JP7618955B2 - Electrical connection member and connection structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical connection member and a connection structure.

For example, in order to install a defroster or defogger on an automobile window glass, a power supply part consisting of a conductive layer is formed on the glass sheet, and this power supply part must be electrically connected to a terminal. Soldering has been widely used to electrically connect the terminal to the power supply part. However, as lead regulations become more widespread, there is a demand for an alternative to lead-free solder. However, lead-free solder has a melting point 20 to 45°C higher than lead solder, so it does not adhere well and is prone to peeling off.

It is desirable to increase the adhesive strength of electrical connection members that electrically connect power supply units and terminals in vehicle electrical equipment such as defrosters and defoggers by replacing soldering. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose electrical connection members that increase the adhesive strength between objects to be connected without soldering, in which a conductive member made of a rubber-like elastic body containing a magnetic conductive filler such as nickel, cobalt, or iron is brought into contact with the object to be connected and compressed in the thickness direction by an adhesive-containing adhesive.

International Publication No. 2020/075810 International Publication No. 2020/203037 WO 2020/218520

However, the adhesive strength of the fixing member may weaken when the electrical connection member is used for a long period of time. When the adhesive strength of the fixing member weakens, the conductive portion of the conductive member may become separated from the adherend, resulting in insufficient electrical conductivity. For this reason, in order to ensure higher electrical conductivity, it is necessary to keep the conductive portion of the conductive member in contact with the adherend.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to ensure high conductive connectivity by maintaining the conductive portion of the conductive member in contact with the adherend.

In one aspect of the present invention, an electrical connection member that electrically connects a first connection object and a second connection object includes a conductive member having a conductive portion that electrically connects the first connection object and the second connection object when compressed in the thickness direction, a fastening member that is provided on the outside of the conductive member and that keeps the conductive member in a state compressed in the thickness direction of the conductive member while contacting the conductive member with the first connection object and the second connection object, and a fulcrum member that is provided on the outside of the fastening member and has a thickness greater than that of the fastening member.

According to one aspect of the present invention, by providing a fulcrum member that is thicker than the fixing member on the outside of the fixing member, at least one of the adherends is pulled toward the fixing member using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum, and is deflected to apply pressure to the conductive member, so that the conductive portion of the conductive member is kept in contact with the adherend, ensuring high conductive connectivity.

In one aspect of the present invention, the fulcrum member may be made of a material that is at least harder than the fastening member.

In this way, when at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is pressed against the adherend, the fulcrum member acts as a fulcrum, making it easier for the adherend to bend and deform inward.

In one aspect of the present invention, the fulcrum members may be provided in pairs on the outer side of the fixing member so as to face each other.

In this way, when at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is pressed against the adherend, it becomes easier for the fulcrum member to bend and deform inward.

In one aspect of the present invention, the fulcrum member may be provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the fastening member.

In this way, when at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is pressed against the adherend, the fulcrum member that is provided to surround the outer periphery of the fastening member acts as a fulcrum, causing the adherend to bend inward and deform, thereby establishing a conductive connection.

In one aspect of the present invention, the conductive member may be provided in multiple numbers on the inside of the fixing member.

In this way, at least one of the adherends is pulled by the fixing member using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum, bending and applying pressure to the multiple conductive members, so that the conductive parts of each conductive member are kept in contact with the adherend, ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

In one aspect of the present invention, the conductive members may be arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns inside the fixing member.

In this way, each of the multiple rows and columns of conductive members can be kept in contact with the substrate, ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

In one aspect of the present invention, the fixing member may also be provided between the conductive members.

In this way, the adhesive strength of the adhesive member is increased and pressure is applied to the multiple conductive members, so that the conductive parts of each conductive member are kept in contact with the adherend, ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

In one aspect of the present invention, the conductive member may be provided with a plurality of conductive portions.

In this way, a conductive member having multiple conductive parts can be maintained in contact with the adherend, ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

In another aspect of the present invention, in a connection structure in which a first connection object and a second connection object are electrically connected by an electrical connection member having at least a conductive member and a fastening member, a fulcrum member having a thickness greater than that of the fastening member is provided on the outside of the fastening member, and at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is attracted by the fastening member and bends inward, thereby pressing the conductive member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, by providing a fulcrum member that is thicker than the fixing member on the outside of the fixing member, at least one of the adherends is pulled toward the fixing member using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum, and is deflected to apply pressure to the conductive member, so that the conductive portion of the conductive member is kept in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring high conductive connectivity.

In another aspect of the present invention, the fulcrum member may be provided on the electrical connection member, and the conductive member of any of the electrical connection members described above may be fixed in a compressed state between the first connection object and the second connection object, so that the electrical connection member electrically connects the first connection object and the second connection object.

In this way, by fastening in a compressed state between the first connection object and the second connection object via the electrical connection member provided with the fulcrum member, at least one of the adherends is pulled by the fastening member using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum, bending and applying pressure to the conductive member, so that the conductive portion of the conductive member is kept in contact with the adherend, ensuring high conductive connectivity.

In another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object may be capable of bending and deforming, and may have a rigidity sufficient to maintain a state in which the conductive member is pressed.

In this way, when at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is pressed, it becomes easier to maintain the state in which the conductive part is pressurized by bending and deforming inward using the fulcrum member as a fulcrum, thereby ensuring high conductive connectivity.

According to the present invention, high electrical conductivity can be ensured by maintaining the conductive portion of the conductive member in contact with the adherend.

FIG. 1A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an electrical connection member according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1A. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of an electrical connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 11A to 11E are plan views of other modified examples of the electrical connection member according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10A to 10D are plan views of an electrical connection member according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a connection structure according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims, and not all of the configurations described in the embodiment are necessarily essential as a means of solving the problem of the present invention.

In addition, when the terms "first" and "second" are used in this specification and claims, they are used to distinguish between different components, and are not used to indicate a particular order or superiority or inferiority, etc.

Furthermore, the "conductive member" and "electrical connection member" disclosed in this application electrically connect an adherend as a "first connection object" to an adherend as a "second connection object". An example of the "first connection object" is an adherend capable of flexural deformation and provided with various terminals such as cable terminals and terminals of a flexible substrate. An example of the "second connection object" is an adherend provided with various terminals provided on the glass surface such as antenna wiring terminals and earth wiring terminals on the windshield or window glass surface.

First, the outline of the configuration of an electrical connection member according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1(A) is a plan view showing the outline of the configuration of an electrical connection member according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1(A).

The electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment is provided so as to be capable of electrically connecting a first connection object and a second connection object that are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction (height direction). Specifically, the electrical connection member 100 is configured to electrically connect, in a compressed state between a first connection object, a flexible deformable adherend on which various terminals such as cable terminals and terminals of a flexible substrate are provided, and a second connection object, a glass surface, such as an antenna wiring terminal for a glass antenna or a film antenna, or an earth wiring terminal, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electrical connection member 100 includes a plurality of conductive members 110, a fixing member 120, a sheet-like connecting member 130 that connects the conductive members 110 and the fixing members 120, and a fulcrum member 140. The conductive members 110, the fixing members 120, and the fulcrum member 140 are integrated by the connecting member 130 to form the electrical connection member 100.

The connecting member 130 is a planar sheet-like member, and is made of, for example, a resin sheet. As shown in FIG. 1B, the connecting member 130 has a through hole 130a, and the conductive member 110 is inserted into the through hole 130a and fixed to the connecting member 130. Examples of the resin sheet that constitutes the connecting member 130 include a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet, a polyethylene naphthalate sheet, a polycarbonate sheet, a polyether ether ketone sheet, a polyimide sheet, a polyamide sheet, a polyethylene sheet, a polypropylene sheet, and a polyurethane sheet. Among these, PET sheets and polyimide sheets are preferred from the viewpoints of durability, heat resistance, and the like. The thickness of the connecting member 130 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 30 to 1000 μm, and preferably 50 to 350 μm.

In the electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment, the conductive member 110, the fixing member 120, and the fulcrum member 140 are connected and integrated via the connecting member 130 made of a resin sheet, but the configuration may be such that the connecting member 130 is not used. For example, the conductive member 110, the fixing member 120, and the fulcrum member 140 may be integrated by attaching them to a sheet-like member such as a resin film, a rubber film, a mesh sheet, a net, paper, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or a foam sheet.

The fixing member 120 is a member for allowing both sides of the electrical connection member 100 to be attached to other members to be connected, and is composed of, for example, an acrylic adhesive, a urethane adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a rubber adhesive, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1B, the fixing member 120 is provided on the outside of the conductive member 110, and is provided near the outer edge of the front and back sides of the connecting member 130. In this embodiment, the fixing member 120 is formed so as to surround the multiple conductive members 110, and is formed in a frame shape. In FIG. 1, the connecting member 130 is formed in a rectangular shape, so the fixing member 120 is also formed in a rectangular frame shape to match that shape, but the shape of the fixing member 120 is not limited to a rectangular frame shape and may be other shapes.

The electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment has the function of holding the conductive member 110 in a state compressed in the thickness direction while contacting the conductive portion 112 of the conductive member 110 with the first connection object and the second connection object by providing such fixing members 120 on the outside of the conductive member 110 on the front and back sides of the connecting member 130. Therefore, by having the fixing members 120, the electrical connection member 100 can reliably and easily fix the terminal to the mounting member (e.g., a glass plate) on which the connection object is provided while electrically connecting the first connection object and the second connection object.

The conductive member 110 includes a conductive portion 112 made of a conductive rubber-like elastic body having electrical conductivity, and an insulating portion 114 made of a rubber-like elastic body having electrical conductivity. More specifically, the conductive rubber-like elastic body constituting the conductive portion 112 contains a large number of conductive particles 112a serving as conductive fillers inside the rubber-like elastic body, as shown in FIG. 1B. The conductive particles 112a are preferably arranged so as to be continuous in the thickness direction of the electrical connection member 100. The conductive particles 112a are more preferably magnetic and are arranged in a chain in the thickness direction by application of a magnetic field. By arranging the conductive particles 112a so as to be continuous in the thickness direction, it is possible to realize low electrical resistance while reducing the compressive stress at 25% compression.

The conductive portion 112 is usually formed in a columnar shape. The cross-sectional shape of the columnar shape is not particularly limited and may be circular or polygonal such as a square, but a circle is preferable. A cylindrical insulating portion 114 is provided around the outer periphery of the columnar conductive portion 112, and the insulating portion 114 and the conductive portion 112 form the conductive member 110 together. The surface shape of the conductive portion 112 in contact with the adherend may be a flat surface as shown in FIG. 1(B), a convex curved surface such as a dome, or a surface shape having minute dot-like or linear irregularities on the surface.

The insulating portion 114 is made of an insulating rubber-like elastic body. That is, the conductive member 110 is integrally formed of the rubber-like elastic body, and has conductive particles 112a arranged continuously in the thickness direction in the central portion as shown in FIG. 1(B). Note that, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the conductive member 110 may have different outer diameters along the thickness direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the conductive member 110 has an outer diameter smaller at both end faces than the outer diameter of the portion between them. In this way, when the outer diameters of both end faces of the conductive member 110 are small, both end faces are more likely to be compressed along the thickness direction.

It is preferable that the conductive part 112 has an electrical resistance of 100 mΩ or less when compressed by 25%. If the electrical resistance is 100 mΩ or less, the conductive part 112 is less likely to generate heat even when a large current is passed through it. From this perspective, the electrical resistance is more preferably 20 mΩ or less. Furthermore, due to material and other constraints, the electrical resistance is usually 0.1 mΩ or more. The electrical resistance when compressed by 25% can be obtained by passing a current generated by a constant current source through the conductive part 112 while the conductive part 112 is compressed by 25%, measuring the voltage, and calculating the electrical resistance value.

As mentioned above, the conductive particles 112a are preferably magnetic conductive fillers. Examples of the material of the magnetic conductive filler include nickel, cobalt, iron, ferrite, or alloys thereof, and the shape of the filler may be particles, fibers, flakes, or thin wires. Furthermore, the filler may be a highly conductive metal, resin, or ceramic coated with a magnetic conductor, or a highly conductive metal may be coated on a magnetic conductor. Examples of highly conductive metals include gold, silver, platinum, aluminum, copper, iron, palladium, chromium, and stainless steel.

The average particle size of the conductive particles 112a is preferably 1 to 200 μm, more preferably 5 to 100 μm, in that it is easy to form a chain state by applying a magnetic field and a conductor can be efficiently formed. In particular, in this embodiment, the average particle size of the conductive particles is preferably 10 to 300 μm in order to suppress transmission loss of electrical signals. The average particle size means the particle size (D50) at which the volume accumulation is 50% in the particle size distribution of the conductive filler obtained by a laser diffraction/scattering method. The conductive filler may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

The filling rate of the conductive particles 112a in the conductive section 112 is, for example, 25 to 80 volume %, preferably 30 to 75 volume %. By setting the filling rate of the conductive particles 112a within these ranges, it is possible to ensure conductivity while imparting a certain level of strength to the conductive section 112. The filling rate refers to the volume ratio of the conductive particles 112a to the total volume of the conductive section 112.

On the other hand, the insulating section 114 does not usually contain conductive particles 112a, and the filling rate of the conductive particles 112a in the insulating section 114 is usually 0% by volume. However, the insulating section 114 may contain a small amount of conductive particles 112a that are inevitably mixed in during the manufacturing process, etc., within a range that does not impair the insulating properties. Therefore, for example, the filling rate of the conductive particles 112a in the insulating section 114 may be less than 5% by volume, and is preferably less than 1% by volume.

Examples of the rubber-like elastic material constituting the conductive portion 112 include thermosetting rubber and thermoplastic elastomer. Thermosetting rubber is rubber that hardens and crosslinks when heated, and specific examples include silicone rubber, natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, acrylic rubber, fluororubber, and urethane rubber. Among these, silicone rubber is preferred because of its excellent moldability, electrical insulation, and weather resistance.

Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, ester-based thermoplastic elastomers, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers, polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomers, vinyl chloride-based thermoplastic elastomers, fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers, and ion-crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers. The rubber-like elastomer may be one of the above-mentioned materials, or two or more of them may be used in combination.

The rubber-like elastic material that forms the polymer matrix constituting the insulating part 114 may be a thermosetting rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, or the like, and specific and preferred examples thereof are as described above. Similarly, the rubber-like elastic material that constitutes the insulating part 114 may be used alone or in combination of two or more types. As described above, it is preferable that the rubber-like elastic material that constitutes the insulating part 114 and the conductive part 112 is integrally formed. Therefore, it is preferable to use the same type of rubber-like elastic material that constitutes the insulating part 114 and the conductive part 112, and it is more preferable that the rubber-like elastic material that constitutes the insulating part 114 and the conductive part 112 is silicone rubber.

From the viewpoint of facilitating the alignment of the conductive filler in the thickness direction by application of a magnetic field or the like, the rubber-like elastic body is preferably a cured liquid rubber or a material that can be melted by heating. Note that liquid rubber is liquid at room temperature (23°C) and normal pressure (1 atm) before curing, and specific examples of rubber that can be used include liquid rubbers listed as thermosetting rubbers, of which liquid silicone rubber is preferred. Examples of materials that can be melted by heating include thermoplastic elastomers.

The hardness of the conductive part 112 is preferably 30 to 87, more preferably 40 to 85, and even more preferably 60 to 80. By setting the hardness within the above range, it becomes easier to adjust the compressive stress when the conductive member is compressed by 25% to within the desired range. From the same perspective, the hardness of the insulating part 114 is preferably 20 to 50, and more preferably 25 to 40. The hardness of the conductive part 112 is measured at 23°C using a type A durometer in accordance with "Vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic rubber - Determination of hardness - Part 3: Durometer hardness" described in JIS K6253-3:2012.

The diameter of the conductive portion 112 in the conductive member 110 is, for example, 1.0 to 6.0 mm. If the diameter of the conductive portion 112 is within the above-mentioned range, it becomes easier to keep the electrical resistance at 25% compression within a specified range. As a result, even if a large current flows between the upper and lower surfaces of the conductive member 110 during compression, the temperature rise of the conductive member 110 can be suppressed. From these perspectives, the diameter of the conductive portion 112 is preferably 1.0 to 3.0 mm, and more preferably 1.5 to 2.6 mm. Note that, when the diameter of the conductive portion 112 differs in the thickness direction, the diameter of the conductive portion 112 means the average value of the diameter of the conductive portion 112 on the upper surface and the diameter of the conductive portion 112 on the lower surface. In addition, in this specification, when the diameter is other than a circle, it can be calculated as the diameter of a circle having an area equal to the area of the conductive portion 112.

The diameter of the conductive part 112 is preferably 35 to 97% of the diameter of the conductive member 110. By making it 35% or more, the electrical resistance can be sufficiently reduced, and by making it 97% or less, the conductive member 110 can be given appropriate elasticity. From these points of view, the ratio of the diameter of the conductive part 112 to the diameter of the conductive member 110 is more preferably 50% or more, even more preferably 55% or more, more preferably 60% or more, and more preferably 95% or less, and even more preferably 80% or less. By setting such a ratio, it is possible to pass a large current, while making it easier to maintain rubber elasticity for a long period of time, and more stable conduction is possible. Note that, when the diameter of the conductive member 110 differs in the thickness direction, it means the average value of the diameter at the upper surface and the diameter at the lower surface.

The diameter of the conductive member 110 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1.1 to 8.0 mm, preferably 1.1 to 6.0 mm, and more preferably 1.8 to 5.0 mm. The thickness of the conductive member 110 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and more preferably 0.3 to 1.2 mm. By setting the thickness of the conductive member 110 within the above-mentioned range, the conductive member 110 is easily held in a compressed state by the fixing member 120. When the conductive member 110 is used while being held in a compressed state in the thickness direction, the compression ratio is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 5 to 40%, preferably 10 to 35%, and more preferably 15 to 30%. The compression ratio can be calculated by the formula (H0-H1)/H0, where H0 is the thickness of the conductive member 110 when no load is applied, and H1 is the thickness of the conductive member 110 compressed during use.

The fulcrum member 140 is provided on the outside of the fixing member 120, and functions as a fulcrum to bend the first connection object 12 inward and make it easier to deform when the electrical connection member 100 is attached to the first connection object 12, which is one of the adherends, using the principle of leverage. The fulcrum member 140 is made of a material that is at least harder than the fixing member 120, such as hard resin, hard rubber, or metal, which has a hardness and resilience that is not crushed by the fixing force of the fixing member 120. In this embodiment, when at least one of the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14 is pressed, the fulcrum member 140 serves as a fulcrum to make it easier for the adherend to bend inward and deform. In order to do so, a pair of fulcrum members 140 are provided on the outside of the fixing member 120 so as to face each other.

Furthermore, the fulcrum member 140 is characterized by being thicker than the fixing member 120, in order to function as a fulcrum for bending the first connection object 12 inward to facilitate deformation using the principle of leverage. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the fulcrum member 140 is thicker than the fixing member 120 on the side that is attached to the flexibly deformable adherend, i.e., the fixing member 120 on the upper surface side of the connecting member 130, and the bottom surface of the fulcrum member 140 is configured to be flush with the bottom surface of the fixing member 120.

To manufacture the electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment having such a configuration, first prepare a mold consisting of an upper mold and a lower mold made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum or copper. Pins made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron or a magnet are embedded in the upper and lower molds at positions corresponding to the conductive portions 112. One end of the pin is exposed to the cavity surfaces of the upper and lower molds.

Next, a resin sheet or the like for forming the connecting member 130 is prepared. The resin sheet may be prepared by punching or the like to form a plurality of through holes 130a. The resin sheet is inserted into the aforementioned mold in which the pins are embedded, and liquid rubber or molten thermoplastic elastomer, which is the raw material for the conductive member 110, is injected into the cavity. Magnetic conductive particles 112a are premixed into the liquid rubber.

After that, a magnetic field is applied from above and below the mold using magnets. A parallel magnetic field that connects the pins is formed inside the cavity, and the conductive particles 112a in the liquid rubber etc. are aligned continuously in the direction of the magnetic field lines. After this alignment, the upper and lower molds are completely clamped and a heat treatment is performed to harden the liquid rubber, resulting in a sheet-like molded product in which the conductive member 110 and the resin sheet that constitutes the connecting member 130 are integrated. Then, the fixing member 120 and the fulcrum member 140 are attached to the sheet-like molded product using a known method, thereby obtaining the electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment.

When the adherend on either the upper or lower surface of the electrical connection member 101 is a flexible deformable adherend, the fulcrum member 141 is configured to be thicker than the fixing member 121 on both the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting member 131, as shown in FIG. 2. In this way, when the adherend on which the electrical connection member 101 is adherend is a flexible deformable adherend on which various terminals such as cable terminals and terminals of a flexible board are provided on both the upper and lower surfaces, the thickness of the fulcrum member 141 is thicker than the thickness of the fixing member 121 on both the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting member 131.

Furthermore, the configuration of the fulcrum member 140 constituting the electrical connection member 100, and the number and arrangement of the conductive members 110 are not limited to the configuration of the electrical connection member 100 of this embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the electrical connection member 102 may be configured such that the fulcrum member 142 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the fixing member 122. Even if the fulcrum member 142 of this configuration is provided on the outer periphery side of the fixing member 122, when the adherend is pressed, the fulcrum member 142 serves as a fulcrum, and the adherend is deflected inward to make a conductive connection.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3B, the electrical connection member 103 may be configured such that a plurality of conductive members 110 are provided inside the fixing member 123. In this manner, by providing a plurality of conductive members 110, the terminals of the adherend are electrically connected to the connection target member, such as a conductive layer, via the plurality of conductive members 110.

Therefore, even if a large current flows between the terminal and the connection target member, the electrical resistance of each conductive member 110 is kept low, and thus it is easy to suppress the temperature rise in the conductive member 110. In addition, by providing multiple conductive members 110, each conductive member 110 can be made small, so the load when compressing the multiple conductive members 110 as a whole is reduced, making it difficult for the terminal to peel off due to the repulsive force of the conductive members 110. Furthermore, at least one of the adherends is attracted to the fixing member 123 with the fulcrum member 143 as a fulcrum, and bends to apply pressure to the multiple conductive members 110, so that the conductive portion 112 (see FIG. 1B) of each conductive member 110 is maintained in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(C), the electrical connection member 104 may be configured such that a plurality of conductive members 110 are provided inside the fixing member 124, and the fixing member 124 is also provided between the conductive members 110. By configuring the electrical connection member 104 in this manner, in addition to the effect of providing a plurality of conductive members 110 as described above, the adhesive force of the fixing member 124 is increased, and the plurality of conductive members 110 are pressed against the fulcrum member 144, so that the conductive portion 112 (see FIG. 1(B)) of each conductive member 110 is kept in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3(D), the electrical connection member 105 may be configured such that a plurality of conductive portions 116 are provided on a conductive member 115 disposed inside the fixing member 125. In this way, by maintaining the conductive member 115 provided with a plurality of conductive portions 116 in contact with the adherend using the fulcrum member 145 as a fulcrum, it is possible to ensure higher conductive connectivity.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(E), the electrical connection member 106 may be configured such that a plurality of conductive members 115, each having a plurality of conductive portions 116, are provided inside the fixing member 126. By providing a plurality of such conductive members 115, a terminal on the adherend is electrically connected to a connection target member such as a conductive layer via the plurality of conductive members 115. Therefore, even if a large current flows between the terminal and the connection target member, the electrical resistance of each conductive member 115 is kept low, which makes it easier to suppress temperature rise in the conductive members 115.

In addition, by providing multiple conductive members 115, each conductive member 115 can be made smaller, so the load required to compress the multiple conductive members 115 as a whole is reduced, making it difficult for the terminals to peel off due to the repulsive force of the conductive members 115. Furthermore, at least one of the adherends is pulled by the fixing member 126 using the fulcrum member 146 as a fulcrum, bending and applying pressure to the multiple conductive members 115, so that the conductive portion 116 of each conductive member 115 can be kept in contact with the adherend, ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

Next, the configuration of a connection structure including an electrical connection member 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a connection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14 are disposed opposite each other in the vertical direction (height direction, thickness direction) by providing an electrical connection member 100 between them, so that the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14 are electrically connected. Specifically, the connection structure 10 is configured to electrically connect the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14 by fixing the conductive member 110 of the electrical connection member 100 provided between the first connection object 12, which is a cable (coaxial cable, twisted cable, solid-wire cable, etc.) with a metal connection terminal attached to the end thereof, or the connection terminal surface of a flexible substrate, and the second connection object 14, which is a glass antenna, film antenna, or other antenna wiring, which has terminal rigidity and does not flexibly deform, in a compressed state.

In the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the electrical connection member 100 is disposed between the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14. At this time, both end faces of the conductive portion 112 of each conductive member 110 of the electrical connection member 100 are in contact with the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, respectively. Therefore, the first connection object 12 is connected to the second connection object 14 via the plurality of conductive portions 112. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface side of the fixing member 120 of the electrical connection member 100 is adhered to the first connection object 12, and the lower surface side of the fixing member 120 is adhered to the second connection object 14, thereby fixing the first connection object 12 to the second connection object 14 and establishing a conductive connection.

At this time, each conductive member 110 contacts the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14 in a compressed state. When each conductive member 110 is compressed, its conductivity increases, and it is urged by a repulsive force against the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, so that the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14 can be connected more reliably. When urged by a repulsive force, the first connection object 12 is likely to peel off from the second connection object 14, but in the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the first connection object 12 is reliably fixed to the second connection object 14 by the fixing member 120, so that peeling is unlikely to occur. Note that each conductive member 110 may be compressed, for example, by 5 to 40%, preferably 10 to 30%, and more preferably 15 to 30%. In addition, the surface of the first connection object 12 that comes into contact with the multiple conductive members 110 is preferably flat to make it easier to compress the multiple conductive members 110 evenly.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electrical connection member 100 is provided with a fulcrum member 140 that is thicker than the fixing member 120 and is provided on the outside of the fixing member 120. Therefore, by bonding the electrical connection member 100 between the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, which are the objects to be connected, the fixing member 120 pulls the first connection object 12, which is the object to be connected, in a V-shape and bends it according to the principle of a lever with the fulcrum member 140 as a fulcrum, as shown in FIG. 4, thereby making it possible to obtain a connection structure 10 that can maintain the conductive member 110 fixed in a pressurized state.

In the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the first connection object 12, which is the adherend that undergoes flexural deformation, is preferably made of a plate material that has the rigidity to maintain a state in which it presses the conductive member 110, such as a metal plate or a resin plate, and that can flex and bend. Furthermore, the first connection object 12 has a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 2 mm, depending on the material from which it is made. In this embodiment, in order to maintain the state in which the first connection object 12 is pressed, it may be backed up with an additional reinforcing member, such as a housing case (not shown) that holds it down from the top side, or a housing with a protruding part that holds down only the adherend on the conductive member 110.

In the connection structure 10 of this embodiment, the electrical connection member 100 that electrically connects the first connection object 12 and the second connection object 14, which are the adherends, is provided with a fulcrum member 140 provided on the outside of the fixing member 120, but the fulcrum member 140 may not be a component of the electrical connection member 100. In other words, the fulcrum member 140, which is larger than the thickness of the fixing member 120, may be a separate member from the electrical connection member 100 and provided externally on the outside of the fixing member 120.

Next, other embodiments of the electrical connection member of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 5(A) to 5(D) are plan views of electrical connection members according to other embodiments of the present invention.

The electrical connection member 200 of this embodiment is characterized in that the conductive members 210 are provided in multiple rows and multiple columns inside the fixing member 220, as shown in FIG. 5 (A). That is, the electrical connection member 200 has multiple conductive members 110 provided in multiple rows and multiple columns, so that the terminal is electrically connected to the connection target member such as a conductive layer via the multiple conductive members 110. Therefore, even if a large current flows between the terminal and the connection target member, the electrical resistance of each conductive member 210 is kept low, and thus it is easy to suppress the temperature rise in the conductive member 210. In addition, by providing multiple conductive members 210, each conductive member 210 can be made smaller. Therefore, the load when compressing the entire multiple conductive members 210 is reduced, so that the terminal is less likely to peel off due to the repulsive force of the conductive members 210.

As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the conductive members 210 are arranged in multiple rows (two rows in FIG. 5A) of multiple conductive members 210 (two in FIG. 5A) arranged in a row. The distance between the multiple conductive members 210 is preferably 0.5 mm to 200 mm, more preferably 1 mm to 50 mm. By setting the distance between the conductive members 210 within these ranges, insulation between adjacent conductive members 210 can be ensured without making the size of the electrical connection member 200 larger than necessary. Note that the distance between the conductive members 210 means the shortest distance between the conductive members 210 closest to each other. Note that, although four conductive members 210 are provided in the electrical connection member 200 of this embodiment, the number of conductive members 210 is not limited to four.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5(A), a pair of fulcrum members 240 are provided on the outside of the fixing member 220 so as to face each other. That is, the electrical connection member 200 is a combination of a plurality of conductive members 210, fixing members 220, and fulcrum members 240, which are integrated via a connecting member 230. The fulcrum member 240 is thicker than the fixing member 220 in order to function as a fulcrum for bending the first connection object inward to facilitate deformation using the principle of leverage. In this way, by providing the fulcrum member 240, which is thicker than the fixing member 220, on the outside of the fixing member 220, each of the conductive members having multiple rows and multiple columns can be maintained in contact with the adherend, thereby ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the electrical connection member 201 may be configured such that the fulcrum member 241 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the fixing member 221. Even if the fulcrum member 241 is provided on the outer periphery of the fixing member 221, when the adherend is pressed, the fulcrum member 241 serves as a fulcrum, and the adherend is deflected inward to effect a conductive connection.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5(C), the electrical connection member 202 may be configured such that the conductive members 210 are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns inside the fixing members 222, and the fixing members 222 are also arranged between the conductive members 210. By configuring the electrical connection member 202 in this way, in addition to the effect of providing multiple conductive members 210 as described above, the adhesive force of the fixing members 222 is increased and the multiple conductive members 210 are pressed against the fulcrum member 242, so that the conductive portions 212 (see FIG. 6) of each conductive member 210 are kept in contact with the adherend, ensuring higher conductive connectivity.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5(D), the electrical connection member 203 may be configured such that the conductive members 210 are provided in multiple rows and columns inside the fixing member 223, and the fixing members 223 are also provided between the conductive members 210, and the fulcrum member 243 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the fixing member 223. Even if the fulcrum member 243 of such a configuration is provided on the outer periphery side of the fixing member 223, when the adherend is pressed, the adhesive force of the fixing member 223 is increased, and the fulcrum member 243 acts as a fulcrum, making it easier to bend and deform the adherend inward, thereby improving the conductive connectivity.

Next, the configuration of a connection structure including an electrical connection member according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a connection structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. Note that in FIG. 6, the electrical connection member provided in the connection structure according to the other embodiment of the present invention is the electrical connection member 202 shown in FIG. 5(C) described above, but the electrical connection members 200, 201, and 203 according to the other embodiments described above can also be applied to the connection structure of this embodiment.

In the connection structure 20 of this embodiment, the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24 are disposed opposite each other in the vertical direction (height direction, thickness direction) by providing an electrical connection member 202 between them, so that the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24 are electrically connected. Specifically, the connection structure 20 is configured to electrically connect the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24 by fixing the conductive member 210 of the electrical connection member 202 provided between the first connection object 22, which is a cable (coaxial cable, twisted cable, solid-wire cable, etc.) with a metal connection terminal attached to the end thereof, or the connection terminal surface of a flexible substrate, and the second connection object 24, which is a glass antenna, film antenna, or other antenna wiring, which has terminal rigidity and does not flexibly deform, in a compressed state.

In the connection structure 20 of this embodiment, the electrical connection member 202 is disposed between the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24. At this time, both end faces of the conductive portion 212 containing the conductive particles 212a of each conductive member 210 of the electrical connection member 202 are in contact with the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, respectively. Therefore, the first connection object 22 is connected to the second connection object 24 via the plurality of conductive portions 212. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface side of the fixing member 222 of the electrical connection member 202 is adhered to the first connection object 22, and the lower surface side of the fixing member 222 is adhered to the second connection object 24, thereby fixing the first connection object 22 to the second connection object 24 and establishing a conductive connection.

At this time, each conductive member 210 contacts the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24 in a compressed state. When each conductive member 210 is compressed, its conductivity increases, and it is urged by a repulsive force against the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, so that the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24 can be connected more reliably. When urged by a repulsive force, the first connection object 22 is likely to peel off from the second connection object 24, but in the connection structure 20 of this embodiment, the first connection object 22 is reliably fixed to the second connection object 24 by the fixing member 222, so that peeling is unlikely to occur. Each conductive member 210 may be compressed, for example, by 5 to 40%, preferably 10 to 30%, and more preferably 15 to 30%. In addition, the surface of the first connection object 22 that comes into contact with the multiple conductive members 210 is preferably flat to make it easier to compress the multiple conductive members 210 evenly.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electrical connection member 202 is provided with a fulcrum member 242 that is thicker than the fixing member 222 and is provided on the outside of the fixing member 222. Therefore, by bonding the electrical connection member 202 between the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, which are the objects to be attached, the fixing member 222 attracts and bends the first connection object 22, which is the object to be attached, as shown in FIG. 6, thereby making it possible to obtain a connection structure 20 that can maintain the conductive member 210 fixed in a pressurized state.

In the connection structure 20 of this embodiment, the first connection object 22, which is the flexibly deformed adherend, is preferably made of a plate material, such as a metal plate or a resin plate, that has sufficient rigidity to maintain a state of pressing the conductive member 210 and is capable of bending and deforming. Furthermore, the first connection object 22 has a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 2 mm, depending on the material from which it is made. In this embodiment, in order to maintain the pressurized state of the first connection object 12, it may be backed up with an additional reinforcing member, such as a housing case (not shown) that holds it down from the top side, or a housing with a protruding part that holds down only the adherend on the conductive member 110.

In this manner, in this embodiment, by using the connection structure 20, the fastening member 222 pulls the first connection object 22, which is the object to be attached, toward the fulcrum member 242 as a fulcrum by the pressing action on the first connection object 22, which is the object to be attached. As a result, the first connection object 22 bends, and the conductive member 210 can be maintained in a pressurized state.

In the above explanation of the connection structure 10, an example in which the electrical connection member 100 according to the first embodiment is used has been described, but the same applies when other types of electrical connection members are used, so the explanations will be omitted. In addition, the electrical connection members 200 to 204 of other embodiments can also be used for electrical connections to antennas, camera heaters, wiper heaters, backlights, rain sensors, and other sensors on a glass plate that have conductive connection parts on the glass plate, and even solar cells, etc.

In addition, in the connection structure 20 of this embodiment, a fulcrum member 242 is provided on the outside of the fixing member 222 as the electrical connection member 202 that electrically connects the first connection object 22 and the second connection object 24, which are the adherends, but the fulcrum member 242 may not be a component of the electrical connection member 202. In other words, the fulcrum member 242, which is larger than the thickness of the fixing member 222, may be a separate member from the electrical connection member 202 and may be attached externally to the outside of the fixing member 222.

Next, the functions and effects of the electrical connection members 100, 200 and connection structures 10, 20 according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, by providing a fulcrum member 140, 240 that is thicker than the fixing member 120, 220 on the outside of the fixing member 120, 220, at least one of the adherends is pulled by the fixing member 120, 220 with the fulcrum member 140, 240 as a fulcrum, and is deflected to apply pressure to the conductive member 110, 210. Therefore, by maintaining the state in which the conductive portion 112, 212 of the conductive member 110, 210 is in contact with the adherend, it is possible to continuously ensure high conductive connectivity.

In particular, when at least one of the first connection objects 12, 22 and the second connection objects 14, 24, which are the adherends of the electrical connection members 100, 200, is capable of flexural deformation and has a rigidity capable of maintaining a state of pressing the conductive members 110, 210, the fulcrum members 140, 240 are used to allow the fixing members 120, 220 to attract and flex the adherends, thereby maintaining the conductive members 110, 210 in a pressurized state. Therefore, even if the adhesive strength of the fixing members 120, 220 weakens due to long-term use of the electrical connection members 100, 200, the connection structures 10, 20 maintain the adherends in contact with the conductive members 110, 210 due to the principle of a lever with the fulcrum members 140, 240 as the fulcrum, thereby ensuring continuous high conductive connectivity.

Although each embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible that do not substantially deviate from the novel features and effects of the present invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different term having a broader or similar meaning may be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. In addition, the configurations and operations of the electrical connection members and connection structures are not limited to those described in each embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications are possible.

10, 20 Connection structure 12, 22 First connection object 14, 24 Second connection object 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106,
200, 201, 202, 203 Electrical connection members 110, 115, 210 Conductive members 112, 116, 212 Conductive portions 112a, 212a Conductive particles (conductive medium)
114, 214 Insulating part (polymer matrix)
120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126,
220, 221, 222, 223 Fixing members 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136,
230, 231, 232, 233 Connecting member 130a Through holes 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146,
240, 241, 242, 243 Support member

Claims (11)

An electrical connection member for conductively connecting a first connection object and a second connection object,
a conductive member provided with a conductive portion that electrically connects the first connection object and the second connection object when the conductive member is compressed in a thickness direction;
a fixing member provided outside the conductive member and configured to hold the conductive member in a compressed state in a thickness direction of the conductive member while contacting the conductive member with the first connection object and the second connection object;
a fulcrum member provided outside the fastening member and having a thickness greater than that of the fastening member,
The fulcrum member functions as a fulcrum for bending the portion of the first connection object that abuts the conductive member toward the second connection object using the principle of leverage when the first connection object is attached to the electrical connection member, making it easier to deform. The electrical connection member according to claim 1 , wherein the fulcrum member is made of a material that is at least harder than the fastening member. The electrical connection member according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the fulcrum members are provided as a pair on the outer sides of the fixing member so as to face each other. The electrical connection member according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the fulcrum member is provided so as to surround an outer periphery of the fastening member. The electrical connection member according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the conductive members are provided on the inside of the fixing member. The electrical connection member according to claim 5 , wherein the conductive members are provided in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns inside the fixing member. The electrical connection member according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the fastening members are further provided between the conductive members. The electrical connection member according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive member is provided with a plurality of conductive portions . In a connection structure in which a first connection object and a second connection object are electrically connected to each other by an electrical connection member having at least a conductive member and a fastening member,
A fulcrum member having a thickness greater than that of at least the fastening member is provided outside the fastening member,
At least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is attracted by the fixing member and bent inwardly to press the conductive member;
A connection structure in which the fulcrum member functions as a fulcrum to use the principle of leverage to bend the portion of the first connection object that abuts the conductive member toward the second connection object, making it easier to deform, when the electrical connection member is attached to the first connection object. the fulcrum member is provided on the electrical connection member,
The connection structure according to claim 9, wherein the conductive member of the electrical connection member according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is fixed in a compressed state between the first connection object and the second connection object, thereby causing the electrical connection member to electrically connect the first connection object and the second connection object. 11. The connection structure according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first connection object and the second connection object is capable of bending and deforming, and has a rigidity sufficient to maintain a state in which it presses against the conductive member.

Images