Connector pair

Abstract

A first connector (11) is provided with a first terminal portion (20), and a second connector (12) is provided with a second terminal portion (30) that connects to the first terminal portion (20). The second terminal portion (30) is constituted by one second terminal (32), whereas the first terminal portion (20) is constituted by a plurality of first terminals (22) arranged in the connector front-rear direction. Each of the plurality of first terminals (22) is provided with a fixing portion (40), a displacement portion (50), and an elastic deformation portion (60). The fixing portion (40) has a connection portion (41) that connects to a first attachment object (91), and the displacement portion (50) has a first contact portion (52) that contacts a second contact portion (34) of the second terminal (32).

Description

Connector pair

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector pair.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector pair that can conduct a large current and has a floating mechanism.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-10807

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the productivity of a connector pair that can conduct a large current and has a floating mechanism.

[0005] A connector according to a first aspect includes a first connector attached to a first attachment object, and a second connector attached to a second attachment object and connected to the first connector in the vertical direction of the connector. The first connector includes a first terminal portion, the second connector includes a second terminal portion connected to the first terminal portion, the first terminal portion includes a plurality of first terminals arranged in the front-rear direction of the connector perpendicular to the vertical direction of the connector, the second terminal portion is composed of one second terminal, each of the plurality of first terminals includes a fixing portion fixed to the first attachment object, a displacement portion displaceable with respect to the first attachment object, and an elastic deformation portion connecting the displacement portion and the fixing portion and allowing displacement of the displacement portion with respect to the fixing portion. The fixing portion has a connection portion connected to the first attachment object, and the displacement portion has a first contact portion that contacts a second contact portion of the second terminal.

[0006] In this aspect, the connector pair includes a first connector attached to a first attachment object and a second connector attached to a second attachment object. The second connector is connected to the first connector in the vertical direction of the connector. The first connector includes a first terminal portion, and the second connector includes a second terminal portion connected to the first terminal portion. Therefore, the first attachment object and the second attachment object can be electrically connected by the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion.

[0007] Incidentally, in order to enable the conduction of a large current, it is conceivable to construct the second terminal section with a single second terminal and to make this second terminal large in the front-to-back direction of the connector. However, in this case, it is usually necessary to make the first terminal section, which constitutes the first terminal section, also large in the front-to-back direction of the connector, and as a result, there is a risk of problems with the productivity of the first terminal section. This is particularly noticeable when the first terminal section, which constitutes the first terminal section, has an elastically deformable part. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second terminal section is composed of a single second terminal, while the first terminal section has a plurality of first terminals arranged in the front-to-back direction of the connector. Each of the plurality of first terminals has a fixed part that is fixed to the first mounting object, a displaceable part that is displaceable relative to the first mounting object, and an elastically deformable part that connects the displaceable part and the fixed part and allows the displaceable part to be displaced relative to the fixed part. The fixed part has a connecting part that connects to the first mounting object, and the displaceable part has a first contact part that contacts the second contact part of the second terminal. Therefore, the structure of the first terminal can be simplified compared to configurations in which the first terminal section is composed of a single first terminal or a pair of first terminals facing each other in the width direction (hereinafter, these configurations are referred to as comparative configurations). As a result, the productivity of the first terminal section is improved. This is because, in order to enable the conduction of a large current in the above comparative configurations, the front-to-back dimension of the first terminal must be increased to match the front-to-back dimension of the second terminal, and providing an elastically deformable portion in a first terminal with a large front-to-back dimension usually requires many processes of bending the metal plate in the thickness direction.

[0008] In the embodiments described later, the first terminal section is composed of a plurality of first terminals arranged in the front-to-back direction of the connector. In other words, the first terminal section does not include anything other than the plurality of first terminals arranged in the front-to-back direction of the connector. However, the first terminal section of this embodiment is not limited to this, and may include first terminals other than the plurality of first terminals arranged in the front-to-back direction of the connector. For example, the first terminal section may be composed of a plurality of first terminals on one side in the connector width direction and a plurality of first terminals on the other side in the connector width direction. In the embodiments described later, the first mounting target is a circuit board, but this embodiment is not limited to this. The first mounting target may be, for example, a cable. In the embodiments described later, the second mounting target is a circuit board, but this embodiment is not limited to this. The second mounting target may be, for example, a cable. In the embodiments described later, the connector has a plurality (five) of first terminal sections. However, the number of first terminal sections provided by the connector of this embodiment may be one. In the embodiments described later, 80% or more (preferably 90% or more, and even more preferably 95% or more) of the total surface area of ​​the plate material (metal plate) constituting the first terminal is oriented in the thickness direction towards the front-to-back direction of the connector. This increases the productivity of the first terminal, and as a result, further increases the productivity of the connector pair. However, the first terminal in this embodiment is not limited to this. In the embodiments described later, the first terminals are separated from each other in the front-to-back direction of the connector, but this embodiment is not limited to this. Multiple first terminals in this embodiment may be in close contact in the front-to-back direction of the connector.

[0009] In the connector according to the second embodiment, the elastically deformable portion maintains a flat state as in the first embodiment.

[0010] Incidentally, in embodiments where the elastically deformable portion has a curved portion bent in the thickness direction of the plate, bending is required to form the elastically deformable portion. Therefore, in this embodiment, the elastically deformable portion maintains a flat state. This prevents a decrease in productivity caused by the formation of the elastically deformable portion.

[0011] In the embodiments described later, the first terminal maintains a flat state. That is, the entire first terminal maintains a flat state. However, the first terminal in this embodiment is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the elastically deformable portion maintains a flat state. For example, the elastically deformable portion and the displacement portion may maintain a flat state where they are located on the same plane, and the fixed portion may be bent. Alternatively, for example, the elastically deformable portion and the fixed portion may maintain a flat state where they are located on the same plane, and the displacement portion may be bent.

[0012] In the third embodiment of the connector, the first terminal maintains a flat state as in the first embodiment.

[0013] In this embodiment, the first terminal maintains a flat state. This facilitates the production of the first terminal by press working, further improving the productivity of the first terminal section.

[0014] In the fourth embodiment, the connector, in any of the first to third embodiments, does not have a movable housing that is displaceable relative to the first mounting object.

[0015] In this embodiment, the first connector does not have a movable housing that is displaceable relative to the first mounting object. Therefore, the number of parts in the first connector can be reduced.

[0016] The connector according to the fifth embodiment, in any of the first to fourth embodiments, comprises a fixing portion which is located on one side in the connector width direction with respect to the displacement portion and a fixing portion which is located on the other side in the connector width direction with respect to the displacement portion, and the elastic deformation portion which comprises a one-side elastic deformation portion which connects the displacement portion and the one-side fixing portion and allows displacement of the displacement portion with respect to the one-side fixing portion and a other-side elastic deformation portion which connects the displacement portion and the other-side fixing portion and allows displacement of the displacement portion with respect to the other-side fixing portion.

[0017] In this embodiment, the fixed portion comprises a one-side fixed portion located on one side in the connector width direction relative to the displacement portion, and a other-side fixed portion located on the other side in the connector width direction relative to the displacement portion. Furthermore, the elastically deformable portion comprises a one-side elastically deformable portion that connects the displacement portion and the one-side fixed portion and allows displacement of the displacement portion relative to the one-side fixed portion, and a other-side elastically deformable portion that connects the displacement portion and the other-side fixed portion and allows displacement of the displacement portion relative to the other-side fixed portion. As a result, the current can be divided by utilizing the space on one side and the other side in the connector width direction relative to the displacement portion, thereby enabling the realization of a connector pair that can handle larger currents.

[0018] In the sixth embodiment, the connector, in any of the first to fifth embodiments, comprises a pair of contact elastic pieces that contact the second contact portion so as to clamp the second contact portion in the width direction of the connector.

[0019] In this embodiment, the first contact portion includes a pair of contact elastic pieces that contact the second contact portion so as to sandwich it in the connector width direction. This ensures that the electrical connection of the first contact portion to the second contact portion is stable.

[0020] In the seventh embodiment, the connector further comprises, in the sixth embodiment, a pair of additional contact elastic pieces that contact the second contact portion at a position further inside the connection direction than the pair of contact elastic pieces, so as to sandwich the second contact portion in the width direction of the connector.

[0021] In this embodiment, the first contact portion further comprises a pair of additional contact elastic pieces that contact the second contact portion so as to sandwich it in the connector width direction, at a position further back in the connection direction than the pair of contact elastic pieces. This allows the orientation of the second contact portion to be stabilized.

[0022] In the embodiment described later, the pair of additional contact elastic pieces have a smaller cross-sectional area perpendicular to the current direction than the pair of front contact elastic pieces. However, this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0023] The connector according to the eighth embodiment, in the sixth or seventh embodiment, has a pair of contact elastic pieces, each having a pair of contact edges that are inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the connector, wherein, during connection, the second contact portion contacts either of the pair of contact edges, thereby displacing the displacement portion to match the position of the second contact portion in the connector width direction.

[0024] In this embodiment, the pair of contact elastic pieces have a pair of contact edges that are inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the connector. The pair of contact edges are the parts that, when connected, cause the second contact portion to contact either of the pair of contact edges, thereby displacing the displacement portion to match the position of the second contact portion in the connector width direction. Therefore, even if the second connector is connected with a misalignment in the connector width direction, the first connector and the second connector can be properly connected.

[0025] In the embodiments described later, the contact edge extends in a straight line, and the angle of the contact edge with respect to the vertical direction of the connector is less than 45 degrees. This reduces the insertion force of the second contact portion. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. In the embodiments described later, the first connector does not have a movable housing, but this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0026] In the ninth embodiment, the connector, in the eighth embodiment, comprises a first housing, the first housing having an upper wall formed with an insertion opening into which the second contact portion can be inserted, and the upper wall, when viewed from above the connector, hides the upper ends of the pair of contact edges.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first connector comprises a first housing. The first housing has an upper wall into which an insertion opening is formed, into which the second contact portion can be inserted. Here, the upper wall hides the upper ends of the pair of contact edges when viewed from above the connector. This prevents the second contact portion of the second connector from coming into contact with the upper ends of the contact edges and causing the contact elastic piece to buckle during connection.

[0028] In the connector according to the tenth embodiment, in any of the first to ninth embodiments, the first connector comprises a first housing, the first housing comprises a plurality of terminal housing portions for accommodating the first terminals, and the first terminals are individually housed in the terminal housing portions, separated from each other in the front-to-back direction of the connector.

[0029] Incidentally, if, unlike this embodiment, multiple first terminals are housed in a single terminal housing while in close contact in the front-to-back direction of the connector, the manufacturing tolerances of the first terminals will accumulate in the front-to-back direction of the connector. As a result, it may become difficult to position the first terminals within the terminal housing. For example, if five first terminals that are slightly thicker than the design value are stacked on top of each other, the manufacturing tolerances of all five will accumulate, making it impossible to house the terminals within the terminal housing. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first housing is provided with multiple terminal housings for housing the first terminals, and the first terminals are housed individually in the terminal housings while separated from each other in the front-to-back direction of the connector. As a result, the manufacturing tolerances of the first terminals are less likely to affect the mounting of the first terminals to the terminal housings.

[0030] In the eleventh embodiment, the connector, in any of the first to tenth embodiments, comprises a first housing that holds the fixing portions of the plurality of first terminals, and the first housing comprises a plurality of restricting surfaces that restrict the range of movement of the displacement portion in the front-rear direction of the connector to 0.5 times or less the front-rear dimension of the displacement portion.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first housing is provided with a plurality of restricting surfaces that limit the range of movement of the displacement portion in the front-rear direction of the connector to 0.5 times or less the front-rear dimension of the displacement portion in the front-rear direction of the connector. Therefore, the range of movement of the displacement portion in the front-rear direction of the connector can be restricted, and the load on the elastically deformable portion can be reduced.

[0032] In the connector according to the twelfth embodiment, in any of the first to eleventh embodiments, the plurality of first terminals are adjacent to each other, and there are no other terminals between the plurality of first terminals.

[0033] In this embodiment, the multiple first terminals are adjacent to each other, and there are no other terminals between them. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which other terminals (terminals connected to terminals other than the second terminals) exist between the multiple first terminals, the connector pair can be made smaller in the front-to-back direction of the connector.

[0034] The connector according to the 13th embodiment, in any of the first to 12 embodiments, comprises a first housing, the first housing comprises a plurality of terminal housing portions for accommodating the first terminals, the first terminals are individually housed in the terminal housing portions, separated from each other in the front-to-back direction of the connector, the plurality of first terminals are adjacent to each other, and there are no other terminals between the plurality of first terminals.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the manufacturing tolerance of the first terminal is less likely to affect the mounting of the first terminal to the terminal housing. Furthermore, compared to embodiments in which other terminals (terminals connected to terminals other than the second terminal) exist between multiple first terminals, the connector can be made smaller in the front-to-back direction of the connector.

[0036] In the connector according to the 14th embodiment, in any of the first to 13 embodiments, the second contact portion comprises one side facing one side in the width direction of the connector and extending in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the connector, and the other side facing the other side in the width direction of the connector and extending in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the connector, and the first contact portion of the first terminal contacts at least one of the one side and the other side of the second contact portion.

[0037] In this embodiment, the second contact portion comprises one side facing one side in the connector width direction and extending in the vertical and front-to-back directions of the connector, and another side facing the other side in the connector width direction and extending in the vertical and front-to-back directions of the connector. Here, the first contact portion of the first terminal contacts at least one of the one side and the other side of the second contact portion. Therefore, by utilizing the one side and the other side extending in the front-to-back direction of the connector, multiple first terminals arranged in the front-to-back direction of the connector can be efficiently brought into contact.

[0038] It is a perspective view showing a connector pair of an embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view of a first connector. It is a perspective view showing a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion corresponding to the first terminal portion. It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector pair in a connected state. It is a cross-sectional perspective view in which one first terminal and one second terminal are omitted in FIG. 4. It is a cross-sectional view of the connector pair in a connected state.

[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0040] (Connector pair 10) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connector pair 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector pair 10 in a connected state.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the connector pair 10 is composed of a first connector 11 and a second connector 12. In each drawing, the structure of the second connector 12 is drawn in a significantly simplified form.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the first connector 11 is attached to a first attachment object 91, and the second connector 12 is attached to a second attachment object 92. The first attachment object 91 is a substrate (first substrate 91), and the second attachment object 92 is a substrate (second substrate 92). The first substrate 91 and the second substrate 92 are arranged to face each other with their surfaces parallel to each other. The connector pair 10 functions to electrically connect the first substrate 91 and the second substrate 92. The second connector 12 is connected to the first connector 11 in the connector vertical direction.

[0043] (Second connector 12) First, the second connector 12 will be described.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the second connector 12 includes a plurality (five) of second terminal portions 30 and a second housing 80 formed of synthetic resin or the like.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30 corresponding to the first terminal portion 20. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of second terminal portions 30 is composed of one second terminal 32. Therefore, the second connector 12 includes a plurality (five) of second terminals 32. The plurality of second terminals 32 have the same structure as each other.

[0046] The second terminal 32 includes a second contact portion 34. The second contact portion 34 is electrically connected to the first contact portion 52 of the first terminal 22 by contacting the first contact portion 52 of the first terminal 22 described later.

[0047] The second contact portion 34 is a portion formed while maintaining a flat plate shape in the second terminal 32. The thickness direction of the second contact portion 34 faces the connector width direction. The thickness of the second contact portion 34 is larger than the thickness of the first terminal 22, for example, two times or more.

[0048] The second contact portion 34 includes one side surface 34a facing one side in the connector width direction and the other side surface 34b facing the other side in the connector width direction. Both the one side surface 34a and the other side surface 34b are planes extending in the connector up-down direction and the connector front-back direction. In the connected state, the first contact portion 52 of the first terminal 22 contacts both the one side surface 34a and the other side surface 34b of the second contact portion 34 (see FIG. 4).

[0049] (First connector 11) Next, the first connector 11 will be described.

[0050] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first connector 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the first connector 11 includes a plurality (five) of first terminal portions 20 and a first housing 70 formed of synthetic resin or the like.

[0051] (First terminal portion 20) As shown in FIG. 3, each of the plurality (five) of first terminal portions 20 is composed of a plurality (five) of first terminals 22 arranged in the connector front-back direction. The plurality (five) of first terminals 22 have the same structure as each other. Also, the plurality of first terminals 22 constituting a certain first terminal portion 20 and the plurality of first terminals 22 constituting another first terminal portion 20 have the same structure.

[0052] The first terminal 22 includes a fixing portion 40 fixed to the first attachment object 91, a displacement portion 50 displaceable with respect to the first attachment object 91, and an elastic deformation portion 60 that connects the displacement portion 50 and the fixing portion 40 and allows displacement of the displacement portion 50 with respect to the fixing portion 40.

[0053] The fixing portion 40 comprises a one-side fixing portion 40A located on one side in the connector width direction relative to the displacement portion 50, and a other-side fixing portion 40B located on the other side in the connector width direction relative to the displacement portion 50.

[0054] The fixing portion 40A on one side and the fixing portion 40B on the other side have a structure that is symmetrical in the width direction of the connector. Specifically, each of the fixing portion 40A on one side and the fixing portion 40B on the other side has a connecting portion 41 that connects to the first mounting object 91 and a holding portion 42 that is held by the first housing 70.

[0055] The connecting portion 41 is joined to the surface of the first substrate 91 by soldering. The retained portion 42 is held in the first housing 70 by press-fitting it into the first housing 70. The retained portion 42 protrudes upward from the connector from a position inside the connector width direction relative to the connecting portion 41.

[0056] The displacement portion 50 has a displacement base portion 51 and a first contact portion 52 that contacts the second contact portion 34 of the second terminal 32.

[0057] The elastic deformation portion 60 comprises a one-side elastic deformation portion 60A connecting the displacement portion 50 and the one-side fixed portion 40A, and a other-side elastic deformation portion 60B connecting the displacement portion 50 and the other-side fixed portion 40B. The one-side elastic deformation portion 60A is formed to be easily elastically deformable, thereby allowing displacement of the displacement portion 50 relative to the one-side fixed portion 40A. The other-side elastic deformation portion 60B is formed to be easily elastically deformable, thereby allowing displacement of the displacement portion 50 relative to the other-side fixed portion 40B.

[0058] The elastic deformation portion 60A on one side and the elastic deformation portion 60B on the other side have a structure that is symmetrical in the connector width direction. Specifically, each of the elastic deformation portion 60A on one side and the elastic deformation portion 60B on the other side has one substantially inverted U-shaped folded portion 61 that changes the extension direction from the connector upward direction to the connector downward direction. The elastic deformation portion 60A on one side and the elastic deformation portion 60B on the other side extend in the connector width direction at the end 62 on the displacement portion 50 side, and also extend in the connector width direction at the end 63 on the fixing portion 40A on one side or the fixing portion 40B on the other side.

[0059] The first contact portion 52 includes a pair of contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a that contact the second contact portion 34 so as to clamp the second contact portion 34 in the connector width direction. The pair of contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a are provided so as to extend upward from both ends of the displacement base portion 51 in the connector width direction to the connector.

[0060] Furthermore, the first contact portion 52 is provided with a pair of additional contact elastic pieces 52b, 52b that contact the second contact portion 34 so as to clamp it in the connector width direction, at a position further inward in the connection direction (downward of the connector) than the pair of contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a. The pair of additional contact elastic pieces 52b, 52b are provided so as to extend from the displacement base portion 51 to the upper side of the connector. The pair of additional contact elastic pieces 52b, 52b are provided inward in the connector width direction relative to the pair of contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a. The pair of additional contact elastic pieces 52b, 52b have a smaller cross-sectional area perpendicular to the current direction than the pair of contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, the pair of contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a have a pair of contact edges 53 that are inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the connector. The pair of contact edges 53 are the parts that, when the second contact portion 34 comes into contact with either of the pair of contact edges 53 during connection, displace the displacement portion 50 to match the position of the second contact portion 34 in the connector width direction. As shown in Figure 6, the contact edges 53 extend in a straight line. The angle of the contact edges 53 with respect to the vertical direction of the connector is, for example, 30 degrees or more and less than 45 degrees.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, the first terminal 22 maintains a flat state. In other words, the first terminal 22 does not have a curved portion formed by bending a metal plate.

[0063] (First Housing 70) Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector pair 10 in the connected state. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view in Figure 4 with one first terminal 22 and the second terminal 32 omitted. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first housing 70 has a retaining wall 71 that holds the first terminal portion 20. As shown in Figure 5, the retaining wall 71 has a press-fit hole 71a into which the retained portion 42 of the first terminal 22 is press-fitted. A press-fit hole 71a is provided individually for each retained portion 42. The direction in which the first terminal 22 is press-fitted into the retaining wall 71 is upward from the connector. The press-fit hole 71a is provided so as to be open downward from the connector.

[0064] The first housing 70 includes terminal housing sections 73 for accommodating the first terminals 22. The terminal housing sections 73 are provided in a manner corresponding to the number of first terminals 22. The terminal housing sections 73 are the portion between a pair of regulating surfaces 73a that face each other in the connector width direction. The first terminals 22 are housed between the pair of regulating surfaces 73a. A partition wall 74 of the first housing 70 is placed between two adjacent first terminals 22 from among the multiple first terminals 22. As a result, the multiple first terminals 22 are individually housed in the terminal housing sections 73, separated from each other in the front-rear direction of the connector. Note that the multiple (five) first terminals 22 constituting one first terminal section 20 are adjacent to each other, and although a partition wall 74 exists between these multiple first terminals 22, there are no other terminals (terminals that connect to terminals other than the second terminal 32 of the second connector 12).

[0065] Multiple restricting surfaces 73a restrict the range of movement of the displacement portion 50 of the first terminal 22 in the front-rear direction of the connector to, for example, 0.5 times or less (more preferably 0.3 times or less) the front-rear dimension of the displacement portion 50 of the connector. More specifically, the design value of the distance in the connector width direction between a pair of restricting surfaces 73a provided on both sides in the connector width direction for a single first terminal 22 is 110% or less of the design value of the connector width direction dimension (plate thickness) of the first terminal 22.

[0066] The first housing 70 has an insertion chamber 75 into which the second contact portion 34 of the second terminal 32 is inserted. The insertion chamber 75 has a pair of widthwise walls 75a and a pair of front-rear walls 75b. The widthwise walls 75a are planar and their normal direction is oriented inward in the connector width direction. The front-rear walls 75b are planar and their normal direction is oriented in the front-rear direction of the connector. The dimensions of the insertion chamber 75 in the connector width direction (distance between the pair of widthwise walls 75a) are smaller than the dimensions of the displacement portion 50 in the connector width direction. The dimensions of the insertion chamber 75 in the connector front-rear direction (distance between the pair of front-rear walls 75b) are 2.0 mm or larger (more preferably 2.2 mm or larger) than the dimensions of the second contact portion 34 in the connector front-rear direction. As a result, even if the second connector 12 is connected in a misaligned state in the connector front-rear direction, the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 can be properly connected. Furthermore, it is preferable that all first contact portions 52 are configured to contact the second contact portion 34 even when the second contact portion 34 is most misaligned with respect to the insertion chamber 75 in the front-rear direction of the connector (when the second contact portion 34 is in contact with the front-rear wall 75b).

[0067] The first housing 70 has a guide surface 76. The guide surface 76 is provided on the upper side of the connector relative to the widthwise wall 75a and the front-rear wall 75b of the insertion chamber 75. The guide surface 76 is a surface that is inclined in a direction that guides the second contact portion 34 of the second terminal 32 into the insertion chamber 75.

[0068] The first housing 70 has an upper wall 72 into which an insertion opening 72a into which the second contact portion 34 can be inserted is formed. An insertion opening 72a is provided individually for each second terminal 32. Therefore, the first housing 70 has the same number of insertion openings 72a as the number of second terminal portions 30. The insertion opening 72a is formed by the guide surface 76 and the upper end of the insertion chamber 75 described above.

[0069] As shown in Figure 6, the upper wall 72 hides the upper ends 53a of the pair of contact edges 53 when viewed from above the connector. Specifically, with the first terminal 22 in an undeformed state, the distance in the connector width direction between the upper end 53a of one contact edge 53 and the upper end 53a of the other contact edge 53 is greater than the distance between the pair of widthwise walls 75a in the connector width direction, specifically, it is 100% to 105% of the distance between the pair of widthwise walls 75a in the connector width direction. Note that the first terminal 22 in Figures 4 and 6 is shown in an undeformed state.

[0070] <Effects> Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0071] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 6, the connector pair 10 comprises a first connector 11 attached to a first mounting object 91 and a second connector 12 attached to a second mounting object 92. The second connector 12 is connected to the first connector 11 in the vertical direction of the connectors. The first connector 11 has a first terminal portion 20, and the second connector 12 has a second terminal portion 30 connected to the first terminal portion 20. Therefore, the first mounting object 91 and the second mounting object 92 can be electrically connected by the first terminal portion 20 and the second terminal portion 30.

[0072] Incidentally, in order to enable the conduction of a large current, it is conceivable to configure the second terminal section 30 with a single second terminal 32 and to make the second terminal 32 large in the front-to-back direction of the connector. However, in this case, it is usually necessary to make the first terminal 22 constituting the first terminal section 20 large in the front-to-back direction of the connector as well, which may result in problems with the productivity of the first terminal section 20. This is particularly noticeable when the first terminal 22 constituting the first terminal section 20 has an elastically deformable portion 60. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the second terminal section 30 is composed of a single second terminal 32, while the first terminal section 20 is composed of a plurality of first terminals 22 arranged in the front-to-back direction of the connector. Each of the plurality of first terminals 22 includes a fixing portion 40 fixed to the first mounting object 91, a displacement portion 50 that can be displaced relative to the first mounting object 91, and an elastically deformable portion 60 that connects the displacement portion 50 and the fixing portion 40 and allows displacement of the displacement portion 50 relative to the fixing portion 40. The fixing portion 40 has a connecting portion 41 that connects to the first mounting object 91, and the displacement portion 50 has a first contact portion 52 that contacts the second contact portion 34 of the second terminal 32. Therefore, the structure of the first terminal 22 can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the first terminal portion 20 is composed of a single first terminal, or a configuration in which the first terminal portion 20 is composed of a pair of first terminals facing each other in the connector width direction (hereinafter, these configurations are referred to as comparative configurations). As a result, the productivity of the first terminal portion 20 is improved. This is because, in order to enable the conduction of a large current in the above comparative configurations, the front-to-back dimension of the first terminal must be increased to match the front-to-back dimension of the connector of the second terminal 32, and providing an elastically deformable portion to a first terminal with a large front-to-back dimension usually requires many processes of bending the metal plate in the thickness direction.

[0073] By the way, in an embodiment in which the elastic deformation portion 60 has a curved portion bent in the thickness direction of the plate, bending is required to form the elastic deformation portion 60. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the elastic deformation portion 60 maintains a flat state. This prevents a decrease in productivity caused by the formation of the elastic deformation portion 60.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the first terminal 22 maintains a flat state. This facilitates the production of the first terminal 22 by press working, further improving the productivity of the first terminal section 20.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first connector 11 does not have a movable housing that is displaceable relative to the first mounting object 91 (a housing that holds the displacement part 50 and displaces together with the displacement part 50). Therefore, the number of parts in the first connector 11 can be reduced.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the fixing portion 40 includes a one-side fixing portion 40A located on one side in the connector width direction relative to the displacement portion 50, and a other-side fixing portion 40B located on the other side in the connector width direction relative to the displacement portion 50. The elastic deformation portion 60 includes a one-side elastic deformation portion 60A that connects the displacement portion 50 and the one-side fixing portion 40A and allows displacement of the displacement portion 50 relative to the one-side fixing portion 40A, and a other-side elastic deformation portion 60B that connects the displacement portion 50 and the other-side fixing portion 40B and allows displacement of the displacement portion 50 relative to the other-side fixing portion 40B. As a result, the current can be divided using the space on one side and the other side in the connector width direction relative to the displacement portion 50, so that a connector pair 10 that can handle a larger current can be realized.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the first contact portion 52 is provided with a pair of contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a that contact the second contact portion 34 so as to sandwich the second contact portion 34 in the connector width direction. As a result, the electrical connection of the first contact portion 52 to the second contact portion 34 is stabilized.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first contact portion 52 is further provided with a pair of additional contact elastic pieces 52b, 52b that contact the second contact portion 34 so as to sandwich the second contact portion 34 in the connector width direction, at a position further inside (below the connector) than the pair of contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a in the connection direction. This allows the posture of the second contact portion 34 to be stabilized.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the pair of contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a have a pair of contact edges 53 that are inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the connector. The pair of contact edges 53 are the parts that, when connected, cause the second contact portion 34 to contact either of the pair of contact edges 53, thereby displacing the displacement portion 50 to match the position of the second contact portion 34 in the connector width direction. Therefore, even if the second connector 12 is connected in a misaligned state in the connector width direction, the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 can be properly connected. Moreover, in this embodiment, the contact edges 53 extend in a straight line, and the angle of the contact edges 53 with respect to the vertical direction of the connector is less than 45 degrees. Therefore, the insertion force of the second contact portion 34 can be reduced.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the first connector 11 includes a first housing 70. The first housing 70 has an upper wall 72 in which an insertion opening 72a into which the second contact portion 34 can be inserted is formed. Here, as shown in Figure 6, the upper wall 72 hides the upper ends 53a of the pair of contact edges 53 when viewed from above the connector. This prevents the second contact portion 34 of the second connector 12 from coming into contact with the upper ends 53a of the contact edges 53 and causing the contact elastic pieces 52a, 52a to buckle during connection.

[0081] Incidentally, if, unlike this embodiment, multiple first terminals 22 are housed in a single terminal housing 73 while in close contact in the front-to-back direction of the connector, the manufacturing tolerances of the first terminals 22 will accumulate in the front-to-back direction of the connector. As a result, it may become difficult to arrange the first terminals 22 in the terminal housing 73. For example, if five first terminals 22 that are slightly thicker than the design value are stacked on top of each other, the manufacturing tolerances of all five will accumulate, making it impossible to house the first terminals 22 in the terminal housing 73. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first housing 70 is provided with multiple terminal housings 73 for housing the first terminals 22, and the first terminals 22 are housed individually in the terminal housings 73 while separated from each other in the front-to-back direction of the connector. As a result, the manufacturing tolerances of the first terminals 22 are less likely to affect the mounting of the first terminals 22 to the terminal housings 73.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first housing 70 is provided with a plurality of restricting surfaces 73a that restrict the range of movement of the displacement portion 50 in the front-rear direction of the connector to 0.5 times or less the front-rear dimension of the displacement portion 50 in the front-rear direction of the connector. Therefore, the range of movement of the displacement portion 50 in the front-rear direction of the connector can be restricted, and the load on the elastic deformation portion 60 can be reduced.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the multiple first terminals 22 are adjacent to each other, and there are no other terminals between the multiple first terminals 22. Therefore, compared to an embodiment in which other terminals (terminals connected to terminals other than the second terminal 32) exist between the multiple first terminals 22, the connector pair 10 can be made smaller in the front-to-back direction of the connector.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the second contact portion 34 includes one side surface 34a facing one side in the connector width direction and extending in the connector vertical direction and the connector front-rear direction, and another side surface 34b facing the other side in the connector width direction and extending in the connector vertical direction and the connector front-rear direction. Here, the first contact portion 52 of the first terminal 22 contacts at least one of the one side surface 34a and the other side surface 34b of the second contact portion 34. Therefore, by utilizing the one side surface 34a and the other side surface 34b that extend in the connector front-rear direction, multiple first terminals 22 arranged in the connector front-rear direction can be efficiently brought into contact.

[0085] While preferred embodiments of the connector described herein have been described above, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0086] 10 Connector pair 11 First connector 12 Second connector 20 First terminal section 22 First terminal 30 Second terminal section 32 Second terminal 34 Second contact section 34a One side 34b Other side 40 Fixing section 40A One side fixing section 40B Other side fixing section 41 Connection section 50 Displacement section 52 First contact section 52a, 52a Contact elastic piece 52b, 52b Additional contact elastic piece 53 Contact edge section 53a Upper end 60 Elastic deformation section 60A One side elastic deformation section 60B Other side elastic deformation section 70 First housing 72 Upper wall 72a Insertion opening 73 Terminal housing section 73a Restricting surface 91 First substrate (First mounting target) 92 Second substrate (Second mounting target)

Claims

1. A connector pair comprising: a first connector attached to a first mounting object; and a second connector attached to a second mounting object and connected to the first connector in the vertical direction, wherein the first connector comprises a first terminal portion; the second connector comprises a second terminal portion connected to the first terminal portion; the first terminal portion consists of a plurality of first terminals arranged in the front-to-back direction of the connector perpendicular to the vertical direction of the connector; the second terminal portion consists of a single second terminal; each of the plurality of first terminals comprises: a fixing portion fixed to the first mounting object; a displaceable portion displaceable relative to the first mounting object; and an elastic deformation portion connecting the displaceable portion and the fixing portion, and allowing displacement of the displaceable portion relative to the fixing portion; the fixing portion has a connecting portion connected to the first mounting object; and the displaceable portion has a first contact portion that contacts the second contact portion of the second terminal.

2. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable portion maintains a flat state.

3. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal maintains a flat state.

4. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the first connector does not have a movable housing that is displaceable with respect to the first mounting object.

5. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion comprises a one-side fixing portion located on one side in the connector width direction with respect to the displacement portion, and a other-side fixing portion located on the other side in the connector width direction with respect to the displacement portion, and the elastic deformation portion comprises a one-side elastic deformation portion that connects the displacement portion and the one-side fixing portion and allows displacement of the displacement portion with respect to the one-side fixing portion, and a other-side elastic deformation portion that connects the displacement portion and the other-side fixing portion and allows displacement of the displacement portion with respect to the other-side fixing portion.

6. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the first contact portion comprises a pair of contact elastic pieces that contact the second contact portion so as to sandwich the second contact portion in the width direction of the connector.

7. The connector pair according to claim 6, wherein the first contact portion further comprises a pair of additional contact elastic pieces that contact the second contact portion so as to sandwich the second contact portion in the connector width direction, at a position further inside the connection direction than the pair of contact elastic pieces.

8. The pair of contact elastic pieces are a pair of contact edges inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the connector, and the pair of contact edges are such that when the second contact portion contacts either of the pair of contact edges, the second contact portion contacts either of the pair of contact edges to displace the displacement portion in accordance with the position of the second contact portion in the connector width direction, as described in claim 6.

9. The connector pair according to claim 8, wherein the first connector comprises a first housing, the first housing having an upper wall formed with an insertion opening into which the second contact portion can be inserted, and the upper wall, when viewed from above the connector, hides the upper ends of the pair of contact edges.

10. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a first housing, the first housing comprises a plurality of terminal housing portions for accommodating the first terminals, and the first terminals are individually housed in the terminal housing portions, separated from each other in the front-to-back direction of the connector.

11. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a first housing that holds the fixed portions of the plurality of first terminals, and the first housing comprises a plurality of restricting surfaces that restrict the range of movement of the displacement portion in the front-rear direction of the connector to 0.5 times or less the front-rear dimension of the displacement portion in the front-rear direction of the connector.

12. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first terminals are adjacent to each other, and no other terminals are present between the plurality of first terminals.

13. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a first housing, the first housing comprises a plurality of terminal housing portions for accommodating the first terminals, the first terminals are individually housed in the terminal housing portions, spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction of the connector, the plurality of first terminals are adjacent to each other, and there are no other terminals between the plurality of first terminals.

14. The connector pair according to claim 1, wherein the second contact portion comprises one side facing one side in the connector width direction and extending in the vertical and front-to-back directions of the connector, and the other side facing the other side in the connector width direction and extending in the vertical and front-to-back directions of the connector, and the first contact portion of the first terminal contacts at least one of the one side and the other side of the second contact portion.

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