13b has two front legs 13b1 along the width direction X, it is less prone to deformation in the width direction X.

[0075] The contact pressure of the front terminal 13 and the rear terminal 12 can be adjusted as appropriate, but it is preferable to make the contact pressure of the front terminal 13 slightly lower than that of the rear terminal 12. This allows for mating the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5 with less force. In addition, the front contact portion 13a of the front terminal 13 is formed to protrude toward the plug terminal 11 than the rear contact portion 12a of the rear terminal 12, ensuring that the front contact portion 13a reliably contacts the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11. This enhances the foreign matter removal effect described later.

[0076] The widths of the front contact portion 13a and the rear contact portion 12a can be set according to the purpose. For example, the widths of the front contact portion 13a and the rear contact portion 12a can be made approximately the same. This is because, when mating with the plug connector 3, the rear contact portion 12a passes after the front contact portion 13a has passed, so if the widths are the same, the rear contact portion 12a can pass through without any excess or deficiency after the front contact portion 13a has passed and wiped. This makes it easier for the rear contact portion 12a to make electrical contact with the position where the front contact portion 13a has contacted the plug terminal 11 and wiped.

[0077] On the other hand, the width of the front contact portion 13a can be made wider than the width of the rear contact portion 12a. By making the front contact portion 13a wider, wiping is performed over a wider area, so even if the front terminal 13 and the rear terminal 12 are relatively misaligned in the width direction X, the ability to remove foreign matter from the contact point of the rear contact portion 12a can be improved.

[0078] [Explanation of fitting method] As described above, the electrical connector 1, consisting of a socket connector 5 and a plug connector 3, can electrically connect the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4. As shown in Figures 15 to 19, when mating the socket connector 5 connected to the second substrate 4 from above the plug connector 3 connected to the first substrate 2, the socket connector 5 is moved downward and the mating portion 3A of the plug connector 3 is inserted into the receiving port 9d1 of the socket connector 5.

[0079] The distances between the front contact portions 13a and rear contact portions 12a of the socket terminals 10 facing each other via the mating chamber 9e are both shorter than the length of the mating portion 3A in the front-to-back direction Y. Therefore, when inserting the mating portion 3A between the front contact portions 13a and rear contact portions 12a, the tip portion 8f1 of the mating wall portion 8f pushes the spaces between the front contact portions 13a and rear contact portions 12a apart. Specifically, first the socket terminal 10 contacts the plug terminal 11 at its tip, and the inclined tip portion 13c of the front terminal 13 of the socket connector 5 abuts against the tip portion 8f1 of the mating wall portion 8f of the plug connector 3, guiding the mating wall portion 8f to the back of the mating chamber 9e. Subsequently, the inclined tip portion 12c of the rear terminal 12 abuts against the tip portion 8f1 of the mating wall portion 8f, similarly guiding the mating wall portion 8f to the back of the mating chamber 9e.

[0080] However, in this embodiment, the displacement load that causes the movable part 11c to be displaced in the insertion / removal direction is set to be smaller than the load that causes the contact parts 10c and 11e to be misaligned in the insertion / removal direction, making it more difficult for the contact parts 10c and 11e to slide against each other. Therefore, even if the mating operation is continued, the contact parts 10c and 11e do not slide against each other significantly. Instead, a load is applied to the movable part 11c via the contact parts 10c and 11e, causing the movable part 11c to be displaced in the insertion direction of the socket connector 5. Subsequently, the displacement of the movable part 11c stops when the movable part 11c elastically deforms to its limit in the direction that shortens in the height direction Z, or when the contact part 8e1 of the movable housing 8 comes into contact with the first substrate 2. From there, by continuing the mating operation and inserting the mating part 3A into the mating chamber 9e of the plug housing 6, the front contact part 13a and the rear contact part 12a of the socket terminal 10 slide against the plug terminal 11. Further mating work allows the plug terminal 11 and socket terminal 10 to ultimately make electrical contact with each other at the correct contact position P2, as will be described later.

[0081] In this mating state, the front contact portions 13a, 13a and rear contact portions 12a, 12a of the opposing socket terminals 10, 10 press against the mating portion 3A with the same load. As a result, the socket contact portions 10c, 10c of the socket terminals 10, 10 can make electrical contact with the plug contact portion 11e so as to sandwich the mating portion 3A of the plug terminal 11.

[0082] [Explanation of foreign object removal method] As described above, the front contact portion 13a and the rear contact portion 12a are arranged at the same position in the width direction X. Therefore, when the socket terminal 10 and the plug terminal 11 slide, the rear contact portion 12a makes contact by following the trajectory on the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11 where the tip inclined portion 13c and the front contact portion 13a make contact. As a result, even if foreign matter such as dirt or dust is attached to the plug terminal 11, the front contact portion 13a removes or holds this foreign matter, so the foreign matter is removed from the trajectory of the movement of the front terminal 13. Therefore, the rear contact portion 12a, which passes through the trajectory from which the foreign matter has been removed, can make reliable conductive contact with the plug terminal 11. Finally, as shown in Figure 21, both the front contact portion 13a and the rear contact portion 12a are in contact with the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11. In this way, the reliability of the conductive contact between the plug terminal 11 and the socket terminal 10 can be increased when the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5 are mated.

[0083] [Explanation of movement in the X and Y directions] The movement of the movable housing 8 relative to the fixed housing 7 in the front-rear direction Y and the width direction X will now be described. First, a movable gap 7f is provided between the first extension portion 11c1 of the movable part 11c and the front portion 7a or rear portion 7b of the fixed housing 7. Therefore, for example, the first extension portion 11c1 can be displaced along the front-rear direction Y in a direction that moves closer to or away from the front portion 7a or rear portion 7b within the movable gap 7f. Also, for example, the second extension portion 11c3 can be elastically deformed along the front-rear direction Y in a direction that moves closer to or away from the front portion 7a or rear portion 7b. As a result, when vibration in the front-rear direction Y is applied to the electrical connector 1, the movable part 11c elastically deforms in the front-rear direction Y, causing the movable housing 8 to be elastically displaced in the front-rear direction Y relative to the fixed housing 7, and thus the vibration can be absorbed.

[0084] Furthermore, the movable part 11c is formed by bending a conductive metal plate and is in the shape of a thin strip. Therefore, the movable part 11c can be elastically deformed so that one end and the other end are shifted to different positions in the width direction X. In addition, one end of the movable part 11c is connected to a fixed part 11b which is fixed to the fixed housing 7, and the other end is connected to a base end 11d which is fixed to the movable housing 8. Therefore, when vibration in the width direction X is applied to the electrical connector 1, the movable part 11c elastically deforms in the width direction X, causing the movable housing 8 to be displaced relative to the fixed housing 7 in the width direction X, thereby absorbing the vibration.

[0085] Furthermore, a movable space 7d is formed between the front portion 8a of the movable housing 8 of the plug housing 6 and the front portion 7a of the fixed housing 7, and between the rear portion 8b of the movable housing 8 and the rear portion 7b of the fixed housing 7. Therefore, the movable housing 8 can be displaced relative to the fixed housing 7 in the front-rear direction Y within the movable space 7d. Also, a movable space 7d is formed between the side portion 8c of the movable housing 8 of the plug housing 6 and the side portion 7c of the fixed housing 7. Therefore, the movable housing 8 can be displaced relative to the fixed housing 7 in the width direction X within the movable space 7d.

[0086] When the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5 are mated together, if vibrations are applied to the electrical connector 1 in the front-to-back direction (Y) or the width direction (X), the movable part 11c of the plug terminal 11 undergoes elastic deformation, causing the movable housing 8 of the plug connector 3 to be displaced relative to the fixed housing 7. In this way, vibrations are absorbed, and the electrical contact between the plug terminal 11 and the socket terminal 10 can be maintained.

[0087] [Explanation of movement in the Z direction] Next, the movement of the movable housing 8 relative to the fixed housing 7 in the height direction Z will be described. In conventional connectors, in response to vibrations in the height direction Z, the plug terminal and socket terminal slide against each other in the height direction Z in accordance with the vibrations, thereby maintaining conductive contact. However, with this method, wear may occur at the conductive contact portion between the plug terminal and socket terminal, potentially reducing connection reliability. In contrast, in the electrical connector 1 of this embodiment, when the first substrate 2 or the second substrate 4 is displaced, the movable part 11c of the plug terminal 11 can support the plug contact portion 11e or the socket contact portion 10c so that it can be displaced in the insertion / removal direction of the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5. Since the movable part 11c can absorb vibrations in the height direction Z, the contact state of the plug contact portion 11e and the socket contact portion 10c at the normal contact position P2 can be maintained. Therefore, wear of the plug terminal 11 and the socket terminal 10 can be suppressed, and peeling of the plating to improve conductivity can be made less likely. As a result, the connection reliability of the electrical connector 1 can be improved.

[0088] Furthermore, when vibrations reach the natural frequencies of substrates 2 and 4, the substrates 2 and 4 may resonate, causing connectors 3 and 5 to vibrate significantly. In this case, conventional methods of addressing this by sliding the contact parts together have a short sliding distance, making it difficult to cope with large vibrations and causing the contact parts to separate, which can lead to unstable electrical contact. However, with the electrical connector 1 of this embodiment, even if such resonance occurs, the movable part 11c elastically deforms, allowing the plug terminal 11 to sufficiently follow the displacement of the socket terminal 10, and maintaining electrical contact without sliding the contact parts 10c and 11e together. Therefore, an electrical connector 1 with higher connection reliability can be achieved.

[0089] The following describes in detail the movable operation of the electrical connector 1 in the Z direction of this embodiment. The displacement load at which the movable part 11c elastically deforms in the insertion / removal direction is set to be smaller than the load at which the socket terminal 10 and the plug terminal 11 are relatively misaligned from their normal contact position P2 in the insertion / removal direction. Therefore, when vibration in the height direction Z is applied to the electrical connector 1, the movable part 11c is displaced in the insertion / removal direction first, before the socket contact part 10c and the plug contact part 11e slide against each other. That is, the movable part 11c elastically deforms in the insertion / removal direction by elastically deforming towards the first substrate 2 inside the plug housing 6, or by deforming to its limit in the bending direction. During this time, the socket terminal 10 and the plug terminal 11 do not relatively misalign from their normal contact position P2, and thus their conductive contact state can be maintained. Therefore, the plug terminal 11 elastically deforms following the socket terminal 10, and the conductive contact state can be maintained.

[0090] The following provides a more detailed explanation. When vibration in the height direction Z is applied to the electrical connector 1, for example, the second bent portion 11c4 of the movable portion 11c elastically deforms in the direction of further bending, and conversely, the third bent portion 11c6 elastically deforms in the direction of stretching. At the same time, the first bent portion 11c2 elastically displaces in the direction of moving toward the front portion 7a and the rear portion 7b and away from the movable housing 8, thereby elastically displacing the plug contact portion 11e of the plug terminal 11 toward the upward side in the height direction Z (Figure 22).

[0091] Conversely, the third bent portion 11c6 may elastically deform in the direction of further bending, and the second bent portion 11c4 may elastically deform in the direction of elongation. Simultaneously, the first bent portion 11c2 elastically displaces itself away from the front portion 7a and the rear portion 7b and closer to the movable housing 8, thereby relatively displacing the plug contact portion 11e of the plug terminal 11 downwards in the height direction Z (Figure 20). As a result, even if vibrations are applied in the height direction Z, the movable portion 11c can absorb those vibrations by elastically deforming.

[0092] [Methods for restricting movable movements] The movable housing 8 can be displaced relative to the fixed housing 7, but the relative displacement in the width direction X and the front-rear direction Y is restricted to the interior of the movable space 7d. In addition, a locking portion 8g is provided at the lower end of the side portion 8c of the movable housing 8, projecting along the width direction X. The fixed housing 7 is provided with a recess 7g into which the locking portion 8g is inserted. Even if the movable housing 8 is displaced upward in the height direction Z relative to the fixed housing 7, the locking portion 8g engages with the inner edge 7g1 of the recess 7g, restricting the displacement of the movable housing 8 relative to the fixed housing 7. In this way, the relative displacement of the movable housing 8 relative to the fixed housing 7 in the width direction X, the front-rear direction Y, and the height direction Z can be restricted. Furthermore, since the plug terminal 11 is fixed to both the fixed housing 7 and the movable housing 8, the elastic deformation of the movable portion 11c is similarly restricted. Moreover, since the movable portion 11c is housed inside the plug housing 6, the elastic deformation of the movable portion 11c is also restricted by the wall of the plug housing 6.

[0093] [Method for adjusting the load required to misalign the socket terminals relative to the plug terminals] By adjusting the plate thickness, plate width, and inclination angle of the front spring portion 13b and rear spring portion 12b of the socket terminal 10 with respect to the mating direction of the plug connector 3, the load required to cause a relative misalignment in the insertion / removal direction from the normal contact position P2 between the front terminal 13 and the rear terminal 12 can be adjusted. Specifically, by increasing the plate thickness of the front spring portion 13b and the rear spring portion 12b, increasing the plate width, or increasing the inclination angle with respect to the insertion / removal direction of the plug connector 3, the front spring portion 13b and the rear spring portion 12b can be made to contact the plug terminal 11 with a stronger force and become less likely to deform in the direction away from the plug terminal 11. This allows the aforementioned load to be increased. Conversely, by decreasing their plate thickness, narrowing their plate width, or decreasing the inclination angle with respect to the mating direction of the plug connector 3, the front spring portion 13b and the rear spring portion 12b can be made to contact the plug terminal 11 with a weaker force and become more likely to deform in the direction away from the plug terminal 11. This makes it possible to reduce the aforementioned load.

[0094] Furthermore, by increasing the width of the front contact portion 13a and the rear contact portion 12a, the contact area with the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11 can be increased, thereby increasing the frictional force. This also allows for an increase in the load.

[0095] Conversely, the frictional force generated at each contact point 12a, 13a can be reduced by making the plate width of each contact point 12a, 13a narrower, or by making the rear spring portion 12b and the front spring portion 13b softer. Furthermore, by making the plate width of the front contact point 13a and the rear contact point 12a even shorter, the contact area with the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11 can be reduced, thereby reducing the frictional force. These measures can also be used to reduce the load.

[0096] Furthermore, the plug terminal 11 is pressed against by two contact points, the front contact point 13a and the rear contact point 12a. Therefore, frictional force is generated at two locations, the front contact point 13a and the rear contact point 12a, which makes it easier to increase the load required for relative displacement from the normal contact position P2 in the insertion / removal direction compared to the case where pressure contact is made at a single contact point. In addition, the plug terminal 11 has two front legs 13b1, and the sum of the lengths of these two front legs 13b1 in the plate width direction is set to be longer than the length of the movable part 11c in the plate width direction. This also increases the frictional force when the socket terminal 10 makes strong pressure contact with the plug terminal 11 and slides, so that the load required for relative displacement from the normal contact position P2 in the insertion / removal direction is greater than the load required for the movable part 11c to elastically deform in the insertion / removal direction.

[0097] By distributing the load required for sliding across each contact portion 12a, 13a as described above, each contact portion 12a, 13a can press against the plug terminal 11 with a weaker force. Therefore, even if the contact portions 10c, 11e slide when the connectors 3, 5 are repeatedly inserted into and removed from each other, wear and damage to the contact portions 12a, 13a and the contact surface 11e1 of the plug terminal 11 can be reduced.

[0098] [Method for adjusting the load required to elastically deform a movable part] Regarding the movable part 11c of the plug terminal 11, the load required to elastically deform the movable part 11c can be adjusted by adjusting the plate width. Specifically, by making the plate width of the movable part 11c narrower, the movable part 11c can be made to elastically deform with a smaller load. Conversely, by making the plate width of the movable part 11c wider, the movable part 11c can be made to require a larger load to elastically deform. In particular, in this embodiment, the plate widths of the first bending part 11c2 and the third bending part 11c6 of the movable part 11c are set wider than the plate widths of the extension parts 11c1, 11c3, and 11c5, respectively. In contrast, the plate width of the second bending part 11c4 is about the same width as the extension parts 11c1, 11c3, and 11c5, and is set narrower than the other bending parts 11c2 and 11c6. Therefore, the second bending part 11c4 is more elastically deformable and softer than the other bending parts 11c2 and 11c6. Therefore, when vibration in the height direction Z is applied, this second bent portion 11c4 is the most elastically deformable. In this way, by changing the plate width for each part of the movable portion 11c, the load required for elastic deformation can be adjusted.

[0099] [Addressing vibrations such as resonance in the substrate] Due to resonance in substrates 2 and 4, particularly large vibrations may be applied to the electrical connector 1. In this case, if the vibration is addressed by sliding the plug terminal 11 and socket terminal 10 as in the conventional method, wear and damage to each terminal will be significant. Furthermore, because the distance that the contact parts 10c and 11e can slide over is short compared to the magnitude of the vibration of substrates 2 and 4 due to resonance, the plug terminal 11 and socket terminal 10 may separate because they cannot cope with large vibrations. However, by making the movable part 11c sufficiently elastically deformable in the insertion / removal direction, as in the electrical connector 1 of this embodiment, vibrations in the height direction Z can be absorbed. In this way, wear on the contact parts of the plug terminal 11 and socket terminal 10 is less likely to occur, and vibrations due to resonance can be sufficiently absorbed.

[0100] The electrical connector 1 of this embodiment is further equipped with a mechanism that ensures reliable electrical contact even when vibrations such as resonance occur. This mechanism will be explained with reference to the schematic diagrams in Figures 17(a) to (f). Here, we will illustrate the case where the first substrate 2 does not vibrate and only the second substrate 4 vibrates. However, even if only the first substrate 2 vibrates, or if both substrates 2 and 4 vibrate, the mechanism can similarly handle the vibrations.

[0101] In the electrical connector 1 of this embodiment, a gap S' is provided between the movable housing 8 and the first substrate 2 before mating (Figure 17(a)). Immediately after the mating operation begins, the load in the insertion direction due to contact with the plug contact portion 11e is applied to the movable portion 11c via the socket contact portion 10c, causing the movable portion 11c to elastically deform toward the first substrate 2 (Figure 17(b)). As a result, the contact portion 8e1 of the movable housing 8 comes into contact with the first substrate 2, or the movable portion 11c elastically deforms to its limit in the direction that shortens in the height direction Z, causing the movable housing 8 to elastically displace toward the first substrate 2. In this state, a spacer R is installed on the first substrate 2, and the second substrate 4 is fixed in a position where it contacts the spacer R (Figure 17(b)). In this case, there is either almost no gap between the movable housing 8 and the first substrate 2, or the movable part 11c is elastically deformed to its limit in the direction of shortening in the height direction Z. In this state, it is difficult for the movable housing 8 to elastically displace toward the first substrate 2, except when the second substrate 4 deforms toward the direction of moving away from the movable housing 8 in the height direction Z. On the other hand, a mating gap S2 is formed between the socket connector 5 and the plug connector 3 in the height direction Z. Therefore, the movable housing 8 is more likely to elastically deform toward the direction of narrowing the mating gap S2 toward the second substrate 4 than toward the first substrate 2 in the height direction Z. In this state, the plug contact part 11e and the socket contact part 10c are electrically connected to each other at the initial contact position P1 (the "initial mating state" shown in Figure 17(b)).

[0102] Here, a spacer R is installed between the opposing substrates 2 and 4 when connectors 3 and 5 are mated, and the distance between substrates 2 and 4 is kept constant, thereby forming the substrate-to-substrate connection structure S. Then, during the mating process, the second substrate 4 comes into contact with the spacer R installed on the first substrate 2 and is fixed to the spacer R, completing the mating process. In this state, the position where the contact parts 10c and 11e are in contact with each other can be called the initial contact position P1. When mating connectors 3 and 5 installed on substrates 2 and 4, the mating position of connectors 3 and 5 can be adjusted by changing the length of the spacer R in this way, so the initial contact position P1 and the regular contact position P2 described later can also be adjusted.

[0103] Subsequently, if resonance occurs in the second substrate 4, the distance between substrates 2 and 4 will not change in the area where the spacer R is installed, but in other areas, the second substrate 4 will vibrate and bend significantly, which may change the distance between them. In this case, the second substrate 4 will bend once toward the first substrate 2, becoming the state of the second substrate 4', and the socket connector 5 will also be displaced toward the first substrate 2 in conjunction with it. As a result, the socket connector 5 and the plug connector 3 will attempt to displace relative to each other in a direction that deepens the mating position (Figure 17, subdivision (c)). That is, since the socket connector 5 is fixed to the second substrate 4 and the movable housing 8 is in contact with the first substrate 2, the gap between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4 will narrow, causing the contact portion 8e1 of the movable housing 8 to be pushed in by the fixed housing 7, resulting in a relative displacement that deepens the mating position. As described above, in the "initial mating state," a mating gap S2 is formed between the socket connector 5 and the plug connector 3 in the height direction Z, causing the socket connector 5 to be displaced relative to the inside of the mating chamber 9e of the plug connector 3. This reduces the mating gap S2 (the "vibration bottom dead center state" shown in Figure 17(c)). At this time, inside the mating chamber 9e, the plug contact portion 11e and the socket contact portion 10c slide against each other, moving from the initial contact position P1 to the normal contact position P2. Thus, after the substrates 2 and 4 have vibrated in a direction that brings them closer together, the plug contact portion 11e and the socket contact portion 10c maintain a state of pressed contact with each other at the normal contact position P2.

[0104] After this, the second substrate 4 briefly returns to its flat state before the vibration occurs due to the reaction to the vibration (shown as the "fitted state" in Figure 17, Figure (d)). In this case, the socket connector 5 also displaces in conjunction with it, moving away from the first substrate 2. In this embodiment, the load required for the movable part 11c to elastically deform in the insertion / removal direction is smaller than the load required for the plug contact part 11e and the socket contact part 10c to shift positions relative to each other. Therefore, the socket contact part 10c follows the plug contact part 11e without shifting positions at the normal contact position P2, and the movable part 11c elastically deforms in the direction of extension. As a result, the movable housing 8 is displaced relative to the fixed housing 7 upward in the height direction Z. As a result, the movable housing 8 is lifted off the first substrate 2, and a movable gap S4 is formed between the movable housing 8 and the first substrate 2. In this state, the movable housing 8 is not in contact with the substrates 2 and 4, and is suspended by the holding force of the socket contact part 10c. Therefore, it becomes possible for the first substrate 2 to undergo elastic displacement.

[0105] Furthermore, the second substrate 4 then bends away from the first substrate 2, becoming the state of the second substrate 4'', and the socket connector 5 also displaces in conjunction with it, moving away from the first substrate 2. In this case, the plug contact portion 11e follows the socket contact portion 10c, maintaining contact at the normal contact position P2 without any displacement. The movable housing 8 is also displaced towards the second substrate 4 as if being lifted. As a result, the movable gap S4 between the movable housing 8 and the first substrate 2 becomes even larger (shown as the "vibration top dead center state" in Figure 17, Figure (e)).

[0106] As described above, in the initial stage of the mating process, the "initial mating state" is reached from Figure 17(a) to Figure 17(b). After the second substrate 4 vibrates towards the first substrate 2 due to resonance or the like (the "vibration bottom dead center state" shown in Figure 17(c)), the vibration of the second substrate 4 leads to the "matting state" shown in Figure 17(d), the "vibration top dead center state" shown in Figure 17(e), and then the movement repeats, returning from the "matting state" (Figure 17(d),(f)) to the "vibration bottom dead center state" (Figure 17(c)). In other words, the sliding of the plug contact portion 11e and the socket contact portion 10c occurs only once, when transitioning from the "initial mating state" to the "matting state". After that, there is no sliding or misalignment, and the contact state can be stably maintained even with large vibrations in the height direction Z, such as resonance, occurring in the substrates 2 and 4.

[0107] Here, the "initial mating state," "vibration bottom dead center state," "matting state," and "vibration top dead center state" will be explained in more detail with reference to the cross-sectional view of electrical connector 1.

[0108] In the pre-mating state, a gap is provided between the movable housing 8 and the first substrate 2 (Figure 18). However, as the mating process presses the movable housing 8 toward the first substrate 2 by the socket connector 5, in the "initial mating state" immediately after the mating process, when the plug connector 3 and the socket connector 5 are mated, the movable housing 8 is in contact with the first substrate 2, and there is almost no gap between them. In this "initial mating state," a mating gap S1 is formed between the tip 8f1 of the mating wall portion 8f of the plug connector 3 and the bottom 9e1 of the mating chamber 9e of the socket housing 9 (Figure 19). Also in this state, a mating gap S2 is formed between the top surface 9d of the socket housing 9 and the bottom 8d1 of the mating chamber 8d of the movable housing 8 in the plug connector 3 (Figure 19). Furthermore, a mating gap S3 is formed between the upper end of the locking portion 8g and the inner edge 7g1 of the recess 7g (Figure 5. However, since Figure 5 shows the electrical connector 1 in the "mated state", the mating gap S3 of the electrical connector 1 in the "initial mated state" is longer in the height direction Z than that shown in Figure 5).

[0109] The lengths of these mating gaps S1 and S2 in the height direction Z are set to be longer than the maximum deflection length of the second substrate 4 due to resonance, etc., in the height direction Z. In this way, even if the second substrate 4 deforms significantly due to resonance, etc., to shorten the distance to the first substrate 2, the socket connector 5 and the plug connector 3 can move in a way that narrows the mating gaps S1 and S2, and can be sufficiently displaced relative to each other in a direction that deepens the mating position. In this way, they transition from the "initial mating state" to the "vibration bottom dead center state" (Figures 19 and 20). At that time, the contact parts 10c and 11e slide against each other and move from the initial contact position P1 to the normal contact position P2. Note that if both substrates 2 and 4 resonate, a similar effect can be obtained by setting the lengths of the mating gaps S1 and S2 in the height direction Z to be longer than the sum of the maximum deflection lengths of the substrates 2 and 4 due to resonance, etc., in the height direction Z.

[0110] In the "vibration bottom dead center state," the contact portions 10c and 11e make electrical contact with each other at the normal contact position P2. In this state, the movable housing 8 is in contact with the first substrate 2, and there is almost no gap between them (Figure 20). Also, the fitting gaps S1 and S2 are shortened by the length by which the second substrate 4 has deflected toward the first substrate 2.

[0111] From the "vibration bottom dead center state," the second substrate 4 deforms in a direction away from the first substrate 2, resulting in the "mated state" (Figure 21). At this time, as the socket connector 5 is displaced away from the first substrate 2, the movable housing 8 follows suit and displaces so as to lift away from the first substrate 2. A movable gap S4 is formed between the lower end of the locking portion 8g and the substrate surface of the first substrate 2 (Figures 5 and 21). This movable gap S4 is not present in the "initial mated state" or the "vibration bottom dead center state," but is formed in the "mated state." In the "initial mated state" and the "vibration bottom dead center state," the movable housing 8 is in contact with the first substrate 2, and no gap is formed between them. However, from the "vibration bottom dead center state," the second substrate 4 deforms in a direction away from the first substrate 2, and as described above, the movable housing 8 is displaced toward the second substrate 4, and only then is the movable gap S4 formed. The provision of this movable gap S4 allows the movable housing 8 to be displaced relative to the first substrate 2. Therefore, when the socket connector 5 is displaced relative to the plug connector 3 in the direction approaching the plug connector 3, i.e., in the insertion direction, the movable part 11c elastically deforms in the insertion direction, so that the plug contact part 11e and the socket contact part 10c do not shift position and maintain pressure contact at the correct contact position P2 (Figures 20 and 21).

[0112] In the "mated state," when the second substrate 4 deforms away from the first substrate 2, the socket connector 5 also displaces in conjunction with it, moving away from the first substrate 2. As a result, the socket contact portion 10c also displaces in the same direction as the second substrate 4. At this time, the plug contact portion 11e follows the socket contact portion 10c without misalignment, maintaining electrical contact at its normal contact position P2. The movable housing 8 also displaces relative to the plug contact portion 11e, moving further upward (the "vibration top dead center state" shown in Figure 22). Here, the mating gap S3 is set shorter than the maximum movable length of the movable portion 11c in the extension direction. This restricts the displacement of the movable housing 8 relative to the fixed housing 7 when the movable portion 11c elastically deforms to extend during the transition from the "mated state" to the "vibration top dead center state," by contacting the upper end of the locking portion 8g and the inner edge 7g1 of the recess 7g. This restricts the elastic deformation of the movable part 11c, preventing it from stretching to its limit in the direction of increasing its length in the height direction Z. Subsequently, the second substrate 4 deforms again in a direction that moves closer to the first substrate 2, and the electrical connector 1 returns to the "mated state" (Figure 21). From this point onward, if vibrations such as resonance occur and the second substrate 4 deforms, it will repeatedly cycle through the "vibration bottom dead center state," "mated state," and "vibration top dead center state." In this way, the movable part 11c elastically deforms, allowing the contact parts 10c and 11e to maintain contact at the correct contact position P2 without sliding against each other.

[0113] As described above, the electrical connector 1 of this embodiment can absorb vibrations in the height direction Z, in addition to vibrations in the width direction X and the front-rear direction Y, without causing wear on the plug terminals 11 and socket terminals 10. Therefore, it can be used in components that require particularly high resistance to vibration, such as automotive electrical components, and can be made into an electrical connector 1 with high connection reliability. Furthermore, even when particularly large vibrations occur due to resonance of the substrates 2 and 4, the electrical connector 1 can easily absorb those vibrations.

[0114] Second embodiment [Figures 23-25]: In the first embodiment, an electrical connector 1 was shown in which a plug terminal 11 has a movable part 11c. In contrast, the electrical connector 21 of this embodiment comprises a first substrate 2 as a "first support member", a second substrate 4 as a "second support member", a socket connector 25 as a "first connector" fixed to the first substrate 2, and a plug connector 23 as a "connection target" or "second connector" fixed to the second substrate 4. Furthermore, the socket connector 25 comprises a socket housing 29 having a fixed housing 27 and a movable housing 28, and a socket terminal 30 as a "first terminal" having a movable part 30c as a "movable spring".

[0115] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an electrical connector 1 was shown in which the front contact portion 13a and the rear contact portion 12a of the socket terminal 10 make conductive contact with a single plug terminal 11 from one side. In contrast, an electrical connector 21 can be provided in which multiple contact portions 30e3 of the socket terminal 30 make conductive contact with the plug terminal 31 by clamping it. The specific configurations of the plug connector 23 and the socket connector 25 are described below.

[0116] [Plug connector] The plug connector 23 is a DIP type connector and is fixed to the second circuit board 4. The plug connector 23 also comprises a plug housing 26 and plug terminals 31 which act as "contacts".

[0117] [Plug housing] The plug housing 26 is made of a molded insulating resin and is box-shaped with an opening on the bottom. The plug housing 26 also has a front portion 26a, a rear portion 26b, and a fitting chamber 26d surrounded by the front portion 26a, the rear portion 26b, and the bottom portion 26c.

[0118] [Plug terminals] The plug terminal 31 is a pin-shaped terminal and has a board connection portion 31a that is inserted into a through-hole 4a provided in the second board 4, and a contact portion 31b that serves as a "first contact portion" or "first contact portion" that makes pressing contact with the socket terminal 30.

[0119] [Socket connector] The socket connector 25 is a surface-mount type connector and is soldered and fixed to the substrate surface of the first substrate 2. The socket connector 25 comprises a socket housing 29 as the "first housing" and socket terminals 30.

[0120] [Socket Housing] The socket housing 29 is made of a molded insulating resin and comprises a fixed housing 27 and a movable housing 28.

[0121] The fixed housing 27 has a rectangular tube shape with openings at the top and bottom, and includes a front portion 27a and a rear portion 27b having plate surfaces along the width direction X.

[0122] The front section 27a and the rear section 27b have terminal housing holes 27a1 and 27b1 for fixing the plug terminals 31. Multiple terminal housing holes 27a1 and 27b1 are provided in parallel at equal intervals along the width direction X.

[0123] The movable housing 28 has a box-like shape with multiple openings 29d1 on its upper surface. Specifically, the movable housing 28 has a front portion 28a, a rear portion 28b, a fitting wall portion 28f, and a bottom portion 29f. The bottom portion 29f has a contact portion 29f1 that contacts the first substrate 2 in the "initial fitting state" (Figures 23 and 24).

[0124] The mating wall portion 28f is a flat plate that lies along the XZ plane. The mating wall portion 28f is inserted into the mating chamber 26d of the plug connector 23 from the side of the tip portion 28f1.

[0125] [Socket terminals] The socket terminals 30 are formed by bending a conductive metal plate in the thickness direction and are provided in pairs along the front-rear direction Y via a fitting wall portion 28f in the socket housing 29. The socket terminals 30 have a substrate connection portion 30a, a fixed portion 30b, a movable portion 30c, and a base portion 30d, which have the same configuration as the plug terminal 11 of the first embodiment. The movable portion 30c has a first extension portion 30c1, a first bend portion 30c2, a second extension portion 30c3, a second bend portion 30c4, a third extension portion 30c5, and a third bend portion 30c6.

[0126] The socket terminal 30 in this embodiment has a socket contact portion 30e, which is connected to the base end portion 30d and is located on the upper side along the height direction Z. The socket contact portion 30e also has a connecting portion 30e1 connected to the base end portion 30d, two elastic pieces 30e2 extending in a cantilevered manner from the upper end of the base end portion 30d, and a contact portion 30e3 elastically supported by the elastic pieces 30e2. The connecting portion 30e1 has a plurality of press-fitting protrusions (not shown). The socket terminal 30 is fixed to the movable housing 28 by these press-fitting protrusions engaging with the press-fitted portion of the movable housing 28.

[0127] The elastic pieces 30e2 and contact pieces 30e3 on opposing socket terminals 30 face each other along the front-rear direction Y. The distance between the opposing contact pieces 30e3, 30e3 is shorter than the length of the plug terminal 31 in the front-rear direction Y, but the mating of the plug connector 23 and the socket connector 25 causes the plug terminal 31 to widen the distance between the contact pieces 30e3, 30e3. In this way, the socket terminal 30 and the plug terminal 31 make electrical contact at the initial contact position P1 ("initial mating state"). In this state, the opposing contact pieces 30e3, 30e3 press against the plug terminal 31 with the same load, so that the socket terminal 30 makes electrical contact by clamping the plug terminal 31. Therefore, the socket terminal 30 can make electrical contact with the plug terminal 31 more reliably.

[0128] [Explanation of usage] As shown in Figure 24, in the initial mating state, with the plug terminal 31 and the socket terminal 30 in electrical contact at the initial contact position P1, a mating gap S5 is provided between the bottom surface 46c of the plug housing 26 and the tip 28f1 of the mating wall 28f of the socket housing 29. In this state, a mating gap S6 is also provided between the lower end 26a1 of the front surface 26a of the plug housing 26 and the upper end 27a2 of the front surface 27a of the socket housing 29, and between the lower end 26b1 of the rear surface 26b of the plug housing 26 and the upper end 27b2 of the rear surface 27b of the socket housing 29. These mating gaps S5 and S6 are provided to be longer than the maximum flexible length of the second substrate 4 in the height direction Z. In this way, even if resonance occurs in the substrates 2 and 4, the plug connector 23 and the socket connector 25 will be sufficiently displaced relative to each other in a direction that narrows the mating gaps S5 and S6, allowing them to be mated at a deep position ("mated state"). Furthermore, these mating gaps S5 and S6 are provided along substantially the entire length of the socket housing 29 in the width direction X.

[0129] Thus, even when the plug housing 26 and the socket housing 29 are mated in a deep position, the contact portions 50e and 51e can slide against each other, moving from the initial contact position P1 to the normal contact position P2. In this "mating state," a movable gap S10 is formed between the first substrate 2 and the contact portion 29f1 of the movable housing 28. The movable portion 30c is displaced in the insertion direction of the connectors 23 and 24, allowing the movable housing 28 to be displaced relative to it in the insertion direction.

[0130] According to the electrical connector 21 of this embodiment, since one socket terminal 30 has a movable part 30c and a contact part 30e3 that presses and makes contact with the plug terminal 31, there is no need to provide a movable part in the plug terminal 31, and the plug terminal 31 can be made simpler in structure. Furthermore, according to the electrical connector 21, the socket terminal 30 can be made more responsive to the displacement of the plug terminal 31 and more responsive to maintaining electrical contact with the plug terminal 31.

[0131] Modified example of the second embodiment [Figure 26]: In the second embodiment described above, a plug connector 23 was shown as the object to which the socket connector 25 is connected. In contrast, an electrical element 64 having a terminal 64b that makes conductive contact with the socket terminal 30 can be used as the object to which the socket connector 25 is connected as the "first connector". Examples of such electrical elements 64 include power modules. Furthermore, the electrical element 64 can be fixed to a fixing member 62 other than a circuit board. Examples of such fixing members 62 include housings and cases for electrical components.

[0132] The following describes an electrical connector 61 in which a socket connector 25, as the "first connector," is fixed to a first substrate 2, as the "first support member," and an electrical element 64, as the "object to be connected," is fixed to a fixing member 62, as the "second support member" (Figures 26(a) to (f)). When the socket connector 25 and the electrical element 64 are mated, the base 64a of the electrical element 64 may be inserted into the mating chamber 63 of the movable housing 28, or only the terminal 64b of the electrical element 64 may be inserted into the mating chamber 63. The latter case will be described here. In this description, the case in which the first substrate 2 vibrates will be described, but since the behavior of the movable part 30c, which acts as a "movable spring" of the socket terminal 30, is the same as that described in the second embodiment, mainly the differences will be described.

[0133] First, the terminal 64b of the electrical element 64 is inserted into the mating chamber 63 of the socket connector 25, and the mating operation is stopped when the tip of the spacer R' provided on the fixing member 62 contacts the first substrate 2 (Figure 26(b)). At this time, the movable housing 28 is displaced until it is either in contact with the first substrate 2 or the movable part 30c is elastically deformed to its limit in the direction of shortening in the height direction Z. Then, a mating gap S2' is formed between the tip 64b1 of the terminal 64b of the electrical element 64 and the bottom 63a of the mating chamber 63. After this, the first substrate 2 vibrates and deforms in a direction that shortens the distance from the fixing member 62, so that the movable housing 28 is pressed towards the base 64a side by the first substrate 2, and the terminal 64b of the electrical element 64 penetrates more deeply into the mating chamber 63 (Figure 26(c)). In this state, the contact position between the socket terminal 30 and the terminal 64b of the electrical element 64 becomes the normal contact position P2. Subsequently, the first substrate 2 vibrates in a direction that increases its distance from the fixing member 62. The displacement load that displaces the movable part 30c in the insertion / removal direction is smaller than the load that causes at least one of the terminals 30 and the terminal 64b of the electrical element 64 to shift position from the normal contact position P2 in the insertion / removal direction. Therefore, even when the first substrate 2 returns to its position before vibration, the movable part 30c can elastically deform and absorb the vibration while the socket terminal 30 and the terminal 64b of the electrical element 64 remain in contact at the normal contact position P2 (Figure 26(d)). In this state, the movable housing 28 is lifted away from the first substrate 2, and a movable gap S4' is formed between the movable housing 28 and the first substrate 2. Furthermore, even if the first substrate 2 is further displaced and the distance from the fixing member 62 increases (Figure 26(e)), and even if the first substrate 2 subsequently returns to its position before vibration, the socket terminal 30 and the terminal 64b of the electrical element 64 maintain contact at the normal contact position P2 (Figure 26(f)). In this way, the movable part 30c undergoes elastic deformation, preventing the socket terminal 30 and the terminal 64b of the electrical element 64 from sliding into contact with each other. As a result, stable electrical contact can be maintained without the plating peeling off of the terminals 30 and 64b.

[0134] Third embodiment [Figures 27-29]: In the embodiments described above, electrical connectors 1 and 21 were shown in which only one of the plug terminals or socket terminals had a movable part. In contrast, electrical connector 41 can be made in which both the plug terminal 51 as the "first terminal" and the socket terminal 50 as the "contactor" have movable parts 51c and 50c, respectively, which act as "movable springs". This allows large vibrations to be sufficiently absorbed by the movable parts 51c of the plug terminal 51 and the movable parts 51c of the socket terminal 50. Furthermore, because the electrical connector 41 has movable parts 50c and 51c, the amount of movement required to absorb vibrations can be distributed among these movable parts 50c and 51c. Therefore, compared to the case where only one of them has a movable part, the load on a single movable part can be reduced, thus suppressing plastic deformation and damage to the movable part.

[0135] Furthermore, the socket connector 45 includes a socket terminal 50 held in a socket housing 49, and the socket contact portion 50e of the socket terminal 50 can be an electrical connector 41 having an outwardly protruding contact portion 50e1. The plug connector 43 also includes plug terminals 51 held in a plug housing 46, facing each other. The contact portion 50e1 of the socket terminal 50 is inserted between the plug contact portions 51e of the plug terminal 51, and presses the plug contact portions 51e from the center outward in the front-rear direction Y to make electrical contact. The specific configurations of the socket connector 45 and the plug connector 43 are described below.

[0136] [Socket connector] The socket connector 45, which is the "first connector," is a surface-mount type connector and is soldered and fixed to the board surface of the first circuit board 2. The socket connector 45 comprises a socket housing 49, which is the "first housing," and socket terminals 50.

[0137] [Socket Housing] The socket housing 49 is made of a molded insulating resin and comprises a fixed housing 57 and a movable housing 58. Between the fixed housing 57 and the movable housing 58, the front portion 48a and the rear portion 48b of the plug housing 46, which is a "second connector" or "object to be connected", are inserted to form a mating chamber 49e in which the socket terminals 50 and the plug terminals 51 make electrical contact.

[0138] The fixed housing 57 is box-shaped and includes a front portion 57a ​​and a rear portion 57b, both having a plate surface along the width direction X.

[0139] The front portion 57a ​​and the rear portion 57b have terminal housing holes 57a1 and 57b1 for fixing the fixing portion 50b of the socket terminal 50. The terminal housing holes 57a1 and 57b1 are provided along the width direction X.

[0140] The movable housing 58 has a mating wall portion 58f having a plate surface that conforms to the XZ plane. The mating wall portion 58f has a terminal groove (not shown) that accommodates the socket contact portion 50e of the socket terminal 50. The mating wall portion 58f is inserted into the mating chamber 48d of the plug connector 43 from the side of the tip portion 58f1 of the mating wall portion 58f.

[0141] [Socket terminals] The socket terminal 50, which is the "first terminal," is formed by bending a conductive metal plate in the thickness direction, and the socket terminal 50 has a substrate connection portion 50a, a fixed portion 50b, a movable portion 50c, and a base portion 50d, which have the same configuration as the socket terminal 30 of the second embodiment. The movable portion 50c has a first extension portion 50c1, a first bend portion 50c2, a second extension portion 50c3, a second bend portion 50c4, a third extension portion 50c5, and a third bend portion 50c6.

[0142] The socket terminal 50 of this embodiment has a socket contact portion 50e as a "first contact portion" or "first contact portion," which is connected to the base end portion 50d and is provided on the upper side along the height direction Z. The socket contact portion 50e also has a vertical piece portion 50e2 provided along the fitting wall portion 58f and along the height direction Z, a horizontal piece portion 50e3 extending in the front-rear direction Y toward the movable portion 50c side from the base end portion 50d, a bent portion 50e4 on the lower side in the height direction Z and inclined toward the direction of contact with the plug terminal 51, and a contact portion 50e1 provided on the tip side of the bent portion 50e4. In the third embodiment, the contact portion 50e1 of the socket terminal 50 makes pressing contact with the contact surface 51e1 of the plug terminal 51 from the center side toward the outside in the front-rear direction Y.

[0143] The socket terminals 50 are provided in the socket housing 49 in pairs in the front-rear direction Y, with the mating wall portion 58f in between. The contact portions 50e1 of this pair of socket terminals 50 press against the contact surfaces 51e1 of the pair of plug terminals 51 provided in the plug housing 46 with approximately the same load. This ensures that the socket terminals 50 make reliable electrical contact so as to support the plug terminals 51.

[0144] [Plug connector] The plug connector 43, acting as the "second connector," is a surface-mount type connector and is soldered and fixed to the substrate surface of the first substrate 2. The plug connector 43 comprises a plug housing 46 and plug terminals 51.

[0145] [Plug housing] The plug housing 46 is made of a molded product of insulating resin and comprises a fixed housing 47 and a movable housing 48.

[0146] The fixed housing 47 has a rectangular tube shape with openings at the top and bottom, and includes a front portion 47a and a rear portion 47b having plate surfaces along the width direction X. The fixed housing 47 has a mating chamber 48d into which the socket terminals 50 of the socket connector 45 are inserted.

[0147] The front portion 47a and the rear portion 47b have terminal housing holes 47a1 and 47b1 for fixing the plug contact portion 51e of the plug terminal 51.

[0148] The movable housing 48 has a front portion 48a, a rear portion 48b, and a bottom portion 48e. In this embodiment, the front portion 48a and the rear portion 48b extend in a conical shape in the front-rear direction Y and have conical portions 48a1 and 48b1, respectively, which are positioned below the movable portion 51c of the plug terminal 51. Furthermore, a movable gap 47f is formed between the conical portions 48a1 and 48b1 of the movable housing 48 and the movable portion 51c, allowing the movable portion 51c to be displaced.

[0149] [Plug terminals] The plug terminal 51, which acts as a "contactor," is formed by bending a conductive metal plate in the thickness direction. The plug terminal 51 has a substrate connection portion 51a, a fixed portion 51b, a movable portion 51c, a base end portion 51d, and a plug contact portion 51e, all of which have the same configuration as the plug terminal 11 of the first embodiment. The movable portion 51c has a first extension portion 51c1, a first bend portion 51c2, a second extension portion 51c3, a second bend portion 51c4, a third extension portion 51c5, and a third bend portion 51c6.

[0150] The plug terminal 51 of this embodiment has a plug contact portion 51e, which is provided along the inner wall of either the front portion 48a or the rear portion 48b of the movable housing 48 of the plug housing 46, and has a contact surface 51e1 facing the mating chamber 48d. The socket terminal 50 presses against the contact surface 51e1 of the plug terminal 51 from the center outward in the front-rear direction Y. Therefore, the two socket terminals 50 that form a pair in the front-rear direction Y can make conductive contact so as to support the plug terminal 51 at positions separated in the front-rear direction Y, making it less likely for the plug connector 43 to tilt in the front-rear direction Y relative to the socket connector 45. As a result, an electrical connector 41 with higher connection reliability can be obtained.

[0151] [Explanation of usage] In the "initial mating state," with the plug terminal 51 and the socket terminal 50 in electrical contact at the initial contact position P1, a mating gap S7 is provided between the bottom surface 48e of the plug housing 46 and the tip 58f1 of the mating wall 58f of the socket housing 49 (Figure 28). In this state, a mating gap S8 is also provided between the cap-shaped portion 48a1 of the front surface 48a of the plug housing 46 and the lower end portion 58a of the movable housing 58 of the socket housing 49, and between the cap-shaped portion 48b1 of the rear surface 48b of the plug housing 46 and the lower end portion 58b of the movable housing 58 of the socket housing 49 (Figure 28). Furthermore, a fitting gap S9 is provided between the lower end 48a2 of the front portion 48a of the plug housing 46 and the bottom 49e1 of the fitting chamber 49e of the socket housing 49, and between the upper end 48b2 of the rear portion 48b of the plug housing 46 and the bottom 49e1 of the fitting chamber 49e of the socket housing 49.

[0152] These mating gaps S7 to S9 are set to be longer than the maximum flexible length of the second substrate 4 in the height direction Z. In this way, even if resonance occurs in the substrates 2 and 4, the plug connector 43 and the socket connector 45 will be displaced relative to each other sufficiently in the direction that narrows the mating gaps S7 to S9, allowing them to mat at a deep position (the "mating state" shown in Figure 29).

[0153] Furthermore, even when the plug connector 43 and the socket connector 45 are mated in a deep position, the contact portions 50e and 51e can slide against each other, moving from the initial contact position P1 to the correct contact position P2. In this "mated state," a movable gap S11 is provided between the contact portion 58f2, which is located at the lower end of the mating wall portion 58f of the movable housing 58, and the fixed housing 57. In this way, the movable portions 50c and 51c are elastically displaced in the insertion direction of the connectors 43 and 45, allowing the movable housing 58 to be displaced relative to them in the insertion direction.

[0154] In the electrical connector 41 of this embodiment, the load required to displace the movable part 50c of the socket connector 45 and the movable part 51c of the plug connector 43 in the insertion / removal direction is set to be smaller than the load required to cause the socket terminal 50 and the plug terminal 51 to be displaced relative to each other from their normal contact position P2 in the insertion / removal direction. Therefore, when vibration in the height direction Z is applied to the electrical connector 41, the socket terminal 50 and the plug terminal 51 can maintain their conductive contact state without being displaced relative to their normal contact position P2 until the displacement of each movable part 50c and 51c inside the housings 49 and 46 is completed.

[0155] According to the electrical connector 41 of this embodiment, the load generated by elastic deformation can be distributed to the movable parts 50c and 51c, making it less likely for the movable parts 50c and 51c to be damaged or broken.

[0156] Modifications of each embodiment: The embodiments described above are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not limited to those embodiments. Appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0157] In the embodiments described above, examples were shown where each contact portion of the socket terminal or plug terminal had one or two contact points. However, it is possible to have three or more contact points. This allows for more reliable electrical contact with the mating terminal. Furthermore, the more contact points there are, the stronger the force with which the mating terminal can be held. On the other hand, since the force holding the mating terminal can be distributed to more contact points, wear at the contact points between each contact point and the mating terminal can be suppressed.

[0158] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, electrical connectors 1, 21, 41, and 61 fixed to the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4 or the fixing member 62 were shown. In contrast, an electrical connector can also be provided that comprises a terminal having a movable part and a contact part, a housing that holds the terminal, and an object to be connected that is electrically connected to this connector and is not fixed to a substrate or the like. In this case, the load required for the movable part to be displaced in the insertion / removal direction is made smaller than the load required for at least one of the contact parts to be relatively misaligned from the normal contact position P2 in the insertion / removal direction, thereby making it less likely for the connector terminal and the object to be connected to slide and become misaligned. The object to be connected is not particularly limited as long as it has a contact element for connection that presses into contact with the connector terminal.

[0159] In the embodiments described above, examples were shown in which only one of the first substrate 2 or the second substrate 4 vibrates due to resonance or the like. In contrast, as described above, even when both substrates 2 and 4 vibrate, the movable part can be displaced in the insertion / removal direction while the plug contact portion and the socket contact portion are in conductive contact without displacement at the normal contact position P2.

[0160] In the embodiments described above, examples were shown in which the load required for the movable parts 11c, 30c, 50c, and 51c to be displaced in both insertion and removal directions is smaller than the load required for the plug contact portion and the socket contact portion to be misaligned from their normal contact position P2. In contrast, the displacement load required for the movable parts 11c, 30c, 50c, and 51c to be displaced in at least one of the insertion and removal directions can be smaller than the load required for at least one of the plug contact portion and the socket contact portion to be relatively misaligned from their normal contact position P2 in the insertion and removal direction.

[0161] In each of the above embodiments, an example was shown in which spacers R and R' are placed between substrates 2 and 4 to maintain a constant distance between the substrates. These spacers R and R' are attached to surfaces where the connectors 3, 25, 45 and connectors 5, 23, 43 or electrical elements 64 are installed, with one end and the other end facing the opposing surfaces of substrates 2 and 4, and are installed between the substrates 2 and 4. However, the spacers are not limited to spacers R, as long as they are members that can maintain a constant distance between the substrates. For example, as shown in Figures 30 and 31, a spacer R2 with a U-shaped cross-section can also be used. In this case, the first bent portion 100 at one end of spacer R2 may be attached to the surface of the first substrate 2 opposite to the surface where the connectors 3, 25, 45 are installed, and the second bent portion 101 at the other end may be attached to the surface of the second substrate 4 opposite to the surface where the connectors 5, 23, 43 or electrical elements 64 are installed. In this way, the substrates 2 and 4 are positioned between the first bent portion 100 and the second bent portion 101, thereby maintaining a constant distance between the substrates. Even when using such a spacer R2, when no vibration is applied to the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4, a movable gap S4 is provided between the first substrate 2 and the movable housing 8 of the plug connector 3 (Figure 31(a)). When either of the substrates is displaced in a direction that increases the distance between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4, the movable portion 11c elastically deforms in a direction that extends while the connectors 3 and 5 are in contact at the normal contact position P2, and the movable gap S4 becomes even larger (Figure 31(b)). Conversely, when either of the substrates is displaced in a direction that decreases the distance between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4, the movable portion 11c elastically deforms, and the movable gap S4 becomes narrower (Figure 31(c)). Subsequently, the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4 return to their state before vibration was applied (Figure 31(a)).

[0162] Alternatively, a spacer with an L-shaped cross-section having only one bent portion can also be used. In this case, the bent portion can be attached to the side of the first substrate 2 opposite to the mounting surface of connectors 3, 25, and 45, and the other end can be attached to the mounting surface of connectors 5, 23, and 43 or electrical element 64 on the second substrate 4. Conversely, the bent portion can be attached to the second substrate 4 and the other end can be attached to the first substrate 2.

[0163] Each of the embodiments described above shows an example in which a spacer R is installed on at least one of the first substrate 2 or the second substrate 4 to maintain a constant distance between the substrates. Alternatively, the distance between the substrates can be maintained by fixing each substrate 2 and 4 to the same or different mounting members (not shown) without providing a spacer R on each substrate 2 and 4 (Figures 32(a) to (c)). Even in this case, as in each of the embodiments described above, when the socket connector 5 and the plug connector 3 are first mated, the movable housing 8 of the plug connector 3 is displaced toward the first substrate 2. In this state, vibration or the like occurs in the first substrate 2, causing it to displace in a direction that shortens the distance between the substrates, so that the movable housing 8 is pressed toward the socket connector 5 by the first substrate 2 and mated toward the socket connector 5 at a deeper position. In this state, the socket terminal 10 and the plug terminal 11 make contact at the normal contact position P2 (Figure 32(a)). Subsequently, when the first substrate 2 vibrates in a direction that increases the distance between the substrates, the movable part 11c absorbs the vibration by elastically deforming, and the socket terminal 10 and the plug terminal 11 of the plug connector 3 maintain contact at the normal contact position P2 (Figure 32(b)). In this state, the movable housing 8 is lifted away from the first substrate 2, and a movable gap S4 is formed between the movable housing 8 and the first substrate 2. Furthermore, even if the first substrate 2 is displaced and the distance to the socket connector 5 decreases (Figure 32(c)), the socket terminal 10 and the plug terminal 11 maintain contact at the normal contact position P2. Even if the first substrate 2 returns to its position before vibration, the socket terminal 10 and the plug terminal 11 maintain contact at the normal contact position P2 (Figure 32(a)). As the movable part 11c undergoes elastic deformation, the socket terminal 10 and the plug terminal 11 do not slide against each other, thus preventing peeling of the plating on the terminals 10 and 11 and ensuring stable electrical contact.

[0164] In the embodiments described above, the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4 or fixing member 62 are arranged facing each other, and the insertion and removal direction of each connector and electrical element is shown to be the height direction Z of the electrical connectors 1, 21, 41, and 61. In contrast, the connectors can be fitted together so that the surfaces of the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4 or fixing member 62 do not face each other but are perpendicular to each other, and the fitting direction can be the front-to-back direction Y or the width direction X of the electrical connectors 1, 21, 41, and 61 (Figures 33(a) to (c)). In this case, the behavior of the substrates 2, 4, socket connector 5, and plug connector 3 is the same as described above. That is, when the socket connector 5 and plug connector 3 are fitted together and a movable gap S4 is provided, the first substrate 2 vibrates (Figure 33(a)), and when it is displaced in a direction that increases the distance between the substrates with the second substrate 4, the movable part 11c elastically deforms to absorb the vibration (Figure 33(b)). Subsequently, as the distance between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4 decreases, the movable part 11c elastically deforms to absorb the vibration (Figure 33(c)). During this time, the movable gap S4 becomes larger or smaller. When the substrates 2 and 4 do not face each other in this way, it becomes difficult to install a spacer R between the substrates 2 and 4. In such cases, the same functions and effects as in the above embodiments can be more easily obtained by fixing each substrate 2 and 4 to a mounting member (not shown) such as the housing or case of an electrical component.

[0165] In the embodiments described above, electrical connectors 1, 21, and 41 were shown in which plug connectors 3, 23, and 43 and socket connectors 5, 25, and 45 are fixed to the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 4, respectively. In contrast, at least one of the plug connector or the socket connector can be fixed to a fixing member 62 other than the substrate. Examples of such a fixing member 62 include the housing or case of an electrical component. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0166] 1. Electrical connector (first embodiment) 2. First substrate 3,23,43 Plug Connector 3A Mating part 4. Second substrate 4a Through-hole 5,25,45 Socket Connector 6. Plug housing (first embodiment) 7.47 Fixed Housing 7a,47a Front part 7a1, 47a1 Terminal housing holes 7b,47b Back part 7b1, 47b1 Terminal housing holes 7c Side part 7d Movable space part 7e Mounting hardware 7f,47f Movable gap 7g recess 7g1 inner edge 8.48 Movable Housing 8a,48a Front part 48a1 Cap-shaped part 48a2 Bottom end 8b,48b Back part 48b1 Cap-shaped part 48a2 Bottom end 8c Side part 8d,48d Mating chamber 8d1 bottom 8e,48e Bottom part 8e1 Contact part 8f Fitting wall section 8f1 Tip 8f2 terminal groove 8g locking part 9,29,49 Socket Housing 9a Front part 9a1 Terminal housing hole 9b Back part 9c Side part 9d Top section 9d1 Inlet 9e,49e Mating chamber 9e1,49e1 bottom 9f Mounting hardware 9g inner wall 9g1 Terminal housing hole 10 Socket terminals 10a Board connection section 10b Base end 10b1 Press-fitting projection 10c Socket contact area 10d space section 11,51 Plug terminals 11a, 51a Board connection section 11b,51b Fixed part 11b1 Press-fitting projection 11c,51c Movable part 11c1,51c1 First extension 11c2, 51c2 First bend 11c3, 51c3 Second extension 11c4, 51c4 Second bend 11c5,51c5 Third extension 11c6, 51c6 Third bend 11d,51d Base end 11d1 Press-fitting projection 11e, 51e Plug contact area 11e1 Contact surface 12 Rear terminals 12a Rear contact section 12b Rear spring section 12c Tip slope 13 Front terminals 13a Front contact section 13b Front spring section 13b1 Front leg 13c Tip slope 21 Electrical connector (second embodiment) 26 Plug housing (second embodiment) 26a Front part 26a1 Lower end 26b Back part 26b1 Lower end 26c Bottom part 26d Mating chamber 27,57 Fixed Housing 27a,57a Front part 27a1, 57a1 Terminal housing holes 27a2 Upper end 27b,57b Back part 27b1, 57b1 Terminal housing holes 27b2 Upper end 27f,57f Movable gap 28,58 Movable Housing 28a Front part 28b Back part 28f,58f Fitting wall part 28f1,58f1 Tip 29d1 opening 29e Mating chamber 29f Bottom part 29f1 Contact part 30, 50 socket terminals 30a, 50a board connection section 30b,50b Fixed part 30c,50c moving part 30c1, 50c1 First extension 30c2, 50c2 First bend 30c3, 50c3 Second extension 30c4, 50c4 Second bend 30c5, 50c5 Third extension 30c6, 50c6 Third bend 30d,50d proximal end 30e, 50e Socket Contact Area 30e1 Connecting part 30e2 Elastic piece 30e3 Contact part 31 Plug terminal (second embodiment) 31a Board connection section 31b Contact part 41 Electrical connector (third embodiment) 46 Plug housing (third embodiment) 50e1 Contact part 50e2 Vertical piece 50e3 Horizontal piece 50e4 Bending section 51e Plug contact area 51e1 Contact surface 58f2 Contact part 58a,58b Lower end 61 Electrical connector (fourth embodiment) 62 Fixing member 63 Socket Connectors 63a Movable housing 63a1 Mating chamber 63a2 bottom 63b Fixed Housing 63c socket connector terminals 63c1 Moving part 64 Click the electrical button 64a base 64b Terminals of electrical components 64b1 terminal tip 100 First bend 101 Second bend R, R', R2 Spacer S Inter-board connection structure

Claims

1. A connector mating method comprising a first connector arranged on a first substrate and a second connector arranged on a second substrate, wherein the second connector is mated and connected to the first connector, The first connector has a first terminal which has a board connection portion on one end that connects to the first substrate and a first contact portion on the other end that contacts the second connector, and the housing that holds the first terminal is configured to be movable relative to the first substrate. The housing has a contact portion that can be pressed in by the first substrate, When fitting the second connector into the housing, The process involves creating a state in which the mating of the first connector and the second connector is stopped when the contact portion contacts the first substrate, and a mating gap is formed between the housing and the second connector. As the distance between the first substrate and the second substrate decreases, the contact portion is pressed by the first substrate, thereby reducing the mating gap and deepening the mating position between the housing and the second connector. After the mating position deepens, as the distance between the substrates changes, the first contact portion maintains contact with the second connector without shifting position, while the movable portion of the first terminal undergoes elastic deformation. Connector mating method.

2. A connector connection structure comprising a first connector arranged on a first substrate and a second connector arranged on a second substrate, The first connector comprises a housing and a first terminal, The housing has a contact portion that contacts the first substrate, The first terminal has a first contact portion that contacts the second connector and a movable portion that supports the housing in a displaceable manner. In the mating state of the first connector and the second connector, When the contact portion is in contact with the first substrate, and the distance between the first substrate and the second substrate decreases, the first contact portion and the contact portion of the second connector are configured to slide against each other, thereby changing the contact position. Furthermore, when the distance between the substrates decreases while the contact portion does not contact the first substrate, the first contact portion and the contact portion of the second connector are configured to maintain the changed contact position without sliding against each other. Connector connection structure.

Images