Contact laminate, connector, and contact assembly

Abstract

To improve the structures of a contact constituting a socket and a connector.SOLUTION: A plate-shaped contact 2 forming a first socket 201 and a second socket 202 to be used for fitting includes a first fitting portion 21 which constitutes the first socket 201 and is arranged so as to face one side S1 with respect to a reference position A, a second fitting portion 22 which constitutes the second socket 202 and is arranged so as to face the other side S2 with respect to the reference position A, and a connecting portion 23 which is arranged at the reference position A and connects the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22. An engagement pin 111 that engages with the connecting portion 23 is allowed to be displaced in a rotation direction D1 about a first axial line L1 set along a plate thickness direction (z direction) of the contact 2 at the reference position A and in a direction D2 of a second axial line L2 that partitions the one side S1 and the other side S2 from each other at the reference position A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact provided with a socket and an electrical connector provided with the contact.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector including a plurality of contacts having the same shape with a pair of spring beams formed at both ends thereof, and a housing for holding the contacts. The pair of spring beams form sockets for receiving mating counterparts. For example, a pin contact of a board connector is fitted into the socket on one end side, and a flexible board is fitted together with a support member into the socket on the other end side. The contacts of Patent Document 1 are individually housed in a plurality of cavities of the housing, and each corresponds to one pole. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-pole connector.

[0003] On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a header connector including a laminate of a plurality of contacts having a pair of spring beams formed at both ends thereof, and a housing for holding the laminate of contacts. The plurality of stacked contacts correspond to one pole as a whole.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Any of the contacts described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is held in a predetermined position by a housing. However, if there is a large variation in the relative position between the socket formed by the contact and the mating partner, it is difficult to fit the two together. Even if they can be fitted together, it is necessary to avoid applying an excessive load to the socket. Based on the above, an object of the present invention is to improve the structure of a contact forming a socket and a connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The contact of the present invention is a plate-shaped contact forming a first socket and a second socket used for fitting, and includes a first fitting portion that forms the first socket and is disposed toward one side with respect to a reference position, a second fitting portion that forms the second socket and is disposed toward the other side with respect to the reference position, and a connecting portion that is disposed at the reference position and connects the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion. With respect to an engaging portion that engages with the connecting portion, displacement in any direction of a rotational direction centered on a first axis set along the plate thickness direction of the contact at the reference position and a direction of a second axis that divides one side and the other side at the reference position is allowed.

[0007] In the contact of the present invention, it is preferable that a long hole that includes the reference position and is long in the direction of the second axis is formed in the connecting portion.

[0008] In the contact of the present invention, the first fitting portion is an elastic body including a first beam pair that holds the first mating partner therebetween, and includes a first contact portion that contacts the first mating partner and a first guide portion that guides the first mating partner to the first contact portion. The second fitting portion is an elastic body including a second beam pair that holds the second mating partner therebetween, and includes a second contact portion that contacts the second mating partner and a second guide portion that guides the second mating partner to the second contact portion. It is preferable that the dimension between the first beam pair in the first guide portion expands in the direction of the second axis as it moves away from the first contact portion, and the dimension between the second beam pair in the second guide portion expands in the direction of the second axis as it moves away from the second contact portion.

[0009] In the contact of the present invention, it is preferable that the first beam pair is smoothly curved convexly toward each other at the first contact portion, and the second beam pair is smoothly curved convexly toward each other at the second contact portion.

[0010] The connector of the present invention is the above-described contact, and includes a single contact, or contacts forming the first socket and the second socket in a stacked state, and a housing that holds the contacts. The housing includes a cavity that houses the contacts, and an engaging portion that engages with the connecting portion of the contacts.

[0011] In the connector of the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting portion includes a reference position and has a long hole that is long in the direction of the second axis, and the engaging portion corresponds to a pin that is inserted into the long hole.

[0012] In the connector of the present invention, it is preferable that the housing includes a first opening into which a first mating part corresponding to the first fitting part is inserted, and a second opening into which a second mating part corresponding to the second fitting part is inserted.

[0013] In the connector of the present invention, it is preferable that the housing includes a restricting portion that restricts displacement in the rotational direction of the first axis within a certain range by contacting the contact, and restricts displacement in the direction of the second axis within a certain range by contacting the contact.

[0014] In the connector of the present invention, the housing includes a first opening into which a first mating partner corresponding to the first fitting portion is inserted, and a second opening into which a second mating partner corresponding to the second fitting portion is inserted. A first gap into which the first mating partner is inserted is set in the first contact portion corresponding to the contact point of the first fitting portion, and a second gap into which the second mating partner is inserted is set in the second contact portion corresponding to the contact point of the second fitting portion. By restricting the displacement of the contact by the restricting portion, the movable range of the tip of the first fitting portion is set outside the projection range of the first opening, and the movable range of the tip of the second fitting portion is preferably set outside the projection range of the second opening.

[0015] The contact assembly of the present invention is the above-described contact, and includes contacts forming a first socket and a second socket in a state where a plurality of them are stacked, and a support body including an engaging portion and assembled to the connecting portions of the plurality of contacts to maintain the contacts in a stacked state.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, since the contact can be displaced with respect to the engaging portion in the rotational direction around the axis of the first axis and in the direction (slide direction) of the second axis, dimensional shapes and assembly tolerances of the contact, mating partners, etc. can be absorbed. Therefore, while avoiding excessive stress being applied to the contact and mating partners, the mating partners can be stably connected to the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion, respectively.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the connector 1 includes a plurality of laminated plate-like contacts 2 (FIG. 2) and a housing 10 that holds the laminated contacts 2. The connector 1 can be used, for example, in a power transmission circuit mounted on a vehicle or the like.

[0019] The contacts 2 provided in the connector 1 of the present embodiment are used for fitting with appropriate mating partners 3-1, 3-2 such as a bus bar, a circuit board, a pin-shaped or tab-shaped contact, etc. in a laminated state. The mating partners 3-1, 3-2 are provided on an appropriate support member such as a device housing. The contacts 2 form a first socket 201 and a second socket 202 as a whole in a laminated state. The first socket 201 receives the first mating partner 3-1. The second socket 202 receives the second mating partner 3-2.

[0020] First, an example of the configuration of the housing 10 will be described. The housing 10 includes a housing body 11 and a lid 12 (Figs. 4(a) and (b)) assembled to the housing body 11. The housing body 11 and the lid 12 are each formed by injection molding using an insulating resin material. The housing 10 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

[0021] The housing body 11 includes two cavities 110 that respectively accommodate the laminate 20 formed by laminating the contacts 2, and engagement pins 111 disposed in each cavity 110 and engaging with the contacts 2 of the laminate 20. Note that the housing body 11 may include a single cavity 110 in which the laminate 20 is accommodated. The housing body 11 is formed in a box shape from a rectangular bottom wall 112 and side walls 113 to 116 that rise from the four sides of the bottom wall 112. The side walls 113 and 115 correspond to the long sides of the bottom wall 112. The side walls 114 and 116 correspond to the short sides of the bottom wall 112.

[0022] The inside of the housing body 11 is divided into two cavities 110 by a partition wall 117 set parallel to the side walls 113 and 115. Each cavity 110 is given a length, a width, and a height necessary to accommodate the entire laminate 20. Let the directions of the length, width, and height of the cavity 110 be represented by x, y, and z, respectively. The two cavities 110 are arranged side by side in the y direction.

[0023] In each cavity 110, the contacts 2 are laminated in the z direction. The engagement pins 111 standing upright in the z direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 112 penetrate the contacts 2 in the plate thickness direction.

[0024] As will be described later, displacement of the contact 2 is permitted with respect to the engagement pin 111. The housing body 11 corresponds to a restricting portion that restricts displacement of the contact 2 in the rotational direction D1 within a certain range by abutting against the contact 2 and restricts displacement of the contact 2 in the sliding direction D2 by abutting against the contact 2. The housing body 11 of the present embodiment includes side walls 113, 115, a partition wall 117, and a restricting element 118 as a plurality of restricting elements. The side walls 113, 115 and the partition wall 117 correspond to first restricting elements that restrict displacement of the contact 2. In the vicinity of the central portion of the cavity 110 in the x direction, restricting elements 118 (FIG. 3) as a pair of second restricting elements that are parallel to the x direction and stand in the z direction with respect to the lower wall 112 are formed. The restricting elements 118 are arranged on both sides of the contact 2 in the y direction.

[0025] The lid 12 is formed in a rectangular shape and includes a cover portion 121 that covers the opening 119 of the housing body 11 and a plurality of locking portions 122. The plurality of locking portions 122 correspond to a plurality of locking protrusions 11A provided on the side walls 113, 115 of the housing body 11. Each protrusion 11A is arranged between ribs 11B that guide the locking portion 122 in the z direction. When each locking portion 122 is bent and the tip portion 122A is locked to the protrusion 11A, the lid 12 is assembled to the housing body 11. Then, since the tip portion of the engagement pin 111 engages with the cover portion 121 arranged parallel to the lower wall 112 (see FIG. 4(b)), the stacked state of the contacts 2 is maintained by the engagement pin 111.

[0026] On the side wall 114 orthogonal to the x direction, two first openings 101 corresponding to the first sockets 201 of the two laminates 20 are formed side by side in the y direction. Similarly, on the side wall 116 orthogonal to the x direction, two second openings 102 corresponding to the second sockets 202 of the two laminates 20 are formed side by side in the y direction. The first opening 101 is formed with a constant width over the entire height of the side wall 114. The same applies to the second opening 102 formed in the side wall 116.

[0027] From the outside of the housing body 11, the first mating partner 3-1 is inserted into the first socket 201 through the first opening 101, and the second mating partner 3-2 is inserted into the second socket 202 through the second opening 102.

[0028] The first opening 101 penetrates the side wall 114 in the x direction. A guide surface 101A for guiding the first mating partner 3-1 to the cavity 110 is formed in the first opening 101. The guide surface 101A is formed such that its width gradually increases toward the outer surface of the side wall 114 with respect to the width on the cavity 110 side of the first opening 101. A similar guide surface 102A is also formed in the second opening 102 that penetrates the side wall 116 in the x direction.

[0029] Next, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the contact 2 includes a first fitting portion 21 that constitutes the first socket 201, a second fitting portion 22 that constitutes the second socket 202, and a connecting portion 23 that is disposed at the reference position A of the contact 2 and connects the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22. For example, the reference position A corresponds to the axis of the above-described engagement pin 111. In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the reference position A is located at the center of the cavity 110 in a plan view of the housing 10. The connecting portion 23 is engaged with the engagement pin 111.

[0030] The contact 2 is integrally formed by punching a plate material made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy or a copper alloy. The laminate 20 is formed by laminating contacts 2 having the same shape in a state where their smooth surfaces are overlapped.

[0031] A first axis L1 (FIG. 1(b)) parallel to the z direction, which is the plate thickness direction (lamination direction) of the contact 2, is set at the reference position A. Also, at the reference position A, a second axis L2 for distinguishing between one side (the first side S1) toward which the first socket 201 is directed and the other side (the second side S2) toward which the second socket 202 is directed is set (FIG. 3). The first fitting portion 21 is arranged toward the first side S1 with respect to the reference position A. The second fitting portion 22 is arranged toward the second side S2 with respect to the reference position A.

[0032] The connecting portion 23 includes the reference position A and has a long hole 230 that is long in the direction of the second axis L2. The long hole 230 is located at the center of the connecting portion 23 formed in a substantially rectangular shape. An engagement pin 111 having a circular cross section is inserted into the long hole 230. The diameter of the engagement pin 111 is constant over the range where the engagement pin 111 penetrates inside the long hole 230 of the stacked contacts 2. Although the end 230A of the long hole 230 in the direction of the second axis L2 is formed in an arc shape, this is not limiting. The long hole 230 may be formed in a rectangular shape as a whole, for example.

[0033] The diameter of the engagement pin 111 is shorter than the length of the long hole 230, and the dimension of the width of the long hole 230 in the direction orthogonal to the second axis L2 is equivalent to the diameter of the engagement pin 111. A clearance is set between the inner peripheral edge of the long hole 230 at the portion parallel to the second axis L2 and the outer peripheral portion of the engagement pin 111.

[0034] If the hole of the contact 2 through which the engagement pin 111 is passed is a circular hole and the connecting portion 23 is arranged without a gap between the restricting elements 118, then the contact 2 and the housing 10 are integrated in a rigidly coupled state. In that case, the contact 2 has no degree of freedom in position with respect to the housing 10 and the fitting partners 3-1, 3-2 inserted into the cavity 110 through the openings 101, 102 of the housing 10.

[0035] In the present embodiment, due to the engagement between the long hole 230 and the engagement pin 111 and the presence of the movable space of the contact 2 in the cavity 110, the contact 2 is given a degree of freedom in position. The cavity 110 includes the connecting portion 23 and the movable ranges of the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22, respectively.

[0036] Based on the positional degrees of freedom of Contact 2, in this embodiment, the dimensional shapes and assembly tolerances of Contact 2, Housing 10, and mating partners 3-1, 3-2, etc. are absorbed by the displacement of Contact 2. Contact 2 is held by the engaging pin 111 in the housing body 11, and while being guided by the engaging pin 111, it is allowed to slide displace in the direction D2 (slide direction D2) of the second axis L2. In addition, rotational displacement of Contact 2 in the rotational direction D1 about the first axis L1 is also allowed.

[0037] The Contact 2 indicated by "N" in FIG. 2 is arranged at the normal design position (design position) on the xy plane. With respect to the first fitting portion 21 of Contact 2 arranged at the design position, in design, the first mating partner 3-1 is inserted and removed from the direction of the third axis L3 orthogonal to the second axis L2 on the xy plane. Similarly, with respect to the second fitting portion 22 of Contact 2 arranged at the design position, in design, the second mating partner 3-2 is inserted and removed from the direction of the fourth axis L4. In this embodiment, assuming that the position of the third axis L3 is 0°, the fourth axis L4 is at the 180° position.

[0038] When Contact 2 is at the design position, it is preferable that both the third axis L3 and the fourth axis L4 coincide with the x direction set in the housing 10. At this time, the second axis L2 coincides with the y direction.

[0039] In FIGS. 2 and 3, as an example, all of the Contacts 2 of the laminate 20 are shown in the same phase in the rotational direction D1 (x rotational direction) and at the same position in the slide direction D2. Not limited to this state, each Contact 2 of the laminate 20 can be displaced to an arbitrary phase in the rotational direction D1 and an arbitrary position in the slide direction D2. In particular, when Contact 2 is in a no-load state where it is not engaged with the mating partners 3-1, 3-2, the positions of each Contact 2 in the rotational direction D1 and the slide direction D2 typically vary.

[0040] Describe the more detailed configuration of the contact 2. The first fitting portion 21 corresponds to an elastic body (spring) including a beam pair B1 that holds the first fitting partner 3-1 therebetween. As an area or part set in the beam pair B1, the first fitting portion 21 includes a receiving portion 21A that receives the first fitting partner 3-1, a contact portion 21B corresponding to a contact point that contacts the first fitting partner 3-1, and a guide portion 21C that guides the first fitting partner 3-1 to the contact portion 21B.

[0041] In the section of the receiving portion 21A continuous with the connecting portion 23, the beam pair B1 extends from positions on both sides of the connecting portion 23 in the sliding direction D2 to the contact portion 21B while narrowing the dimension between the beam pairs B1. In a no-load state, it is preferable that a gap G1 into which the first fitting partner 3-1 is inserted is set in the contact portion 21B. The dimension between the beam pairs B1 in the guide portion 21C gradually expands in the sliding direction D2 with respect to the gap G1 as it moves away from the contact portion 21B.

[0042] As an overall shape, the beam pair B1 is bent convexly (inwardly) toward each other at the position of the contact portion 21B. However, the contact portion 21B does not taper inwardly, and the two beam pairs B1 are smoothly curved convexly toward each other at the contact portion 21B.

[0043] The first fitting portion 21 holds the first fitting partner 3-1 inserted into the receiving portion 21A while expanding the gap G1 between the first contact portions 21B by elastic force. In order to give the contact portion 21B the rigidity necessary to sufficiently hold the first fitting partner 3-1, the contact portion 21B is formed thicker in the direction of sandwiching the first fitting partner 3-1 than other parts of the beam pair B1. When the first fitting partner 3-1 contacts and conducts to any of the contact portions 21B of the contacts 2 of the laminate 20, contacts corresponding to the number of laminate sheets are provided. Therefore, when the connector 1 is incorporated into the power circuit, it can contribute to an increase in the current carrying capacity based on a large number of contacts.

[0044] Under the condition that the displacement of the contact 2 in the cavity 110 is allowed, a contact load greater than the load acting due to vibrations, impacts, etc. during the use of the device into which the connector 1 is incorporated is ensured for the contact portion 21B. Therefore, the fitting state is maintained without the positions of the contact portion 21B of the contact 2 and the mating partner 3-1 shifting during use.

[0045] The guide portion 21C guides the mating partner 3-1 toward the contact portion 21B. The guide portion 21C that expands toward the tip 21D of the beam pair B1 can guide the mating partner 3-1 toward the gap G1 of the contact portion 21B. The larger the distance in the sliding direction D2 between the tips 21D of the beam pair B1, the easier it is to capture the mating partner 3-1 between the beam pairs B1. In the guide portion 21C of the present embodiment, the distance d between the beam pairs B1 at the tip 21D is arranged over a wide range in the sliding direction D2 as it exceeds the width of the connecting portion 23 (dimension in the sliding direction D2). When this guide portion 21C abuts against the side walls 113, 115 and the partition wall 117 due to the displacement of the contact 2, further displacement of the contact 2 is restricted.

[0046] Similar to the first fitting portion 21, the second fitting portion 22 also corresponds to an elastic body including a beam pair B2 that holds the second mating partner 3-2 therebetween. In the present embodiment, the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22 are formed point-symmetric with respect to the reference position A and line-symmetric with respect to the second axis L2. Therefore, the receiving portion 22A, the contact portion 22B, and the guide portion 22C of the second fitting portion 22 are each configured in the same manner as the receiving portion 21A, the contact portion 21B, and the guide portion 21C of the first fitting portion 21. A gap G2 into which the second mating partner 3-2 is inserted is also set in the contact portion 22B.

[0047] According to this embodiment, based on the fact that the contact 2 held by the housing 10 is displaceable while the guide portion 21C, which is a part of the spring, can capture the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2 over a wide range in the slide direction D2, it is possible to sufficiently absorb the tolerance and avoid applying excessive stress to the contact 2 and the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2.

[0048] It is preferable to give the contact 2 a displacement amount within the limit necessary for absorbing the tolerance. By restricting the displacement amount of the contact 2 within a certain range sufficient for absorbing the tolerance so that the tip 21D of the beam pair B1 and the tip 22D of the beam pair B2 do not interfere with the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2 when the contact 2 is displaced by a displacement amount significantly exceeding the tolerance.

[0049] The displacement amount of the contact 2 in the slide direction D2 is restricted by the movable range in the slide direction D2 of the long hole 230 with respect to the engagement pin 111. Alternatively, it is restricted by the movable range of the connecting portion 23 between the restricting elements 118 facing each other in the y direction. Since the movable range (α1, α2) of the connecting portion 23 is smaller than the movable range (β1, β2) of the long hole 230, this embodiment corresponds to the latter, but this is just an example. In this embodiment, as in the case of the contact 2 shown on the upper side in the plane of FIG. 6, before the engagement pin 111 comes into contact with the end portion 230A of the long hole 230, the connecting portion 23 comes into contact with the restricting element 118, so that further displacement of the contact 2 is restricted.

[0050] The displacement amount of the contact 2 in the rotation direction D1 is restricted by the movable range of the fitting portions 21 and 22 between the side wall 113 (or side wall 115) on the long side serving as the first restricting element and the partition wall 117. For example, as shown by "N" in FIG. 2, when the contact 2 rotates and displaces from the state where the contact 2 is at the designed position to the state shown between the side wall 115 and the partition wall 117, if the first fitting portion 21 abuts against the partition wall 117 and the second fitting portion 22 abuts against the side wall 115, the contact 2 will not displace any further in the rotation direction D1. At this time, the displacement of the contact 2 in the slide direction D2 is also restricted. Based on the contact 2 at the designed position (N), the rotational displacement amount of the contact 2 centered on the engagement pin 111 is restricted within a certain angular range θ on both sides in the rotation direction D1 with respect to the designed position (N).

[0051] Depending on the position of the contact 2 in the slide direction D2 with respect to the engagement pin 111, only one of the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22 of the contact 2 arranged between the partition wall 117 and the side wall 115 (for example, the first fitting portion 21) abuts against the restricting wall (for example, the partition wall 117), thereby restricting the rotational displacement of the contact 2. At this time, since the other of the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22 (for example, the second fitting portion 22) does not abut against the restricting wall, the displacement of the contact 2 to one side in the slide direction D2 (for example, the lower side in the plane of FIG. 2) is allowed.

[0052] When the displacement of the contact 2 is restricted by the abutment of the housing body 11 against the displaceable contact 2, depending on the various specific shapes that can be adopted for the housing body 11 and the contact 2 respectively, the portions that abut against each other between the housing body 11 and the contact 2 change, and also the direction of the displacement of the contact 2 restricted by their abutment changes. According to the present embodiment, as a whole, the side walls 113, 115 and the partition wall 117 that can abut against the guide portions 21C, 22C of the contact 2 and the restricting element 118 that can abut against the connecting portion 23 of the contact 2 restrict the displacement of the contact 2 in the rotation direction D1 and the slide direction D2. Depending on the shapes of the housing body 11 and the contact 2 respectively, the displacement of the contact 2 in the rotation direction D1 may be restricted by the abutment between the restricting element 118 and the connecting portion 23.

[0053] The displacement amount of the contact 2 in the rotational direction D1 and the sliding direction D2 is restricted by the side walls 113, 115, the partition wall 117, and the restricting element 118 of the housing body 11. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the entire movable range 2M (γ1, γ2) on the tip 21D side of the beam pair B1 in the rotational direction D1 and the sliding direction D2 with respect to the engagement pin 111 is preferably set outside the projection range P1 in the x direction of the first opening 101 of the housing 10.

[0054] The movable range of the beam pair B2 of the second fitting portion 22 (not shown) and the projection range of the second opening 102 are symmetric with respect to the left and right in FIG. 5(a). Similarly to the above, it is preferable that the entire movable range on the tip 22D side of the beam pair B2 is set outside the projection range when the second opening 102 is projected in the x direction into the cavity 110.

[0055] FIG. 5(a) shows a state in which the tip 21D of one beam pair B1 of the first fitting portion 21 is displaced maximally upward in the drawing to the position of the side wall 113. At this time, although the tip 21D of the other beam pair B1 is closest to the first opening 101, it is located outside the projection range P1. Therefore, there is no problem in receiving the first fitting partner 3-1 through the first opening 101 between the beam pairs B1 and fitting it with the first fitting portion 21.

[0056] For example, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the first fitting partner 3-1 is inserted into the first opening 101 without interfering with the beam pair B1. Then, the first fitting partner 3-1 presses the guide portion 21C and displaces the guide portion 21C downward in the drawing by at least one of the rotational displacement and the sliding displacement of the contact 2, while expanding the gap G1 and reaching the receiving portion 21A. By allowing the displacement of the contact 2 in the insertion process in this way, the stress applied to the contact 2 and the fitting partner 3-1 can be suppressed, and the fitting partner 3-1 can be inserted into the fitting portion 21. Since the mating partner 3-1 can assume various postures with respect to the contact 2, it can be inserted into the fitting portion 21 from various directions. The contact portion 21B is given a smoothly curved shape so that the mating partner 3-1 can be received into the gap G1 from various directions and the contact portion 21B and the mating partner 3-1 can be brought into appropriate contact. The same applies to the contact portion 22B of the second fitting portion 22.

[0057] According to the present embodiment, by the engagement between the engagement pin 111 and the long hole 230, it becomes possible to displace the contact 2 following the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2 in the rotational direction D1 and the slide direction D2. Therefore, while absorbing the dimensional shapes of the members and the assembly tolerances between the members and avoiding excessive stress being applied to the contact 2 and the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2 can be respectively fitted into the socket 201 formed by the first fitting portion 21 and the socket 202 formed by the second fitting portion 22.

[0058] The mating partner 3 is not necessarily arranged parallel to the x direction, and may be inclined with respect to the x direction as shown by the two-dot chain line. Even in such a case, since the contact 2 can be displaced in the combined direction of the rotational direction D1 and the slide direction D2, the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2 can be smoothly inserted into the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22, respectively.

[0059] If the contact 2 does not displace from the designed position, the mating partner 3-1 captured between the beam pairs B1 by the guide portion 21C and guided toward the contact portion 21B cannot be smoothly received into the contact portion 21B and the receiving portion 21A, and excessive stress may be applied. Even if the contact 2 can be displaced, if it displaces only in the rotational direction D1, the mating partner 3-1 arranged particularly along the x direction cannot be smoothly received, and excessive stress may be applied.

[0060] According to the present embodiment, even when the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2 are shifted in the y direction like the contacts 3-1 and 3-2 that fit into the contact 2 shown on the lower side of the paper surface of FIG. 6, the rotational displacement and sliding displacement of the contact 2 can avoid applying excessive stress to the contact 2 and the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2, and can stably connect the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2 to the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22, respectively.

[0061] The contact 2 of the laminate 20 can be displaced, for example, as shown in FIG. 7(a) and spread fan-shaped in the rotational direction D1, or, although not shown, spread in the sliding direction D2, and such displacement behavior can also absorb the tolerance. For example, consider the case where the mating partner 3-1 is inserted into the socket 201 in a state inclined with respect to the stacking direction (z direction). In that case, while displacing the first fitting portion 21 of each contact 2 following the mating partner 3-1 as shown in FIG. 7(a), for example, the mating partner 3-1 can be inserted into the socket 201.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the respective fitting portions 21 and 22 of the stacked contacts 2 are displaced by bending so that the tip ends 21D and 22D sides open in the direction along the stacking direction (z direction), and the entire laminate 20 can also follow the mating partners 3-1 and 3-2 to absorb the tolerance. The fitting portions 21 and 22 can be displaced and deformed three-dimensionally in any of the z direction, the rotational direction D1, and the sliding direction D2.

[0063] In addition to the above, as long as the gist of the present invention is not deviated from, it is possible to select the configurations exemplified in the above embodiments, or to appropriately change them to other configurations. The contacts 2 housed in the housing 10 do not necessarily have to be stacked. Even when only a single contact 2 is housed in the housing 10, substantially the same operational effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained. When only a single contact 2 is housed in the housing 10, in order to give the contact 2 a degree of freedom in the direction of the second axis L2, for example, a long hole extending parallel to the second axis L2 when the contact 2 is arranged in the state indicated by "N" in FIG. 3 is formed in the housing 10, and an engaging portion inserted into the long hole can be provided protruding from the contact 2.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the contacts 2 are stacked, and one laminate 20 forms one pole as a whole. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to apply the contacts 2 to a multi-pole connector. In that case, single or stacked multiple contacts 2 are respectively housed in a plurality of cavities of the connector housing. In the case of such a multi-pole configuration, the engaging pins formed on the connecting portions 23 of the plurality of contacts 2 may be passed through the long holes of the connector housing, or, in the same manner as in the above embodiment, a common engaging pin 111 may be passed through the long holes 230 formed in the connecting portions 23 of each of the contacts 2.

[0065] The first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22 do not necessarily have to be arranged in opposite directions at 180°. For example, a case where the third axis L3 set for the first fitting portion 21 and the fourth axis L4 set for the second fitting portion 22 form an angle of 160° is also acceptable. Further, in addition to the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22, the contact 2 may be provided with a third fitting portion.

[0066] The single contact 2, or the stacked contacts 2, are not necessarily only incorporated into the housing 10 for use, but may also be used in a state of being assembled to an appropriate support. The support may be, for example, the housing body 11 shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the support may include only the engaging pin 111 and the portion in the vicinity thereof. Such a support includes, for example, the engaging pin 111 and is assembled to the connecting portion 23 of the stacked contacts 2 to maintain the contacts 2 in a stacked state. The laminate 20 of the support and the contact 2 can be provided as a contact assembly. When the support does not include the housing body 11, the corresponding mating partners 3-1 and 3-2 can be directly inserted into the first fitting portion 21 and the second fitting portion 22 without passing through the openings 101 and 102.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1 Connector 2 Contact 2M Moving Range (Moving Scope) 3-1 First Mating Partner (Mating Partner) 3-2 Second Mating Partner (Mating Partner) 10 Housing 11 Housing Body (Restricting Portion) 11A Projection 11B Rib 12 Lid 20 Laminate 21 First Fitting Portion 21A Receiving Portion 21B Contact Portion (First Contact Portion) 21C Guide Portion (First Guide Portion) 21D Tip 22 Second Fitting Portion 22A Receiving Portion 22B Contact Portion (Second Contact Portion) 22C Guide Portion (Second Guide Portion) 22D Tip 23 Connecting Portion 101 First Opening 101A Guide Surface 102 Second Opening 102A guide surface 110 cavity 111 engaging pin (engaging portion) 112 lower wall 113, 115 side walls 114, 116 side walls 117 partition wall 118 restricting element 119 opening 121 cover portion 122 locking portion 122A tip portion 201 first socket 202 second socket 230 long hole 230A end portion A reference position B1 beam pair (first beam pair) B2 beam pair (second beam pair) d distance D1 rotation direction (rotation direction of the first axis) D2 slide direction (direction of the second axis) G1 gap (first gap) G2 gap (second gap) L1 first axis L2 second axis L3 third axis L4 fourth axis P1 first projection range S1 first side (one side with respect to the reference position) S2 second side (the other side with respect to the reference position) θ angular range

Claims

1. A contact laminate forming a first socket and a second socket used for fitting, with a plurality of plate-like contacts laminated in the plate thickness direction, comprising: The contacts are: A first fitting portion that forms the first socket and is arranged toward one side with respect to a reference position; A second fitting portion that forms the second socket and is arranged toward the other side with respect to the reference position; A connecting portion arranged at the reference position and connecting the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion. The first fitting portion, the second fitting portion, and the connecting portion of the contact are displaceable in any direction in the rotational direction about a first axis set along the plate thickness direction of the contact at the reference position with respect to an engaging portion that slidably engages with the connecting portion, in the plate thickness direction, and in the direction of a second axis that divides the one side and the other side at the reference position. At the tip side of the first fitting portions adjacent in the plate thickness direction, displacement in which the distance between them widens in the direction along the plate thickness direction is allowed due to a mechanical load. At the tip side of the second fitting portions adjacent in the plate thickness direction, displacement in which the distance between them widens in the direction along the plate thickness direction is allowed due to a mechanical load. A contact laminate.

2. A long hole that includes the reference position and is long in the direction of the second axis is formed in the connecting portion. The contact laminate according to claim 1.

3. The first fitting portion is an elastic body including a first beam pair that sandwiches and holds a first fitting partner, and includes a first contact portion that contacts the first fitting partner and a first guide portion that guides the first fitting partner to the first contact portion. The second fitting portion is an elastic body including a second beam pair that sandwiches and holds a second fitting partner, and includes a second contact portion that contacts the second fitting partner and a second guide portion that guides the second fitting partner to the second contact portion. The dimension between the first beam pairs in the first guide portion increases in the direction of the second axis as it moves away from the first contact portion. and, the dimension between the second beam pairs in the second guide portion increases in the direction of the second axis as it moves away from the second contact portion. The contact laminate according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first beam pair is smoothly curved convexly toward each other at the first contact portion. The second beam pair is smoothly curved convexly toward each other at the second contact portion. The contact laminate according to claim 3.

5. A contact laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a housing for holding the contact, The housing, has a cavity for accommodating the contact, and an engaging portion that engages with the connecting portion of the contact, a connector.

6. A long hole that includes the reference position and is long in the direction of the second axis is formed in the connecting portion. The engaging portion corresponds to a pin inserted into the long hole. The connector according to claim 5.

7. The housing, has a first opening into which a first mating part corresponding to the first fitting part is inserted, and a second opening into which a second mating part corresponding to the second fitting part is inserted, The connector according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The housing, includes a restricting portion that restricts displacement in the rotational direction of the first axis within a certain range by abutting against the contact, and restricts displacement in the direction of the second axis within a certain range by abutting against the contact. The connector according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The housing is a first opening into which a first mating partner corresponding to the first fitting portion is inserted, and a second opening into which a second mating partner corresponding to the second fitting portion is inserted, a first gap into which the first mating partner is inserted is set in a first contact portion corresponding to a contact point of the first fitting portion, a second gap into which the second mating partner is inserted is set in a second contact portion corresponding to a contact point of the second fitting portion, By restricting the displacement of the contact by the restricting portion, a movable range of a tip of the first fitting portion is set outside a projection range of the first opening, and a movable range of a tip of the second fitting portion is set outside a projection range of the second opening. The connector according to claim 8.

10. a contact laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a support including the engaging portion and assembled to the connecting portions of the plurality of contacts to maintain the contacts in a stacked state. A contact assembly.

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