Electrical connection member and connection structure

Abstract

To secure high conductive connection performance by maintaining a state in which a conductive part of a conductive member is in contact with an adherend.SOLUTION: An electric connection member, which conductively connects a first object to be connected to a second object to be connected, comprises: a conductive member 110 provided with a conductive part 112 that conductively connects the first object to be connected to the second object to be connected, while being compressed in a thickness direction; a fixing member 120, provided outside the conductive member, which enables the conductive member to be held in a state in which the member is compressed in the thickness direction of the conductive member, while contacting the conductive member with the first object to be connected and the second object to be connected; and a fulcrum member 140, provided outside the fixing member, which is larger in thickness than the fixing member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection member and a connection structure. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to provide a defroster, defogger, etc., a power supply part made of a conductive layer is formed on the glass sheet of an automobile window glass, and it is necessary to electrically connect the power supply part to a terminal. Soldering has been widely used to electrically connect the terminal to the power supply part. However, with the spread of lead regulations, there is a demand for an alternative to lead-free solder. However, lead-free solder has a melting point 20 to 45°C higher than lead solder, so it does not adhere well and is prone to peeling off.

[0003] It is desirable for an electrical connection member that electrically connects a power supply unit and a terminal in an on-board electrical equipment such as a defroster or defogger to have an increased fixing strength as an alternative to soldering. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose an electrical connection member that is solder-free and increases the fixing strength between objects to be connected, in which a conductive member made of a rubber-like elastic body containing a magnetic conductive filler such as nickel, cobalt, or iron is brought into contact with an object to be connected and is compressed in the thickness direction by a fixing member containing an adhesive. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 075810 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2020 / 203037 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2020 / 218520 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the adhesive strength of the fixing member may weaken due to long-term use of the electrical connection member. When the adhesive strength of the fixing member weakens, the conductive part of the conductive member may become separated from the adherend, and sufficient electrical conductivity may not be achieved. Therefore, in order to ensure higher electrical conductivity, it is necessary to maintain the conductive part of the conductive member in contact with the adherend.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to ensure high conductive connectivity by maintaining the conductive portion of the conductive member in contact with the adherend. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an electrical connection member that conductively connects a first connection object and a second connection object, the electrical connection member comprising: a conductive member having a conductive portion that conductively connects the first connection object and the second connection object when compressed in the thickness direction; a fastening member provided on the outside of the conductive member and holding the conductive member in a compressed state in the thickness direction of the conductive member while bringing the conductive member into contact with the first connection object and the second connection object; and a fulcrum member provided on the outside of the fastening member and having a thickness greater than that of the fastening member.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, by providing a fulcrum member thicker than the fixing member on the outside of the fixing member, at least one of the adherends is pulled toward the fixing member using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum, thereby bending and applying pressure to the conductive member, thereby ensuring high conductive connectivity by maintaining the conductive portion of the conductive member in contact with the adherend.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the fulcrum member may be formed of a material that is at least harder than the fastening member.

[0010] With this arrangement, when at least one of the adherends of the first connection object and the second connection object is pressed, the fulcrum member acts as a fulcrum, making it easier for the adherend to bend and deform inward.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, a pair of the fulcrum members may be provided on the outer sides of the fixing member so as to face each other.

[0012] With this arrangement, when at least one of the adherends of the first connection object and the second connection object is pressed, it becomes easier for the adherend to bend and deform inwardly with the fulcrum member as the fulcrum.

[0013] In one aspect of the present invention, the fulcrum member may be provided so as to surround an outer periphery of the fixing member.

[0014] In this way, when pressure is applied to at least one of the adherends, the first connection object and the second connection object, the fulcrum member arranged to surround the outer periphery of the fixing member acts as a fulcrum, causing the adherend to bend and deform inward, thereby establishing a conductive connection.

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the conductive members may be provided inside the fixing member.

[0016] In this manner, at least one of the adherends is pulled by the fixing member using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum, bending and applying pressure to the multiple conductive members, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity by maintaining the conductive portions of each conductive member in contact with the adherend.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, the conductive members may be provided in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns inside the fixing member.

[0018] In this way, each of the conductive members having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns can be kept in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, the fixing members may be further provided between the conductive members.

[0020] In this manner, the adhesive strength of the adhesive member is increased and pressure is applied to the multiple conductive members, thereby maintaining the conductive portions of each conductive member in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

[0021] In one aspect of the present invention, the conductive member may be provided with a plurality of conductive portions.

[0022] In this way, the conductive member having a plurality of conductive portions can be kept in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

[0023] Another aspect of the present invention is a connection structure in which a first connection object and a second connection object are electrically connected by an electrical connection member having at least a conductive member and a fastening member, and a fulcrum member having a thickness greater than at least the fastening member is provided on the outside of the fastening member, and at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is attracted by the fastening member and bends inwardly to press the conductive member.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, by providing a fulcrum member thicker than the fixing member on the outside of the fixing member, at least one of the adherends is pulled toward the fixing member using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum, thereby bending and applying pressure to the conductive member, thereby ensuring high conductive connectivity by maintaining the conductive portion of the conductive member in contact with the adherend.

[0025] In another aspect of the present invention, the fulcrum member may be provided on the electrical connection member, and a conductive member of any of the aforementioned electrical connection members may be fixed in a compressed state between the first connection object and the second connection object, thereby causing the electrical connection member to conductively connect the first connection object and the second connection object.

[0026] In this manner, by fixing in a compressed state between the first connection object and the second connection object via the electrical connection member provided with a fulcrum member, at least one of the adherends is pulled by the fixing member using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum and bends, thereby applying pressure to the conductive member, and by maintaining the conductive part of the conductive member in contact with the adherend, high conductive connectivity can be ensured.

[0027] In another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object may be capable of flexural deformation and have rigidity sufficient to maintain the state of pressing against the conductive member.

[0028] In this way, when at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is pressed, it becomes easier to maintain the state in which the conductive part is pressurized by bending and deforming inward using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum, thereby ensuring high conductive connectivity. Effect of the Invention

[0029] According to the present invention, a high level of electrical continuity can be ensured by maintaining the conductive portion of the conductive member in contact with the adherend. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an electrical connection member according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1(A). [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of an electrical connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 5(A) to 5(E) are plan views of other modified examples of the electrical connection member according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5(A) to 5(D) are plan views of an electrical connection member according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a connection structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims, and all of the configurations described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential as the solution of the present invention.

[0032] Furthermore, when the terms "first" and "second" are used in this specification and the claims, they are used to distinguish between different components, and are not used to indicate a particular order, superiority, or inferiority, etc.

[0033] Furthermore, the "conductive member" and "electrical connection member" disclosed in this application electrically connect an adherend as a "first connection object" to an adherend as a "second connection object". An example of the "first connection object" is an adherend capable of flexural deformation and provided with various terminals such as cable terminals and terminals of a flexible substrate. An example of the "second connection object" is an adherend provided with various terminals provided on a glass surface such as an antenna wiring terminal or an earth wiring terminal on a windshield or window glass surface.

[0034] First, the outline of the configuration of an electrical connection member according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1(A) is a plan view showing the outline of the configuration of an electrical connection member according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1(A).

[0035] The electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment is provided so as to be capable of electrically connecting a first connection object and a second connection object that are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction (height direction). Specifically, the electrical connection member 100 is configured to electrically connect, for example, a first connection object, which is an adherend capable of flexural deformation and on which various terminals such as cable terminals and terminals of a flexible substrate are provided, and a second connection object, which is an adherend on which various terminals provided on a glass surface such as antenna wiring terminals of a glass antenna or a film antenna, and earth wiring terminals are provided, in a compressed state between them.

[0036] 1, the electrical connection member 100 includes a plurality of conductive members 110, fixing members 120, a sheet-like connecting member 130 that connects the conductive members 110 and the fixing members 120, and a fulcrum member 140. The conductive members 110, the fixing members 120, and the fulcrum member 140 are integrated by the connecting member 130 to form the electrical connection member 100.

[0037] The connecting member 130 is a planar sheet-like member, and is made of, for example, a resin sheet. As shown in FIG. 1B, the connecting member 130 is provided with a through hole 130a, and the conductive member 110 is inserted into the through hole 130a and fixed to the connecting member 130. As the resin sheet constituting the connecting member 130, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet, a polyethylene naphthalate sheet, a polycarbonate sheet, a polyether ether ketone sheet, a polyimide sheet, a polyamide sheet, a polyethylene sheet, a polypropylene sheet, a polyurethane sheet, or the like is used. Among these, a PET sheet or a polyimide sheet is preferable from the viewpoint of durability, heat resistance, and the like. The thickness of the connecting member 130 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 30 to 1000 μm, and preferably 50 to 350 μm.

[0038] In the electrical connection member 100 of the present embodiment, the conductive member 110, the fixing member 120, and the fulcrum member 140 are connected and integrated via the connecting member 130 made of a resin sheet, but a configuration without using the connecting member 130 is also possible. For example, the conductive member 110, the fixing member 120, and the fulcrum member 140 may be integrated by attaching them to a sheet-like member such as a resin film, a rubber film, a mesh sheet, a net, paper, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or a foam sheet.

[0039] The fixing member 120 is a member for allowing both sides of the electrical connection member 100 to be bonded to another member to be connected, and is made of, for example, an acrylic adhesive, a urethane adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a rubber adhesive, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1B, the fixing member 120 is provided on the outside of the conductive member 110, and is provided near the outer edge of the front and back sides of the connecting member 130. In this embodiment, the fixing member 120 is formed so as to surround the multiple conductive members 110, and is formed in a frame shape. In FIG. 1, the connecting member 130 is formed in a rectangular shape, so that the fixing member 120 is also formed in a rectangular frame shape to match the shape of the connecting member 130, but the shape of the fixing member 120 is not limited to a rectangular frame shape and may be another shape.

[0040] The electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment has the function of holding the conductive member 110 in a state compressed in the thickness direction while contacting the conductive portion 112 of the conductive member 110 with the first connection object and the second connection object by providing such fixing members 120 on the outside of the conductive member 110 on the front and back sides of the coupling member 130. Therefore, by having the fixing members 120, the electrical connection member 100 can reliably and easily fix the terminal to the mounting member (e.g., a glass plate) on which the connection object is provided while electrically connecting the first connection object and the second connection object.

[0041] The conductive member 110 includes a conductive part 112 made of a conductive rubber-like elastic body having electrical conductivity, and an insulating part 114 made of a rubber-like elastic body having electrical conductivity. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the conductive rubber-like elastic body constituting the conductive part 112 contains a large number of conductive particles 112a serving as conductive fillers inside the rubber-like elastic body. The conductive particles 112a are preferably arranged so as to be continuous in the thickness direction of the electrical connection member 100. The conductive particles 112a are more preferably magnetic and are arranged in a chain manner in the thickness direction by application of a magnetic field. By arranging the conductive particles 112a so as to be continuous in the thickness direction, it is possible to realize low electrical resistance while reducing the compressive stress at 25% compression.

[0042] The conductive portion 112 is usually formed in a columnar shape. The cross-sectional shape of the columnar shape is not particularly limited and may be a circle or a polygon such as a rectangle, but a circle is preferable. A cylindrical insulating portion 114 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the columnar conductive portion 112, and the insulating portion 114 and the conductive portion 112 integrally constitute the conductive member 110. The surface shape of the conductive portion 112 in contact with the adherend may be a flat surface as shown in FIG. 1(B), a convex curved surface such as a dome shape, or a surface shape having minute dot-like or linear irregularities on the surface.

[0043] The insulating portion 114 is made of an insulating rubber-like elastic body. That is, the conductive member 110 is integrally formed of a rubber-like elastic body, and has conductive particles 112a arranged continuously in the thickness direction in the central portion thereof as shown in FIG. 1(B). Note that, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the conductive member 110 may have different outer diameters along the thickness direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the conductive member 110 has smaller outer diameters at both end faces than the outer diameter of the portion therebetween. In this way, when the outer diameters of both end faces of the conductive member 110 are small, both end faces are easily compressed along the thickness direction.

[0044] The conductive portion 112 preferably has an electrical resistance of 100 mΩ or less when compressed by 25%. If the electrical resistance is 100 mΩ or less, the conductive portion 112 is less likely to generate heat even when a large current is passed through it. From this viewpoint, the electrical resistance is more preferably 20 mΩ or less. Furthermore, due to restrictions such as materials, the electrical resistance is usually 0.1 mΩ or more. The electrical resistance when compressed by 25% can be obtained by passing a current generated from a constant current source through the conductive portion 112 while the conductive portion 112 is compressed by 25%, measuring the voltage, and calculating the electrical resistance value.

[0045] As described above, the conductive particles 112a are preferably magnetic conductive fillers. Examples of the material of the magnetic conductive filler include nickel, cobalt, iron, ferrite, or alloys thereof, and the shape of the filler may be particles, fibers, flakes, or thin wires. Furthermore, the filler may be a metal, resin, or ceramic having good electrical conductivity coated with a magnetic conductor, or a magnetic conductor coated with a good electrical conductivity metal. Examples of the good electrical conductivity metal include gold, silver, platinum, aluminum, copper, iron, palladium, chromium, and stainless steel.

[0046] The average particle size of the conductive particles 112a is preferably 1 to 200 μm, and more preferably 5 to 100 μm, in that a chain state is easily formed by application of a magnetic field and a conductor can be efficiently formed. In particular, in this embodiment, the average particle size of the conductive particles is preferably 10 to 300 μm in order to suppress transmission loss of an electric signal. The average particle size means the particle size (D50) at which the volume accumulation is 50% in the particle size distribution of the conductive filler obtained by a laser diffraction / scattering method. The conductive filler may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0047] The filling rate of the conductive particles 112a in the conductive section 112 is, for example, 25 to 80 volume %, or preferably 30 to 75 volume %. By setting the filling rate of the conductive particles 112a within this range, it is possible to ensure conductivity while imparting a certain level of strength to the conductive section 112. The filling rate refers to the volume ratio of the conductive particles 112a to the total volume of the conductive section 112.

[0048] On the other hand, the insulating section 114 does not usually contain conductive particles 112a, and the filling rate of the conductive particles 112a in the insulating section 114 is usually 0% by volume. However, the insulating section 114 may contain a small amount of conductive particles 112a that are inevitably mixed in during the manufacturing process, etc., within a range that does not impair the insulating properties. Therefore, for example, the filling rate of the conductive particles 112a in the insulating section 114 may be less than 5% by volume, and is preferably less than 1% by volume.

[0049] Examples of the rubber-like elastic material constituting the conductive portion 112 include thermosetting rubber and thermoplastic elastomer. Thermosetting rubber is rubber that hardens and crosslinks when heated, and specific examples include silicone rubber, natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, acrylic rubber, fluororubber, and urethane rubber. Among these, silicone rubber is preferred because of its excellent moldability, electrical insulation, and weather resistance.

[0050] Examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, ester-based thermoplastic elastomers, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers, vinyl chloride-based thermoplastic elastomers, fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers, ion-crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers, etc. The rubber-like elastomer may be used alone or in combination of two or more of the above-mentioned.

[0051] Thermosetting rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, etc. may also be used as the rubber-like elastic material that becomes the polymer matrix that constitutes the insulating part 114, and specific and preferred examples thereof are as described above. Similarly, the rubber-like elastic material that constitutes the insulating part 114 may be used alone or in combination of two or more types. As described above, it is preferable that the rubber-like elastic material that constitutes the insulating part 114 and the conductive part 112 is integrally formed. Therefore, it is preferable to use the same type of rubber-like elastic material that constitutes the insulating part 114 and the conductive part 112, and it is more preferable that both the rubber-like elastic material that constitutes the insulating part 114 and the conductive part 112 are silicone rubber.

[0052] From the viewpoint of facilitating the alignment of the conductive filler in the thickness direction by application of a magnetic field or the like, the rubber-like elastic body is preferably a cured liquid rubber or a material that can be melted by heating. Note that the liquid rubber is liquid at room temperature (23°C) and normal pressure (1 atm) before being cured, and the specific rubber may be any of the liquid rubbers listed as thermosetting rubbers, among which liquid silicone rubber is preferred. Also, examples of materials that can be melted by heating include thermoplastic elastomers.

[0053] The hardness of the conductive part 112 is preferably 30 to 87, more preferably 40 to 85, and further preferably 60 to 80. By setting the hardness within the above range, it becomes easier to adjust the compressive stress when the conductive member is compressed by 25% within a desired range. From the same viewpoint, the hardness of the insulating part 114 is preferably 20 to 50, and more preferably 25 to 40. The hardness of the conductive part 112 is measured at 23°C using a type A durometer in accordance with "Vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic rubber - Determination of hardness - Part 3: Durometer hardness" described in JIS K6253-3:2012.

[0054] The diameter of the conductive portion 112 in the conductive member 110 is, for example, 1.0 to 6.0 mm. When the diameter of the conductive portion 112 is within the above-mentioned range, the electrical resistance at 25% compression can be easily set within a predetermined range. As a result, even if a large current flows between the upper and lower surfaces of the conductive member 110 at the time of compression, the temperature rise of the conductive member 110 can be suppressed. From these viewpoints, the diameter of the conductive portion 112 is preferably 1.0 to 3.0 mm, and more preferably 1.5 to 2.6 mm. Note that, when the diameter of the conductive portion 112 differs in the thickness direction, the diameter of the conductive portion 112 means the average value of the diameter of the conductive portion 112 on the upper surface and the diameter of the conductive portion 112 on the lower surface. In addition, in this specification, when the diameter is other than a circle, it can be calculated as the diameter of a circle having an area equal to the area of ​​the conductive portion 112.

[0055] The diameter of the conductive part 112 is preferably 35 to 97% of the diameter of the conductive member 110. By making it 35% or more, the electrical resistance can be sufficiently reduced, and by making it 97% or less, the conductive member 110 can be given appropriate elasticity. From these viewpoints, the ratio of the diameter of the conductive part 112 to the diameter of the conductive member 110 is more preferably 50% or more, even more preferably 55% or more, more preferably 60% or more, and more preferably 95% or less, and even more preferably 80% or less. By setting such a ratio, it is possible to pass a large current, while rubber elasticity is easily maintained for a long period of time, and more stable conduction is possible. Note that, when the diameter of the conductive member 110 differs in the thickness direction, the diameter means the average value of the diameter at the upper surface and the diameter at the lower surface.

[0056] The diameter of the conductive member 110 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1.1 to 8.0 mm, preferably 1.1 to 6.0 mm, and more preferably 1.8 to 5.0 mm. The thickness of the conductive member 110 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and more preferably 0.3 to 1.2 mm. By setting the thickness of the conductive member 110 within the above-mentioned range, the conductive member 110 is easily held in a compressed state by the fixing member 120. When the conductive member 110 is used while being held in a compressed state in the thickness direction, the compression ratio is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 5 to 40%, preferably 10 to 35%, and more preferably 15 to 30%. The compression ratio can be calculated by the formula (H0-H1) / H0, where H0 is the thickness of the conductive member 110 when no load is applied, and H1 is the thickness of the conductive member 110 compressed during use.

[0057] The fulcrum member 140 is provided on the outside of the fixing member 120, and functions as a fulcrum for bending the first connection object 12 inward and facilitating deformation when the electrical connection member 100 is attached to the first connection object 12, which is one of the adherends, using the principle of leverage. The fulcrum member 140 is made of a material that is at least harder than the fixing member 120, such as hard resin, hard rubber, or metal, which has a hardness and resilience that does not collapse under the fixing force of the fixing member 120. In this embodiment, a pair of fulcrum members 140 are provided on the outside of the fixing member 120 so as to face each other, so that when at least one of the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14 is pressed, the fulcrum member 140 serves as a fulcrum to facilitate deformation of the adherend inward.

[0058] In addition, the fulcrum member 140 is characterized by being thicker than the fixing member 120, in order to function as a fulcrum for bending the first connection object 12 inward to facilitate deformation using the principle of leverage. In this embodiment, the fulcrum member 140 is thicker than the fixing member 120 on the side that is bonded to an adherend capable of bending deformation, i.e., the fixing member 120 on the upper surface side of the connecting member 130, as shown in Fig. 1(B), and the bottom surface of the fulcrum member 140 is configured to be flush with the bottom surface of the fixing member 120.

[0059] To manufacture the electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment having such a configuration, first, a mold consisting of an upper mold and a lower mold made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum or copper is prepared. Pins made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron or a magnet are embedded in the upper and lower molds at positions corresponding to the conductive parts 112. One end of the pins is exposed to the cavity surfaces of the upper and lower molds.

[0060] Next, a resin sheet or the like for forming the connecting member 130 is prepared. The resin sheet may be prepared by punching or the like to form a plurality of through holes 130a. The resin sheet is inserted into the aforementioned mold in which the pins are embedded, and liquid rubber or molten thermoplastic elastomer or the like that is the raw material of the conductive member 110 is injected into the cavity. Magnetic conductive particles 112a are mixed in advance into the liquid rubber.

[0061] Then, a magnetic field is applied from above and below the mold using magnets. A parallel magnetic field that connects the pins is formed in the cavity, and the conductive particles 112a in the liquid rubber or the like are continuously aligned in the direction of the magnetic field lines. After this alignment, the upper and lower molds are completely closed and a heat treatment is performed to harden the liquid rubber, thereby obtaining a sheet-like molded body in which the conductive member 110 and the resin sheet that constitutes the connecting member 130 are integrated. Then, the fixing member 120 and the fulcrum member 140 are attached to the sheet-like molded body by a known method, thereby obtaining the electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment.

[0062] In addition, when the adherend on either the upper or lower surface side of the electrical connection member 101 is a flexibly deformable adherend, the fulcrum member 141 is configured to be thicker than the fixing member 121 on both the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting member 131, as shown in Fig. 2. In this way, when the adherend of the electrical connection member 101 is a flexibly deformable adherend on which various terminals such as cable terminals and terminals of a flexible board are provided on both the upper and lower surfaces, the thickness of the fulcrum member 141 is thicker than the thickness of the fixing member 121 on both the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting member 131.

[0063] Furthermore, the configuration of the fulcrum member 140 constituting the electrical connection member 100 and the number and arrangement of the conductive members 110 are not limited to those of the electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment.

[0064] 3(A), the electrical connection member 102 may be configured such that a fulcrum member 142 is provided to surround the outer periphery of the fixing member 122. Even if the fulcrum member 142 having such a configuration is provided on the outer periphery side of the fixing member 122, when the adherend is pressed, the fulcrum member 142 serves as a fulcrum, causing the adherend to bend and deform inwardly, thereby enabling a conductive connection.

[0065] 3(B), the electrical connection member 103 may have a configuration in which a plurality of conductive members 110 are provided inside the fixing member 123. By providing a plurality of conductive members 110 in this manner, a terminal of the adherend is electrically connected to a connection target member such as a conductive layer via the plurality of conductive members 110.

[0066] Therefore, even if a large current flows between the terminal and the connection target member, the electrical resistance of each conductive member 110 is kept low, and thus it is easy to suppress a temperature rise in the conductive member 110. Furthermore, by providing a plurality of conductive members 110, each conductive member 110 can be made small, and the load when compressing the entire plurality of conductive members 110 is reduced, so that the terminal is less likely to peel off due to the repulsive force of the conductive members 110. Furthermore, at least one of the adherends is drawn to the fixing member 123 with the fulcrum member 143 as a fulcrum and bends to pressurize the plurality of conductive members 110, so that the conductive portion 112 (see FIG. 1(B)) of each conductive member 110 is maintained in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

[0067] 3(C), the electrical connection member 104 may be configured such that a plurality of conductive members 110 are provided inside the fixing member 124, and the fixing member 124 is also provided between the conductive members 110. By configuring the electrical connection member 104 in this manner, in addition to the effect of providing a plurality of conductive members 110 as described above, the adhesive force of the fixing member 124 is increased and the plurality of conductive members 110 are pressed with the fulcrum member 144 as a fulcrum, so that the conductive portion 112 (see FIG. 1(B)) of each conductive member 110 is kept in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

[0068] 3(D), the electrical connection member 105 may be configured such that a plurality of conductive parts 116 are provided on a conductive member 115 disposed inside the fixing member 125. In this manner, by maintaining the conductive member 115 provided with a plurality of conductive parts 116 in contact with the adherend with the fulcrum member 145 as a fulcrum, it becomes possible to ensure higher conductive connectivity.

[0069] 3(E), the electrical connection member 106 may have a configuration in which a plurality of conductive members 115, each having a plurality of conductive portions 116, are provided inside the fixing member 126. By providing a plurality of such conductive members 115, a terminal of the adherend is electrically connected to a connection target member such as a conductive layer via the plurality of conductive members 115. Therefore, even if a large current flows between the terminal and the connection target member, the electrical resistance of each conductive member 115 is kept low, and thus it becomes easier to suppress a temperature rise in the conductive members 115.

[0070] Furthermore, by providing a plurality of conductive members 115, each conductive member 115 can be made smaller, and therefore the load when compressing the entire plurality of conductive members 115 is reduced, making it difficult for the terminals to peel off due to the repulsive force of the conductive members 115. Furthermore, at least one of the adherends is pulled by the fixing member 126 using the fulcrum member 146 as a fulcrum and bends to apply pressure to the plurality of conductive members 115, so that the conductive portion 116 of each conductive member 115 is kept in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

[0071] Next, the configuration of a connection structure including an electrical connection member 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a connection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] The connection structure 10 of this embodiment is configured to electrically connect the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, which are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction (height direction, thickness direction), by providing an electrical connection member 100 between the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14. Specifically, the connection structure 10 is configured to electrically connect the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, which is an adherend capable of bending deformation, such as a cable (coaxial cable, twisted cable, solid-wire cable, etc.) with a metal connection terminal attached to the end thereof, or a connection terminal surface of a flexible substrate, and the second connection object 14, which is an adherend having terminal rigidity and does not bend, on which antenna wiring such as a glass antenna or a film antenna is provided, by fixing the conductive member 110 of the electrical connection member 100 in a compressed state.

[0073] In the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the electrical connection member 100 is disposed between the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14. At this time, both end faces of the conductive portion 112 of each conductive member 110 of the electrical connection member 100 are in contact with the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, respectively. Therefore, the first connection object 12 is connected to the second connection object 14 via the plurality of conductive portions 112. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface side of the fastening member 120 of the electrical connection member 100 is adhered to the first connection object 12 and the lower surface side of the fastening member 120 is adhered to the second connection object 14, thereby fixing the first connection object 12 to the second connection object 14 and establishing a conductive connection.

[0074] At this time, each conductive member 110 contacts the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14 in a compressed state. When each conductive member 110 is compressed, its conductivity increases, and it is urged by a repulsive force toward the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, so that the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14 can be connected more reliably. When urged by a repulsive force, the first connection object 12 is likely to peel off from the second connection object 14, but in the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the first connection object 12 is reliably fixed to the second connection object 14 by the fixing member 120, so that peeling is unlikely to occur. Note that each conductive member 110 may be compressed by, for example, 5 to 40%, preferably 10 to 30%, and more preferably 15 to 30%. Moreover, the surface of the first connection object 12 that comes into contact with the plurality of conductive members 110 is preferably flat so that the plurality of conductive members 110 can be easily compressed uniformly.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electrical connection member 100 is provided with a fulcrum member 140 that is thicker than the fixing member 120 and is provided on the outer side of the fixing member 120. Therefore, by bonding the electrical connection member 100 between the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, which are the adherends, the fixing member 120 pulls the first connection object 12, which is the adherend, into a V-shape and bends it according to the principle of a lever with the fulcrum member 140 as a fulcrum, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby making it possible to provide a connection structure 10 that can keep the conductive member 110 fixed in a pressurized state.

[0076] In the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the first connection object 12, which is an adherend that undergoes flexural deformation, is preferably made of a plate material, such as a metal plate or a resin plate, that has sufficient rigidity to maintain a state of pressing the conductive member 110 and is capable of flexing and bending. Furthermore, the first connection object 12 has a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 2 mm, depending on the material of which it is made. In this embodiment, in order to maintain the state of pressure on the first connection object 12, it may be backed up with an additional reinforcing member, such as a housing case (not shown) that holds it down from the top side, or a housing with a protruding part that holds down only the adherend on the conductive member 110.

[0077] In the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the electrical connection member 100 that electrically connects the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, which are the adherends, is provided with the fulcrum member 140 provided on the outside of the fastening member 120, but the fulcrum member 140 may not be a component of the electrical connection member 100. In other words, the fulcrum member 140 that is larger than the thickness of the fastening member 120 may be a separate member from the electrical connection member 100, and may be attached externally to the outside of the fastening member 120.

[0078] Next, another embodiment of the electrical connection member of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 5(A) to (D) are plan views of the electrical connection member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] The electrical connection member 200 of this embodiment is characterized in that the conductive members 210 are provided in multiple rows and multiple columns inside the fixing member 220, as shown in FIG. 5(A). That is, the electrical connection member 200 has multiple conductive members 110 provided in multiple rows and multiple columns, so that the terminals are electrically connected to the connection target members such as conductive layers via the multiple conductive members 110. Therefore, even if a large current flows between the terminals and the connection target members, the electrical resistance of each conductive member 210 is kept low, and thus it is easy to suppress the temperature rise in the conductive members 210. Furthermore, when multiple conductive members 210 are provided, each conductive member 210 can be made small. Therefore, the load when compressing the entire multiple conductive members 210 is reduced, so that the terminals are less likely to peel off due to the repulsive force of the conductive members 210.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 5(A), for example, the conductive members 210 are arranged in a row (two in FIG. 5(A)) of a plurality of conductive members 210 arranged in a row. The interval between the conductive members 210 is preferably 0.5 mm to 200 mm, more preferably 1 mm to 50 mm. By setting the interval between the conductive members 210 within these ranges, the insulation between adjacent conductive members 210 can be ensured without making the size of the electrical connection member 200 larger than necessary. The interval between the conductive members 210 means the shortest distance between the conductive members 210 closest to each other. Although the electrical connection member 200 of this embodiment is provided with four conductive members 210, the number of conductive members 210 is not limited to four.

[0081] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5(A), a pair of fulcrum members 240 are provided on the outer side of the fixing member 220 so as to face each other. That is, the electrical connection member 200 is formed by integrating a plurality of conductive members 210, the fixing member 220, and the fulcrum member 240 via the linking member 230. The fulcrum member 240 is thicker than the fixing member 220 in order to function as a fulcrum for bending the first connection object inward to facilitate deformation using the principle of leverage. In this way, by providing the fulcrum member 240, which is thicker than the fixing member 220, on the outer side of the fixing member 220, each of the conductive members having multiple rows and multiple columns can be maintained in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

[0082] 5(B), the electrical connection member 201 may be configured such that the fulcrum member 241 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the fixing member 221. Even if the fulcrum member 241 having such a configuration is provided on the outer periphery side of the fixing member 221, when the adherend is pressed, the fulcrum member 241 serves as a fulcrum, causing the adherend to bend and deform inwardly, thereby enabling a conductive connection.

[0083] 5(C), the electrical connection member 202 may be configured such that a plurality of conductive members 210 are provided in rows and columns inside the fixing members 222, and the fixing members 222 are also provided between the conductive members 210. By configuring the electrical connection member 202 in this manner, in addition to the effect of providing a plurality of conductive members 210 as described above, the adhesive force of the fixing members 222 is increased and the plurality of conductive members 210 are pressed with the fulcrum members 242 as the fulcrum, so that the conductive portions 212 (see FIG. 6) of the respective conductive members 210 are kept in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

[0084] 5(D), the electrical connection member 203 may be configured such that a plurality of conductive members 210 are provided in rows and columns inside the fixing member 223, and the fixing members 223 are also provided between the conductive members 210, and a fulcrum member 243 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the fixing member 223. Even if the fulcrum member 243 having such a configuration is provided on the outer periphery side of the fixing member 223, when the adherend is pressed, the adhesive force of the fixing member 223 is increased, and the fulcrum member 243 acts as a fulcrum, making it easier to flex and deform the adherend inward, thereby improving the conductive connectivity.

[0085] Next, the configuration of a connection structure including an electrical connection member according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a connection structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 6, the electrical connection member 202 shown in Fig. 5(C) is used as the electrical connection member provided in the connection structure according to another embodiment of the present invention, but the electrical connection members 200, 201, and 203 according to the other embodiments described above can also be applied to the connection structure of this embodiment.

[0086] The connection structure 20 of this embodiment is configured to electrically connect the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, which are arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction (height direction, thickness direction), by providing an electrical connection member 202 between them. Specifically, the connection structure 20 is configured to electrically connect the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, by fixing the conductive member 210 of the electrical connection member 202 provided between an adherend capable of bending deformation, such as a cable (coaxial cable, twisted cable, solid-wire cable, etc.) with a metal connection terminal attached to the end thereof as the first connection object 22, or a connection terminal surface of a flexible substrate, and an adherend having terminal rigidity and not bending deformation, on which antenna wiring such as a glass antenna or a film antenna is provided as the second connection object 24, in a compressed state.

[0087] In the connection structure 20 of this embodiment, the electrical connection member 202 is disposed between the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24. At this time, both end faces of the conductive part 212 including the conductive particles 212a of each conductive member 210 of the electrical connection member 202 are in contact with the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, respectively. Therefore, the first connection object 22 is connected to the second connection object 24 via the plurality of conductive parts 212. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface side of the fixing member 222 of the electrical connection member 202 is adhered to the first connection object 22 and the lower surface side of the fixing member 222 is adhered to the second connection object 24, thereby fixing the first connection object 22 to the second connection object 24 and establishing a conductive connection.

[0088] At this time, each conductive member 210 contacts the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24 in a compressed state. When each conductive member 210 is compressed, its conductivity increases, and it is urged by a repulsive force against the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, so that the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24 can be connected more reliably. When urged by a repulsive force, the first connection object 22 is likely to peel off from the second connection object 24, but in the connection structure 20 of this embodiment, the first connection object 22 is reliably fixed to the second connection object 24 by the fixing member 222, so that peeling is unlikely to occur. Each conductive member 210 may be compressed, for example, by 5 to 40%, preferably 10 to 30%, and more preferably 15 to 30%. Moreover, the surface of the first connection object 22 that comes into contact with the plurality of conductive members 210 is preferably flat so that the plurality of conductive members 210 can be easily compressed uniformly.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electrical connection member 202 is provided with a fulcrum member 242 that is thicker than the fixing member 222 and is provided outside the fixing member 222. Therefore, by bonding the electrical connection member 202 between the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, which are the adherends, the fixing member 222 can attract and bend the first connection object 22, which is the adherend, as shown in Fig. 6, thereby making it possible to provide a connection structure 20 that can maintain the conductive member 210 fixed in a pressurized state.

[0090] In the connection structure 20 of this embodiment, the first connection object 22, which is an adherend that undergoes flexural deformation, is preferably made of a plate material that has sufficient rigidity to maintain a state in which it presses the conductive member 210, such as a metal plate or a resin plate, and is capable of flexing and bending. Furthermore, the first connection object 22 has a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 2 mm, depending on the material from which it is made. In this embodiment, in order to maintain the state in which the first connection object 12 is pressed, for example, it may be backed up by an additional reinforcing member, such as a housing case (not shown) that holds it down from the top side, or a housing with a protruding part that holds down only the adherend on the conductive member 110.

[0091] In this manner, in the present embodiment, by using the connection structure 20, the fastening member 222 attracts the first connection object 22, which is the adherend, with the fulcrum member 242 as a fulcrum, by the pressing action on the first connection object 22, which is the adherend. As a result, the first connection object 22 bends, and the state in which the conductive member 210 is pressed can be maintained.

[0092] In the above description of the connection structure 10, an example in which the electrical connection member 100 according to the first embodiment is used has been described, but the same applies to cases in which electrical connection members of other aspects are used, and therefore their description will be omitted. Also, the electrical connection members 200-204 of other embodiments can be used for electrical connection to antennas, camera heaters, wiper heaters, backlights, sensors such as rain sensors, and even solar cells on a glass plate having a conductive connection part on the glass plate.

[0093] Furthermore, in the connection structure 20 of this embodiment, the electrical connection member 202 that conductively connects the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, which are the adherends, is provided with the fulcrum member 242 provided outside the fastening member 222. However, the fulcrum member 242 may not be a component of the electrical connection member 202. In other words, the fulcrum member 242, which is larger than the thickness of the fastening member 222, may be a separate member from the electrical connection member 202 and may be attached externally to the outside of the fastening member 222.

[0094] Next, the functions and effects of the electrical connection members 100, 200 and the connection structures 10, 20 according to the respective embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0095] In this embodiment, by providing fulcrum members 140, 240 that are thicker than the fixing members 120, 220 on the outside of the fixing members 120, 220, at least one of the adherends is pulled by the fixing members 120, 220 with the fulcrum members 140, 240 as a fulcrum, and is deflected to apply pressure to the conductive members 110, 210. Therefore, by maintaining the state in which the conductive parts 112, 212 of the conductive members 110, 210 are in contact with the adherends, it is possible to continuously ensure high conductive connectivity.

[0096] In particular, when at least one of the first connection objects 12, 22 and the second connection objects 14, 24, which are the adherends of the electrical connection members 100, 200, is capable of flexural deformation and has a rigidity capable of maintaining a state of pressing the conductive members 110, 210, the fixing members 120, 220 can utilize the fulcrum members 140, 240 to attract and flex the adherends, thereby making it possible to fix and maintain the conductive members 110, 210 in a pressurized state. Therefore, even if the adhesive strength of the fixing members 120, 220 weakens due to long-term use of the electrical connection members 100, 200, the connection structures 10, 20 can maintain a state in which the adherends are in contact with the conductive members 110, 210 due to the principle of leverage with the fulcrum members 140, 240 as the fulcrum, thereby making it possible to continuously ensure high conductive connectivity.

[0097] Although each embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel features and effects of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0098] For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different term having a broader meaning or the same meaning may be replaced with the different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. In addition, the configurations and operations of the electrical connection members and the connection structures are not limited to those described in the respective embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10, 20 Connection structure 12, 22 First connection object 14, 24 Second connection object 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 200, 201, 202, 203 Electrical connection members 110, 115, 210 Conductive material 112, 116, 212 Conductive part 112a, 212a Conductive particles (conductive medium) 114, 214 Insulation part (polymer matrix) 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 220, 221, 222, 223 Fixing members 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 230, 231, 232, 233 Connecting members 130a through hole 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 240, 241, 242, 243 Support members

Claims

1. An electrical connection member for conductively connecting a first connection object and a second connection object, a conductive member provided with a conductive portion that electrically connects the first connection object and the second connection object when the conductive member is compressed in a thickness direction; a fixing member provided outside the conductive member and configured to hold the conductive member in a compressed state in a thickness direction of the conductive member while contacting the conductive member with the first connection object and the second connection object; a fulcrum member provided outside the fastening member and having a thickness greater than that of the fastening member, The fulcrum member functions as a fulcrum for easily deforming a portion of the first connection object that abuts against the conductive member toward the second connection object by using the principle of leverage when the first connection object is bonded to the electrical connection member. Electrical connection components.

2. The fulcrum member is formed of a material that is at least harder than the fastening member. The electrical connection member according to claim 1 .

3. The fulcrum members are provided in pair on the outer sides of the fixing member so as to face each other. The electrical connection member according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The fulcrum member is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the fixing member. The electrical connection member according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A plurality of the conductive members are provided inside the fixing member. The electrical connection member according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The conductive members are provided in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns inside the fixing member. The electrical connection member according to claim 5 .

7. The fastening members are further provided between the conductive members. The electrical connection member according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The conductive member is provided with a plurality of conductive portions. The electrical connection member according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. In a connection structure in which a first connection object and a second connection object are electrically connected to each other by an electrical connection member having at least a conductive member and a fastening member, A fulcrum member having a thickness greater than that of at least the fastening member is provided outside the fastening member, At least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is attracted by the fixing member and bent inwardly to press the conductive member; The fulcrum member functions as a fulcrum for easily deforming a portion of the first connection object that abuts against the conductive member by bending the portion toward the second connection object using the principle of leverage when the electrical connection member is bonded to the first connection object. Connection structure.

10. the fulcrum member is provided on the electrical connection member, The conductive member of the electrical connection member according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is fixed in a compressed state between the first connection object and the second connection object, so that the electrical connection member electrically connects the first connection object and the second connection object. The connection structure according to claim 9.

11. At least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is capable of being deformed flexibly and has a rigidity sufficient to maintain a state in which the conductive member is pressed against the first connection object. The connection structure according to claim 9 or 10.

Images