Terminal fitting

Abstract

A terminal fitting (30) comprises a base part (52, 53) and an elastic contact part (46, 47) that extends in a first direction from the base part (52, 53). The elastic contact part (46, 47) has a contact part (54) that contacts a counterpart terminal (95). The base part (52, 53) has a fulcrum part (57) which is capable of elastic deformation and a reinforcement part (58) which has higher rigidity than surrounding portions. The reinforcement part (58) is provided to the base part (52, 53) at a position which, in a second direction that intersects the first direction, coincides with part of the fulcrum part (57) or is adjacent to the fulcrum part (57).

Description

Terminal fitting

[0007] ,

[0006] ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal fitting.

[0002] The floating connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a connector device that electrically connects a first substrate and a second substrate. The connector device includes a plug connector, a plug-side contact disposed on the plug connector, a receptacle connector fitted to the plug connector, and a receptacle-side contact disposed on the receptacle connector. The plug connector is provided on the first substrate. The plug-side contact has a contact portion that bends convexly. The receptacle connector is provided on the second substrate. The receptacle-side contact has a holding portion, a lead portion, a contact portion, and an elastic portion. The holding portion is held by the fixed-side housing of the receptacle connector. The lead portion is soldered to and connected to the wiring pattern of the second substrate. The contact portion is held by the movable-side housing of the receptacle connector. Also, the contact portion of the receptacle-side contact contacts the contact portion of the plug-side contact. The elastic portion is disposed between the holding portion and the contact portion so as to be elastically deformable.

[0003] When the fitting position of the plug connector and the receptacle connector varies from the normal position due to misalignment or the like between the first substrate and the second substrate, the elastic portion elastically deforms following the position variation. Along with this, the movable-side housing moves relative to the fixed-side housing, so that the position variation between the two connectors can be absorbed.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 202 - 131161

[0005] For example, when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are mounted on a vehicle or the like and the vibration of the vehicle is transmitted to the two connectors, the contact between the receptacle-side contact and the plug-side contact may be momentarily interrupted.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal fitting that can ensure the stability of electrical connection.

[0007] The terminal fitting of this disclosure is a terminal fitting made of a conductive plate material, comprising a base portion and an elastic contact portion extending from the base portion in a first direction, wherein the elastic contact portion has a contact portion that contacts a mating terminal, and the base portion has an elastically deformable pivot portion and a reinforcing portion that is more rigid than the surrounding portion, wherein the reinforcing portion is provided on the base portion at a position that coincides with a part of the pivot portion or is adjacent to the pivot portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0008] This disclosure makes it possible to provide terminal fittings that can ensure the stability of electrical connections.

[0009] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to this embodiment 1, showing a state in which the housing and the mating housing are fitted together at a predetermined mating position, and the main body of the terminal fitting is connected to the mating terminal at a predetermined connection position. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to this embodiment 1, showing a state in which the housing and the mating housing are fitted together after a positional shift from the predetermined mating position, and the main body of the terminal fitting is connected to the mating terminal at an angle from the predetermined connection position. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the housing in the connector according to this embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the terminal fitting from one direction in the connector according to this embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the terminal fitting from another direction in the connector according to this embodiment 1. Figure 6 is a bottom view of the main body of the terminal fitting in the connector according to this embodiment 1. Figure 7 is a rear view of the terminal fitting in the connector according to this embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the terminal fitting in the connector according to this embodiment 1, cut in the front-to-back center, showing the opposing side of the side from the side of the receiving space.

[0010] [Description of Embodiments of the Disclosure] Embodiments of the Disclosure will be listed and described first. The terminal fitting of the Disclosure is (1) a terminal fitting made of a conductive plate material, comprising a base and an elastic contact portion extending from the base in a first direction, wherein the elastic contact portion has a contact portion that contacts the mating terminal, and the base has an elastically deformable pivot portion and a reinforcing portion that is more rigid than the surrounding area, wherein the reinforcing portion is provided on the base at a position that coincides with a part of the pivot portion or is adjacent to the pivot portion in a second direction that intersects the first direction. According to the configuration of (1) above, the rigidity of the root side of the elastic contact portion can be increased and the spring reaction force of the elastic contact portion can be increased. As a result, the state in which the contact portion of the elastic contact portion contacts the mating terminal can be stably maintained.

[0011] (2) In the terminal fitting described in (1) above, it is preferable that the reinforcing portion is shaped by bulging out a part of the base. According to the configuration in (2) above, the reinforcing portion can be easily formed on the base.

[0012] (3) In the terminal fitting described in (2) above, the base portion is preferably arranged in pairs in the direction of elastic deformation of the pivot portion, and the reinforcing portion protrudes toward the space between the opposing surfaces of the pair of base portions. According to the configuration in (3) above, it is possible to prevent the terminal fitting from becoming larger in the direction of elastic deformation due to the presence of the reinforcing portion.

[0013] (4) In the terminal fitting described in (3) above, the direction of elastic deformation is preferably a direction that intersects the first direction and the second direction, the base has a connecting portion extending from the pivot point in the first direction, and the elastic contact portions are preferably connected in a plurality in the second direction to the tip of the connecting portion in the first direction. With the configuration of (4) above, regardless of the shape and size of each of the plurality of elastic contact portions, the reinforcing portion can be formed within the formation range of the base including the connecting portion, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in forming the reinforcing portion.

[0014] (5) In the terminal fitting described in (4) above, the elastic contact portions are arranged in pairs in the direction of elastic deformation, the contact portions protrude toward the space between the opposing surfaces of the pair of elastic contact portions, the space penetrates the base and the opposing surfaces of each of the elastic contact portions in the first direction, and the top of the contact portion is preferably offset in the second direction with respect to the tip of the reinforcing portion in the protruding direction. According to the configuration of (5) above, for example, when performing a gap inspection between the contact portions of a pair of elastic contact portions, inspection light can be irradiated from the first direction onto the top of the contact portion that protrudes into the space. Here, since the top of the contact portion is offset in the second direction with respect to the tip of the reinforcing portion in the protruding direction, the inspection light is not blocked by the reinforcing portion, and the gap inspection can be performed without hindrance.

[0015] (6) In the terminal fitting described in (4) or (5) above, a rectangular box portion is provided, the box portion has sides facing the direction of elastic deformation, the sides have a plurality of slits extending in the first direction, the plurality of slits have a first vertical slit and second vertical slits arranged on both sides of the first vertical slit in the second direction, the end elastic contact portion of the plurality of elastic contact portions located at the end in the second direction is partitioned between the first vertical slit and the second vertical slit in the second direction, and the second vertical slit preferably extends longer than the first vertical slit in each of the first directions from the end elastic contact portion to the connecting portion. With the configuration of (6) above, a plurality of elastic contact portions and a base portion can be easily formed by the first vertical slit and the second vertical slit formed on the side of the box portion. In particular, the spring force of each elastic contact portion can be easily adjusted by adjusting the length of each of the first vertical slits in the first direction.

[0016] (7) In the terminal fitting described in any of (1) to (6) above, it is preferable to have a fixing portion fixed to a circuit board and a spring portion extending from the fixing portion to the base portion. According to the configuration of (7) above, the spring portion can absorb positional fluctuations between the elastic contact portion and the mating terminal by elastic deformation. On the other hand, when the spring portion elastically deforms, there is a concern that the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic contact portion will increase. However, in the case of this disclosure, since the reinforcing portion improves the rigidity of the root side of the elastic contact portion, it is possible to prevent the elastic contact portion from sagging and to ensure the contact pressure of the elastic contact portion with respect to the mating terminal.

[0017] [Details of Embodiments of the Disclosure] Specific examples of the Disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to be shown by the claims, with all modifications within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims.

[0018] <Embodiment 1> The connector 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is exemplified as a connector arranged between circuit boards 110 and 120 that face each other in the vertical direction, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Embodiment 1, the connector 10 is provided on the lower circuit board 120. The connector 10 is mated with the mating connector 90. The mating connector 90 is provided on the upper circuit board 110. The connector 10 comprises a housing 11 and a terminal fitting 30 housed in the housing 11. The mating connector 90 comprises a mating housing 91 and a mating terminal 95 housed in the mating housing 91. The mating terminal 95 is electrically connected to the terminal fitting 30. Note that the reference numerals X, Y, and Z in Figures 1-5 represent the front, right, and up directions, respectively. In Embodiment 1, the left-right direction is synonymous with the width direction, and the up-down direction is synonymous with the height direction. The left-right direction is not limited to the exact left-right direction, but also includes directions that are tilted within a range that does not interfere with the exact left-right direction. Similarly, the up-down direction is not limited to the exact up-down direction, but also includes directions that are tilted within a range that does not interfere with the exact up-down direction. The up-down direction (height direction) is sometimes referred to as the first direction. The left-right direction (width direction) is sometimes referred to as the second direction. The concept of direction is for convenience only and does not necessarily coincide with the concept of direction when the connector 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like that is not shown.

[0019] (Mating Housing 91) The mating housing 91 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mating housing 91 has a base wall 92 and a peripheral wall 93. The base wall 92 is positioned facing the upper circuit board 110. The peripheral wall 93 is rectangular in shape and protrudes downward from the outer peripheral end of the base wall 92.

[0020] (Mating terminal 95) The mating terminal 95 is made of conductive metal and is configured as a tab or busbar. The mating terminal 95 is inserted through the base wall 92 and protrudes into the interior of the peripheral wall 93 with its plate surface facing the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment 1, the mating terminals 95 are paired and spaced apart in the front-to-back direction.

[0021] (Housing 11) The housing 11 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in Figure 3, has a box shape overall. The housing 11 has an upper end wall 12 and four side walls 13, 14. The upper end wall 12 has a rectangular shape in plan view, which is longer in the front-to-back direction than in the left-to-right direction. The four side walls 13, 14 are composed of front and rear side walls 13 that protrude downward from the front and rear ends of the upper end wall 12, and left and right side walls 14 that protrude downward from the left and right ends of the upper end wall 12. The front and rear side walls 13 and the left and right side walls 14 are connected to each other at the four corners of the upper end wall 12.

[0022] The upper end wall 12 and each side wall 13, 14, together with the partition wall 16 (described later), divide a pair of front and rear storage spaces 15. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 31 of the terminal fitting 30 (described later) is placed in each storage space 15. Each storage space 15 is open downwards within the housing 11. The front and rear storage spaces 15 are separated by the partition wall 16. The upper end of the partition wall 16 is connected to the front and rear center of the upper end wall 12. The left and right ends of the partition wall 16 are connected to the left and right side walls 14, respectively.

[0023] The upper end wall 12 has a pair of front and rear insertion openings 17 at positions corresponding to each housing space 15. Each insertion opening 17 penetrates the upper end wall 12 in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 3, each insertion opening 17 has a rectangular opening shape that is elongated in the left-right direction relative to the front-back direction. Each mating terminal 95 is inserted into each housing space 15 from each insertion opening 17.

[0024] The left and right side walls 14 each have a pair of retaining portions 18 at the front and rear. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each retaining portion 18 protrudes into the housing space 15 from the lower end of the inner surface of each side wall 14. As shown in Figure 3, the left and right side walls 14 each have notches 19 on both the front and rear sides, flanking each retaining portion 18. The portion between the pair of notches 19 in the front-rear direction on the left and right side walls 14 is configured as a flexible piece 21 including the retaining portion 18. In the process of inserting the main body 31 of the terminal fitting 30 into the housing space 15 from below, the main body 31 interferes with the retaining portion 18, causing the flexible piece 21 to elastically deform outwards to the left and right. When the main body 31 of the terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the housing space 15, the flexible piece 21 elastically returns to its original position, and the retaining portion 18 is positioned below the main body 31. The main body 31 is prevented from coming out of the storage space 15 downwards by contacting the retaining part 18 from above.

[0025] Each of the front and rear side walls 13 has an extension portion 22. Each extension portion 22 has a shape in which the lower end of each side wall 13 is extended outward in a stepped manner. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the interior of each extension portion 22 is configured as an extension space 23 that accommodates the fixing portion 33 of the terminal fitting 30, which will be described later. The extension space 23 of each extension portion 22 is located at the lower end of the front and rear outer sides of the accommodation space 15 and is open downwards. The upright portion 34 of the fixing portion 33 of the terminal fitting 30, which will be described later, is arranged along the front and rear inner surfaces of the extension portion 22 that face the extension space 23.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1-3, the front and rear side walls 13 each have an opening 24. Each opening 24 penetrates in the front-rear direction at the upper end of each side wall 13. Each opening 24 is located at the upper end of the front and rear outer sides of the housing space 15 and is open to the front and rear outer sides. Each opening 24 has a rectangular opening shape when viewed from the side. The left-right width of the opening 24 is smaller than the left-right width of the side wall 13. Within the housing space 15, movable allowable areas 15A are provided in the areas on both the front and rear sides, including the openings 24. The movable allowable areas 15A are the parts of the housing space 15 that allow the movement of the main body 31 of the terminal fitting 30.

[0027] The upper end wall 12 has a pair of upper end openings 25 at its front and rear ends, corresponding to the front and rear side walls 13. Each upper end opening 25 penetrates the upper end wall 12 vertically, opens onto the upper surface of the upper end wall 12, and communicates with the opening 24. The top and front and rear outer sides of each upper end opening 25 are open. Furthermore, each upper end opening 25 is positioned on both the front and rear sides of the upper end wall 12, flanking each insertion opening 17. The left-right width of the upper end opening 25 and the left-right width of the opening 24 are the same. As shown in Figure 3, the upper end opening 25 is continuous with the opening 24 without any step.

[0028] (Terminal fitting 30) The terminal fitting 30 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the terminal fitting 30 has a main body portion 31, a spring portion 32, and a fixing portion 33. The fixing portion 33 is positioned with its plate surface facing the front-rear direction. The fixing portion 33 has a double plate portion that overlaps in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the double plate portion of the fixing portion 33 is inserted into the insertion hole 121 of the lower circuit board 120 and fixed to the circuit board 120 by soldering or the like, and is electrically connected to a conductive part of the circuit board 120 (not shown). The fixing portion 33 also has an upright portion 34 that rises upward from the front-rear inner plate portion of the double plate portion.

[0029] The spring portion 32 is positioned between the main body portion 31 and the fixing portion 33. The spring portion 32 is bent from the fixing portion 33 to the main body portion 31. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the spring portion 32 has an inclined portion 35 that extends downward in the front and rear inward directions from the upper end of the upright portion 34, and a connecting portion 36 that extends upward in a curved direction from the lower end (front and rear inner end) of the inclined portion 35. The upper end of the connecting portion 36 is connected to the base end portion 53 of the main body portion 31, which will be described later. The spring portion 32 is elastically deformable with the upper end of the upright portion 34 as the fulcrum. The main body portion 31 is supported (floating supported) in a state in which it can tilt relative to the fixing portion 33 via the spring portion 32.

[0030] The terminal fitting 30 has a plurality of locking protrusions 37 that project outward to the left and right from the upright portion 34. Each locking protrusion 37 protrudes from both the left and right ends of the upright portion 34 at intervals in the vertical direction. Each locking protrusion 37 is press-fitted and locked into the left and right inner surfaces of each expansion portion 22 of the housing 11. The terminal fitting 30 is held in the housing 11 by the locking action of each locking protrusion 37.

[0031] The main body 31 has a rectangular tubular box portion 38 that penetrates vertically. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the box portion 38 has front and rear side portions 39 that face each other in the front-rear direction, and left and right side portions 41 that face each other in the left-right direction. Each side portion 39 has a rectangular outer shape when viewed from the front, which is elongated vertically with respect to the left-right direction. Each side portion 41 has a rectangular outer shape when viewed from the side, which is elongated vertically with respect to the front-rear direction. The left-right dimension of each side portion 39 is greater than the front-rear dimension of each side portion 41. The left and right ends of each side portion 39 are connected to the front and rear ends of the side portions 41. The box portion 38 is formed by bending, for example, from the left side portion 41 to the front side portion 39, the right side portion 41, and the rear side portion 39 in that order. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the left end of the rear side portion 39 and the rear end of the left side portion 41 interlock in a concave-concave manner to form an interlocking portion 42. The box portion 38 maintains its rectangular tubular shape through the interlocking portion 42. The interior of the box portion 38 is a receiving space 43 for receiving the mating terminal 95. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the inner surface of the receiving space 43 is configured as an opposing surface 44 where each side portion 39 faces each other and each side portion 41 faces each other. The surfaces where the elastic contact portions 46, 47 and base portions 52, 53 of each side portion 39 face each other in the front-rear direction are included in the opposing surface 44.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the main body 31 has a pair of guide portions 45 that expand outward and upward from the upper ends of each side portion 39 of the box portion 38. Each guide portion 45 has a rectangular outer shape in side view, which is elongated in the left-right direction relative to the vertical direction. The mating terminal 95 is guided into the guide portion 45 and inserted into the receiving space 43.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each side portion 39 has a plurality of elastic contact portions 46, 47 and base portions 52, 53. Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 and base portion 52, 53 is partitioned by a plurality of slits 48, 49, 51 formed by cuts in the side portion 39. Each slit 48, 49, 51 has a plurality (two in this embodiment 1) of first vertical slits 48 arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the widthwise center side of the side portion 39, and a pair of second vertical slits 49 arranged on both sides in the widthwise direction flanking each first vertical slit 48. In addition, each slit 48, 49, 51 has a horizontal slit 51 that extends in the left-right direction and connects to the upper ends of each of the first vertical slits 48 and each of the second vertical slits 49.

[0034] Each first vertical slit 48 extends vertically and is of the same length as the others. Each second vertical slit 49 also extends vertically and is of the same length as the others. Each second vertical slit 49 extends vertically longer than each first vertical slit 48. The lower end of each second vertical slit 49 is located below the lower end of each first vertical slit 48.

[0035] The base portions 52 and 53 are located below each of the first vertical slits 48 in the vertical direction and constitute the lower half of the side portion 39. Specifically, the base portions 52 and 53 are composed of a connecting portion 52 located below each of the first vertical slits 48 and above each of the second vertical slits 49 in the side portion 39, and a base end portion 53 located below each of the second vertical slits 49. The base end portion 53 constitutes the lower end of the side portion 39.

[0036] Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 has, in the side portion 39, a middle elastic contact portion 46 partitioned between the first vertical slits 48 in the left-right direction, and a pair of end elastic contact portions 47 partitioned between the first vertical slit 48 and a second vertical slit 49 adjacent to it in the left-right direction. The upper ends of the middle elastic contact portion 46 and each end elastic contact portion 47 are partitioned by a horizontal slit 51. The second vertical slit 49 partitions the left and right outer ends of the end elastic contact portions 47 and the connecting portion 52.

[0037] Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 extends cantilevered upward (in the first direction) from its base (root) connected to the upper end of the connecting portion 52 to its upper end partitioned by the lateral slit 51. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each elastic contact portion 46, 47 has a contact portion 54 that protrudes toward the receiving space 43 near its upper end. The contact portion 54 is formed by pressing a part of the elastic contact portion 46, 47 to create an embossed bulge. The contact portions 54 of the elastic contact portions 46, 47 of each side portion 39 face each other in the front-rear direction. The mating terminal 95 contacts the opposing contact portion 54. Before the terminal fitting 30 is connected to the mating terminal 95, the distance between each contact portion 54 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the front-rear thickness of the mating terminal 95.

[0038] Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 is inclined so as to gradually enter the receiving space 43 from its base toward the contact portion 54. Furthermore, each elastic contact portion 46, 47 expands outward and forward from the contact portion 54 upward. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the upper end of the side portion 39 has a plurality of protrusions 56 that project toward the receiving space 43. Each protrusion 56 is formed by bulging out a part of the side portion 39 by hammering it with a press. The lower end of each protrusion 56 is partitioned by a transverse slit 51.

[0039] Each side portion 39 has a pivot point 57 at the boundary between the connecting portion 52 and the base end portion 53. The pivot point 57 is configured as a linear portion extending in the left-right direction (second direction) at a height corresponding to the lower end of each second vertical slit 49 in the vertical direction. The pivot point 57 is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment 1, the pivot point 57 is located below each elastic contact portion 46, 47.

[0040] Furthermore, each side portion 39 has multiple reinforcing portions 58 extending from the base portion 53 to the connecting portion 52. Each reinforcing portion 58 is formed by pressing a part of the base portions 52, 53 to create an embossed bulge toward the receiving space 43. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each reinforcing portion 58 is formed as a recess on the outer surface (front and rear outward-facing surface) of the base portions 52, 53 and protrudes from the inner surface (surface facing the receiving space 43) of the base portions 52, 53. In this embodiment 1, each reinforcing portion 58 has a rectangular outer periphery with rounded corners when viewed from the side. The tip of each reinforcing portion 58 in the protruding direction (front and rear inner end in the bulging direction) is an end face aligned with the vertical and horizontal directions. Overall, each reinforcing portion 58 bulges out in a curved shape toward the inner surface of the base portions 52, 53. Each reinforcing portion 58 is configured to have higher rigidity in the base portions 52, 53 than the surrounding portions (adjacent portions).

[0041] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, each reinforcing portion 58 is positioned at a height that overlaps with the pivot point 57 in the vertical direction. In other words, the pivot point 57 is positioned to include each reinforcing portion 58 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment 1, the upper end of each reinforcing portion 58 is part of the pivot point 57. The upper end of each reinforcing portion 58 is inclined to enter the receiving space 43 as it goes downwards. The portion of each reinforcing portion 58 excluding the upper end is positioned at the base end 53.

[0042] Each reinforcing portion 58 is formed at a distance from each other in the left-right direction on the base portions 52 and 53. Each reinforcing portion 58 is positioned at the same height in the vertical direction and faces each other in the front-rear direction between each side portion 39. In addition, each reinforcing portion 58 is positioned to overlap with each first vertical slit 48 in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 6, the top portion 54A of each contact portion 54 and the tip of each reinforcing portion 58 in the protruding direction are offset from each other in the left-right direction.

[0043] Here, the distance between the tops 54A of the contact portions 54 in the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 of each side portion 39 is managed as a gap G (see FIG. 6) for connection to the mating terminal 95. When managing this gap G, for example, inspection light is irradiated from a light emitter (not shown) installed outside one end in the vertical direction (above or below) of the box portion 38 toward the receiving space 43 of the box portion 38. In the case of the first embodiment, the inspection light passes through between the tops 54A of the contact portions 54 without being blocked by each reinforcing portion 58 and is irradiated to a light receiver (not shown) installed outside the other end in the vertical direction (below or above) of the box portion It follows that according to the first embodiment, the gap inspection between the tops 54A of the contact portions 54 can be appropriately performed.

[0044] (Operation of the connector 10) When assembling the connector each terminal fitting 30 is inserted into each receiving space 15 of the housing 11 from below. The terminal fitting 30 is held by the housing 11 by locking each locking projection 37 to the inner surface of the expansion portion 22. The main body portion 31 of the terminal fitting 30 is received in the receiving space 15 without contacting the side walls 13 and 14. The fixing portion 33 of the terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 121 and fixed to the lower circuit board 120 by soldering or the like. The housing 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board 120. In a state where the spring portion 32 is not elastically deformed, the main body portion 31 is disposed in the receiving space 15 in an upright posture along the vertical axis.

[0045] When connector 10 and mating connector 90 are mated, the upper and lower circuit boards 110 and 120 are brought close to each other. The mating connector 90 is provided on the upper circuit board 110. As shown in Figure 1, when the upper and lower circuit boards 110 and 120 are positioned at a predetermined mating position (a position where connector 10 and mating connector 90 can be mated facing each other), the mating terminal 95 is inserted into the receiving space 43 of the main body 31 from the front-to-back center of the insertion opening 17. The mating terminal 95 is then sandwiched between the contact portions 54 of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47, passing between the guide portions 45 and the protrusions 56. In this way, the contact portions 54 of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 come into contact with the mating terminal 95, and the terminal fitting 30 is electrically connected to the mating terminal 95 at a predetermined connection position (a position where the terminal fitting 30 and the mating terminal 95 can be connected facing each other). At this time, each elastic contact portion 46, 47 is elastically deformed outward and forward, with the pivot portion 57 as the pivot point. The main body portion 31 is maintained in an upright position.

[0046] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, if each circuit board 110, 120 shifts from its predetermined mating position to a side parallel to the plane direction of each circuit board 110, 120, for example, to one side (front or rear, in the case of Figure 2, the front side), the mating terminal 95 is inserted into the receiving space 43 of the main body 31 from one end of the insertion opening 17 on one side. The mating terminal 95 is guided between each guiding portion 45 and each protrusion 56, and is sandwiched between the contact portions 54 of each elastic contact portion 46, 47. Each elastic contact portion 46, 47 elastically deforms outward and forward with the pivot point 57 as the pivot point, and the contact portions 54 of each elastic contact portion 46, 47 come into contact with the mating terminal 95. At this time, the main body 31 takes an inclined position that tilts from an upright position to one side on the front or rear with respect to the vertical axis, and is electrically connected to the mating terminal 95 in an inclined state from the predetermined connection position. The spring portion 32 is elastically deformed to accommodate the inclined position of the main body portion 31.

[0047] The main body 31 that takes an inclined posture has a movable part 31A that moves in a direction of tilting to one side in the front-rear direction from the upright posture state. The movable part 31A is a position-variable part at the upper end of the main body 31 and includes an attracting part 45. The movable part 31A is arranged in a movable allowable region <15A> of the accommodation space <15> of the housing <11>. In the case of the first embodiment, due to the misalignment of each of the circuit boards <110> and <120>, even if the main body 31 tilts maximally from a predetermined connection position with respect to the mating terminal <95>, the movable part 31A fits within the movable allowable region <15A> and is set not to exceed the accommodation space <15>.

[0048] As shown in FIG. <2>, the attracting part <45> on one side in the front-rear direction becomes the part with the largest amount of position variation among the movable part <31A>. When the attracting part <45> tilts to one side in the front-rear direction, the tip (upper end) of the attracting part <45> enters the opening <24>. The tip of the attracting part <45> fits within the opening <24> even in the maximally tilted state. When the connector <10> and the mating connector <90> are in a fitted state, the opening <24> of the side wall <13> is covered by the peripheral wall <93> of the mating housing <91>. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to avoid interference of external foreign matter with the tip of the attracting part <45>, and it is possible to stably maintain the connection state between the terminal fitting <30> and the mating terminal <95>.

[0049] As described above, the connector <10> of the first embodiment includes a terminal fitting <30> and a housing <11> having an accommodation space <15>. The terminal fitting <30> has a main body <31> accommodated in the accommodation space <15>, a fixing part <33> fixed to the circuit board <120>, and a spring part <32> extending from the fixing part <33> to the main body <3>. The main body <31> can move so as to tilt according to the elastic deformation of the spring part <32>. The accommodation space <15> of the housing <11> has a movable allowable region <15A> that allows the movement of the main body <31>. Here, when the housing <11> and the mating housing <91> move and fit from a predetermined fitting position, the spring part <32> elastically deforms and the main body <31> moves within the range of the movable allowable region <15A>, thereby absorbing the above-mentioned position variation. In the case of the first embodiment, since the movable allowable region <15A> is kept within the minimum necessary range for allowing the movement of the main body <31>, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the connector <10>.

[0050] The terminal fitting 30 of this embodiment 1 includes a fixing portion 33 fixed to the circuit board 120 and a spring portion 32 extending from the fixing portion 33 to the base portions 52 and 53. In such a configuration, there is a concern that if the spring portion 32 undergoes elastic deformation, the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 will also increase. However, in this embodiment 1, the reinforcing portion 58 improves the rigidity of the base side of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47, so that the contact pressure of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 with respect to the mating terminal 95 can be ensured.

[0051] Furthermore, the housing 11 has an opening 24 facing the housing space 15 in the side wall 13 that partitions the periphery of the housing space 15. This opening 24 is included in the movable allowable area 15A. Therefore, if the positional fluctuation of the main body 31 is large, the movable part 31A of the main body 31 can be moved into the opening 24. By utilizing the thickness of the side wall 13, the opening 24 can be provided as part of the movable allowable area 15A, thus further avoiding an increase in the size of the connector 10.

[0052] In this embodiment 1, the housing 11 has an insertion opening 17 for receiving the mating terminal 95, and the main body 31 has a guide portion 45 that expands toward the insertion opening 17 when housed in the housing space 15, and the guide portion 45 is positioned in the housing space 15 so that it can tilt toward the opening 24. Therefore, the guide portion 45, which has a large amount of positional movement, can be effectively moved toward the opening 24.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, since the opening 24 penetrates the upper end of the side wall 13, the guide portion 45 can be reliably guided into the opening 24 at the upper end of the side wall 13. Moreover, the housing 11 has an upper end opening 25 that extends from the upper surface of the upper end wall 12 to the opening 24, and both the opening 24 and the upper end opening 25 are open upward in the direction in which the insertion opening 17 penetrates the upper end wall 12. Therefore, the opening 24, the upper end opening 25, and the insertion opening 17 can be easily molded using the same mold. Furthermore, the formation range of the upper end opening 25 can be limited to the thickness of the upper end wall 12.

[0054] Furthermore, the terminal fitting 30 of this embodiment 1 is made of a conductive plate material and comprises base portions 52 and 53 and elastic contact portions 46 and 47 extending upward (in the first direction) from the base portions 52 and 53. The elastic contact portions 46 and 47 have contact portions 54 that contact the mating terminal 95. The base portions 52 and 53 have an elastically deformable pivot portion 57 and a reinforcing portion 58 that is more rigid than the surrounding area. The reinforcing portion 58 is provided on the base portions 52 and 53 at a position that coincides with a part of the pivot portion 57 in the left-right direction (second direction intersecting the first direction). This increases the rigidity of the root side of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47, and increases the spring reaction force of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47. As a result, the state in which the contact portions 54 of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 contact the mating terminal 95 can be stably maintained.

[0055] Since the reinforcing portion 58 is shaped by bulging out a part of the base portions 52 and 53, the reinforcing portion 58 can be easily processed. Furthermore, since the base portions 52 and 53 are arranged in pairs in the front-rear direction (a direction intersecting the first and second directions), which is the elastic deformation direction of the pivot portion 57, and the reinforcing portion 58 protrudes toward the receiving space 43 between the opposing surfaces 44 of the pair of base portions 52 and 53, the main body portion 31 of the terminal fitting 30 does not become larger in the front-rear direction due to the presence of the reinforcing portion 58.

[0056] In this embodiment 1, the base portions 52 and 53 have a connecting portion 52 extending in a first direction from the pivot portion 57, and multiple elastic contact portions 46 and 47 are connected in a second direction in line with respect to the first-direction tip of the connecting portion 52. This allows the reinforcing portion 58 to be formed within the formation range of the base portions 52 and 53, including the connecting portion 52, regardless of the shape or size of each elastic contact portion 46 and 47. As a result, the degree of freedom in forming the reinforcing portion 58 can be increased.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 are arranged in pairs in the front-rear direction, and the contact portion 54 protrudes toward the receiving space 43 between the opposing surfaces 44 of the pair of elastic contact portions 46 and 47. The receiving space 43 penetrates vertically through the base portions 52 and 53 and the opposing surfaces 44 of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 in the box portion 38, and the top portion 54A of the contact portion 54 is offset horizontally relative to the tip of the reinforcing portion 58 in the protruding direction. With this configuration, regardless of the presence of the reinforcing portion 58, gap inspection between the contact portions 54 of the pair of elastic contact portions 46 and 47 can be performed without hindrance.

[0058] Furthermore, the terminal fitting 30 includes a rectangular box portion 38, the box portion 38 having a pair of side portions 39 facing each other in the front-rear direction. Each side portion 39 has a plurality of slits 48, 49, 51 extending in the vertical direction. Each slit 48, 49, 51 has a first vertical slit 48 and second vertical slits 49 arranged on both the left and right sides of the first vertical slit 48. Of the elastic contact portions 46, 47, the end elastic contact portions 47 located at both the left and right ends are partitioned in the left-right direction between the first vertical slit 48 and the second vertical slit 49. The second vertical slit 49 extends longer than the first vertical slit 48 in each vertical direction from the end elastic contact portion 47 to the connecting portion 52.

[0059] According to this, the first vertical slit 48 and the second vertical slit 49 allow for the easy formation of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 and the base portions 52 and 53. In particular, the spring force of the elastic contact portions 46 and 47 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the vertical length of the first vertical slit 48 and the second vertical slit 49.

[0060] [Other Embodiments of the Disclosure] Embodiment 1 disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. In Embodiment 1, the reinforcing portion 58 was provided at a position overlapping with the pivot point portion 57 at the base portions 52 and 53. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the reinforcing portion may be provided at a position adjacent to the pivot point portion at the base. For example, the entire reinforcing portion may be located at the base end. In Embodiment 1, the reinforcing portion 58 was shaped as a bulge of a part of the base portions 52 and 53. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the reinforcing portion may be configured as a laminated portion formed by overlapping the plate portions of the base in the thickness direction. Alternatively, the reinforcing portion may be formed thicker than the surrounding area at the base. In Embodiment 1, the reinforcing portion 58 was formed at a distance from each other in the left-right direction at the base portions 52 and 53. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the reinforcing portion may be configured as a single rib extending linearly in the left-right direction at the base. In the first embodiment described above, the main body 31 was structured so that it did not come into contact with the housing 11 when it moved to tilt into the movable allowable region 15A. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the main body may come into contact with the housing when it moves to tilt into the movable allowable region. For example, the guide portion may be configured to come into contact with the inner surface of the opening in the side wall when it is in motion. In the first embodiment described above, the guide portion 45 was configured to enter the opening 24 when the main body 31 moved to tilt to its maximum extent into the movable allowable region 15A. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the guide portion may be configured to be positioned between the inner surfaces of the front and rear side walls in the accommodating space when the main body moves to tilt to its maximum extent into the movable allowable region. When the main body remains between the inner surfaces of the front and rear side walls in this way, it is not necessary for an opening to be formed in the side wall.

[0061] 10... Connector 11... Housing 12... Upper wall 13... (Front and rear) side walls 14... (Left and right) side walls 15... Housing space 15A... Movable area 16... Partition 17... Insertion opening 18... Retaining part 19... Notch 21... Flexible piece 22... Expansion part 23... Expansion space 24... Opening 25... Upper opening 30... Terminal fitting 31... Main body part 31A... Movable part 32... Spring part 33... Fixing part 34... Upright part 35... Inclined part 36... Connecting part 37... Locking projection 38... Box part 39... Side part 41... Side part 42... Engaging part 43... Receiving space 44... Opposing surface 45... Guiding part 46... Middle elastic contact part (elastic contact part) 47... End elastic contact part (elastic contact part) 48...First vertical slit (slit) 49...Second vertical slit (slit) 51...Horizontal slit (slit) 52...Connecting part (base) 53...Base end (base) 54...Contact part 54A...Top part 55...Expanded part 56...Protrusion 57...Pivot part 58...Reinforcement part 90...Mating connector 91...Mating housing 92...Base wall 93...Peripheral wall 95...Mating terminal 110...(Upper) circuit board 120...(Lower) circuit board 121...Insertion hole G...Gap

Claims

1. A terminal fitting made of a conductive plate material, comprising: a base portion; an elastic contact portion extending from the base portion in a first direction, wherein the elastic contact portion has a contact portion that contacts a mating terminal; the base portion has an elastically deformable pivot portion and a reinforcing portion that is more rigid than the surrounding portion, wherein the reinforcing portion is provided on the base portion at a position that coincides with a part of the pivot portion or is adjacent to the pivot portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

2. The terminal fitting according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion has a shape in which a part of the base portion is bulged out.

3. The terminal fitting according to claim 2, wherein the base portions are arranged in pairs in the direction of elastic deformation of the pivot portion, and the reinforcing portion protrudes toward the space between the opposing surfaces of the pair of base portions.

4. The terminal fitting according to claim 3, wherein the direction of elastic deformation is a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, the base portion has a connecting portion extending from the pivot portion in the first direction, and a plurality of elastic contact portions are connected in the second direction in line with respect to the tip of the connecting portion in the first direction.

5. The terminal fitting according to claim 4, wherein the elastic contact portions are arranged in pairs in the direction of elastic deformation, the contact portion protrudes toward the space between the opposing surfaces of the pair of elastic contact portions, the space penetrates the base and the space between the opposing surfaces of each of the elastic contact portions in the first direction, and the top of the contact portion is offset in the second direction relative to the tip of the reinforcing portion in the protruding direction.

6. The terminal fitting according to claim 4, comprising a rectangular tubular box portion, the box portion having sides facing the direction of elastic deformation, the sides having a plurality of slits extending in the first direction, the plurality of slits comprising a first vertical slit and second vertical slits arranged on both sides in the second direction flanking the first vertical slit, the end elastic contact portion of the plurality of elastic contact portions located at the end in the second direction being partitioned between the first vertical slit and the second vertical slit in the second direction, and the second vertical slit extending longer in each of the first directions from the end elastic contact portion to the connecting portion than the first vertical slit.

7. A terminal fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a fixing portion fixed to a circuit board and a spring portion extending from the fixing portion to the base.

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