Terminal, connector, and connector device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide technology for suppressing reduction in heat dissipation in a terminal. A counterpart power supply terminal comprises: a cylindrical section formed by a wall section; a spring-shaped section formed by cutting and raising a part of the wall section toward the inside of the cylindrical section; and an outer wall section overlapping the outside of the wall section so as to cover the spring-shaped section.

Description

Terminals, connectors, and connector devices

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal, a connector, and a connector device.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-131161 discloses a floating connector including a movable housing, a fixed housing supporting the movable housing, and signal contacts and power contacts mounted across the movable and fixed housings. In this floating connector, the movable housing moves relative to the fixed housing to absorb misalignment between boards and misalignment of the mating position with the mating connector. The portion of the contacts held by the movable housing moves relative to the portion held by the fixed housing as the movable housing moves.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-131161

[0004] In the floating connector described in JP 2022-131161 A, the portion of the contact held by the movable housing and the portion held by the fixed housing are separated from each other in a direction perpendicular to the mating direction with the mating connector.

[0005] In particular, in the case of power contacts, it is expected that a large current will flow through the contact. When such a large current flows through the contact, a large amount of heat may be generated at the connection between the contact and the mating contact. A terminal with good heat dissipation properties is desired, as it can easily dissipate this heat.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology for suppressing the deterioration of the heat dissipation performance of the terminal.

[0007] The terminal of the present disclosure comprises a tubular portion composed of a wall portion, a spring-shaped portion formed by cutting and raising a portion of the wall portion toward the inside of the tubular portion, and an outer wall portion overlapping the outside of the wall portion to cover the spring-shaped portion.

[0008] In addition, a connector equipped with a terminal of the present disclosure comprises a terminal having a tubular portion formed by a wall portion, a spring-shaped portion formed by cutting and raising a portion of the wall portion toward the inside of the tubular portion, and an outer wall portion overlapping the outside of the wall portion to cover the spring-shaped portion, and a housing that holds the terminal.

[0009] In addition, a connector device including a connector of the present disclosure includes a connector including a terminal having a tubular portion formed by a wall portion, a spring-shaped portion formed by cutting and raising a portion of the wall portion toward the inside of the tubular portion, and an outer wall portion overlapping the outside of the wall portion to cover the spring-shaped portion, a housing that holds the terminal, and a floating connector connected to the connector, wherein the floating connector includes a second terminal connected to the terminal and a second housing that holds the second terminal, and the second housing includes a fixed housing and a movable housing that is movably arranged relative to the fixed housing, and the second terminal is formed of a plate material and has a first end held by the fixed housing, a second end held by the movable housing, and a connecting portion that connects the first end and the second end, and the connecting portion has a slit extending along the direction extending between the first end and the second end.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heat dissipation performance of the terminal.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a floating connector according to a first embodiment and a connector device including the same. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded front view showing the connector device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the floating connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a signal terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a power terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of region IX in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the movable housing according to the first embodiment has moved. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector device according to a modified example. FIG. 12 is an exploded front view showing a connector device according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a signal terminal according to a modified example. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a power terminal according to a modified example. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a mating power terminal according to the first embodiment. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a mating power terminal according to embodiment 1. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a connector device according to embodiment 1. Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing a mating power terminal according to embodiment 1 in an expanded state. Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a mating power terminal according to embodiment 1 in the middle of being formed. Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing a mating power terminal according to embodiment 1 in a completed state of formation.

[0012] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0013] The terminals of the present disclosure are as follows:

[0014] (1) The device comprises a cylindrical portion formed by a wall portion, a spring-shaped portion formed by cutting and raising a portion of the wall portion toward the inside of the cylindrical portion, and an outer wall portion overlapping the outside of the wall portion to cover the spring-shaped portion.

[0015] According to the terminal of (1), the outer wall portion is provided on the outside of the spring-shaped portion, which improves heat dissipation. The reduction in heat dissipation caused by the recess formed by the spring-shaped portion is suppressed.

[0016] (2) In the terminal of (1), the wall portion and the outer wall portion may be formed from a single plate material. According to the terminal of (2), since the terminal is formed from a single plate material, the number of parts is reduced compared to when the terminal is formed from multiple parts, and manufacturing is easier.

[0017] (3) In the terminal of (1) or (2), the tubular portion may be a rectangular tubular portion, the wall portion may include a pair of spaced-apart main wall portions and a pair of connecting wall portions connecting the pair of main wall portions, and the spring-shaped portion may be formed in one of the pair of main wall portions and further include a board connection portion extending from the other of the pair of main wall portions. The board connection portion is a portion that is prone to heat generation, and a portion where a second terminal connected to this terminal is pressed against the spring-shaped portion is also a portion that is prone to heat generation. The portion of the pair of main wall portions from the portion facing the spring-shaped portion to the board connection portion forms a main conduction path and is prone to heat generation. Therefore, according to the terminal of (3), by forming this portion from a single plate material without a recess due to the formation of the spring-shaped portion, a decrease in heat dissipation can be suppressed.

[0018] (4) The terminal of any one of (1) to (3) may include a protrusion formed by cutting and raising a portion of the outer wall portion toward the spring-shaped portion. According to the terminal of (4), the protrusion can prevent the spring-shaped portion from bending excessively when pressed by the second terminal. Furthermore, by partially providing the protrusion at a position corresponding to the spring-shaped portion, a decrease in heat dissipation performance can also be suppressed. In other words, by providing the protrusion at a portion of the terminal that is not prone to heat generation, a decrease in heat dissipation performance can be suppressed. Furthermore, because the protrusion is provided on the outer wall portion, it is easier to position the tip of the protrusion below the spring-shaped portion than when the protrusion is provided on the connecting wall portion.

[0019] The connectors of the present disclosure are as follows.

[0020] (5) A connector comprising the terminal according to any one of (1) to (4) and a housing for holding the terminal. According to the connector of (5), an outer wall portion is provided on the outside of the spring-shaped portion, thereby improving heat dissipation. A reduction in heat dissipation due to a recess caused by forming the spring-shaped portion is suppressed.

[0021] (6) In the connector of (5), the tubular portion may be a rectangular tubular portion, the wall portion may include a pair of spaced-apart main wall portions and a pair of connecting wall portions connecting the pair of main wall portions, and the spring-shaped portion may be formed on one of the pair of main wall portions, and one or more sets of terminals may be arranged so that the outer wall portions covering the one main wall portion are back-to-back. According to the connector of (6), in a set of terminals arranged so that the outer wall portions are back-to-back, the spring-shaped portions have a biasing force in a direction that moves them away from each other. This allows the contact between the spring contact portion of one terminal and the second terminal and the contact between the spring contact portion of the other terminal and the second terminal to be positioned as far apart as possible in the set of terminals. In other words, the distance between the contacts that are prone to heat generation can be maximized.

[0022] The connector device of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0023] (7) A connector device includes the connector of (5) or (6) and a floating connector connected to the connector, wherein the floating connector includes a second terminal connected to the first terminal and a mating housing that holds the second terminal, the second housing including a fixed housing and a movable housing that is movable relative to the fixed housing, the second terminal formed of a plate material and including a first end held by the fixed housing, a second end held by the movable housing, and a connecting portion that connects the first end and the second end, the connecting portion having a slit extending in a direction extending between the first end and the second end. According to the connector device of (7), the slit extending in the direction extending between the first end and the second end makes the connecting portion more easily deformable than in a case where the slit is not formed. Therefore, if the second terminal is misaligned with the power terminal, the deformation of the connecting portion absorbs the misalignment.

[0024] [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the terminal, connector, and connector device of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Note that the "terminal" in the claims is a "mating terminal" in the [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure], the "housing" in the claims is a "mating housing" in the [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure], the "connector" in the claims is a "mating connector" in the [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure], the "second terminal" in the claims is a "terminal" in the [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure], and the "second housing" in the claims is a "fixed housing" and a "movable housing" in the [Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure].

[0025] [Embodiment 1] A floating connector according to embodiment 1 will now be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a floating connector 10 according to embodiment 1 and a connector device 100 including the same. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the connector device 100. Fig. 3 is an exploded front view showing the connector device 100. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the floating connector 10. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a signal terminal 40. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a power terminal 60. In each figure, mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions are shown.

[0026] In the present disclosure, a connector device 100 includes a floating connector 10 and a mating connector 90 that mates with the floating connector 10. As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, in this embodiment, the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are described as board connectors that are electrically connected to boards B1 and B2, respectively. When the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are mated, terminals of the floating connector 10 and terminals of the mating connector 90 are electrically connected. This electrically connects the boards B1 and B2 to which the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are connected. The floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 may be connectors other than board connectors.

[0027] The floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 are mated by moving toward each other in a mating direction. In this embodiment, the mating direction is a direction perpendicular to the main surfaces of the boards B1 and B2, and is shown as the Z direction in each figure. The X and Y directions in each figure are directions perpendicular to the mating direction and are directions along the main surfaces of the boards B1 and B2. Hereinafter, the X direction may be referred to as the front-to-back direction, the Y direction as the left-to-right direction, and the Z direction as the up-to-down direction. Note that the mating direction of the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 may be a direction other than the Z direction.

[0028] The floating connector 10 includes a fixed housing 20, a movable housing 30, a plurality of signal terminals 40, and a plurality of power terminals 60. The fixed housing 20 is fixed to the board B1 via a fixture 80. The movable housing 30 is provided so as to be movable relative to the fixed housing 20. The plurality of signal terminals 40 and the plurality of power terminals 60 are bridged between the fixed housing 20 and the movable housing 30. In this embodiment, the movable housing 30 is supported in a floating state relative to the fixed housing 20 via the signal terminals 40 and the power terminals 60. In this way, the movable housing 30 is supported so as to be movable relative to the fixed housing 20.

[0029] The movable housing 30 is movable relative to the fixed housing 20 along a first direction that intersects with the mating direction. In this embodiment, the movable housing 30 is movable relative to the fixed housing 20 along a second direction that intersects with the mating direction and the first direction. In this embodiment, the X direction indicates the first direction, and the Y direction indicates the second direction. However, the movable housing 30 only needs to be movable along the first direction, and does not have to be movable along both the first and second directions.

[0030] In this embodiment, the movable housing 30 is movable in both the first direction and the second direction without being restricted by the other. That is, the movable housing 30 is movable relative to the fixed housing 20 not only in the X direction and the Y direction, but also in directions inclined relative to the X direction and the Y direction within the XY plane. The movable housing 30 is movable relative to the fixed housing 20 in any direction within a plane including the first direction and the second direction. It can also be understood that the movement vector indicating the direction and amount of movement of the movable housing 30 can be expressed as the sum of the movement vector in the first direction and the movement vector in the second direction.

[0031] In this embodiment, a plurality of signal terminals 40 and a plurality of power terminals 60 are arranged in the X and Y directions. The plurality of power terminals 60 are arranged on both sides of the plurality of signal terminals 40 in the X direction. For example, the number of parallel signal terminals 40 in the X direction is 10 or more (here, 80), and the number of parallel signal terminals 40 in the Y direction is two. On one side and the other side of the plurality of signal terminals 40 in the X direction, the power terminals 60 are arranged in two rows in each of the X and Y directions. However, the number of parallel terminals 40, 60 in the X direction and the number of parallel terminals 40, 60 in the Y direction are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. As in the example embodiment, it is preferable that the number of parallel signal terminals 40 in the X direction be greater than the number of parallel signal terminals 40 in the Y direction.

[0032] A pair of adjacent signal terminals 40 along the X direction are oriented in the same direction. A pair of adjacent signal terminals 40 along the Y direction are oriented in opposite directions. Similarly, a pair of adjacent power terminals 60 along the X direction are oriented in the same direction, and a pair of adjacent power terminals 60 along the Y direction are oriented in opposite directions.

[0033] The fixed housing 20 is molded using an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. The fixed housing 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape with openings at the top and bottom. The fixed housing 20 includes a pair of wall portions 21X extending along the X direction and a pair of wall portions 21Y extending along the Y direction. The pair of wall portions 21X and the pair of wall portions 21Y are connected to form a peripheral wall 21 that covers the periphery of the opening. The lower part of the movable housing 30 is disposed in the internal space of the peripheral wall 21. The upper part of the movable housing 30 protrudes upward from the upper opening of the fixed housing 20. In the X and Y directions, the inner surface of the peripheral wall 21 and the outer surface of the movable housing 30 face each other with a gap between them. The fixed housing 20 includes a signal terminal holding portion 22, a power terminal holding portion 24, a first cover portion 26, and a fixture holding portion 29.

[0034] The signal terminal holding portion 22 is a portion that holds the first end portion 42 of the signal terminal 40. The signal terminal holding portion 22 has a pair of holding bodies 23 formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped block. Each holding body 23 protrudes from the inner surface of each wall portion 21X toward the internal space of the peripheral wall 21. Each holding body 23 is provided at the middle portion of each wall portion 21X in the X direction and at the lower portion in the Z direction. The pair of holding bodies 23 are aligned at a distance from each other in the Y direction. Each holding body 23 is formed with a first holding hole 23H that penetrates in the Z direction.

[0035] The first retaining hole 23H has a plurality of first hole portions 23H1 and one second hole portion 23H2. In one retaining body 23, the multiple first hole portions 23H1 are aligned in the X direction. The multiple signal terminals 40 aligned in the X direction are individually passed through the multiple first hole portions 23H1. One second hole portion 23H2 is located below the multiple first hole portions 23H1. The multiple first hole portions 23H1 and the one second hole portion 23H2 are continuous along the Z direction. The multiple signal terminals 40 aligned in the X direction are collectively passed through one second hole portion 23H2.

[0036] The power terminal holding portion 24 is a portion that holds the first end 42 of the power terminal 60. The power terminal holding portion 24 has two pairs of holding bodies 25 formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped block. Each holding body 25 protrudes from the inner surface of each wall portion 21X toward the internal space of the peripheral wall 21. The holding body 23 of the signal terminal holding portion 22 is located between the first pair of holding bodies 25 and the second pair of holding bodies 25. Each holding body 25 is provided on the lower part of each wall portion 21X along the Z direction. Each pair of holding bodies 25 is aligned at intervals along the Y direction. Two recesses 25A are formed in each holding body 25. Each recess 25A is formed from the lower surface of the holding body 25 to the inner surface facing inward along the Y direction. Each recess 25A individually accommodates a power terminal 60.

[0037] The first cover portion 26 covers the middle portion of the signal terminal 40 from the outside in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the first cover portion 26 is the portion of the wall portion 21X above the portion where the holding body 23 is formed. The inner surface of the first cover portion 26 is the first slope portion 27. The first slope portion 27 continues from the upper surface of the holding body 23 to the upper surface of the wall portion 21X. The entire inner surface of the first cover portion 26 is the first slope portion 27.

[0038] The fixing tool holding portion 29 is a portion that holds the fixing tool 80. The fixing tool holding portion 29 is formed on the outer surface of the wall portion 21Y. The fixing tool holding portion 29 is formed in the shape of a slot into which the fixing tool 80 can be inserted from above.

[0039] The movable housing 30 is molded using an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. The movable housing 30 is formed in a block shape that is longer in the X direction than in the Y direction. The movable housing 30 includes a signal terminal holding portion 31, a power terminal holding portion 34, a second cover portion 36, and a guide portion 39.

[0040] The signal terminal holding portion 31 is a portion that holds the second ends 48 of the signal terminals 40. The signal terminal holding portion 31 includes a base portion 32 and a rib 33. The base portion 32 is located between a pair of signal terminals 40 aligned in the Y direction. The rib 33 protrudes outward in the Y direction from the lower portion of the base portion 32. A plurality of holding grooves 32G are formed on the outer surface of the upper portion of the base portion 32 facing outward in the Y direction. A plurality of second holding holes 33H are formed in the rib 33. The plurality of holding grooves 32G and the plurality of second holding holes 33H are provided in equal numbers and correspond one-to-one. Each holding groove 32G and each second holding hole 33H are continuous in the Z direction. The lower portions of the second ends 48 of the plurality of signal terminals 40 are individually passed through the plurality of second holding holes 33H. The upper portions of the second ends 48 of the plurality of signal terminals 40 are individually received in the plurality of holding grooves 32G.

[0041] The power terminal holding portion 34 holds the second end 64 of the power terminal 60. The power terminal holding portion 34 has two holding bodies 35 formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped block. The signal terminal holding portion 31 is disposed between the two holding bodies 35. A plurality of holding holes 35H are formed in each holding body 35. A plurality of power terminals 60 are individually passed through the plurality of holding holes 35H.

[0042] The second cover portion 36 protrudes downward from the lower portion of the base portion 32. A second inclined surface 37 is provided on the outer surface of the second cover portion 36 facing the Y direction. An upper portion of the second inclined surface 37 is continuous with the lower surface of the rib 33.

[0043] The guide portions 39 are provided on both ends of the movable housing 30 in the X direction. Two power terminal holding portions 34 are located between the two guide portions 39, and one signal terminal holding portion 31 is located between the two power terminal holding portions 34. The guide portions 39 are the portions that first come into contact with the mating connector 90 when the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90, which are located apart from each other, approach each other in the mating direction. By providing the guide portions 39, any misalignment between the movable housing 30 of the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 in the X direction and Y direction is corrected before the terminals come into contact with each other.

[0044] Each of the signal terminals 40 and the power terminals 60 is formed from a plate material. Each of the signal terminals 40 and the power terminals 60 is formed into a predetermined shape by pressing (punching and bending) a flat plate made of a conductive material such as metal. The flat plate extends generally in the Z direction while bending in the YZ plane, making its length in the Z direction. The cross section of the flat plate is, for example, rectangular. The shorter side of the rectangular cross section corresponds to the thickness direction, and the longer side corresponds to the width direction. Each of the signal terminals 40 and the power terminals 60 is arranged with the width direction of the flat plate aligned with the X direction. Furthermore, the thickness of the flat plate in the Y direction at the portion extending parallel to the Z direction is the plate thickness. Therefore, in this embodiment, the mating direction corresponds to the extension direction of the plate material, the first direction (X direction) corresponds to the width direction of the plate material, and the second direction (Y direction) corresponds to the thickness direction of the plate material.

[0045] The signal terminal 40 includes a first end 42 held by the fixed housing 20, a second end 48 held by the movable housing 30, and a connecting portion 54 connecting the first end 42 and the second end 48. The first end 42 and the second end 48 are spaced apart from each other along the mating direction (here, the Z direction). The connecting portion 54 extends along the mating direction. When the movable housing 30 moves along the X direction or the Y direction, the connecting portion 54 elastically deforms, allowing the second end 48 to follow the movable housing 30.

[0046] The first end 42 has a board connecting portion 43 connected to the board B1 and a first held portion 44 held by the fixed housing 20. The board connecting portion 43 is exposed below the fixed housing 20. The board connecting portion 43 is formed in a shape extending along the main surface of the board B1 so as to be surface mountable to the board B1. The board connecting portion 43 may be formed in a pin shape or the like so as to be connectable to the board B1 via a through-hole. The first held portion 44 is press-fitted and held in the first holding hole 23H of the fixed housing 20. The first held portion 44 has press-fit protrusions 45 at two locations along the longitudinal direction of the flat plate. Each press-fit protrusion 45 protrudes outward from both outer edges along the plate width direction (X direction). One of the two press-fit protrusions 45 is provided in a portion that fits within the first hole portion 23H1, and the other is provided in a portion that fits within the second hole portion 23H2.

[0047] The first end 42 has three orthogonal bent portions 46. The three orthogonal bent portions 46 are spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction of the signal terminal 40. The three orthogonal bent portions 46 are arranged so that the principal surfaces of the flat plate that are on the inner periphery of the bends are reversed. The first orthogonal bent portion 46, which is located at the bottom, and the third orthogonal bent portion 46, which is located inward along the Y direction, are bent so that the principal surfaces of the flat plate that face outward along the Y direction are on the inner periphery. The second orthogonal bent portion 46, which is located in the middle, is bent so that the principal surfaces of the flat plate that face inward along the Y direction are on the inner periphery. Note that the first orthogonal bent portion 46 connected to the board connection portion 43 is bent at an angle slightly smaller than 90 degrees, but a bend of approximately 90 degrees plus or minus 10 degrees can also be considered an orthogonal bent portion 46. The second and third orthogonal bent portions 46 are bent at approximately 90 degrees.

[0048] Here, the second end 48 is held to the movable housing 30 with a holding force weaker than that of the first end 42. Here, the first end 42 is provided with a press-fit protrusion 45 that is press-fitted into the fixed housing 20. The second end 48 is not provided with a press-fit protrusion 45 that protrudes in the plate width direction and is press-fitted into the movable housing 30, like the press-fit protrusion 45 of the first end 42. As a result, the second end 48 is held to the movable housing 30 with a holding force weaker than that of the first end 42.

[0049] The holding force of the first end 42 on the fixed housing 20 and the holding force of the second end 48 on the movable housing 30 are, for example, holding forces along the mating direction. For example, the first end 42 is held so as to be more difficult to move along the mating direction than the second end 48. For example, the first end 42 may be held on the fixed housing 20 so as not to move along the mating direction even by a force generated when the movable housing 30 moves. In contrast, the second end 48 may be held on the movable housing 30 so as to be movable along the mating direction by a force generated when the movable housing 30 moves.

[0050] The second end 48 has a terminal portion 49 that connects with a terminal of the mating connector 90, and a second held portion 51 that is held by the movable housing 30. The terminal portion 49 has a leaf spring-shaped portion 50 that is bent in the plate thickness direction. The main portion of the second held portion 51 is lower than the leaf spring-shaped portion 50, and in this case includes the portion that is inserted into the second holding hole 33H.

[0051] From one end of the signal terminal 40 to the other, the board connecting portion 43, the first held portion 44, the connecting portion 54, the second held portion 51, and the terminal portion 49 are connected in this order. When assembling the floating connector 10, the signal terminal 40 is passed through the first holding hole 23H and the second holding hole 33H in this order, starting from the terminal portion 49. Because the terminal portion 49 is provided with the leaf spring-shaped portion 50, the dimension of the terminal portion 49 in the Y direction is greater than the plate thickness. To allow the terminal portion 49 to pass through, the dimension of each holding hole 23H, 33H in the Y direction is greater than the plate thickness.

[0052] The inner surfaces of the second retaining hole 33H that face opposite to each other along the thickness direction (here, the Y direction) of the signal terminal 40 are referred to as the first inner surface 33A and the second inner surface 33B. Here, the surface that connects to the bottom surface of the retaining groove 32G is referred to as the first inner surface 33A. The distance between the first inner surface 33A and the second inner surface 33B is greater than the thickness of the signal terminal 40. The distance between the first inner surface 33A and the second inner surface 33B is greater than the dimension of the leaf spring-shaped portion 50 along the Y direction. This prevents the terminal 49 having the leaf spring-shaped portion 50 from contacting both the first inner surface 33A and the second inner surface 33B when passing through the second retaining hole 33H. The second retained portion 51 bends in the thickness direction and contacts both the first inner surface 33A and the second inner surface 33B. Therefore, the dimension of the second retained portion 51 along the Y direction is greater than the dimension of the leaf spring-shaped portion 50 along the Y direction. The second held portion 51 is in slidable contact with both the first inner surface 33A and the second inner surface 33B, for example.

[0053] The second retained portion 51 has two bent portions 52. The two bent portions 52 are bent so that the opposing main surfaces face inward. The two bent portions 52 allow the second retained portion 51 to contact both the opposing first inner surface 33A and second inner surface 33B of the second retaining hole 33H, which are larger than the plate thickness. The upper portion of the second retained portion 51 above the two bent portions 52 extends upward while contacting the first inner surface 33A or the bottom surface of the retaining groove 32G connected thereto. The portion of the second end 48 extending from the second retained portion 51 to the spring-shaped portion 50 extends straight upward from the upper end of the second retained portion 51 along the retaining groove 32G. Both sides of this portion in the X direction are separated from the adjacent signal terminal 40 by both side surfaces of the retaining groove 32G. The second held portion 51 extends downward below the lower bent portion 52 while contacting the second inner surface 33B.

[0054] Note that, because the first inner surface 33A and the bottom surface of the retaining groove 32G are continuous, the bottom surface of the retaining groove 32G can also be considered an extension of the first inner surface 33A. Therefore, the second retained portion 51 is considered to be in contact with the first inner surface 33A not only when it is in contact with the first inner surface 33A inside the second retaining hole 33H, but also when it is in contact with the bottom surface of the retaining groove 32G outside the second retaining hole 33H. Also, both of the two bent portions 52 of the second retained portion 51 may be inside the second retaining hole 33H. Both of the two bent portions 52 of the second retained portion 51 may be located above and outside the second retaining hole 33H. Of the two bent portions 52 of the second retained portion 51, the lower bent portion 52 may be located inside the second retaining hole 33H, and the upper bent portion 52 may be located above and outside the second retaining hole 33H. The two bent portions 52 and the portion extending diagonally in the Z direction between the two bent portions 52 can also be considered as an offset portion that offsets the position along the Y direction of the signal terminal 40 that extends straight in the Z direction.

[0055] The connecting portion 54 connects the upper end of the first held portion 44 and the lower end of the second held portion 51. The upper end of the first held portion 44 and the lower end of the second held portion 51 are located at the same position along the Y direction. The lower portion of the connecting portion 54 extends straight upward from the upper end of the first held portion 44. The upper portion of the connecting portion 54 extends straight downward from the lower end of the second held portion 51. An elastic portion 55 is provided in the middle portion of the connecting portion 54 along the longitudinal direction.

[0056] The elastic portion 55 extends in a trapezoidal wave shape from the first end 42 to the second end 48. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the trapezoid is an isosceles trapezoid. The trapezoid may have a shape other than an isosceles trapezoid. The elastic portion 55 may have a shape other than a trapezoidal wave shape, such as a stepped shape.

[0057] The elastic portion 55 can also be considered to have two offset portions 55A and 55B. The offset portions 55A and 55B offset the position of the signal terminal 40, which extends straight in the Z direction, along the Y direction. Of the two offset portions 55A and 55B, the one located closer to the first end 42 is referred to as the first offset portion 55A, and the one located closer to the second end 48 is referred to as the second offset portion 55B. The position of the connecting portion 54 extending in the Z direction from the first end 42 to the second end 48 is shifted from the outside to the inside in the Y direction by the first offset portion 55A, and from the inside to the outside in the Y direction by the second offset portion 55B. The offset amount of the first offset portion 55A and the offset amount of the second offset portion 55B along the Y direction are the same. Furthermore, the first offset portion 55A and the second offset portion 55B are provided to have slopes of the same angle.

[0058] The first offset portion 55A is provided in the same direction as the offset portion of the second held portion 51. The offset amount of the first offset portion 55A and the offset amount of the offset portion of the second held portion 51 are the same along the Y direction. Here, the slope of the first offset portion 55A is provided to be steeper than the slope of the offset portion of the second held portion 51. The offset portions of the first offset portion 55A and the second held portion may be provided to have slopes of the same angle.

[0059] The fixed housing 20 and the movable housing 30 each have a retaining hole 23H, 33H through which the signal terminal 40 passes. The second retaining hole 33H of the movable housing 30 is located on an extension of the first hole 23H1 of the fixed housing 20. The first hole 23H1 of the fixed housing 20 and the second retaining hole 33H of the movable housing 30 have the same shape and size in the XY plane, excluding the guide surface. The first hole 23H1 and the second retaining hole 33H are located at the same position in the XY plane and overlap when viewed from the mating direction. For example, the size of the first hole 23H1 and the second retaining hole 33H in the X direction is approximately the same as (e.g., the same as or slightly smaller than) the width of the portion of the flat plate without the press-fit protrusion 45. The size of the first hole 23H1 and the second retaining hole 33H in the Y direction is the same as the offset amount of the second retained portion 51 and the elastic portion 55 in the Y direction.

[0060] The connecting portion 54 is covered by the first cover portion 26 of the fixed housing 20 from one side along a first direction (here, the Y direction) intersecting the fitting direction, and is covered by the second cover portion 36 of the movable housing 30 from the other side. The first cover portion 26 or the second cover portion 36 has a sloped portion that is inclined with respect to the fitting direction (here, the Z direction). The first cover portion 26 is provided with a first sloped portion 27 as a sloped portion. The second cover portion 36 is provided with a second sloped portion 37 as a sloped portion. As shown in FIG. 6 , the first sloped portion 27 and the second sloped portion 37 may not have an uneven shape, and may be smooth surfaces.

[0061] The distance between the first inclined surface portion 27 and the second inclined surface portion 37 along the first direction gradually increases from the second end 48 side toward the first end 42 side. The lower end of the second inclined surface portion 37 is located higher than the lower end of the first inclined surface portion 27. The second inclined surface portion 37 is a steeper slope with a greater inclination angle with respect to the Z direction than the first inclined surface portion 27. The second cover portion 36 has a vertical surface portion 38 that continues below the second inclined surface portion 37. The lower end of the vertical surface portion 38 extends downward beyond the lower end of the first inclined surface portion 27. The lower end of the vertical surface portion 38 is located between the pair of holding bodies 23 of the fixed housing 20.

[0062] The power terminal 60 has a conductor cross-sectional area larger than that of the signal terminal 40. The power terminal 60 is held in a press-fit state in the movable housing 30. Here, the power terminal 60 is also held in a press-fit state in the fixed housing 20. Like the signal terminal 40, the power terminal 60 also has a first end 62 held in the fixed housing 20, a second end 64 held in the movable housing 30, and a connecting portion 66 connecting the first end 62 and the second end 64.

[0063] The first end 62 of the power terminal 60 is longer in the Y direction than the first end 42 of the signal terminal 40. The first end 62 of the power terminal 60 also has three orthogonal bent portions, and the portion between the first and third orthogonal bent portions fits into the recess 25A of the holding body 25. For example, the first end 62 is press-fitted and held in the power terminal holding portion 24 of the fixed housing 20.

[0064] The second end 64 of the power terminal 60 has a larger dimension in the plate thickness direction than the first end 62. For example, the flat plate constituting the power terminal 60 is folded back and overlapped at the second end 64 to increase the dimension in the plate thickness direction. For example, the second end 64 is press-fitted and held in the power terminal holding portion 34 of the movable housing 30. The second end 64 extends straight in the Z direction. The mating power terminal 110 is provided with a spring-shaped portion 111, while the power terminal 60 is not provided with a spring-shaped portion. However, the power terminal 60 may be provided with a spring-shaped portion.

[0065] The connecting portion 66 of the power terminal 60 also has an elastic portion 67. The elastic portion 67 extends in a trapezoidal wave shape in the mating direction, similar to the elastic portion 55. Furthermore, the connecting portion 66 of the power terminal 60 has a slit 68 extending in a direction extending between the first end 62 and the second end 64. More specifically, for example, in the middle portion along the extension direction of the power terminal 60, a slit 68 extending along the extension direction is formed in the middle portion of the flat plate in the plate width direction. This divides the flat plate in the middle portion along the extension direction of the power terminal 60. Here, two parallel slits 68 are formed in one flat plate, dividing it into three parts. Alternatively, one slit may be formed in one flat plate, dividing it into two parts. Alternatively, three or more parallel slits 68 may be formed in one flat plate, dividing it into four or more parts. The slits 68 are formed throughout the entire connecting portion 66 along the extension direction. The slit 68 also reaches a portion of the first end 62 and a portion of the second end 64 .

[0066] The movable housing 30 surrounds the periphery of each power terminal 60 individually below the power terminal holding portion 34. As shown in FIG. 5 , the holding holes 35H of the power terminal holding portion 34 widen and extend to the lower end of the movable housing 30. The movable housing 30 has a peripheral wall portion 35A that surrounds the connecting portion 66 of each power terminal 60 on all four sides while leaving a gap between the connecting portion 66 and the connecting portion 66. The movable housing 30 surrounds the periphery of the multiple power terminals 60 collectively above the power terminal holding portion 34. The movable housing 30 has a peripheral wall portion 35B that extends upward from the outer edge of the upper part of the power terminal holding portion 34.

[0067] Figure 9 is an enlarged side view of region IX of Figure 7. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of one orthogonal bend 46.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 9 , the signal terminal 40 has a first extending portion 56 that extends linearly and a second extending portion 57 that extends linearly in a direction intersecting the first extending portion 56. The first extending portion 56 and the second extending portion 57 are connected via multiple bent portions that bend in the same direction. The multiple bent portions are spaced apart by linear extending portions. For example, the orthogonal bent portion 46 includes a third extending portion 58 that is interposed between the first extending portion 56 and the second extending portion 57 and extends linearly in a direction intersecting the first extending portion 56 and the second extending portion 57. One bent portion C1 is interposed between the first extending portion 56 and the third extending portion 58. One bent portion C2 is interposed between the second extending portion 57 and the third extending portion 58. The bent portion C1 and the bent portion C2 are connected by the flat third extending portion 58. Here, two bent portions C1 and C2 are provided between the first extending portion 56 and the second extending portion 57, but three or more bent portions may be provided.

[0069] In Figure 9, the curved extension portion 59 shown by a virtual line is a virtual extension portion that connects the first extension portion 56 and the second extension portion 57 with a constant bend R in place of the third extension portion 58. The curved extension portion 59 is an arc, and the first extension portion 56 and the second extension portion 57 are tangents to the arc. Here, the outer surface of the signal terminal 40 from the first extension portion 56 to the second extension portion 57 on the outer peripheral side of the two bend portions C1 and C2 is a C-chamfered surface. In contrast, the surface of the signal terminal 40 from the first extension portion 56 to the second extension portion 57 on the outer peripheral side of the virtual curved extension portion 59 is an R-chamfered surface. As shown in Figure 9, the outer surface of the third extension portion 58 is located more inward than the outer surface of the curved extension portion 59. In this way, the first extension portion 56 and the second extension portion 57 are connected via one or more straight extension portions, and the one or more straight extension portions are arranged so that the outer peripheral surface of the one or more straight extension portions is positioned more inward than the outer peripheral surface of the virtual curved extension portion 59.

[0070] In FIG. 9 , line segments L1, L2, and L3 shown by imaginary lines are imaginary lines extending along the extension directions of extension portions 56, 57, and 58, respectively. Angle A1 is the bending angle of second extension portion 57 relative to first extension portion 56. Here, the bending angle of second extension portion 57 relative to first extension portion 56 is the bending angle in the extension direction of second extension portion 57 if the first extension portion 56 were to extend linearly. The same applies to the following bending angles. Angle A2 is the bending angle of third extension portion 58 relative to first extension portion 56, and angle A3 is the bending angle of third extension portion 58 relative to second extension portion 57. Angles A2 and A3 are smaller than angle A1. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , angle A1 is an angle at right angles. Angle A1 may be an angle other than perpendicular. Angle A2 and angle A3 may be the same angle or different from each other. It is preferable that the difference between the angles A2 and A3 is as small as possible. When the angle A1 is a perpendicular angle, the angles A2 and A3 may be, for example, in the range of 45 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees.

[0071] The signal terminal 40 has a plurality of bent portions, including the bent portion 52 of the second held portion 51. The angles of these bent portions are preferably smaller than 45 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees, as in angles A2 and A3. Here, the angles of the bent portions at the offset portions 55A and 55B of the elastic portion 55, the bent portion 52 of the second held portion 51, and the bent portion at the spring-shaped portion 50 are smaller than 45 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees, as in angles A2 and A3. For example, if it is desired to bend the signal terminal 40 by more than 50 degrees, it is preferable to interpose a short, linear extending portion such as the third extending portion 58 so that the bent angle of each bent portion 52 is smaller than 45 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees.

[0072] <Regarding the mating connector 90> Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a mating power terminal 110 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the mating connector 90 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in Fig. 5. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the connector device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in Fig. 5. Note that in Fig. 17, the interior is shown with hidden lines.

[0073] The mating connector 90 includes a mating housing 91, a plurality of mating signal terminals 95, and a plurality of mating power terminals 110. The mating housing 91 holds the plurality of mating terminals 95, 97 in the same arrangement as the plurality of terminals 40, 60. The mating housing 91 includes a signal terminal holding portion 92 that holds the mating signal terminal 95, a power terminal holding portion 93 that holds the mating power terminal 110, and a guide receiving portion 94 that contacts the guide portion 39. The mating signal terminal 95 includes a spring-shaped portion 96. The mating power terminal 110 includes a spring-shaped portion 111 and is formed in a cylindrical shape into which the terminal portion 65 of the second end 64 of the power terminal 60 is inserted. More specifically, the mating power terminal 110 includes a cylindrical portion 112, the spring-shaped portion 111, and an outer wall portion 113. The cylindrical portion 112 surrounds the periphery of the power terminal 60. The tubular portion 112 is formed by bending a plate material constituting the mating power terminal 110 into a tubular shape. The tubular portion 112 is configured by a wall portion 114. Here, the tubular portion 112 has a rectangular tubular shape. The tubular portion 112 may have another rectangular tubular shape, a cylindrical shape, or the like. The tubular portion 112 has a pair of main wall portions 114X (114X1, 114X2) that extend in the X direction as the wall portion 114, and a pair of connecting wall portions 114Y that extend in the Y direction as the wall portion 114. The pair of main wall portions 114X (114X1, 114X2) are spaced apart from each other along the Y direction. Similarly, the pair of connecting wall portions 114Y are spaced apart from each other along the X direction. Press-fit protrusions 116 are provided on the outer surfaces of the pair of connecting wall portions 114Y to be press-fitted into the power terminal holding portion 93. The spring-shaped portion 111 is formed on the main wall portion 114X1 of the pair of main wall portions 114X1, 114X2. One of the pair of connecting wall portions 114Y connects the pair of main wall portions 114X1, 114X2. The other connecting wall portion 114Y connects the main wall portion 114X2 and the outer wall portion 113.

[0074] The mating power supply terminal 110 further includes a board connection portion 115. The board connection portion 115 extends from the other of the pair of main wall portions 114X. As shown in FIG. 5 , the board connection portion 115 connects to the board B2.

[0075] The spring-shaped portion 111 is formed by cutting and raising a portion of the wall portion 114 toward the inside of the cylindrical portion 112. Here, the spring-shaped portion 111 is formed on the main wall portion 114X1. The spring-shaped portion 111 is curved so that the middle portion in the Z direction is closest to the main wall portion 114X2. The plate portion constituting the spring-shaped portion 111 is curved so that the middle portion in the X direction (here, the center portion) is located more inwardly of the cylindrical portion 112 than both ends in the X direction. The inner surface of the spring-shaped portion 111 is a curved surface 117 that is curved when viewed from the mating direction. A contact portion 117A is provided on the curved surface 117. The contact portion 117A is in contact with and electrically connected to the power terminal 60. The portion of the curved surface 117 that protrudes most inward of the cylindrical portion 112 is the contact portion 117A. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17 , a slit 126 may be formed in the spring-shaped portion 111 in the extension direction of the spring-shaped portion 111. In Figure 17, two parallel slits 126 are formed in one flat plate, dividing the plate into three parts. Alternatively, one slit may be formed in one flat plate, dividing the plate into two parts. Alternatively, three or more parallel slits 126 may be formed in one flat plate, dividing the plate into four or more parts. When such slits 126 are formed, the plate becomes more easily deformed than when no slits are formed. This makes it easier for the power terminal 60 to enter between the main wall portion 114X2 and the spring-shaped portion 111.

[0076] In the mating power supply terminal 110, the main wall portion 114X2 facing the spring-shaped portion 111 may be provided with a convex ridge portion 127 that protrudes toward the spring-shaped portion 111. By providing the convex ridge portion 127, the terminal portion 65 can be firmly clamped between the convex ridge portion 127 and the spring-shaped portion 111.

[0077] The outer wall portion 113 overlaps the outside of the main wall portion 114X1 so as to cover the spring-shaped portion 111.

[0078] Furthermore, in the mating power terminal 110, a part of the outer wall portion 113 is provided with a protrusion 118. The protrusion 118 is formed by cutting and raising toward the spring-shaped portion 111. The protrusion 118 is formed in a portion facing the portion including the contact portion 117A. The protrusion 118 is partially provided in a position corresponding to the spring-shaped portion 111. When the mating power terminal 110 clamps the terminal portion 65, the spring-shaped portion 111 bends toward the outer wall portion 113. At this time, the provision of the protrusion 118 makes it possible to prevent the spring-shaped portion 111 from bending too much toward the outer wall portion 113.

[0079] The mating housing 91 is provided with one or more pairs of mating power terminals 110. A pair of mating power terminals 110 aligned in the Y direction are arranged so that their outer wall portions 113 are back-to-back. As shown in FIG. 5 , a main wall portion 114X1 on which the spring-shaped portion 111 is formed is located inside the back-to-back outer wall portions 113. Therefore, the terminal portion 65 is positioned closer to the main wall portion 114X2 on which the spring-shaped portion 111 is not formed than to the main wall portion 114X1 on which the spring-shaped portion 111 is formed. Compared to when the main wall portions 114X2 are back-to-back, the distance between the pair of terminal portions 65 aligned in the Y direction can be made larger.

[0080] The signal terminal holding portion 31 of the movable housing 30 is fitted into the signal terminal holding portion 92 of the mating connector 90, and the power terminal holding portion 34 of the movable housing 30 is fitted into the power terminal holding portion 93 of the mating connector 90. Before these fittings are performed, the guide portion 39 comes into contact with the guide receiving portion 94, thereby correcting misalignment in the X and Y directions.

[0081] <Regarding the manufacturing process of the mating power terminal 110> Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing the mating power terminal 110 in an expanded state according to embodiment 1. Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the mating power terminal 110 in the middle of being formed according to embodiment 1. Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the mating power terminal 110 in a completed state according to embodiment 1.

[0082] 20 to 22, the wall portion 114 and the outer wall portion 113 of the mating power terminal 110 are made of a single plate material. The mating power terminal 110 is manufactured by the following manufacturing process.

[0083] First, as shown in FIG. 20 , a plate-like body 120 is formed by punching out a flat plate using a press or the like. The plate-like body 120 is composed of the following components: a cylindrical portion 112, a spring-shaped portion 111, an outer wall portion 113, and a board connecting portion 115. Of these components, two slits 121 extending from one end to the interior are formed in the main wall portion 114X1. A plate portion 119 between the slits 121 forms the spring-shaped portion 111. A portion that forms the board connecting portion 115 extends from the main wall portion 114X2. An H-shaped slit 122 is formed in the outer wall portion 113. An elongated slit 123 is formed between the outer wall portion 113 and the connecting wall portion 114Y adjacent to the outer wall portion 113 of the pair of connecting walls 114Y. An insertion piece 124 is also formed extending from the main wall portion 114X1. When the main wall portion 114X, the connecting wall portion 114Y, and the outer wall portion 113 are bent into a cylindrical shape, the insertion piece 124 is inserted into the slit 123. As a result, the main wall portions 114X1 and 114X2, the connecting wall portion 114Y, and the outer wall portion 113 are fixed in a cylindrical shape. In this way, the mating power terminal 110 is maintained in a cylindrical shape.

[0084] Next, as shown in Fig. 21, the plate portion 119 between the two slits 121 is raised from within the main wall portion 114X1 in the direction A in the figure. This forms the spring-shaped portion 111. Note that the position of the contact portion 117A is set to a gap between the main wall portion 114X2 that is smaller than the thickness of the terminal portion 65 of the power terminal 60. By cutting and raising the portion between the slits 121, a recess 125 is formed in the main wall portion 114X1.

[0085] Furthermore, the portion that constitutes the board connection portion 115 is bent and formed into the shape of the board connection portion 115. Furthermore, the portion surrounded by the H-shaped slit 122 formed in the outer wall portion 113 is raised from within the outer wall portion 113 in the direction B in the figure. This forms the protrusion portion 118.

[0086] Next, as shown in Figure 22, the main walls 114X1 and 114X2, the connecting wall 114Y, and the outer wall 113 are bent so that the spring-shaped portion 111 faces inward. This forms the rectangular cylindrical portion 112. At this time, the insertion piece 124 is inserted into and fixed in the slit 123. The protrusion 118 passes through the recess 125 and is positioned below the spring-shaped portion 111.

[0087] <Mating of the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90> When connecting the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90, the worker moves the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 relative to each other in the mating direction. Here, the boards B1 and B2 are moved relative to each other in the mating direction.

[0088] When the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 approach each other, the guide portion 39 contacts and is guided by the guide receiving portion 94 of the mating connector 90. At this time, if there is a misalignment between the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 in the X and Y directions, the movable housing 30 moves in the direction of the misalignment. As the movable housing 30 moves, the second end portions 48 of the signal terminals 40 and the second end portions 64 of the power terminals 60 receive a force from the movable housing 30 at their contact surfaces with the movable housing 30. For example, when the movable housing 30 moves leftward from the state shown in FIG. 4 , the left-side signal terminal 40 receives a leftward force from the first inner surface 33A and the bottom surface of the retaining groove 32G. The right-side signal terminal 40 receives a leftward force from the second inner surface 33B. As a result, the elastic portion 55 of the signal terminal 40 and the elastic portion 67 of the power terminal 60 elastically deform, causing the second end portions 48 of the signal terminals 40 and the second end portions 64 of the power terminals 60 to move with the movable housing 30. As a result, the positional deviation between the floating connector 10 and the mating connector 90 in the X and Y directions is corrected.

[0089] Here, a case will be considered in which the signal terminal 40 receives a force from the movable housing 30 and is elastically deformed when the movable housing 30 moves.

[0090] Consider a hypothetical case in which the first end 42 and the second end 48 are each provided with a press-fit protrusion, thereby holding the first end 42 and the second end 48 with the same holding force. In this case, when the movable housing 30 moves relative to the fixed housing 20, the portion of the first end 42 provided with the press-fit protrusion is held in a predetermined position on the fixed housing 20, and the portion of the second end 48 provided with the press-fit protrusion is held in a predetermined position on the movable housing 30. Therefore, a relatively large tensile stress along the terminal extension direction is generated in the portion between the press-fit protrusion of the first end 42 and the press-fit protrusion of the second end 48. In particular, because the second end 48 is on the moving side, a relatively large tensile stress along the terminal extension direction is generated near the press-fit protrusion of the second end 48.

[0091] In contrast, here, the holding force of the second end 48 of the movable housing 30 is smaller than the holding force of the first end 42 of the fixed housing 20. Therefore, compared to a hypothetical case in which a press-fit protrusion is provided at each of the first end 42 and the second end 48, the tensile stress along the terminal extension direction is smaller on the second end 48 side than the press-fit protrusion 45 of the first end 42.

[0092] When the second end 48 is movable in the fitting direction relative to the second retaining hole 33H, the second end 48 can move in the fitting direction relative to the second retaining hole 33H on the second end 48 side of the press-fit protrusion 45 of the first end 42, thereby releasing the tensile stress along the terminal extension direction. This reduces the tensile stress along the terminal extension direction.

[0093] With the second end 48 of the signal terminal 40 and the second end 64 of the power terminal 60 following the movable housing 30, the signal terminal holding portions 31, 92 are fitted together, and the power terminal holding portions 34, 93 are fitted together. As a result, the signal terminals 40, 95 are electrically connected to each other, and the power terminals 60, 97 are electrically connected to each other.

[0094] The spring-shaped portion 96 of the mating signal terminal 95 comes into contact between the spring-shaped portion 50 and the second held portion 51 of the signal terminal 40. The distance between the spring-shaped portion 50 of the signal terminal 40 and the second held portion 51 is longer than the length of the spring-shaped portion 96 of the mating signal terminal 95. If the positions of the boards B1 and B2 are misaligned in the Z direction, the position at which the spring-shaped portion 96 of the mating signal terminal 95 comes into contact with the signal terminal 40 along the Z direction changes. In addition, the terminal portion 65 of the power supply terminal 60 extends linearly. The insertion amount of the terminal portion 65 of the power supply terminal 60 into the cylindrical portion of the mating power supply terminal 110 is changeable. If the positions of the boards B1 and B2 are misaligned in the Z direction, the insertion amount of the power supply terminal 60 into the mating power supply terminal 110 changes. As a result, positional misalignment in the Z direction is also absorbed.

[0095] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the movable housing 30 has moved. In Fig. 10, the movable housing 30 has moved to the left in the Y direction. In Fig. 10, the amount of movement of the movable housing 30 in the Y direction is at approximately its maximum.

[0096] 10 , when the first cover portion 26 and the second cover portion 36 approach each other in the Y direction and the amount of movement of the movable housing 30 relative to the fixed housing 20 is maximized, the connecting portion 54 is spaced apart from the first cover portion 26 or the second cover portion 36 in the Y direction at any position along the mating direction. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the connecting portion 54 is spaced apart from the first cover portion 26 and the second cover portion 36 in the Y direction at any position along the mating direction.

[0097] In this embodiment, the signal terminals 40, the first cover portions 26, and the second cover portions 36 are provided in pairs on the left and right sides in a symmetrical configuration. In this embodiment, when one pair of the two pairs of left and right first cover portions 26 and second cover portions 36 approaches each other in the Y direction, the first cover portions 26 and second cover portions 36 of the other pair move away from each other in the Y direction. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the first cover portions 26 and second cover portions 36 of the left pair move toward each other in the Y direction, and the amount of movement of the movable housing 30 relative to the fixed housing 20 is maximized. At this time, the connecting portions 54, 66 of the left signal terminals 40 are separated from the first cover portion 26 or the second cover portion 36 in the Y direction at any position along the mating direction.

[0098] 4 shows a state in which the movable housing 30 is in its initial position (a nominal state with no misalignment). As shown in Fig. 4, when the movable housing 30 is in its initial position, the connecting portion 54 of the signal terminal 40 is spaced apart from the first cover portion 26 and the second cover portion 36 in the Y direction at any position along the mating direction. Therefore, in a state in which the first cover portion 26 and the second cover portion 36 are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction more than in this state (the state on the right side of Fig. 10), the connecting portion 54 of the signal terminal 40 is naturally spaced apart from the first cover portion 26 and the second cover portion 36 in the Y direction at any position along the mating direction.

[0099] <Effects, etc.> According to the mating power terminal 110 configured as described above, the outer wall portion 113 overlaps the outside of the main wall portion 114X1 so as to cover the spring-shaped portion 111, thereby suppressing a decrease in heat dissipation performance due to the recess 125 caused by forming the spring-shaped portion 111.

[0100] Furthermore, since the mating power supply terminal 110 is made of a single plate material, the number of parts is reduced compared to when it is made up of multiple parts, making it easier to manufacture.

[0101] Furthermore, the board connection portion 115 is a portion that is prone to heat generation, and the portion where the power supply terminal 60 connected to the mating power supply terminal 110 is pressed by the spring-shaped portion 111 is also a portion that is prone to heat generation. The portion of the main wall portion 114X2 that extends from the portion facing the spring-shaped portion 111 to the board connection portion 115 serves as the main conduction path and is prone to heat generation. Therefore, by forming the main wall portion 114X2 from a single plate material without the recess 125, a decrease in heat dissipation is suppressed.

[0102] Furthermore, since the outer wall portion 113 is provided with the protrusion 118 formed by cutting and raising a portion thereof toward the spring-shaped portion 111, the protrusion 118 can prevent the spring-shaped portion 111 from bending excessively when pressed by the power terminal 60. The protrusion 118 is partially provided at a position corresponding to the spring-shaped portion 111, thereby preventing a decrease in heat dissipation. Furthermore, since the protrusion 118 is provided on the outer wall portion 113, it is easier to position the tip of the protrusion 118 below the spring-shaped portion 111 than when the protrusion 118 is provided on the connecting wall portion 114Y.

[0103] Furthermore, according to the mating connector 90 configured as described above, the outer wall portion 113 is provided with a mating power terminal 110 that overlaps the outside of the main wall portion 114X1 so as to cover the spring-shaped portion 111, thereby suppressing a decrease in heat dissipation performance due to the recess 125 caused by forming the spring-shaped portion 111.

[0104] Furthermore, since one or more pairs of mating power supply terminals 110 are provided with outer wall portions 113 that cover the main wall portion 114X1 on which the spring-shaped portions 111 are formed, and are arranged back-to-back, the spring-shaped portions 111 exert a biasing force in a direction that moves them away from each other. This allows the distance between contacts that are prone to heat generation to be as great as possible.

[0105] Furthermore, the connector device 100 configured as described above includes a connecting portion 66 that connects the first end 62 and the second end 64, and the connecting portion 66 is formed with a slit 68 that extends in the direction extending between the first end 62 and the second end 64. This makes the connecting portion 66 more likely to deform than if the slit 68 were not formed. If a misalignment occurs between the mating power terminal 110 and the power terminal 60, the deformation of the connecting portion 66 can absorb the misalignment.

[0106] Although the present invention has been described in detail as above, the above description is merely illustrative in all respects and does not limit the present invention. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0107] 10 Floating connector 14X2 Main wall portion 20 Fixed housing 21 Peripheral wall 21X, 21Y Wall portion 22 Signal terminal holding portion 23 Holding body 23H First holding hole 23H1 First hole portion 23H2 Second hole portion 24 Power terminal holding portion 25 Holding body 25A Recessed portion 26 First cover portion 27 First inclined surface portion 29 Fixture holding portion 30 Movable housing 31 Signal terminal holding portion 32 Base portion 32G Holding groove 33 Rib 33A First inner surface 33B Second inner surface 33H Second holding hole 33H Holding hole 34 Power terminal holding portion 35 Holding body 35A, 35B Peripheral wall portion 35H Holding hole 36 Second cover portion 37 Second inclined surface portion 38 Vertical surface portion 39 Guide portion 40 Signal terminal 42 First end 43 Board connecting portion 44 First held portion 45 Press-fit protrusion 46 Orthogonal bent portion 48 Second end 49 Terminal portion 50 Leaf spring-shaped portion 51 Second held portion 52 Bent portion 54 Connecting portion 55 Elastic portion 55A First offset portion 55B Second offset portion 56 First extending portion 57 Second extending portion 58 Third extending portion 59 Bent extending portion 60 Power terminal 62 First end 64 Second end 65 Terminal portion 66 Connecting portion 67 Elastic portion 68 Slit 80 Fixing device 90 Mating connector 91 Mating housing 92 Signal terminal holding portion 93 Power terminal holding portion 94 Guide receiving portion 95 Mating signal terminal 96 Spring-shaped portion 97 Power terminal 100 Connector device 110 Mating power terminal 111 Spring-shaped portion 112 Cylindrical portion 113 Outer wall portion 114 Wall portion 114X, 114X1, 114X2 Main wall portion 114Y Connecting wall portion 115 Board connection portion 116 Press-fit protrusion 117 Curved surface 117A Contact portion 118 Protrusion portion 119 Plate portion 120 Plate-like body 121, 122, 124, 126 Slit 124 Insertion piece 125 Recess 127 Convex rib portion A1, A2, A3 Angle B1, B2 Board C1, C2 Bent portion IX Area L1, L2, L3 Line segment R Bent

Claims

1. A terminal comprising: a cylindrical portion composed of a wall portion; a spring-shaped portion formed by cutting and raising a part of the wall portion toward the inside of the cylindrical portion; and an outer wall portion overlapping the outside of the wall portion so as to cover the spring-shaped portion.

2. A terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall portion and the outer wall portion are formed from a single plate material.

3. A terminal as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the tubular portion is in the shape of a rectangular tube, the wall portion has a pair of main wall portions spaced apart from each other and a pair of connecting wall portions connecting the pair of main wall portions, the spring-shaped portion is formed in one of the pair of main wall portions, and the terminal further comprises a board connecting portion extending from the other of the pair of main wall portions.

4. A terminal as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising a protrusion formed by cutting and raising a part of the outer wall portion towards the spring-shaped portion.

5. A connector comprising: a terminal according to claim 1 or 2; and a housing for holding said terminal.

6. A connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tubular portion is in the shape of a rectangular tube, the wall portion has a pair of main wall portions spaced apart from each other and a pair of connecting wall portions connecting the pair of main wall portions, the spring-shaped portion is formed in one of the pair of main wall portions, and the connector comprises one or more sets of terminals arranged with the outer wall portions back-to-back.

7. A connector device comprising: the connector of claim 5; and a floating connector connected to the connector, wherein the floating connector includes a second terminal connected to the terminal, and a second housing holding the second terminal, wherein the second housing comprises a fixed housing and a movable housing movably arranged relative to the fixed housing, wherein the second terminal is formed from a plate material and has a first end held by the fixed housing, a second end held by the movable housing, and a connecting portion connecting the first end and the second end, wherein a slit is formed in the connecting portion and extends in a direction extending between the first end and the second end.

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