Connectors and connector assemblies

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of attaining downsizing even while connecting a conductor part of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet-like conductive member with high reliability.SOLUTION: A connector includes: a first connector part 41 including an electric wire holding portion 43 and a projection 44 for lock; and a second connector part 51 including a spring member 53 for connection and a spring member 54 for lock which are disposed separated by a predetermined distance in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which a covered conductor 31 is elongated. When the second connector part 51 is fitted to the first connector part 41 in which the covered conductor 31 is held by the electric wire holding portion 43, while interposing the sheet-like conductive member 21 therebetween, a contact part 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 is pressed against and electrically connected to a conductor part 32 of the covered conductor 31 by the spring member 53 for connection and the spring member 54 for lock is caught by the projection 44 for lock, thereby locking the fitted state of the first connector part 41 and the second connector part 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and particularly to a connector for connecting a conductor portion of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet-like conductive member. The present invention also relates to a connector assembly in which a conductor portion of an electric wire is connected to a flexible conductor of a sheet-like conductive member by such a connector.

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 made of flexible conductors, 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.

[0003] However, when the wearable device is away from the measurement location, it is necessary to form an electric path from the electrode arranged at the measurement location to the mounting position of the connector. If such an electric path is formed by a flexible conductor, the electrical resistance becomes high and the cost also increases. Therefore, in order to connect between an electrode made of a flexible conductor and a wearable device with an electric wire having low electrical resistance and low cost, the development of a small connector for connecting an electric wire to a flexible conductor arranged on clothing is desired.

[0004] As a connector for connecting an electric wire to a flexible conductor, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector as shown in Figure 33. This connector has a first connector 2 connected to the end of a sheet-like conductive member 1 and a second connector 4 attached to the end of an electric wire 3. By fitting the box-shaped housing of the second connector 4 into the box-shaped housing of the first connector 2, the electric wire 3 can be connected to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-214087 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, in order to connect the electric wire 3 to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member 1, it is necessary to fit together the first connector 2 and the second connector 4, each having a box-shaped housing. This results in a larger device, and because there is a detachable connection point between the first connector 2 and the second connector 4, there is a problem of reduced reliability of the electrical connection.

[0007] This invention was made to solve the problems of the conventional methods, and aims to provide a connector and connector assembly that can be miniaturized while reliably connecting the conductive portion of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet-like conductive member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The connector according to this invention is A connector for connecting the conductive portion of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet-like conductive member, A first connector section having a wire holding section for holding the wire and a locking projection, A second connector section having a connecting spring member corresponding to the wire held in the wire holding section and a locking spring member corresponding to the locking projection. Equipped with, The power line extends along the first direction, The connecting spring member and the locking spring member are arranged at a predetermined distance apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. When the second connector section is fitted to the first connector section, which holds the electric wire in the electric wire holding section, with a sheet-like conductive member in between, the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member is pressed against the conductive portion of the electric wire by a connecting spring member, thereby making an electrical connection, and the fitted state of the first connector section and the second connector section is locked when a locking spring member catches on a locking projection.

[0009] The first connector portion preferably consists of a first insulator in which a wire holding portion and a locking projection are formed on the surface of a flat plate portion extending along a first direction and a second direction. The wire holder may have at least one pair of retaining protrusions that face each other in a second direction and sandwich the outer circumference of the wire. Alternatively, the wire holder may have at least one retaining protrusion that extends in a second direction while facing the surface of the flat plate and has an arm portion formed between it and the surface of the flat plate that sandwiches the outer circumference of the wire.

[0010] The second connector portion preferably includes a second insulator to which a connecting spring member and a locking spring member are attached, and an insulating sheet that is attached to the second insulator to hold the connecting spring member and the locking spring member to the second insulator. The locking projection has an overhang that extends in a second direction, and the locking spring member has a locking piece that is elastically deformable in the second direction, and it is preferable that the locking piece catches on the overhang when the second connector portion is fitted into the first connector portion. In this case, the locking projection may have a pair of overhangs that extend in opposite directions to each other, and the locking spring member may have a pair of locking pieces that catch on the pair of overhangs.

[0011] Furthermore, the connecting spring member preferably has a pair of spring pieces facing each other in a second direction, and presses the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member against the conductor portion of the electric wire placed between the pair of spring pieces. The first connector portion has a pair of positioning protrusions positioned at both ends of the flat plate portion in the second direction and each protruding in the direction of mating with the second connector portion, and the sheet-like conductive member can be positioned relative to the first connector portion by passing the pair of positioning protrusions through a pair of positioning holes formed in the sheet-like conductive member.

[0012] The second connector section has a plurality of connecting spring members and a plurality of locking spring members arranged in a second direction, with at least one locking spring member arranged on both sides in the second direction of each connecting spring member that is arranged continuously in the second direction, and the first connector section can be configured to have a plurality of wire holding parts and a plurality of locking protrusions arranged in the second direction corresponding to the plurality of connecting spring members and the plurality of locking spring members.

[0013] The second connector portion has a plurality of connecting spring members and a plurality of locking spring members arranged in two rows in the second direction, spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and the first connector portion may have a plurality of wire holding portions and a plurality of locking protrusions arranged in two rows in the second direction, corresponding to the plurality of connecting spring members and the plurality of locking spring members. In this case, the multiple connecting spring members and multiple locking spring members arranged in two rows may be staggered in the first direction, and the multiple wire holders and multiple locking protrusions arranged in two rows may be staggered in the first direction. Alternatively, the multiple connecting spring members and multiple locking spring members arranged in two rows may be aligned in the first direction, and the multiple wire holders and multiple locking protrusions arranged in two rows may be aligned in the first direction.

[0014] The connector assembly according to this invention is A sheet-like conductive member and Power lines and, The above connector and comprises a flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member is pressed against the conductor portion of the electric wire by a connecting spring member and electrically connected, and the fitting state of the first connector portion and the second connector portion is locked when a locking spring member is caught by a locking protrusion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to this invention, when the second connector portion is fitted with the sheet-like conductive member interposed therebetween with respect to the first connector portion in which the electric wire is held by the electric wire holding portion, the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member is pressed against the conductor portion of the electric wire by the connecting spring member of the second connector portion and electrically connected, and the fitting state of the first connector portion and the second connector portion is locked when the locking spring member of the second connector portion is caught by the locking protrusion of the first connector portion. Therefore, it is possible to achieve miniaturization while reliably connecting the conductor portion of the electric wire to the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a connector assembly using the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is an assembled view of the connector assembly using the connector according to Embodiment 1 as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 3] It is an assembled view of the connector assembly using the connector according to Embodiment 1 as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing the first connector portion used in the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] It is a partial front view showing the first connector portion. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of the second connector portion used in the connector according to Embodiment 1 as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 7] It is an assembled view of the second connector portion used in the connector according to Embodiment 1 as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 8]This is an assembly view of the second connector portion used in the connector according to Embodiment 1, seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 9] This is a partial perspective view of the second insulator of the second connector section, seen from an oblique angle above. [Figure 10] This is a partial perspective view of the second insulator of the second connector section, seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the connecting spring member of the second connector section, seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of the locking spring component of the second connector section, seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 13] This is a partial perspective view of the second connector section, seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 14] This is a partial perspective view of a sheet-like conductive member applied to the connector according to Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 15] This is a partial perspective view of a sheet-like conductive member applied to the connector according to Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally below. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view showing a state in which multiple wires are arranged in the first connector portion according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view showing a state in which a sheet-like conductive member is placed on the first connector portion according to Embodiment 1, which has multiple electric wires arranged on it. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view of the main part of the sheet-like conductive member, seen from diagonally above, when the second connector part is mated with the first connector part. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view of the main part of the sheet-like conductive member, seen from diagonally below, when the second connector part is fitted to the first connector part. [Figure 20] This is a partial cross-sectional view of a connector assembly using the connector according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 21] This is a perspective view showing a first connector portion used in a modified example of Embodiment 1. [Figure 22] This is a perspective view showing the first connector portion used in the connector according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 23]This is a partial front view showing the first connector portion used in the connector according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 24] This is a perspective view showing the first connector portion used in a modified example of Embodiment 2. [Figure 25] This figure shows the arrangement of the connector and multiple wires in arrangement example 1 of Embodiment 3. [Figure 26] This figure shows the arrangement of the connector and multiple wires in arrangement example 2 of Embodiment 3. [Figure 27] This figure shows the arrangement of the connector and multiple wires in arrangement example 3 of Embodiment 3. [Figure 28] This figure shows the arrangement of the connector and multiple wires in arrangement example 4 of Embodiment 3. [Figure 29] This figure shows the arrangement of the connector and multiple wires in arrangement example 5 of Embodiment 3. [Figure 30] This figure shows the arrangement of the connector and multiple wires in arrangement example 6 of Embodiment 3. [Figure 31] This figure shows the arrangement of the connector and multiple wires in arrangement example 7 of Embodiment 3. [Figure 32] This figure shows the arrangement of the connector and multiple wires in arrangement example 8 of Embodiment 3. [Figure 33] This is a perspective view showing a conventional connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Embodiment 1 Figure 1 shows a connector assembly using the connector 11 according to Embodiment 1. The connector assembly has multiple conductive portions 32 of insulated wires 31 connected to a sheet-like conductive member 21 using the connector 11. The sheet-like conductive member 21 has a sheet-like insulating base material 22, and a plurality of flexible conductors, described later, are formed on the back surface of the insulating base material 22.

[0018] Multiple insulated wires 31 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction, and each extends parallel to the surface of the sheet-like conductive member 21 and perpendicular to the arrangement direction. Each insulated wire 31 has a structure in which the outer circumference of the conductor portion 32 is covered with an insulating coating portion 33. The connector 11 electrically connects the conductor portions 32 of the multiple insulated wires 31 to the multiple flexible conductors of the sheet-like conductive member 21. The conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 may be either a so-called single wire, which is composed of a single conductor, or a so-called stranded wire, which is composed of multiple conductors twisted together.

[0019] For convenience, we will refer to the sheet-like conductive member 21 extending along the XY plane, the predetermined arrangement direction of the multiple insulated wires 31 as the X direction (second direction), the direction in which each insulated wire 31 extends toward the connector 11 as the +Y direction (first direction), and the direction perpendicular to the XY plane as the Z direction.

[0020] Figures 2 and 3 show the assembly diagrams of the connector assembly. The connector 11 is formed from a first connector portion 41 positioned on the -Z direction side of the sheet-like conductive member 21 and a second connector portion 51 positioned on the +Z direction side of the sheet-like conductive member 21. The first connector portion 41 faces the back surface of the sheet-like conductive member 21, and the second connector portion 51 faces the front surface of the sheet-like conductive member 21. The conductor portions 32, which are drawn out from the insulating coating portions 33 of multiple insulated wires 31, are positioned between the back surface of the sheet-like conductive member 21 and the first connector portion 41. As shown in Figure 3, multiple flexible conductors 23 corresponding to multiple insulated wires 31 are exposed on the back surface of the sheet-like conductive member 21 facing the first connector portion 41.

[0021] Figure 4 shows the configuration of the first connector section 41. The first connector section 41 consists of a first insulator made of an insulating resin material and has a rectangular flat plate section 42 extending along the XY plane. Multiple wire holding sections 43 and multiple locking protrusions 44 are arranged alternately in the X direction on the surface of the flat plate section 42 on the +Z direction side. Multiple wire holding sections 43 correspond to multiple insulated wires 31.

[0022] The wire holding portion 43 has a pair of holding protrusions 43A that are projected from the surface of the flat plate portion 42 on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42 so as to face each other in the X direction (second direction), and a pair of holding protrusions 43B that are projected from the surface of the flat plate portion 42 on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42 so as to face each other in the X direction (second direction). These holding protrusions 43A and 43B have the same prism shape and size. The locking projection 44 is formed to protrude from the surface of the flat plate portion 42 at a position spaced apart from the wire holding portion 43 in the X direction and at the center of the flat plate portion 42 in the Y direction, and has a substantially rectangular prism shape.

[0023] Furthermore, a pair of positioning protrusions 45 are formed at both ends of the flat plate portion 42 in the X direction, each protruding in the +Z direction. The positioning protrusions 45 have a higher Z-direction height than the retaining protrusions 43A, 43B and the locking protrusions 44.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the distance S1 in the X direction between the pair of retaining protrusions 43B is formed to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31, and by pushing the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 between the pair of retaining protrusions 43B from the +Z direction, the insulated wire 31 is held by the pair of retaining protrusions 43B. Similarly, the distance in the X direction between the pair of retaining protrusions 43A is also formed to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31, so that the insulated wire 31 can be held by the pair of retaining protrusions 43A. Furthermore, a pair of protruding portions 44A are formed at the +Z direction end of the locking projection 44, extending in the +X direction and the -X direction.

[0025] Figure 6 shows the configuration of the second connector section 51. The second connector section 51 has a second insulator 52 made of an insulating resin material, and a plurality of connecting spring members 53 and a plurality of locking spring members 54 are held on the second insulator 52 in an alternate arrangement at a predetermined distance apart in the X direction. The plurality of connecting spring members 53 correspond to a plurality of insulated wires 31.

[0026] Figures 7 and 8 show the assembly diagram of the second connector section 51. Multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged on the +Z side of the second insulator 52, and an insulating sheet 55 is arranged on the +Z side of the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54. The insulating sheet 55 is attached to the surface of the second insulator 52 on the +Z side to hold the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 to the second insulator 52.

[0027] The second insulator 52 has a rectangular flat plate portion 52A extending along the XY plane and a plurality of spring member mounting portions 52B arranged on the flat plate portion 52A along the X direction. The plurality of spring member mounting portions 52B attach a plurality of connecting spring members 53 and a plurality of locking spring members 54 to the second insulator 52, and the connecting spring members 53 and the locking spring members 54 have the same configuration as each other without distinction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 9, the spring member mounting portion 52B has a pair of through holes 52C that are spaced apart from each other in the X direction and penetrate the flat plate portion 52A in the Z direction, a connecting portion 52D that is positioned between the pair of through holes 52C and extends in the Y direction, and a groove portion 52E that is formed on the +Z direction side surface of the flat plate portion 52A and crosses the flat plate portion 52A in the Y direction along the connecting portion 52D. The +Z direction side surface of the connecting portion 52D is flush with the bottom surface of the groove portion 52E. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the spring member mounting portion 52B has a pair of outer wall portions 52F that protrude in the -Z direction on the back surface of the flat plate portion 52A on the -Z direction side, corresponding to a pair of through holes 52C. The pair of outer wall portions 52F have a U shape when viewed from the -Z direction, surrounding the +X direction side portion and the -X direction side portion of the pair of through holes 52C.

[0029] Figure 11 shows the configuration of the connecting spring member 53. The connecting spring member 53 is formed from a bent metal plate and has a pair of spring pieces 53A that face each other in the X direction and are elastically deformable in at least the X direction, and a connecting portion 53B that extends along the XY plane and connects the pair of spring pieces 53A. Each of the pair of spring pieces 53A protrudes from the connecting portion 53B in the -Z direction, and a pair of pressing portions 53C that face each other in the X direction are formed at the -Z ends of the pair of spring pieces 53A. In addition, protruding portions 53D extend from both ends of the connecting portion 53B in the Y direction, protruding in opposite directions along the Y direction.

[0030] Figure 12 shows the configuration of the locking spring member 54. The locking spring member 54 is formed from a bent metal plate and has a pair of locking pieces 54A that face each other in the X direction and are elastically deformable in the X direction, and a connecting portion 54B that extends along the XY plane and connects the pair of locking pieces 54A. Each of the pair of locking pieces 54A protrudes from the connecting portion 54B in the -Z direction, and the -Z ends of the pair of locking pieces 54A are bent inward toward the locking spring member 54 toward the +Z direction, thereby forming a pair of hooking portions 54C facing the +Z direction. In addition, protruding portions 54D extend from both ends of the connecting portion 54B in the Y direction, protruding in opposite directions along the Y direction.

[0031] Furthermore, the pair of spring pieces 53A of the connecting spring member 53 and the pair of locking pieces 54A of the locking spring member 54 are all sized to pass through the pair of through holes 52C of the second insulator 52, and the protrusions 53D of the connecting spring member 53 and the protrusions 54D of the locking spring member 54 are all sized to be inserted into the grooves 52E of the second insulator 52.

[0032] When assembling the second connector section 51, a pair of spring pieces 53A of the multiple connecting spring members 53 are passed through a pair of through holes 52C of the corresponding spring member mounting section 52B of the second insulator 52 from the +Z direction, and similarly, a pair of locking pieces 54A of the multiple locking spring members 54 are passed through a pair of through holes 52C of the corresponding spring member mounting section 52B of the second insulator 52 from the +Z direction. Furthermore, with the protrusions 53D and 54D of each connecting spring member 53 and locking spring member 54 inserted into the grooves 52E of the corresponding spring member mounting section 52B of the second insulator 52, the insulating sheet 55 is attached to the surface of the second insulator 52 on the +Z direction side, thereby assembling the second connector section 51 with the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 attached to the second insulator 52, as shown in Figure 13.

[0033] Figure 14 shows the structure of the sheet-like conductive member 21. Near the -Y direction end of the sheet-like conductive member 21, a plurality of wire connection portions 21A are formed, arranged in the X direction. The plurality of wire connection portions 21A correspond to a plurality of insulated wires 31, and each has a pair of protruding pieces 22A formed by cutting out the insulating base material 22 of the sheet-like conductive member 21. The pair of protruding pieces 22A protrude in opposite directions along the X direction, and an opening 22B is formed between the protruding pieces 22A of adjacent wire connection portions 21A, penetrating the sheet-like conductive member 21 in the Z direction.

[0034] As shown in Figure 15, a contact portion 23A is formed on the back surface of each wire connection portion 21A facing the -Z direction, by exposing the flexible conductor 23. Furthermore, the sheet-like conductive member 21 has a pair of positioning holes 21B that penetrate the sheet-like conductive member 21 in the Z direction, on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the multiple wire connection portions 21A arranged in the X direction.

[0035] When assembling the connector assembly, first, as shown in Figure 16, the conductor portions 32 drawn out from the insulating coating portions 33 of the multiple insulated wires 31 are each held in the corresponding wire holding portions 43 of the first connector portion 41. Specifically, the conductor portions 32 are held in the wire holding portions 43 by being pushed in from the +Z direction between a pair of retaining protrusions 43A and a pair of retaining protrusions 43B of the wire holding portion 43.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figure 17, the sheet-like conductive member 21 is placed on the first connector portion 41 from the +Z direction. At this time, the sheet-like conductive member 21 is positioned relative to the first connector portion 41 by passing the pair of positioning protrusions 45 of the first connector portion 41 through the pair of positioning holes 21B of the sheet-like conductive member 21. That is, the pair of protruding pieces 22A of the multiple wire connection portions 21A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 are positioned, respectively, between the pair of retaining protrusions 43A on the +Y direction side and the pair of retaining protrusions 43B on the -Y direction side of the corresponding wire holding portion 43 of the first connector portion 41.

[0037] In this state, the second connector portion 51 is moved from the +Z direction toward the first connector portion 41 and the sheet-like conductive member 21, and is fitted into the first connector portion 41. At this time, the multiple connecting spring members 53 of the second connector portion 51 are inserted between the pair of retaining protrusions 43A on the +Y direction side and the pair of retaining protrusions 43B on the -Y direction side of the corresponding wire holding portion 43 of the first connector portion 41, while pushing the pair of protruding pieces 22A on the corresponding wire connection portion 21A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 toward the -Z direction. The pair of protruding pieces 22A on the corresponding wire connection portion 21A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 are pushed toward the -Z direction by the pair of spring pieces 53A of the connecting spring members 53 of the second connector portion 51, and as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the pair of protruding pieces 22A and the contact portions 23A exposed on the back surface of these protruding pieces 22A are bent toward the -Z direction.

[0038] Furthermore, a pair of locking pieces 54A of the locking spring member 54 of the second connector portion 51 pass through the opening 22B of the sheet-like conductive member 21 and catch on the corresponding locking projection 44 of the first connector portion 41. In this way, the second connector portion 51 is fitted into the first connector portion 41, and the assembly of the connector assembly is completed.

[0039] Figure 20 shows the inside of the connector assembly. The contact portion 23A exposed on the back surface of the pair of protruding pieces 22A of the sheet-like conductive member 21, which is pushed in the -Z direction by the pair of spring pieces 53A of the connecting spring member 53 of the second connector portion 51, is pressed against the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 held in the wire holding portion 43 of the first connector portion 41 by the pair of pressing portions 53C of the connecting spring member 53. As a result, the contact portion 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 contacts the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 with a predetermined contact pressure and an electrical connection is made.

[0040] As shown in Figure 20, the -Z-direction portion of the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 is pressed diagonally in the X and +Z directions by a pair of pressing portions 53C of the connecting spring member 53 via a pair of protruding pieces 22A of the sheet-like conductive member 21. As a result, a force in the +Z direction acts on the conductor portion 32, and the +Z-direction end of the conductor portion 32 is pressed against the contact portion 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21. In other words, the conductor portion 32 comes into contact with the contact portion 23A at three points: the +X-direction portion and the -X-direction portion pressed by the pair of pressing portions 53C, plus the +Z-direction end, thus achieving a highly reliable electrical connection. However, contact with the contact portion 23A at the +Z-direction end of the conductor portion 32 is not necessarily required.

[0041] Furthermore, when the second connector portion 51 is fitted into the first connector portion 41, the pair of locking pieces 54A of the locking spring member 54 of the second connector portion 51 are pressed against the corresponding locking projection 44 of the first connector portion 41 and elastically deform, causing the pair of hooking portions 54C to catch on the pair of protruding portions 44A of the locking projection 44.

[0042] In this way, the multiple connecting spring members 53 of the second connector portion 51 press the contact portions 23A of the multiple wire connection portions 21A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 against the conductor portions 32 of the multiple insulated wires 31 held by the first connector portion 41, thereby electrically connecting them. Furthermore, the multiple locking spring members 54 of the second connector section 51, which are arranged alternately with the multiple connecting spring members 53, each catch on the multiple locking protrusions 44 of the first connector section 41, thereby locking the mating state of the first connector section 41 and the second connector section 51. Therefore, it is possible to reliably electrically connect the contact portion 23A, which consists of multiple flexible conductors 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21, to the conductor portion 32 of multiple insulated wires 31, while also miniaturizing the connector 11. Furthermore, the flexible conductor 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21 can be electrically connected to the conductor 32 of the insulated wire 31 by a simple connection operation: the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 is pressed into the wire holding portion 43 of the first connector portion 41, the sheet-like conductive member 21 is placed on top of the first connector portion 41, and the second connector portion 51 is fitted onto the first connector portion 41 from above the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0043] Furthermore, since the connecting spring member 53 of the second connector portion 51 is inserted between the pair of retaining protrusions 43A on the +Y direction side and the pair of retaining protrusions 43B on the -Y direction side of the corresponding wire holding portion 43 of the first connector portion 41, the insulated wire 31 held by the wire holding portion 43 can be connected to the contact portion 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 if the conductor portion 32 is pulled out from the insulating coating portion 33 at least in the portion located between the pair of retaining protrusions 43A on the +Y direction side and the pair of retaining protrusions 43B on the -Y direction side. Therefore, in the portion of the first connector portion 41 that is pressed and held between the pair of retaining protrusions 43A on the +Y direction side and the portion that is pressed and held between the pair of retaining protrusions 43A on the -Y direction side, the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 does not need to be exposed, and the conductor portion 32 may be covered by the insulating coating portion 33.

[0044] In the above embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 4, each of the multiple wire holding portions 43 of the first connector portion 41 has a pair of holding protrusions 43A arranged on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42 and a pair of holding protrusions 43B arranged on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42, but is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 21, the wire holding portion may be formed by only the pair of holding protrusions 43A arranged on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42. Even when using the first connector portion 41A with such a configuration, the conductor portions 32 of multiple insulated wires 31 can be held and electrically connected to the multiple contact portions 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21. Similarly, in the first connector portion 41 shown in Figure 4, the wire holding portion can also be formed using only a pair of retaining protrusions 43B located on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42.

[0045] Embodiment 2 The retaining protrusions 43A and 43B of the first connector portion 41 used in the above embodiment 1 each have a prismatic shape that protrudes in the +Z direction from the surface of the flat plate portion 42, but are not limited to this.

[0046] Figure 22 shows the first connector portion 41B used in the connector according to Embodiment 2. In the first connector portion 41 of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 4, the first connector portion 41B forms the wire holding portion with one retaining protrusion 46A located on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42 and one retaining protrusion 46B located on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42, instead of the pair of retaining protrusions 43A and pair of retaining protrusions 43B that form the respective wire holding portions 43. The other configurations are the same as those of the first connector portion 41 in Embodiment 1.

[0047] As shown in Figure 23, the retaining projection 46B has a prismatic projection body 46C that protrudes in the +Z direction from the surface of the flat plate portion 42, and an arm portion 46D that extends in the +X direction from the +Z end of the projection body 46C, facing the surface of the flat plate portion 42. The distance S2 between the arm portion 46D and the surface of the flat plate portion 42 is formed to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31.

[0048] Furthermore, the retaining projection 46A, positioned on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42, has the same configuration as the retaining projection 46B. By pushing the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 from the +X direction between the arm portion 46D of the retaining projection 46B and the surface of the flat plate portion 42, and between the arm portion 46D of the retaining projection 46A and the surface of the flat plate portion 42, the insulated wire 31 can be held by the retaining projections 46A and 46B. Even if the first connector portion 41B having such retaining protrusions 46A and 46B is used instead of the first connector portion 41 in Embodiment 1, it is still possible to achieve a compact connector while reliably electrically connecting the contact portion 23A, which consists of multiple flexible conductors 23 of the sheet-like conductive member 21, to the conductor portions 32 of multiple insulated wires 31.

[0049] In the first connector section 41B shown in Figure 22, the wire holding section has one retaining projection 46A located on the +Y direction side of the flat plate section 42 and one retaining projection 46B located on the -Y direction side of the flat plate section 42, but it is not limited to this. For example, as in the first connector section 41C shown in Figure 24, the wire holding section may be formed by only one retaining projection 46A located on the +Y direction side of the flat plate section 42. Even when using the first connector section 41C with such a configuration, the conductor portions 32 of multiple insulated wires 31 can be held and electrically connected to multiple contact portions 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21. Similarly, in the first connector portion 41B shown in Figure 22, the wire holding portion can also be formed by only one retaining projection 46B located on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion 42.

[0050] In embodiments 1 and 2 described above, the diagrams show four insulated wires 31 connected to the sheet-like conductive member 21. However, the diagrams are not limited to four insulated wires 31; the conductor portion 32 of one or more insulated wires 31 can be connected to the contact portion 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21, which consists of a flexible conductor 23.

[0051] Embodiment 3 In the connector 11 of Embodiment 1, in the first connector portion 41, a plurality of wire holding portions 43 and a plurality of locking protrusions 44 are arranged alternately in the X direction, and in the second connector portion 51, a plurality of connecting spring members 53 and a plurality of locking spring members 54 are also arranged alternately in the X direction. However, the arrangement of the plurality of wire holding portions 43 and the plurality of locking protrusions 44, and the arrangement of the plurality of connecting spring members 53 and the plurality of locking spring members 54 can take various forms.

[0052] [Layout example 1] In the connector 61A shown in Figure 25, similar to Embodiment 1, multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged alternately in the X direction. Although not shown in Figure 25, multiple wire holding portions 43 and multiple locking protrusions 44 are also arranged in the X direction corresponding to the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54. The mating state of the connector 61A is locked by the locking spring members 54 which are arranged alternately with the connecting spring members 53, so that the contact portion 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 can be reliably electrically connected to the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 by the multiple connecting spring members 53.

[0053] [Layout example 2] In the connector 61B shown in Figure 26, for every two connecting spring members 53 arranged consecutively in the X direction, a locking spring member 54 is positioned on each side of these two connecting spring members 53 in the X direction. Although not shown in Figure 26, multiple wire holding portions 43 and multiple locking protrusions 44 are also arranged in the X direction corresponding to the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54.

[0054] Even with this arrangement, the mating state of the connector 61B is locked by a locking spring member 54 for every two connecting spring members 53, and the multiple connecting spring members 53 allow the contact portion 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 to be reliably electrically connected to the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31.

[0055] [Layout example 3] In the connector 61C shown in Figure 27, multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged in two rows in the X direction, spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, and staggered in the Y direction. In each row, the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged alternately in the X direction. Although not shown in Figure 27, multiple wire holding parts 43 and multiple locking protrusions 44 are also arranged corresponding to the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54.

[0056] By arranging multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 alternately in the Y direction, multiple insulated wires 31 can be arranged on the -Y direction side of the connector 61C, and the conductor portion 32 of each wire can be extended to the corresponding connecting spring member 53. This arrangement allows the conductor portions 32 of numerous insulated wires 31 to be connected to the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0057] [Layout example 4] In the connector 61D shown in Figure 28, similar to the connector 61C shown in Figure 27, multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged in two rows in the X direction, spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, and staggered in the Y direction. However, in each row, for every two connecting spring members 53 arranged consecutively in the X direction, locking spring members 54 are arranged on both sides of these two connecting spring members 53 in the X direction. Although not shown in Figure 28, multiple wire holding parts 43 and multiple locking protrusions 44 are also arranged in correspondence with the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54.

[0058] Even with this arrangement, the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged alternately in the Y direction, allowing multiple insulated wires 31 to be arranged on the -Y direction side of the connector 61D, and extending the conductor portion 32 of each wire to the corresponding connecting spring member 53. Furthermore, it becomes possible to connect the conductor portions 32 of numerous insulated wires 31 to the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0059] [Layout example 5] In the connector 61E shown in Figure 29, multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged in two rows in the X direction, spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, and aligned in the Y direction. Furthermore, the multiple connecting spring members 53 arranged in one of the two rows and the multiple connecting spring members 53 arranged in the other row are positioned at the same X direction relative to each other. Although not shown in Figure 29, multiple wire holding parts 43 and multiple locking protrusions 44 are also arranged in correspondence with the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54.

[0060] Since the multiple connecting spring members 53 and the multiple locking spring members 54 are aligned in the Y direction, multiple insulated wires 31 are arranged on both the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the connector 61E. Even with this arrangement, the conductor portions 32 of numerous insulated wires 31 can be connected to the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0061] [Layout example 6] In the connector 61F shown in Figure 30, similar to the connector 61E shown in Figure 29, multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged in two rows in the X direction, spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, and aligned in the Y direction. However, the multiple connecting spring members 53 arranged in one of the two rows and the multiple connecting spring members 53 arranged in the other row are arranged alternately from each other in the Y direction. Although not shown in Figure 30, multiple wire holding parts 43 and multiple locking protrusions 44 are also arranged in correspondence with the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54.

[0062] In this case as well, since the multiple connecting spring members 53 and the multiple locking spring members 54 are aligned in the Y direction, multiple insulated wires 31 are arranged on both the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the connector 61F. Even with this arrangement, the conductor portions 32 of numerous insulated wires 31 can be connected to the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0063] [Layout example 7] In the connector 61G shown in Figure 31, as in the connector 61E shown in Figure 29, multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged in two rows in the X direction, spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, and aligned in the Y direction. However, in each row, for every two connecting spring members 53 arranged consecutively in the X direction, locking spring members 54 are arranged on both sides of these two connecting spring members 53 in the X direction. Although not shown in Figure 31, multiple wire holding parts 43 and multiple locking protrusions 44 are also arranged in correspondence with the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54.

[0064] In this case as well, since the multiple connecting spring members 53 and the multiple locking spring members 54 are aligned in the Y direction, multiple insulated wires 31 are arranged on both the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the connector 61G. Even with this arrangement, the conductor portions 32 of numerous insulated wires 31 can be connected to the sheet-like conductive member 21.

[0065] [Layout example 8] In the connector 61H shown in Figure 32, multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54 are arranged in two rows in the X direction, spaced apart from each other in the Y direction, and aligned in the Y direction. However, in each row, for every three connecting spring members 53 arranged consecutively in the X direction, locking spring members 54 are arranged on both sides of these three connecting spring members 53 in the X direction. Although not shown in Figure 32, multiple wire holding parts 43 and multiple locking protrusions 44 are also arranged in correspondence with the multiple connecting spring members 53 and multiple locking spring members 54.

[0066] Since the multiple connecting spring members 53 and the multiple locking spring members 54 are aligned in the Y direction, multiple insulated wires 31 are arranged on both the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the connector 61H. Even with this arrangement, the mating state of the connector 61H is locked by a locking spring member 54 for each of the three connecting spring members 53, and the contact portion 23A of the sheet-like conductive member 21 can be reliably electrically connected to the conductor portion 32 of the insulated wire 31 by the multiple connecting spring members 53. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1 Sheet-shaped conductive member, 2 First connector, 3 Electric wire, 4 Second connector, 11, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 61E, 61F, 61G, 61H Connector, 21 Sheet-shaped conductive member, 21A Electric wire connection part, 21B Positioning hole, 22 Insulating substrate, 22A Protruding piece, 22B Opening, 23 Flexible conductor, 23A Contact part, 31 Insulated electric wire, 32 Conductor part, 33 Insulating coating part, 41, 41A, 41B, 41C First connector part, 42, 52A Flat plate part, 43 Electric wire holding part, 43A, 43B, 46A, 46B Holding projection, 44 Locking projection, 44A Overhanging part, 45 Positioning projection, 46C Projection body, 46D Arm part, 51 Second connector part, 52 Second insulator, 52B spring member mounting part, 52C through hole, 52D connecting part, 52E groove part, 52F outer wall part, 53 connecting spring member, 53A spring piece, 53B, 54B connecting part, 53C pressing part, 53D, 54D protruding part, 54 locking spring member, 54A lock piece, 54C hooking part, 55 insulating sheet, S1, S2 spacing.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting the conductive portion of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet-like conductive member, The first connector portion has a wire holding portion for holding the aforementioned wire and a locking projection, A second connector portion having a connecting spring member corresponding to the wire held in the wire holding portion and a locking spring member corresponding to the locking projection. Equipped with, The electric wire extends along the first direction, The connecting spring member and the locking spring member are arranged at a predetermined distance apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A connector in which, when the second connector portion is fitted to the first connector portion in which the electric wire is held by the electric wire holding portion, with the sheet-like conductive member in between, the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member is pressed against the conductor portion of the electric wire by the connecting spring member and electrically connected, and the fitted state of the first connector portion and the second connector portion is locked by the locking spring member catching on the locking projection.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connector portion comprises a first insulator on which the wire holding portion and the locking projection are formed on the surface of a flat plate portion extending along the first and second directions.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the wire holding portion has at least one pair of holding protrusions that face each other in the second direction and sandwich the outer circumference of the wire.

4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the wire holding portion has at least one holding projection that extends in the second direction while facing the surface of the flat plate portion and has an arm portion formed between it and the surface of the flat plate portion to sandwich the outer circumference of the wire.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second connector portion comprises a second insulator to which the connecting spring member and the locking spring member are attached, and an insulating sheet attached to the second insulator to hold the connecting spring member and the locking spring member to the second insulator.

6. The locking projection has a protruding portion that extends in the second direction, The locking spring member has a locking piece that is elastically deformable in the second direction, The connector according to claim 1, wherein when the second connector portion is fitted into the first connector portion, the locking piece catches on the protruding portion.

7. The locking projection has a pair of protruding portions that extend in opposite directions from each other. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the locking spring member has a pair of locking pieces that hook onto the pair of protruding portions.

8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connecting spring member has a pair of spring pieces facing each other in the second direction, and presses the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member against the conductor portion of the electric wire which is positioned between the pair of spring pieces.

9. The first connector portion has a pair of positioning protrusions arranged at both ends of the flat plate portion in the second direction and each protruding in the direction of mating with the second connector portion. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the pair of positioning protrusions are passed through a pair of positioning holes formed in the sheet-like conductive member, thereby positioning the sheet-like conductive member relative to the first connector portion.

10. The second connector portion has a plurality of connecting spring members and a plurality of locking spring members arranged in the second direction, For each of the at least one connecting spring members arranged continuously in the second direction, the locking spring members are arranged on both sides of the at least one connecting spring member in the second direction. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connector portion has a plurality of wire holding portions and a plurality of locking protrusions arranged in the second direction corresponding to the plurality of connecting spring members and the plurality of locking spring members.

11. The second connector portion has the plurality of connecting spring members and the plurality of locking spring members arranged in two rows in the second direction, spaced apart from each other in the first direction, The connector according to claim 10, wherein the first connector portion has a plurality of wire holding portions and a plurality of locking protrusions arranged in two rows in the second direction, corresponding to the plurality of connecting spring members and the plurality of locking spring members.

12. The plurality of connecting spring members and the plurality of locking spring members arranged in the two rows are arranged alternately in the first direction. The connector according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of wire holding portions and the plurality of locking protrusions arranged in the two rows are arranged alternately in the first direction.

13. The plurality of connecting spring members and the plurality of locking spring members arranged in the two rows are aligned in the first direction, The connector according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of wire holding portions and the plurality of locking protrusions arranged in the two rows are aligned in the first direction.

14. The sheet-like conductive member and, The aforementioned electric wire and, The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and Equipped with, A connector assembly in which the flexible conductor of the sheet-like conductive member is pressed against the conductor portion of the electric wire by the connecting spring member, thereby electrically connecting them, and the mating state of the first connector portion and the second connector portion is locked by the locking spring member catching on the locking projection.

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