Connectors and electronic devices

Abstract

A connector 10 according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of contacts 50 that are attached to a first insulator 20 and a second insulator 30. The contacts 50 each include: a first elastic portion 54 and a second elastic portion 56 that are formed between a first retained portion 51 and a second retained portion 58 and are both elastically deformable; and an extension portion 57 that extends from the second elastic portion 56 to the second retained portion 58. The second elastic portion 56 is positioned closer to the mating side than the first elastic portion 54, and is formed in a curved shape. In a width direction from one of the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30 to the other, a maximum width D1 of the second elastic portion 56 is greater than an interval D2 between the first elastic portion 54 and the extension portion 57.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-096897, filed on June 15, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a connector and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0003] Connectors with a floating structure have been known as a technology for improving connection reliability with connection objects. Such connectors absorb misalignment with connection objects, for example, by moving a movable insulator, which is a part of the connector, during and after mating. Patent Document 1 discloses a movable connector including such a movable insulator, in which the displacement load of the spring portion is reduced to improve the ease of insertion and removal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6415609 Summary of the Invention

[0005] A connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first insulator formed in a frame shape; a second insulator disposed inside the first insulator, movable relative to the first insulator, and adapted to fit with a connection object; a plurality of contacts attached to the first insulator and the second insulator; Equipped with. The contact a first held portion attached to the first insulator; a second held portion attached to the second insulator; a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion formed between the first held portion and the second held portion and both elastically deformable; an extending portion extending from the second elastic portion to the second held portion; It has. The second elastic portion is the first elastic portion is located closer to the mating side when the connection object is mated with the second insulator, It is formed in a curved shape. In a width direction from one of the first insulator and the second insulator to the other, the maximum width of the second elastic portion is larger than the distance between the first elastic portion and the extension portion.

[0006] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: The connector is provided as described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a connector according to an embodiment in a state where a connection object is connected, as seen from above; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a connector according to an embodiment in a state where the connector is separated from a connection target, as seen from above; [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the connector alone in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of FIG. 3 as seen from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows VV in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area VI enclosed by the dashed line in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 5 is a perspective view showing the contact unit of FIG. 4 as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a connection object to be connected to the connector of FIG. 3 as seen from above. [Figure 9]9 is an exploded perspective view of the connection object of FIG. 8 as seen from above. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XX in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view of a single contact showing a first modified example of the contact. [Figure 12] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a second modified example of the contact. [Figure 13] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a third modified example of the contact. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] For example, when a connector is used in an environment where vibration occurs in the mating direction when the connection object and the connector are mated, the connection object slides against the contact points of the connector's contacts, causing wear on the contacts and reducing contact reliability.In response to this, the movable connector described in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the spring part is more easily displaced than the contact points of the contacts, reducing sliding at the contact points.

[0009] For example, there are cases where the boards are not necessarily attached parallel to one another due to tolerances, etc. The movable connector described in Patent Document 1 focuses mainly on the movement of the movable insulator in a mating direction perpendicular to the boards, for example, in the Z direction. However, the movable connector described in Patent Document 1 does not fully consider the mobility of the connector when the movable insulator moves in a diagonal direction inclined from the Z direction, or the mating performance when a connection target is mated to the connector at an angle.

[0010] The object of the present disclosure, made in consideration of such problems, is to provide a connector and an electronic device that improves the mobility of the connector in any direction, including not only the mating direction but also oblique directions inclined from the mating direction.

[0011] According to a connector and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the movability of the connector is improved in all directions, including the mating direction as well as oblique directions inclined from the mating direction.

[0012] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions refer to the directions of the arrows in the drawings. The directions of the arrows in Figures 1 to 7 and 10 are consistent with each other in different drawings. The directions of the arrows in Figures 8 and 9 are consistent with each other. In some drawings, circuit boards CB1 and CB2, which will be described later, are omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0013] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view, as seen from above, of a connector 10 according to one embodiment in a state in which a connection object 60 is connected. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view, as seen from above, of the connector 10 according to one embodiment in a state in which the connector 10 is separated from the connection object 60. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the connector 10 has a first insulator 20 as a fixed insulator, a second insulator 30 as a movable insulator, a metal fitting 40, and contacts 50. The connection object 60 has an insulator 70, a metal fitting 80, and contacts 90.

[0014] In the following, for example, the connector 10 according to one embodiment will be described as a plug connector. For example, the connection object 60 will be described as a receptacle connector. A connector 10 in which the portions of the contacts 50 that come into contact with the contacts 90 do not elastically deform when the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are mated with each other will be described as a plug connector. On the other hand, a connection object 60 in which the portions of the contacts 90 that come into contact with the contacts 50 elastically deform when mated will be described as a receptacle connector. The types of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are not limited to these. For example, the connector 10 may function as a receptacle connector, and the connection object 60 may function as a plug connector.

[0015] In the following description, the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are mounted on circuit boards CB1 and CB2, respectively. The connector 10 electrically connects the circuit board CB1 to the circuit board CB2 on which the connection object 60 is mounted, via the connection object 60 mated with the second insulator 30 of the connector 10. The circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be rigid boards or any other circuit boards. For example, at least one of the circuit boards CB1 and CB2 may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPC).

[0016] In the following description, the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are connected to each other in a direction perpendicular to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. As an example, the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are connected to each other in the up-and-down direction. The mating direction when the second insulator 30 and the connection object 60 are mated to each other is perpendicular to the circuit board CB1.

[0017] The connection method is not limited to this. The connector 10 and the connection object 60 may be connected to each other in a direction parallel to the circuit boards CB1 and CB2. The connector 10 and the connection object 60 may be connected to each other so that one is perpendicular to the circuit board on which they are mounted and the other is parallel to the circuit board on which they are mounted.

[0018] In the following description, the "mating direction" refers to, for example, the up-down direction. The "short side direction of the connector 10" refers to, for example, the front-to-rear direction. The "width direction" refers to, for example, the front-to-rear direction. The "longitudinal direction of the connector 10" refers to, for example, the left-to-right direction. The "arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 50" refers to, for example, the left-to-right direction. The "mating side" refers to, for example, the lower side. The "removal side" refers to, for example, the upper side.

[0019] The "mated state" refers to a state in which the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are mated with each other, and the contacts 90 are elastically deformed due to contact with the contacts 50. The "unmated state" refers to a state in which the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are not mated with each other, and the contacts 90 are not elastically deformed due to an external force.

[0020] The connector 10 according to one embodiment has a floating structure. The connector 10 allows the connected connection object 60 to move relative to the circuit board CB1 in six directions, including up, down, front, back, left, and right. The connection object 60 can move within a predetermined range in the six directions, including up, down, front, back, left, and right, relative to the circuit board CB1, even when connected to the connector 10. In addition to the six directions, including up, down, front, back, left, and right, the connection object 60 can also move within a predetermined range in diagonal directions between the six directions.

[0021] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing the connector 10 alone in Fig. 1 as viewed from above. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 10 in Fig. 3 as viewed from above. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows VV in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the area VI enclosed by the dashed line in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the contact 50 alone in Fig. 4 as viewed from above.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the connector 10 is assembled, for example, by the following method: The metal fittings 40 are press-fitted into the first insulator 20 from below; The contacts 50 are press-fitted into the second insulator 30 from above; The second insulator 30, to which the contacts 50 are attached, is placed from below inside the first insulator 20 to which the metal fittings 40 are attached; and at this time, the contacts 50 are press-fitted into the first insulator 20 from below.

[0023] The following mainly describes the configuration of each component of the connector 10 in the non-mated state. The configuration of the first insulator 20 will be mainly described with reference to FIG.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4 , the first insulator 20 is a member extending in the left-right direction that is injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The first insulator 20 is formed in a frame shape. The first insulator 20 is hollow and has openings 21a and 21b on its upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The first insulator 20 has four side surfaces and an outer peripheral wall 22 that surrounds an internal space. More specifically, the outer peripheral wall 22 is formed by a pair of short walls 22a on both the left and right sides and a pair of long walls 22b on both the front and rear sides. The pair of short walls 22a and the pair of long walls 22b are perpendicular to each other and form the outer peripheral wall 22.

[0025] The first insulator 20 has a first restricting portion 23a formed by the inner surface of the short wall 22a. The first insulator 20 has a second restricting portion 23b formed by the inner surface of the long wall 22b. The first insulator 20 has a metal fitting mounting groove 24 recessed inside the first insulator 20 at the bottom of the short wall 22a. A metal fitting 40 is attached to the metal fitting mounting groove 24.

[0026] The first insulator 20 has a plurality of contact mounting grooves 25 extending in the up-down direction on the inner surface of the longitudinal wall 22b. A plurality of contacts 50 are mounted in each of the plurality of contact mounting grooves 25. The plurality of contact mounting grooves 25 are recessed and lined up at predetermined intervals from each other in the left-right direction.

[0027] The configuration of the second insulator 30 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 4. The second insulator 30 is disposed in the internal space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 22 of the first insulator 20 through the opening 21b, and is movable relative to the first insulator 20. The second insulator 30 is fitted into the connection object 60.

[0028] The second insulator 30 is a component extending in the left-right direction and injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The second insulator 30 is formed in an inverted T shape when viewed from the front. The second insulator 30 has a base 31 extending in the left-right direction at its lower part. The second insulator 30 has a wall 31a formed in the base 31 with a narrow width in the front-to-rear direction. The wall 31a is formed over the entire base 31 in the up-to-down direction. The wall 31a is formed over almost the entire left-to-right direction of the base 31 except for both left and right ends. As shown in FIG. 5, the wall 31a is formed in a rectangular shape in cross section and has a uniform front-to-rear width along the up-to-down direction.

[0029] 4, the second insulator 30 has a mating protrusion 32 that protrudes upward from the base 31 and is mated with the connection object 60. The portion of the mating protrusion 32 that is formed above the lower portion thereof is formed slightly wider in the left-right direction than the base 31 so as to protrude from the base 31 on both left-right sides.

[0030] The second insulator 30 has a mating recess 33 recessed into the upper surface of the mating protrusion 32. The second insulator 30 has a guide portion 34 formed along the upper edge of the mating protrusion 32 so as to surround the mating recess 33. The guide portion 34 is formed by an inclined surface that slopes obliquely outward from above to below at the upper edge of the mating protrusion 32.

[0031] The second insulator 30 has a plurality of contact mounting grooves 35 recessed into the inner surface of the fitting recess 33 in the front-rear direction, the outer surface of the fitting protrusion 32 in the front-rear direction, and the top surface of the fitting protrusion 32, and extending over substantially the entire fitting protrusion 32 in the up-down direction. A plurality of contacts 50 are mounted in the plurality of contact mounting grooves 35, respectively. The plurality of contact mounting grooves 35 are recessed side by side at predetermined intervals from each other in the left-right direction.

[0032] 5, the contact mounting groove 35 is recessed into the outer surface of the mating protrusion 32 in the front-to-rear direction from the bottom to the top of the mating protrusion 32. The lower end of the mating protrusion 32, where the lower end of the contact mounting groove 35 is located, is continuous with the wall portion 31a. The lower end of the contact mounting groove 35 recessed into the inner surface of the mating recess 33 in the front-to-rear direction is located inside the thickness of the mating protrusion 32.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4 , the second insulator 30 has retaining projections 36 that protrude outward in the left-right direction on both the left and right sides of the lower end of the base 31. The second insulator 30 has a first restricted portion 37a that is formed by an outer surface in the left-right direction. The first restricted portion 37a includes the outer surface in the left-right direction of the base 31 and the outer surface in the left-right direction of a lower portion of the mating protrusion 32 that is narrowed inward in the left-right direction. The second insulator 30 has a second restricted portion 37b that is formed by an outer surface in the front-rear direction. The second restricted portion 37b includes the outer surface in the front-rear direction of the lower portion of the mating protrusion 32. The outer surface that constitutes the second restricted portion 37b is formed so as to be sandwiched between one contact mounting groove 35 and another contact mounting groove 35 along the left-right direction.

[0034] The configuration of the metal fitting 40 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

[0035] The metal fitting 40 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 4. The method for forming the metal fitting 40 includes a step of punching the plate and then bending it in the thickness direction. When viewed from the front from the left and right direction, the metal fitting 40 is formed in a substantially inverted U shape.

[0036] The metal fitting 40 has mounting portions 41 that extend outward in an L-shape at the lower end on both the front and rear sides. The metal fitting 40 has locking portions 42 that extend upward from the upper end of the mounting portions 41. The metal fitting 40 has a base portion 43 that extends in the front-to-rear direction to connect the locking portions 42 on both the front and rear sides. The metal fitting 40 has a restricting portion 44 located in the center of the base portion 43 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0037] The configuration of the contact 50 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0038] The contact 50 is formed by stamping a thin plate of a spring-elastic copper alloy or a Corson copper alloy, for example, containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, into the shape shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. The contact 50 is formed by punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. The processing method for the contact 50 is not limited to this, and may include only the punching process. The contact 50 is formed from, for example, a metal material with a low elastic modulus so that the shape change due to elastic deformation is large. The surface of the contact 50 is plated with gold, tin, or the like after forming a nickel base.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, a plurality of contacts 50 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the connector 10. As shown in Fig. 5, the contacts 50 are attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30. A pair of contacts 50 arranged at the same left-right position are formed and arranged symmetrically with respect to each other along the front-rear direction. The pair of contacts 50 are formed and arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to a vertical axis passing through the center between them.

[0040] 6 and 7, the contact 50 has a first held portion 51 that extends in the vertical direction and is supported by the first insulator 20. The contact 50 has a mounting portion 52 that extends outward in an L-shape from the lower end of the first held portion 51. The first held portion 51 extends from the mounting portion 52 along the first insulator 20 and is disposed along the first insulator 20. The contact 50 has a first extending portion 53 that extends diagonally upward from the upper end of the first held portion 51 and is slightly inclined toward the second insulator 30.

[0041] The contact 50 has an elastically deformable first elastic portion 54 that is bent from the upper end of the first extending portion 53. The first elastic portion 54 is formed in an inverted U shape so as to bend back from the upper end of the first extending portion 53 toward the mating side. The first elastic portion 54 is bent at an angle of approximately 90° from the upper end of the first extending portion 53 and extends horizontally and linearly toward the second insulator 30. The tip of the first elastic portion 54 on the side of the second insulator 30 bends toward the mating side when the connection object 60 is mated with the second insulator 30. The tip of the first elastic portion 54 on the side of the second insulator 30 bends toward the mating side at an angle smaller than 90° from the portion of the first elastic portion 54 that extends horizontally and linearly toward the second insulator 30.

[0042] The contact 50 has a connecting portion 55 that slopes obliquely from the tip of the first elastic portion 54 on the second insulator 30 side toward the first insulator 20 side toward the mating side. The contact 50 has an elastically deformable second elastic portion 56 that forms a gentle curve from the lower end of the connecting portion 55 toward the removal side located opposite the mating side. The second elastic portion 56 is connected to the first elastic portion 54 by the connecting portion 55.

[0043] The contact 50 has a second extending portion 57 that extends from the second elastic portion 56 toward the removal side to a second held portion 58 (described later). The second extending portion 57 has a base portion 57a ​​that extends linearly so as to be parallel to the vertical direction, and a third elastic portion 57b that extends linearly obliquely upward from the upper end of the base portion 57a ​​and is slightly inclined toward the second insulator 30.

[0044] 5, the contact 50 has a second held portion 58 that extends upward from the upper end of the third elastic portion 57b of the second extending portion 57. The second held portion 58 is formed in the contact 50 from the upper end of the third elastic portion 57b of the second extending portion 57 to the tip of the contact 50. The second held portion 58 extends linearly upward from the upper end of the third elastic portion 57b of the second extending portion 57, is folded back at its upper end in an inverted U-shape, and extends linearly downward. The second held portion 58 is supported by the second insulator 30.

[0045] The contact 50 has a first contact portion 59a formed on the outer surface of the second held portion 58 in the front-to-rear direction, and a second contact portion 59b formed on the inner surface of the second held portion 58 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 6, the first held portion 51 of the contact 50 is engaged with the contact mounting groove 25 formed in the longitudinal wall 22b of the first insulator 20. The first held portion 51 is attached to the first insulator 20. As shown in Fig. 5, the second held portion 58 of the contact 50 is engaged with the contact mounting groove 35 formed in the fitting convex portion 32 of the second insulator 30. The second held portion 58 is attached to the second insulator 30. A first elastic portion 54 and a second elastic portion 56, both of which are elastically deformable, are formed between the first held portion 51 and the second held portion 58.

[0047] When the multiple contacts 50 are attached to the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30, the second contact portion 59b of each contact 50 is located inside the mating recess 33 of the second insulator 30. The second contact portion 59b of each contact 50 is arranged along the inner surface of the mating recess 33 in the front-to-rear direction, facing toward the inside of the mating recess 33. The first contact portion 59a of each contact 50 is arranged along the outer surface of the mating protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30 in the front-to-rear direction, facing toward the outside of the mating protrusion 32.

[0048] Each contact 50 supports the second insulator 30 in an internal space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 22 of the first insulator 20, with the second insulator 30 spaced apart from the first insulator 20 and floating.

[0049] When the second insulator 30 is held relative to the first insulator 20 by the contacts 50, the second insulator 30 is disposed at a distance from the first insulator 20 in the internal space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 22 of the first insulator 20. More specifically, the base 31 of the second insulator 30 is disposed in the internal space of the first insulator 20 surrounded by the pair of long walls 22b and the pair of short walls 22a. The base 31 of the second insulator 30 is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 22 of the first insulator 20.

[0050] The fitting protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30 protrudes upward from the opening 21a of the first insulator 20 and is located outside the internal space of the first insulator 20. The fitting protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30 is disposed above the outer peripheral wall 22 of the first insulator 20 in a state in which it can be fitted with the connection object 60.

[0051] At this time, the second restricted portion 37b of the second insulator 30 is located inside in the front-to-rear direction with respect to the second restricting portion 23b formed on the long-side wall 22b of the first insulator 20. As also shown in Fig. 3, the first restricted portion 37a of the second insulator 30 faces the first restricting portion 23a formed on the short-side wall 22a of the first insulator 20 from the inside in the left-to-right direction. The removal prevention protrusion 36 of the second insulator 30 faces the restricting portion 44 of the metal fitting 40 from below.

[0052] The locking portions 42 of the metal fittings 40 are locked into the metal fitting mounting grooves 24 of the first insulator 20. The metal fittings 40 are press-fitted into the metal fitting mounting grooves 24 of the first insulator 20 and are disposed at both left and right ends of the first insulator 20.

[0053] When the metal fitting 40 is attached to the first insulator 20, the base 43 of the metal fitting 40 is located at the left-right end of the internal space of the first insulator 20. When the second insulator 30 is held to the first insulator 20 by the contacts 50, the upper surface of the retaining projection 36 of the second insulator 30 faces the lower surface of the restricting portion 44 of the base 43 in the up-down direction.

[0054] 6, a first corner C1 of the first elastic portion 54 on the side of the first insulator 20 is bent at an angle of approximately 90° from the upper end of the first extending portion 53. The first corner C1 is shaped like a sectorial arc having a central angle of approximately 90°. A second corner C2 of the first elastic portion 54 on the side of the second insulator 30 is bent at an acute angle smaller than 90°. The second corner C2 is shaped like a sectorial arc having a central angle that is obtuse and greater than 90°.

[0055] The first elastic portion 54 extends linearly in the width direction from one of the first insulator 20 to the other of the second insulator 30. More specifically, the portion of the first elastic portion 54 located between the first corner C1 and the second corner C2 is formed as a straight line along the front-rear direction.

[0056] The second elastic portion 56 is bent in a gentle R-shape from the lower end of the connecting portion 55, which slopes diagonally from top to bottom outward in the front-to-rear direction, and is formed in an arc shape with its end point facing upward. The second elastic portion 56 is formed in the shape of a sectorial arc with a central angle of 180° or more. For example, the second elastic portion 56 is formed in the shape of a substantially semicircular arc. The second elastic portion 56 is formed so that the arc forming the second elastic portion 56 is aligned with the chord connecting both ends of the arc or is located closer to the mating side than the chord. The second elastic portion 56 is formed so that the arc faces the mating side.

[0057] The arc shape of the second elastic portion 56 may be formed by bending the contact 50 multiple times using a press die. The arc shape of the second elastic portion 56 may include an arc shape in which the radius of curvature varies partially to account for manufacturing errors. For example, the arc shape of the second elastic portion 56 may be divided into three parts and bent three times, each with a slightly different curvature.

[0058] The second elastic portion 56 is located closer to the mating side than the first elastic portion 54 when the connection object 60 is mated with the second insulator 30, and is formed in a curved shape. In this disclosure, the term "curved shape" includes, for example, a shape along a curve, and excludes a straight line, i.e., a shape along a line with a curvature of zero. The second elastic portion 56 is located closest to the mating side, i.e., the lower side, of the multiple components formed between the first held portion 51 and the second held portion 58 in the contact 50. In the contact 50, the first elastic portion 54 located on the removal side extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction, while the second elastic portion 56 located on the mating side extends curvedly in the front-to-rear direction.

[0059] In the width direction from one of the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30 to the other, the maximum width D1 of the second elastic portion 56 is larger than the distance D2 between the first elastic portion 54 and the second extending portion 57. The maximum width D1 of the second elastic portion 56 is equal to the length of a straight line connecting a first point located closest to the first insulator 20 on the arc forming the second elastic portion 56 and a second point located closest to the second insulator 30 on the arc forming the second elastic portion 56. The distance D2 corresponds to the distance from a portion of the second corner portion C2 of the first elastic portion 54 located closest to the second insulator 30 to a portion of the second extending portion 57 that is formed at the same vertical position as that portion.

[0060] In the width direction from one of the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30 to the other, the maximum width D1 of the second elastic portion 56 is larger than the maximum width D3 of the first elastic portion 54. In the width direction, the second elastic portion 56 is located closer to the second insulator 30 than the first elastic portion 54. The maximum width D3 of the first elastic portion 54 is the same as the maximum width of the first elastic portion 54 in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from above.

[0061] Because the connecting portion 55 is inclined obliquely from top to bottom in a straight line outward in the front-to-rear direction, the front-to-rear width of the space surrounded by the connecting portion 55, the second elastic portion 56, and the second extending portion 57 gradually increases from the removal side to the fitting side up to a maximum width D1. The front-to-rear width monotonically increases from the removal side to the fitting side up to the maximum width D1.

[0062] In the contact 50, the mounting portion 52, the first held portion 51, the first extending portion 53, the first elastic portion 54, the connecting portion 55, and a portion of the second elastic portion 56 are arranged along the first insulator 20. In the portion where these components are located, the first insulator 20 is formed between one contact 50 and another contact 50 adjacent to the one contact 50 in the left-right direction.

[0063] In the contact 50, the remaining part of the second elastic portion 56 and the second extending portion 57 are located between the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30. In the portion where these components are located, the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30 are not formed between one contact 50 and another contact 50 adjacent to the one contact 50 in the left-right direction.

[0064] As shown in Figure 7, the width direction of the contact 50 is parallel to the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 50. The thickness direction of the contact 50 is any direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and is included in a plane extending from top to bottom and from front to back. The thickness of the contact 50 is approximately uniform at any point on the contact 50. However, the width of the contact 50 in the left-right direction varies.

[0065] The first held portion 51 of the contact 50 is formed to be wide in the left-right direction so that it can be engaged with the contact mounting groove 25 of the first insulator 20. The second held portion 58 of the contact 50 is formed to be wide in the left-right direction so that it can be engaged with the contact mounting groove 35 of the second insulator 30. In the contact 50, the left-right width of the mounting portion 52 and the portion formed between the first held portion 51 and the second held portion 58 is smaller than the left-right width of each of the first held portion 51 and the second held portion 58 and is uniform.

[0066] The connector 10 having the above structure is mounted, for example, on a circuit formation surface formed on the mounting surface of a circuit board CB1. More specifically, the mounting portion 41 of the metal fitting 40 is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB1. The mounting portion 52 of the contact 50 is placed on the solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB1. By heating and melting the solder paste in a reflow oven or the like, the mounting portions 41 and 52 are soldered to the pattern. As a result, the mounting of the connector 10 on the circuit board CB1 is completed. Electronic components other than the connector 10, including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a controller, and memory, are mounted on the circuit formation surface of the circuit board CB1.

[0067] The structure of the connection object 60 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0068] Fig. 8 is an external perspective view showing, as viewed from above, a connection object 60 to be connected to the connector 10 of Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing, as viewed from above, the connection object 60 of Fig. 8.

[0069] 9, the connection object 60 has, as its major components, an insulator 70, a metal fitting 80, and a contact 90. The connection object 60 is assembled by press-fitting the metal fitting 80 into the insulator 70 from below, and then press-fitting the contact 90 into the insulator 70 from below.

[0070] The insulator 70 is a rectangular pillar-shaped component injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The insulator 70 has a mating recess 71 formed on its top surface. The insulator 70 has a mating protrusion 72 formed inside the mating recess 71. The insulator 70 has guide portions 73 formed across the upper edge portions of both left and right ends of the mating recess 71 so as to sandwich the mating recess 71 in the left-right direction. The guide portions 73 are formed by inclined surfaces that slope diagonally inward from above to below at the upper edge portions of both left and right ends of the mating recess 71.

[0071] The insulator 70 has metal fitting mounting grooves 74 recessed in the up-down direction at both left and right ends of its lower portion. Metal fittings 80 are attached to the metal fitting mounting grooves 74. The insulator 70 has a plurality of contact mounting grooves 75 recessed linearly over substantially the entire interior length in the up-down direction. A plurality of contacts 90 are attached to the plurality of contact mounting grooves 75, respectively. The plurality of contact mounting grooves 75 are formed at predetermined intervals from one another in the left-right direction.

[0072] The metal fitting 80 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 9. The metal fitting 80 is disposed on each of the left and right ends of the insulator 70. The metal fitting 80 has, at its lower end, a mounting portion 81 formed in an L-shape so as to extend outward in the left-right direction. The metal fitting 80 has a locking portion 82 formed contiguous with the mounting portion 81 and which locks onto the insulator 70. The locking portion 82 is connected to the mounting portion 81 at its lower edge.

[0073] The contact 90 is formed by stamping a thin plate of a spring-elastic copper alloy or a Corson copper alloy, for example, containing phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium copper, into the shape shown in FIG. 9 using a progressive die. The contact 90 is formed by punching only. The processing method for the contact 90 is not limited to this, and may include a step of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. The surface of the contact 90 is plated with gold, tin, or the like after forming a nickel base.

[0074] A plurality of contacts 90 are arranged in the left-right direction. Each contact 90 has a mounting portion 91 that extends linearly outward in the front-rear direction. Each contact 90 has a locking portion 92 that is formed continuous with the mounting portion 91. Each contact 90 has a resilient contact piece 93 that extends upward in a bifurcated manner from the locking portion 92. Each contact 90 has a first contact portion 94a located on the outer side of the resilient contact piece 93 in the front-rear direction. Each contact 90 has a second contact portion 94b located on the inner side of the resilient contact piece 93 in the front-rear direction.

[0075] 8, the metal fitting 80 is attached to the metal fitting mounting groove 74 of the insulator 70. For example, the locking portion 82 of the metal fitting 80 is locked into the metal fitting mounting groove 74 of the insulator 70. The metal fittings 80 are disposed at both the left and right ends of the insulator 70.

[0076] The multiple contacts 90 are respectively attached to the multiple contact mounting grooves 75 of the insulator 70. For example, the locking portions 92 of the contacts 90 are locked into the contact mounting grooves 75 of the insulator 70. At this time, the resilient contact pieces 93 of the contacts 90 are arranged inside the contact mounting grooves 75 so as to be resiliently deformable in the front-to-rear direction. The first contact portion 94a and the second contact portion 94b of the resilient contact piece 93 are exposed from the contact mounting grooves 75 and are positioned inside the fitting recess 71.

[0077] The connection object 60 having the above structure is mounted, for example, on a circuit formation surface formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB2. More specifically, the mounting portion 81 of the metal fitting 80 is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB2. The mounting portion 91 of the contact 90 is placed on the solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB2. By heating and melting the solder paste in a reflow oven or the like, the mounting portions 81 and 91 are soldered to the above-mentioned pattern. As a result, the mounting of the connection object 60 on the circuit board CB2 is completed. Electronic components other than the connection object 60, including, for example, a camera module and a sensor, are mounted on the circuit formation surface of the circuit board CB2.

[0078] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XX in Fig. 1. The operation of the connector 10 having a floating structure will be mainly described with reference to Fig. 10.

[0079] The first insulator 20 is fixed to the circuit board CB1 by soldering the mounting portion 52 of the contact 50 to the circuit board CB1. The second insulator 30 becomes movable relative to the first insulator 20 fixed to the circuit board CB1 by elastically deforming the contact 50.

[0080] 3, the second restricting portion 23b of the first insulator 20 restricts excessive movement of the second insulator 30 in the front-rear direction relative to the first insulator 20. For example, if the second insulator 30 moves in the front-rear direction significantly beyond the design value due to elastic deformation of the contact 50, the second restricted portion 37b of the second insulator 30 comes into contact with the second restricting portion 23b. This prevents the second insulator 30 from moving further outward in the front-rear direction.

[0081] The first restricting portion 23a of the first insulator 20 restricts excessive left-right movement of the second insulator 30 relative to the first insulator 20. For example, if the second insulator 30 moves significantly left-right beyond a design value due to elastic deformation of the contact 50, the first restricted portion 37a of the second insulator 30 comes into contact with the first restricting portion 23a. This prevents the second insulator 30 from moving further outward in the left-right direction.

[0082] The restricting portion 44 of the metal fitting 40 reduces upward slippage of the second insulator 30 relative to the first insulator 20. The restricting portion 44 of the metal fitting 40 restricts excessive upward movement of the second insulator 30 relative to the first insulator 20. For example, if the second insulator 30 moves upward significantly beyond its design value due to elastic deformation of the contacts 50, the retaining projection 36 of the second insulator 30 comes into contact with the restricting portion 44. This prevents the second insulator 30 from moving upward any further. The connector 10 can restrict excessive upward movement of the second insulator 30 by using a high-strength member such as the metal fitting 40.

[0083] With the connection object 60 facing upside down relative to the connector 10 having the floating structure described above, the connector 10 and the connection object 60 are placed facing each other in the up-down direction while their front-to-back and left-to-right positions are approximately aligned. Then, the connection object 60 is moved downward. At this time, even if their positions are slightly misaligned, for example, in the front-to-back or left-to-right directions, the guide portion 34 of the connector 10 and the guide portion 73 of the connection object 60 will come into contact.

[0084] As a result, the floating structure of the connector 10 causes the second insulator 30 to move relative to the first insulator 20. More specifically, the mating protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30 is guided into the mating recess 71 of the insulator 70. When the connection object 60 is further moved downward, the mating protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30 and the mating recess 71 of the insulator 70 fit together. At this time, the mating recess 33 of the second insulator 30 and the mating protrusion 72 of the insulator 70 fit together.

[0085] 10 , in a mated state in which the second insulator 30 of the connector 10 and the insulator 70 of the connection object 60 are mated with each other, the contacts 50 of the connector 10 and the contacts 90 of the connection object 60 come into contact with each other. More specifically, the first contact portion 59a of the contact 50 and the first contact portion 94a of the contact 90 come into contact with each other. The second contact portion 59b of the contact 50 and the second contact portion 94b of the contact 90 come into contact with each other. At this time, the elastic contact piece 93 of the contact 90 is slightly elastically deformed so that the width of the fork increases in the front-rear direction, and is elastically displaced in the front-rear direction inside the contact mounting groove 75.

[0086] As a result of the above, connector 10 is completely connected to connection object 60. At this time, circuit board CB1 and circuit board CB2 are electrically connected via contacts 50 and 90.

[0087] In this state, the elastic contact pieces 93 of the contacts 90 clamp the contacts 50 of the connector 10 from both the front and rear sides by elastic force along the front-rear direction. When the connection object 60 is removed from the connector 10, the resulting pressing force on the contacts 50 causes the second insulator 30 to receive a force in the removal direction, i.e., upward, via the contacts 50.

[0088] As a result, even if the second insulator 30 were to move upward, the restricting portion 44 of the metal fitting 40 press-fitted into the first insulator 20, as shown in Figure 3, reduces the likelihood of the second insulator 30 coming out. The restricting portion 44 is located inside the first insulator 20, directly above the retaining projection 36 of the second insulator 30. Therefore, when the second insulator 30 attempts to move upward, the retaining projection 36 protruding outward comes into contact with the restricting portion 44. This prevents the second insulator 30 from moving upward any further.

[0089] The following description will focus mainly on the connector 10 and explain its effects, but the same explanation also applies to electronic devices that have the connector 10.

[0090] According to the connector 10 of the embodiment described above, the mobility of the connector 10 is improved in all directions, including the mating direction as well as oblique directions inclined from the mating direction. In the connector 10, the second elastic portion 56 is located closer to the mating side than the first elastic portion 54 and is formed in a curved shape. In addition, in the width direction, the maximum width D1 of the second elastic portion 56 is greater than the distance D2 between the first elastic portion 54 and the second extending portion 57. The second elastic portion 56 is formed in a curved shape with a small curvature.

[0091] By increasing the radius of curvature of the second elastic portion 56, stress caused by elastic deformation of the contact 50 due to movement of the second insulator 30 is dispersed in the second elastic portion 56. This allows the contact 50 to accommodate diagonal movement of the second insulator 30. Even when the connection object 60 is inserted or removed obliquely into or from the connector 10, i.e., when the second insulator 30 moves obliquely, the contact 50 can flexibly and elastically deform at the second elastic portion 56. The contact 50 can accommodate movement of the second insulator 30 in the mating direction and in oblique directions. As a result, the mobility of the connector 10 is improved in the mating direction and in oblique directions. Similarly, the mating performance when mating the connection object 60 with the connector 10 is improved in the mating direction and in oblique directions.

[0092] The contact 50 further includes a connecting portion 55 that connects the first elastic portion 54 and the second elastic portion 56, thereby increasing the distance between the first elastic portion 54 and the second elastic portion 56. This reduces the effect that elastic deformation of one of the first elastic portion 54 and the second elastic portion 56 may have on the other.

[0093] By having the connecting portion 55 inclined diagonally in a straight line from the tip of the first elastic portion 54 on the second insulator 30 side toward the first insulator 20 toward the mating side, the range over which the second elastic portion 56 can disperse stress caused by elastic deformation of the contact 50 as the second insulator 30 moves is further expanded. Because the connecting portion 55 is formed in a straight line and does not have any bending portions, stress is less likely to concentrate in parts of the contact 50 other than the second elastic portion 56. As a result, the mobility and mating performance of the connector 10 described above are further improved. The mobility and mating performance of the connector 10 are further improved in the mating direction and in diagonal directions. For example, mobility in the vertical direction is also improved.

[0094] In the contacts 50, in the area where the remaining part of the second elastic portion 56 and the second extending portion 57 are located, the first insulator 20 is not formed between one contact 50 and another contact 50 adjacent to the one contact 50 in the left-right direction. This allows the connector 10 to reduce contact between the metal contact 50 and the resin first insulator 20 when the second elastic portion 56 of the contact 50 elastically deforms in accordance with the movement of the second insulator 30. This reduces damage to the first insulator 20. Therefore, the connector 10 can achieve stable floating operation and improve product reliability. In addition, the mobility of the connector 10 due to the elastic deformation of the contacts 50 is further improved.

[0095] The first elastic portion 54 extends linearly along the width direction, which can contribute to miniaturizing the connector 10 along the mating direction, i.e., reducing its height, compared to when it extends significantly upward in a curved shape, for example.

[0096] In the width direction, the second elastic portion 56 is positioned closer to the second insulator 30 than the first elastic portion 54, and therefore is positioned in a curved shape, for example, an arc shape, closer to the second insulator 30 where stress is likely to concentrate. This makes it easier for concentrated stress to be dispersed in the second elastic portion 56 of the contact 50.

[0097] The second elastic portion 56 is formed in the shape of a sectorial arc having a central angle of 180° or more, which increases the range over which the stress caused by the elastic deformation of the contacts 50 accompanying the movement of the second insulator 30 can be dispersed by the second elastic portion 56. This further improves the mobility and mating performance of the connector 10 described above.

[0098] By making the width direction of the contacts 50 parallel to the arrangement direction of the multiple contacts 50, the strength of the contacts 50 along the arrangement direction is improved. Therefore, the connector 10 can improve the robustness of the contacts 50 against elastic deformation of the contacts 50 that occurs as the second insulator 30 moves. Therefore, the connector 10 can achieve stable floating operation, and can improve the reliability of the product.

[0099] The second insulator 30 having the guide portion 34 facilitates the guide between the fitting recess 71 of the connection object 60 and the fitting protrusion 32 of the second insulator 30, thereby realizing a good floating structure in the connector 10. This facilitates the insertion of the connection object 60 into the connector 10.

[0100] Because the contacts 50 are made of a metal material with a small modulus of elasticity, the connector 10 can ensure the required amount of movement of the second insulator 30 even when a small force is applied to the second insulator 30. The second insulator 30 can move smoothly relative to the first insulator 20. This allows the connector 10 to easily absorb misalignment when mating with the connection target 60.

[0101] The connector 10 absorbs vibrations caused by some external factor through elastic deformation of the contacts 50. This reduces the possibility of a large force being applied to the mounting portion 52 of the contacts 50. This reduces damage to the connection portion with the circuit board CB1. This reduces the risk of cracks occurring in the solder at the connection portion between the circuit board CB1 and the mounting portion 52. This improves connection reliability even when the connector 10 and the connection target 60 are connected.

[0102] The metal fitting 40 is press-fitted into the first insulator 20 and the mounting portion 41 is soldered to the circuit board CB1, so that the metal fitting 40 can stably fix the first insulator 20 to the circuit board CB1. The metal fitting 40 improves the mounting strength of the first insulator 20 to the circuit board CB1.

[0103] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the foregoing description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the foregoing description but by the appended claims. All modifications within the range of equivalents of any modifications are intended to be embraced therein.

[0104] For example, the shape, size, arrangement, orientation, and number of each of the components described above are not limited to those described above and illustrated in the drawings, and may be arbitrarily configured as long as the function can be realized.

[0105] The method for assembling the connector 10 and the connection object 60 described above is not limited to the above description. The method for assembling the connector 10 and the connection object 60 may be any method as long as the connector 10 and the connection object 60 can be assembled in such a way that their respective functions can be exerted.

[0106] For example, at least one of the metal fittings 40 and the contacts 50 may be integrally molded with the first insulator 20 by insert molding rather than press fitting. For example, the contacts 50 may be integrally molded with the second insulator 30 by insert molding rather than press fitting. For example, at least one of the metal fittings 80 and the contacts 90 may be integrally molded with the insulator 70 by insert molding rather than press fitting.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the contact 50 is described as further including the connecting portion 55 connecting the first elastic portion 54 and the second elastic portion 56, but is not limited to this. In the contact 50, the first elastic portion 54 and the second elastic portion 56 may be directly connected to each other.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the first elastic portion 54 is described as extending linearly in the width direction, but this is not limited thereto. The first elastic portion 54 may be formed in a curved shape in the width direction. For example, the first elastic portion 54 may be formed in an arc shape that is bent in a gentle R-shape from the upper end of the first extending portion 53 and whose end faces downward. The first elastic portion 54 may be formed in the shape of a sectorial arc having a central angle of 180° or more. For example, the first elastic portion 54 may be formed in the shape of a substantially semicircular arc. The first elastic portion 54 may be formed so that the arc forming the first elastic portion 54 is aligned with a chord connecting both ends of the arc or is located closer to the removal side than the chord. The first elastic portion 54 may be formed so that the arc faces the removal side.

[0109] In the contact 50, the first elastic portion 54, which is formed so that its arc faces the removal side, and the second elastic portion 56, which is formed so that its arc faces the fitting side, may be directly connected to each other without the connecting portion 55. In the contact 50, the first elastic portion 54 and the second elastic portion 56 may be formed so that their overall shape resembles an inverted S-shape.

[0110] FIG. 11 is a side view of the contact 50 alone, showing a first modified example of the contact 50. As shown in FIG.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 55 is described as being inclined obliquely linearly from the tip of the first elastic portion 54 on the second insulator 30 side toward the first insulator 20 toward the fitting side, but is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 11 , the connecting portion 55 may extend linearly from the tip of the first elastic portion 54 on the second insulator 30 side toward the fitting side. The connecting portion 55 may also extend linearly directly downward from the tip of the first elastic portion 54 on the second insulator 30 side. In this case, the second elastic portion 56 may be connected to the lower end of the connecting portion 55 in the shape of a sectorial arc having a central angle greater than 180° so that the maximum width D1 in the width direction is greater than the distance D2.

[0112] The connecting portion 55 may be formed in any shape between the first elastic portion 54 and the second elastic portion 56, as long as the maximum width D1 in the width direction is greater than the distance D2. For example, the connecting portion 55 may be formed with at least a portion curved. In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 55 is linearly inclined obliquely from top to bottom toward the outside in the front-to-rear direction, and therefore the front-to-rear width of the space surrounded by the connecting portion 55, the second elastic portion 56, and the second extending portion 57 gradually increases from the removal side to the fitting side to the maximum width D1. However, this is not limited to this. The front-to-rear width does not have to increase monotonically from the removal side to the fitting side to the maximum width D1.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the first insulator 20 is formed between one contact 50 and another adjacent contact 50 in the portion of the contact 50 where the first elastic portion 54 and the connecting portion 55 are located, but this is not limited to this. The first insulator 20 does not have to be formed between one contact 50 and another adjacent contact 50 in the portion of the contact 50 where the first elastic portion 54 and the connecting portion 55 are located. The first elastic portion 54 and the connecting portion 55 may be exposed from the contact mounting groove 25 of the first insulator 20 and positioned between the first insulator 20 and the second insulator 30.

[0114] This allows the connector 10 to further reduce contact between the metal contacts 50 and the resin first insulator 20 when the first elastic portion 54 and the second elastic portion 56 of the contacts 50 elastically deform as the second insulator 30 moves. This further reduces damage to the first insulator 20. As a result, the connector 10 can achieve a more stable floating operation, further improving product reliability. In addition, the mobility of the connector 10 associated with the elastic deformation of the contacts 50 is further improved.

[0115] In addition, if the contact 50 contacts the first insulator 20 when it elastically deforms in accordance with the movement of the second insulator 30, the portion of the contact 50 located between the contact portion and the second held portion 58 becomes elastically deformable. Therefore, in the portion of the contact 50 where the first elastic portion 54 and the connecting portion 55 are located, if the first insulator 20 is not formed between one contact 50 and another adjacent contact 50, the contact portion, even if it exists, will be located closer to the first insulator 20. Therefore, shortening of the spring due to the occurrence of the contact portion is mitigated.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the second elastic portion 56 is described as being a sectorial arc having a central angle of 180° or more, but is not limited to this. The second elastic portion 56 may be formed in any curved shape other than an arc. For example, the second elastic portion 56 may be formed in a curved shape corresponding to the periphery of an ellipse. In the above embodiment, the second elastic portion 56 is described as being formed in an arc shape facing the fitting side, but is not limited to this. The second elastic portion 56 may be formed in an arc shape facing the removal side.

[0117] The second elastic portion 56 is formed in a curved shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the ellipse, which makes it easier to disperse stress caused by elastic deformation of the contact 50 accompanying movement of the second insulator 30 in the second elastic portion 56. The second elastic portion 56 is formed in a curved shape corresponding to the arc of a sector, which makes it easier to disperse stress caused by elastic deformation of the contact 50 accompanying movement of the second insulator 30 in the second elastic portion 56 than in the case of an ellipse.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the width direction of the contact 50 is described as being parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts 50, but this is not limited to this. The width direction of the contact 50 may be parallel to any direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of contacts 50, as long as the contact 50 can achieve the above-described functions.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the first elastic portion 54 of the contact 50 is bent at an angle of approximately 90° from the upper end of the first extending portion 53 and extends horizontally and linearly toward the second insulator 30, but is not limited to this. The first elastic portion 54 may be bent at an angle of approximately 90° from the upper end of the first extending portion 53 and extend obliquely toward the second insulator 30.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the second extension portion 57 of the contact 50 has been described as having the base portion 57a ​​extending linearly and parallel to the vertical direction, but this is not limited thereto. The second extension portion 57 may be formed so that the base portion 57a ​​is also non-parallel to the vertical direction, or at least a portion of the entire second extension portion 57, including the base portion 57a ​​and the third elastic portion 57b, may be formed non-linearly. Conversely, the second extension portion 57 may be formed linearly as a whole, parallel to the vertical direction, based only on the base portion 57a, without including the third elastic portion 57b.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the first retained portion 51 of the contact 50 is described as being formed wide in the left-right direction so that it can be locked into the contact mounting groove 25 of the first insulator 20, but this is not limiting. The first retained portion 51 does not have to be formed wide in the left-right direction, assuming that it will be insert-molded rather than press-fitted.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the second retained portion 58 of the contact 50 is described as being formed wide in the left-right direction so that it can be locked into the contact mounting groove 35 of the second insulator 30, but this is not limiting. The second retained portion 58 does not have to be formed wide in the left-right direction, assuming that it will be insert-molded rather than press-fitted.

[0123] In the above embodiment, the first extending portion 53 of the contact 50 is described as extending obliquely upward from the upper end of the first held portion 51, but this is not limited thereto. The first extending portion 53 does not have to extend obliquely upward from the upper end of the first held portion 51. For example, the first extending portion 53 may extend linearly directly upward from the upper end of the first held portion 51.

[0124] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 5, showing a second modified example of the contact 50. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 5, showing a third modified example of the contact 50. In the above embodiment, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the first corner C1 is bent at an angle of approximately 90°, and the second corner C2 is bent at an angle of approximately 90°, but this is not limited to these embodiments.

[0125] The first corner C1 does not have to be bent at an angle of approximately 90°. When the thickness of the first elastic portion 54 is d, the radius of curvature of the first corner C1 may be 1.0d or more and 20d or less, or may be 1.3d or more and 20d or less, 1.5d or more and 20d or less, or 1.7d or more and 20d or less.

[0126] The second corner C2 does not have to be bent at an angle of approximately 90°. When the thickness of the first elastic portion 54 is d, the radius of curvature of the second corner C2 may be 1.0d or more and 20d or less, or may be 1.3d or more and 20d or less, 1.5d or more and 20d or less, or 1.7d or more and 20d or less.

[0127] The first elastic portion 54 is not limited to a configuration that extends horizontally and linearly from the first corner C1 to the second corner C2. The first elastic portion 54 does not have to be horizontal, and may be configured as an arc overall without any linear portions. The sum of the radii of curvature of the first corner C1 and the second corner C2 may be any value between 2.0d and 25d, where d is the thickness of the first elastic portion 54.

[0128] In FIG. 12, as an example, the first corner C1 and the second corner C2 are formed symmetrically to each other. The radius of curvature of the first corner C1 and the radius of curvature of the second corner C2 are the same. In FIG. 13, as an example, the first corner C1 and the second corner C2 are formed asymmetrically to each other. The radius of curvature of the first corner C1 and the radius of curvature of the second corner C2 are different from each other. The radius of curvature of the first corner C1 is larger than the radius of curvature of the second corner C2.

[0129] The configuration of the contact 50 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 makes the contact 50 less likely to be broken by stress applied thereto.

[0130] Although the contacts 50 have been described as being made of a metal material with a low elastic modulus, the contacts 50 are not limited to this and may be made of a metal material with any elastic modulus as long as the required amount of elastic deformation can be ensured.

[0131] Although the connection object 60 has been described as a receptacle connector to be connected to the circuit board CB2, it is not limited to this. The connection object 60 may be any object other than a connector. For example, the connection object 60 may be an FPC, a flexible flat cable, a rigid board, or a card edge of any circuit board.

[0132] The connector 10 described above is mounted on an electronic device. The electronic device includes any in-vehicle device, such as a camera, radar, drive recorder, or engine control unit. The electronic device includes any in-vehicle device used in an in-vehicle system, such as a car navigation system, an advanced driver assistance system, or a security system. The electronic device includes any information device, such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction device. The electronic device also includes any industrial equipment.

[0133] In such electronic devices, the connector 10 having a floating structure improves the mobility of the connector 10 in any direction, including the mating direction as well as oblique directions inclined from the mating direction. This reduces damage such as solder cracks in the mounting portion 52 of the contacts 50. Therefore, defects such as deformation and breakage of the contacts 50 are reduced. As a result, the reliability of electronic devices equipped with the connector 10 as products is improved.

[0134] The excellent floating structure of the connector 10 absorbs misalignment between circuit boards, improving workability when assembling electronic devices. This makes it easier to manufacture electronic devices. The connector 10 reduces damage to the connection with the circuit board CB1, further improving the reliability of the electronic device as a product.

[0135] The following concepts can be extracted from this disclosure: (1) a first insulator formed in a frame shape; a second insulator disposed inside the first insulator, movable relative to the first insulator, and adapted to fit with a connection object; a plurality of contacts attached to the first insulator and the second insulator; Equipped with The contact a first held portion attached to the first insulator; a second held portion attached to the second insulator; a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion formed between the first held portion and the second held portion and both elastically deformable; an extending portion extending from the second elastic portion to the second held portion; and The second elastic portion is the first elastic portion is located closer to the mating side when the connection object is mated with the second insulator, It is formed in a curved shape, In a width direction from one of the first insulator and the second insulator to the other, a maximum width of the second elastic portion is larger than a distance between the first elastic portion and the extension portion. connector. (2) The connector according to (1) above, The second elastic portion is formed in a curved shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the ellipse. connector. (3) The connector according to (1) above, The second elastic portion is formed in a curved shape corresponding to the arc of the sector. connector. (4) The connector according to any one of (1) to (3) above, The contact further includes a connecting portion connecting the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion. connector. (5) The connector according to (4) above, the connecting portion is inclined obliquely linearly from a tip of the first elastic portion on the second insulator side toward the fitting side toward the first insulator, connector. (6) The connector according to any one of (1) to (5) above, The first elastic portion extends linearly along the width direction. connector. (7) The connector according to any one of (1) to (6) above, In the width direction, the maximum width of the second elastic portion is larger than the maximum width of the first elastic portion. connector. (8) The connector according to any one of (1) to (7) above, In the width direction, the second elastic portion is located closer to the second insulator than the first elastic portion. connector. (9) The connector according to (3) above, The second elastic portion is an arc of the sector having a central angle of 180° or more, and is formed in the shape of the arc facing the fitting side. connector. (10) An electronic device comprising the connector according to any one of (1) to (9) above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 10 Connectors 20 First insulator 21a opening 21b opening 22 Outer wall 22a short wall 22b Longitudinal wall 23a First Regulatory Section 23b Second Regulatory Division 24 Bracket mounting groove 25 Contact mounting groove 30 Second insulator 31 Base 31a Wall section 32 mating protrusion 33 Fitting recess 34 Recruitment Department 35 Contact mounting groove 36 Anti-slip projection 37a 1st regulated part 37b Second regulated part 40 Metal fittings 41 Mounting section 42 Locking part 43 Base 44 Regulatory Department 50 contacts 51 1st held part 52 Mounting section 53 1st extension part 54 First elastic part 55 Connecting part 56 Second elastic part 57 Second extension part (extension part) 57a Base 57b Third elastic part 58 2nd held part 59a 1st contact part 59b 2nd contact part 60 Connected Objects 70 Insulator 71 Fitting recess 72 mating protrusion 73 Recruitment Department 74 Metal fitting mounting groove 75 Contact mounting groove 80 Metal fittings 81 Mounting section 82 Locking part 90 Contacts 91 Mounting section 92 Locking part 93 Elastic contact piece 94a 1st contact part 94b 2nd contact part C1 1st corner C2 2nd corner CB1 circuit board CB2 circuit board D1 Maximum width D2 interval

Claims

1. a first insulator formed in a frame shape; a second insulator disposed inside the first insulator, movable relative to the first insulator, and adapted to fit with a connection object; a plurality of contacts attached to the first insulator and the second insulator; Equipped with The contact a first held portion attached to the first insulator; a second held portion attached to the second insulator; a first elastic portion and a second elastic portion formed between the first held portion and the second held portion and both elastically deformable; an extending portion extending from the second elastic portion to the second held portion; and The second elastic portion is the connecting object is located closer to the fitting side than the first elastic portion when the connecting object is fitted into the second insulator, It is formed in a curved shape, a maximum width of the second elastic portion in a width direction from one of the first insulator and the second insulator to the other is greater than a distance between the first elastic portion and the extension portion; connector.

2. 2. The connector of claim 1, The second elastic portion is formed in a curved shape corresponding to the outer periphery of an ellipse. connector.

3. 2. The connector of claim 1, The second elastic portion is formed in a curved shape corresponding to the arc of the sector. connector.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 1, The contact further includes a connecting portion connecting the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion. connector.

5. 5. The connector according to claim 4, the connecting portion is inclined obliquely linearly from a tip of the first elastic portion on the second insulator side toward the fitting side toward the first insulator, connector.

6. 4. The connector according to claim 1, The first elastic portion extends linearly along the width direction. connector.

7. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, In the width direction, the maximum width of the second elastic portion is larger than the maximum width of the first elastic portion. connector.

8. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, In the width direction, the second elastic portion is located closer to the second insulator than the first elastic portion. connector.

9. 4. The connector according to claim 3, the second elastic portion is an arc of the sector having a central angle of 180° or more, and is formed in the shape of the arc facing the fitting side; connector.

10. An electronic device comprising the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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