Floating connector and floating connector assembly

Abstract

To provide a floating connector capable of suppressing the loss of a relay connector being transported.SOLUTION: A floating connector (11) comprises a relay connector (6) and a first connector (4). The relay connector (6) includes a first terminal and a holding member holding the first terminal. The first connector (4) includes: a second terminal; a housing in which the second terminal is stored and at least a part of the holding member is stored; an opening in which the relay connector (6) can be inserted and which is formed in a second portion at a side opposite to a first portion disposed at the side of the second connector (5) in the housing; and a fall-off preventive part (41o) which is formed in the first portion of the housing in order to prevent the holding member from falling off from the first portion of the housing in a state where at least a part of the holding member is stored in the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a floating connector and a floating connector assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical floating connector assembly is configured such that a first connector and a second connector are electrically connected via a relay connector. Incidentally, Patent Document 1 discloses a joining device 100 for joining a chip 102 held by chip holding means 101 and a substrate 104 held by substrate holding means 103, as shown in Figure 20.

[0003] In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, the bonding apparatus 100 of Patent Document 1 is configured such that the substrate holding means 103 is supported by a copy / lock mechanism 107 in which the convex spherical surface 105a of the spherical member 105 and the concave spherical surface 106a of the receiving member 106 are in surface contact, and the substrate holding means 103 is rotatable so that the parallelism between the chip 102 held by the chip holding means 101 and the substrate 104 held by the substrate holding means 103 is maintained. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-134899 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A typical floating connector assembly may be transported with the first connector and the relay connector temporarily fixed together, for example. However, there is a risk that the temporary fixation between the first connector and the relay connector may be released during transportation of the floating connector assembly, causing the relay connector to come off the first connector and be lost.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a floating connector and a floating connector assembly that can prevent the relay connector from being lost during transportation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A floating connector according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a floating connector that constitutes part of a floating connector assembly including a first connector electrically connected to a first device, a second connector electrically connected to a second device, and a relay connector that is inserted into the first connector and the second connector to electrically connect the first connector and the second connector, the floating connector includes the relay connector and the first connector, the relay connector has a first terminal and a holding member that holds the first terminal, The first connector has a second terminal, a housing that accommodates the second terminal and accommodates at least a portion of the retaining member when the relay connector and the first connector are electrically connected, an opening into which the relay connector can be inserted and formed in a second portion of the housing on the opposite side to a first portion that is positioned on the second connector side when the first connector and the second connector are electrically connected via the relay connector, and a retaining portion formed in the first portion of the housing to prevent the retaining member from slipping out of the first portion of the housing when the housing accommodates at least a portion of the retaining member.

[0008] In the floating connector described above, the first terminal has a plurality of contact spring portions, and the plurality of contact spring portions are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the first terminal. Leave it open are placed, the second terminal has a cylindrical portion on which a spherical portion is formed, When the relay connector and the first connector are electrically connected, the plurality of contact spring portions come into contact with the spherical surface portion of the second terminal, When the relay connector rotates relative to the first connector, it is preferable that the distances from the center of the spherical portion to the contact portions between the contact spring portions and the spherical portion are equal.

[0009] In the above-described floating connector, it is preferable that the contact spring portion of the first terminal contacts the spherical portion formed on the inner periphery of the second terminal when the contact spring portion is positioned inside the second terminal.

[0010] In the above-described floating connector, it is preferable that the retaining portion and the holding member are in spherical contact, and the center of the spherical contact portion between the retaining portion and the holding member coincides with the center of the spherical portion.

[0011] In the floating connector described above, the first connector has a pressing member that sandwiches the holding member together with the retaining portion, The pressing member preferably closes a part of the opening of the housing.

[0012] In the above-described floating connector, it is preferable that the pressing member and the holding member are in spherical contact, and the center of the spherical contact portion between the pressing member and the holding member coincides with the center of the spherical portion.

[0013] A floating connector assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: the floating connector as described above; the second connector; Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present disclosure, a floating connector and a floating connector assembly are realized that can prevent the relay connector from being lost during transportation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]1 is a cross-sectional view showing a usage form of a floating connector assembly according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of the floating connector assembly of the embodiment as viewed from the Z axis + side. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the floating connector of the embodiment as viewed from the Z-axis negative side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion V in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first connector. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a first housing of the first connector as viewed from the Z axis + side. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ground terminal of the first connector as seen from the negative side of the Z axis. [Figure 9] 10 is a perspective view of the second housing of the first connector as viewed from the Z-axis negative side. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the second connector as seen from the Z axis + side. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the second connector. [Figure 12] This is a view of the second connector as seen from the Z axis - side. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the relay connector as seen from the Z axis + side. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] This is a view of the relay connector from the Z axis - side. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the housing of the relay connector as viewed from the Z-axis negative side. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the flow of electrically connecting the first connector and the relay connector. [Figure 18] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the output connector and the imaging unit when the connection axis between the output connector and the first connector and the connection axis between the imaging unit and the second connector are misaligned. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of a portion XIX of FIG. 18. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] This embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 19. First, the configuration of the floating connector assembly of this embodiment will be described. Note that, for clarity, the following description of the configuration of the floating connector assembly will be made using a Cartesian coordinate system (XYZ coordinate system).

[0017] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a usage form of the floating connector assembly of this embodiment. The floating connector assembly 1 of this embodiment can be used, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, to electrically connect an output connector 2, which is a representative example of a first device, and an imaging unit 3, which is a representative example of a second device. However, the first device and second device electrically connected by the floating connector assembly 1 are not limited.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the floating connector assembly of this embodiment as seen from the +Z-axis side. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the floating connector of this embodiment as seen from the -Z-axis side. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of part V in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the floating connector assembly 1 includes a first connector 4, a second connector 5, and a relay connector 6. In this case, the first connector 4 and the relay connector 6 form a floating connector 11.

[0019] Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the first connector 4. As shown in Fig. 6, the first connector 4 includes a first housing 41, a ground terminal (second terminal) 42, a first potting 43, a second housing (holding member) 44, a signal terminal 45, and a second potting 46.

[0020] 7 is a perspective view of the first housing of the first connector as viewed from the +Z-axis side. The first housing 41 is, for example, an insulating resin molded product. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first housing 41 holds the ground terminal 42 and the signal terminal 45. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, for example, the first housing 41 includes a base portion 41a, a first inserted portion 41b, a second inserted portion 41c, and a through portion 41d.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 7, the base portion (first portion) 41a has a plate shape that is approximately parallel to the XY plane. The base portion 41a has, for example, an approximately rectangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. In this case, the base portion 41a may be formed with a fixing portion 41e for fixing a fixing jig or the like (not shown). The fixing portion 41e protrudes from the base portion 41a toward the +Z-axis side and is disposed, for example, at a corner of the base portion 41a. The fixing portion 41e has, for example, an approximately cylindrical shape.

[0022] 1, the first inserted portion 41b is configured so that a portion of the housing 31 of the imaging unit 3 on the +Z axis side can be inserted therein. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the first inserted portion 41b has a cylindrical shape that protrudes from the base portion 41a on the -Z axis side, and is disposed along the periphery of the base portion 41a. In this case, it is preferable that a step portion 41f be formed at the boundary between the base portion 41a and the first inserted portion 41b.

[0023] 1, the second inserted portion 41c (second portion) is configured so that the housing 21 of the output connector 2 can be inserted therein. As shown in FIG. 7, the second inserted portion 41c includes a first cylindrical portion 41g and a second cylindrical portion 41h.

[0024] 7, the first cylindrical portion 41g protrudes from the base portion 41a toward the positive side of the Z axis and is disposed approximately in the center of the base portion 41a when viewed from the Z axis direction. The first cylindrical portion 41g has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Z axis direction.

[0025] 7, the second cylindrical portion 41h protrudes from the base portion 41a toward the +Z-axis side and surrounds the first cylindrical portion 41g. The second cylindrical portion 41h is disposed approximately at the center of the base portion 41a when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and has, for example, a generally convex shape protruding toward the +Y-axis side.

[0026] In this case, as shown in Fig. 1, it is preferable that an engaged portion 41i is formed on the Y-axis + side portion of the second cylindrical portion 41h, with which the engaging portion 21a of the housing 21 of the output connector 2 is engaged. As shown in Fig. 7, for example, the engaged portion 41i is a through-hole that passes through the Y-axis + side portion of the second cylindrical portion 41h, and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0027] 7, the through portion 41d penetrates the first housing 41 in the Z-axis direction. The through portion 41d includes a first portion 41j and a second portion 41k. The first portion 41j is formed by the internal space of the first cylindrical portion 41g of the second inserted portion 41c, and has, for example, a substantially rectangular pillar shape.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 5, the second portion 41k penetrates the base portion 41a in the Z-axis direction and is continuous with the first portion 41j. The second portion 41k is disposed on the negative side of the Z-axis relative to the first portion 41j. As shown in Fig. 7, the second portion 41k is disposed approximately in the center of the first portion 41j when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0029] 5 and 7, the second portion 41k preferably includes a small diameter portion 41l and a large diameter portion 41m. The periphery of the small diameter portion 41l and the periphery of the large diameter portion 41m are arranged substantially concentrically when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The small diameter portion 41l is arranged on the negative side of the Z-axis relative to the large diameter portion 41m. In other words, a step portion 41n is formed at the boundary between the small diameter portion 41l and the large diameter portion 41m.

[0030] Furthermore, the negative end of the second portion 41k on the Z-axis side may be narrowed by a retaining portion 41o formed on the negative end of the base portion 41a on the Z-axis side, as shown in Fig. 7. The detailed function of the retaining portion 41o will be described later, but the retaining portion 41o protrudes from the base portion 41a on the negative side of the Z-axis, for example, as shown in Fig. 3. The retaining portion 41o includes a cylindrical portion 41p and an annular portion 41q.

[0031] 3, the cylindrical portion 41p protrudes from the base portion 41a toward the negative side of the Z axis. The cylindrical portion 41p has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, and the internal space of the cylindrical portion 41p forms the negative side of the Z axis of the second portion 41k of the through portion 41d.

[0032] 3, the annular portion 41q has a plate shape that is substantially parallel to the XY plane, and is, for example, substantially annular when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The outer peripheral edge of the annular portion 41q is continuous with the end of the cylindrical portion 41p on the negative Z-axis side.

[0033] 7, through portion 41r of annular portion 41q forms a narrowed portion at the end of second portion 41k of through portion 41d on the negative Z-axis direction. In this case, the periphery of second portion 41k of through portion 41d and the periphery of through portion 41r of annular portion 41q in retaining portion 41o are arranged approximately concentrically when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0034] The diameter of the through-hole 41r of the annular portion 41q will be described later. Here, although the detailed function will be described later, it is preferable that a spherical portion 41s is formed in the portion of the annular portion 41q on the positive side of the Z axis around the through-hole 41r, as shown in FIGS.

[0035] The spherical portion 41s has a concave shape toward the negative side of the Z axis. As shown in Fig. 5, the center C1 of the spherical portion 41s is located at a position substantially equal to the center C2 of the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42, which will be described later. The diameter of the spherical portion 41s may be any diameter.

[0036] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the ground terminal of the first connector as viewed from the negative side of the Z axis. The ground terminal 42 is conductive and is electrically connected to the ground terminal 22 of the output connector 2 as shown in Fig. 1. The ground terminal 42 is inserted into the through-hole 41d of the first housing 41 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the ground terminal 42 has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a first portion 42a, a second portion 42b, a spherical portion 42c, a first protrusion 42d, and a second protrusion 42e.

[0038] 5, the first portion 42a is disposed in the small diameter portion 41l of the second portion 41k of the through portion 41d in the first housing 41. The outer diameter of the first portion 42a is approximately equal to the diameter of the small diameter portion 41l of the second portion 41k of the through portion 41d in the first housing 41. The height in the Z-axis direction of the first portion 42a is approximately equal to the height in the Z-axis direction of the small diameter portion 41l of the second portion 41k of the through portion 41d in the first housing 41.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the second part 42b is positioned on the +Z axis side of the first part 42a, and is positioned so as to straddle the first part 41j of the through part 41d in the first housing 41 and the large diameter part 41m of the second part 41k.

[0040] 6 and 8, the outer diameter of the second portion 42b is smaller than the outer diameter of the first portion 42a. Therefore, a step 42f is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the ground terminal 42 at the boundary between the first portion 42a and the second portion 42b.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the height in the Z-axis direction of the second portion 42b is approximately equal to the combined height in the Z-axis direction of the first portion 41j of the through portion 41d in the first housing 41 and the large diameter portion 41m of the second portion 41k.

[0042] 5 and 8, the spherical surface portion 42c is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the ground terminal 42. The spherical surface portion 42c is located on the negative Z-axis side of the ground terminal 42. The spherical surface portion 42c has a concave shape that extends radially outward from the ground terminal 42.

[0043] 5, the center C2 of the spherical portion 42c is located on the central axis AX1 of the ground terminal 42 and at approximately the center of the height in the Z-axis direction of the first portion 42a of the ground terminal 42. The diameter of the spherical portion 42c may be any diameter.

[0044] 5 and 8, the first protrusion 42d protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the ground terminal 42. The first protrusion 42d has, for example, a substantially annular shape when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The first protrusion 42d is disposed at the end of the spherical portion 42c on the positive side of the Z-axis.

[0045] 6 and 8, the second protrusion 42e protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the first portion 42a. The second protrusion 42e has, for example, a substantially annular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0046] When the ground terminal 42 is inserted into the through-hole 41d of the first housing 41, as shown in Figure 5, the second protrusion 42e strongly contacts the peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 41l of the second part 41k of the through-hole 41d in the first housing 41, thereby holding the ground terminal 42 in the first housing 41.

[0047] The first potting 43 is, for example, a waterproof sealant, and is shown in a hardened state in Fig. 6. With the ground terminal 42 inserted into the through-hole 41d of the first housing 41, the first potting 43 is applied around the stepped portion 42f of the ground terminal 42 and hardened, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby preventing water and other contaminants from entering the gap between the first portion 42a of the ground terminal 42 and the through-hole 41d of the first housing 41.

[0048] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the second housing of the first connector as viewed from the negative side of the Z axis. The second housing 44 is, for example, an insulating resin molded part, and is inserted into the ground terminal 42 as shown in Fig. 5. The second housing 44 includes a cylindrical portion 44a, a protruding portion 44b, and a flange portion 44c.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 5, the cylindrical portion 44a is disposed so as to straddle the first protrusion 42d of the ground terminal 42. The cylindrical portion 44a has a substantially cylindrical shape, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 9, for example. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 44a is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the first protrusion 42d of the ground terminal 42, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0050] 5, the protrusion 44b protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 44a. The protrusion 44b has, for example, a substantially annular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The protrusion 44b is disposed at substantially the center of the height of the cylindrical portion 44a in the Z-axis direction.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 5, the flange portion 44c is disposed on the +Z-axis side with respect to the first protrusion portion 42d of the ground terminal 42. As shown in Figs. 6 and 9, the flange portion 44c protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 44a. The flange portion 44c has, for example, a substantially annular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The flange portion 44c is disposed at the end of the cylindrical portion 44a on the +Z-axis side.

[0052] 5, the outer diameter of the flange portion 44c is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the second portion 42b of the ground terminal 42. When the second housing 44 is inserted into the ground terminal 42, the flange portion 44c makes strong contact with the inner circumferential surface of the second portion 42b of the ground terminal 42, thereby holding the second housing 44 to the ground terminal 42.

[0053] In this case, although the detailed mechanism will be described later, it is preferable that a spherical portion 44d is formed at the end of the second housing 44 on the negative side of the Z axis, as shown in Fig. 9. The spherical portion 44d has a concave shape facing the positive side of the Z axis. As shown in Fig. 5, the center C3 of the spherical portion 44d is located at a position substantially equal to the center C2 of the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42. The diameter of the spherical portion 44d may be any diameter.

[0054] The signal terminal 45 is conductive and is electrically connected to the signal terminal 23 of the output connector 2 as shown in Fig. 1. The signal terminal 45 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 44a of the second housing 44 as shown in Fig. 5. The signal terminal 45 includes, for example, a pillar portion 45a and a flange portion 45b.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 5, the pillar portion 45a is disposed so as to straddle the protrusion 44b of the second housing 44. The pillar portion 45a has a substantially cylindrical shape, as shown in Fig. 6, for example. The diameter of the pillar portion 45a is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the protrusion 44b of the second housing 44, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0056] 5, when the signal terminal 45 is inserted inside the cylindrical portion 44a of the second housing 44, the end portion of the pillar portion 45a on the positive Z-axis side is positioned at approximately the same height in the Z-axis direction as the end portion of the ground terminal 42 on the positive Z-axis side. In addition, the portion of the pillar portion 45a on the negative Z-axis side protrudes from the second housing 44 toward the negative Z-axis side.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 5, the flange portion 45b is disposed on the positive side of the Z axis with respect to the protrusion portion 44b of the second housing 44. As shown in Fig. 6, the flange portion 45b protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the pillar portion 45a. The flange portion 45b is disposed at approximately the center of the height of the pillar portion 45a in the Z axis direction.

[0058] The flange portion 45b has a substantially annular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction, as shown in Fig. 6. The outer diameter of the flange portion 45b is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 44a of the second housing 44, as shown in Fig. 5. When the signal terminal 45 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 44a of the second housing 44, the flange portion 45b comes into strong contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 44a of the second housing 44, thereby holding the signal terminal 45 in the second housing 44.

[0059] The second potting 46 is, for example, a waterproof sealant, and is shown in a hardened state in Fig. 6. With the signal terminal 45 inserted inside the cylindrical portion 44a of the second housing 44, the second potting 46 is applied to the end of the second housing 44 on the +Z axis side as shown in Fig. 5 and hardened, thereby preventing water and other contaminants from entering the gap between the ground terminal 42 and the second housing 44 and the gap between the signal terminal 45 and the second housing 44.

[0060] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the second connector as seen from the + side of the Z axis. Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the second connector. Fig. 12 is a view of the second connector as seen from the - side of the Z axis. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the second connector 5 includes a first housing 51, a ground terminal 52, a second housing 53, and a signal terminal 54.

[0061] The first housing 51 is, for example, an insulating resin molded product. As shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the first housing 51 has a substantially cylindrical shape. Grooves 51a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 51. As shown in Fig. 12, the grooves 51a extend in the Z-axis direction and are arranged to face each other in the X-axis direction.

[0062] 11, recesses 51b are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first housing 51. The recesses 51b extend, for example, in the Z-axis direction and have a generally rectangular shape when viewed from the center axis AX2 of the first housing 51 toward the radially outer side of the first housing 51. The recesses 51b are arranged at generally equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the first housing 51, as shown in FIG.

[0063] 11 and 12, cutout portions 51c that are open on the Z-axis negative side are formed at the end portion of the first housing 51 on the Z-axis negative side. The cutout portions 51c have, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction, and are arranged to face each other in the Y-axis direction.

[0064] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, a conical inclined surface 51d is formed at the end of the first housing 51 on the +Z axis side, which inclines toward the -Z axis side as it approaches the center axis AX2 of the first housing 51.

[0065] The ground terminal 52 is conductive and is electrically connected to the substrate 32 of the imaging unit 3, as shown in Fig. 1. The ground terminal 52 is inserted into the first housing 51, as shown in Fig. 10. The ground terminal 52 includes a cylindrical portion 52a, a first contact spring portion 52b, a second contact spring portion 52c, a leg portion 52d, and an insertion portion 52e, as shown in Fig. 11.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 5, the cylindrical portion 52a is disposed inside the first housing 51. The cylindrical portion 52a has a substantially cylindrical shape, for example, as shown in Fig. 11. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 52a is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the first housing 51.

[0067] When the ground terminal 52 is inserted into the first housing 51, the end of the cylindrical portion 52a on the Z-axis + side is positioned at approximately the same height as the end of the inner diameter side of the inclined surface 51d of the first housing 51, as shown in Figure 10.

[0068] The first contact spring portion 52b is disposed inside the groove portion 51a of the cylindrical portion 52a, as shown in Fig. 12. The first contact spring portion 52b is disposed inside a first opening portion 52f formed in the cylindrical portion 52a, as shown in Fig. 11. The first contact spring portion 52b has a plate shape, and the end portion on the +Z-axis side of the first contact spring portion 52b is connected to the end portion on the +Z-axis side of the first opening portion 52f of the cylindrical portion 52a.

[0069] The first contact spring portion 52b has, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, an inclined portion 52g that inclines radially outward from the cylindrical portion 52a as it approaches the Z-axis negative side, and a flat portion 52h that extends from the inclined portion 52g toward the Z-axis negative side.

[0070] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, such first contact spring portions 52b are arranged opposite each other in the X-axis direction, and when the ground terminal 52 is inserted inside the first housing 51, the flat portion 52h of the first contact spring portion 52b contacts the bottom surface of the groove portion 51a of the first housing 51.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 12, the second contact spring portion 52c is disposed so as to face the recessed portion 51b of the first housing 51. As shown in Fig. 11, the second contact spring portion 52c is disposed inside a second opening 52i formed in the cylindrical portion 52a. The second contact spring portion 52c has a plate shape, and an end portion on the negative Z-axis side of the second contact spring portion 52c is connected to an end portion on the negative Z-axis side of the second opening 52i of the cylindrical portion 52a.

[0072] 11, the second contact spring portion 52c has a wave shape when viewed from the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 52a. That is, the second contact spring portion 52c includes a first curved portion 52j that protrudes radially inward from the cylindrical portion 52a, and a second curved portion 52k that is disposed on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the first curved portion 52j and protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical portion 52a.

[0073] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, such second contact spring portions 52c are arranged at approximately equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 52a, and when the ground terminal 52 is inserted inside the first housing 51, the second curved portion 52k of the second contact spring portion 52c contacts the bottom surface of the recessed portion 51b of the first housing 51.

[0074] In this manner, the first contact spring portion 52b and the second contact spring portion 52c come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 51, thereby holding the ground terminal 52 in the first housing 51. The first contact spring portion 52b and the second contact spring portion 52c can be formed by cutting out and bending the cylindrical portion 52a.

[0075] 5, the leg portion 52d is disposed on the negative Z-axis side with respect to the first housing 51. As shown in FIG. 11, the leg portion 52d protrudes radially outward from the negative Z-axis end of the cylindrical portion 52a.

[0076] The leg portions 52d are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 52a, as shown in Fig. 11. When the ground terminal 52 is inserted into the first housing 51, the leg portions 52d are drawn out from the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 51, as shown in Fig. 12.

[0077] 11, the insertion portion 52e is disposed inside a notch 52m formed in the end portion on the negative Z-axis side of the cylindrical portion 52a. The insertion portion 52e is plate-shaped, and the end portion on the positive Z-axis side of the insertion portion 52e is connected to the end portion on the positive Z-axis side of the notch 52m of the cylindrical portion 52a. The insertion portion 52e has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0078] 11, the insertion portion 52e may be formed with a first protrusion 52n that protrudes from the insertion portion 52e radially outward of the cylindrical portion 52a. The insertion portion 52e may also be formed with a second protrusion 52o that protrudes from the insertion portion 52e in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 52a.

[0079] The second housing 53 is, for example, an insulating resin molded product. As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the second housing 53 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 52a of the ground terminal 52. As shown in Figure 11, the second housing 53 includes a cylindrical portion 53a, a flange portion 53b, a protruding portion 53c, and an inserted portion 53d.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 10, the cylindrical portion 53a is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 52a of the ground terminal 52. The cylindrical portion 53a has a substantially cylindrical shape, for example, as shown in Fig. 11. In this case, grooves 53e may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 53a at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 53a, as shown in Fig. 12.

[0081] When the second housing 53 is inserted inside the cylindrical portion 52a of the ground terminal 52, the end of the cylindrical portion 53a on the Z-axis + side is positioned lower than the end of the ground terminal 52 on the Z-axis + side, as shown in Figure 5.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 5, the flange portion 53b is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 52a of the ground terminal 52. As shown in Fig. 11, the flange portion 53b protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 53a. The flange portion 53b has, for example, a substantially annular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The flange portion 53b is disposed at the end of the cylindrical portion 53a on the negative Z-axis side.

[0083] In this case, it is preferable that an inserted portion 53f be formed at the negative Z-axis side end of the cylindrical portion 53a and the flange portion 53b so as to be continuous with the interior of the cylindrical portion 53a, as shown in Fig. 12. The inserted portion 53f extends in the X-axis direction so as to straddle the interior of the cylindrical portion 53a. The inserted portion 53f has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and the negative Z-axis side of the inserted portion 53f is open.

[0084] 12, a recess 53g may be formed at the end of the cylindrical portion 53a and the flange portion 53b on the negative side of the Z axis. The recess 53g extends from the inside of the cylindrical portion 53a toward the positive side of the Y axis. For example, the recess 53g has a generally convex shape that protrudes toward the positive side of the Y axis when viewed from the Z axis direction, and the negative side of the Z axis of the recess 53g is open.

[0085] 10 and 12, protrusion 53c passes through notch 51c on the negative Y-axis side of first housing 51. As shown in Fig. 11, protrusion 53c protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of flange 53b. Protrusions 53c are disposed at the negative Z-axis side end of tubular portion 53a and face each other in the Y-axis direction.

[0086] 11 and 12, the inserted portion 53d is a through portion formed in the protruding portion 53c on the negative side of the Y axis. The inserted portion 53d extends in the Z axis direction. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the inserted portion 53d may be formed with a protruding portion 53h that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the inserted portion 53d. With the second housing 53 inserted into the ground terminal 52, the inserting portion 52e of the ground terminal 52 is inserted into the inserted portion 53d.

[0087] At this time, the protrusion 53h of the inserted portion 53d of the second housing 53 pushes the inserting portion 52e toward the +Y-axis side via the first protrusion 52n of the ground terminal 52, and the inserting portion 52e of the ground terminal 52 is sandwiched between the protrusion 53h of the inserted portion 53d of the second housing and the end of the inner surface of the inserted portion 53d on the +Y-axis side.

[0088] Further, the second protrusion 52o of the insertion portion 52e of the ground terminal 52 strongly contacts the inner circumferential surface of the inserted portion 53d of the second housing 53. As a result, the second housing 53 is held by the ground terminal 52.

[0089] The signal terminal 54 is conductive and is inserted into the cylindrical portion 53a of the second housing 53 as shown in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 11, the signal terminal 54 includes a cylindrical portion 54a, a contact spring portion 54b, a leg portion 54c, and an insertion portion 54d.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 5, the cylindrical portion 54a is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 53a of the second housing 53. The cylindrical portion 54a has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape. The contact spring portions 54b are disposed inside the cylindrical portion 53a of the second housing 53. As shown in Fig. 11, the contact spring portions 54b are disposed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 54a when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0091] 11, the contact spring portion 54b has a plate shape and includes, for example, a curved portion 54e that protrudes radially inward from the cylindrical portion 54a and a connecting portion 54f that extends from the curved portion 54e toward the negative Z-axis side. The negative Z-axis side end of the connecting portion 54f is connected to the positive Z-axis side end of the cylindrical portion 54a. Therefore, the contact spring portion 54b protrudes toward the positive Z-axis side from the cylindrical portion 54a.

[0092] 12, leg portion 54c is drawn out from inside cylindrical portion 53a of second housing 53 to the outside of first housing 51 via recessed portion 53g and cutout portion 51c on the +Y-axis side of first housing 51. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, leg portion 54c is generally L-shaped when viewed from the X-axis direction, and the end portion of leg portion 54c on the +Z-axis side is connected to the end portion of cylindrical portion 54a on the -Z-axis side.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 12, the insertion portion 54d is inserted into the insertion receiving portion 53f of the second housing 53. As shown in Fig. 11, the insertion portion 54d protrudes from the leg portion 54c toward the +X-axis side and the -X-axis side. The insertion portion 54d has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction. The insertion portion 54d is disposed at substantially the center of the height in the Z-axis direction of the portion of the leg portion 54c extending in the Z-axis direction.

[0094] 12, it is preferable that the insertion portion 54d has a protrusion 54g that protrudes from the insertion portion 54d toward the + side of the Y axis. When the signal terminal 54 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 53a of the second housing 53, the insertion portion 54d comes into strong contact with the circumferential surface of the inserted portion 53f of the second housing 53 via the protrusion 54g of the insertion portion 54d, whereby the signal terminal 54 is held in the second housing 53.

[0095] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the relay connector as seen from the + side of the Z axis. Fig. 14 is an exploded view of the relay connector. Fig. 15 is a view of the relay connector as seen from the - side of the Z axis. As shown in Fig. 5, the relay connector 6 electrically connects the first connector 4 and the second connector 5. As shown in Figs. 13 to 15, the relay connector 6 includes a housing (holding member) 61, a signal terminal 62, and a ground terminal (first terminal) 63.

[0096] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the housing of the relay connector as seen from the negative side of the Z axis. The housing 61 is, for example, an insulating resin molded product. As shown in Figs. 14 and 16, the housing 61 includes a cylindrical portion 61a, a first spherical portion 61b, a flange portion 61c, a wall portion 61d, and a second spherical portion 61e.

[0097] 16, the cylindrical portion 61a has a substantially cylindrical shape. An inserted portion 61f is formed at the end of the cylindrical portion 61a on the negative side of the Z axis so as to be continuous with the interior of the cylindrical portion 61a. The inserted portion 61f extends in the X axis direction so as to straddle the interior of the cylindrical portion 61a.

[0098] 16, the inserted portion 61f has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and the negative Z-axis side of the inserted portion 61f is open. Note that, as shown in FIG. 15, grooves 61g may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 61a at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 61a.

[0099] 14, the first spherical portion 61b is formed at the end of the cylindrical portion 61a on the positive side of the Z axis, and a through portion 61h is formed at approximately the center of the first spherical portion 61b when viewed from the Z axis direction. The through portion 61h is continuous with the inside of the cylindrical portion 61a and has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0100] In this case, the outer diameter (inner diameter) of the cylindrical portion 61a and the periphery of the through portion 61h are arranged in a substantially concentric manner when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The first spherical portion 61b has a convex shape toward the +Z-axis side, as shown in Fig. 14. The diameter of the first spherical portion 61b is substantially equal to the diameter of the spherical portion 44d of the second housing 44 of the first connector 4.

[0101] 14, the flange portion 61c protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 61a. The flange portion 61c has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and each corner of the flange portion 61c is curved to follow the inner peripheral shape of the first portion 42a of the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4.

[0102] In this case, the circle formed by connecting the edges of the corners of flange portion 61c and the periphery of through portion 61h of first spherical portion 61b are arranged approximately concentrically when viewed from the Z-axis direction. Flange portion 61c is arranged on the positive side of cylindrical portion 61a along the Z-axis.

[0103] 16, an inclined surface 61i is formed on the end of the flange portion 61c on the negative side of the Z axis, inclining radially outward from the cylindrical portion 61a as it approaches the positive side of the Z axis. The inclined surface 61i is disposed between the corners of the flange portion 61c.

[0104] An inserted portion 61j is formed on the flange portion 61c as shown in Fig. 14. The inserted portion 61j penetrates the flange portion 61c in the Z-axis direction, and has a generally rectangular pillar shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction, for example.

[0105] 14 and 16, the wall portion 61d extends from each corner of the flange portion 61c toward the negative Z-axis side and protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 61a toward the radially outer side of the cylindrical portion 61a. The side surface of the wall portion 61d is curved so as to be continuous with each corner of the flange portion 61c when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0106] 16, the second spherical portion 61e is formed at the end of the wall portion 61d on the negative Z-axis side. The second spherical portion 61e has a convex shape facing the negative Z-axis side. The diameter of the second spherical portion 61e is approximately equal to the diameter of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4.

[0107] The signal terminal 62 is conductive and is inserted into the cylindrical portion 61a of the housing 61 as shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 14, the signal terminal 62 includes a cylindrical portion 62a, a contact spring portion 62b, an insertion portion 62c, and a pillar portion 62d. As shown in Fig. 5, the cylindrical portion 62a is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 61a of the housing 61. The cylindrical portion 62a has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0108] As shown in Fig. 5, the contact spring portions 62b are disposed inside the cylindrical portion 61a of the housing 61. As shown in Fig. 14, the contact spring portions 62b are disposed at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 62a when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The contact spring portions 62b are plate-shaped, and the end portions on the negative Z-axis side of the contact spring portions 62b are connected to the end portions on the positive Z-axis side of the cylindrical portion 62a.

[0109] The contact spring portion 62b has a wave shape when viewed from the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 62a, for example, as shown in Fig. 14. That is, the contact spring portion 62b includes a first curved portion 62e that protrudes radially inward from the cylindrical portion 62a, and a second curved portion 62f that is disposed on the negative side of the Z axis relative to the first curved portion 62e and protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical portion 62a.

[0110] As shown in Fig. 15, the insertion portion 62c is inserted into the inserted portion 61f of the housing 61. As shown in Fig. 14, for example, the insertion portion 62c has a generally inverted H shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction, and the end of the insertion portion 62c on the +Z-axis side is connected to the end of the cylindrical portion 62a on the -Z-axis side. The insertion portion 62c is disposed on the +Y-axis side of the cylindrical portion 62a.

[0111] When the insertion portion 62c is inserted into the inserted portion 61f of the housing 61, the insertion portion 62c makes strong contact with the peripheral surface of the inserted portion 61f of the housing 61, thereby holding the signal terminal 62 in the housing 61.

[0112] 5, the pillar portion 62d protrudes toward the negative Z-axis side from the housing 61. The pillar portion 62d has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG. 14, the end portion of the pillar portion 62d on the negative Z-axis side is narrowed.

[0113] 14, the pillar portion 62d extends from the insertion portion 62c toward the negative side of the Z axis. The pillar portion 62d is disposed at approximately the center of the width dimension of the insertion portion 62c in the X axis direction. The outer periphery (inner periphery) of the pillar portion 62d and the outer periphery (inner periphery) of the cylindrical portion 62a are disposed approximately concentrically when viewed from the Z axis direction.

[0114] The ground terminal 63 is conductive and surrounds the housing 61 as shown in Fig. 13. The ground terminal 63 includes a first cylindrical portion 63a, a second cylindrical portion 63b, a connecting portion 63c, a contact spring portion 63d, and an insertion portion 63e as shown in Fig. 14. The first cylindrical portion 63a has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0115] The second cylindrical portion 63b is disposed on the positive side of the Z axis relative to the first cylindrical portion 63a and has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 63b is smaller than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 63a, as shown in FIG.

[0116] 5, the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 63b is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 63a. The outer periphery (inner periphery) of the first cylindrical portion 63a and the outer periphery (inner periphery) of the second cylindrical portion 63b are arranged in a substantially concentric shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0117] 14, the connecting portion 63c connects the first cylindrical portion 63a and the second cylindrical portion 63b. The connecting portion 63c has a generally conical shape that extends radially inward of the first cylindrical portion 63a as it extends toward the positive Z-axis side. In this case, an opening 63f may be formed in the connecting portion 63c.

[0118] As shown in Fig. 13, the contact spring portion 63d covers the inclined surface 61i of the housing 61 and is disposed on the +Z-axis side with respect to the second spherical portion 61e of the housing 61. As shown in Fig. 14, the contact spring portions 63d are disposed at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 63b when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The contact spring portions 63d are plate-shaped, and the end portion on the -Z-axis side of the contact spring portion 63d is connected to the end portion on the +Z-axis side of the second cylindrical portion 63b.

[0119] 14, the contact spring portion 63d is curved so as to protrude radially outward from the second cylindrical portion 63b when viewed in the circumferential direction of the second cylindrical portion 63b. That is, the contact spring portion 63d includes a curved portion 63g that curves radially outward from the second cylindrical portion 63b, and a connecting portion 63h that connects the curved portion 63g and the second cylindrical portion 63b and is inclined radially outward from the second cylindrical portion 63b as it extends toward the positive side of the Z axis. The connecting portion 63h is inclined to follow the inclined surface 61i of the housing 61.

[0120] In this case, the curvature of the outer surface of the curved portion 63g of the contact spring portion 63d (i.e., the radially outer surface of the second cylindrical portion 63b) should be larger than the curvature of the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4, as shown in Figure 5.

[0121] 14, a contact point 63i may be formed on the outer surface of the curved portion 63g of the contact spring portion 63d, protruding radially outward from the outer surface of the curved portion 63g of the second cylindrical portion 63b. The protruding surface of the contact point 63i has a spherical shape, and the curvature of the protruding surface of the contact point 63i is greater than the curvature of the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4.

[0122] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the distance between the radially outer end of the second cylindrical portion 63b at the contact point 63i and the center line AX3 of the ground terminal 63 (i.e., the distance in a direction perpendicular to the center line AX3) is preferably slightly larger than the radius of the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4.

[0123] As shown in Fig. 13, the insertion portion 63e is inserted into the inserted portion 61j of the housing 61. As shown in Fig. 14, the insertion portion 63e protrudes from the second cylindrical portion 63b toward the + side of the Z axis. The insertion portion 63e is disposed on the - side of the Y axis of the second cylindrical portion 63b.

[0124] As shown in Figure 14, the insertion portion 63e has a plate shape, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the Y-axis direction. In this case, it is preferable that the insertion portion 63e has a protrusion 63j formed thereon that protrudes from the insertion portion 63e toward the negative side of the Y-axis.

[0125] With the inserting portion 63e inserted into the inserted portion 61j of the housing 61, the inserting portion 63e comes into strong contact with the circumferential surface of the inserted portion 61j of the housing 61 via the protruding portion 63j of the inserting portion 63e, thereby holding the ground terminal 63 in the housing 61. At this time, the end of the ground terminal 63 on the negative Z-axis side is positioned at approximately the same height as the terminal on the negative Z-axis side of the signal terminal 62, as shown in FIG.

[0126] Next, the flow of electrically connecting the first connector 4 and the relay connector 6 will be described. Figure 17 is a diagram for explaining the flow of electrically connecting the first connector and the relay connector. Here, the cross-sectional position in Figure 17 corresponds to Figure 4. First, a part of the first connector 4 and the relay connector 6 are assembled.

[0127] In detail, the signal terminal 45 of the first connector 4 is inserted into the second housing 44 from the +Z axis side, and the flange portion 45b of the signal terminal 45 is inserted into the second housing 44 until the flange portion 45b of the signal terminal 45 approximately contacts the protrusion 44b of the second housing 44, thereby fixing the signal terminal 45 and the second housing 44.

[0128] Next, the second housing 44 to which the signal terminal 45 is fixed is inserted into the inside of the ground terminal 42 from the + side of the Z axis, and the flange portion 44c of the second housing 44 is inserted into the inside of the ground terminal 42 until the flange portion 44c of the second housing 44 approximately contacts the first protrusion portion 42d of the ground terminal 42, thereby fixing the second housing 44 and the ground terminal 42.

[0129] This completes the assembly of the first connector 4. At this time, as shown in Fig. 2, the central axis AX1 of the ground terminal 42, the central axis AX4 of the second housing 44, and the central axis AX5 of the signal terminal 45 are arranged substantially coaxially.

[0130] At the same time, the Z-axis + side portion including the insertion portion 62c of the signal terminal 62 of the relay connector 6 is inserted into the housing 61 from the Z-axis - side, and the insertion portion 62c of the signal terminal 62 is inserted into the inserted portion 61f of the housing 61, thereby fixing the housing 61 and the signal terminal 62.

[0131] At this time, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the contact spring portion 62b of the signal terminal 62 is disposed along the periphery of the through-hole 61h of the housing 61. Also, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the pillar portion 62d of the signal terminal 62 is disposed inside the through-hole 61h of the housing 61.

[0132] Next, the negative Z-axis portion of the housing 61 is inserted into the inside of the ground terminal 63, and while the contact spring portion 63d of the ground terminal 63 is positioned between the wall portions 61d of the housing 61, the insertion portion 63e of the ground terminal 63 is inserted into the inserted portion 61j of the housing 61, thereby fixing the housing 61 and the ground terminal 63.

[0133] This completes the assembly of the relay connector 6. At this time, the central axis AX3 of the ground terminal 63, the central axis AX6 of the signal terminal 62, and the central axis AX7 of the housing 61 are arranged substantially coaxially, as shown in FIG.

[0134] Next, the relay connector 6 is inserted into the first connector 4. Specifically, the relay connector 6 is inserted from the opening on the +Z-axis side of the through-hole 41d of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4.

[0135] Then, the negative Z-axis side portion of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 is passed through the through-hole 41r of the retaining portion 41o of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4, and the second spherical portion 61e of the housing 61 of the relay connector 6 is brought into approximately spherical contact with the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41. In other words, the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 and the housing 61 of the relay connector 6 form the first spherical contact portion 7 (see FIG. 4).

[0136] At this time, the through-hole 41d of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4 is shaped to allow the relay connector 6 to be inserted from the +Z-axis side. The through-hole 41r of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4 allows the relay connector 6 to rotate at a predetermined angle around the center C1 of the spherical portion 41s (i.e., the first spherical contact portion 7) of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4, as will be described later, and has a radius that is smaller than the distance between the radially outer end of the cylindrical portion 61a of the second spherical portion 61e of the housing 61 of the relay connector 6 and the central axis AX7 of the housing 61.

[0137] As a result, the relay connector 6 is caught on the retaining portion 41o of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4, and therefore the relay connector 6 can be prevented from coming off from the first connector 4 to the negative side of the Z axis.

[0138] Next, the ground terminal 42 fixed to the signal terminal 45 is inserted from the opening on the +Z-axis side of the through-portion 41d of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4. Then, the first portion 42a of the ground terminal 42 is inserted into the small-diameter portion 41l of the second portion 41k of the through-portion 41d of the first housing 41 until the end portion on the -Z-axis side of the ground terminal 42 substantially contacts the retaining portion 41o of the first housing 41, and the second protrusion 42e of the first portion 42a of the ground terminal 42 is inserted into the small-diameter portion 41l of the second portion 41k of the through-portion 41d of the first housing 41, thereby fixing the first housing 41 and the ground terminal 42 together.

[0139] At this time, in the first connector 4, as shown in FIG. 2, the center axis AX1 of the ground terminal 42, the center axis AX4 of the second housing 44, the center axis AX5 of the signal terminal 45, and the center axis AX8 of the first housing 41 are arranged approximately coaxially.

[0140] Then, the pillar portion 45a of the signal terminal 45 of the first connector 4 is inserted into the contact spring portion 62b of the signal terminal 62 of the relay connector 6. This electrically connects the signal terminal 45 of the first connector 4 and the signal terminal 62 of the relay connector 6.

[0141] In addition, the contact spring portion 63d of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 is inserted into the Z-axis negative side portion inside the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4, and the contact point 63i of the contact spring portion 63d makes approximate point contact with the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42.

[0142] As a result, the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4 and the contact point 63i of the contact spring portion 63d of the ground terminal 63 in the relay connector 6 form a contact portion P1 (see Figure 5), and the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4 and the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 are electrically connected.

[0143] Here, since the curvature of the contact point 63i is larger than the curvature of the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4 as described above, the contact point 63i can be made to make good approximate point contact with the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4.

[0144] The spherical portion 44d of the second housing 44 of the first connector 4 comes into approximately spherical contact with the first spherical portion 61b of the housing 61 of the relay connector 6. In other words, the spherical portion 44d of the second housing 44 of the first connector 4 and the first spherical portion 61b of the housing 61 of the relay connector 6 form a second spherical contact portion 8 (see FIG. 4).

[0145] At this time, the housing 61 of the relay connector 6 is sandwiched between the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4 and the spherical portion 44d of the second housing 44. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, the center C1 of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4, the center C2 of the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42, and the center C3 of the spherical portion 44d of the second housing 44 (i.e., the second spherical contact portion 8) are maintained at approximately the same position.

[0146] Therefore, the relay connector 6 can rotate at a predetermined angle around the center C1 of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4. Relay station Nectar 6 Ground terminal of 63 The contact point 63i, that is, the contact portion P1, is disposed approximately on the diameter of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41.

[0147] Thereafter, the first potting 43 is applied to the stepped portion 42f of the ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4, and the second potting 46 is applied to the end of the second housing 44 of the first connector 4 on the +Z-axis side. This allows the relay connector 6 to be inserted into the first connector 4 and electrically connected to each other. In other words, the floating connector 11 can be assembled.

[0148] Next, a description will be given of the process of assembling the second connector 5. First, the +Z-axis side portion of the signal terminal 54, including the insertion portion 54d, is inserted into the second housing 53 from the -Z-axis side, and the insertion portion 54d of the signal terminal 54 is inserted into the inserted portion 53f of the second housing 53, thereby fixing the second housing 53 and the signal terminal 54 together.

[0149] At this time, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the contact spring portion 54b of the signal terminal 54 is arranged along the opening on the Z-axis + side of the cylindrical portion 53a of the second housing 53. In addition, the leg portion 54c of the signal terminal 54 is accommodated in the recessed portion 53g of the second housing 53.

[0150] Next, the cylindrical portion 52a of the ground terminal 52 is inserted into the first housing 51 from the Z-axis - side, and the flat portion 52h of the first contact spring portion 52b of the ground terminal 52 is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the groove portion 51a of the first housing 51, and the second curved portion 52k of the second contact spring portion 52c is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the recessed portion 51b of the first housing 51, thereby fixing the first housing 51 and the ground terminal 52.

[0151] At this time, when viewed from the Y-axis direction, the insertion portion 52e of the ground terminal 52 is disposed in the notch 51c on the negative Y-axis side of the first housing 51. In addition, the leg portion 52d of the ground terminal 52 protrudes from the first housing 51 radially outward from the first housing 51.

[0152] Next, the cylindrical portion 53a of the second housing 53 fixed to the signal terminal 54 is inserted from the Z-axis - side into the cylindrical portion 52a of the ground terminal 52 fixed to the first housing 51, and the insertion portion 52e of the ground terminal 52 is inserted into the inserted portion 53d of the second housing 53.

[0153] This allows the first housing 51, the ground terminal 52, the second housing 53, and the signal terminal 54 to be integrally assembled. At this time, the leg portion 54c of the signal terminal 54 protrudes radially outward from the cutout portion 51c on the +Y-axis side of the first housing 51.

[0154] In the second connector 5, as shown in FIG. 10, the central axis AX2 of the first housing 51, the central axis AX9 of the ground terminal 52, the central axis AX10 of the second housing 53, and the central axis AX11 of the signal terminal 54 are arranged approximately coaxially.

[0155] Next, a flow of electrically connecting the output connector 2 and the imaging unit 3 using the floating connector assembly 1 of this embodiment will be described. The output connector 2 has a configuration in which a ground terminal 22 and a signal terminal 23 are housed in a housing 21, as shown in Fig. 1, for example. The ground terminal 42 of the first connector 4 is electrically connected to the ground terminal 22 of this output connector 2, and the signal terminal 45 of the first connector 4 is electrically connected to the signal terminal 23.

[0156] At this time, the negative end of the Z-axis of the housing 21 of the output connector 2 is inserted into the second inserted portion 41c of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4, and the engaging portion 21a of the housing 21 of the output connector 2 engages with the engaged portion 41i of the first housing 41. This allows the output connector 2 to be securely fixed to the first connector 4.

[0157] 1, the imaging unit 3 has a configuration in which a board 32 on which an imaging element is mounted is housed in a housing 31. The leg 52d of the ground terminal 52 and the leg 54c of the signal terminal 54 of the second connector 5 are electrically connected to the board 32 of the imaging unit 3.

[0158] Next, the first cylindrical portion 63a of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 52a of the ground terminal 52 of the second connector 5 from the +Z axis side, and the second contact spring portion 52c of the ground terminal 52 of the second connector 5 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 63a of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6, thereby electrically connecting the ground terminal 52 of the second connector 5 and the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6.

[0159] At the same time, the pillar portion 62d of the signal terminal 62 of the relay connector 6 is inserted into the contact spring portion 54b of the signal terminal 54 of the second connector 5 from the +Z axis side, electrically connecting the signal terminal 54 of the second connector 5 and the signal terminal 62 of the relay connector 6. This allows the output connector 2 and the imaging unit 3 to be electrically connected via the first connector 4, the second connector 5, and the relay connector 6.

[0160] At this time, the end of the housing 31 of the imaging unit 3 on the +Z axis side is inserted into the first inserted portion 41b of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4. This allows the output connector 2 and the imaging unit 3 to be fixed via the first housing 41 of the first connector 4.

[0161] Next, the connection state between the output connector 2 and the imaging unit 3 when the connection axis AX12 between the output connector 2 and the first connector 4 and the connection axis AX13 between the imaging unit 3 and the second connector 5 are misaligned will be described.

[0162] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection state between the output connector and the imaging unit when the connection axis between the output connector and the first connector and the connection axis between the imaging unit and the second connector are misaligned. Fig. 19 is an enlarged view of part XIX in Fig. 18. The cross-sectional positions in Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 correspond to the cross-sectional positions in Fig. 4.

[0163] As described above, the center C1 of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4, the center C2 of the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42, and the center C3 of the spherical portion 44d of the second housing 44 are located at approximately the same position. The contact 63i of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 is located approximately on the diameter of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41.

[0164] Therefore, when the connection axis AX12 between the output connector 2 and the first connector 4 and the connection axis AX13 between the imaging unit 3 and the second connector 5 are misaligned, the relay connector 6 rotates around the center C1, without changing the distance between each contact 63i of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 and the center C1 of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4, as shown in Figures 18 and 19.

[0165] At this time, the contact spring portion 62b of the signal terminal 62 of the relay connector 6, the second contact spring portion 52c of the ground terminal 52 of the second connector 5, and the contact spring portion 54b of the signal terminal 54 are deformed, so that the rotation of the relay connector 6 is not hindered.

[0166] In this manner, in the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment, the second spherical portion 61e of the housing 61 of the relay connector 6 is hooked onto the retaining portion 41o of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4.

[0167] As a result, the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment can prevent the relay connector 6 from coming loose from the first connector 4 when, for example, the relay connector 6 is transported while fixed to the first connector 4. Therefore, the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment can prevent the relay connector 6 from being lost or damaged during transportation, for example.

[0168] In the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment, when the connection axis AX12 between the output connector 2 and the first connector 4 and the connection axis AX13 between the imaging unit 3 and the second connector 5 are misaligned, the relay connector 6 rotates around the center C1 without substantially changing the distance between each contact point 63i of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 and the center C1 of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4. Therefore, the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment can make the contact pressure at which each contact point 63i of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 comes into contact with the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4 approximately equal, thereby maintaining the stability of the electrical connection.

[0169] In the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment, the contacts 63i of the ground terminals 63 of the relay connector 6 are inscribed in the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4. Therefore, in the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment, the relay connector 6 can be prevented from becoming larger than in a case where the contact spring portions of the ground terminals 63 of the relay connector 6 are inscribed in the spherical portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4, and therefore the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 can be made smaller.

[0170] In the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment, the housing 61 of the relay connector 6 is sandwiched between the first housing 41 and the second housing 44 of the first connector 4 so that the second spherical portion 61e of the housing 61 of the relay connector 6 and the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 in the first connector 4 are in approximately spherical contact, and the first spherical portion 61b of the relay connector 6 and the spherical portion 44d of the second housing 44 in the first connector 4 are in approximately spherical contact.

[0171] As a result, the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment can maintain a state in which the center C1 of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4, the center C2 of the spherical portion 42c of the ground terminal 42, and the center C3 of the spherical portion 44d of the second housing 44 are positioned at approximately the same position. Moreover, the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 of this embodiment can maintain a state in which the contact 63i of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 is positioned approximately on the diameter of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41.

[0172] Therefore, the floating connector assembly 1 and floating connector 11 of this embodiment can smoothly rotate the relay connector 6 around the center C1 without causing any substantial change in the distance between each contact 63i of the ground terminal 63 of the relay connector 6 and the center C1 of the spherical portion 41s of the first housing 41 of the first connector 4.

[0173] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0174] For example, the floating connector assembly 1 and the floating connector 11 may be configured so that the relay connector 6 is not removed from the first connector 41 of the first connector 4 and the relay connector 6 can be inserted from the Z-axis + side portion of the first housing 41. Therefore, the relay connector 6 does not have to be configured to be rotatable, and the shape of the retaining portion 41o is not limited to that described above.

[0175] For example, the shapes of the signal terminals and ground terminals of each connector are representative examples, and it is sufficient that the signal terminals and ground terminals of the first connector 4 and the signal terminals and ground terminals of the second connector 5 are shaped in such a way that they can be electrically connected via the signal terminals and ground terminals of the relay connector 6.

[0176] For example, the relay connector 6 does not have to be sandwiched between the first housing 41 and the second housing 44 of the first connector 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] 1 Floating connector assembly 11 Floating Connector 2 output connectors 21 housing, 21a engagement portion 22 Ground terminal 23 Signal terminal 3 Imaging unit 31 Housing 32 PCB 4 First Connector 41 First Housing 41a Base 41e Fixed part 41b first inserted portion, 41f stepped portion 41c: second inserted portion, 41g: first cylindrical portion, 41h: second cylindrical portion, 41i: engaged portion 41d: penetration portion, 41j: first portion, 41k: second portion, 41l: small diameter portion, 41m: large diameter portion, 41n: step portion 41o retaining portion, 41p cylindrical portion, 41q annular portion, 41r through portion, 41s spherical portion 42 Ground terminal 42a First Part 42b Second part 42c Spherical part 42d First protrusion 42e Second protrusion 42nd floor step 43 First Potting 44 Second Housing 44a Cylindrical part 44b Protrusion 44c flange 44d Spherical part 45 signal terminal 45a Pillar 45b flange 46 Second Potting 5 Second Connector 51 First Housing 51a Groove 51b recess 51c Notch 51d Slope 52 Ground terminal 52a cylindrical portion, 52f first opening, 52i second opening, 52m notch portion 52b: first contact spring portion, 52g: inclined portion, 52h: flat portion 52c: second contact spring portion; 52j: first curved portion; 52k: second curved portion 52d legs 52e: Insertion portion, 52n: First protrusion, 52o: Second protrusion 53 Second Housing 53a cylindrical portion, 53e groove portion 53b flange 53c Protrusion 53d inserted part, 53h protruding part 53f Inserted part 53g recessed part 54 signal terminal 54a Cylindrical part 54b contact spring portion, 54e curved portion, 54f connection portion 54c Legs 54d Insertion part, 54g Protrusion part 6 Relay connector 61 Housing 61a cylindrical portion, 61f inserted portion, 61g groove portion 61b: first spherical portion, 61h: through portion 61c flange portion, 61j inserted portion 61d Wall 61e Second spherical part 61i slope 62 signal terminal 62a Cylindrical part 62b contact spring portion, 62e first curved portion, 62f second curved portion 62c Insertion part 62d Pillar 63 Ground terminal 63a first cylindrical portion 63b Second cylindrical portion 63c Connection 63f Opening 63d Contact spring part, 63g Curved part, 63h Connection part 63i contacts 63e Insertion part, 63j Protrusion part 7 First spherical contact part 8 Second spherical contact part 100 Joining equipment 101 chip holding means 102 chips 103 Substrate holding means 104 PCB 105 spherical member, 105a convex spherical surface 106 receiving member, 106a concave spherical surface 107 Copying and locking mechanism AX1 Center axis of the ground terminal of the first connector AX2 Central axis of the first housing of the second connector Center axis of the ground terminal of the AX3 relay connector AX4 Central axis of the second housing of the first connector AX5 Central axis of the signal terminal of the first connector AX6 Relay connector signal terminal center axis AX7 Relay Connector Housing Center Axis AX8 Central axis of the first housing of the first connector AX9 Center axis of the ground terminal of the second connector AX10 Central axis of the second housing of the second connector AX11 Central axis of the signal terminal of the second connector AX12 Connection axis between output connector and first connector AX13 Connection axis between the imaging unit and the second connector C1 Center of the spherical portion of the first housing of the first connector C2 Center of the spherical part of the ground terminal of the first connector C3 Center of the spherical part of the second housing of the first connector P1 contact part

Claims

1. A floating connector constituting a part of a floating connector assembly including a first connector electrically connected to a first device, a second connector electrically connected to a second device, and a relay connector that is inserted into the first connector and the second connector to electrically connect the first connector and the second connector, the floating connector includes the relay connector and the first connector, the relay connector has a first terminal and a holding member that holds the first terminal, the first connector has a second terminal; a housing that accommodates the second terminal and accommodates at least a portion of the holding member when the relay connector and the first connector are electrically connected; an opening into which the relay connector can be inserted and that is formed in a second portion of the housing on the opposite side to a first portion that is positioned on the second connector side when the first connector and the second connector are electrically connected via the relay connector; and a retaining portion that is formed in the first portion of the housing to prevent the holding member from coming out of the first portion of the housing when the housing accommodates at least a portion of the holding member, A floating connector, wherein, in a state in which the floating connector is connected to the second connector, the second connector is disposed on a side of the relay connector in a direction in which the relay connector is inserted into the housing, relative to the housing.

2. the first terminal has a plurality of contact spring portions, the plurality of contact spring portions being arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the first terminal; the second terminal has a cylindrical portion on which a spherical surface portion is formed, When the relay connector and the first connector are electrically connected, the plurality of contact spring portions come into contact with the spherical surface portion of the second terminal, 2. The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein when the relay connector rotates relative to the first connector, the distances from the center of the spherical portion to the contact points between the contact spring portions and the spherical portion are equal.

3. 3. The floating connector according to claim 2, wherein the contact spring portion of the first terminal contacts the spherical portion formed on the inner periphery of the second terminal when the contact spring portion is disposed inside the second terminal.

4. 4. The floating connector according to claim 2, wherein the retaining portion and the holding member are in spherical contact, and the center of the spherical contact portion between the retaining portion and the holding member coincides with the center of the spherical portion.

5. the first connector has a pressing member that clamps the holding member together with the retaining portion, The floating connector according to claim 2 , wherein the pressing member closes a part of the opening of the housing.

6. 6. The floating connector according to claim 5, wherein the pressing member and the holding member are in spherical contact, and the center of the spherical contact portion between the pressing member and the holding member coincides with the center of the spherical portion.

7. A floating connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6; the second connector; A floating connector assembly comprising:

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