JP7093699B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric connector, and more specifically, to an electric connector in which a plurality of movable housings into which an object to be connected is inserted are displaced with respect to a fixed housing.

The connector described in Patent Document 1 below includes a fixed housing fixed to a substrate, a movable housing provided with a plurality of fitting chambers (insertion chambers) into which a connection object is inserted, and a fixed housing and a movable housing. Each is provided with a plurality of terminals, each of which is bridged between the two, and which comes into contact with each object to be connected inside each insertion chamber. A tapered guide surface is provided on the front side in the insertion direction of each connection object with respect to each of the insertion chambers, and each guide surface guides each connection object to each insertion chamber. Further, the movable housing is divided into a plurality of parts, and the relative displacement with respect to the fixed housing is allowed by the elastic deformation of each terminal. As a result, the displacement and vibration of the insertion position of each connection object are absorbed by the above relative displacement, and the sliding between each terminal and each connection object is suppressed.

Japanese Patent No. 5606588

However, with the recent miniaturization of electronic devices, there is a demand for miniaturization of electronic components such as connectors, and there is a demand for narrowing the pitch of terminal arrangement intervals (that is, narrowing the pitch of the insertion chamber). Due to such narrowing of the pitch, when the distance between the insertion chambers in the terminal arrangement direction becomes narrow, the space for providing the guide surface (tapered surface) becomes small. In particular, when the movable housing is divided into a plurality of parts, a gap is provided between the movable housings so that each movable housing can be individually moved, so that the space in which the guide surface can be provided is further reduced. As a result, the guide surface cannot be set large in the terminal arrangement direction (arrangement direction of the movable housing), so that the amount of guidance of the object to be connected becomes small.

Further, the advantage of the connector (movable connector) as described above is that the movable housing is displaced with respect to the fixed housing to absorb the misalignment of the insertion position of the object to be connected, as described above. When the setting space of the guide surface becomes small, the displacement amount of the movable housing also becomes small. That is, since the displacement amount of the movable housing when the connecting object is inserted is equivalent to the guiding amount of the connecting object by the guiding surface, when the setting space of the guiding surface becomes small, the above-mentioned displacement is caused by the displacement of the movable housing. The limit amount of absorption is also limited to a small extent, and the function as a movable connector cannot be fully utilized.

In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an electric connector that can be miniaturized in the arrangement direction of the movable housing while ensuring the amount of induction of the object to be connected by the induction surface.

The electric connector according to the invention according to claim 1 is an insertion that is displaceably arranged with respect to a fixed housing fixed to a substrate and the fixed housing and is orthogonal to the arrangement direction with respect to an insertion chamber provided in each. A plurality of movable housings into which connection objects are inserted in each direction, and a plurality of tapered housings provided on the front side in the insertion direction with respect to each insertion chamber and guiding each connection object to each insertion chamber. The guide surface is bridged between the fixed housing and the plurality of movable housings, each of which contacts each of the connecting objects inside each of the insertion chambers, and the plurality of movable housings with respect to the fixed housing. The movable housings adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction are partially overlapped with each other when viewed from the insertion direction, and are provided on one of the adjacent movable housings. A part of the guide surface for guiding the connection object to the insertion chamber provided is formed on the other side of the adjacent movable housing.

According to the electric connector according to claim 1, a plurality of movable housings are displaceably arranged with respect to a fixed housing fixed to a substrate, and each movable housing is provided with an insertion chamber. The objects to be connected are inserted in the insertion direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the movable housing. A plurality of tapered guide surfaces for guiding each connection object to each insertion chamber are provided on the front side in the insertion direction with respect to each insertion chamber. Further, a plurality of terminals are bridged between the fixed housing and the plurality of movable housings. These terminals make contact with each object to be connected inside each insertion chamber and allow displacement of the plurality of movable housings with respect to the fixed housing by their respective elastic deformations.

Here, in this electric connector, the movable housings adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction partially overlap each other when viewed from the insertion direction of the object to be connected. Further, a part of the guiding surface for guiding the object to be connected to the insertion chamber provided in one of the adjacent movable housings is formed in the other of the adjacent movable housings. Since it is configured in this way, the electric connector can be miniaturized in the arrangement direction of the movable housing while ensuring the amount of induction of the object to be connected by the induction surface.

The electric connector according to the invention according to claim 2 has a movable housing having a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface facing each other in the arrangement direction, and one of the movable housings is movable. The guide surface for guiding the connection object to the insertion chamber provided in the housing includes the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface formed on the one movable housing, and the said one of the movable housings. A third inclined surface as a part thereof formed in the other movable housing on the front side in the insertion direction with respect to the second inclined surface and facing the first inclined surface of the one movable housing in the arrangement direction. And are configured to include.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the guide surface for guiding the object to be connected to the insertion chamber provided in one of the movable housings adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction is the first inclined surface, the second inclined surface and the above-mentioned inclined surface. It is configured to include a third inclined surface. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed on one of the movable housings, and face each other in the arrangement direction. The third inclined surface is formed on the other side of the adjacent movable housing, and is arranged on the front side in the insertion direction of the object to be connected with respect to the second inclined surface. The third guide surface can guide the object to be connected to the second guide surface, and the second guide surface can guide the object to be connected to the insertion chamber. Since the insertion chamber into which the object to be connected is guided and the second inclined surface described above are formed in the same movable housing (one of the movable housings described above), the guidance of the object to be connected to the insertion chamber is stable. ..

The electric connector according to the third aspect of the present invention has the second inclined surface and the third inclined surface partially overlapped or not spaced apart from each other when viewed from the insertion direction in the second aspect. Adjacent to.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when viewed from the insertion direction of the object to be connected, the second inclined surface formed on one of the movable housings adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction and the third formed on the other side. The inclined surfaces are partially overlapped or adjacent to each other without a gap. As a result, it is possible to prevent a gap or step from being formed between the second inclined surface and the third inclined surface when viewed from the insertion direction, so that the object to be connected is the above-mentioned gap or step. It is possible to prevent damage such as being caught in the.

The electric connector according to the invention according to claim 4 is the induction for guiding the connection object into the insertion chamber provided in the movable housing located at one end in the arrangement direction in claim 2 or 3. The surface is fixed to the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface formed in the movable housing located at one end thereof and the front side in the insertion direction with respect to the second inclined surface of the movable housing located at the one end. It is configured to include a fourth inclined surface formed in the housing and facing the first inclined surface of the movable housing located at one end in the arrangement direction.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the guide surface for guiding the object to be connected to the insertion chamber provided in the movable housing located at one end in the arrangement direction is the first inclined surface, the second inclined surface and the above-mentioned inclined surface. It is configured to include a fourth inclined surface. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed in the movable housing located at one end thereof, and face each other in the arrangement direction. The fourth inclined surface is formed in the fixed housing, and is arranged on the front side in the insertion direction of the object to be connected with respect to the above-mentioned second inclined surface. With this fourth inclined surface, the above-mentioned guide surface can be expanded in the arrangement direction.

The electric connector according to the fifth aspect of the present invention has the second inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface of the movable housing located at one end of the movable housing partially aligned with each other when viewed from the insertion direction in the fourth aspect of the present invention. Overlapping or adjacent to each other without a gap.

In the electric connector according to claim 5, the second inclined surface formed in the movable housing located at one end in the arrangement direction and the fourth inclined surface formed in the fixed housing when viewed from the insertion direction of the object to be connected. The faces are partially overlapped or adjacent without spacing. As a result, when viewed from the insertion direction, it is possible to prevent a gap, a step, or the like from being formed between the second inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface. It is possible to prevent damage due to being caught in a step or the like.

The electric connector according to the invention according to claim 6 is the object to be connected to the insertion chamber provided in the movable housing located at the other end in the arrangement direction in any one of claims 2 to 5. The guiding surface for guiding an object is the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface formed in the movable housing located at the other end, and the first inclined surface of the movable housing located at the other end. It is configured to include a fifth inclined surface formed on the fixed housing on the front side in the insertion direction.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the guide surface for guiding the object to be connected to the insertion chamber provided in the movable housing located at the other end in the arrangement direction is the above-mentioned first inclined surface and second inclined surface. And a fifth inclined surface are included. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are formed on the movable housing located at the other end thereof, and face each other in the arrangement direction. The fifth inclined surface is formed in the fixed housing, and is arranged on the front side in the insertion direction of the object to be connected with respect to the above-mentioned second inclined surface. With this fifth inclined surface, the above-mentioned guide surface can be expanded in the arrangement direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the electric connector according to the seventh aspect has a portion of the first inclined surface and the fifth inclined surface of the movable housing located at the other end of the movable housing when viewed from the insertion direction. They overlap or are adjacent to each other without a gap.

According to the electric connector according to claim 7, when viewed from the insertion direction of the object to be connected, the first inclined surface formed in the movable housing located at the other end in the arrangement direction and the fixed housing are formed. The fifth inclined surface is partially overlapped or adjacent to each other without a gap. As a result, when viewed from the insertion direction, it is possible to prevent a gap, a step, or the like from being formed between the first inclined surface and the fifth inclined surface. It is possible to prevent damage due to being caught in a step or the like.

The electric connector according to the invention according to claim 8 allows relative displacement of the two along the insertion direction between the adjacent movable housings in any one of claims 1 to 7. A movable gap is formed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the movable gap is formed between the adjacent movable housings, the adjacent movable housings can be displaced independently of each other along the insertion direction of the object to be connected. Will be.

In any one of claims 1 to 8, the plurality of movable housings of the electric connector according to the invention according to claim 9 are all formed in the same shape.

Since the electric connector according to claim 9 is configured as described above, it is possible to manufacture a plurality of movable housings with the same molding die, for example, and the manufacturing efficiency is improved.

The electric connector according to the invention according to claim 10, wherein in any one of claims 1 to 9, each terminal has a longitudinal direction in a crossing direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction when viewed from the insertion direction. The intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of each terminal is an elastically deformable portion that can be elastically deformed.

Since the electric connector according to claim 10 is configured as described above, it is necessary to sufficiently secure the elastic deformation amount of each terminal while setting the dimension of each terminal in the arrangement direction of the plurality of movable housings small. Can be done.

As described above, according to the electric connector according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size in the arrangement direction of the movable housing while ensuring the amount of induction of the object to be connected by the induction surface.

It is a perspective view of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is the figure which shows the insertion state of the connection object. It is a perspective view of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is the figure which shows the non-insertion state of the connection object. It is a perspective sectional view which shows the cut surface along the F3-F3 line of FIG. It is a perspective sectional view which shows the cut surface along the F4-F4 line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the cut surface shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the part of FIG. 5 enlarged. It is a top view of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the fixed housing of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the fixed housing of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the movable housing of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the movable housing of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the movable housing of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a bottom view which shows the movable housing of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the terminal of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the fixing member of the electric connector which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the electric connector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. For convenience of explanation, the arrow FR appropriately described in each drawing is in front of the electric connector 10, the arrow LH is on the left side of the electric connector 10, and the arrow UP is on the upper side of the electric connector 10. Hereinafter, when the description is simply made using the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions, the direction with respect to the electric connector 10 is shown. These directions are independent of the orientation of the electrical connector 10 in use. Further, in each drawing, some reference numerals may be omitted in order to make the drawings easier to see.

(Constitution)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the electric connector 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted on the substrate 12 and electrically connected to the mating connector 14 (see FIGS. 1 to 4). It includes a fixed housing 20, a plurality of (six here) movable housings 50, and a plurality of (here six) terminals 90. The mating side connector 14 is composed of a plurality of (six in this case) mating side terminals 16 formed in a pin shape, and an insulating member 18 for holding the plurality of mating side terminals 16. Each of the plurality of mating terminals 16 corresponds to the "object to be connected" in the present invention.

The fixed housing 20 is fixed to the substrate 12 by using the fixing member 36 (see FIG. 15). The plurality of movable housings 50 are arranged in the left-right direction of the electric connector 10 and are displaceable with respect to the fixed housing 20. Each of these movable housings 50 is provided with an insertion chamber 60. Each insertion chamber 60 is configured such that the mating terminal 16 is inserted in the insertion direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of movable housings 50. Further, on the front side in the insertion direction with respect to each insertion chamber 60, a plurality of tapered front-rear guiding surfaces 74 and a plurality of tapered left-right guiding surfaces 80 for guiding each mating terminal 16 to each insertion chamber 60 are provided. Has been done. The left and right guide surface 80 corresponds to the "guide surface" in the present invention.

The plurality of terminals 90 are bridged between the fixed housing 20 and the plurality of movable housings 50. These terminals 90 are configured to be in contact with each mating terminal 16 inside each insertion chamber 60 and to allow displacement of the plurality of movable housings 50 with respect to the fixed housing 20 by their respective elastic deformations.

It should be noted that the arrow X appropriately shown in each drawing is the bridging direction (crossing direction) of the plurality of terminals 90 between the fixed housing 20 and the plurality of movable housings 50, and the arrow Y is a plurality of movable directions. The direction of arrangement of the housing 50 and the plurality of terminals 90 (longitudinal direction of the fixed housing 20), the arrow Z is the insertion / extraction direction of each mating terminal 16 with respect to each insertion chamber 60, and the arrow Z1 is with respect to each insertion chamber 60. This is the insertion direction of each mating terminal 16. The above-mentioned crossing direction X coincides with the front-rear direction of the electric connector 10, the above-mentioned arrangement direction Y coincides with the left-right direction of the electric connector 10, and the above-mentioned insertion / removal direction Z corresponds to the electric connector 10. It coincides with the vertical direction, and the above-mentioned insertion direction Z1 coincides with the lower part of the electric connector 10. In the following description, the laying direction X may be referred to as "front-back direction", the arrangement direction Y may be referred to as "left-right direction", and the insertion / removal direction Z may be referred to as "vertical direction".

(About fixed housing)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the fixed housing 20 is formed in a box shape having a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction (arrangement direction Y) and an open lower side. The fixed housing 20 is manufactured of, for example, an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and includes a front wall 20A, a rear wall 20B, a left wall 20C, a right wall 20D, and an upper wall 20E. The front wall 20A and the rear wall 20B face each other in the front-rear direction, the left wall 20C and the right wall 20D face each other in the left-right direction, and the upper wall 20E has the front wall 20A, the rear wall 20B, the left wall 20C and the right. The upper end of the wall 20D is connected to the front, back, left and right.

On the front side of the upper wall 20E, a long rectangular opening 22 having a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction is formed. On the upper surface side of the edge portion of the opening 22, an inclined surface 24 inclined downward toward the opening 22 side is formed. Further, on the right edge portion of the opening 22, a right end inclined surface 26 extending to the left and downward from a position separated from the inclined surface 24 on the lower side is formed. Further, on the left edge portion of the opening 22, a left end inclined surface 28 extending to the right and downward from the vicinity of the lower end portion of the inclined surface 24 is formed. The upper end of the right end inclined surface 26 is located slightly below the lower end of the left end inclined surface 28. The right end inclined surface 26 corresponds to the "fourth inclined surface" in the present invention, and the left end inclined surface 28 corresponds to the "fifth inclined surface" in the present invention. Hereinafter, the right end inclined surface 26 is referred to as a “fourth inclined surface 26”, and the left end inclined surface 28 is referred to as a “fifth inclined surface 28”.

On the lower surfaces of the left wall 20C and the right wall 20D, a columnar positioning boss 30 for positioning the fixed housing 20 on the substrate 12 is formed. These positioning bosses 30 are fitted in circular positioning holes (not shown) formed in the substrate 12. Further, left and right leg portions 32 protruding outward in the left-right direction are formed in the lower portions of the left wall 20C and the right wall 20D. A fixing groove 34 is formed in each of these legs 32. The fixing groove 34 formed in the left leg portion 32 opens to the left, upward and downward, and the fixing groove 34 formed in the right leg portion 32 faces to the right, upward and downward. Is open. These fixing grooves 34 correspond to the fixing member 36.

The fixing member 36 (see FIG. 15) is, for example, a metal plate punched into a predetermined shape and bent, and is attached to the left and right legs 32, respectively. Each fixing member 36 is composed of a housing fixing portion 36A formed in a rectangular plate shape with the left-right direction as the plate thickness direction, and a substrate fixing portion 36B extending outward in the left-right direction from the lower end portion of the housing fixing portion 36A. Has been done. The housing fixing portion 36A is fitted in the fixing groove 34. A plurality of claws 37 protruding from both sides in the front-rear direction are formed side by side in the vertical direction at both front and rear ends of the housing fixing portion 36A. The housing fixing portion 36A is held by the leg portion 32 by the claw portions 37 biting into the inner surface of the fixing groove 34. The board fixing portion 36B is arranged on the lower side of the leg portion 32, and is fixed to the board 12 by means such as soldering.

A notch 38 cut out from the lower side is formed in the lower portion of the front wall 20A. The notch 38 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. The lower end portion of the rear wall 20B is arranged so as to be separated upward from the substrate 12, and a gap 40 is formed between the lower end portion of the rear wall 20B and the substrate 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of (six in this case) terminal fixing grooves 42 extending in the vertical direction are formed side by side in the left-right direction on the front surface of the rear wall 20B (the surface facing the front wall 20A). Has been done. These terminal fixing grooves 42 are formed so that the rear side is wider in the left-right direction than the front side, and corresponds to the terminals 90. Further, on the lower surface of the rear portion of the upper wall 20E, a plurality of (six in this case) convex portions 44 protruding downward are formed side by side in the arrangement direction. The plurality of convex portions 44 and the plurality of terminal fixing grooves 42 are arranged so as to be aligned in the left-right direction.

(About movable housing)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and 10 to 13, the plurality of movable housings 50 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction (insertion / extraction direction Z) in the vertical direction (arrangement direction Y). ) Is set smaller than the dimension in the front-rear direction (crossing direction X). All of these movable housings 50 are formed in the same shape, and are housed inside the fixed housing 20 side by side in the left-right direction. The plurality of movable housings 50 are dimensioned in the left-right direction so as to secure a slight gap between each other and between the left wall 20C and the right wall 20D of the fixed housing 20.

A front protrusion 52 projecting forward and downward is formed at the front end of the lower portion of each movable housing 50. The front side of the lower part of the front protrusion 52 is chamfered diagonally. The front protrusion 52 is inserted into the notch 38 of the fixed housing 20. Further, a pair of left and right rear leg portions 54 projecting downward are formed at both left and right end portions of the lower rear end portion of each movable housing 50. The amount of protrusion of the left and right rear leg portions 54 from the lower surface of each movable housing 50 is set to be the same as the amount of protrusion of the front protrusion 52 from the lower surface of each movable housing 50. The vertical dimension of each movable housing 50 is set to be slightly smaller than the distance from the lower surface of the upper wall 20E of the fixed housing 20 to the upper surface of the substrate 12.

The front surface of each movable housing 50 faces the front wall 20A of the fixed housing 20 in close proximity to each other. A rear projecting portion 56 projecting rearward is formed on the upper portion of each movable housing 50. As a result, in the upper part of each movable housing 50, the dimension in the front-rear direction of each movable housing 50 is enlarged. A vertical groove 58 extending in the vertical direction is formed on the rear surface of the rear protruding portion 56. The vertical groove 58 opens upward and backward. The convex portion 44 of the fixed housing 20 is inserted into the vertical groove 58. The convex portion 44 and the front wall 20A of the fixed housing 20 limit the displacement of each movable housing 50 with respect to the fixed housing 20 in the front-rear direction within a predetermined (constant) range. Further, the left-right dimension of the convex portion 44 is set to be slightly smaller than the left-right dimension of the vertical groove 58, and the displacement of each movable housing 50 with respect to the fixed housing 20 in the left-right direction is limited within a predetermined (constant) range. Has been done. That is, each movable housing 50 can be relatively displaced with respect to the fixed housing 20 within a predetermined (constant) range in front, back, left, right, up and down.

An insertion chamber (terminal fitting chamber) 60 extending in the vertical direction is formed in a substantially central portion of each movable housing 50 in the vertical direction. The insertion chamber 60 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction, and is open at the lower surface of each movable housing 50. As shown in FIG. 13, a groove 62 recessed forward is formed in the front and right corners of the insertion chamber 60, and the rear and left corners of the insertion chamber 60 are formed. Is formed with a groove portion 64 recessed to the left side. Further, a top wall 66 is provided at the upper end of the insertion chamber 60, and an insertion port 68 having a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction is formed at the center of the top wall 66.

On the left side of the upper part of the movable housing 50 above the insertion opening 68, a lateral protrusion 70 is formed so as to project to the left side (one side in the arrangement direction Y) in a stepped manner. Further, on the right side of the upper part of the movable housing 50 on the upper side of the insertion port 68, a side recessed portion 72 recessed in a stepped shape to the left side is formed. Therefore, the upper portion of the movable housing 50 is formed in a substantially crank shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. The lower surface of the lateral protrusion 70 is a stepped surface 70A facing downward, and the lower surface of the lateral recess 72 is a stepped surface 72A facing upward. The stepped surface 72A is located slightly below the stepped surface 70A.

Further, on the upper side of each movable housing 50 above the insertion port 68, a tapered front-rear guide surface (crossing direction guide surface) 74 for guiding the mating terminal 16 to the insertion port 68 (insertion chamber 60) and A left-right guide surface (arrangement direction guide surface) 80 is provided. The front-rear guide surface 74 has a front inclined surface 76 extending downward from the front end portion of the upper end portion of the movable housing 50 toward the insertion port 68, and the front-rear guide surface 74 descending from the rear end portion of the upper end portion of the movable housing 50 toward the insertion port 68. It is composed of a rear inclined surface 78 extending in an inclined manner. The front inclined surface 76 and the rear inclined surface 78 face each other in the front-rear direction (crossing direction X), and are inclined in a tapered shape so as to approach each other toward the insertion port 68 side. The upper end of the front inclined surface 76 and the upper end of the rear inclined surface 78 are located at the same height, and are arranged at the upper end of the movable housing 50.

The left and right guide surfaces 80 have a left inclined surface 82 extending downward from the left end of the upper end of the movable housing 50 toward the insertion port 68, and a downward slope from the right end of the upper end of the movable housing 50 toward the insertion port 68. It is provided with a right side inclined surface 84 extending to. The left inclined surface 82 and the right inclined surface 84 face each other in the left-right direction (arrangement direction Y), and are inclined in a tapered shape so as to approach each other toward the insertion port 68 side. The upper end of the left inclined surface 82 is located below the upper ends of the front inclined surface 76 and the rear inclined surface 78, and the upper end of the right inclined surface 84 is located below the upper end of the left inclined surface 82. positioned. The upper end of the right side inclined surface 84 is connected to the stepped surface 72A of the side recessed portion 72 described above. Further, on the upper portion of the movable housing 50, an outer inclined surface 86 extending downward from the upper end of the left inclined surface 82 to the left side and downward side is formed. The outer inclined surface 86 is formed on the lateral protrusion 70 described above. The lower end of the outer inclined surface 86 is located slightly above the upper end of the right inclined surface 84.

The left inclined surface 82 corresponds to the "first inclined surface" in the present invention, and the right inclined surface 84 corresponds to the "second inclined surface" in the present invention. The surface 86 corresponds to the "third inclined surface" in the present invention. Hereinafter, the left inclined surface 82 is referred to as a “first inclined surface 82”, the right inclined surface 84 is referred to as a “second inclined surface 84”, and the outer inclined surface 86 is referred to as a “third inclined surface 86”.

(About terminals)
The plurality of terminals 90 (see FIG. 14) are, for example, formed by punching a conductive metal plate into a predetermined shape and bending it, and have a long shape with the longitudinal direction (crossing direction X) as the longitudinal direction. Is formed in. Each terminal 90 has a fixed portion 90A fixed to the fixed housing 20, a board connecting portion 90B extending from the fixed portion 90A and connected to the substrate 12, and a movable side fixing portion 90C fixed to the movable housing 50. , Elastic deformation spanned between a pair of front and rear connecting portions 90D1 and 90D2 extending from the movable side fixing portion 90C and connected to the mating side terminal 16 and the fixing portion 90A and the movable side fixing portion 90C. It is integrally provided with the part 90E.

The fixing portion 90A is formed in a plate shape with the front-rear direction as the plate thickness direction, and is fitted into the left and right fixing grooves 34 formed in the fixed housing 20 from the lower side. A plurality of claw portions 91 projecting to both sides in the left-right direction are formed side by side in the vertical direction on the left and right end portions of the fixed portion 90A. The fixing portion 90A is held by the fixed housing 20 by the claw portions 91 biting into the inner surface of the fixing groove 34. The board connection portion 90B extends to the rear side of the rear wall 20B through a gap 40 between the lower end of the rear wall 20B of the fixed housing 20 and the board 12, and is fixed to the board 12 by means such as soldering (electricity). Is connected).

The movable side fixing portion 90C includes a front wall 90C1 and a rear wall 90C2 facing each other in the front-rear direction, and a right wall 90C3 connecting the right ends of the front wall 90C1 and the rear wall 90C2 in the front-rear direction. The left side is open and has a substantially U-shape (approximately U-shape). The movable side fixing portion 90C is fitted into the insertion chamber 60 of the movable housing 50 from the lower side. A plurality of claw portions 93 projecting to the left side are formed side by side in the vertical direction at the left end portion of the rear wall 90C2, and a plurality of claw portions 92 projecting to the front side are formed at the front end portion of the right wall 90C3. Are formed side by side in the vertical direction. The plurality of claw portions 92 are inserted into the groove portions 62 formed in the front and right corners of the insertion chamber 60 and bite into the inner surface of the groove portions 62, and the plurality of claw portions 93 are after the insertion chamber 60. It is inserted into the groove portion 64 formed in the corner portion on the side and the left side and bites into the inner surface of the groove portion 64. As a result, the movable side fixing portion 90C is held in the movable housing 50.

The pair of front and rear mating portions 90D1 and 90D2 extend upward from the upper ends of the front wall 90C1 and the rear wall 90C2 of the movable side fixing portion 90C. Contact portions CP1 and CP2 bent so as to approach each other are formed in the vertical intermediate portions of the mating side connecting portions 90D1 and 90D2. The mating terminal 16 inserted into the insertion chamber 60 is inserted between the mating connecting portions 90D1 and 90D2 including the contact portions CP1 and CP2. As a result, the contact portions CP1 and CP2 are in contact with the mating terminal 16, and the terminal 90 is electrically connected to the mating terminal 16 in the insertion chamber 60.

The elastically deformed portion (spring portion) 90E constitutes an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 90, and is arranged in the fixed housing 20 on the lower side of the rear protruding portion 56 of the movable housing 50. The elastically deformed portion 90E includes a fixed-side longitudinal extension portion 90E1 extending upward from the upper end of the fixed portion 90A, an upper lateral extension portion 90E2 extending forward and slightly upward from the upper end of the fixed-side longitudinal extension portion 90E1, and an upper lateral extension portion 90E2. It is composed of a movable side longitudinal extension 90E3 extending downward from the front end of the extension 90E2 and a lower lateral extension 90E4 extending forward from the lower end of the movable vertical extension 90E3. The front end portion of the lower lateral extension portion 90E4 is bent upward and is integrally connected to the lower end of the rear wall 90C2 of the movable side fixing portion 90C. Due to the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion 90E, the relative displacement of the movable housing 50 with respect to the fixed housing 20 is allowed.

Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, in a pair of movable housings 50 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction (arrangement direction Y) (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “adjacent movable housings 50”). The lateral protrusion 70 of the movable housing 50 on the right side is inserted inside the side recess 72 of the movable housing 50 on the left side. That is, the adjacent movable housings 50 partially overlap each other when viewed from the insertion direction Z1 (insertion / extraction direction Z). Hereinafter, of the pair of movable housings 50 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, the movable housing 50 on the right side may be referred to as "movable housing 50 on the right side", and the movable housing 50 on the left side may be referred to as "movable housing 50 on the left side". be.

Further, in the present embodiment, a part of the left and right guide surfaces 80 for guiding the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 provided in the movable housing 50 (that is, one of the adjacent movable housings 50) on the left side is on the right side. It is formed in a movable housing 50 (that is, the other of adjacent movable housings 50). Specifically, the left and right guide surfaces 80 for guiding the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 provided in the movable housing 50 on the left side are the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface formed on the movable housing 50 on the left side. A surface 84 and a third inclined surface 86 formed on the movable housing 50 on the right side on the front side (upper side; arrow UP side) of the insertion direction Z1 with respect to the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 on the left side are included. It is configured. The third inclined surface 86 faces the first inclined surface 82 of the movable housing 50 adjacent to the left in the arrangement direction Y. When viewed from the insertion direction Z1, the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 adjacent to the left and the third inclined surface 86 of the movable housing 50 adjacent to the right partially overlap each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the insertion chamber 60 provided in the movable housing 50 at the right end (far right) (corresponding to the “movable housing located at one end in the arrangement direction” in the present invention). The left and right guide surfaces 80 that guide the mating terminal 16 to the right end of the movable housing 50 are the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 84, and the insertion direction of the right end movable housing 50 with respect to the second inclined surface 84. It is composed of a fourth inclined surface 26 formed on the fixed housing 20 on the front side of the Z1. The fourth inclined surface 26 faces the first inclined surface 82 of the movable housing 50 at the right end in the arrangement direction Y. That is, in the present embodiment, the left and right guide surfaces 80 that guide the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 provided in the rightmost movable housing 50 are a part of the rightmost movable housing 50 and a part of the fixed housing 20. It is composed of. Further, when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 at the right end and the fourth inclined surface 26 partially overlap each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the movable housing 50 at the left end (leftmost side) (corresponding to the “movable housing located at the other end in the arrangement direction” in the present invention) is provided. The left and right guide surfaces 80 that guide the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 are the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 84 formed in the movable housing 50 at the left end, and the movable right side of the movable housing 50 at the left end. It is composed of a third inclined surface 86 formed on the housing 50 and a fifth inclined surface 28 formed on the fixed housing 20 on the front side of the insertion direction Z1 with respect to the first inclined surface 82 of the movable housing 50 at the left end. .. That is, in the present embodiment, the left and right guide surfaces 80 that guide the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 provided in the leftmost movable housing 50 are a part of the leftmost movable housing 50 and the leftmost movable housing 50. It is composed of a part of the movable housing 50 on the right side and a part of the fixed housing 20. When viewed from the insertion direction Z1, the first inclined surface 82 and the fifth inclined surface 28 of the movable housing 50 at the left end partially overlap each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, between adjacent movable housings 50, the relative displacement of the two along the insertion direction Z1 (that is, the relative displacement of the adjacent movable housings 50 in the insertion / removal direction Z). ) Is formed as a movable gap 94 (reference numeral is omitted except in FIG. 6). The movable gap 94 has a stepped surface 72A of the movable housing 50 on the left side (see FIGS. 10 to 13; reference numerals omitted in FIG. 6) and a stepped surface 70A of the movable housing 50 on the right side (see FIGS. 10 to 13; In FIG. 6, the reference numeral is omitted).

(Action and effect)
Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

In the electric connector 10 having the above configuration, a plurality of movable housings 50 are displaceably arranged with respect to the fixed housing 20 fixed to the substrate 12. Then, the mating terminal 16 is inserted into the insertion chamber 60 provided in each movable housing 50 in the insertion direction Z1 orthogonal to the arrangement direction Y of each movable housing 50. On the front side of the insertion direction Z1 with respect to each insertion chamber 60, a plurality of tapered left and right guide surfaces 80 for guiding each mating terminal 16 to each insertion chamber 60 are provided. Further, a plurality of terminals 90 are bridged between the fixed housing 20 and the plurality of movable housings 50. These terminals 90 come into contact with each mating terminal 16 inside each insertion chamber 60 and allow relative displacements of the plurality of movable housings 50 with respect to the fixed housing 20 by their respective elastic deformations. As a result, it is possible to absorb the positional deviation and vibration of the insertion position of each mating terminal 16 by the above relative displacement, and suppress the sliding between each terminal 90 and each mating terminal 16.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the movable housings 50 adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction Y partially overlap each other when viewed from the insertion direction Z1 of the mating terminal 16. Further, a part of the left and right guide surface 80 (outer inclined surface 86) for guiding the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 provided in one of the adjacent movable housings 50 is the other side of the adjacent movable housings 50 (next to the right). It is formed in the movable housing 50). As a result, even when the arrangement interval of the terminals 90 is narrowed (that is, the pitch of the insertion chamber 60 is narrowed), it becomes easy to secure a space for providing the left and right guide surfaces 80, so that the other side by the left and right guide surfaces 80 can be easily secured. The electric connector 10 can be miniaturized in the arrangement direction Y while sufficiently securing the induction amount of the terminal 16. As a result, the electronic device provided with the electric connector 10 can be miniaturized.

Further, in the present embodiment, the left-right guide surface 80 for guiding the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 provided in one of the movable housings 50 adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction Y (left-right direction) (the movable housing 50 adjacent to the left) is , A first inclined surface 82, a second inclined surface 84, and a third inclined surface 86 are included. The first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 84 are formed in the movable housing 50 adjacent to the left side, and face each other in the arrangement direction Y. The third inclined surface 86 is formed in the movable housing 50 on the right side, and is arranged on the front side in the insertion direction Z1 with respect to the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 on the left side. The third inclined surface 86 can guide the mating terminal 16 to the second inclined surface 84, and the second inclined surface 84 can guide the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60. Since the insertion chamber 60 into which the mating terminal 16 is guided and the second inclined surface 84 described above are formed in the same movable housing 50 (movable housing 50 adjacent to the left), the other side to the insertion chamber 60 is formed. The induction of the side terminal 16 is stable.

That is, for example, the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 on the left side is omitted (eliminated), and the third inclined surface 86 of the movable housing 50 on the right side is on the lower side (the lower end side of the omitted second inclined surface 84). ), The left and right guide surface 80 can be formed only by the first inclined surface 82 and the third inclined surface 86. However, in that case, since the mating terminal 16 is directly guided from the third inclined surface 86 of the movable housing 50 on the right side to the insertion chamber 60 of the movable housing 50 on the left side, the third inclined surface 86 is inserted. Due to the relative displacement of the chamber 60, the induction of the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 may become unstable, but this can be avoided in the present embodiment.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 on the left side and the third inclined surface 86 of the movable housing 50 on the right side partially overlap each other. There is. As a result, when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, it is possible to prevent a gap, a step, or the like from being formed between the second inclined surface 84 and the third inclined surface 86, so that the mating terminal 16 has the above-mentioned gap. It is possible to prevent damage such as being caught in a step or a step.

Further, in the present embodiment, the left and right guide surface 80 for guiding the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 of the right end movable housing 50 is fixed on the front side of the insertion direction Z1 with respect to the second inclined surface 84 of the right end movable housing 50. It is configured to include a fourth inclined surface 26 formed in the housing 20. Therefore, the left and right guide surface 80 that guides the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 of the movable housing 50 at the right end can be expanded in the arrangement direction Y by the fourth inclined surface 26 described above.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 at the right end and the fourth inclined surface 26 of the fixed housing 20 partially overlap each other. As a result, when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, it is possible to prevent a gap, a step, or the like from being formed between the second inclined surface 84 and the fourth inclined surface 26, so that the mating terminal 16 can be used. It is possible to prevent damage such as being caught in the above gap or step.

Further, in the present embodiment, the left and right guide surface 80 that guides the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 of the leftmost movable housing 50 has the insertion direction Z1 with respect to the first inclined surface 82 formed in the leftmost movable housing 50. It is configured to include a fifth inclined surface 28 formed on the fixed housing 20 on the front side of the above. Therefore, the left and right guide surfaces 80 that guide the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 of the movable housing 50 at the left end can be expanded in the arrangement direction Y by the fifth inclined surface 28.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, the first inclined surface 82 of the movable housing 50 at the left end and the fifth inclined surface 28 of the fixed housing 20 partially overlap each other. As a result, when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, it is possible to prevent a gap, a step, or the like from being formed between the first inclined surface 82 and the fifth inclined surface 28, so that the mating terminal 16 can be used. It is possible to prevent damage such as being caught in the above gap or step.

Further, in the present embodiment, a movable gap 94 that allows relative displacement of the two along the insertion direction Z1 is formed between the adjacent movable housings 50. As a result, the adjacent movable housings 50 can be displaced independently of each other along the insertion direction Z1 of the mating terminal 16, so that it becomes easy to absorb the displacement and vibration of the insertion position of each mating terminal 16. ..

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of movable housings 50 are all formed into the same shape. As a result, for example, it becomes possible to manufacture a plurality of movable housings 50 with the same molding die, so that the manufacturing efficiency is improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of terminals 90 have a longitudinal direction X orthogonal to the arrangement direction Y when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, and the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of each terminal 90 is elastically deformable. It is said to be part 90E. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently secure the elastic deformation amount of each terminal 90 while setting the dimension of each terminal 90 small in the arrangement direction Y.

<Supplementary explanation of the embodiment>
In the above embodiment, the plurality of movable housings 50 are all formed into the same shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the movable housing 50 at the right end may be formed in a shape different from that of other movable housings 50. In that case, for example, the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 at the right end may be extended upward to omit the fourth inclined surface 26 of the fixed housing 20.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fixed housing 20 is configured to have the fifth inclined surface 28, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the fixed housing 20 may be configured not to have the fifth inclined surface 28.

Further, in the above embodiment, when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 adjacent to the left and the third inclined surface 86 of the movable housing 50 adjacent to the right partially overlap each other. Although it was configured, it is not limited to this. That is, when viewed from the insertion direction Z1, the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 on the left side and the third inclined surface 86 of the movable housing 50 on the right side are adjacent to each other without a gap. May be good. This point is the relationship between the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 at the right end and the fourth inclined surface 26 of the fixed housing 20, and the first inclined surface 82 of the movable housing 50 at the left end and the fifth inclined surface of the fixed housing 20. The same applies to the relationship with the surface 28.

Further, in the above embodiment, the left and right guide surfaces 80 that guide the mating terminal 16 to the insertion chamber 60 provided in the movable housing 50 on the left side are the first inclined surface 82, the second inclined surface 84, and the third inclined surface. The configuration includes 86, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the second inclined surface 84 of the movable housing 50 on the left side is omitted, and the third inclined surface 86 of the movable housing 50 on the right side is extended downward (the lower end side of the second inclined surface 84 omitted above). The left and right guide surface 80 may be formed only by the first inclined surface 82 and the third inclined surface 86.

10 Electrical connector 12 Board 16 Mating terminal (object to be connected)
20 Fixed housing 26 Right end inclined surface (4th inclined surface)
28 Leftmost inclined surface (fifth inclined surface)
50 Movable housing 60 Insertion chamber 80 Left and right guide surface (guide surface)
82 Left inclined surface (first inclined surface)
84 Right slope (second slope)
86 Outer inclined surface (third inclined surface)
90 Terminal 90E Elastic Deformation Part 94 Movable Gap X Crossing Direction Y Arrangement Direction Z1 Insertion Direction

Claims (10)

A fixed housing fixed to the board,
A plurality of movable housings that are displaceably arranged with respect to the fixed housing and into which the object to be connected is inserted in the insertion direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction with respect to the insertion chambers provided in each, and the said for each of the insertion chambers. A plurality of tapered guide surfaces provided on the front side in the insertion direction to guide each connection object to each insertion chamber, and a plurality of tapered guide surfaces.
Each of the fixed housings is bridged between the fixed housing and the plurality of movable housings, each of which contacts each of the connecting objects inside the insertion chamber and displaces the plurality of movable housings with respect to the fixed housing. With multiple terminals allowed by elastic deformation of
Equipped with
The movable housings adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction partially overlap each other when viewed from the insertion direction, and the guide surface for guiding the connection object into the insertion chamber provided in one of the adjacent movable housings. An electrical connector, partly formed on the other side of the adjacent movable housing. Each of the movable housings is formed with a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface facing in the arrangement direction.
The guide surface for guiding the connection object into the insertion chamber provided in the one movable housing is
The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface formed on the one movable housing,
The one that is formed on the other movable housing on the front side in the insertion direction with respect to the second inclined surface of the one movable housing and faces the first inclined surface of the one movable housing in the arrangement direction. The third inclined surface as a part and
The electric connector according to claim 1, which is configured to include. The electric connector according to claim 2, wherein the second inclined surface and the third inclined surface partially overlap each other or are adjacent to each other when viewed from the insertion direction. The guide surface for guiding the connection object to the insertion chamber provided in the movable housing located at one end in the arrangement direction is
The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface formed on the movable housing located at one end thereof,
The movable housing located at one end of the movable housing is formed on the fixed housing on the front side in the insertion direction with respect to the second inclined surface, and faces the first inclined surface of the movable housing located at the one end in the arrangement direction. 4th slope and
The electric connector according to claim 2 or 3, which is configured to include. 4. The fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the second inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface of the movable housing located at one end of the movable housing partially overlap each other or are adjacent to each other without a gap when viewed from the insertion direction. Electrical connector. The guide surface for guiding the connection object to the insertion chamber provided in the movable housing located at the other end in the arrangement direction is
The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface formed on the movable housing located at the other end,
A fifth inclined surface formed in the fixed housing on the front side in the insertion direction with respect to the first inclined surface of the movable housing located at the other end.
The electric connector according to any one of claims 2 to 5, which is configured to include the above. 6. According to claim 6, when the first inclined surface and the fifth inclined surface of the movable housing located at the other end thereof are partially overlapped or adjacent to each other when viewed from the insertion direction. The described electrical connector. The electric connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a movable gap is formed between the adjacent movable housings to allow relative displacement of the two along the insertion direction. The electric connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of movable housings are all formed in the same shape. Claims 1 to 1 to claim 1, wherein each of the terminals has a longitudinal direction in which the transverse direction is orthogonal to the arrangement direction when viewed from the insertion direction, and an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of each of the terminals is an elastically deformable portion that can be elastically deformed. The electric connector according to any one of claims 9.

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