connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of electrically connecting a contact to a flexible conductor of a connection object even when the flexible conductor is exposed on either a front or back surface of the connection object.SOLUTION: An inner contact 18 includes a first component 18A including a contact portion P1 that is elastically displaceable and contacts a plug contact 13, and a second component 18B including a pressing portion P2 that can be elastically displaced independently of the elastic displacement of the contact portion P1, and a part of a sheet-like conductive member 15 is sandwiched between the pressing portion P2 and an inner surface of a recess 13C of the plug contact 13 in a direction perpendicular to a fitting axis, and the inner surface of the recess 13C contacts a surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and the pressing portion P2 contacts a back surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector, and particularly to a connector that is connected to a sheet-like object to be connected in which a flexible conductor is exposed on at least one surface.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, so-called smart clothing that can acquire user's biological information such as heart rate and body temperature just by wearing it has attracted attention. This smart clothing includes electrodes arranged at measurement locations, and by electrically connecting a wearable device as a measuring device to the electrodes, it becomes possible to transmit biological information to the wearable device. The connection between the electrode and the wearable device can be made, for example, by using a connector connected to a flexible conductor drawn from the electrode.

[0003] As this type of connector, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector as shown in FIG. 35. The connector has a housing 2 and a base member 3 arranged on both sides of a flexible substrate 1 with the flexible substrate 1 sandwiched therebetween. The cylindrical portion 4A of the contact 4 is passed through the contact through-hole 2A of the housing 2, and the flange 4B of the contact 4 is sandwiched between the housing 2 and a flexible conductor 1A exposed on the surface of the flexible substrate 1.

[0004] In this state, by pushing the base member 3 toward the housing 2, as shown in FIG. 36, the projection 3A of the base member 3 is inserted into the projection housing portion 4C of the contact 4 with the flexible substrate 1 sandwiched therebetween, and the inner surface of the projection housing portion 4C contacts the flexible conductor 1A with a predetermined contact force, whereby the contact 4 is electrically connected to the flexible conductor 1A. Also, as shown in FIG. 34, by press-fitting a housing fixing post 3B protruding from the base member 3 into a post housing portion 2B of the housing 2, the housing 2 and the base member 3 are fixed to each other.

Prior Art Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-129244 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] By mating a wearable device to the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the wearable device can be connected to an electrode made of a flexible conductor. However, when the flexible conductor 1B is exposed on the back surface of the flexible substrate 1, the connector in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the flexible conductor 1B cannot be electrically connected to the contact 4.

[0007] This invention was made to solve the problems of the conventional methods, and aims to provide a connector that can electrically connect the contacts to the flexible conductor of an object to be connected, regardless of whether the flexible conductor is exposed on the front or back surface of the object to be connected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The connector according to this invention is A cylindrical conductive plug contact having a recess extending along the mating axis, A conductive inner contact consisting of a plate member inserted into the recess and Equipped with, The plate member is, A first component includes a contact portion that is elastically displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the mating axis and that contacts the plug contact within the recess, A second component includes a pressing portion that is elastically displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the fitting axis, independently of the elastic displacement of the contact portion in the first component, A connecting part that connects the first component and the second component so as to be spaced apart from each other along the fitting axis. It has, When a portion of a sheet-like object to be connected, on which a flexible conductor is exposed on at least one side, is sandwiched between a pressing portion and the inner surface of a recess in a direction perpendicular to the mating axis, and the inner surface of the recess contacts the surface of the object to be connected, and the pressing portion contacts the back surface of the object to be connected, the plug contact is electrically connected directly to the flexible conductor when the flexible conductor is exposed on the surface of the object to be connected, and when the flexible conductor is exposed on the back surface of the object to be connected, the plug contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor via an inner contact.

[0009] The second component is preferably positioned closer to the open end of the recess than the first component.

[0010] The first component can be configured such that it has at least two cantilevered beams on both sides of the fitting shaft, each extending in a direction perpendicular to the fitting shaft, and that contact points are formed at the ends of at least two cantilevered beams. The first component may also have two pairs of cantilever beams that are connected to each other and positioned opposite each other.

[0011] The first component may also be configured to have a cantilevered beam portion positioned on one side of the fitting shaft and extending in a direction perpendicular to the fitting shaft, and a flat plate portion positioned on the other side of the fitting shaft and extending in a direction perpendicular to the fitting shaft, with contact portions formed at the ends of the cantilevered beam portion and the flat plate portion, respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, the first component may have a double-supported beam portion extending in both a direction perpendicular to the fitting axis and a direction along the fitting axis, and the double-supported beam portion may be configured such that a pair of contact portions facing opposite directions in the direction perpendicular to the fitting axis are formed thereon. The first component may also have an auxiliary connecting portion that extends along the fitting axis and connects the tip of the double-supported beam portion in the direction along the fitting axis to the base of the first component.

[0013] Furthermore, the second component may also be configured to have at least one arm that is bent or curved around the fitting axis, and to have a pressing portion formed on the outer surface of at least one arm that faces in a direction perpendicular to the fitting axis. In this case, the second component preferably has a pair of arms that are bent or curved in opposite directions.

[0014] The plug contact preferably has a cylindrical portion and a flange formed at one end of the cylindrical portion, and the recess is preferably located inside the cylindrical portion.

[0015] It has an insulating housing for holding the object to be connected, the plug contact and the inner contact, Housing is A top insulator having a contact through-hole formed through which the cylindrical portion of the plug contact passes and which is smaller than the flange, A bottom insulator having a retaining part for holding the inner contact It has, It is preferable that the cylindrical portion of the plug contact passes through the contact through-hole, and that the top insulator is fixed to the bottom insulator so as to sandwich the object to be connected and the flange between the top insulator and the bottom insulator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, an inner contact inserted into a recess of a plug contact includes a first component that is elastically displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the fitting axis and includes a contact portion that contacts the plug contact within the recess, a second component that includes a pressing portion that is elastically displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the fitting axis independently of the elastic displacement of the contact portion in the first component, and a connecting portion that connects the first component and the second component. A part of the object to be connected is sandwiched between the pressing portion and the inner surface of the recess in a direction orthogonal to the fitting axis, the inner surface of the recess contacts the surface of the object to be connected, and the pressing portion contacts the back surface of the object to be connected. Thus, when the flexible conductor is exposed on the surface of the object to be connected, the plug contact is directly electrically connected to the flexible conductor, and when the flexible conductor is exposed on the back surface of the object to be connected, the plug contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor via the inner contact. Therefore, even when the flexible conductor is exposed on the back surface of the object to be connected, it is possible to electrically connect the contact to the flexible conductor of the object to be connected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 1 seen from obliquely above. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of the connector according to Embodiment 1 seen from obliquely below. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing a top insulator used in the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing a bottom insulator used in the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing a plug contact used in the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing a plug contact used in the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of an object to be connected, which is connected to the connector of Embodiment 1, seen from obliquely above. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the object to be connected to the connector of Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally below. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing the reinforcing sheet used in the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view showing the inner contact used in the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 12] This is a front view showing the inner contact used in the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 13] This is a plan view showing the inner contact used in the connector of Embodiment 1. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 1, which is held by the bottom insulator. [Figure 15] This is a partial side cross-sectional view showing the state inside the plug contact into which the inner contact of the connector of Embodiment 1, which is connected to an object to be connected, is inserted. [Figure 16] This is a partial side cross-sectional view from a different direction than that shown in Figure 15, showing the state inside the plug contact into which the inner contact is inserted in the connector of Embodiment 1 that is connected to the object to be connected. [Figure 17] This is a partial plan cross-sectional view showing the state inside the plug contact into which the inner contact of the connector of Embodiment 1, which is connected to an object to be connected, is inserted. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 2. [Figure 19] This is a front view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 2. [Figure 20] This is a plan view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 2. [Figure 21] This is a perspective view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 3. [Figure 22] This is a front view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 3. [Figure 23] This is a plan view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 3. [Figure 24] This is a side view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 3. [Figure 25] This is a perspective view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 4. [Figure 26] This is a front view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 4. [Figure 27] This is a plan view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 4. [Figure 28] This is a perspective view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 5. [Figure 29] This is a front view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 5. [Figure 30] This is a plan view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 5. [Figure 31] This is a perspective view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 6. [Figure 32] This is a front view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 6. [Figure 33] This is a plan view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 6. [Figure 34] This is a perspective view showing the inner contact in Embodiment 7. [Figure 35] This is a disassembled perspective view of a conventional connector. [Figure 36] This is a partial cross-sectional view showing a conventional connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Embodiment 1 Figure 1 shows a connector 11 according to Embodiment 1. The connector 11 is used, for example, as a clothing-side connector for mating a wearable device, and has a housing 12 made of an insulating material. The housing 12 holds four plug contacts 13, and the housing 12 also holds a reinforcing sheet 14 and a sheet-like conductive member 15 in a superimposed state. The sheet-like conductive member 15 constitutes the object to which the connector 11 is connected. The four plug contacts 13 are arranged in two parallel rows and positioned to protrude perpendicularly from the sheet-like conductive member 15.

[0019] For convenience, the reinforcing sheet 14 and the sheet-like conductive member 15 extend along the XY plane, the direction in which the four plug contacts 13 are arranged is called the Y direction, and the direction in which each of the four plug contacts 13 protrudes is called the +Z direction. The Z direction is the mating direction in which the connector 11 mates with the mating connector.

[0020] Figures 2 and 3 show exploded perspective views of the connector 11. The connector 11 has a top insulator 16 and a bottom insulator 17, and these top insulator 16 and bottom insulator 17 constitute the housing 12.

[0021] Four plug contacts 13 are held in the top insulator 16, and a reinforcing sheet 14 is placed on the back surface of the top insulator 16 in the -Z direction, with a sheet-like conductive member 15 placed on the -Z direction side of the reinforcing sheet 14. Furthermore, four inner contacts 18 are placed on the -Z direction side of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and a bottom insulator 17 is placed on the -Z direction side of the inner contacts 18. The four inner contacts 18 correspond to the four plug contacts 13, respectively.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the top insulator 16 has a recess 16A that opens in the +Z direction and four contact through holes 16B formed within the recess 16A. The recess 16A constitutes a mating connector housing portion in which a part of the mating connector (not shown) is housed, and the four contact through holes 16B correspond to four plug contacts 13. In addition, a plurality of bosses 16C are formed on the surface of the top insulator 16 facing the -Z direction, each projecting in the -Z direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the bottom insulator 17 has a flat plate portion 17A, and four circular recesses 17B are formed in the flat plate portion 17A, each opening in the +Z direction. The four recesses 17B correspond to four plug contacts 13. Each of the four recesses 17B has a retaining hole 17C for holding the inner contact 18. Furthermore, the flat plate portion 17A has multiple through holes 17D that correspond to the multiple bosses 16C of the top insulator 16.

[0024] Each of the four plug contacts 13 is formed from a conductive material such as metal and connects to the corresponding contact of a mating connector when a part of a mating connector (not shown) is housed in the recess 16A of the top insulator 16. As shown in Figure 6, the plug contact 13 has a cylindrical portion 13A extending in the Z direction along the mating axis C, and a flange 13B extending along the XY plane from the -Z end of the cylindrical portion 13A. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, a recess 13C is formed inside the cylindrical portion 13A, which is open toward the -Z direction. The mating shaft C is a shaft that passes through the center of the cylindrical portion 13A and extends in the direction of mating between the connector 11 and the mating connector. Furthermore, although the cylindrical portion 13A has a cylindrical shape, as long as it has a recess 13C inside, the cross-sectional shape is not limited to a circle, but can also have various cross-sectional shapes such as an ellipse or a polygon. Furthermore, all four plug contacts 13 can be used as terminals for transmitting electrical signals.

[0025] The sheet-like conductive member 15 has a multilayer structure in which multiple wiring layers and multiple insulating layers, each formed from a flexible conductor, are laminated together. As shown in Figure 8, four contact placement regions 15A are defined on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 facing the +Z direction for arranging four plug contacts 13. In each of the four contact placement regions 15A, the wiring layer 15B is exposed facing the +Z direction, and the insulating layer 15C is exposed in the areas other than the four contact placement regions 15A.

[0026] Multiple notches 15D are formed in the four contact placement regions 15A, penetrating the sheet-like conductive member 15 in the Z direction. Since these notches 15D penetrate the sheet-like conductive member 15 in the Z direction, as shown in Figure 9, the notches 15D are also visible on the back surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 facing the -Z direction, at positions corresponding to the four contact placement regions 15A.

[0027] On the back surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 facing the -Z direction, the wiring layer 15E is exposed in the -Z direction at positions corresponding to the four contact arrangement regions 15A, while the insulating layer 15F is exposed in the other regions. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, multiple through holes 15G corresponding to multiple bosses 16C of the top insulator 16 are formed in the peripheral edge of the sheet-like conductive member 15.

[0028] As shown in Figure 10, the reinforcing sheet 14 is for reinforcing the mounting target object, such as clothing (not shown), on which the connector 11 is mounted. It is made of an insulating material and has an opening 14A formed in the center. Furthermore, along the periphery of the opening 14A of the reinforcing sheet 14, a plurality of notches 14B are formed, corresponding to the plurality of bosses 16C of the top insulator 16.

[0029] Figures 11 to 13 show the configuration of the inner contact 18. The inner contact 18 is made of a bent plate member formed from a conductive material such as metal, and has a first component 18A positioned at the +Z direction end of the inner contact 18 along the fitting axis C, a second component 18B positioned on the -Z direction side of the first component 18A, and a connecting portion 18C that connects the first component 18A and the second component 18B so as to be spaced apart from each other along the fitting axis C.

[0030] The first component 18A has a flat shape extending along the YZ plane and has a pair of cantilevered beam portions 18D on both sides of the fitting shaft C, with the fitting shaft C in between, each extending in the -Z direction and with their tips extending in opposite directions in the Y direction. The second component 18B has a pair of arms 18E that extend from the connection point with the connecting part 18C, bending or curving in the -X direction so as to face each other in the Y direction in the XY plane, forming a substantially cylindrical shape that surrounds the fitting shaft C. The tips of the pair of arms 18E are close to each other and face each other in the Y direction. The connecting portion 18C is inclined in the X direction with respect to the fitting axis C, and connects the first component 18A and the second component 18B such that the second component 18B is located on the -Z direction side of the first component 18A.

[0031] The pair of cantilevered beam portions 18D of the first component 18A, with their opposite ends facing each other, form a pair of contact portions P1 that are elastically displaceable in the Y direction perpendicular to the fitting axis C. Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the pair of arm portions 18E of the second component 18B form a plurality of pressing portions P2 that are elastically displaceable in the XY plane perpendicular to the fitting axis C. Specifically, as shown in Figure 13, the second component 18B has a substantially trapezoidal contour when viewed from the Z direction, and four pressing portions P2 are formed on the outer surfaces of the arm portions 18E located at the four vertices of the trapezoid.

[0032] Here, the first component 18A and the second component 18B are positioned spaced apart from each other in the Z direction via a connecting portion 18C, and the four pressing portions P2 in the second component 18B are configured to be elastically displaced independently of the elastic displacement of the pair of contact portions P1 in the first component 18A. In other words, neither the elastic deformation of the contact portions P1 nor the elastic deformation of the pressing portions P2 affects the other.

[0033] Furthermore, the inner contact 18 has a fixing portion 18F that protrudes in the -Z direction from the second component 18B. Such an inner contact 18 can be easily manufactured, for example, by bending a metal plate that has been cut into a predetermined shape.

[0034] Furthermore, the distance between the pair of contact portions P1 in the Y direction is set to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the recess 13C in which the pair of contact portions P1 make contact when the inner contact 18 is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13. Therefore, when the inner contact 18 is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, the pair of contact portions P1 elastically displace in the direction toward the mating axis C and contact the inner surface of the recess 13C with a predetermined contact pressure.

[0035] Furthermore, the distance of each pressing portion P2 in the XY plane from the fitting axis C is set to be slightly larger than the value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the sheet-like conductive member 15 from half the inner diameter of the recess 13C in the portion where the four pressing portions P2 make contact when the inner contact 18 is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13. Therefore, when the inner contact 18 is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 while the sheet-like conductive member 15 is pressed in, the four pressing portions P2 each elastically displace in the direction toward the fitting axis C, pressing the sheet-like conductive member 15 against the inner surface of the recess 13C with a predetermined contact pressure.

[0036] As shown in Figure 14, the inner contact 18 is held in place by the bottom insulator 17 by inserting the fixing portion 18F into the holding hole 17C of the corresponding recess 17B of the bottom insulator 17.

[0037] The four contact through holes 16B of the top insulator 16, the four plug contacts 13, the four contact placement areas 15A of the sheet-like conductive member 15, the four inner contacts 18, and the four recesses 17B of the bottom insulator 17 are positioned to be aligned with each other in the Z direction. Furthermore, the multiple bosses 16C of the top insulator 16, the multiple notches 14B of the reinforcing sheet 14, the multiple through holes 15G of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and the multiple through holes 17D of the bottom insulator 17 are positioned to be aligned with each other in the Z direction.

[0038] When assembling the connector 11, first, as shown in Figure 14, the fixing portion 18F of each inner contact 18 is inserted into the holding hole 17C of the corresponding recess 17B of the bottom insulator 17, thereby holding the inner contact 18 in place of the bottom insulator 17.

[0039] Next, the multiple bosses 16C of the top insulator 16 are inserted into the multiple notches 14B of the reinforcing sheet 14. At this time, the four contact through holes 16B of the top insulator 16 are located within the opening 14A of the reinforcing sheet 14. Furthermore, the cylindrical portions 13A of the plug contacts 13, each corresponding to one of the four contact through-holes 16B of the top insulator 16, are inserted from the -Z direction, and the bottom insulator 17 is pressed toward the top insulator 16 in the +Z direction with the sheet-like conductive member 15 in between.

[0040] At this time, the flange 13B of each plug contact 13 is positioned on the corresponding contact placement area 15A of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and the inner contact 18 held by the bottom insulator 17 is inserted into the recess 13C of the corresponding plug contact 13 while pressing down on the contact placement area 15A of the sheet-like conductive member 15.

[0041] Furthermore, since each of the four contact placement regions 15A of the sheet-like conductive member 15 has multiple notches 15D formed therein, the four inner contacts 18 are inserted into the recesses 13C of the plug contact 13 while opening the multiple notches 15D in the corresponding contact placement region 15A.

[0042] Furthermore, by pressing the bottom insulator 17 against the top insulator 16, the multiple bosses 16C of the top insulator 16 sequentially penetrate the multiple notches 14B of the reinforcing sheet 14, the multiple through holes 15G of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and the multiple through holes 17D of the bottom insulator 17. Then, by thermally deforming the tips of the multiple bosses 16C that protrude on the -Z side of the bottom insulator 17, the top insulator 16 and the bottom insulator 17 are fixed to each other, and the assembly of the connector 11 is completed.

[0043] Each plug contact 13 is fixed to the top insulator 16 and the bottom insulator 17 by having its flange 13B sandwiched between the top insulator 16 and the bottom insulator 17.

[0044] As shown in Figure 15, the first component 18A of the inner contact 18 is inserted into the back of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, that is, on the +Z side of the recess 13C, and the pair of contact portions P1 formed on the pair of cantilevered portions 18D of the first component 18A are pressed against the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, thereby electrically connecting the inner contact 18 to the plug contact 13.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16, the second component 18B, which is positioned on the -Z side of the first component 18A via the connecting portion 18C, is inserted closer to the opening end of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 than the first component 18A, i.e., on the -Z side within the recess 13C. The sheet-like conductive member 15, which is pushed into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the inner contact 18, is pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the pressing portions P2 formed on the pair of arms 18E of the second component 18B of the inner contact 18.

[0046] Specifically, as shown in Figure 17, the sheet-like conductive member 15 is pressed against the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the four pressing portions P2 of the second component 18B, which has a substantially trapezoidal contour when viewed from the Z direction.

[0047] Here, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the wiring layer 15B is exposed in the contact placement area 15A on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and the wiring layer 15E is exposed on the back surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 at a position corresponding to the contact placement area 15A. Therefore, the wiring layer 15B on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 contacts the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 with a predetermined contact pressure, and the wiring layer 15E on the back surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 contacts the pressing portion P2 of the inner contact 18 with a predetermined contact pressure.

[0048] As a result, the wiring layer 15B exposed on the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 is electrically connected directly to the plug contact 13, and the wiring layer 15E exposed on the back surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15 is electrically connected to the plug contact 13 via the inner contact 18. In other words, both the wiring layers 15B and 15E are connected to the plug contact 13.

[0049] Thus, with the connector 11, by using the inner contact 18, it becomes possible to electrically connect both the wiring layer 15B, which is made of a flexible conductor and is located on the front side of the sheet-like conductive member 15, and the wiring layer 15E, which is made of a flexible conductor and is located on the back side, to a single plug contact 13. Therefore, if the connector 11 is connected to a sheet-like conductive member in which the flexible conductor is exposed only on the surface side, the plug contact 13 can be electrically connected to the flexible conductor on the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member. Similarly, if the connector 11 is connected to a sheet-like conductive member in which the flexible conductor is exposed only on the back side, the plug contact 13 can be electrically connected to the flexible conductor on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member.

[0050] Furthermore, if the connector 11 is connected to a sheet-like conductive member such as the sheet-like conductive member 15 in this embodiment 1, in which flexible conductors are exposed on both the front and back sides, the plug contact 13 can be electrically connected to both the flexible conductor on the front side and the flexible conductor on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member. For example, if the object to be connected is a multilayer sheet-like conductive member in which flexible conductors constituting shielding layers are exposed on both the front and back sides, and flexible conductors constituting signal wiring layers are laminated between these shielding layers insulated from both shielding layers, then by connecting the plug contact 13 connected to the shielding layers on the front and back sides to ground potential, a shielding effect on the signal wiring layer is achieved, making it possible to perform high-precision signal transmission while suppressing the effects of disturbances such as electromagnetic waves.

[0051] In the connector 11 of Embodiment 1, a reinforcing sheet 14 is placed between the bottom insulator 17 and the top insulator 16. However, if there is no need to reinforce the object to which the connector 11 is attached, such as clothing, the reinforcing sheet 14 can be omitted.

[0052] Embodiment 2 Figures 18 to 20 show the inner contact 28 used in the connector according to Embodiment 2. This inner contact 28 is the same as the inner contact 18 used in Embodiment 1 and shown in Figures 11 to 13, but uses the second component 28B and the connecting part 28C instead of the second component 18B and the connecting part 28C, and the other configurations are the same as the inner contact 18. That is, in the inner contact 28, the second component 28B is connected to the first component 18A via the connecting part 28C.

[0053] The second component 28B has a pair of arm portions 28E that extend from both ends in the Y direction of the connection portion with the connecting portion 28C, curving in the same rotational direction in the XY plane, so as to form a substantially cylindrical shape surrounding the fitting shaft C. The outer surfaces of the pair of arm portions 28E of the second component 28B form a pair of pressing portions P2 that are elastically displaceable in the XY planes perpendicular to the fitting axis C.

[0054] The connecting portion 28C has a flat plate shape along the YZ plane and connects the first component 18A and the second component 28B such that the second component 28B is positioned spaced apart from the first component 18A on the -Z direction side. As a result, the pressing portion P2 of the second component 28B is configured to be able to undergo elastic displacement independently of the elastic displacement of the pair of contact portions P1 in the first component 18A.

[0055] When the inner contact 28, configured in this way, is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 while pressing the sheet-like conductive member 15 into it, the pair of contact portions P1 of the first component 18A are pressed against the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, thereby electrically connecting the inner contact 28 to the plug contact 13. In addition, the sheet-like conductive member 15, which has been pressed into the recess 13C, is pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the pair of pressing portions P2 of the inner contact 28.

[0056] Therefore, in the connector 11 according to Embodiment 1, even if the inner contact 28 shown in Figures 18 to 20 is used instead of the inner contact 18, it is possible to electrically connect both the wiring layer 15B arranged on the front side and the wiring layer 15E arranged on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 to the plug contact 13 in the same manner. In Figures 18 to 20, the pressing portion P2 is shown only in the center of the outer surface of each arm portion 28E of the second component 28B. However, it is also possible to configure the sheet-like conductive member 15 to be pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the pressing portion P2 formed in a band shape along the outer circumference of a pair of arms 28E that form a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0057] Embodiment 3 Figures 21 to 24 show the inner contact 38 used in the connector according to Embodiment 3. This inner contact 38 is the same as the inner contact 18 used in Embodiment 1 and shown in Figures 11 to 13, but uses the first component 38A and the connecting part 38C instead of the first component 18A and the connecting part 38C, and the other configurations are the same as the inner contact 18. That is, in the inner contact 38, the second component 18B is connected to the first component 38A via the connecting part 38C.

[0058] The first component 38A has two pairs of cantilevered beams 38D, each extending along the YZ plane and positioned opposite to each other with a gap in the X direction. The two pairs of cantilevered beams 38D are connected to each other via curved portions 38G that are curved in a U-shape to open toward the -Z direction, and each pair of cantilevered beams 38D has the same structure as the pair of cantilevered beams 18D of the first component 18A of the inner contact 18 in Embodiment 1. The tips of the two pairs of cantilevered beam portions 38D of the first component 38A form two pairs of contact portions P1 that are elastically displaceable in the Y direction perpendicular to the fitting axis C.

[0059] The connecting portion 38C is inclined in the X direction with respect to the fitting axis C, and connects the first component 38A and the second component 18B such that the second component 18B is positioned spaced apart from the first component 38A on the -Z direction side. As a result, the two pairs of contact points P1 of the first component 38A are configured to be able to undergo elastic displacement independently of the elastic displacement of the four pressing points P2 of the second component 18B.

[0060] When the inner contact 38, configured in this way, is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 while pressing the sheet-like conductive member 15 into it, the two pairs of contact portions P1 of the first component 38A are pressed against the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, thereby electrically connecting the inner contact 38 to the plug contact 13. In addition, the sheet-like conductive member 15, which has been pressed into the recess 13C, is pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the four pressing portions P2 of the inner contact 38.

[0061] Therefore, in the connector 11 according to Embodiment 1, even if the inner contact 38 shown in Figures 21 to 24 is used instead of the inner contact 18, it is possible to electrically connect both the wiring layer 15B arranged on the front side and the wiring layer 15E arranged on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 to the plug contact 13 in the same manner. By using the inner contact 38 in Embodiment 3, the four contact points P1 formed on the two pairs of cantilevered beam portions 38D of the first component 38A each contact the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, thereby improving the reliability of the electrical connection between the inner contact 38 and the plug contact 13.

[0062] Embodiment 4 Figures 25 to 27 show the inner contact 48 used in the connector according to Embodiment 4. This inner contact 48 is the same as the inner contact 18 used in Embodiment 1 and shown in Figures 11 to 13, but uses the second component 48B and the connecting part 48C instead of the second component 18B and the connecting part 18C, and the other configurations are the same as the inner contact 18. That is, in the inner contact 48, the second component 48B is connected to the first component 18A via the connecting part 48C.

[0063] The second component 48B has a single arm portion 48E that curves in the XY plane from the +Y end of the connection portion with the connecting portion 48C, so as to form a substantially cylindrical shape surrounding the fitting shaft C. The outer surface of one arm portion 48E of the second component 48B forms a pair of pressing portions P2 that are elastically displaceable in the XY plane, which is perpendicular to the fitting axis C.

[0064] The connecting portion 48C has a flat plate shape along the YZ plane and connects the first component 18A and the second component 48B such that the second component 48B is positioned spaced apart from the first component 18A on the -Z direction side. As a result, the pressing portion P2 of the second component 48B is configured to be able to undergo elastic displacement independently of the elastic displacement of the pair of contact portions P1 in the first component 18A.

[0065] When the inner contact 48, configured in this way, is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 while pressing the sheet-like conductive member 15 into it, the pair of contact portions P1 of the first component 18A are pressed against the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, thereby electrically connecting the inner contact 48 to the plug contact 13. In addition, the sheet-like conductive member 15, which has been pressed into the recess 13C, is pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the pair of pressing portions P2 of the inner contact 48.

[0066] Therefore, in the connector 11 according to Embodiment 1, even if the inner contact 48 shown in Figures 25 to 27 is used instead of the inner contact 18, it is possible to electrically connect both the wiring layer 15B arranged on the front side and the wiring layer 15E arranged on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 to the plug contact 13 in the same manner. In Figures 25 to 27, the pressing portion P2 is shown only at the point furthest to the +X direction and the point furthest to the -X direction on the outer surface of the arm portion 48E of the second component 48B. However, it is also possible to configure the sheet-like conductive member 15 to be pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by a pressing portion P2 formed in a band shape along the outer circumference of the arm portion 28E, which forms a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0067] Embodiment 5 Figures 28 to 30 show the inner contact 58 used in the connector according to Embodiment 5. This inner contact 58 is the same as the inner contact 28 used in Embodiment 2 and shown in Figures 18 to 20, but uses the first component 58A and the connecting component 58C instead of the first component 18A and the connecting component 58C, and the other components are the same as the inner contact 28. That is, in the inner contact 58, the second component 28B is connected to the first component 58A via the connecting component 58C.

[0068] The first component 58A has a flat shape extending along the YZ plane and includes a cantilevered beam portion 18D that extends in the -Z direction on the +Y direction side of the fitting shaft C and whose tip extends in the +Y direction, and a flat plate portion 58G that extends along the YZ plane on the -Y direction side of the fitting shaft C. The cantilevered beam portion 18D is the same as the cantilevered beam portion 18D of the first component 18A of the inner contact 28 used in Embodiment 2, and has a tip extending in the +Y direction, while the flat plate portion 58G has a tip extending in the -Y direction at its -Z direction end.

[0069] Contact points P1 are formed at the tip of the cantilever beam portion 18D extending in the +Y direction and at the tip of the flat plate portion 58G extending in the -Y direction. As the cantilever beam portion 18D, which has a shape extending in the -Z direction, undergoes elastic deformation, the pair of contact points P1 formed at the tip of the cantilever beam portion 18D and the tip of the flat plate portion 58G are elastically displaceable from each other in the Y direction perpendicular to the fitting axis C.

[0070] The connecting portion 58C has a flat plate shape along the YZ plane and connects the first component 58A and the second component 28B such that the second component 28B is positioned spaced apart from the first component 58A on the -Z direction side. As a result, the pressing portion P2 of the second component 28B is configured to be able to undergo elastic displacement independently of the elastic displacement of the pair of contact portions P1 in the first component 58A.

[0071] When the inner contact 58, configured in this way, is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 while pressing the sheet-like conductive member 15 into it, the pair of contact portions P1 of the first component 58A are pressed against the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, thereby electrically connecting the inner contact 58 to the plug contact 13. In addition, the sheet-like conductive member 15, which has been pressed into the recess 13C, is pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the pair of pressing portions P2 of the inner contact 58.

[0072] Therefore, in the connector 11 according to Embodiment 1, even if the inner contact 58 shown in Figures 28 to 30 is used instead of the inner contact 18, it is possible to electrically connect both the wiring layer 15B arranged on the front side and the wiring layer 15E arranged on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 to the plug contact 13 in the same manner. In Figures 28 to 30, the pressing portion P2 is shown only in the center of the outer surface of each arm portion 28E of the second component 28B. However, it is also possible to configure the sheet-like conductive member 15 to be pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by pressing portions P2 formed in a band shape along the outer circumference of a pair of arms 28E that form a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0073] Embodiment 6 Figures 31 to 33 show the inner contact 68 used in the connector according to Embodiment 6. This inner contact 68 is the same as the inner contact 28 used in Embodiment 2 and shown in Figures 18 to 20, but uses the first component 68A and the connecting component 68C instead of the first component 18A and the connecting component 28C, and the other components are the same as the inner contact 28. That is, in the inner contact 68, the second component 28B is connected to the first component 68A via the connecting component 68C.

[0074] The first component 68A has a double-supported beam portion 68G that extends in both the Y direction perpendicular to the fitting axis C and the +Z direction along the fitting axis C in the YZ plane. The double-supported beam portion 68G extends along the circumference of the opening 68H located on the fitting axis C so as to surround the opening 68H, and both ends of the double-supported beam portion 68G are connected to the +Y direction end and the -Y direction end of the base of the first component 68A, which is connected to the connecting portion 68C. A pair of contact portions P1 are formed on the double-supported beam portion 68G, facing opposite directions in the Y direction. These contact portions P1 are configured to be elastically displaceable in the Y direction as the double-supported beam portion 68G elastically deforms.

[0075] The connecting portion 68C has a flat plate shape along the YZ plane and connects the first component 68A and the second component 28B such that the second component 28B is positioned spaced apart from the first component 68A on the -Z direction side. As a result, the pressing portion P2 of the second component 28B is configured to be able to undergo elastic displacement independently of the elastic displacement of the pair of contact portions P1 in the first component 68A.

[0076] When the inner contact 68 with this configuration is inserted into the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 while pressing the sheet-like conductive member 15 into it, the pair of contact portions P1 of the first component 68A are pressed against the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13, electrically connecting the inner contact 68 to the plug contact 13. In addition, the sheet-like conductive member 15, which has been pressed into the recess 13C, is pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the pair of pressing portions P2 of the inner contact 68.

[0077] Therefore, in the connector 11 according to Embodiment 1, even if the inner contact 68 shown in Figures 31 to 33 is used instead of the inner contact 18, it is possible to electrically connect both the wiring layer 15B arranged on the front side and the wiring layer 15E arranged on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 to the plug contact 13 in the same manner. In Figures 31 to 33, the pressing portion P2 is shown only in the center of the outer surface of each arm portion 28E of the second component 28B. However, it is also possible to configure the sheet-like conductive member 15 to be pressed toward the inner surface of the recess 13C of the plug contact 13 by the pressing portion P2, which is formed in a band shape along the outer circumference of a pair of arms 28E that form a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0078] Embodiment 7 Figure 34 shows an inner contact 78 used in the connector according to Embodiment 7. This inner contact 78 is the same as the inner contact 68 used in Embodiment 6 and shown in Figures 31 to 33, but uses the first component 78A instead, and the other components are the same as the inner contact 68. That is, in the inner contact 78, the second component 28B is connected to the first component 78A via a connecting portion 68C.

[0079] The first component 78A is the first component 68A of the inner contact 68 in Embodiment 6, in which an auxiliary connecting portion 78J is formed on the double-supported beam portion 68G. The auxiliary connecting portion 78J extends along the fitting axis C so as to divide the opening 68H surrounded by the double-supported beam portion 68G in the Y direction, and connects the base of the first component 78A, which is connected to the connecting portion 68C, with the +Z direction end of the double-supported beam portion 68G. A contact portion P1 that is elastically displaceable in the Y direction is formed on both the double-supported beam portion 68G located on the +Y direction side of the auxiliary connecting portion 78J and on the double-supported beam portion 68G located on the -Y direction side of the auxiliary connecting portion 78J.

[0080] In the connector 11 according to Embodiment 1, even if an inner contact 78 shown in Figure 34 is used instead of the inner contact 18, it is still possible to electrically connect both the wiring layer 15B arranged on the front side and the wiring layer 15E arranged on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 to the plug contact 13.

[0081] In embodiments 1 to 7 described above, the plug contact 13 located in the contact placement area 15A of the sheet-like conductive member 15 is connected to both the wiring layer 15B exposed on the surface side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 and the wiring layer 15E exposed on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15. However, for example, it is also possible to connect only the wiring layer 15E exposed on the back side of the sheet-like conductive member 15 to the plug contact 13 located in the contact placement area 15A.

[0082] The sheet-like conductive member 15 used in embodiments 1 to 7 described above has a multilayer structure, but is not limited to this; it is acceptable as long as it has a flexible conductor exposed on at least one surface. Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 7 described above, two layers of flexible conductors, consisting of a wiring layer 15B and a wiring layer 15E of the sheet-like conductive member 15, are connected to one plug contact 13. However, the invention is not limited to this, and three or more layers of flexible conductors can also be connected to one plug contact 13.

[0083] Furthermore, although the connector 11 according to embodiments 1 to 7 described above has four plug contacts 13, it is not limited to the number of plug contacts 13, and it is sufficient to have at least one plug contact 13 that is electrically connected to a flexible conductor exposed on at least one surface of the sheet-like conductive member 15. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1 Flexible substrate, 1A Flexible conductor, 2 Housing, 2A Through hole for contact, 2B Post housing, 3 Base member, 3A Projection, 3B Post for housing fixing, 4 Contact, 4A Cylindrical part, 4B Flange, 4C Projection housing, 11 Connector, 12 Housing, 13 Plug contact, 13A Cylindrical part, 13B Flange, 13C Recess, 14 Reinforcement sheet, 14A Opening, 14B Notch, 15 Sheet-shaped conductive member, 15A Contact placement area, 15B,15E Wiring layer, 15C,15F Insulation layer, 15D Cutout, 15G Through hole, 16 Top insulator, 16A Recess, 16B Through hole for contact, 16C Boss, 17 Bottom insulator, 17A Flat part, 17B Recess, 17C Retaining hole, 17D Through holes, 18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78 Inner contacts, 18A, 38A, 58A, 68A, 78A First component, 18B, 28B, 48B Second component, 18C, 28C, 38C, 48C, 58C, 68C Connecting part, 18D, 38D Cantilevered beam part, 18E, 28E, 48E Arm part, 18F Fixing part, 38G Curved part, 58G Flat plate part, 68G Double cantilevered beam part, 68H Opening, 78J Auxiliary connecting part, C Fitting shaft, P1 Contact part, P2 Pressing part.

Claims

1. A cylindrical conductive plug contact having a recess extending along the mating axis, A conductive inner contact made of a plate member inserted into the recess and Equipped with, The aforementioned plate member is A first component includes a contact portion that is elastically displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the fitting shaft and that contacts the plug contact within the recess, A second component includes a pressing portion that is elastically displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the fitting axis, independently of the elastic displacement of the contact portion in the first component, A connecting portion that connects the first component and the second component so as to be spaced apart from each other along the fitting shaft. It has, A connector in which a portion of a sheet-like object to be connected, having a flexible conductor exposed on at least one surface, is sandwiched between the pressing portion and the inner surface of the recess in a direction perpendicular to the mating axis, and the inner surface of the recess contacts the surface of the object to be connected, and the pressing portion contacts the back surface of the object to be connected, thereby exposing the flexible conductor to the surface of the object to be connected, the plug contact is electrically connected directly to the flexible conductor, and if the flexible conductor is exposed on the back surface of the object to be connected, the plug contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor via the inner contact.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second component is positioned closer to the open end of the recess than the first component.

3. The first component has at least two cantilevered beams on both sides of the fitting shaft, with the fitting shaft in between, each extending in a direction perpendicular to the fitting shaft. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion is formed at the tip of each of the at least two cantilevered beam portions.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the first component has two pairs of cantilevered beams that are connected to each other and arranged facing each other.

5. The first component comprises a cantilevered beam portion positioned on one side of the fitting shaft and extending in a direction perpendicular to the fitting shaft, and a flat plate portion positioned on the other side of the fitting shaft and extending in a direction perpendicular to the fitting shaft. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion is formed at the tip of the cantilevered beam portion and the flat plate portion, respectively.

6. The first component has a double-supported beam portion that extends in both a direction perpendicular to the fitting axis and a direction along the fitting axis, The connector according to claim 2, wherein a pair of contact portions are formed on both support beam portions, facing opposite directions in a direction perpendicular to the fitting axis.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the first component has an auxiliary connecting portion that extends along the fitting axis and connects the tip portion of the double-supported beam portion and the base portion of the first component in the direction along the fitting axis.

8. The second component has at least one arm that is bent or curved around the fitting shaft, The connector according to claim 2, wherein the pressing portion is formed on the outer surface of at least one arm portion facing in a direction perpendicular to the mating axis.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the second component has a pair of arms that are bent or curved in opposite directions to each other.

10. The plug contact has a cylindrical portion and a flange formed at one end of the cylindrical portion. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the recess is located inside the cylindrical portion.

11. The housing comprises an insulating housing for holding the object to be connected, the plug contact, and the inner contact, The aforementioned housing is A top insulator through which the cylindrical portion of the plug contact passes and through a contact hole smaller than the flange is formed, A bottom insulator having a retaining portion for holding the inner contact It has, The connector according to claim 10, wherein the cylindrical portion of the plug contact is passed through the contact through hole, and the top insulator is fixed to the bottom insulator such that the object to be connected and the flange are sandwiched between the top insulator and the bottom insulator.

Images