Connector Structure

Abstract

To provide a connector structure that can be made short.SOLUTION: A connector structure 1 comprises a connector 2 which has a plurality of first terminal parts 21a, 22a and 23a, and a connection unit 10 which electrically interconnects the plurality of connectors, and the connection unit has a plurality of plate-like conductors 11, 12 and 13 which extend along a first direction X and an enclosure 14 which holds the plurality of conductors arranged in a second direction Y orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the enclosure has a plurality of engagement parts 15, 16 and 17 engaging with the connectors; the plurality of engagement parts line up along the first direction, and engage with the connectors so that the plurality of first terminal parts face the corresponding conductors and are individually connected to the corresponding conductors; and the plurality of first terminal parts 21a, 22a and 23a extend in the second direction Y and also line up in the first direction X while the connectors and engagement parts engage with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a connector structure using a joint connector. Patent Document 1 discloses a joint connector including a connector housing and a joint terminal press-fitted to the connector housing. In the joint connector of Patent Document 1, the joint terminal is mounted on the connector housing in four stages.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the joint connector of Patent Document 1, the thickness of the housing for accommodating the joint terminal tends to be large. A joint connector with a large thickness is likely to be restricted in the placement location. Further, a joint connector that accommodates terminals in layers has difficulty in coping with the thinning of the device that accommodates the joint connector. In a connector structure, it is desired to be able to achieve a low profile.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector structure capable of achieving a low profile.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The connector structure of the present invention includes a connector having a plurality of first terminal portions, and a connection unit that electrically connects the plurality of connectors to each other. The connection unit includes a plurality of plate-shaped conductors extending along a first direction, and a housing that holds the plurality of conductors by arranging the plurality of conductors in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The housing has a plurality of engaging portions that engage with the connector, and the plurality of engaging portions are arranged along the first direction. When the connector engages with the engaging portions, the plurality of first terminal portions face the corresponding conductors respectively and are individually connected to the corresponding conductors. In a state where the connector engages with the engaging portions, the plurality of first terminal portions extend in the second direction and are arranged in the first direction.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] In the connector structure according to the present invention, a plurality of engaging portions are arranged along the first direction in which the conductors of the connection unit extend. Further, the first terminal portions of the connector are arranged in the first direction. Therefore, according to the connector structure of the present invention, there is an effect that a low-profile connector structure for connecting a plurality of connectors to each other can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, the connector structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to a connector structure. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the connector structure according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connection unit according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector structure according to the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector structure according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the connector structure according to the embodiment. In FIG. 4, the IV-IV cross section of FIG. 1 is shown.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector structure 1 of the present embodiment includes a connector 2 and a connection unit 10. The connector structure 1 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, for example. The connector structure 1 is applied to the connection between a vehicle power source and a control device and a plurality of devices mounted on the vehicle, for example. Since the connector structure 1 of the present embodiment is formed in a thin shape, it can be arranged in a narrow space. The connector structure 1 may be arranged on a vehicle door. In this case, the connector structure 1 can contribute to the thinning of the door.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 2 is an adapter interposed between the connection unit 10 and the connector 200 on the device side. The relay conductors 21, 22, 23 of the connector 2 connect the conductors 11, 12, 13 of the connection unit 10 and the terminals 201, 202, 203 of the connector 200.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection unit 10 has a first conductor 11, a second conductor 12, a third conductor 13, and a housing 14. The first conductor 11, the second conductor 12, and the third conductor 13 are formed of a metal plate such as copper or aluminum having conductivity. The first conductor 11, the second conductor 12, and the third conductor 13 extend linearly.

[0014] In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the conductors 11, 12, 13 is referred to as the "first direction X". Also, the width direction of the conductors 11, 12, 13 is referred to as the "second direction Y". The second direction Y is orthogonal to the first direction X. Also, the direction orthogonal to both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as the "third direction Z". The third direction Z is the thickness direction of the conductors 11, 12, 13.

[0015] An input terminal portion 11d is provided at the end of the first conductor 11. The input terminal portion 11d extends toward the second direction Y. Similarly, input terminal portions 12d, 13d are provided at the ends of the second conductor 12 and the third conductor 13. The input terminal portions 11d, 12d, 13d are connected to the terminals 101, 102, 103 of the input-side connector 100.

[0016] The housing 14 holds the first conductor 11, the second conductor 12, and the third conductor 13. The housing 14 is formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The housing 14 has, for example, a case that holds the conductors 11, 12, 13 and a cover that engages with the case. The housing 14 may be insert-molded with respect to the conductors 11, 12, 13. The shape of the housing 14 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 14 holds the first conductor 11, the second conductor 12, and the third conductor 13 arranged in the second direction Y. More specifically, the housing 14 arranges the first conductor 11, the second conductor 12, and the third conductor 13 parallel to each other and holds them with a space therebetween. The housing 14 positions, for example, the first conductor 11, the second conductor 12, and the third conductor 13 on the same plane.

[0017] The housing 14 has a first engaging portion 15, a second engaging portion 16, and a third engaging portion 17. The engaging portions 15, 16, 17 are configured to engage with the connector 2 as an adapter and hold the connector 2. The engaging portions 15, 16, 17 are recesses provided in the housing 14 so as to expose a part of the conductors 11, 12, 13. The shape of the engaging portions 15, 16, 17 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The engaging portions 15, 16, 17 are open in the second direction Y and the third direction Z.

[0018] The first engaging portion 15, the second engaging portion 16, and the third engaging portion 17 are arranged along the first direction X in this order. As shown in FIG. 2, the first conductor 11 has a first exposed portion 11a, a second exposed portion 11b, and a third exposed portion 11c. The second conductor 12 has a first exposed portion 12a, a second exposed portion 12b, and a third exposed portion 12c. The third conductor 13 has a first exposed portion 13a, a second exposed portion 13b, and a third exposed portion 13c.

[0019] The first exposed portions 11a, 12a, 13a are the portions exposed in the first engaging portion 15. The second exposed portions 11b, 12b, 13b are the portions exposed in the second engaging portion 16. The third exposed portions 11c, 12c, 13c are the portions exposed in the third engaging portion 17.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the connector 2 engages with the connection unit 10 along the second direction Y. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the connector 2 has a housing 20, a first relay conductor 21, a second relay conductor 22, and a third relay conductor 23. The first relay conductor 21, the second relay conductor 22, and the third relay conductor 23 are formed of a metal plate such as copper or aluminum having conductivity. The relay conductors 21, 22, 23 all extend linearly.

[0021] The first relay conductor 21 has a main body 21m, a first terminal portion 21a, and a second terminal portion 21b. The first terminal portion 21a is connected to one end of the main body 21m, and the second terminal portion 21b is connected to the other end of the main body 21m. The configurations of the second relay conductor 22 and the third relay conductor 23 are the same as the configuration of the first relay conductor 21. The second relay conductor 22 has a main body 22m, a first terminal portion 22a, and a second terminal portion 22b. The third relay conductor 23 has a main body 23m, a first terminal portion 23a, and a second terminal portion 23b.

[0022] The housing 20 holds the first relay conductor 21, the second relay conductor 22, and the third relay conductor 23. The housing 20 is molded, for example, from an insulating synthetic resin. The housing 20 may be insert-molded with respect to the relay conductors 21, 22, 23. The shape of the housing 20 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the second terminal portions 21b, 22b, 23b protrude from the end of the housing 20. The second terminal portions 21b, 22b, 23b are terminal portions connected to the connector 200 on the device side.

[0023] The first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a are terminal portions connected to the conductors 11, 12, 13 of the connection unit 10. The housing 20 positions the first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a on the same plane. Also, the housing 20 positions the second terminal portions 21b, 22b, 23b on the same plane. As shown in FIG. 1, among the three relay conductors 21, 22, 23, the first relay conductor 21 is the shortest and the third relay conductor 23 is the longest. The housing 20 positions the second terminal portions 21b, 22b, 23b at the same position in the second direction Y to hold the relay conductors 21, 22, 23. Therefore, in a state where the connector 2 is engaged with the engaging portions 15, 16, 17, the first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a are at different positions in the second direction Y from each other.

[0024] More specifically, the first terminal portion 23a of the third relay conductor 23 is located on the back side Y1 with respect to the other first terminal portions 21a, 22a. Here, the back side Y1 is the back side in the insertion direction when the connector 2 is inserted into the engaging portions 15, 16, 17. On the other hand, the front side Y2 indicates the side opposite to the back side Y1 in the second direction Y. When the connector 2 is removed from the engaging portions 15, 16, 17, the connector 2 is pulled out toward the front side Y2.

[0025] The first terminal portion 21a of the first relay conductor 21 is located on the front side Y2 with respect to the other first terminal portions 22a, 23a. The first terminal portion 22a of the second relay conductor 22 is located in the middle between the first terminal portion 21a and the first terminal portion 23a.

[0026] The first conductor 11 is located on the front side Y2 with respect to the second conductor 12 and the third conductor 13. The third conductor 13 is located on the back side Y1 with respect to the first conductor 11 and the second conductor 12. That is, at the first engaging portion 15, the first exposed portions 11a, 12a, 13a are arranged in this order from the front side Y2 toward the back side Y1. Similarly, at the second engaging portion 16, the second exposed portions 11b, 12b, 13b are arranged in this order from the front side Y2 toward the back side Y1. At the third engaging portion 17, the third exposed portions 11c, 12c, 13c are arranged in this order from the front side Y2 toward the back side Y1.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the first terminal portion 21a of the first relay conductor 21 faces the first conductor 11 in a plan view. The first terminal portion 21a is connected to the exposed portions 11a, 11b, and 11c of the first conductor 11. The first relay conductor 21 does not overlap with either the second conductor 12 or the third conductor 13 in a plan view. In other words, the first relay conductor 21 extends to a position on the front side Y2 with respect to the second conductor 12.

[0028] The first terminal portion 22a of the second relay conductor 22 faces the second conductor 12 in a plan view. The first terminal portion 22a is connected to the exposed portions 12a, 12b, and 12c of the second conductor 12. The second relay conductor 22 does not overlap with the third conductor 13 in a plan view. In other words, the second relay conductor 22 extends to a position on the front side Y2 with respect to the third conductor 13.

[0029] The first terminal portion 23a of the third relay conductor 23 faces the third conductor 13 in the third direction Z. The first terminal portion 23a is connected to the exposed portions 13a, 13b, and 13c of the third conductor 13.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a connector 2 inserted into the first engaging portion 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the third relay conductor 23 is bent so as to provide a step between the first terminal portion 23a and the main body 23m. More specifically, the third relay conductor 23 has a stepped portion 23d extending in the third direction Z. The third relay conductor 23 is bent at a right angle between the main body 23m and the stepped portion 23d, and further bent at a right angle between the stepped portion 23d and the first terminal portion 23a. Thereby, an insulation distance is ensured between the first conductor 11 and the second conductor 12 and the main body 23m. Note that the first terminal portion 23a and the main body 23m are parallel.

[0031] An indentation 23n is provided in the first terminal portion 23a. The indentation 23n is a raised portion that bulges toward the third direction Z. The first terminal portion 23a contacts the third conductor 13 at the indentation 23n.

[0032] The second relay conductor 22 has the same bent shape as the third relay conductor 23. That is, the second relay conductor 22 is bent so as to secure an insulation distance from the first conductor 11. An indentation 22n is provided in the first terminal portion 22a of the second relay conductor 22. The first terminal portion 22a contacts the second conductor 12 at the indentation 22n.

[0033] The first relay conductor 21 has the same bent shape as the third relay conductor 23. An indentation 21n is provided in the first terminal portion 21a of the first relay conductor 21. The first terminal portion 21a contacts the first conductor 11 at the indentation 21n.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, a guide 15a extending along the second direction Y is provided on the wall surface of the first engaging portion 15. The guide 15a is, for example, a rib provided on the wall surface. The guide 15a guides the housing 20 of the connector 2 and positions the housing 20 in the third direction Z. The housing 20 is provided with, for example, a groove corresponding to the guide 15a. The housing 20 engages with the first engaging portion 15 and is held by the first engaging portion 15. It is preferable that the second engaging portion 16 and the third engaging portion 17 are provided with guides similar to the guide 15a.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the device-side connector 200 is connected to the connector 2 along the second direction Y. The connector 200 has terminals 201, 202, 203. The terminals 201, 202, 203 are connected to the second terminal portions 21b, 22b, 23b, respectively. The terminals 201, 202, 203 extend in the second direction Y and are arranged in the first direction X. The terminals 201, 202, 203 have the same length and are at the same position in the second direction Y.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, an input-side connector 100 is connected to the connection unit 10. The connector structure 1 connects the input-side connector 100 to a plurality of device-side connectors 200. For example, when the connector 100 has a power supply terminal, the connector structure 1 connects this power supply terminal to the power supply terminals of each connector 200. In other words, the connector structure 1 distributes the power supplied via the connector 100 to the plurality of connectors 200. When the connector 100 has a communication terminal, the connector structure 1 connects this communication terminal to the communication terminals of each connector 200. In other words, the connector structure 1 communicatively connects the communication device connected to the connector 100 and the communication devices connected to each connector 200. When the connector 100 has a ground terminal, the connector structure 1 connects this ground terminal to the ground terminals of each connector 200.

[0037] The input-side connector 100 has terminals 101, 102, and 103. The terminals 101, 102, and 103 are formed of, for example, a conductive metal plate. The housing 14 has a fitting portion 14a that fits with the input-side connector 100. When the input-side connector 100 fits with the fitting portion 14a, the terminals 101, 102, and 103 are respectively connected to the input terminal portions 11d, 12d, and 13d.

[0038] Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, the connector structure 1 has a cover 24. The cover 24 engages with the engaging portions 15, 16, and 17 to cover the exposed portions of the conductors 11, 12, and 13. The cover 24 is attached to each of the engaging portions 15, 16, and 17 before being connected to the connector 2. Also, when the connector 2 is connected to the engaging portions 15, 16, and 17, the cover 24 is removed. In the connector structure 1 of the present embodiment, any number of connectors 2 from 1 to 3 can be connected to the connection unit 10. When two connectors 2 are connected to the connection unit 10, the cover 24 remains on the unused engaging portion.

[0039] As described above, the connector structure 1 of the present embodiment includes a connector 2 having a plurality of first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a, and a connection unit 10 that electrically connects the plurality of connectors 2 to each other. The connection unit 10 includes a plurality of plate-shaped conductors 11, 12, 13 extending along the first direction X, and a housing 14. The housing 14 arranges the plurality of conductors 11, 12, 13 in the second direction Y and holds the plurality of conductors 11, 12, 13.

[0040] The housing 14 has a plurality of engaging portions 15, 16, 17 that engage with the connector 2. The plurality of engaging portions 15, 16, 17 are arranged along the first direction X. When the connector 2 engages with the engaging portions 15, 16, 17, the plurality of first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a face the corresponding conductors 11, 12, 13 and are individually connected to the corresponding conductors 11, 12, 13. In a state where the connector 2 is engaged with the engaging portions 15, 16, 17, the plurality of first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a extend in the second direction Y and are arranged along the first direction X.

[0041] In the connector structure 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of engaging portions 15, 16, 17 are arranged along the first direction X in which the conductors 11, 12, 13 extend. Further, the first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a of the connector 2 are arranged along the first direction X. With such a configuration, a reduction in height of the connector structure 1 for connecting the plurality of connectors 2 to each other is achieved.

[0042] In the connector 2 of the present embodiment, the plurality of first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a are located at different positions in the second direction Y so that when the connector 2 engages with the engaging portions 15, 16, 17, the respective first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a are positioned at positions facing the corresponding conductors 11, 12, 13. With such a configuration, individual connection between the first terminal portions 21a, 22a, 23a and the corresponding conductors 11, 12, 13 is made more reliable.

[0043] The connector 2 of this embodiment is an adapter interposed between the connection unit 10 and the connector 200 on the device side. The connector 2 as an adapter has a plurality of relay conductors 21, 22, 23. One end of the relay conductors 21, 22, 23 is the first terminal portion 21a, 22a, 23a, and the other end of the relay conductors 21, 22, 23 is the second terminal portion 21b, 22b, 23b connected to the connector 200 on the device side. In a state where the connector 2 is engaged with the engaging portions 15, 16, 17, the second terminal portions 21b, 22b, 23b of the plurality of relay conductors 21, 22, 23 are at the same position in the second direction Y.

[0044] When the second terminal portions 21b, 22b, 23b are at the same position in the second direction Y, a connector with a general configuration can be used as the connector 200 on the device side. The connector 200 may be configured to be connectable to the connector 2 and also connectable to the input-side connector 100, for example. That is, the connector 200 on the device side may be configured such that the terminals 201, 202, 203 can be connected to any of the second terminal portions 21b, 22b, 23b and the terminals 101, 102, 103.

[0045] Note that the connection direction of the connector 2 with respect to the connection unit 10 is not limited to the second direction Y. For example, the connector 2 may engage with the connection unit 10 while relatively moving in the third direction Z with respect to the connection unit 10.

[0046] The number of conductors of the connection unit 10 is not limited to the three exemplified. The number of conductors of the connection unit 10 may be two, or may be four or more. The number of relay conductors of the connector 2 is determined according to the number of conductors of the connection unit 10. The number of engaging portions of the connection unit 10 may be two, or may be four or more.

[0047] [First Modification of the Embodiment] A first modification of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the connection unit according to the first modification of the embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector structure according to the first modification of the embodiment. In the first modification of the embodiment, the difference from the above embodiment is, for example, that the conductors 11, 12, and 13 of the connection unit 10 have spring portions 18.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows a VII-VII cross section when the connector 2 is inserted into the first engaging portion 15 of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the first conductor 11, the second conductor 12, and the third conductor 13 have spring portions 18. The spring portions 18 shown in FIG. 7 are formed in the first exposed portions 11a, 12a, and 13a of the first engaging portion 15. The spring portion 18 is formed, for example, by cutting a part of the conductors 11, 12, and 13. The spring portion 18 is formed in an arm shape and is curved in the third direction as shown in FIG. 7. An indent 18a is provided at the tip of the spring portion 18. The second exposed portions 11b, 12b, 13b and the third exposed portions 11c, 12c, 13c also have spring portions 18 respectively.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, the first terminal portion 21a of the connector 2 contacts the spring portion 18. That is, the first conductor 11 contacts the first terminal portion 21a at the spring portion 18. Similarly, the second conductor 12 and the third conductor 13 contact the first terminal portions 22a and 23a of the connector 2 at the spring portion 18.

[0050] According to the connector structure 1 according to the first modification of the embodiment, it is possible to connect the connector 2 to the connection unit 10 and remove the connector 2 from the connection unit 10 in the live state.

[0051] Note that the relay conductors 21, 22, and 23 of the connector 2 may have the same length. FIG. 8 shows a connector 2 having relay conductors 21, 22, and 23 of the same length. The relay conductors 21, 22, and 23 extend along the second direction Y to a position facing the third conductor 13.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 9, the first terminal portion 21a contacts the spring portion 18 of the first conductor 11. The tip portion of the first terminal portion 21a is separated from the second conductor 12 and the third conductor 13 in the third direction Z. In this way, the first terminal portion 21a is individually connected to the corresponding first conductor 11 among the plurality of conductors 11, 12, and 13. Similarly, the first terminal portion 22a is individually connected to the corresponding second conductor 12, and the first terminal portion 23a is individually connected to the corresponding third conductor 13.

[0053] [Second Modified Example of the Embodiment] The second modified example of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connector structure according to the second modified example of the embodiment. In the second modified example of the embodiment, the difference from the above embodiment is that, for example, the connector 200 on the device side directly engages with the engaging portions 15, 16, and 17.

[0054] The connector 200 on the device side according to the second modified example of the embodiment includes terminals 201, 202, 203 and a housing 204. The terminals 201, 202, 203 are formed of a metal plate such as copper or aluminum having conductivity. The terminals 201, 202, 203 extend linearly along the second direction Y.

[0055] The terminal 201 has a first terminal portion 201a connected to the first conductor 11. Similarly, the terminal 202 has a first terminal portion 202a connected to the second conductor 12, and the terminal 203 has a first terminal portion 203a connected to the third conductor 13. The positions of the first terminal portions 201a, 202a, 203a in the second direction Y may be different from each other.

[0056] When the connector 200 on the device side engages with the engaging portions 15, 16, and 17, the first terminal portions 201a, 202a, 203a are individually connected to the corresponding conductors 11, 12, and 13. Further, in a state where the connector 200 on the device side engages with the engaging portions 15, 16, and 17, the first terminal portions 201a, 202a, 203a extend in the second direction Y and are arranged in the first direction X.

[0057] According to the connector structure 1 of the second modification example, by directly connecting the connector 200 on the device side to the connection unit 10, miniaturization in the second direction Y becomes possible. Also, reduction in the number of parts is achieved.

[0058] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments and modification examples can be executed in appropriate combination.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0059] 1 Connector structure 2: Connector (Adapter) 10: Connection unit 11: First conductor, 11a: First exposed portion, 11b: Second exposed portion 11c: Third exposed portion, 11d: Input terminal portion 12: Second conductor, 12a: First exposed portion, 12b: Second exposed portion 12c: Third exposed portion, 12d: Input terminal portion 13: Third conductor, 13a: First exposed portion, 13b: Second exposed portion 13c: Third exposed portion, 13d: Input terminal portion 14: Housing, 15: First engaging portion, 16: Second engaging portion, 17: Third engaging portion 18: Spring portion 20: Housing, 21: First relay conductor, 21a: First terminal portion, 21b: Second terminal portion 21m: Body, 22: Second relay conductor, 22a: First terminal portion, 22b: Second terminal portion, 22m: Body, 23: Third relay conductor, 23a: First terminal portion, 23b: Second terminal portion, 23m: Body 100: Input-side connector, 101, 102, 103: Terminals 200: Device-side connector, 201, 202, 203: Terminals, 204: Housing 201a, 202a, 203a: First terminal portions X: First direction, Y: Second direction, Z: Third direction

Claims

1. A connector having a first terminal portion and a plurality of terminals formed of a metal plate, and a connector housing for holding the plurality of terminals, A connection unit for electrically connecting the plurality of connectors to each other, Comprising, The connection unit, A plurality of plate-like conductors extending along a first direction, A housing for holding the plurality of conductors by arranging the plurality of conductors in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, Having, One of the housings has a plurality of engaging portions, The engaging portion is a recess provided in the housing so as to expose a part of the conductor, and is configured to engage with the connector to hold the connector, The plurality of engaging portions are arranged along the first direction, When the connector is inserted into the engaging portion along the second direction and engages with the engaging portion, the plurality of first terminal portions face the corresponding conductors respectively and are individually in contact with the corresponding conductors, In a state where the connector is engaged with the engaging portion, the plurality of first terminal portions extend in the second direction and are arranged in the first direction A connector structure characterized by this.

2. In the connector, the plurality of first terminal portions are at different positions in the second direction so that when the connector engages with the engaging portion, each of the first terminal portions is positioned at a position facing the corresponding conductor. The connector structure according to claim 1.

3. The connector is an adapter interposed between the connection unit and a connector on the device side, The adapter has a plurality of relay conductors that are the terminals, One end of the relay conductor is the first terminal portion, and the other end of the relay conductor is a second terminal portion connected to the connector on the device side, In a state where the connector is engaged with the engaging portion, the second terminal portions of the plurality of relay conductors are at the same position in the second direction The connector structure according to claim 2.

4. The conductor of the connection unit has a spring portion that bulges in the thickness direction of the conductor, and contacts the first terminal portion at the spring portion The connector structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images