Terminal

Abstract

In a receptacle terminal (2A), a receptacle substrate connection section (21) is connected to a second substrate. A receptacle contact section (22) touches the contact of a plug terminal inserted in an insertion / removal direction intersecting with the main surface of the second substrate. A first receptacle elastic section (23) connects the receptacle substrate connection section (21) and the receptacle contact section (22). The first receptacle elastic section (23) is provided with a first receptacle spring section (43) and a second receptacle spring section (44). The first receptacle spring section (43) is formed so as to run along a first receptacle side surface (S21) which is a portion of a side surface of a virtual second three-dimensional body (C2) having, as a plane, a receptacle plane figure (B21) which encompasses the receptacle contact section (22) when viewed in the insertion / removal direction, and the first receptacle spring section (43) can deform relative to the first receptacle side surface (S21). The second receptacle spring section (44) is a portion of the side surface of the second three-dimensional body (C2), is connected to the first receptacle side surface (S21), is formed so as to run along a second receptacle side surface (S22) having a different normal direction than the first receptacle side surface (S21), and can deform relative to the second receptacle side surface (S22).

Description

Terminals

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a receptacle contact formed by bending a strip of metal. The receptacle contact has a spring member that allows the contact member to follow the lateral movement (X-axis direction) of the mating contact.

[0003] Patent No. 4880924

[0004] In the receptacle contact (terminal) disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the direction in which the spring member can elastically deform is mainly the X-axis direction, and it is difficult for the contact member to elastically deform in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. Therefore, there is a limit to how much the contact member can follow the movement of the mating terminal.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a terminal that can improve the ability to follow a mating terminal.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the terminal of the present invention is a terminal made of a conductive material, and comprises: a board connection portion connected to a board; a contact portion that comes into contact with a contact of a mating terminal that is inserted or removed in an insertion / removal direction that intersects with the main surface of the board; and a first elastic portion that connects the board connection portion and the contact portion, wherein the first elastic portion comprises: a first spring portion that is formed along a first side surface that is a part of the side surface of an imaginary three-dimensional object, the plane or bottom surface of which is a planar figure that contains the contact portion when viewed in the insertion / removal direction, and is deformable relative to the first side surface; and a second spring portion that is formed along a second side surface that is a part of the side surface of the three-dimensional object, is connected to the first side surface, and has a normal direction different from that of the first side surface, and is deformable relative to the second side surface.

[0007] The first spring portion may be formed with a first contact connection portion that connects with the contact portion, the second spring portion may be formed with a notch that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, and the notch may form a first extension portion that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction and is connected at one end to the first contact connection portion, a second extension portion that is positioned closer to the board connection portion than the first extension portion and extends parallel to the first extension portion, and a first fold portion that connects the other end of the first extension portion to one end of the second extension portion opposite the other end in the insertion / removal direction.

[0008] The first spring portion may be provided with a third extension portion that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, has one end connected to the other end of the second extension portion, and is connected to the board connection portion.

[0009] The second spring portion may be formed with: a fourth extension portion that is positioned closer to the board connection portion than the second extension portion, extends parallel to the second extension portion, and is connected to the board connection portion; and a second fold portion that connects the other end of the second extension portion to one end of the fourth extension portion opposite the other end in the insertion / removal direction.

[0010] the first elastic portion comprises a fifth spring portion that is a part of a side surface of the three-dimensional object, that is formed along a fourth side surface that faces the second side surface, and that is deformable relative to the fourth side surface; a notch that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction is formed in the fifth spring portion, and the notch forms a ninth extension portion that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction and is connected at one end to the first contact connection portion, a tenth extension portion that is disposed closer to the board connection portion than the ninth extension portion and extends parallel to the ninth extension portion, and a fifth fold portion that connects the other end of the ninth extension portion to one end of the tenth extension portion that faces the other end in the insertion / removal direction; and the third extension portion is connected at the other end to the other end of the tenth extension portion, The shape and size of the member formed by connecting the ninth extension portion, the tenth extension portion, and the fifth fold portion may be the same as the shape and size of the member formed by connecting the first extension portion, the second extension portion, and the first fold portion.

[0011] and a second elastic portion connecting the board connection portion and the contact portion, wherein the second elastic portion comprises: a third spring portion that is part of a side surface of the three-dimensional object, is formed along a third side surface opposite the first side surface, and is deformable relative to the third side surface; and a fourth spring portion that is part of a side surface of the three-dimensional object, is formed along a fourth side surface opposite the second side surface, and is deformable relative to the fourth side surface.

[0012] The third spring portion may be formed with a second contact connection portion that connects to the contact portion, the fourth spring portion may be formed with a notch extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, and the notch may form a fifth extension portion that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction and is connected at one end to the second contact connection portion, a sixth extension portion that is positioned closer to the board connection portion than the fifth extension portion and extends parallel to the fifth extension portion, and a third fold portion that connects the other end of the fifth extension portion to one end of the sixth extension portion opposite the other end in the insertion / removal direction.

[0013] The third spring portion may be provided with a seventh extension portion that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, connects to the other end of the sixth extension portion, and connects to the board connection portion.

[0014] The fourth spring portion may be formed with: an eighth extension portion that is positioned closer to the board connection portion than the sixth extension portion, extends parallel to the sixth extension portion, and is connected to the board connection portion; and a fourth fold portion that connects the other end of the sixth extension portion to one end of the eighth extension portion opposite the other end in the insertion / removal direction.

[0015] the second elastic portion comprises a sixth spring portion that is a part of a side surface of the three-dimensional object, that is formed along the second side surface, and that is deformable relative to the second side surface; a notch is formed in the sixth spring portion, that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, and the notch forms an eleventh extension portion that extends in the direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction and is connected at one end to the second contact connection portion, a twelfth extension portion that is disposed closer to the board connection portion than the eleventh extension portion and that extends parallel to the eleventh extension portion, and a sixth fold portion that connects the other end of the eleventh extension portion to one end of the twelfth extension portion that faces the other end in the insertion / removal direction; and the seventh extension portion is connected at the other end to the other end of the twelfth extension portion, The shape and size of the member formed by connecting the 11th extension portion, the 12th extension portion, and the 6th fold portion may be the same as the shape and size of the member formed by connecting the 5th extension portion, the 6th extension portion, and the 3rd fold portion.

[0016] The first elastic portion and the second elastic portion may be arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the contact portion as a center when viewed in the insertion / removal direction.

[0017] The contact portion may include a first contact that comes into contact with the contact of the mating terminal, and a second contact that is arranged opposite the first contact and that sandwiches the contact of the mating terminal with the first contact, the first contact being connected to the first elastic portion, and the second contact being connected to the second elastic portion.

[0018] The contact may further include a restricting portion that restricts an increase in the distance between the first contact and the second contact.

[0019] The restricting portion may be bent in a concave shape in a direction approaching the board connecting portion with respect to the insertion / removal direction.

[0020] According to the present invention, the first elastic portion connecting the board connection portion and the contact portion includes a first spring portion that is deformable relative to a first side surface that is a part of the side surface of an imaginary three-dimensional object, the plane or bottom surface of which is a planar figure that includes the contact portion when viewed in the insertion / removal direction with the mating terminal, and a second spring portion that is deformable relative to a second side surface that has a different normal direction from the first side surface. This allows the relative position of the terminal with respect to the board connection portion to be shifted in two directions that intersect with the insertion / removal direction with the mating terminal, thereby improving the followability to the mating terminal.

[0021] 6A is a first perspective view of a plug terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a second perspective view of the plug terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6C is a plan view of the plug terminal of FIG. 1A before bending is performed. FIG. 6D is a first perspective view of the plug terminal showing a virtual three-dimensional shape that serves as a reference for bending. FIG. 6E is a second perspective view of the plug terminal showing a virtual three-dimensional shape that serves as a reference for bending. FIG. 6F is a six-view view of the plug terminal of FIG. 1A. FIG. 6G is a schematic diagram illustrating a simplified structure of the plug terminal of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6H is a first perspective view of a receptacle terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6I is a plan view of the receptacle terminal of FIG. 6A before bending is performed. FIG. 6I is a first perspective view of the receptacle terminal shown in FIG. 6A showing a virtual three-dimensional shape that serves as a reference for bending. FIG. 6I is a second perspective view of the receptacle terminal shown in FIG. 6A showing a virtual three-dimensional shape that serves as a reference for bending. FIG. 6I is a six-view view of the receptacle terminal. FIG. 6I is a schematic diagram illustrating a simplified structure of the receptacle terminal of FIG. 6A. 11C is a first perspective view showing how the plug terminal of FIG. 1A and the receptacle terminal of FIG. 6A are mated together. FIG. 11D is a second perspective view showing how the plug terminal of FIG. 1A and the receptacle terminal of FIG. 6A are mated together. FIG. 11C is a side view of the plug terminal of FIG. 1A and the receptacle terminal of FIG. 6A when mated together. FIG. 11D is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 11C. FIG. 11D is a view showing Example 1 in which the plug terminal of FIG. 1A and the receptacle terminal of FIG. 6A are mated together. FIG. 11E is a view showing Example 2 in which the plug terminal of FIG. 1A and the receptacle terminal of FIG. 6A are mated together. FIG. 11F is a first perspective view of a receptacle terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11G is a second perspective view of a receptacle terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11H is a plan view of the receptacle terminal of FIG. 14A before bending. FIG. 14H is a first perspective view of the receptacle terminal shown in FIG. 14A, showing a virtual solid body that serves as a reference for bending. FIG. 11H is a second perspective view of the receptacle terminal shown in FIG. 14A, showing a virtual solid body that serves as a reference for bending. 18C is a six-view diagram of the receptacle terminal of Fig. 14A. FIG. 18C is a first perspective view showing how the plug terminal of Fig. 1A and the receptacle terminal of Fig. 14A are mated. FIG. 18D is a second perspective view showing how the plug terminal of Fig. 1A and the receptacle terminal of Fig. 14A are mated. FIG. 18C is a side view of the plug terminal of Fig. 1A and the receptacle terminal of Fig. 14A when mated. FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of Fig. 18C.19 is a perspective view of a receptacle terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0023] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, two terminals that can be connected to each other to enable signal transmission between boards will be described. These are a plug terminal 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B and a receptacle terminal 2A shown in Figures 6A and 6B.

[0024] [Plug Terminal] First, the plug terminal 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the plug terminal 1 is mounted on a first substrate 3. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first substrate 3 is indicated by a dotted line. In this embodiment, the plug terminal 1 will be described with reference to a three-axis Cartesian coordinate system consisting of an X1 axis, a Y1 axis, and a Z1 axis. Here, the X1 axis and the Y1 axis are defined as in-plane directions of the main surface of the first substrate 3. The Z1 axis is defined as the normal direction to the main surface of the first substrate 3.

[0025] The plug terminal 1 is connected to a receptacle terminal 2A (see Figures 6A and 6B) mounted on a second board 4 described later, and is used for transmitting electrical signals between the first board 3 and the second board 4 or for grounding.

[0026] The plug terminal 1 is made of a conductive material, such as a metal, such as a copper alloy. Examples of copper alloys include beryllium copper, phosphor bronze, and titanium copper.

[0027] The plug terminal 1 is formed by punching and bending an elastic metal plate. Specifically, the plug terminal 1 is formed by punching an elastic metal plate into the shape shown in FIG. 2. The in-plane directions of the metal plate are the α1 axis and the β1 axis, and the thickness direction of the metal plate is the γ1 axis. This metal plate has a shape that is axisymmetric with respect to a center line CL that is parallel to the β1 axis. After punching, the metal plate is bent at the dashed line portions by bending to form the shape shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The thickness of the metal plate is, for example, about 0.5 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0028] 1A and 1B, the plug terminal 1 includes a plug board connecting portion 11, a plug contact portion 12, a first plug elastic portion 13, a second plug elastic portion 14, and a plug contact connecting portion 15.

[0029] [Plug Board Connection Portion] The plug board connection portion 11 is connected to the first substrate 3. In this embodiment, a pair of plug board connection portions 11 are provided. The first substrate 3 is provided with a rectangular through-hole, and the plug board connection portion 11 is inserted into the through-hole and soldered. In this way, the plug board connection portion 11 is mounted on the main surface of the first substrate 3. The plug terminal 1 is provided with a plug positioning portion 11a around the plug board connection portion 11 to prevent it from being mounted at an angle relative to the first substrate 3. Electronic components are mounted on the main surface of the first substrate 3, and an electric circuit including the electronic components is constructed. Electrodes are connected to the electric circuit, and the plug board connection portion 11 inserted into the through-hole is connected to the electrodes.

[0030] [Plug Contact Portion] The plug contact portion 12 contacts the receptacle contact portion 22 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B ) of the receptacle terminal 2A (described later). As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the plug contact portion 12 is a convex contact that protrudes in the +Z1 direction. In this embodiment, the Z1 axis direction corresponds to the insertion / removal direction of the plug contact portion 12 relative to the receptacle contact portion 22 of the receptacle terminal 2A. The size of the plug contact portion 12, for example, its length in the Z1 axis direction, is determined taking into account the allowable positional deviation (floating amount) between the plug contact portion 12 and the receptacle contact portion 22 of the receptacle terminal 2A. The allowable positional deviation is, for example, 1.0 mm, but is not limited to this. The length of the plug contact portion 12 in the Z1 axis direction is, for example, 4.0 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0031] [First plug elastic portion] The first plug elastic portion 13 connects one of the pair of plug board connecting portions 11 to the plug contact portion 12. As shown in Fig. 2 , the first plug elastic portion 13 is a strip-shaped member extending in the α1 axis direction, and is connected to the plug board connecting portion 11 at one end on the +α1 side and to the plug contact portion 12 via the plug contact connecting portion 15 at the other end on the -α1 side.

[0032] The first plug elastic portion 13 includes a first plug spring portion 30, a second plug spring portion 31, and a first connecting portion 32. As shown in Fig. 2 , in the first plug elastic portion 13, the first plug spring portion 30, the first connecting portion 32, and the second plug spring portion 31 are arranged in this order from the plug contact portion 12 toward the +α1 direction. The first plug elastic portion 13 is bent 90 degrees along a bend line parallel to the β1 axis between the first plug spring portion 30 and the plug contact connecting portion 15, and is further bent 90 degrees along a bend line parallel to the β1 axis in the first connecting portion 32 that connects the first plug spring portion 30 and the second plug spring portion 31, thereby forming the shape shown in Figs. 1A and 1B .

[0033] In this embodiment, the first plug elastic portion 13 is formed by bending a virtual first solid C1 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B as a reference. The first solid C1 is a rectangular parallelepiped, i.e., a quadrangular prism. When viewed in the insertion / removal direction, the first solid C1 has a plug planar figure B11, which includes the plug contact portion 12, as its plane and a plug planar figure B12 as its bottom. The normal direction of the plug planar figures B11 and B12 is the Z1-axis direction. The first solid C1 has a first plug side surface S11, a second plug side surface S12, a third plug side surface S13, and a fourth plug side surface S14 as part of its side surfaces. The normal direction of the first plug side surface S11 and the third plug side surface S13 is the X1-axis direction, and the normal direction of the second plug side surface S12 and the fourth plug side surface S14 is the Y1-axis direction. In this way, the normal direction of the first plug side surface S11 and the third plug side surface S13 is different from that of the second plug side surface S12 and the fourth plug side surface S14.

[0034] 3A and 3B, the first plug spring portion 30 is formed along the first plug side surface S11 of the first solid body C1. The first plug spring portion 30 has elasticity and is deformable relative to the first plug side surface S11.

[0035] 3A and 3B, the second plug spring portion 31 is formed along the second plug side surface S12 of the first solid body C1. The second plug spring portion 31 is deformable relative to the second plug side surface S12.

[0036] 3A, the first connecting portion 32 is provided at a position corresponding to the corner between the first plug side surface S11 and the second plug side surface S12. The first connecting portion 32 connects the first plug spring portion 30 and the second plug spring portion 31.

[0037] [Second plug elastic portion] The second plug elastic portion 14 connects the other of the pair of plug board connecting portions 11 that is not connected to the first plug elastic portion 13 to the plug contact portion 12. As shown in Fig. 2 , the second plug elastic portion 14 is a strip-shaped member extending in the α1 axis direction, and is connected to the plug board connecting portion 11 at one end on the -α1 side and to the plug contact portion 12 via the plug contact connecting portion 15 at the other end on the +α1 side.

[0038] The second plug elastic portion 14 includes a third plug spring portion 33, a fourth plug spring portion 34, and a second connecting portion 35. As shown in Fig. 2, in the second plug elastic portion 14, the third plug spring portion 33, the second connecting portion 35, and the fourth plug spring portion 34 are arranged in this order from the plug contact portion 12 toward the -α1 direction. The second plug elastic portion 14 is bent 90 degrees along a bend line parallel to the β1 axis between the third plug spring portion 33 and the plug contact connecting portion 15, and is further bent 90 degrees along a bend line parallel to the β1 axis at the second connecting portion 35 that connects the third plug spring portion 33 and the fourth plug spring portion 34, thereby forming the shape shown in Figs. 1A and 1B.

[0039] Similar to the first plug elastic portion 13, the second plug elastic portion 14 is formed by bending with reference to the imaginary first solid C1 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4.

[0040] 3A, 3B, and 4, the third plug spring portion 33 is a part of the side surface of the first solid body C1 and is formed along a third plug side surface S13 that faces the first plug side surface S11. The third plug spring portion 33 is deformable relative to the third plug side surface S13.

[0041] 3A, 3B, and 4, the fourth plug spring portion 34 is formed along a fourth plug side surface S14 that is part of the side surface of the first solid body C1 and faces the second plug side surface S12. The fourth plug spring portion 34 is deformable relative to the fourth plug side surface S14.

[0042] 3B and 4, the second connecting portion 35 is provided at a position corresponding to the corner between the first plug side surface S11 and the second plug side surface S12. The second connecting portion 35 connects the third plug spring portion 33 and the fourth plug spring portion 34.

[0043] [Plug Contact Connection Portion] The plug contact connection portion 15 connects the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14 to the plug contact portion 12. As shown in Fig. 2, the plug contact connection portion 15 has a plug slit 36 ​​formed therein, which extends in the insertion / removal direction from the outer edge on the -β side toward the plug contact portion 12. The plug slit 36 ​​extends to the plug contact portion 12. The plug slit 36 ​​divides the plug contact connection portion 15 into a first connection portion 37 connected to the first plug elastic portion 13 and a second connection portion 38 connected to the second plug elastic portion 14.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows six views of the plug terminal 1. Looking at the plan view and bottom view of the plug terminal 1 as shown in Fig. 4, the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14 are arranged point-symmetrically around the plug contact portion 12, more precisely, around the center point P of the plug contact portion 12, when viewed in the insertion / extraction direction (Z1 axis direction). More specifically, the plug terminal 1 is formed in an S-shape when viewed in the insertion / extraction direction. Even more specifically, the plug contact portion 12, the first plug elastic portion 13, and the second plug elastic portion 14 are formed in an S-shape when viewed in the insertion / extraction direction.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the structures of the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14. In Fig. 5, the first plug spring portion 30 and the second plug spring portion 31 constituting the first plug elastic portion 13 are shown as linear members. Also, the third plug spring portion 33 and the fourth plug spring portion 34 constituting the second plug elastic portion 14 are shown as linear members. The same is true for the plug board connecting portion 11 and the plug contact portion 12.

[0046] The position of the plug board connection portion 11 that is connected to the first board 3 is fixed. However, the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14 that connect the plug board connection portion 11 and the plug contact portion 12 have elastic force, and therefore can be deformed by the force received from the plug contact portion 12.

[0047] 5, the second plug spring portion 31 has an elastic force that displaces a position P2 of its end portion, where it connects with the first connecting portion 32, in the X1-axis direction, Y1-axis direction, and Z1-axis direction, relative to a position P1 of its end portion, where it connects with the plug board connecting portion 11. The first plug spring portion 30 has an elastic force that displaces a position P3 of its end portion, where it connects with the first connecting portion 37, in the X1-axis direction, Y1-axis direction, and Z1-axis direction, relative to a position P2 of the first connecting portion 32.

[0048] On the other hand, the fourth plug spring portion 34 has an elastic force that displaces a position P5 of its end portion, where it connects with the second linking portion 35, in the X1-axis direction, Y1-axis direction, and Z1-axis direction, relative to a position P4 of its end portion connected with the plug board connecting portion 11. The third plug spring portion 33 has an elastic force that displaces a position P6 of its end portion, where it connects with the second connecting portion 38, in the X1-axis direction, Y1-axis direction, and Z1-axis direction, relative to a position P5 of the second linking portion 35. As a result, the plug contact portion 12 can move in the X1-axis direction, Y1-axis direction, and Z1-axis direction relative to the plug board connecting portion 11 due to the displacement of positions P1, P2, and P3 and positions P4, P5, and P6.

[0049] Furthermore, due to the presence of the plug slit 36, the plug contact connection portion 15 is divided into a first connection portion 37 and a second connection portion 38. This allows the first connection portion 37 and the second connection portion 38 to deform independently, thereby enabling even greater relative movement of the plug contact portion 12 with respect to the plug board connection portion 11 in the X1-axis direction, the Y1-axis direction, and the Z1-axis direction.

[0050] Furthermore, the second plug spring portion 31 is capable of rotating around the X1 axis at a portion at position P2 relative to the portion at position P1 due to torsional deformation. The first plug spring portion 30 is capable of rotating around the Y1 axis at a portion at position P3 relative to the portion at position P2 due to torsional deformation. The fourth plug spring portion 34 is capable of rotating around the X1 axis at a portion at position P5 relative to the portion at position P4 due to torsional deformation. The third plug spring portion 33 is capable of rotating around the Y1 axis at a portion at position P6 relative to the portion at position P5 due to torsional deformation. This allows the plug contact portion 12 to tilt in the X1 axis and Y1 axis directions relative to the plug board connection portion 11.

[0051] In addition, due to the elastic deformation of the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14 and the division of the plug contact connection portion 15 by the plug slit 36, the plug contact portion 12 can also rotate around the Z1 axis relative to the pair of plug substrate connection portions 11.

[0052] [Receptacle Terminal] Next, the receptacle terminal 2A will be described. The receptacle terminal 2A is connected to the plug terminal 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0053] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the receptacle terminal 2A is mounted on the second substrate 4. In Figures 6A and 6B, the second substrate 4 is indicated by a dotted line. In this embodiment, the receptacle terminal 2A will be described with reference to a three-axis Cartesian coordinate system consisting of the X2 axis, the Y2 axis, and the Z2 axis. Here, the X2 axis and the Y2 axis are defined as in-plane directions of the main surface of the second substrate 4. The Z2 axis is defined as the normal direction to the main surface of the second substrate 4.

[0054] As described above, the receptacle terminal 2A is connected to the plug terminal 1 (see Figures 1A and 1B) mounted on the first board 3, and is used for transmitting electrical signals between the first board 3 and the second board 4 or for grounding.

[0055] The receptacle terminals 2A are made of a conductive material, similar to the plug terminals 1. The material of the receptacle terminals 2A does not need to be the same as that of the plug terminals 1, but it is preferable that they be the same material from the viewpoint of electrical conductivity.

[0056] The receptacle terminal 2A is formed by punching and bending an elastic metal plate. Specifically, the receptacle terminal 2A is formed by punching an elastic metal plate into the shape shown in FIG. 7. The in-plane directions of the metal plate are the α2 axis and the β2 axis, and the thickness direction of the metal plate is the γ2 axis. The shape of this metal plate is point-symmetric with respect to the center point O. After punching, the metal plate is bent at the dashed line portions by bending to form the shape shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The thickness of the metal plate is, for example, about 0.5 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0057] 6A and 6B, the receptacle terminal 2A includes a receptacle board connecting portion 21, a receptacle contact portion 22, a first receptacle elastic portion 23, and a second receptacle elastic portion 24.

[0058] [Receptacle Board Connection Portion] The receptacle board connection portion 21 is connected to the second substrate 4. In this embodiment, a pair of receptacle board connection portions 21 is provided. The second substrate 4 has a rectangular through-hole, into which the receptacle board connection portion 21 is inserted and soldered. As a result, the receptacle board connection portion 21 is mounted on the main surface of the second substrate 4. A receptacle positioning portion 21a is provided around the receptacle board connection portion 21 to prevent the receptacle board connection portion 21 from being mounted at an angle relative to the second substrate 4. Electronic components are mounted on the main surface of the second substrate 4, and an electric circuit including the electronic components is constructed. Electrodes are connected to the electric circuit, and the receptacle board connection portion 21 inserted into the through-hole is connected to the electrode.

[0059] [Receptacle Contact Portion] The receptacle contact portion 22 comes into contact with the plug contact portion 12 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the plug terminal 1 that is inserted or removed in an insertion / removal direction that intersects with the main surface of the second substrate 4. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B , the receptacle contact portion 22 is a concave contact that protrudes in the +Z2 direction, and comes into contact with the plug contact portion 12 of the convex plug terminal 1 that is inserted in the insertion / removal direction.

[0060] The receptacle contact portion 22 includes a first contact 40 and a second contact 41 that contact the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1. As shown in Figures 6A, 6B, 7, 8A, 8B, and 9, the first contact 40 and the second contact 41 are arranged opposite each other. As will be described later, the first contact 40 and the second contact 41 sandwich the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1 inserted therebetween. On the opposing surfaces of the sandwiched portion, the first contact 40 and the second contact 41 have driven contacts that protrude in directions toward each other. This allows the first contact 40 and the second contact 41 to easily follow the plug contact portion 12 even if a positional misalignment occurs between the first contact 40 and the second contact 41 and the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1.

[0061] The receptacle contact portion 22 includes a restricting portion 42 that restricts the expansion of the gap between the first contact 40 and the second contact 41. As shown in FIG. 7 , after punching, the receptacle contact portion 22 has an overall rectangular frame shape, with a center point O located at the center of the rectangular frame. The receptacle contact portion 22 has a shape that is point-symmetrical with respect to the center point O. When viewed from the center point O, a strip-shaped member extends from the inner side of the rectangular frame closer to +α2 in the -α2 direction to a position not exceeding the center point O. This strip-shaped member is folded at multiple locations, including the end portions, along folding lines parallel to the β2 axis direction to form the first contact 40. Furthermore, when viewed from the center point O, a strip-shaped member extends from the inner side of the rectangular frame closer to -α2 in the +α2 direction to a position not exceeding the center point O. This strip-shaped member is folded at multiple locations, including the end portions, along folding lines parallel to the β2 axis direction to form the second contact 41.

[0062] The distance between the inner sides of the rectangular frame facing each other in the β2 axis direction is greater than the width of the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1 in the α1 axis direction. The restricting portion 42 corresponds to the side on the +β2 side and the side on the −β2 side of this rectangular frame. The restricting portion 42 is formed by bending it in two places along a folding line parallel to the β2 axis direction.

[0063] 6A and 6B, the restricting portion 42 is bent concavely in the direction approaching the receptacle board connection portion 21, i.e., in the -Z2 direction, relative to the insertion / removal direction. This is to bring the first contact 40 and the second contact 41 closer to each other when the receptacle contact portion 22 is formed by bending a metal plate (see FIG. 7). In addition, by bending the restricting portion 42 concavely in the Z2 direction, it is possible to prevent the restricting portion 42 from interfering with the plug contact portion 12 when the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1 is inserted between the first contact 40 and the second contact 41.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7 , in the receptacle contact portion 22 , the first contact 40 is connected to the first receptacle elastic portion 23 , and the second contact 41 is connected to the second receptacle elastic portion 24 .

[0065] [First Receptacle Elastic Portion] The first receptacle elastic portion 23 connects one of the pair of receptacle board connection portions 21 to the receptacle contact portion 22. As shown in FIG. 7, the first receptacle elastic portion 23 is a strip-shaped member that bends and extends in the α2-axis direction and the β2-axis direction. One end in the +α2 direction and the +β2 direction is connected to the receptacle board connection portion 21, and the other end in the -α2 direction is connected to the receptacle contact portion 22. The first receptacle elastic portion 23 has a receptacle slit 52 that extends in the β2-axis direction from the +β2 side to the -β2 side between the end connected to the receptacle contact portion 22 and the end connected to the receptacle board connection portion 21. This receptacle slit 52 gives the first receptacle elastic portion 23 a bent shape.

[0066] The first receptacle elastic portion 23 includes a first receptacle spring portion 43 and a second receptacle spring portion 44. As shown in Fig. 7, the first receptacle elastic portion 23 is bent at 90 degrees relative to the receptacle contact portion 22 along a bend line parallel to the β2 axis, and the boundary between the first receptacle spring portion 43 and the second receptacle spring portion 44 is bent at 90 degrees along a bend line parallel to the α2 axis, resulting in the shape shown in Figs.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first receptacle elastic portion 23 is formed by bending the imaginary second solid C2 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B . The second solid C2 is a rectangular parallelepiped, i.e., a rectangular prism. When viewed in the insertion / removal direction, the second solid C2 has a receptacle planar figure B21, which includes the receptacle contact portion 22, as its plane, and a receptacle planar figure B22 as its bottom. The receptacle planar figures B21 and B22 are normal to the Z2-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 9 , the second solid C2 has a first receptacle side surface S21, a second receptacle side surface S22, a third receptacle side surface S23, and a fourth receptacle side surface S24 as part of its side surfaces. The first receptacle side surface S21 and the third receptacle side surface S23 are normal to the Y2-axis direction. The second receptacle side surface S22 and the fourth receptacle side surface S24 are normal to the X2-axis direction. In this way, the normal direction of the first receptacle side surface S21 and the third receptacle side surface S23 is different from that of the second receptacle side surface S22 and the fourth receptacle side surface S24.

[0068] 8A and 8B, the first receptacle spring portion 43 is formed along the first receptacle side surface S21 of the second solid body C2. The first receptacle spring portion 43 has elasticity and is deformable relative to the first receptacle side surface S21.

[0069] 8A and 8B, the second receptacle spring portion 44 is formed along the second receptacle side surface S22 of the second solid body C2. The second receptacle spring portion 44 has elasticity and is deformable relative to the second receptacle side surface S22.

[0070] 6A and 9, the first receptacle spring portion 43 is formed with a first receptacle contact connection portion 50 that connects with the receptacle contact portion 22. When viewed from the -Y2 side, the first receptacle contact connection portion 50 is an L-shaped member (the shape of an L viewed from a mirror surface), and one end (+Z2 end) thereof is connected to the receptacle contact portion 22, extends from that portion in the -Z2 direction, and is bent in the -X2 direction.

[0071] Further, a recess slit 52 extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction is formed in the first receptacle spring portion 43 and the second receptacle spring portion 44. As shown in Fig. 9, the first receptacle spring portion 43 is divided by the recess slit 52 into the first receptacle contact connection portion 50 and the third extension portion 51. The second receptacle spring portion 44 is formed by the recess slit 52 with a first extension portion 53, a second extension portion 54, and a first folded portion 55.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 9 , the first extension portion 53 extends in the Y2-axis direction, which is a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction. One end (-Y2 end) of the first extension portion 53 is connected to the end of the first receptacle contact connection portion 50 closer to -X2. The second extension portion 54 is disposed closer to the receptacle board connection portion 21 than the first extension portion 53. The second extension portion 54 extends parallel to the first extension portion 53, i.e., in the Y2-axis direction. The first folded portion 55 connects the other end (+Y2 end) of the first extension portion 53 to one end (+Y2 end) of the second extension portion 54 facing the other end in the insertion / removal direction, i.e., in the Z2-axis direction.

[0073] Furthermore, in the first receptacle spring portion 43, the third extension portion 51 is located closer to the receptacle board connection portion 21 than the first receptacle contact connection portion 50, and extends in the X2 axis direction that intersects with the insertion / removal direction. One end (-X2 end) of the third extension portion 51 is connected to the other end (-Y2 end) of the second extension portion 54. The third extension portion 51 is also connected to the receptacle board connection portion 21.

[0074] As described above, the first receptacle elastic portion 23 starts from the receptacle contact portion 22, and the first receptacle contact connection portion 50, the first extension portion 53, the first folded portion 55, the second extension portion 54, and the third extension portion 51 are connected in this order, and are finally connected to the receptacle substrate connection portion 21.

[0075] [Second Receptacle Elastic Portion] The second receptacle elastic portion 24 connects the other of the pair of receptacle board connection portions 21, the one not connected to the first receptacle elastic portion 23, to the receptacle contact portion 22. As shown in FIG. 7 , the second receptacle elastic portion 24 is a strip-shaped member that extends in a bent manner in the α2-axis direction and the β2-axis direction. One end in the -α2 direction and the -β2 direction is connected to the receptacle board connection portion 21, and the other end in the +α2 direction is connected to the receptacle contact portion 22. The second receptacle elastic portion 24 has a receptacle slit 62 extending in the β2-axis direction from the -β2 side to the +β2 side between the end connected to the receptacle contact portion 22 and the end connected to the receptacle board connection portion 21. This receptacle slit 62 gives the second receptacle elastic portion 24 a bent shape.

[0076] The second receptacle elastic portion 24 includes a third receptacle spring portion 45 and a fourth receptacle spring portion 46. As shown in Fig. 7, the second receptacle elastic portion 24 is bent 90 degrees relative to the receptacle contact portion 22 along a bend line parallel to the β2 axis, and the boundary between the third receptacle spring portion 45 and the fourth receptacle spring portion 46 is bent 90 degrees along a bend line parallel to the α2 axis, resulting in the shape shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. The second receptacle elastic portion 24 is bent based on a virtual second solid C2 shown in Figs. 8A and 8B.

[0077] 8A and 8B, the third receptacle spring portion 45 is formed along the third receptacle side surface S23 of the second solid body C2. The third receptacle spring portion 45 has elasticity and is deformable relative to the third receptacle side surface S23.

[0078] 9, the fourth receptacle spring portion 46 is formed along the fourth receptacle side surface S24 of the second solid body C2. The fourth receptacle spring portion 46 has elasticity and is deformable relative to the fourth receptacle side surface S24.

[0079] 6B and 9, the third receptacle spring portion 45 is formed with a second receptacle contact connection portion 60 that connects to the receptacle contact portion 22. When viewed from the +Y2 side, the second receptacle contact connection portion 60 is an L-shaped member (the shape of an L viewed from a mirror surface), and one end (the +Z2 end) thereof is connected to the receptacle contact portion 22, extends from that portion in the -Z2 direction, and is bent in the +X2 direction.

[0080] Further, a recess slit 62 extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction is formed in the third receptacle spring portion 45 and the fourth receptacle spring portion 46. As shown in Fig. 9, the third receptacle spring portion 45 is divided by the recess slit 62 into the second receptacle contact connection portion 60 and a seventh extension portion 61. The fourth receptacle spring portion 46 is formed by the recess slit 62 with a fifth extension portion 63, a sixth extension portion 64, and a third folded portion 65.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 9 , the fifth extension portion 63 extends in the Y2-axis direction, which intersects with the insertion / removal direction. One end (+Y2 end) of the fifth extension portion 63 is connected to the end of the second receptacle contact connection portion 60 closer to +X2. The sixth extension portion 64 is disposed closer to the receptacle board connection portion 21 than the fifth extension portion 63. The sixth extension portion 64 extends parallel to the fifth extension portion 63, i.e., in the Y2-axis direction. The third folded portion 65 connects the other end (-Y2 end) of the fifth extension portion 63 to one end (-Y2 end) of the sixth extension portion 64 facing the other end in the insertion / removal direction, i.e., in the Z2-axis direction.

[0082] Furthermore, in the third receptacle spring portion 45, the seventh extension portion 61 is located closer to the receptacle board connection portion 21 than the second receptacle contact connection portion 60, and extends in the X2 axis direction that intersects with the insertion / removal direction. One end (+X2 end) of the seventh extension portion 61 is connected to the other end (+Y2 end) of the sixth extension portion 64. The seventh extension portion 61 is also connected to the receptacle board connection portion 21.

[0083] As described above, the second receptacle elastic portion 24 starts from the receptacle contact portion 22 and is connected in this order to the second receptacle contact connection portion 60, the fifth extension portion 63, the third folded portion 65, the sixth extension portion 64, and the seventh extension portion 61, and is connected to the receptacle substrate connection portion 21.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, the first receptacle elastic portion 23 and the second receptacle elastic portion 24 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the receptacle contact portion 22 as the center when viewed in the insertion / removal direction (Z2 axis direction).

[0085] Fig. 10 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the structure of the first receptacle elastic part 23 and the second receptacle elastic part 24. In Fig. 10, the first receptacle spring part 43 and the second receptacle spring part 44 constituting the first receptacle elastic part 23 are shown as linear members. Also, the third receptacle spring part 45 and the fourth receptacle spring part 46 constituting the second receptacle elastic part 24 are shown as linear members. The same applies to the receptacle board connection part 21 and the receptacle contact part 22.

[0086] The position of the receptacle board connection part 21 that is connected to the second board 4 is fixed. However, the first receptacle elastic part 23 and the second receptacle elastic part 24 that connect the receptacle board connection part 21 and the receptacle contact part 22 have elastic force, and therefore can be deformed by the force received from the receptacle contact part 22.

[0087] 10 , in the first receptacle elastic portion 23, the third extension portion 51 can displace a position P12 of the end portion connecting to the second extension portion 54 in the X2-axis direction, the Y2-axis direction, and the Z2-axis direction with respect to a position P11 of the third extension portion 51 connecting to the receptacle board connection portion 21, and can be torsionally rotated around the X2-axis. Furthermore, the second extension portion 54 can displace a position P13 of the end portion connecting to the first folded portion 55 in the X2-axis direction, the Y2-axis direction, and the Z2-axis direction with respect to the position P12, and can be torsionally rotated around the Y2-axis. Furthermore, the first folded portion 55 can displace a position P14 of the end portion connecting to the first extension portion 53 in the X2-axis direction, the Y2-axis direction, and the Z2-axis direction with respect to the position P13, and can be torsionally rotated around the Z2-axis. Furthermore, the first extension portion 53 can displace a position P15 of the end portion that connects with the first receptacle contact connection portion 50 relative to position P14, and can be torsionally rotated around the Y2 axis. Furthermore, the first receptacle contact connection portion 50 can displace a position P16 of the end portion that connects with the receptacle contact portion 22 relative to position P15, and can be torsionally rotated around the X2 axis and the Z2 axis.

[0088] 10, the second receptacle elastic portion 24 can be displaced in the X2-axis, Y2-axis, and Z2-axis directions at positions P21, P22, P23, P24, P25, and P26 and rotated around the axis in the extension direction, with the receptacle board connection portion 21, which is fixed in position, as a reference, between the receptacle board connection portion 21 and the receptacle contact portion 22. In this way, due to the displacement of positions P11 to P16 and the displacement of positions P21 to P26, the receptacle contact portion 22 can move in the X2-axis, Y2-axis, and Z2-axis directions and can rotate in the rotational direction around each axis.

[0089] In other words, the presence of the recess slits 52, 62 allows the first receptacle elastic portion 23 and the second receptacle elastic portion 24 to be largely displaced in the X2 axis direction, the Y2 axis direction, the Z2 axis direction, and in the rotational directions around each axis.

[0090] Next, a description will be given of the mating operation of the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2A according to the present embodiment 1. When mating, the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2A are arranged in an orientation such that the +Z1 direction and the +Z2 direction are opposite to each other, as shown in FIG.

[0091] 11B, 11C, and 11D, the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2A are connected by inserting the convex plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1 into the concave receptacle contact portion 22 of the receptacle terminal 2A. This electrically connects the electric circuit of the first board 3 and the electric circuit of the second board 4 via the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2A, enabling signal transmission or grounding between the first board 3 and the second board 4.

[0092] Fig. 12 shows the state in which the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2A are mated. In the example shown in Fig. 12, the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1 is inserted with a deviation in the +Y1 direction (-Y2 direction) relative to the receptacle contact portion 22 of the receptacle terminal 2A. As a result, the first plug spring portion 30 and the second plug spring portion 31 of the plug terminal 1 and the third plug spring portion 33 and the fourth plug spring portion 34 of the plug terminal 1 deform to absorb this deviation.

[0093] Fig. 13 shows the mated state of the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2A. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1 is inserted with a deviation in the +X1 direction (+X2 direction) relative to the receptacle contact portion 22 of the receptacle terminal 2A. As a result, the first plug spring portion 30 and the second plug spring portion 31 of the plug terminal 1 and the third plug spring portion 33 and the fourth plug spring portion 34 of the plug terminal 1 are deformed to absorb this deviation.

[0094] In this way, even if there is a misalignment between the position of the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1 and the position of the receptacle contact portion 22 of the receptacle terminal 2A, the difference in misalignment is absorbed by the first plug spring portion 30 and the second plug spring portion 31 of the plug terminal 1 and the third plug spring portion 33 and the fourth plug spring portion 34 of the plug terminal 1, thereby enabling a good connection between the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2A.

[0095] The size of the plug terminal 1 in the X1 axis direction can be, for example, 9 mm, the size in the Y1 axis direction can be, for example, 6 mm, and the height in the Z1 axis direction can be, for example, about 23 mm, but is not limited to these. The size of the receptacle terminal 2A in the X2 axis direction can be, for example, 9 mm, the size in the Y2 axis direction can be, for example, 8 mm, and the height in the Z2 axis direction can be, for example, about 9 mm, but is not limited to these.

[0096] Embodiment 2 A description will be given of embodiment 2 of the present invention. In embodiment 2, the plug terminal 1 is the same as in embodiment 1. In embodiment 2, a receptacle terminal 2B shown in Figures 14A and 14B is used instead of the receptacle terminal 2A.

[0097] 14A and 14B, the receptacle terminal 2B is the same as the receptacle terminal 2A in that it includes a receptacle board connection portion 21, a receptacle contact portion 22, a first receptacle elastic portion 23, and a second receptacle elastic portion 24. In the receptacle terminal 2B, the first receptacle elastic portion 23 includes a first receptacle spring portion 43 and a second receptacle spring portion 44, and the second receptacle elastic portion 24 includes a third receptacle spring portion 45 and a fourth receptacle spring portion 46, which are also the same as the receptacle terminal 2A. As shown in Figures 16A, 16B and 17, the receptacle terminal 2B is the same as the receptacle terminal 2A in that the first receptacle spring portion 43 is formed along the first receptacle side surface S21 of the second solid C2, the second receptacle spring portion 44 is formed along the second receptacle side surface S22 of the second solid C2, the third receptacle spring portion 45 is formed along the third receptacle side surface S23 of the second solid C2, and the fourth receptacle spring portion 46 is formed along the fourth receptacle side surface S24 of the second solid C2.

[0098] The receptacle terminal 2B differs from the receptacle terminal 2A in the configurations of the first receptacle spring portion 43, the second receptacle spring portion 44, the third receptacle spring portion 45, and the fourth receptacle spring portion 46.

[0099] The material of the receptacle terminal 2B is the same as that of the receptacle terminal 2A. The receptacle terminal 2B is formed by punching an elastic metal plate into the shape shown in FIG. 15 , and then bending the receptacle terminal 2B along the dashed lines to form a shape that conforms to the first receptacle side surface S21 to the fourth receptacle side surface S24 of the second solid body C2 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B . The metal plate shown in FIG. 15 has a slightly different configuration from the metal plate shown in FIG. 7 . Specifically, the metal plate shown in FIG. 15 has a fourth extension portion 56 and a second folded portion 57 instead of the third extension portion 51, and an eighth extension portion 66 and a fourth folded portion 67 instead of the seventh extension portion 61. 15 , a recess 52 is provided between the second extension portion 54 and the fourth extension portion 56, in a direction opposite to the recess 52 provided between the first extension portion 53 and the second extension portion 54, and the recess 52 forms the fourth extension portion 56 and the second folded portion 57. In addition, a recess 62 is provided between the sixth extension portion 64 and the eighth extension portion 66, in a direction opposite to the recess 62 provided between the fifth extension portion 63 and the sixth extension portion 64, and the eighth extension portion 66 and the fourth folded portion 67 are formed by the recess 62.

[0100] As described above, in the receptacle terminal 2B, the second receptacle spring portion 44 is formed with a fourth extension portion 56 and a second folded portion 57. As shown in Figures 16A and 17, the fourth extension portion 56 is disposed closer to the receptacle board connection portion 21 than the second extension portion 54. The fourth extension portion 56 extends in the Y2-axis direction parallel to the second extension portion 54 and is connected to the receptacle board connection portion 21. The second folded portion 57 connects the other end (-Y2 end) of the second extension portion 54 to one end (-Y2 end) of the fourth extension portion 56 opposing the other end in the insertion / removal direction (Z2-axis direction).

[0101] 16B and 17 , the eighth extension portion 66 is disposed closer to the receptacle board connection portion 21 than the sixth extension portion 64. The eighth extension portion 66 extends in the Y2-axis direction parallel to the sixth extension portion 64 and is connected to the receptacle board connection portion 21. The fourth fold portion 67 connects the other end (+Y2 end) of the sixth extension portion 64 to one end (+Y2 end) of the eighth extension portion 66 facing the other end in the insertion / removal direction (Z2-axis direction).

[0102] In the receptacle terminal 2B as well, the first receptacle spring portion 43, the second receptacle spring portion 44, the third receptacle spring portion 45, and the fourth receptacle spring portion 46 allow the receptacle contact portion 22 to be displaced in the X2-axis direction, the Y2-axis direction, and the Z2-axis direction and in the rotational direction of each axis relative to the receptacle board connection portion 21. The receptacle terminal 2B has a greater number of receptacle slits 52, 62 than the receptacle terminal 2A, and therefore can increase the amount of displacement in the X2-axis direction, the Y2-axis direction, the Z2-axis direction, and in the rotational direction of each axis.

[0103] Next, a description will be given of the mating operation of the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2B according to the present embodiment 2. When mating, the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2B are arranged in an orientation such that the +Z1 direction and the +Z2 direction are opposite to each other, as shown in FIG.

[0104] 18B, 18C, and 18D, the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2B are connected by inserting the convex plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1 into the concave receptacle contact portion 22 of the receptacle terminal 2B. This electrically connects the electric circuit of the first board 3 and the electric circuit of the second board 4 via the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminal 2B, enabling signal transmission or grounding between the first board 3 and the second board 4.

[0105] Embodiment 3 A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this third embodiment, the plug terminal 1 is the same as that in the first embodiment. In this third embodiment, a receptacle terminal 2C shown in Figures 19 and 20 is used instead of the receptacle terminal 2A.

[0106] 19 and 20 , the receptacle terminal 2C is the same as the receptacle terminal 2A in that it includes a receptacle board connection portion 21, a receptacle contact portion 22, a first receptacle elastic portion 23, and a second receptacle elastic portion 24. The receptacle terminal 2C is also the same as the receptacle terminal 2A in that the first receptacle elastic portion 23 includes a first receptacle spring portion 43 and a second receptacle spring portion 44, and the second receptacle elastic portion 24 includes a third receptacle spring portion 45 and a fourth receptacle spring portion 46. In the receptacle terminal 2C, the first receptacle spring portion 43 is formed along the first receptacle side surface S21 of the second solid C2, the second receptacle spring portion 44 is formed along the second receptacle side surface S22 of the second solid C2, the third receptacle spring portion 45 is formed along the third receptacle side surface S23 of the second solid C2, and the fourth receptacle spring portion 46 is formed along the fourth receptacle side surface S24 of the second solid C2, which are the same as those in the receptacle terminal 2A.

[0107] In this embodiment, the first receptacle spring portion 43 and the second receptacle spring portion 44 are also formed with recess slits 52, which are notches extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction. The first receptacle spring portion 43 is divided by the recess slit 52 into a first receptacle contact connection portion 50 and a third extension portion 51. The second receptacle spring portion 44 is also formed with the recess slit 52 to have a first extension portion 53, a second extension portion 54, and a first folded portion 55. However, in this embodiment, the lengths of the first extension portion 53 and the second extension portion 54 in the Y2-axis direction are less than half the width of the receptacle terminal 2C in the Y2-axis direction.

[0108] Further, the third receptacle spring portion 45 and the fourth receptacle spring portion 46 are formed with a recess slit 62 extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction. The third receptacle spring portion 45 is divided by the recess slit 62 into a second receptacle contact connection portion 60 and a seventh extension portion 61. The fourth receptacle spring portion 46 is formed with the recess slit 62 to have a fifth extension portion 63, a sixth extension portion 64, and a third folded portion 65. However, in this embodiment, the lengths of the fifth extension portion 63 and the sixth extension portion 64 in the Y2-axis direction are less than half the width of the receptacle terminal 2C in the Y2-axis direction.

[0109] In this embodiment, the first receptacle elastic portion 23 includes a fifth receptacle spring portion 47 in addition to the first receptacle spring portion 43 and the second receptacle spring portion 44. The second receptacle elastic portion 24 includes a sixth receptacle spring portion 48 in addition to the third receptacle spring portion 45 and the fourth receptacle spring portion 46.

[0110] The fifth receptacle spring portion 47 is a part of the side surface of the second solid body C2 and is formed along the fourth receptacle side surface S24 facing the second receptacle side surface S22. The fifth receptacle spring portion 47 is deformable relative to the fourth receptacle side surface S24. A receptacle slit 52, which is a notch extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, is formed in the fifth receptacle spring portion 47. The fifth receptacle spring portion 47 is formed with a ninth extension portion 71 extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction by the receptacle slit 52 and connected at one end to the first receptacle contact connection portion 50, a tenth extension portion 72 positioned closer to the receptacle board connection portion 21 than the ninth extension portion 71 and extending parallel to the ninth extension portion 71, and a fifth folded portion 73 connecting the other end of the ninth extension portion 71 to one end of the tenth extension portion 72 facing the other end in the insertion / removal direction. The other end of the third extension portion 51 is connected to the other end of the tenth extension portion 72. The shape and size of the member formed by connecting the ninth extension portion 71, the tenth extension portion 72, and the fifth folded portion 73 are the same as the shape and size of the member formed by connecting the first extension portion 53, the second extension portion 54, and the first folded portion 55.

[0111] The sixth receptacle spring portion 48 is a part of the side surface of the second solid body C2 and is formed along the second receptacle side surface S22. The sixth receptacle spring portion 48 is deformable relative to the second receptacle side surface S22. A receptacle slit 62, which is a notch extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, is formed in the sixth receptacle spring portion 48. The sixth receptacle spring portion 48 is formed with an eleventh extension portion 74 that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction by the receptacle slit 62 and is connected at one end to the second receptacle contact connection portion 60, a twelfth extension portion 75 that is positioned closer to the receptacle board connection portion 21 than the eleventh extension portion 74 and extends parallel to the eleventh extension portion 74, and a sixth fold portion 76 that connects the other end of the eleventh extension portion 74 to one end of the twelfth extension portion 75 facing the other end in the insertion / removal direction. The other end of the seventh extension portion 61 is connected to the other end of the twelfth extension portion 75. The shape and size of the member formed by connecting the eleventh extension portion 74, the twelfth extension portion 75, and the sixth folded portion 76 are the same as the shape and size of the member formed by connecting the fifth extension portion 63, the sixth extension portion 64, and the third folded portion 65.

[0112] The shape of receptacle terminal 2C according to this embodiment is line symmetrical with respect to an axis that passes through center point O and is parallel to the X2 axis, and is line symmetrical with respect to an axis that passes through center point O and is parallel to the Y2 axis. With this shape, it is possible to make the deformation of the terminal equal when a force is applied in the +X direction and when a force is applied in the -X direction, and it is also possible to make the deformation of the terminal equal when a force is applied in the +Y direction and when a force is applied in the -Y direction.

[0113] [Effects of Plug Terminal] As described above in detail, according to the plug terminal 1 of this embodiment, the first plug elastic portion 13 connecting the plug board connecting portion 11 and the plug contact portion 12 includes the first plug spring portion 30 deformable relative to the first plug side surface S11, which is a part of the side surface of the imaginary first solid C1, whose plane is the plug planar figure B11 that includes the plug contact portion 12, and the second plug spring portion 31 deformable relative to the second plug side surface S12. This allows the relative position of the plug contact portion 12 with respect to the plug board connecting portion 11 to be shifted in the X1-axis direction and the Y1-axis direction, which intersect with the insertion / removal direction of the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C. Furthermore, the relative position of the plug contact portion 12 with respect to the plug board connecting portion 11 can be shifted in the Z1-axis direction, which is parallel to the insertion / removal direction. Furthermore, the rotational position of the plug contact portion 12 with respect to the plug board connecting portion 11 can be shifted in the rotational direction of each axis. Therefore, the ability to follow the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C can be improved.

[0114] Furthermore, according to the plug terminal 1, the second plug elastic portion 14 connecting the plug board connecting portion 11 and the plug contact portion 12 includes a third plug spring portion 33 that is deformable relative to a third plug side surface S13 that is a part of the side surface of an imaginary first solid C1, the plane of which is the plug planar figure B11 that includes the plug contact portion 12 when viewed in the insertion / removal direction with the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, 2C that are mating terminals, or a fourth plug spring portion 34 that is deformable relative to a fourth plug side surface S14. This allows the relative position of the plug contact portion 12 with respect to the plug board connecting portion 11 to be shifted in the X1-axis direction and the Y1-axis direction that intersect the insertion / removal direction with the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, 2C, the Z1-axis direction that is parallel to the insertion / removal direction, and in the rotational direction about each axis, thereby improving the followability with the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0115] The displacement amount (floating amount) in the X1-axis direction, the displacement amount in the Y1-axis direction, and the displacement amount in the Z1-axis direction may be different. For example, the maximum displacement amount in the X1-axis direction and the maximum displacement amount in the Y-axis direction may be different, and the displacement amount in the Z1-axis direction may be smaller than the displacement amounts in the X1-axis direction and the Y1-axis direction.

[0116] Furthermore, according to this plug terminal 1, the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14 are formed by bending in the X1-axis direction and the Y1-axis direction, so that, despite its small size, it is possible to increase the amount of displacement of the plug contact portion 12 relative to the plug board connecting portion 11. Conversely, it is possible to reduce the size of the entire plug terminal 1 while maintaining the amount of displacement of the plug contact portion 12 relative to the plug board connecting portion 11.

[0117] Furthermore, in the plug terminal 1, a plug slit 36 ​​is provided in the plug contact connection portion 15 that connects the plug contact portion 12 to the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14. This allows for greater displacement of the plug contact portion 12 relative to the plug board connection portion 11. It also reduces stress caused by deformation of the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14.

[0118] Furthermore, in the plug terminal 1, the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14 are arranged point-symmetrically about the plug contact portion 12 when viewed in the insertion / removal direction. This allows the amount of displacement of the plug contact portion 12 to be the same in the positive and negative directions of each axis. Furthermore, even if the plug contact portion 12 shifts relative to the plug board connection portion 11 and the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14 are deformed, the stresses on both can be equalized.

[0119] Furthermore, the plug terminal 1 is formed in an S-shape when viewed in the insertion / removal direction, so that even if the plug contact portion 12 is misaligned in the rotational direction around the Z1 axis relative to the plug board connection portion 11, the first plug elastic portion 13 and the second plug elastic portion 14 will deform in the same manner, thereby equalizing the stress on both.

[0120] [Effects of Receptacle Terminal] In addition, according to the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C of this embodiment, the first receptacle elastic portion 23 connecting the receptacle board connection portion 21 and the receptacle contact portion 22 includes a first receptacle spring portion 43 that is deformable with respect to a first receptacle side surface S21, which is a part of a side surface of a virtual second solid C2, with the receptacle planar figure B21 as the plane or the receptacle planar figure B22 as the bottom, and a second receptacle spring portion 44 that is deformable with respect to the second receptacle side surface S22. This allows the relative position of the receptacle contact portion 22 with respect to the receptacle board connection portion 21 to be shifted in the X2-axis direction and the Y2-axis direction that intersect the insertion / removal direction of the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C, the Z2-axis direction that is parallel to the insertion / removal direction, and in the rotational directions about the X2, Y2, and Z2 axes, thereby improving the followability with respect to the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0121] Further, the first receptacle spring portion 43 is formed with a first receptacle contact connection portion 50 that connects with the receptacle contact portion 22. Furthermore, the second receptacle spring portion 44 is formed with a receptacle slit 52 that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, and the receptacle slit 52 forms a first extension portion 53, a second extension portion 54, and a first folded portion 55. In this way, by forming the receptacle slit 52 that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction in the second receptacle spring portion 44, it is possible to increase the amount of displacement of the receptacle contact portion 22 by the second receptacle spring portion 44.

[0122] In the receptacle terminals 2A and 2C, the first receptacle spring portion 43 is provided with a third extension portion 51 that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, connects at one end to the other end of the second extension portion 54, and connects to the receptacle board connection portion 21. This allows the first receptacle elastic portion 23 to be configured to extend doubly from the first receptacle spring portion 43 to the second receptacle spring portion 44, thereby increasing the amount of displacement due to deformation of the first receptacle elastic portion 23.

[0123] In the receptacle terminal 2B, the second receptacle spring 44 is formed with a fourth extension 56 connected to the receptacle board connection portion 21, and a second folded portion 57 that connects the other end of the second extension 54 to one end of the fourth extension 56 facing the other end in the insertion / removal direction. This allows the second receptacle spring 44 to be configured in a meandering shape, thereby increasing the amount of displacement due to deformation of the second receptacle spring 44.

[0124] In addition, in the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C, the first receptacle elastic portion 23 and the second receptacle elastic portion 24 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the receptacle contact portion 22 when viewed in the insertion / removal direction. This makes it possible to equalize the stress on both the first receptacle elastic portion 23 and the second receptacle elastic portion 24 even if the receptacle contact portion 22 shifts relative to the receptacle board connection portion 21 and the first receptacle elastic portion 23 and the second receptacle elastic portion 24 are deformed.

[0125] In addition, in the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C, the receptacle contact portion 22 includes a first contact 40 that contacts the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1, and a second contact 41 that is disposed opposite the first contact 40 and sandwiches the contact of the plug terminal 1 with the first contact 40. In this way, the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1 is sandwiched between the first contact 40 and the second contact 41, ensuring a reliable contact state. The first contact 40 is connected to the first receptacle elastic portion 23, and the second contact 41 is connected to the second receptacle elastic portion 24.

[0126] Furthermore, receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C are provided with restricting portions 42 that restrict the expansion of the gap between first contact 40 and second contact 41. This allows first contact 40 and second contact 41 to reliably clamp plug contact portion 12 of plug terminal 1.

[0127] In addition, in the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C, the restricting portion 42 is bent in a concave shape toward the receptacle board connection portion 21 in the insertion / removal direction, thereby preventing the restricting portion 42 from interfering with the plug contact portion 12 of the plug terminal 1.

[0128] It should be noted that a plurality of plug terminals 1 may be mounted on the first substrate 3, and a plurality of receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, 2C may be mounted on the second substrate 4. In this case, misalignment of the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, 2C due to an error in the mounting position of the plug terminal 1 and the receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, 2C on the first substrate 3 and the second substrate 4 is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the first plug elastic portion 13, the second plug elastic portion 14, the first receptacle elastic portion 23, and the second receptacle elastic portion 24, thereby realizing good connection between the terminals.

[0129] In the plug terminal 1 and receptacle terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C according to the above-described embodiment, the imaginary first solid C1 and second solid C2 are assumed to be rectangular parallelepipeds. However, this is not limited to this. The first solid C1 or the second solid C2 may be a prism other than a rectangular prism, such as a triangular prism or a pentagonal prism, or may be a cylinder, or may have a shape that combines a cylinder and a rectangular prism. In the case of a cylinder, the first plug side surface S11 to the fourth plug side surface S14 of the first solid C1 and the first receptacle side surface S21 to the fourth receptacle side surface S24 of the second solid C2 may collectively form a cylindrical side surface.

[0130] This invention allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain this invention and do not limit the scope of this invention. That is, the scope of this invention is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

[0131] In addition, this application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-32319 filed on March 3, 2022, and the specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-32319 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0132] The present invention can be applied to terminals mounted on a substrate.

[0133] 1 Plug terminal (mating terminal), 2A, 2B, 2C Receptacle terminal (terminal), 3 First board, 4 Second board (board), 11 Plug board connection portion, 11a Plug positioning portion, 12 Plug contact portion (contact), 13 First plug elastic portion, 14 Second plug elastic portion, 15 Plug contact connection portion, 21 Receptacle board connection portion (board connection portion), 21a Receptacle positioning portion, 22 Receptacle contact portion (contact portion), 23 First receptacle elastic portion (first elastic portion), 24 Second receptacle elastic portion (second elastic portion), 30 First plug spring portion, 31 Second plug spring portion, 32 First connecting portion, 33 Third plug spring portion, 34 Fourth plug spring portion, 35 Second connecting portion, 36 Plug slit, 37 First connecting portion, 38 Second connecting portion, 40 First contact, 41 Second contact, 42 Restricting portion, 43 First receptacle spring portion (first spring portion), 44 Second receptacle spring portion (second spring portion), 45 Third receptacle spring portion (third spring portion), 46 Fourth receptacle spring portion (fourth spring portion), 47 Fifth receptacle spring portion (fifth spring portion), 48 Sixth receptacle spring portion (sixth spring portion), 50 First receptacle contact connection portion (first contact connection portion), 51 Third extension portion, 52 Receptacle slit (cutout), 53 First extension portion, 54 Second extension portion, 55 First folded portion, 56 Fourth extension portion, 57 Second folded portion, 60 Second receptacle contact connection portion (second contact connection portion), 61 Seventh extension portion, 62 Receptacle slit (cutout), 63 Fifth extension portion, 64 Sixth extension portion, 65 Third folded portion, 66 Eighth extension portion, 67 Fourth folded portion, 71 9th extension portion, 72 10th extension portion, 73 5th folded portion, 74 11th extension portion, 75 12th extension portion, 76 6th folded portion, B11, B12 Plug plan view (plan view), B21, B22 Receptacle plan view (plan view), C1 First solid, C2 Second solid (solid), S11 First plug side, S12 Second plug side, S13 Third plug side, S14 Fourth plug side, S21 First receptacle side (first side), S22 Second receptacle side (second side), S23 Third receptacle side (third side), S24 Fourth receptacle side (fourth side)

Claims

1. A terminal made of a conductive material, a board connection portion to be connected to the board; a contact portion that comes into contact with a contact of a mating terminal that is inserted or removed in an insertion / removal direction that intersects with the main surface of the board; a first elastic portion that connects the board connection portion and the contact portion, The first elastic portion is a first spring portion formed along a first side surface that is a part of a side surface of an imaginary three-dimensional object having a plane figure that includes the contact portion as a plane or a bottom surface when viewed in the insertion / removal direction, and that is deformable with respect to the first side surface; a second spring portion that is a part of a side surface of the three-dimensional object, that is connected to the first side surface, that is formed along a second side surface that has a normal direction different from that of the first side surface, and that is deformable relative to the second side surface; Equipped with Terminal.

2. The first spring portion is formed with a first contact connection portion that connects with the contact portion, The second spring portion is formed with a notch extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, a first extending portion extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction by the notch and connected at one end to the first contact connection portion; a second extending portion disposed closer to the substrate connecting portion than the first extending portion and extending parallel to the first extending portion; a first folded portion is formed to connect the other end of the first extending portion and one end of the second extending portion opposite to the other end in the insertion / removal direction; The terminal according to claim 1 .

3. The first spring portion is provided with a third extension portion that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, has one end connected to the other end of the second extension portion, and is connected to the board connection portion. The terminal according to claim 2 .

4. The second spring portion has a fourth extension portion that is disposed closer to the substrate connection portion than the second extension portion, extends parallel to the second extension portion, and is connected to the substrate connection portion; a second folded portion connecting the other end of the second extending portion and one end of the fourth extending portion opposite to the other end in the insertion / removal direction; is formed, The terminal according to claim 2 .

5. The first elastic portion is a fifth spring portion that is a part of a side surface of the three-dimensional object and is formed along a fourth side surface that faces the second side surface and is deformable relative to the fourth side surface; a notch extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction is formed in the fifth spring portion, a ninth extending portion extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction by the notch and connected at one end to the first contact connection portion; a tenth extension portion disposed closer to the substrate connection portion than the ninth extension portion and extending parallel to the ninth extension portion; a fifth folded portion that connects the other end of the ninth extending portion and one end of the tenth extending portion that faces the other end in the insertion / removal direction, the third extension portion is connected at the other end to the other end of the tenth extension portion, The shape and size of a member formed by connecting the ninth extension portion, the tenth extension portion, and the fifth folded portion are the same as the shape and size of a member formed by connecting the first extension portion, the second extension portion, and the first folded portion. The terminal according to claim 3 .

6. a second elastic portion that connects the board connection portion and the contact portion, The second elastic portion is a third spring portion that is a part of a side surface of the three-dimensional object, that is formed along a third side surface that faces the first side surface, and that is deformable relative to the third side surface; a fourth spring portion that is a part of a side surface of the three-dimensional object, that is formed along a fourth side surface that faces the second side surface, and that is deformable relative to the fourth side surface; Equipped with A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a second contact connecting portion that connects to the contact portion is formed on the third spring portion; The fourth spring portion has a notch extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction is formed; a fifth extending portion extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction by the notch and connected at one end to the second contact connection portion; a sixth extension portion that is disposed closer to the substrate connection portion than the fifth extension portion and extends parallel to the fifth extension portion; a third folded portion is formed to connect the other end of the fifth extending portion and one end of the sixth extending portion opposite to the other end in the insertion / removal direction; The terminal according to claim 6.

8. the third spring portion is provided with a seventh extension portion that extends in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, connects to the other end of the sixth extension portion, and connects to the board connection portion; The terminal according to claim 7.

9. The fourth spring portion has an eighth extension portion that is disposed closer to the substrate connection portion than the sixth extension portion, extends parallel to the sixth extension portion, and is connected to the substrate connection portion; a fourth folded portion connecting the other end of the sixth extending portion and one end of the eighth extending portion opposite to the other end in the insertion / removal direction; is formed, The terminal according to claim 7.

10. The second elastic portion is a sixth spring portion that is a part of a side surface of the three-dimensional object, that is formed along the second side surface, and that is deformable relative to the second side surface; The sixth spring portion is formed with a notch extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction, an eleventh extending portion extending in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction by the notch and connected at one end to the second contact connection portion; a twelfth extension portion disposed closer to the substrate connection portion than the eleventh extension portion and extending parallel to the eleventh extension portion; a sixth folded portion that connects the other end of the eleventh extending portion and one end of the twelfth extending portion that faces the other end in the insertion / removal direction, the seventh extension portion is connected at the other end to the other end of the twelfth extension portion, a shape and size of a member formed by connecting the 11th extension portion, the 12th extension portion, and the sixth folded portion are the same as a shape and size of a member formed by connecting the 5th extension portion, the 6th extension portion, and the third folded portion; The terminal according to claim 8.

11. The first elastic portion and the second elastic portion are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the contact portion as a center when viewed in the insertion / removal direction. The terminal according to claim 6.

12. The contact portion is a first contact point that comes into contact with a contact point of the mating terminal; a second contact that is disposed opposite the first contact and that sandwiches the contact of the mating terminal with the first contact, the first contact point is connected to the first elastic portion; The second contact point is connected to the second elastic portion. The terminal according to claim 6.

13. a restricting portion that restricts an increase in the distance between the first contact point and the second contact point; The terminal according to claim 12.

14. The restriction portion is The connector is bent in a concave shape in a direction approaching the board connection portion with respect to the insertion / removal direction. The terminal according to claim 13.