Movable Connector

Abstract

To provide a movable connector capable of enhancing the reliability of an imaging apparatus, while sufficiently securing the shift allowance (guiding amount) in the crossing direction of an external connection terminal conductively connected to a connector terminal.SOLUTION: A movable connector 30 includes a fixed housing 31 which is arranged on a mounting object surface and a movable housing 32 which can be displaced relative to the fixed housing 31. The movable housing 32 has a recess part 45 which enables the leg part 33a of the connector terminal to be visually recognized, when visually recognized from an orthogonal direction to the mounting object surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device in which an imaging connector is connected to an external connection terminal of an external connection case. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of an imaging device known is an in-vehicle camera as disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this conventional technology, a plurality of straight pin-shaped connector terminals (11b) are provided to penetrate a partition wall (rear wall B) of an external connection case (rear case 9). One end of the connector terminal is inserted so as to be conductively connected to a board-side connector mounted on a board having an imaging element (3a), and the other end is inserted so as to be conductively connected to a harness connector (mating connector 100) at the end of a harness (connection object) that outputs a signal from the imaging element (3a) to an external device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-001334 A, Figs. 1 and 2 [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-220431 A, Fig. 1, Fig. 14 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The pursuit of miniaturization of automotive electrical equipment is driving the pursuit of miniaturization of in-vehicle cameras and harnesses. However, the more the harness and the harness connector are miniaturized, the more the spacing between the connector terminals (11b) connected to the harness connector must be narrowed. However, if this is done, the spacing between the connector terminals (11b) on one end will no longer match the spacing between the connection chambers of the board-side connector, causing the connector terminals to butt up against the housing of the board-side connector and making it impossible to insert them into the connection chambers.

[0005] One solution to this problem is to miniaturize the board-side connector to match the spacing of the connector terminals (11b) on one end. However, when the board-side connector is a movable connector (see Patent Document 2, for example), there is a reason why it cannot be miniaturized without changing its dimensions. That is, the movable connector includes a fixed housing mounted on the board, a movable housing that is displaceable in three dimensions, i.e., the X, Y, and Z directions, relative to the fixed housing, and terminals having, for example, an inverted U-shaped movable spring that displaceably supports the movable housing. The advantage of a movable connector is that when mated with a connection object, the movable housing is displaced by the movable spring, which can absorb misalignment of the inserted connection object and can absorb vibrations and shocks that occur when the electrical equipment is in use. If a board-side connector configured as such a movable connector is miniaturized to accommodate the narrower pitch of the connector terminals 11b, the spacing between adjacent connection chambers will become narrower, and the cone-shaped guide surfaces for guiding the connector terminals 11b inserted into each connection chamber will also become smaller in the X and Y directions, reducing the amount of insertion of the connector terminals 11b using the guide surfaces. As a result, the length over which the connector terminals can be inserted relative to the insertion axis of the connection chamber will become shorter.

[0006] In particular, in the case of a movable connector, the amount of guidance by the guide surface is the amount of displacement of the movable spring in the X and Y directions. Therefore, if the movable connector is made smaller, the function of the movable spring to displace in the X and Y directions cannot be fully utilized, and the limit to the amount by which the displacement of the movable spring can absorb the misalignment that accumulates during the assembly of electrical equipment is also limited.

[0007] The present invention was made against the background of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and its object is to provide an imaging device that can increase the tolerance for misalignment of the insertion position of the external connection terminal relative to the connector of the imaging system, while miniaturizing the external connection terminal and the external connection case that holds it in accordance with the miniaturization of external devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured to have the following features.

[0009] The present invention relates to an imaging device comprising an imaging system connector having a connector terminal for transmitting an output signal generated by an imaging system and a connector housing for holding the connector terminal, an external connection terminal for electrically connecting with the connector terminal to transmit the output signal to an external device, and an external connection case for holding the external connection terminal, wherein the external connection case has a guide protrusion protruding along a side surface of the connector housing, and the connector housing has a connection chamber into which the external connection terminal is inserted for electrically connecting with the connector terminal, and a fitting guide surface on the outer edge of a top surface facing the external connection case, which deflects the guide protrusion from the top surface to the side surface of the connector housing when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber, and positions the external connection terminal, which is positioned away from the insertion opening of the connection chamber, into the insertion opening of the connection chamber.

[0010] According to the present invention, the external connection case has guide protrusions that protrude along the side surfaces of the connector housing. Meanwhile, the connector housing has a mating guide surface on the outer edge of the top surface facing the external connection case that guides the guide protrusions from the top surface to the side surfaces of the connector housing when the external connection terminals are inserted into the connection chambers of the connector housing. Therefore, when mating and connecting the external connection case to an imaging system housing to which an imaging system connector is attached, the external connection terminals that are positioned out of alignment with the insertion opening of the connection chamber can be positioned at the insertion opening of the connection chamber. Therefore, even if the external connection terminals are significantly misaligned in a direction transverse to the insertion direction when mating and connecting the external connection case to the imaging system housing, the misalignment can be corrected, and the external connection terminals and the connector terminals can be electrically connected in the correct positions. That is, even if the imaging device is miniaturized and, for example, the area of ​​the insertion opening is formed smaller, a sufficient tolerance for misalignment (guiding amount) in the transverse direction of the external connection terminals electrically connected to the connector terminals can be ensured.

[0011] In the present invention, in the insertion direction in which the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber, the distance between the guide protrusion and the mating guide surface can be configured to be smaller than the distance between the external connection terminal and the top surface portion before mating.

[0012] According to the present invention, the imaging device is configured such that, before the external connection case is mated with the imaging system housing, the distance in the insertion direction between the guide protrusion and the mating guide surface is smaller than the distance between the external connection terminal and the top surface. Therefore, when mating the external connection case with the imaging system housing, the guide protrusion and the mating guide surface can come into contact with each other before the external connection terminals come into contact with the top surface. This more reliably corrects misalignment between the external connection terminals and the connection chambers in the intersecting direction, enabling the external connection terminals and the connector terminals to be electrically connected in the correct position. At this time, the contact between the guide protrusion and the mating guide surface allows the external connection terminals to be inserted toward the connection chambers without hitting the top surface of the connector housing, thereby preventing strong contact and damage between the external connection terminals and the connector housing.

[0013] In the present invention, the guide protrusions may be positioned further in the insertion direction than the external connection terminals.

[0014] According to the present invention, the guide protrusions are positioned further in the insertion direction than the external connection terminals. Therefore, for example, even without designing or processing the top surface of the connector housing to raise the portion where the guide protrusions contact, when mating the external connection case to the imaging system housing, the guide protrusions can come into contact with the mating guide surface before the external connection terminals contact the top surface. Because the positional relationship between the external connection terminals and the guide protrusions in the insertion direction is simple, the top surface of the connector housing can have a simple shape, such as a flat surface. Furthermore, the external connection terminals are inserted toward the connection chamber without contacting the top surface of the connector housing, preventing strong contact and damage between the external connection terminals and the connector housing.

[0015] The guide projection may have a tapered inclined portion toward the tip, and the fitting guide surface may be configured to come into contact with the inclined portion when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber.

[0016] According to the present invention, the guide protrusion has an inclined portion, and the mating guide surface is configured to contact the inclined portion, so that when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber of the connector housing, the guide protrusion can be smoothly guided from the top surface to the side surface of the connector housing.

[0017] The connector housing may have a guide inclined surface at the insertion port that is inclined from the top surface of the connector housing extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and that guides the insertion of the external connection terminal into the connection chamber, and the mating guide surface may be configured to position the external connection terminal at least on the guide inclined surface when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber.

[0018] According to the present invention, the connector housing has a guide inclined surface at the insertion port, and when the external connection case is mated with the housing of the imaging system, the mating guide surface is configured to position the external connection terminal on the guide inclined surface that guides insertion into the connection chamber. Therefore, when the external connection case is mated with the housing of the imaging system, the external connection terminal can be smoothly inserted into the connection chamber.

[0019] The external connection terminals include first and second external connection terminals arranged along the intersecting direction, the connection chambers include first and second connection chambers arranged along the intersecting direction, the guide inclined surfaces include a first guide inclined surface provided at the insertion opening of the first connection chamber and a second guide inclined surface provided at the insertion opening of the second connection chamber, the external connection case has a pair of guide protrusions respectively positioned in the intersecting direction with the external connection terminals sandwiched therebetween, and the connector housing has a pair of guide protrusions positioned in the intersecting direction with the connection chamber sandwiched therebetween. The connector may have a pair of mating guide surfaces positioned in the cross direction, and when the external connection terminal is inserted into the connection chamber, when the first external connection terminal is positioned outside the range of the first guide inclined surface in the cross direction, one of the pair of guide protrusions comes into contact with one of the pair of mating guide surfaces, and when the second external connection terminal is positioned outside the range of the second guide inclined surface, the other of the pair of guide protrusions comes into contact with the other of the pair of mating guide surfaces, thereby positioning the external connection terminal on the guide inclined surface.

[0020] According to the present invention, when fitting and connecting the external connection case to the housing of the imaging system, even if the first external connection terminal is significantly misaligned in the intersecting direction relative to the first connection chamber by exceeding the guiding inclined surface, the misalignment can be corrected, and the external connection terminal and the connector terminal can be electrically connected in the correct position. Similarly, even if the second external connection terminal is significantly misaligned in the intersecting direction on the opposite side relative to the second connection chamber by exceeding the guiding inclined surface, the misalignment can be corrected, and the external connection terminal and the connector terminal can be fitted and connected in the correct position. In other words, even if the imaging device is made smaller and, for example, the distance between the first connection chamber and the second connection chamber is formed narrower, it is possible to ensure a sufficient tolerance for misalignment in the intersecting direction (guiding amount) of the external connection terminal electrically connected to the connector terminal.

[0021] The connector terminal has a leg portion that connects to the substrate, and the mating guide surface is formed to protrude outward in the intersecting direction beyond the leg portion, and can also be configured to have a recess that is cut out inward in the intersecting direction corresponding to the leg portion.

[0022] According to the present invention, even if the mating guide surface is formed over a larger area in the cross direction, the mating guide surface has a recess that makes the legs of the connector terminals visible in the insertion direction, so that the state of connection of the legs to the board can be confirmed visually or by image inspection. Therefore, the reliability of the imaging device can be improved while ensuring a sufficient tolerance for misalignment (guidance amount) in the cross direction of the external connection terminals that are electrically connected to the connector terminals.

[0023] The imaging system connector may have a fixed housing separate from the connector housing, the connector housing being arranged so as to be movable relative to the fixed housing, and the connector terminal may be configured to have an elastic deformation portion that supports the connector housing so as to be movable relative to the fixed housing.

[0024] According to the present invention, the imaging system connector is configured so that the connector housing is movable relative to the fixed housing, and therefore the imaging system connector itself can move to absorb any positional deviation of the imaging system connector when the external connection terminal is inserted. Furthermore, because the imaging system connector has a floating structure, it can absorb external vibrations and shocks to a certain extent to prevent disconnection or damage, and can also prevent stress from concentrating on the attachment parts and conductive connection parts of the connector terminals.

[0025] According to the present invention, the connector housing may be configured to have a protection portion that extends from the mating guide surface in the insertion direction so as to cover the elastic deformation portion.

[0026] According to the present invention, the protective part is formed to cover the elastic deformation part, thereby preventing the worker's fingers or external parts, etc. from unintentionally coming into contact with the elastic deformation part and damaging the elastic deformation part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the imaging device of the present invention, it is possible to miniaturize the external device connected to the external connection terminal, while reliably connecting the external connection terminal to the connector terminal by utilizing the alignment structure formed by the guide protrusions of the external connection case and the mating guide surface of the connector housing. Furthermore, according to the imaging device of the present invention, even if the amount of insertion of the connector housing cannot be sufficiently ensured, it is possible to absorb any deviation in the insertion position of the external connection terminal, thereby enabling the connector housing to be miniaturized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view including the front, right side, and bottom of an external connection case according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the camera module taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view including a front, right side, and plan view of an imaging system connector according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the imaging system connector in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the camera module of FIG. 2 at the initial stage of fitting. [Figure 6] 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the camera module of FIG. 2 during fitting; [Figure 7] 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the camera module of FIG. 2, showing a state where fitting has progressed further from FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view equivalent to FIG. 2 showing the fitted and connected state of the camera module of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] An embodiment of the "imaging device" according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example in which the "imaging device" of the present invention is applied to a camera module 1 will be shown. However, the "imaging device" of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0030] The terms "first" and "second" used in this specification and claims are used to distinguish between different components of the invention, and are not used to indicate a particular order or superiority or inferiority. For convenience, in this specification and claims, as shown in each drawing, the width direction (left-right direction) of the imaging system connector 30 provided in the camera module 1 is described as the X direction, the depth direction (front-back direction) as the Y direction, and the height direction (up-down direction) as the Z direction. However, these directions do not limit the mounting method or usage method of the camera module 1.

[0031] Camera Module 1

[0032] The camera module 1 is a component of an in-vehicle camera mounted on, for example, an automobile. The camera module 1 has an external connection unit 10 and an imaging unit 20. The imaging unit 20 functions as an "imaging system" that converts light (images) into electrical signals and outputs them. The external connection unit 10 has a function of transmitting the output signals generated by the imaging unit 20 to an external device.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the external connection unit 10 has, for example, an external connection case 11 as a housing, and the imaging unit 20 has, for example, an imaging component case 21 as a housing. The external connection case 11 and the imaging component case 21 are configured so that one is shaped like a lid with an open bottom and the other is shaped like a box with an open top, and can be fitted together. The camera module 1 can be integrated by fixing the fitted external connection case 11 and imaging component case 21 together with various fasteners such as screws or adhesives. There can be at least one external connection case 11 and one imaging component case 21, and there can also be multiple cases.

[0034] The external connection unit 10 has pin terminals 12 as "external connection terminals." The pin terminals 12 are held in an external connection case 11 and have the function of transmitting electrical signals to external devices. On the other hand, an imaging system connector 30 is attached to the imaging unit 20. The imaging system connector 30 has the function of transmitting output signals generated by the "imaging system."

[0035] 2, in the camera module 1, before the external connection case 11 and the imaging component case 21 are fitted together, the external connection case 11 is arranged, for example, above the imaging component case 21 in the Z direction. At this time, the pin terminals 12 and the imaging system connector 30 face each other, and the pin terminals 12 are arranged so as to be inserted into the imaging system connector 30 downward in the Z direction. The camera module 1 is configured so that when the external connection case 11 is fitted and connected to the imaging component case 21, the pin terminals 12 are electrically connected to the imaging system connector 30. As a result, the camera module 1 is configured to transmit electrical signals generated by the "imaging system" to an external device.

[0036] External connection part 10

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the external connection case 11, which is the housing of the external connection unit 10, has a plurality of pin terminals 12. The external connection case 11 has an outer tube 11a, an inner tube 11b, and a partition wall 11c. The inner tube 11b extends in a cylindrical shape, e.g., a rectangular tube shape, penetrating the outer tube 11a both vertically in the Z direction. The inner tube 11b is configured to receive a harness connector attached to a harness extending from an external device (not shown). The partition wall 11c is provided to divide the internal space of the inner tube 11b into upper and lower parts in the Z direction. The external connection case 11 is a molded body formed, for example, from a hard resin, and the plurality of pin terminals 12 are embedded in and integrated with the partition wall 11c of the external connection case 11 by, for example, insert molding. All of the plurality of pin terminals 12 extend along the Z direction.

[0038] The pin terminals 12 specifically include a plurality of first pin terminals 13 as "first external connection terminals" and a plurality of second pin terminals 14 as "second external connection terminals." The first pin terminals 13 are arranged along the X direction (width direction) that intersects with the direction in which the pin terminals 12 are inserted, and the second pin terminals 14 are similarly arranged along the X direction. The first pin terminals 13 and the second pin terminals 14 are arranged side by side in the Y direction (depth direction).

[0039] The first pin terminal 13 has a connector connecting portion 13a, an external output connecting portion 13b, and a bent portion 13c, and the second pin terminal 14 also has a connector connecting portion 14a, an external output connecting portion 14b, and a bent portion 14c similar to the first pin terminal 13. The connector connecting portions 13a and 14a extend from the lower surface of the partition wall 11c toward the imaging component case 21. The external output connecting portion 13b and 14b extend from the upper surface of the partition wall 11c to the side opposite the connector connecting portion 13a. The bent portions 13c and 14c are embedded in the partition wall 11c.

[0040] 1, in this embodiment, four first pin terminals 13 and four second pin terminals 14 are arranged along the X direction. The first pin terminals 13 are arranged such that the external output connection portions 13b, 13b adjacent to each other in the X direction are all spaced apart by the same distance. Similarly, the first pin terminals 13 are arranged such that the connector connection portions 13a, 13a adjacent to each other in the X direction are all spaced apart by the same distance. Furthermore, the bent portions 13c, 13c are configured to be bent in the X direction so that the distance between the external output connection portions 13b, 13b is shorter than the distance between the connector connection portions 13a, 13a.

[0041] Furthermore, the bent portions 13c, 13c are also configured to bend in the Y direction so that the distance between the external output connecting portions 13b, 13b is shorter than the distance between the connector connecting portions 13a, 13a. The amount of bending in the Y direction is the same for all first pin terminals 13. In this way, the bent portions 13c have a twisted bent shape that bends not only in the X direction but also in the Y direction. The arrangement of the first pin terminals 13 is similar for the second pin terminals 14.

[0042] Guide protrusion 15

[0043] The external connection case 11 has guide protrusions 15 that protrude along side surfaces 32a (described later) of the imaging system connector 30. The guide protrusions 15 are positioned in a direction intersecting the Z direction, which is the direction in which the connector connecting portions 13a and 14a of the pin terminals 12 extend, i.e., in a direction that absorbs any deviation in the insertion positions of the connector connecting portions 13a and 14a. The guide protrusions 15 are configured to be able to come into contact with the side surfaces 32a of the imaging system connector 30 when the external connection case 11 is fitted and connected to the imaging component case 21.

[0044] 1 and 2, a pair of guide protrusions 15, 15 extend downward in a flat plate shape along the XZ plane from the lower end in the Z direction of the inner tube 11b on both sides of the first pin terminal 13 and the second pin terminal 14. Each of the pair of guide protrusions 15, 15 has an inclined portion 15a, 15a whose length in the Y direction tapers toward its lower tip in the Z direction. The inclined portions 15a, 15a are inclined on their opposing surfaces, and are configured so that the distance between the inclined portions 15a, 15a increases toward the tip of the guide protrusions 15, 15.

[0045] Imaging unit 20

[0046] The imaging unit 20 includes an imaging component case 21, optical components 22, an imaging element 23, boards 24a and 24b, an internal connector 25, and an imaging system connector 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging component case 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical component 22, such as a lens unit, is attached to the imaging component case 21 so as to cover a hole that penetrates the bottom wall located on the lower side in the Z direction of the imaging component case 21 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging component case 21 accommodates the imaging element 23, board 24a, internal connector 25, board 24b, and imaging system connector 30, stacked in this order on top of the optical component 22.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 2, the imaging element 23 is mounted on the lower surface of the substrate 24a in the Z direction, and has the function of converting light guided from the adjacent optical component 22 into an electrical signal and outputting it to the outside. The substrates 24a and 24b have various electrical elements and circuit wiring. The internal connector 25 connects the substrates 24a and 24b. The imaging system connector 30 is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 24b in the Z direction, as shown in Fig. 2. The imaging element 23, substrate 24a, internal connector 25, substrate 24b, and imaging system connector 30 can be collectively referred to as imaging components.

[0048] Imaging connector 30

[0049] The imaging system connector 30 has connector terminals 33 that transmit output signals generated by the "imaging system," and a "connector housing" that holds the connector terminals 33. The imaging system connector 30 connects the imaging components to external devices via pin terminals 12. The imaging system connector 30 is rigidly connected to the substrate 24b, and the imaging system connector 30 connected to the substrate 24b may be configured not to move in any of the pitch direction (X direction), inter-row direction (Y direction), and mating direction (Z direction).

[0050] On the other hand, the imaging system connector 30 connected to the substrate 24b can be configured as a movable (floating) connector that can move in at least one direction among the pitch direction, the inter-row direction, and the mating direction, and absorbs mating misalignment. That is, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the imaging system connector 30 of this embodiment includes a fixed housing 31, a movable housing 32 as a "connector housing," a plurality of connector terminals 33, and a fixing bracket 34. The imaging system connector 30 is configured such that the fixed housing 31 is mounted on the substrate 24b, and the movable housing 32 is supported by the connector terminals 33 so as to be movable relative to the fixed housing 31. That is, the imaging system connector 30 is configured such that the movable housing 32 can move relative to the fixed housing 31 in a three-dimensional direction that is a combination of the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction (floating structure).

[0051] Here, there is a positional deviation (error) within the range of assembly (mounting) tolerance between each of the components housed in the imaging component case 21. The imaging system connector 30 is mounted in a stacked configuration on top of the various components housed in the imaging component case 21. Therefore, the imaging system connector 30 attached to the board 24b has a positional deviation accumulated due to the stacking within the range of the cumulative tolerance. For example, the board 24b has a positional deviation g to the left in the Y direction shown by the solid line from the designed assembly position shown by the two-dot chain line in Figures 2 and 8.

[0052] However, because the imaging system connector 30 is configured such that the movable housing 32 is movable relative to the fixed housing 31, the imaging system connector 30 can move to absorb any misalignment of the imaging system connector 30 that occurs when the pin terminals 12 are inserted. As shown in Fig. 8, in the camera module 1, when the external connection case 11 is fitted to the imaging component case 21 and the pin terminals 12 are inserted into the imaging system connector 30, the connector terminals 33 deform and the movable housing 32 is displaced relative to the fixed housing 31, thereby absorbing this misalignment. As a result, even though the board 24b and the imaging system connector 30 are misaligned relative to the imaging component case 21, the imaging component case 21 and the external connection case 11 are fitted together with the pin terminals 12 correctly inserted into the imaging system connector 30.

[0053] Furthermore, the imaging system connector 30 has a floating structure, which absorbs external vibrations and shocks to some extent to prevent disconnection or damage, and also has the function of preventing stress from concentrating on the attachment parts and conductive connection parts of the connector terminals 33.

[0054] Fixed housing 31

[0055] The fixed housing 31 is formed by a frame-shaped peripheral wall 31a (see FIG. 3), inside which an accommodation chamber 31b for the movable housing 32 is formed (see FIG. 5). A pair of side walls 31c extending along the X direction (longitudinal direction) of the peripheral wall 31a are each formed with a plurality of terminal fixing portions 31d extending along the Z direction (height direction) of the fixed housing 31 and arranged in parallel along the terminal arrangement direction (X direction) (see FIGS. 5 to 7). One end side of the connector terminal 33 (fixed housing fixing portion 33b) is press-fitted and fixed to each terminal fixing portion 31d. A pair of side walls 31e extending along the Y direction (short direction) of the peripheral wall 31a are fixed with fixing metal fittings 34 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0056] Movable housing 32

[0057] The movable housing 32 has a lower portion 32b formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape along the peripheral wall 31a of the fixed housing 31. The movable housing 32 has an upper portion 32c that widens like a canopy, forming a T-shape in front and side views. That is, the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32 has the upper portion 32c that protrudes in the X and Y directions more than the rectangular parallelepiped lower portion 32b, and the top surface portion 32d has a larger area than the lower portion 32b in the XY plane.

[0058] The movable housing 32 has connection chambers 35 into which the pin terminals 12 are inserted to electrically connect to the connector terminals 33. The number of connection chambers 35 provided is the same as the number of pin terminals 12 in order to electrically connect to the multiple pin terminals 12 of the external connection case 11. The movable housing 32 of this embodiment is provided with a total of eight connection chambers 35: four (four rows) along the X direction (width direction) and two (two columns) along the Y direction (depth direction). That is, the connection chambers 35 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center line of the movable housing 32 along the X direction (longitudinal direction).

[0059] The connection chamber 35 into which the first pin terminal 13 is inserted corresponds to the first connection chamber 36, and the connection chamber 35 into which the second pin terminal 14 is inserted corresponds to the second connection chamber 37.

[0060] Each connection chamber 35 is formed by penetrating the movable housing 32 in the Z direction (height direction), has a rectangular cross section in the XY direction (horizontal direction), and has a side wall 38a along the X direction and a side wall 38b along the Y direction. A terminal fixing portion 38c is formed on the side wall 38b of each connection chamber 35, into which the other end side of the connector terminal 33 (movable housing fixing portion 33d) is press-fitted and fixed.

[0061] The connection chamber 35 that passes through the movable housing 32 has an insertion opening 39 that opens in the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32. The movable housing 32 is configured so that the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35 through this insertion opening 39.

[0062] The movable housing 32 is formed with a displacement-regulating protrusion 32e that protrudes outward in the X direction (width direction) (see FIG. 3). The displacement-regulating protrusion 32e contacts the fixed housing 31 downward in the Y and Z directions, and contacts the fixed metal fitting 34 upward in the Z direction, thereby restricting excessive displacement of the movable housing 32.

[0063] Connector terminal 33

[0064] The multiple connector terminals 33 are formed by bending conductive metal pieces and all have the same shape. Each connector terminal 33 has a leg portion 33a, a fixed housing fixing portion 33b, an elastic deformation portion 33c, a movable housing fixing portion 33d, an elastic arm 33e, and a contact portion 33f. The leg portion 33a is a portion that connects to the board 24b and is soldered to the board 24b. The fixed housing fixing portion 33b is press-fitted and fixed into the terminal fixing portion 31d of the fixed housing 31. The elastic deformation portion 33c extends in an inverted U shape. The movable housing fixing portion 33d is press-fitted and fixed into the terminal fixing portion 38c of the movable housing 32 in the X direction (board width direction). The elastic arm 33e extends from the upper end of the movable housing fixing portion 33d. The contact portion 33f is formed at the tip of the elastic arm 33e and is bent in a mountain shape.

[0065] The elastic deformation portion 33c is formed as a spring that supports the movable housing 32 relative to the fixed housing 31 so that it can move in a three-dimensional direction that is a combination of the X direction (width direction), Y direction (depth direction), and Z direction (height direction).

[0066] The elastic arm 33e and the contact portion 33f are housed in the connection chamber 35, and are configured to be electrically connected by pressing against the pin terminal 12 inserted into the connection chamber 35. That is, the pin terminal 12 inserted into the connection chamber 35 presses against the contact portion 33f, and the spring force (reaction force) of the elastic arm 33e against the pressing contact causes the contact portion 33f to contact the pin terminal 12 with a predetermined contact pressure, thereby achieving good electrically connected connection.

[0067] Mating guide surface 40

[0068] The movable housing 32 has a mating guide surface 40 on the outer edge of the top surface 32d that faces the external connection case 11. When the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35, the mating guide surface 40 guides the guide protrusion 15 from the top surface 32d to the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32, thereby positioning the pin terminal 12, which is positioned away from the insertion opening 39 of the connection chamber 35, at the insertion opening 39 of the connection chamber 35.

[0069] Therefore, when fitting and connecting the external connection case 11 to the imaging component case 21 including the imaging system connector 30, the pin terminals 12 that are positioned out of position with respect to the insertion opening 39 of the connection chamber 35 can be positioned at the insertion opening 39 of the connection chamber 35. Therefore, even if the pin terminals 12 are significantly misaligned in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the connection chamber 35 when fitting and connecting the external connection case 11 to the imaging component case 21, the misalignment can be corrected. Furthermore, according to the camera module 1 of this embodiment, the pin terminals 12 and the connector terminals 33 can be electrically connected at the correct positions. In other words, even if the camera module 1 is miniaturized and, for example, the area of ​​the insertion opening 39 is formed smaller, it is possible to ensure a sufficient tolerance for misalignment (amount of guide) in the intersecting direction of the pin terminals 12 that are electrically connected to the connector terminals 33, for example, in the Y direction as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0070] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5 etc., before the external connection case 11 is fitted and connected to the imaging component case 21, the camera module 1 is configured so that the distance d2 between the guide protrusion 15 and the fitting guide surface 40 is smaller than the distance d1 between the pin terminal 12 and the top surface portion 32d in the Z direction, which is the insertion direction in which the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35.

[0071] Therefore, when fitting and connecting external connection case 11 to imaging component case 21, guide protrusion 15 can come into contact with fitting guide surface 40 before pin terminals 12 come into contact with top surface 32d. Therefore, according to camera module 1, it is possible to more reliably correct misalignment between pin terminals 12 and connection chamber 35 in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, and pin terminals 12 and connector terminals 33 can be electrically connected at the correct position. At this time, contact between guide protrusion 15 and fitting guide surface 40 allows pin terminals 12 to be inserted toward connection chamber 35 without coming into contact with top surface 32d of movable housing 32. This prevents pin terminals 12 and movable housing 32 from being damaged due to strong contact or rubbing.

[0072] Here, in order to bring the guide protrusions 15 into contact with the mating guide surface 40 before the pin terminals 12 come into contact with the top surface 32d, it is also possible to configure the top surface 32d to protrude upward in the Z direction near the end of the movable housing 32 in the intersecting direction. However, with this configuration, the imaging system connector 30 would no longer have a simple shape.

[0073] In contrast, in this embodiment, the guide protrusions 15 are located lower than the pin terminals 12 in the Z direction, which is the insertion direction. Therefore, for example, even without designing or processing the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32 to raise the portion where the guide protrusions 15 come into contact, when fitting and connecting the external connection case 11 to the imaging component case 21, the guide protrusions 15 can come into contact with the fitting guide surface 40 before the pin terminals 12 come into contact with the top surface 32d. Because the positional relationship between the pin terminals 12 and the guide protrusions 15 in the insertion direction is simple, the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32 can have a simple shape, such as a flat surface. Furthermore, the pin terminals 12 are inserted toward the connection chamber 35 without coming into contact with the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32, which prevents the pin terminals 12 and the movable housing 32 from being damaged by strong contact or rubbing against each other.

[0074] The mating guide surface 40 is formed as a sloped surface that slopes between the top surface 32d and the side surface 32a. For example, as shown in Fig. 3 etc., the mating guide surface 40 has a flat surface that extends in the X direction, with the corner between the top surface 32d and the side surface 32a chamfered at 45° (C-chamfer). The mating guide surface 40 is configured to come into contact with the sloped portion 15a of the guide protrusion 15.

[0075] Such a camera module 1 has the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a, and functions so that a component force is generated in the Y direction when the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a come into contact with each other and move relative to each other in the Z direction. When the guide protrusion 15 moves relative to the camera module 1 to a position lower in the Z direction than the top surface 32d of the movable housing 32 of the imaging system connector 30, the guide protrusion 15 is positioned outside in the Y direction than the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32 of the imaging system connector 30. Therefore, when the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35 of the movable housing 32, the guide protrusion 15 can be smoothly guided away from the top surface 32d by the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32.

[0076] The camera module 1 may have only one of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a. Even if the camera module 1 has only one of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a, a component force in the Y direction is generated when the camera module 1 hits the corner of the mating device, so the guide protrusion 15 can be smoothly deflected from the top surface 32d by the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32. However, it is preferable that the camera module 1 has both the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a, and even if the pin terminal 12 is significantly misaligned in the Y direction with respect to the connection chamber 35 by the sum of the lengths of the Y direction components of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a, the misalignment can be corrected.

[0077] The fitting guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a only need to function so as to generate a component force in the Y direction when the guide protrusion 15 hits the outer edge of the top surface portion 32d.

[0078] For example, the angle of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a in a side view may not be 45° as shown in Figures 2 and 5. This angle is in the range of 0° to 90°. As this angle becomes smaller (closer to horizontal), a larger positional deviation of the pin terminal 12 in the Y direction relative to the connection chamber 35 can be accommodated. As this angle becomes larger (closer to vertical), the pin terminal 12 can be smoothly inserted into the connection chamber 35 with less sliding resistance. The mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a may have different angles. Furthermore, the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a do not have to be flat. For example, they may be configured to face each other in a convex shape to reduce sliding resistance. The starting and ending points of the mating guide surface 40 and the inclined portion 15a may be rounded and chamfered to eliminate corners so that the guide protrusion 15 does not get caught on the mating guide surface 40.

[0079] 3 to 5, etc., an insertion opening 39 of the movable housing 32 that corresponds to the upper end of the connection chamber 35 is formed with a guide inclined surface 41 that guides the insertion of the pin terminals 12. The guide inclined surface 41 is inclined from a top surface 32d (horizontal direction) of the movable housing 32 that extends in the X and Y directions that intersect with the Z direction, which is the insertion direction of the pin terminals 12. The guide inclined surface 41 has a pair of long-side guide inclined surfaces 41a that extend along the X direction (longitudinal direction) of the imaging system connector 30, and a pair of short-side guide inclined surfaces 41b that extend along the Y direction (short-side direction) of the imaging system connector 30, and is formed as a tapered surface (concave surface) in the shape of a quadrangular pyramid.

[0080] If the camera module 1 has such a guide inclined surface 41, it is sufficient that the mating guide surface 40 deflects the guide protrusion 15 and positions the pin terminal 12 at least on the guide inclined surface 41 when the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35. That is, by positioning the pin terminal 12 on the guide inclined surface 41, the pin terminal 12 can be slid along the guide inclined surface 41 and dropped into the connection chamber 35. Therefore, when mating and connecting the external connection case 11 to the imaging component case 21, the pin terminal 12 can be smoothly inserted into the connection chamber 35. At this time, because the camera module 1 has the guide protrusion 15 and the mating guide surface 40, even if the range of the guide inclined surface 41 is formed smaller, the camera module 1 ensures a sufficient tolerance for misalignment (guidance amount) in the Y direction of the pin terminal 12 mated and connected to the imaging system connector 30.

[0081] 5 and the like, the guide inclined surface 41 is formed as a flat surface. However, the guide inclined surface 41 may be formed as a curved surface. For example, if the guide inclined surface 41 is a curved surface that is convex upward (in the Z direction), the reaction force that the pin terminal 12 receives becomes lighter as the insertion of the pin terminal 12 into the connection chamber 35 progresses, and therefore the pin terminal 12 can be inserted into the connection chamber 35 more smoothly.

[0082] Here, a configuration in which two pin terminals 12, two connection chambers 35, two guide protrusions 15, and two fitting guide surfaces 40 are arranged along the Y direction will be described.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 1 and other figures, the pin terminals 12 include a first pin terminal 13 and a second pin terminal 14, which are arranged along the Y direction, which is a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the pin terminals 12. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 4 and other figures, the connection chamber 35 includes a first connection chamber 36 and a second connection chamber 37, which are arranged along the Y direction. The guide inclined surfaces 41 include a pair of first guide inclined surfaces 42 at the insertion opening 39 of the first connection chamber 36 and a pair of second guide inclined surfaces 43 at the insertion opening 39 of the second connection chamber 37. As shown in Fig. 5 and other figures, the pair of first guide inclined surfaces 42 and the pair of second guide inclined surfaces 43 each extend downward in the Z direction, starting from the boundary between the top surface portion 32d and the insertion opening 39, at an inclination angle of 45° in a side view. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and other figures, a pair of fitting guide surfaces 40, 40 are located on both outer sides in the Y direction with the first connection chamber 36 and the second connection chamber 37 sandwiched therebetween.

[0084] The camera module 1 is configured such that, when the first pin terminal 13 is positioned outside the range of the first inclined guide surface 42 in the Y direction, for example, to the right in FIG. 5, one of the pair of guide protrusions 15 (left in FIG. 5) comes into contact with one of the pair of mating guide surfaces 40 (left in FIG. 5). When the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35, if one of the guide protrusions 15 comes into contact with one of the mating guide surfaces 40, the mating guide surface 40 receives a component force in the Y direction from the guide protrusion 15, causing the "connector housing" (here, the imaging system connector 30; FIGS. 5 to 7 show a state in which the movable housing 32 is not displaced relative to the fixed housing 31) to be displaced rightward in the Y direction relative to the external connection case 11. As a result, when the pin terminal 12 is initially inserted into the connection chamber 35, the first inclined guide surface 42 is positioned below the first pin terminal 13 (see FIG. 5), which is offset to the right of the insertion opening 39 (see FIG. 6). In this way, the camera module 1 is configured so that when the pin terminal 12 is inserted into the connection chamber 35 , the pin terminal 12 is positioned at the insertion opening 39 , at least at the guide inclined surface 41 .

[0085] The camera module 1 is configured such that when the second pin terminal 14 is positioned outside the range of the second inclined guide surface 43, for example, to the left in Fig. 5, the other side of the guide protrusion 15 (to the right in Fig. 5) comes into contact with the other side of the mating guide surface 40 (to the right in Fig. 5). Therefore, the only difference is that the displacement direction of the movable housing 32 is to the left, and the rest is the same as described above.

[0086] Thus, according to the camera module 1, even if the first pin terminal 13 is significantly misaligned in the Y direction relative to the first connection chamber 36 beyond the guiding inclined surface 41 when fitting and connecting the external connection case 11 to the imaging component case 21, the misalignment can be corrected, and the first pin terminal 13 can be fitted and connected to the imaging system connector 30 in the correct position. Similarly, even if the second pin terminal 14 is significantly misaligned in the opposite Y direction relative to the second connection chamber 37 beyond the guiding inclined surface 41, the misalignment can be corrected, and the second pin terminal 14 can be fitted and connected to the imaging system connector 30 in the correct position. In other words, even if the camera module 1 is made smaller and, for example, the distance between the first connection chamber 36 and the second connection chamber 37 is formed narrower, the allowable misalignment amount (guiding amount) in the Y direction of the pin terminal 12 that is conductively connected to the imaging system connector 30 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0087] When the external connection case 11 is mated and connected to the imaging component case 21, the relative position of the external connection case 11 shifts in the Y direction, thereby enabling the effects of the camera module 1 to be exerted. However, the camera module 1 exhibits its effects more effectively when the imaging system connector 30 on the imaging component case 21 side is a movable connector. Compared to the state before the external connection case 11 is mated and connected to the imaging component case 21 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 8 shows a state in which the movable housing 32 is displaced relative to the fixed housing 31.

[0088] That is, when external connection case 11 is mated with imaging component case 21, a pressing force in the Z direction acts between mating guide surface 40 and inclined portion 15a of guide protrusion 15, generating a component force in the Y direction. At that time, if a movable connector is used, movable housing 32 is displaceable relative to fixed housing 31, so that even if external connection case 11 itself does not shift in the Y direction, movable housing 32 is displaced and pin terminals 12 are positioned in insertion openings 39 of connection chambers 35. Therefore, by applying camera module 1 to a movable connector, positional deviations in the Y direction between pin terminals 12 and connection chambers 35 can be absorbed semi-automatically, without the operator having to be aware of moving external connection case 11 in the Y direction relative to imaging component case 21.

[0089] 3, 5, etc., the movable housing 32 has a protective portion 44 that extends downward in the Z direction from the mating guide surface 40 so as to cover the elastic deformation portion 33c. As described above, the elastic deformation portion 33c is disposed between the frame-shaped peripheral wall 31a of the fixed housing 31 and the rectangular parallelepiped lower portion 32b of the movable housing 32. The elastic deformation portion 33c is configured to extend in an inverted U shape to ensure a spring length as a movable connector, and therefore is likely to be exposed in a portion close to the surface of the imaging system connector 30 if left as is. The protective portion 44 is provided on the outer side in the Y direction of the peripheral wall 31a in correspondence with the elastic deformation portion 33c.

[0090] The protective portion 44 may be formed at least outward in the Y direction from the elastic deformation portion 33c. In this embodiment, the protective portion 44 is disposed outward in the Y direction from the peripheral wall 31a so as to avoid contact with the elastic deformation portion 33c when the movable housing 32 is displaced.

[0091] In this way, in the camera module 1, the protective portion 44 is formed to cover the elastic deformation portion 33c, thereby preventing the operator's fingers or external parts, etc. from unintentionally coming into contact with the elastic deformation portion 33c and damaging the elastic deformation portion 33c.

[0092] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mating guide surface 40 is formed to protrude outward in the Y direction beyond the leg portion 33a. This ensures a sufficient tolerance for misalignment (amount of guidance) in the Y direction of the pin terminal 12 mated to the imaging system connector 30. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the mating guide surface 40 is formed to have a greater length in the Y direction, and is formed with a recess 45 that is cut out inward in the Y direction to correspond to the leg portion 33a. Since the mating guide surface 40 of this embodiment is formed with a protective portion 44 connected to it, the recess 45 is formed as a rectangular prism-shaped gap that penetrates the mating guide surface 40 and the protective portion 44.

[0093] In this embodiment, four legs 33a are arranged along the X direction. The fitting guide surface 40 is formed between the outer legs 33a in the X direction. Therefore, the recesses 45 are provided corresponding to the two inner legs 33a in the X direction.

[0094] 4 etc., the recess 45 is formed so as to be longer in the X direction than the leg 33a. Therefore, the leg 33a, 33a can be seen through the recess 45 even if the viewpoint is shifted slightly obliquely in the X direction from directly above the movable housing 32 in the Z direction or even if the movable housing 32 is shifted in the X direction.

[0095] In this way, even if the mating guide surface 40 is formed large or protrudes significantly outward in the Y direction, thereby covering a large area in the Y direction, the mating guide surface 40 has recesses 45 formed therein that allow the leg portions 33a of the connector terminals 33 to be viewed in the Z direction. This allows the state of connection of the leg portions 33a to the substrate 24b of the camera module 1 to be confirmed visually or by image inspection. This allows the reliability of the camera module 1 to be improved while ensuring a sufficient allowable amount of misalignment (amount of guide) in the Y direction of the pin terminals 12 that are electrically connected to the connector terminals 33.

[0096] As described above, according to this embodiment, the external connection case 11 has the guide protrusions 15 that protrude along the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32. On the other hand, the movable housing 32 has a fitting guide surface 40 on the outer edge of the top surface 32d that faces the external connection case 11, which guides the guide protrusions 15 from the top surface 32d to the side surface 32a of the movable housing 32 when the pin terminals 12 are inserted into the connection chambers 35 of the movable housing 32.

[0097] For example, if the external connection case 11 is made smaller in size in response to the miniaturization of harness connectors, and the spacing between the first pin terminals 13 and the second pin terminals 14 becomes narrower, the spacing between the first connection chamber 36 and the second connection chamber 37 also becomes narrower. Under such circumstances, it becomes difficult to form the first guide inclined surface 42 and the second guide inclined surface 43 large and to sufficiently ensure the tolerance for deviation of the insertion position of the imaging system connector 30 connected to the external connection case 11 (the amount of insertion and the amount of movement of the movable housing 32).

[0098] However, in this embodiment, misalignment of the pin terminals 12 with respect to the connection chamber 35 is absorbed not by the guide inclined surface 41 but by an alignment structure using the guide protrusions 15 of the external connection case 11 and the fitting guide surface 40 of the movable housing 32. That is, even if the pin terminals 12 are outside the range of the guide inclined surface 41, the guide protrusions 15 come into contact with the fitting guide surface 40, thereby moving the external connection case 11 relative to the imaging system connector 30. Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if the gap between the pin terminals 12 and the connection chamber 35 is narrowed, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the tolerance for misalignment of the insertion position of the imaging system connector 30 connected to the external connection case 11 (the amount of guiding and the amount of movement of the movable housing 32).

[0099] As described above, according to the camera module 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to miniaturize the external device connected to the pin terminals 12, while reliably connecting the pin terminals 12 to the connector terminals 33 by utilizing the alignment structure formed by the guide protrusions 15 of the external connection case 11 and the fitting guide surface 40 of the movable housing 32. Furthermore, according to the camera module 1 of this embodiment, even if the amount of insertion of the movable housing 32 cannot be sufficiently ensured, it is possible to absorb any deviation in the insertion position of the pin terminals 12, and therefore the movable housing 32 and ultimately the imaging system connector 30 can be miniaturized.

[0100] Modifications of the embodiment

[0101] The camera module 1 described above can be modified, and an example of such a modification will be described.

[0102] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which misalignment in the Y direction is absorbed. However, misalignment of the pin terminals 12 relative to the connection chamber 35 can also be absorbed in the X direction. This can be achieved, for example, by providing a mating guide surface 40 on the outer edge of the top surface 32d in the X direction and providing a guide protrusion 15 on the external connection case 11 along the side surface 32a in the X direction of the imaging system connector 30. Furthermore, the mating guide surface 40 and the guide protrusion 15 can be provided in a circumferential manner rather than being provided separately in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0103] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the number of pin terminals 12 is eight. However, the number of pin terminals 12 may be any number as long as it is one or more.

[0104] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the distances between adjacent connector connection portions 13a and between adjacent connector connection portions 14a were all the same length. However, these distances may be different. For example, some of the distances may be longer and some may be shorter. This allows for a variety of configurations for the connection chambers 35 provided in the movable housing 32 of the imaging system connector 30. Such modifications can also be applied to the external output connection portion 13b and the external output connection portion 14b in the same way, allowing for a variety of shapes for the harness connector.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the bent portions 13c and 14c of all the pin terminals 12 have a twisted bent shape bending in two directions, the X direction and the Y direction. However, the bent portions 13c and 14c may have a shape bending only in the X direction or only in the Y direction. Furthermore, one of the adjacent pin terminals 12, for example, the first pin terminal 13, may have a straight pin shape lacking the bent portion 13c, and the other pin terminal 12, for example, the second pin terminal 14, may have the bent portion 14c. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1. Camera module (imaging device) 10 External connection part 11 External connection case 11a Outer cylinder 11b Inner cylinder 11c Bulkhead 12-pin terminal (external connection terminal) 13 First pin terminal (first external connection terminal) 13a Connector connection 13b External output connection 13c Bend part 14 Second pin terminal (second external connection terminal) 14a Connector connection 14b External output connection 14c Bend part 15 Guide protrusion 15a Slope 20 Imaging unit 21 Imaging parts case 22 Optical Components 23 Image sensor 24a board 24b board 25 Internal Connector 30 Imaging system connector 31 Fixed housing 31a Peripheral wall Containment Cell 31b 31c side wall 31d Terminal fixing part 31e side wall 32 Movable housing (connector housing) 32a side 32b lower part 32c upper part 32d Top section 32e Displacement control protrusion 33 Connector terminal 33a Legs 33b Fixed part for fixed housing 33c Elastic deformation part 33d Fixed part for movable housing 33e Elastic Arm 33f Contact part 34 Fixing bracket 35 Connecting chamber (first connecting chamber, second connecting chamber) 36 First Connecting Room 37 Second Connecting Room 38a Side wall 38b side wall 38c Terminal fixing part 39 Insertion port 40 Mating guide surface 41 Induction slope 41a Longitudinal guide inclined surface 41b Short side guiding slope 42 First guide slope 43 Second Induction Inclined Surface 44 Protection Department 45 recess d1 distance d2 distance g Position misalignment X width direction, left and right direction Y depth direction, front-back direction Z height direction, up and down direction

Claims

1. A fixed housing to be placed on a mounting surface; a connector housing displaceable relative to the fixed housing, The connector housing includes: a cap-shaped upper portion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of engagement with the connection object; a recess formed by recessing from an end of the cap-shaped upper portion, The recess allows the leg of the terminal to be seen when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. Movable connector.

2. a fixed housing to be placed on the mounting surface; a connector housing displaceable relative to the fixed housing, The connector housing includes: a top surface portion facing the connection object; a side surface protruding in a direction perpendicular to a fitting direction with the connection object; a slope formed between the top surface and the side surface; a recess formed on the side surface and the inclined surface, The recess allows the leg of the terminal to be seen when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. Movable connector.

3. a fixed housing to be placed on the mounting surface; a connector housing displaceable relative to the fixed housing; a plurality of terminals arranged along an arrangement direction; each of the plurality of terminals has a leg portion to be soldered to the mounting surface; the connector housing has a side surface that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the connector housing is fitted to a connection object, The aspect is a plurality of recesses that allow the legs to be viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface; a partition wall formed between the plurality of recesses, The partition wall is positioned within the range of arrangement of the plurality of terminals. Movable connector.

4. a fixed housing to be placed on the mounting surface; a connector housing displaceable relative to the fixed housing; a terminal; The terminal is a fixed housing fixing portion held by the fixed housing; a connector housing fixing portion held by the connector housing; an elastic deformation portion located between the fixed housing fixing portion and the connector housing fixing portion; The elastic deformation portion extends in an inverted U-shape, The connector housing includes: The terminal has a recess that allows the leg of the terminal to be seen when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. Movable connector.

Images