Electrical connector

Abstract

This design prevents the electrical connection from being momentarily interrupted even when there is relative displacement in the height direction relative to the mating connector, and also suppresses a decrease in insertion / extraction durability. [Solution] The electrical connector 1 comprises a fixed housing 11, a contact 12 whose one end is connected to a substrate 101 and fixed to the fixed housing 11, and whose other end is fitted into a mating connector 100 and connected to a mating contact 104, and a movable housing 13 attached to the contact 12. The contact 12 has a fixed portion 25, an electrical connection portion 26 connected to the mating contact 104, and a movable spring portion 27 that supports the electrical connection portion 26 so that it can be displaced relative to the fixed portion 25. The movable housing 13 is attached to the contact 12 with the electrical connection portion 26 passing through it, and the movable housing 13 is provided with an engaging portion 29 that engages with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 when it is displaced relative to it in the height direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector connected to a substrate and connected to a mating connector in a relatively displaceable state.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, electrical connectors that are connected to a substrate and connected to a mating connector in a relatively displaceable state have been used. Patent Document 1 discloses a battery connector 10 for connecting a battery pack 22 to a portable information processing device such as a notebook personal computer as such an electrical connector.

[0003] The battery connector 10 of Patent Document 1 includes: a mounting base 15 attached to a notebook personal computer; a connection portion 11 attached to the mounting base 15 via an elastic body portion 14 and a shaft portion 12 and connected to a battery pack 22; and a connector terminal electrode 13 as a contact held by the connection portion 11. The notebook personal computer is provided with a substrate on which an electric circuit is formed, and the battery pack 22 is formed with a mating connector to which the battery connector 10 is connected, the mating connector including a terminal electrode 24. The connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 is connected to the substrate of the notebook personal computer, and is in contact with and electrically connected to the terminal electrode 24 of the mating connector formed on the battery pack 22. Further, since the connection portion 11 of the battery connector 10 is attached to the mounting base 15 via the elastic body portion 14 and the shaft portion 12, it constitutes a movable portion that is movable relative to the notebook personal computer. Accordingly, the battery connector 10 is configured to be connected to the substrate of the notebook personal computer and connected to the mating connector formed on the battery pack 22 in a relatively displaceable state.

[0004] Furthermore, the contact portion of the connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 that contacts the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 for electrical connection is provided as a tab-shaped portion that extends in a long, narrow plate shape. The terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 is configured as a spring contact portion having a spring structure that sandwiches the tab-shaped contact portion of the connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 from both sides. As a result, the connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 contacts the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 and is electrically connected to it while being sandwiched from both sides by the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4899769 specification [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 is sandwiched from both sides by the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22, and contacts the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 to make an electrical connection. Therefore, if the battery connector 10 is displaced relative to the battery pack 22 in the height direction due to external vibrations or the like, the connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 and the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 will be misaligned in the height direction. When the connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 and the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 are misaligned in the height direction, the contact between the connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 and the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 is more likely to be lost, and a momentary interruption in the electrical connection between the battery connector 10 and the battery pack 22 is more likely to occur.

[0007] On the other hand, in order to prevent the electrical connection from being lost, and to prevent the contact between the connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 and the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 from coming loose, it is necessary to increase the contact pressure of the terminal electrode 24 on the connector terminal electrode 13 and to prevent the connector terminal electrode 13 and the terminal electrode 24 from shifting in the height direction. That is, by setting the spring force of the spring structure of the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 that sandwiches the connector terminal electrode 13 from both sides to a high value, and increasing the contact pressure of the terminal electrode 24 on the connector terminal electrode 13, it is necessary to prevent the connector terminal electrode 13 of the battery connector 10 and the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 from shifting in the height direction and coming loose. However, in this case, by increasing the contact pressure of the terminal electrode 24 of the battery pack 22 on the connector terminal electrode 13, the connector terminal electrode 13 and the terminal electrode 24 will be firmly locked to the connector terminal electrode 13, thus preventing them from coming loose. Therefore, when the battery connector 10 and the battery pack 22 are repeatedly connected and disconnected, and the connector terminal electrodes 13 are repeatedly inserted into and removed from the terminal electrodes 24 of the battery pack 22, the contact points of the connector terminal electrodes 13 of the battery connector 10 that contact the terminal electrodes 24 of the battery pack 22 become susceptible to damage, such as being worn down. Consequently, if the contact pressure between the terminal electrodes 24 of the battery pack 22 and the connector terminal electrodes 13 is increased to prevent the electrical connection from being momentarily interrupted, the connector terminal electrodes 13 become more susceptible to damage when the terminal electrodes 24 of the battery pack 22 are repeatedly inserted into and removed from the connector terminal electrodes 13, and the insertion / removal durability, which is the durability when the insertion / removal operation is repeated, decreases.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an electrical connector that can suppress the instantaneous disconnection of the electrical connection with the mating connector even when there is relative displacement in the height direction relative to the mating connector, and can also suppress a decrease in insertion / extraction durability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) An electrical connector relating to a certain aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems relates to an electrical connector that is connected to a substrate and is connected to a mating connector in a manner that allows for relative displacement. Furthermore, an electrical connector according to a certain aspect of the present invention comprises a fixed housing installed on a substrate, a contact whose one end is electrically connected to the substrate and fixed to the fixed housing, and whose other end is fitted to the mating connector and electrically connected to a mating contact in the mating connector, and a movable housing attached to the contact and provided to face the mating housing of the mating connector, wherein the contact has a fixed portion fixed to the fixed housing, an electrical connection portion fitted to the mating connector and electrically connected to the mating contact, and a movable spring portion connecting the fixed portion and the electrical connection portion and supporting the electrical connection portion so as to be displaceable relative to the fixed portion, wherein the movable housing is provided so as to be attached to the contact with the electrical connection portion of the contact passing through it, and the movable housing is provided with an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion in the mating housing when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating housing along the height direction of the electrical connector while facing the mating housing.

[0010] In this configuration, the electrical connector is mounted on a substrate in a fixed housing, with one end of the contact electrically connected to the substrate and fixed to the fixed housing, and the other end of the contact mating to the mating connector and electrically connected to the mating contact of the mating connector. In this way, the substrate and the mating connector are electrically connected by the electrical connector. Furthermore, the contact is provided with a movable spring portion between the fixed portion fixed to the fixed housing and the electrical connection portion connected to the mating contact, which supports the electrical connection portion so that it can be displaced relative to the fixed portion. Therefore, when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating connector, the movable spring portion elastically deforms, absorbing the amount of relative displacement of the electrical connector relative to the mating connector. For this reason, the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector in a state where it can be displaced relative to the mating connector.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a movable housing is provided that is attached to the contact with the electrical connection portion of the contact passing through it, and is positioned to face the mating housing. The movable housing attached to the electrical connection portion of the contact with the electrical connection portion of the contact passing through it is provided with an engaging portion that engages with the engaged portion of the mating housing when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating housing along the height direction of the electrical connector. Therefore, when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating connector in the height direction, the engaging portion of the movable housing engages with the mating housing, and the movable housing attached to the electrical connection portion of the contact moves to follow the mating housing. As the movable housing attached to the electrical connection portion of the contact moves to follow the mating housing, the relative positional relationship between the electrical connection portion of the contact and the mating contact held in the mating housing is maintained with almost no displacement, and the amount of relative displacement of the electrical connector relative to the mating connector is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the movable spring portion of the contact. Therefore, even if the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating connector in the height direction, the electrical connection portion of the contact and the mating contact are prevented from shifting in the height direction, thus preventing the electrical connection between the electrical connection portion of the contact and the mating contact from being lost, and preventing the electrical connection between the electrical connection portion of the contact and the mating contact from being momentarily severed.

[0012] Furthermore, with the above configuration, even if the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating connector in the height direction, the movable housing attached to the electrical connection portion of the contact follows the mating housing, maintaining the relative positional relationship between the electrical connection portion of the contact and the mating contact with virtually no shift, thereby suppressing the loss of contact between the electrical connection portion of the contact and the mating contact. Therefore, it is not necessary to excessively increase the contact pressure of the mating contact to prevent the loss of contact between the electrical connection portion of the contact and the mating contact. As a result, even if the operation of connecting and disconnecting the electrical connector and the mating connector is repeated, and the insertion and removal operation of the contact with the mating contact is repeated, the electrical connection portion of the contact is prevented from being worn down and damaged. Therefore, the decrease in insertion and removal durability, which is the durability when the insertion and removal operation of the contact with the mating contact is repeated, can also be suppressed.

[0013] Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to provide an electrical connector that can suppress the instantaneous disconnection of the electrical connection with the mating connector even when there is relative displacement in the height direction with respect to the mating connector, and can also suppress a decrease in insertion / extraction durability.

[0014] (2) The movable spring portion may be provided so as to bend and extend multiple times between the fixed portion and the electrical connection portion, and so as to be elastically deformed and deflect in either the height direction or the direction perpendicular to the height direction.

[0015] In this configuration, the movable spring portion is formed to bend and extend multiple times between the fixed portion and the electrical connection portion, so that it is provided to elastically deform and flex in both the height direction and the direction perpendicular to the height direction. Therefore, the degree of freedom of elastic deformation of the movable spring portion of the contact can be increased, and when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating connector and the movable housing attached to the electrical connection portion of the contact follows the mating housing, the ability of the movable housing to follow the mating housing can be improved.

[0016] (3) The engaging portion is provided with a tapered surface that extends diagonally with respect to the height direction, and the engaging portion may engage with the mating housing via the tapered surface when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating housing along the height direction.

[0017] In this configuration, the engaging portion of the movable housing is provided with a tapered surface that is oblique in the height direction. The engaging portion of the movable housing engages with the mating housing via the tapered surface when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating housing. Therefore, when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating housing, the movable housing can be smoothly engaged to slide against the mating housing, and the movement of the movable housing following the mating housing can be made smoother.

[0018] (4) A plurality of contacts are provided, and the plurality of contacts are arranged in a width direction perpendicular to the height direction, and the electrical connection portion of each of the plurality of contacts penetrates the movable housing, and the engaging portions are provided on both ends of the movable housing in the width direction.

[0019] According to this configuration, the movable housing is attached to the plurality of contacts in a state where the electrical connection portions of the plurality of contacts arranged in the width direction penetrate through the movable housing. The movable housing is configured to engage with a mating housing at engaging portions respectively provided on both widthwise end sides of the movable housing. Accordingly, since the movable housing attached to the plurality of contacts operates to engage and follow the mating housing at both widthwise end sides with respect to the mating housing, when the movable housing operates to follow the mating housing, the movable housing is prevented from being distorted in the width direction relative to the mating housing. Therefore, the operation of causing the movable housing attached to the plurality of contacts to follow the mating housing can be performed more smoothly and stably. [Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, an electrical connector can be provided which is capable of suppressing momentary disconnection of electrical connection with a mating connector even when the connector is relatively displaced in the height direction relative to the mating connector, and also capable of suppressing a decrease in insertion and extraction durability. [Brief Description of Drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is shown together with a mating connector to which the electrical connector is connected. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a state where the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing a state where the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the electrical connector. [Figure 5] It is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(A) and Fig. 6(B) are perspective views of the mating connector. [Figure 7]It is a diagram showing a mating connector, where FIG. 7(A) is a plan view and FIG. 7(B) is a front view. [Figure 8] It is an exploded perspective view of the mating connector. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a mating contact in the mating connector, where FIG. 9(A) is a perspective view, FIG. 9(B) is a plan view, and FIG. 9(C) is a front view. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of the electrical connector in a state connected to a substrate, shown as a view including a partial cross-section. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing the electrical connector, where FIG. 11(A) is a plan view, FIG. 11(B) is a front view, and FIG. 11(C) is a bottom view. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing the electrical connector, where FIG. 12(A) is a perspective cross-sectional view and FIG. 12(B) is a cross-sectional view. [Figure 13] FIG. 13(A) and FIG. 13(B) are perspective views showing a fixed housing in the electrical connector, and FIG. 13(A) and FIG. 13(B) are perspective views showing the fixed housing viewed from mutually different directions. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing the fixed housing, where FIG. 14(A) is a plan view, FIG. 14(B) is a front view, and FIG. 14(C) is a bottom view. [Figure 15] FIG. 15(A) and FIG. 15(B) are perspective views showing a contact in the electrical connector, and are perspective views showing the contact viewed from mutually different directions. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing the contact, where FIG. 16(A) is a plan view, FIG. 16(B) is a side view, and FIG. 16(C) is a bottom view. [Figure 17] FIG. 17(A) and FIG. 17(B) are perspective views showing a movable housing in the electrical connector, and are perspective views showing the movable housing viewed from mutually different directions. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing the movable housing, where FIG. 18(A) is a front view, FIG. 18(B) is a side view, and FIG. 18(C) is a rear view. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view showing the state before an electrical connector and a mating connector are connected, and the electrical connector is shown with a partial cross-section. [Figure 20] This is a side view showing the state before the electrical connector and the mating connector are connected, and the electrical connector is shown including a partial cross-section. [Figure 21] This is a perspective view showing the state in which an electrical connector and a mating connector are being connected, and the electrical connector is shown with a partial cross-section. [Figure 22] This is a side view showing the state in which an electrical connector and a mating connector are being connected, and the electrical connector is shown including a partial cross-section. [Figure 23] This is a perspective view showing an electrical connector connected to a mating connector, and the electrical connector is shown with a partial cross-section. [Figure 24] This is a side view showing an electrical connector connected to a mating connector, and the electrical connector is shown with a partial cross-section. [Figure 25] This is a perspective view showing an electrical connector and a mating connector connected, with the electrical connector shown including a partial cross-section, and the mating connector shown without illustrating the mating housing. [Figure 26] This is a side view showing an electrical connector and a mating connector connected, with the electrical connector shown including a partial cross-section, and the mating connector shown without illustrating the mating housing. [Figure 27] This is a perspective view showing an electrical connector in a state where it is connected to a mating connector and the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating connector in the height direction, and the view includes a partial cross-section of the electrical connector. [Figure 28]This is a side view showing the state in which an electrical connector is connected to a mating connector and the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating connector in the height direction, and the view includes a partial cross-section of the electrical connector. [Figure 29] This is a perspective view showing an electrical connector and a mating connector connected, with the electrical connector displaced relative to the mating connector in the height direction. The view includes a partial cross-section of the electrical connector, while the mating connector's housing is omitted from the illustration. [Figure 30] This is a side view showing an electrical connector and a mating connector connected, with the electrical connector displaced relative to the mating connector in the height direction. The view includes a partial cross-section of the electrical connector, while the mating connector's housing is omitted from the illustration. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention can be broadly applied to electrical connectors that are connected to a substrate and are also connected to a mating connector in a manner that allows for relative displacement.

[0023] [Outline configuration of electrical connector and mating connector] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is shown together with the mating connector 100 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the state in which the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100. Figure 3 is a plan view showing the state in which the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the electrical connector 1. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector 1. In Figures 1 to 3, the electrical connector 1 is shown connected to a substrate 101, and the mating connector 100 is shown connected to a substrate 102. Note that in Figures 1 to 3, only a portion of the substrate 101 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected and the substrate 102 to which the mating connector 100 is connected are shown in a cutaway state.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the electrical connector 1 is configured as an electrical connector that is connected to a substrate 101 and is also connected to a mating connector 100 in a manner that allows for relative displacement. First, the electrical connector 1 is connected to the substrate 101 and mounted on the substrate 101. The mating connector 100 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected is connected to another substrate 102, different from the substrate 101, and mounted on the substrate 102. While the electrical connector 1 is connected to the substrate 101, it is connected to the mating connector 100 which is connected to the substrate 102. The electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected by mating along their height direction X1. The height direction X1 of the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 101 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected, and perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 102 to which the mating connector 100 is connected. The height direction X1 of the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is indicated by double-ended arrows X1 in Figures 1 to 5.

[0025] The electrical connector 1 comprises a fixed housing 11 installed on a circuit board 101, a plurality of contacts 12 held by the fixed housing 11, a movable housing 13 attached to the plurality of contacts 12, and a stopper member 14 that restricts the range of motion of the movable housing 13 relative to the fixed housing 11.

[0026] The fixed housing 11 is made of an insulating resin material and is configured to hold a plurality of contacts 12 and to be fixedly installed on the substrate 101. The fixed housing 11 has a pair of cylindrical boss portions 21 (see Figures 11 and 14 below), and the pair of boss portions 21 are provided as parts that are fitted into the substrate 101. The fixed housing 11 is fixedly installed on the substrate 101 by fitting the boss portions 21 into holes provided in the substrate 101 and press-fitting it.

[0027] Each of the multiple contacts 12 is formed of a conductive metal material. The multiple contacts 12 are held in a fixed housing 11 in a row along the width direction X2 of the electrical connector 1. In the electrical connector 1, the width direction X2 is perpendicular to the height direction X1. Each of the multiple contacts 12 is configured such that one end is electrically connected to the substrate 101 and fixed to the fixed housing 11, and the other end is mated to the mating connector 100 and contacts the mating contact 104 of the mating connector 100 for electrical connection. One end of the contact 12 is provided with a fixing portion 25 that is press-fitted into the fixed housing 11 and fixed, and a substrate connection portion 24 that is electrically connected to the substrate 101. The other end of the contact 12 is provided with an electrical connection portion 26 that is mated to the mating connector 100 and electrically connected to the mating contact 104 of the mating connector 100. Furthermore, the contact 12 is provided with a movable spring portion 27 between the fixed portion 25 and the electrical connection portion 26, and the electrical connection portion 26 is provided so as to be displaceable relative to the fixed portion 25.

[0028] The movable housing 13 is made of an insulating resin material. The movable housing 13 is attached to a plurality of contacts 12 and is positioned to face the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100. The movable housing 13 is positioned so as to be attached to a plurality of contacts 12 with the electrical connection portion 26 of each contact 12 passing through it. The movable housing 13 is attached to the plurality of contacts 12 before the plurality of contacts 12 are attached to and fixed in the fixed housing 11. Once the movable housing 13 is attached to the plurality of contacts 12, the plurality of contacts 12 with the movable housing 13 attached are attached to and fixed in the fixed housing 11. The movable housing 13 is positioned so as to be displaceable relative to the fixed housing 11, since it is attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of the contacts 12 which are displaceable relative to the fixed portion 25 of the contacts 12 which are fixed in the fixed housing 11.

[0029] The stopper member 14 is made of a metal material and is provided as a rectangular-shaped member that is inserted into and mounted in the fixed housing 11. The stopper member 14 is also provided as a member that restricts the range of motion of the movable housing 13 in the height direction X1 relative to the fixed housing 11, which is provided so as to be displaceable relative to the fixed housing 11 via contacts 12. When the multiple contacts 12 to which the movable housing 13 is attached are attached and fixed to the fixed housing 11, the movable housing 13 is provided so as to be displaceable relative to the fixed housing 11. In this state, the stopper member 14 is inserted and mounted in the fixed housing 11 by press-fitting. The stopper member 14 is mounted in the fixed housing 11 at a position where it can come into contact with the movable housing 13 in the height direction X1 when the movable housing 13 is displaced excessively large relative to the fixed housing 11 along the height direction X1. As a result, the stopper member 14 is configured to restrict the range of motion of the movable housing 13 in the height direction X1 relative to the fixed housing 11 when the movable housing 13 is displaced excessively in the height direction X1 relative to the fixed housing 11.

[0030] Next, the mating connector 100 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected will be described. Figures 6(A) and 6(B) are perspective views of the mating connector 100, showing the connector from different directions. Figure 7 is a diagram of the mating connector 100, where Figure 7(A) is a plan view and Figure 7(B) is a front view. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the mating connector 100. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the mating contacts in the mating connector, where Figure 9(A) is a perspective view, Figure 9(B) is a plan view, and Figure 9(C) is a front view. Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 9, the mating connector 100 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected comprises a mating housing 103 installed on a substrate 102 and a plurality of mating contacts 104 held in the mating housing 103.

[0031] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 8, the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100 is made of an insulating resin material and is configured to hold a plurality of mating contacts 104 and to be fixedly installed on the substrate 102. The mating housing 103 has a pair of cylindrical boss portions 103a formed thereon (see Figures 6 and 8), and the pair of boss portions 103a are provided as parts that are fitted into the substrate 102. The mating housing 103 is fixedly installed on the substrate 102 by the boss portions 103a being fitted into holes provided in the substrate 102 and press-fitted.

[0032] Furthermore, referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 8, the mating housing 103 is configured to hold a plurality of mating contacts 104 in a line along the width direction X2 of the mating connector 100. In the mating connector 100, the width direction X2 is perpendicular to the height direction X1, and the width direction X2 of the mating connector 100 corresponds to the width direction X2 of the electrical connector 1. Each of the plurality of mating contacts 104 is press-fitted into and held in the mating housing 103. The mating housing 103 is provided with a plurality of retaining grooves for holding each of the plurality of mating contacts 104, and each mating contact 104 is press-fitted into and held in each retaining groove of the mating housing 103. In addition, the mating housing 103 is provided with a plurality of slit grooves 103b at positions corresponding to the plurality of retaining grooves. Each slit groove 103b communicates with each retaining groove and is provided as a groove that penetrates the mating housing 103 in the height direction X1. Each slit groove 103b penetrates the mating housing 103 in the height direction X1 and is provided to open toward the outside of the mating housing 103 on the side facing the electrical connector 1 when the mating connector 100 is connected to the electrical connector 1. Each slit groove 103b is positioned so that the mating contact portion 104b of each mating contact 104 held in each retaining groove is exposed. The mating contact portion 104b of the mating contact 104 is provided as the part that contacts the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1 and is electrically connected. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1 fits into the slit groove 103b of the mating housing 103. Then, the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 fitted into the slit groove 103b comes into contact with the mating contact portion 104b of the mating contact 104 exposed in the slit groove 103b, and the contact 12 and the mating contact 104 are electrically connected.

[0033] Furthermore, referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 8, the mating housing 103 is provided with engaging portions 103c on the side facing the electrical connector 1 when the mating connector 100 is connected to the electrical connector 1. The engaging portions 103c are provided in pairs, and are provided on both ends of the mating housing 103 in the width direction X2. When the mating connector 100 and the electrical connector 1 are connected, the mating housing 103 faces the movable housing 13 of the electrical connector 1. The engaging portions 103c provided on the mating housing 103 are provided to engage with the engaging portions 29, described later, provided on the movable housing 13 of the electrical connector 1, when the connected electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1. For example, the engaging portions 103c are provided as projections with a substantially triangular cross-section on both ends of the end face of the mating housing 103 facing the movable housing 13 in the width direction X2. Alternatively, the engaged portion 103c is provided as a portion that protrudes relatively to the surrounding area with a roughly triangular cross-section at both ends in the width direction X2 of the end face of the mating housing 103 facing the movable housing 13, with its periphery formed as a stepped recess. The engaged portion 103c is formed in a shape that protrudes toward the movable housing 13 with a roughly triangular cross-section, and the engaged portion 103c is provided with a tapered surface that extends diagonally with respect to the height direction X1. In the engaged portion 103c, a pair of tapered surfaces are provided, one on each side in the height direction X1. That is, in the engaged portion 103c, the tapered surfaces that extend diagonally with respect to the height direction X1 are provided on both the upper and lower sides in the height direction X1. When the connected electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1, the engaged portion 103c is configured to engage with the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 via its tapered surface.

[0034] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 6 to 9, the multiple mating contacts 104 in the mating connector 100 are each formed of a conductive metallic material. The multiple mating contacts 104 are held in the mating housing 103 in a row along the width direction X2 of the mating connector 100. Each mating contact 104 is press-fitted into each retaining groove provided in the mating housing 103 and held in the mating housing 103. The mating contact 104 is provided with a main body portion 104a, a pair of mating contact portions 104b extending from the main body portion 104a, and a lead portion 104c extending from the main body portion 104a and connected to the substrate 102.

[0035] The main body portion 104a of the mating contact 104 is provided as a frame-shaped portion formed by bending a plate-like portion multiple times, and is provided as a portion that is press-fitted into the mating housing 103 and held in place. The mating contact 104 is held in the mating housing 103 when the main body portion 104a is press-fitted into the holding groove of the mating housing 103.

[0036] Each of the pair of mating contact portions 104b of the mating contact 104 is formed as a leaf spring-like portion that cantilevered out from the main body portion 104a, and is provided as a portion that contacts the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1 and is electrically connected. The pair of mating contact portions 104b contact the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 while sandwiching it from both sides in the width direction X2, and are electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 26. Furthermore, the pair of mating contact portions 104b are arranged so as to be exposed in the slit groove 103b of the mating housing 103 when the mating contact 104 is held in the mating housing 103. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1 engages with the slit groove 103b of the mating housing 103. Then, the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 fitted into the slit groove 103b fits between the pair of mating contact portions 104b of the mating contact 104 exposed in the slit groove 103b, engaging with the pair of mating contact portions 104b and making contact with them. The contact between the electrical connection portion 26 and the pair of mating contact portions 104b electrically connects the contact 12 and the mating contact 104.

[0037] The lead portion 104c of the mating contact 104 is provided as a part that is electrically connected to the substrate 102 by soldering. The substrate 102 is provided with a through-hole into which the lead portion 104c is inserted, and the lead portion 104c is connected to the substrate 102 by soldering while inserted into the through-hole of the substrate 102. Note that in Figures 1 and 2, the solder used to connect the lead portion 104c to the substrate 102 is not shown. The lead portion 104c is provided so as to protrude from the main body portion 104a in a cantilevered manner. Furthermore, the lead portion 104c is provided so as to protrude from the main body portion 104a on the opposite side from which the pair of mating contact portions 104b protrude from the main body portion 104a.

[0038] [Detailed configuration of electrical connectors] The following describes the configuration of the electrical connector 1 in more detail. In the following description, the height direction X1, width direction X2, and front-to-back direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are defined as shown by the double-ended arrows X1, X2, and X3 in Figures 1 to 9 and the drawings described later. The height direction X1, width direction X2, and front-to-back direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 correspond to the height direction X1, width direction X2, and front-to-back direction X3 of the mating connector 100. The height direction X1 is perpendicular to both the direction in which the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 face each other when connected, and the direction in which the multiple contacts 12 in the electrical connector 1 are arranged. The height direction X1 is also perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 101 to which the electrical connector 1 is connected. The electrical connector 1 is installed on the surface of the substrate 101 at its lower end in the height direction X1. Furthermore, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected by mating along the height direction X1. The height direction X1 of the electrical connector 1 is also defined as the height direction X1 of the fixed housing 11, the height direction X1 of the contacts 12, and the height direction X1 of the movable housing 13. The width direction X2 is perpendicular to the height direction X1 and is the direction in which the multiple contacts 12 held by the fixed housing 11 are aligned in a line within the fixed housing 11. The width direction X2 of the electrical connector 1 is also defined as the width direction X2 of the fixed housing 11, the width direction X2 of the contacts 12, and the width direction X2 of the movable housing 13. The front-to-back direction X3 is perpendicular to both the height direction X1 and the width direction X2. The front-to-back direction X3 is parallel to the direction in which the connected electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 face each other. The front side of the electrical connector 1 is the side facing the mating connector 100 in the front-to-back direction X3 when the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100. Similarly, the front side of the mating connector 100 is the side facing the electrical connector 1 in the front-to-back direction X3 when the mating connector 100 is connected to the electrical connector 1. The front-to-back direction X3 of the electrical connector 1 is also configured as the front-to-back direction X3 of the fixed housing 11, the front-to-back direction X3 of the contact 12, and the front-to-back direction X3 of the movable housing 13.

[0039] <Fixed Housing> Figure 10 is a perspective view of the electrical connector 1 connected to the substrate 101, and includes a partial cross-section. Figure 11 shows the electrical connector 1, where Figure 11(A) is a plan view, Figure 11(B) is a front view, and Figure 11(C) is a bottom view. Figure 12 shows the electrical connector 1, where Figure 12(A) is a perspective cross-sectional view, and Figure 12(B) is a cross-sectional view. Figures 13(A) and 13(B) are perspective views of the fixed housing 11 in the electrical connector 1, where Figures 13(A) and 13(B) are perspective views of the fixed housing 11 viewed from different directions. Figure 14 shows the fixed housing 11, where Figure 14(A) is a plan view, Figure 14(B) is a front view, and Figure 14(C) is a bottom view.

[0040] Referring to Figures 1 to 5 and Figures 10 to 14, the fixed housing 11 is provided as a structural member made of resin material, and is configured to hold a plurality of contacts 12 and to be installed on the substrate 101. The fixed housing 11 has a basic shape that extends long in the width direction X2 and short in the front-rear direction X3, and on the front side, there is a recess 20 that is recessed along the front-rear direction X3 and divides the space that extends in the width direction X2. The movable housing 13 is positioned in the recess 20 in a state in which it can be displaced relative to the fixed housing 11. That is, the contacts 12 to which the movable housing 13 is attached are attached to the fixed housing 11, and the movable housing 13, which is positioned in a state in which it can be displaced relative to the fixed housing 11 via the contacts 12, is positioned in the recess 20 of the fixed housing 11.

[0041] Furthermore, the fixed housing 11 is provided with a pair of boss portions 21 at both ends in the width direction X2, which are cylindrical projections that protrude along the height direction X1 from the lower end in the height direction X1. The boss portions 21 are configured to fit into holes provided in the substrate 101, and when the boss portions 21 are fitted into the substrate 101, the fixed housing 11 is fixed and installed on the substrate 101.

[0042] Furthermore, referring to Figures 4, 5, and 10 to 14, the fixed housing 11 is provided with a plurality of contact housing chambers 22 into which a plurality of contacts 12 are inserted and arranged. The plurality of contact housing chambers 22 are arranged in the width direction X2 in the fixed housing 11. Each of the plurality of contact housing chambers 22 is provided as a rectangular space extending in the height direction X1 and the front-rear direction X3, opening outwards toward the lower end in the height direction X1 and toward the front in the front-rear direction X3. In addition, each contact housing chamber 22 is configured to house a part of each contact 12, and is mainly configured to house the movable spring portion 27 of each contact 12. The movable spring portion 27 of each contact 12 is housed in each contact housing chamber 22 by being inserted from the lower end of each contact housing chamber 22 along the height direction X1. Furthermore, the movable spring portion 27 of each contact housed in each contact housing chamber 22 is not fixed to the inner wall of each contact housing chamber 22, but is positioned to be displaceable within each contact housing chamber 22.

[0043] Furthermore, referring to Figures 10 to 14, each contact housing chamber 22 is provided with a press-fit groove 22a into which a fixing portion 25, provided on one end of each contact 12, is press-fitted. A pair of press-fit grooves 22a are provided corresponding to each contact housing chamber 22, and are provided as grooves that are recessed in the width direction X2 from the inner wall of each contact housing chamber 22 on both sides in the width direction X2. The press-fit grooves 22a are partitioned as spaces that communicate with each contact housing chamber 22. In addition, the press-fit grooves 22a are provided as grooves that extend along the height direction X1, and open outwards at the lower end in the height direction X1. When the movable spring portion 27 of each contact 12 is inserted into each contact housing chamber 22, the fixing portion 25 provided on one end of each contact 12 is inserted into the press-fit groove 22a and press-fitted. The fixing portion 25 of the contact 12 is inserted into the press-fit groove 22a from the lower end side along the height direction X1 and press-fitted, and is fixed to the fixed housing 11 in the press-fit groove 22a. By press-fitting and fixing the fixing portion 25 of the contact 12 into the press-fit groove 22a, the contact 12 is fixed to the fixed housing 11 at one end.

[0044] Furthermore, referring to Figures 5, 11, and 13, the fixed housing 11 is configured to be fitted with a stopper member 14, and the fixed housing 11 is provided with stopper insertion holes 23 into which the stopper member 14 is inserted (see Figure 13). The stopper insertion holes 23 are provided on both sides in the width direction X2 of the fixed housing 11 and are provided as holes that penetrate the fixed housing 11 along the front-rear direction X3. The stopper member 14 is inserted into the stopper insertion holes 23 by press-fitting and fitted into the fixed housing 11. When the stopper member 14 is fitted into the fixed housing 11, the front end portion in the front-rear direction X3 is positioned so as to protrude to the front side of the fixed housing 11 inside the fixed housing 11, and is positioned so as to be able to contact the movable housing 13, which is located in the recess 20 of the fixed housing 11, in the height direction X1. As a result, when the movable housing 13 is displaced excessively in the height direction X1 relative to the fixed housing 11, the stopper member 14 and the movable housing 13 come into contact, restricting the range of motion of the movable housing 13 in the height direction X1 relative to the fixed housing 11.

[0045] <Contact> Figures 15(A) and 15(B) are perspective views showing the contacts 12 in the electrical connector 1, and perspective views showing the contacts 12 viewed from different directions. Figure 16 is a diagram showing the contacts 12, where Figure 16(A) is a top view, Figure 16(B) is a side view, and Figure 16(C) is a bottom view. Referring to Figures 1 to 5, Figures 10 to 12, Figure 15, and Figure 16, the electrical connector 1 has multiple contacts 12, which are held in a fixed housing 11 and are electrically connected to the substrate 101, and are also mated with the mating connector 100 and electrically connected to the mating contacts 104 of the mating connector 100. The multiple contacts 12 are arranged in a width direction X2 perpendicular to the height direction X1 and are held in a row along the width direction X2 in the fixed housing 11.

[0046] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, 10 to 12, 15, and 16, each of the plurality of contacts 12 is configured such that one end is electrically connected to the substrate 101 and fixed to the fixed housing 11, and the other end is mated to the mating connector 100 and contacts the mating contact 104 on the mating connector 100 to make an electrical connection. Each contact 12 is made of a conductive metallic material and has a substrate connection portion 24 that is connected to the substrate 101, a fixed portion 25 that is fixed to the fixed housing 11, an electrical connection portion 26 that is connected to the mating contact 104 of the mating connector 100, and a movable spring portion 27 that connects the fixed portion 25 and the electrical connection portion 26. The substrate connection portion 24, the fixing portion 25, the electrical connection portion 26, and the movable spring portion 27 are integrally provided, with the substrate connection portion 24 and the fixing portion 25 provided on one end of the contact 12, the electrical connection portion 26 provided on the other end of the contact 12, and the movable spring portion 27 provided between the substrate connection portion 24 and the fixing portion 25 and the electrical connection portion 26. In other words, the substrate connection portion 24 and the fixing portion 25, the movable spring portion 27, and the electrical connection portion 26 are arranged in this order and integrally provided, with the substrate connection portion 24 and the fixing portion 25 provided on one end and the electrical connection portion 26 provided on the other end.

[0047] Referring to Figures 10 to 12, 15, and 16, the substrate connection portion 24 of the contact 12 is provided as a portion that is electrically connected to the substrate 101 by soldering. The substrate 101 is provided with a through-hole into which the substrate connection portion 24 is inserted, and the substrate connection portion 24 is connected to the substrate 101 by soldering while inserted into the through-hole of the substrate 101. Note that in Figure 10, the solder used to connect the substrate connection portion 24 to the substrate 101 is not shown. The substrate connection portion 24 is provided on one end of the contact 12 and is provided to protrude in a cantilevered manner along the height direction X1.

[0048] Referring to Figures 5, 10, 12, 15, and 16, the fixing portion 25 of the contact 12 is provided as a part that is fixed to the fixing housing 11. The fixing portion 25 is provided on one end side of the contact 12 and is provided in a pair aligned in the width direction X2. Each of the pair of fixing portions 25 is provided so as to extend cantilevered along the height direction X1 on one end side of the contact 12 and also extends in an elongated plate shape. The fixing portion 25 is fixed to the fixing housing 11 by press-fitting into the press-fit groove 22a of the fixing housing 11. The fixing portion 25 is inserted into the press-fit groove 22a from the lower end side along the height direction X1 and press-fitted, thereby fixing to the fixing housing 11.

[0049] Referring to Figures 1, 3 to 5, 10, 12, 15, and 16, the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 is provided as a portion that fits into the mating connector 100 and makes contact with the mating contact 104 of the mating connector 100 to make an electrical connection. The electrical connection portion 26 is provided in the contact 12 so as to extend in a cantilever shape from the movable spring portion 27 along the front-rear direction X3, and the front end, which is the tip that extends in a cantilever shape in the front-rear direction X3, fits into the mating connector 100 and is provided so as to penetrate the movable housing 13. The movable housing 13 is attached to the contact 12 by fixing the movable housing 13 to the electrical connection portion 26 with the electrical connection portion 26 penetrating the movable housing 13.

[0050] The electrical connection portion 26 is provided with a contact portion 26a and a movable housing mounting portion 26b. The contact portion 26a and the movable housing mounting portion 26b are arranged in series in the front-rear direction X3 and are provided as a single unit. The contact portion 26a is positioned on the front side in the front-rear direction X3 and is provided as the tip portion of the electrical connection portion 26 that extends in a cantilever shape. The movable housing mounting portion 26b is positioned on the rear side in the front-rear direction X3 and is provided as the base portion of the electrical connection portion 26 that extends in a cantilever shape.

[0051] The contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 is provided as a tab-shaped portion that extends in a long, narrow, plate-like manner in the front-to-back direction X3, with a rectangular cross-section that is longer in the height direction X1 than in the width direction X2, and is provided as a portion that fits into the mating connector 100 and contacts the mating contact 104 of the mating connector 100 to make an electrical connection. When the electrical connection portion 26 penetrates the movable housing 13 and the movable housing 13 is attached to the electrical connection portion 26, the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 is positioned to protrude from the movable housing 13 toward the front of the movable housing 13. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 that protrudes forward from the movable housing 13 fits into the slit groove 103b of the mating housing 103. The contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 is displaced relative to the mating housing 103 in the height direction X1, thereby fitting into the slit groove 103b of the mating housing 103. The contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26, fitted into the slit groove 103b, then fits between the pair of mating contact portions 104b of the mating contact 104 that are exposed in the slit groove 103b, and makes contact with the pair of mating contact portions 104b. The contact between the contact portion 104b and the pair of mating contact portions 104b electrically connects the contact 12 and the mating contact 104. In addition, the contact portion 26a fitted into the slit groove 103b is sandwiched from both sides in the width direction X2 by the pair of mating contact portions 104b exposed in the slit groove 103b and makes contact with the pair of mating contact portions 104b, electrically connecting to the mating contact 104.

[0052] The movable housing mounting portion 26b of the electrical connection portion 26 is provided as the portion to which the movable housing 13 is attached when the electrical connection portion 26 passes through the movable housing 13. The movable housing mounting portion 26b is provided as a widened portion that has a larger dimension in the width direction X2 than the contact portion 26a. When the movable housing 13 is attached to the electrical connection portion 26 when the electrical connection portion 26 passes through the movable housing 13, the movable housing mounting portion 26b is inserted so as to be press-fitted into the movable housing 13. With the movable housing mounting portion 26b press-fitted into the movable housing 13, the electrical connection portion 26 passes through the movable housing 13, thereby fixing and attaching the movable housing 13 to the electrical connection portion 26.

[0053] Referring to Figures 4, 5, 10 to 12, 15, and 16, the movable spring portion 27 of the contact 12 is provided to connect the fixed portion 25 and the electrical connection portion 26, and to support the electrical connection portion 26 so that it can be displaced relative to the fixed portion 25. The movable spring portion 27 is provided as an elongated leaf spring-like part and integrally connects the fixed portion 25 on one end of the contact 12 and the electrical connection portion 26 on the other end of the contact 12.

[0054] Furthermore, the movable spring portion 27, which is provided in the shape of a long, slender leaf spring, is provided so as to bend and extend multiple times between the fixed portion 25 and the electrical connection portion 26, and is provided so as to bend and flex elastically in both the height direction X1 and the direction perpendicular to the height direction X1. In other words, the movable spring portion 27, which is provided so as to bend and extend multiple times between the fixed portion 25 and the electrical connection portion 26, is provided so as to bend and flex elastically in all directions of the height direction X1, the width direction X2, and the front-rear direction X3. More specifically, the movable spring portion 27 is provided to bend in a semi-circular arc along the height direction X1 for approximately 180° from the fixed portion 25, then extend along the front-rear direction X3, then bend again in a semi-circular arc along the height direction X1 for approximately 180°, then extend along the front-rear direction X3, and then bend again in a semi-circular arc along the height direction X1 for approximately 180°, extend along the front-rear direction X3 to connect to the electrical connection portion 2.

[0055] <Movable Housing> Figures 17(A) and 17(B) are perspective views showing the movable housing 13 in the electrical connector 1, and perspective views showing the movable housing 13 viewed from different directions. Figure 18 is a diagram showing the movable housing 13, where Figure 18(A) is a front view, Figure 18(B) is a side view, and Figure 18(C) is a rear view. Referring to Figures 1 to 5, Figures 10 to 12, Figure 17, and Figure 18, the movable housing 13 is made of a resin material and is provided as a member having a basic outer shape that extends in a substantially rectangular prism shape along the width direction X2. The movable housing 13 is attached to a plurality of contacts 12 and is provided as a member that is positioned to face the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100 in the front-rear direction X3. When the plurality of contacts 12 to which the movable housing 13 is attached are attached to the fixed housing 11, the movable housing 13 is positioned in the recess 20 of the fixed housing 11 and is provided in a state in which it can be displaced relative to the fixed housing 11 via the contacts 12.

[0056] Referring to Figures 5, 10 to 12, 17, and 18, the movable housing 13 is provided with a plurality of through holes 28 through which the electrical connection portions 26 of the plurality of contacts 12 are inserted. The plurality of through holes 28 are arranged in the width direction X2 in the movable housing 13. Each of the plurality of through holes 28 is provided as a hole that penetrates the movable housing 13 in the front-rear direction X3.

[0057] Each of the multiple through holes 28 is provided with a slit-shaped hole portion 28a and an enlarged hole portion 28b. The slit-shaped hole portion 28a and the enlarged hole portion 28b are arranged in the front-rear direction X3 and communicate with each other in the front-rear direction X3. The slit-shaped hole portion 28a is located on the front side in the front-rear direction X3 of the through hole 28 and opens forward in the movable housing 13. The slit-shaped hole portion 28a is provided as a slit-shaped hole with a rectangular cross-section that is longer in the height direction X1 than in the width direction X2 and opens forward. The contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 is positioned to pass through the slit-shaped hole portion 28a. The enlarged hole portion 28b is located on the rear side in the front-rear direction X3 of the through hole 28 and opens rearward in the movable housing 13. Furthermore, the widened hole portion 28b is provided as a hole that is wider in the width direction X2 than the slit-shaped hole portion 28a, and is provided as a hole with a substantially square cross-section that extends in the front-rear direction X3. The movable housing mounting portion 26b of the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 is fitted into the widened hole portion 28b by press-fitting. When the movable housing 13 is attached to the contact 12, the electrical connection portion 26 is inserted through the through hole 28 from the rear side to the front side in the front-rear direction X3, and the movable housing 13 is attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12.

[0058] The movable housing 13 is positioned in the recess 20 of the fixed housing 11 and is provided so as to be able to move relative to the fixed housing 11 via the contact 12. The movable housing 13 is provided so as to face the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100 in the front-rear direction X3 when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected. Referring to Figures 1 to 5, 10, 11, 17, and 18, the movable housing 13 is provided with an engaging portion 29 that engages with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 when the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating housing 103 along the height direction X1 of the electrical connector 1 when it is facing the mating housing 103.

[0059] The engaging portion 29 is provided in the movable housing 13 on the side of the mating connector 100 that faces the mating housing 103 when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected. The engaging portion 29 is provided in pairs, and is provided on both ends of the movable housing 13 in the width direction X2. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the movable housing 13 faces the mating housing 103 in the front-rear direction X3. The engaging portion 29 provided in the movable housing 13 is provided so as to engage with the engaged portion 103c provided on the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100 when the connected electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1.

[0060] The engaging portion 29 is provided as a projection with a substantially triangular cross-section at both ends in the width direction X2 of the end face of the movable housing 13 facing the mating housing 103. Because the engaging portion 29 is formed in a shape that protrudes toward the movable housing 13 with a substantially triangular cross-section, the engaging portion 29 is provided with a tapered surface 29a that extends diagonally with respect to the height direction X1. In the engaging portion 29, the tapered surface 29a is provided in pairs and is provided on both sides in the height direction X1. That is, in the engaging portion 29, the tapered surface 29a that extends diagonally with respect to the height direction X1 is provided on both the upper and lower sides in the height direction X1. In the electrical connector 1, the upper side in the height direction X1 is the side opposite to the side facing the substrate 101, and the lower side in the height direction X1 is the side facing the substrate 101.

[0061] When the connected electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1, the engaging portion 29 is configured to engage with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 via its tapered surface 29a. In this embodiment, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 is positioned above the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 in the height direction X1. When the mating connector 100 is displaced upward relative to the electrical connector 1 along the height direction X1, the engaging portion 29 engages with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 via its lower tapered surface 29a in the height direction X1. When the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 along the height direction X1, and the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 engages with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103, the movable housing 13, which is provided to be able to move relative to the fixed housing 11 via the contact 12, is displaced relative to the fixed housing 11. As a result, the movable housing 13 attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 moves to follow the mating housing 103. Since the movable housing 13 attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 moves to follow the mating housing 103, the relative positional relationship between the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 and the mating contact 104 held by the mating housing 103 is maintained with almost no shift, and the amount of relative displacement of the electrical connector 1 with respect to the mating connector 100 is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the movable spring portion 27 of the contact 12.

[0062] [Connection operation between electrical connector and mating connector] Next, the connection operation between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 will be described. Figures 19 and 20 show the state before the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, with Figure 19 being a perspective view and Figure 20 being a side view. In Figures 19 and 20, the electrical connector 1 is shown including a partial cross-section. Referring to Figures 19 and 20, the electrical connector 1 is connected to the substrate 101 and then connected to the mating connector 100, which is connected to another substrate 102. The electrical connector 1 is connected to the substrate 101 by inserting the substrate connection portions 24 of the multiple contacts 12 held in the fixed housing 11 into the substrate 101 and soldering them. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are combined so that they are relatively displaced from each other along the height direction X1. At this time, the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 protruding from the movable housing 13 of the electrical connector 1 fits into the slit groove 103b of the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100 along the height direction X1. In this embodiment, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected by being combined along the height direction X1 such that the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 upwards in the height direction X1, and the mating connector 100 is displaced relative to the electrical connector 1 downwards in the height direction X1.

[0063] Figures 21 and 22 show the state in which the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are being connected. Figure 21 is a perspective view, and Figure 22 is a side view. In Figures 21 and 22, the electrical connector 1 is shown including a partial cross-section. Referring to Figures 21 and 22, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are assembled and connected so that they are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1, the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1 fits into the slit groove 103b of the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100 along the height direction X1. Furthermore, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100 and the engaged portion 29 of the movable housing 13 of the electrical connector 1 come into contact in the height direction X1. At this time, the engaged portion 103c and the engaging portion 29 come into contact at the lower tapered surface of the engaged portion 103c and the upper tapered surface 29a of the engaging portion 29. When the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 and the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 come into contact in the height direction X1, the tapered surface of the engaged portion 103c and the tapered surface 29a of the engaging portion 29 slide against each other, causing the movable housing 13, on which the engaging portion 29 is provided, to be displaced so as to retract towards the rear in the front-rear direction X3 (the side opposite to the side facing the mating housing 103). That is, the engaged portion 103c and the engaging portion 29 come into contact, and the engaging portion 29 is biased toward the rear in the front-rear direction X3 while sliding relative to the engaged portion 103c. The movable housing 13, which is provided with the engaging portion 29, is supported relative to the fixed housing 11 via the contact 12 so as to be able to move relative to it. When the engaging portion 29 is biased towards the rear in the front-rear direction X3, the movable spring portion 27 of the contact 12 elastically deforms and bends, causing the movable housing 13, which is provided with the engaging portion 29, to be displaced so as to retract towards the rear in the front-rear direction X3. Figures 21 and 22 show the state in which the movable housing 13 has been displaced to retract towards the rear while the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are being connected.After the movable housing 13 is displaced to retract to the rear, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 move further along the height direction X1 so as to be displaced relative to each other. Once the connection between the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is complete, the engaging portion 29 overcomes the engaged portion 103c, the movable spring portion 27 of the contact 12 elastically recovers, and the movable housing 13, on which the engaging portion 29 is provided, returns to its forward position in the front-rear direction X3.

[0064] Figures 23 and 24 show the state in which electrical connector 1 and mating connector 100 are connected. Figure 23 is a perspective view, and Figure 24 is a side view. In Figures 23 and 24, electrical connector 1 is shown including a partial cross-section. Similarly, Figures 25 and 26 also show the state in which electrical connector 1 and mating connector 100 are connected. Figure 25 is a perspective view, and Figure 26 is a side view. In Figures 25 and 26, electrical connector 1 is shown including a partial cross-section, while the mating connector 100 is shown without illustrating the mating housing 103. The cross-sections of electrical connector 1 shown in Figures 23 and 24 and the cross-sections of electrical connector 1 shown in Figures 25 and 26 are cross-sections at different positions in the width direction X2.

[0065] Referring to Figures 23 to 26, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are assembled so that they are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1, the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1 fits into the slit groove 103b of the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100. Then, the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 that is fitted into the slit groove 103b fits between the pair of mating contact portions 104b of the mating contact 104 that are exposed in the slit groove 103b, and makes contact with the pair of mating contact portions 104b. By the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 and the pair of mating contact portions 104b, the contact 12 and the mating contact 104 are electrically connected. In this way, the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 fitted into the slit groove 103b is sandwiched from both sides in the width direction X2 by the pair of mating contact portions 104b exposed in the slit groove 103b and contacts the pair of mating contact portions 104b, thereby electrically connecting to the mating contact 104.

[0066] Furthermore, referring to Figures 23 and 24, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the movable housing 13 of the electrical connector 1 is positioned facing the mating housing 103 of the mating connector 100 in the front-rear direction X3. The engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 is positioned to engage with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 in the height direction X1. Thus, the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 is provided to engage with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 in the height direction X1 when the connected electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1. In this embodiment, when connecting the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100, the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 upward in the height direction X1, and the mating connector 100 is displaced relative to the electrical connector 1 downward in the height direction X1, thereby connecting the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100. When the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1 in the opposite direction to the connection direction described above, the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 will be displaced relative to each other in a direction that releases their connection. The engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 is provided to engage with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 in the height direction X1 when the connected electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1 in a direction that releases their connection. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 is positioned above the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 in the height direction X1.

[0067] [Operation when an electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating connector in the height direction] Next, we will explain the operation of electrical connector 1 when it is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1 due to external vibrations or the like, while electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100. Figures 27 and 28 show the state in which electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1 while electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100. Figure 27 is a perspective view, and Figure 28 is a side view. Figures 27 and 28 show electrical connector 1 including a partial cross-section. Figures 29 and 30 also show the state in which electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1 while electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100. Figure 29 is a perspective view, and Figure 30 is a side view. Note that in Figures 29 and 30, the electrical connector 1 is shown with a partial cross-section, while the mating connector 100 is shown without illustrating the mating housing 103. The cross-sections of the electrical connector 1 shown in Figures 27 and 28 and the cross-sections of the electrical connector 1 shown in Figures 29 and 30 are cross-sections at different positions in the width direction X2.

[0068] Referring to Figures 27 to 30, when the connected electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are displaced relative to each other along the height direction X1 in a direction that disconnects them, the engaging portion 29 engages with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 in the height direction X1 via its tapered surface 29a. In this embodiment, when the mating connector 100 is displaced upward relative to the electrical connector 1 along the height direction X1, the engaging portion 29 engages with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 via its lower tapered surface 29a in the height direction X1. When the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 along the height direction X1, and the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 engages with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103, the movable housing 13, which is provided to be displaceable relative to the fixed housing 11 via the contact 12, is displaced relative to the fixed housing 11 as the movable spring portion 27 of the contact 12 elastically deforms and bends. As a result, the movable housing 13 attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of contact 12 moves to follow the mating housing 103. And because the movable housing 13 attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of contact 12 moves to follow the mating housing 103, the relative positional relationship between the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 of contact 12 and the mating contact portion 104b of the mating contact 104 held in the mating housing 103 is maintained with almost no displacement. Furthermore, the relative displacement of the electrical connector 1 with respect to the mating connector 100 is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the movable spring portion 27 of contact 12.

[0069] As described above, even if the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1, the movable housing 13 attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 operates to follow the mating housing 103, and the relative positional relationship between the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 and the mating contact portion 104b of the mating contact 104 is maintained with almost no shift. Therefore, even if the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1, the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 and the mating contact 104 are prevented from shifting in the height direction X1 and losing contact, and the electrical connection between the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 and the mating contact 104 is prevented from being momentarily broken.

[0070] The side view of Figure 26 shows the state in which the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, and the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are not displaced relative to each other in the height direction X1. On the other hand, the side view of Figure 30 shows the state in which the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are connected, and the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1. In both Figure 26 and Figure 30, the effective connection length L of the area in which the contact portion 26a of the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 of the electrical connector 1 and the mating contact portion 104b of the mating contact 104 of the mating connector 100 can contact and be electrically connected is indicated by the arrows L at both ends. The effective connection length L is the length in the height direction X1 over which the area in which the contact portion 26a of the contact 12 can contact and be electrically connected when mated with the pair of mating contact portions 104b of the mating contact 104 is secured. If the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are displaced relative to each other in the height direction X1, causing the contact portion 26a of contact 12 and the pair of mating contact portions 104b of the mating contact 104 to shift in the height direction X1, there is a risk that a sufficient effective connection length L cannot be secured. However, in the electrical connector 1, even if it is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1, the movable housing 13 operates to follow the mating housing 103, maintaining the relative positional relationship between the contact portion 26a of contact 12 and the mating contact portion 104b of the mating contact 104 with almost no shift, thus ensuring a sufficient effective connection length L. As shown in Figure 26, when the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 are not displaced relative to each other in the height direction X1, an effective connection length L greater than the total length of the mating contact portion 104b in the height direction X1 is secured. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 30, even if the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1, the relative positional relationship between the contact portion 26a of the contact 12 and the mating contact portion 104b of the mating contact 104 is maintained with virtually no shift, thereby ensuring an effective connection length L that is greater than or equal to the total length of the mating contact portion 104b in the height direction X1.

[0071] [Effects of this embodiment] In this embodiment, the electrical connector 1 is installed on the substrate 101 in a fixed housing 11, with one end of the contact 12 electrically connected to the substrate 101 and fixed to the fixed housing 11, and the other end of the contact 12 fitted into the mating connector 100 and electrically connected to the mating contact 104. In this way, the substrate 101 and the mating connector 100 are electrically connected by the electrical connector 1. Furthermore, the contact 1 is provided with a movable spring portion 27 between the fixed portion 25 fixed to the fixed housing 11 and the electrical connection portion 26 connected to the mating contact 104, which supports the electrical connection portion 26 so that it can be displaced relative to the fixed portion 25. Therefore, when the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100, the movable spring portion 27 elastically deforms, absorbing the amount of relative displacement of the electrical connector 1 relative to the mating connector 100. For this reason, the electrical connector 1 is connected to the mating connector 100 in a state in which it can be displaced relative to the mating connector 100.

[0072] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a movable housing 13 is provided which is attached to the contact 12 with the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 passing through it, and which is positioned to face the mating housing 103. The movable housing 13, which is attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 with the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 passing through it, is provided with an engaging portion 29 which engages with the engaged portion 103c of the mating housing 103 when the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating housing 103 along the height direction X1 of the electrical connector 1. Therefore, when the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1, the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 engages with the mating housing 103, and the movable housing 13 attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 moves to follow the mating housing 103. Furthermore, since the movable housing 13 attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of contact 12 moves to follow the mating housing 103, the relative positional relationship between the electrical connection portion 26 of contact 12 and the mating contact 104 held by the mating housing 103 is maintained with almost no displacement, and the relative displacement of the electrical connector 1 with respect to the mating connector 100 is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the movable spring portion 27 of contact 12. Therefore, even if the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1, the electrical connection portion 26 of contact 12 and the mating contact 104 are prevented from shifting in the height direction X1 and losing contact, and the electrical connection between the electrical connection portion 26 of contact 12 and the mating contact 104 is prevented from being momentarily broken.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 in the height direction X1, the movable housing 13 attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 follows the mating housing 103, maintaining the relative positional relationship between the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 and the mating contact 104 with virtually no shift, thereby suppressing the loss of contact between the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 and the mating contact 104. Therefore, it is not necessary to excessively increase the contact pressure of the contact 12 by the mating contact 104 in order to suppress the loss of contact between the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 and the mating contact 104. As a result, even if the operation of connecting and disconnecting the electrical connector 1 and the mating connector 100 is repeated, and the insertion and removal operation of the contact 12 with respect to the mating contact 104 is repeated, the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 is prevented from being worn down and damaged. Therefore, the decrease in insertion and removal durability, which is the durability when the insertion and removal operation of the contact 12 with respect to the mating contact 104 is repeated, can also be suppressed.

[0074] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an electrical connector 1 that can suppress the instantaneous disconnection of the electrical connection with the mating connector 100 even when there is a relative displacement in the height direction X1 with respect to the mating connector 100, and can also suppress a decrease in insertion / extraction durability.

[0075] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the movable spring portion 27 is formed to bend and extend multiple times between the fixed portion 25 and the electrical connection portion 26, so that it is provided to elastically deform and bend in both the height direction X1 and the direction perpendicular to the height direction X1. As a result, the degree of freedom of elastic deformation of the movable spring portion 27 of the contact 12 can be increased, and when the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating connector 100 and the movable housing 13 attached to the electrical connection portion 26 of the contact 12 follows the mating housing 103, the ability of the movable housing 13 to follow the mating housing 103 can be improved.

[0076] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 is provided with a tapered surface 29a in the height direction X1, and the engaging portion 29 of the movable housing 13 engages with the mating housing 103 via the tapered surface 29a when the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating housing 103. As a result, when the electrical connector 1 is displaced relative to the mating housing 103, the movable housing 13 can be smoothly engaged to slide against the mating housing 103, and the movement of the movable housing 13 following the mating housing 103 can be made smoother.

[0077] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the movable housing 13 is attached to the multiple contacts 12 with the electrical connection portions 26 of the multiple contacts 12, which are arranged in the width direction X2, passing through the movable housing 13. The movable housing 13 is configured to engage with the mating housing 103 at the engaging portions 29 provided on both ends in the width direction X2. As a result, the movable housing 13 attached to the multiple contacts 12 operates to engage with and follow the mating housing 103 at both ends in the width direction X2, thus preventing the movable housing 13 from becoming distorted in the width direction X2 relative to the mating housing 103 when it operates to follow the mating housing 103. Therefore, the operation of the movable housing 13 attached to the multiple contacts 12 following the mating housing 103 can be performed more smoothly and stably.

[0078] Although embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above are illustrative examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the examples of the embodiments described above, and can be applied with various modifications as long as they are described in the claims. For example, the examples of the embodiments described above may be combined with well-known technology, conventional technology or prior art, or parts may be replaced with well-known technology, etc. Also, in the embodiments described above, the arrangement and shape of the engaging portion 29 provided on the movable housing 13 may be changed as appropriate. Also, in the embodiments described above, the shape of the movable spring portion 27 of the contact 12 may be changed in various ways. [Industrial applicability]

[0079] The present invention can be broadly applied to electrical connectors that are connected to a substrate and to a mating connector in a manner that allows for relative displacement. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1: Electrical connector, 11: Fixed housing, 12: Contact, 13: Movable housing, 24: Board connection part, 25: Fixed part, 26: Electrical connection part, 27: Movable spring part, 29: Engaging part, 100: Mating connector, 101: Board, 103: Mating housing, 103c: Engaged part, 104: Mating contact

Claims

1. An electrical connector that is connected to a substrate and is also connected to a mating connector in a manner that allows for relative displacement, The system comprises a fixed housing installed on the substrate, a contact whose one end is electrically connected to the substrate and fixed to the fixed housing, and whose other end is fitted to the mating connector and electrically connected to the mating contact in the mating connector, and a movable housing attached to the contact and provided to face the mating housing of the mating connector, The contact has a fixed portion fixed to the fixed housing, an electrical connection portion that fits with the mating connector and contacts the mating contact to make an electrical connection, and a movable spring portion that connects the fixed portion and the electrical connection portion and supports the electrical connection portion so that it can be displaced relative to the fixed portion. The movable housing is provided so as to be attached to the contact with the electrical connection portion of the contact passing through it. An electrical connector characterized in that the movable housing is provided with an engaging portion that engages with an engaging portion of the mating housing when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating housing along the height direction while facing the mating housing.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1, The movable spring portion is provided to bend and extend multiple times between the fixed portion and the electrical connection portion, and is provided to be elastically deform and bend in both the height direction and the direction perpendicular to the height direction, characterized in that it is an electrical connector.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, The engaging portion is provided with a tapered surface that extends diagonally with respect to the height direction. An electrical connector characterized in that the engaging portion engages with the mating housing via the tapered surface when the electrical connector is displaced relative to the mating housing along the height direction.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, Multiple contacts are provided, The plurality of contacts are arranged in a width direction perpendicular to the height direction, Each of the electrical connection portions of the plurality of contacts penetrates the movable housing, An electrical connector characterized in that the engaging portions are provided on both ends of the movable housing in the width direction.

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