JP3642411B2

JP3642411B2 - connector

Info

Publication number: JP3642411B2
Application number: JP2000384039A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 伸也藤田; 利一櫻井; 雅康藤井
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2000-12-18
Filing date: 2000-12-18
Publication date: 2005-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-18
Also published as: JP2002184493A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、回路基板に接続するためのコネクタに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
回路基板の縁部と電線に固着された端子金具とを接続させるコネクタとしては、従来、図８及び図９に示すものがある。これは、回路基板１０１の縁部を囲むフード部１０２の奥端面からリブ１０３を突出させた基板側コネクタ１００と、回路基板１０１が差し込まれるスリット１０６に端子金具１０７の弾性接触片１０８を臨ませた端子側コネクタ１０５とからなる。両コネクタ１００，１０５を嵌合過程では、まず回路基板１０１がスリット１０６に差し込まれて弾性接触片１０８に対して非接触の状態で対応し、その後にリブ１０３が弾性接触片１０８に当接し、嵌合の進行に伴ってリブ１０３が弾性接触片１０８を弾性撓みさせつつ回路基板１０１との間で挟圧し、この撓み接触片１０８の弾性復元力によって所定の接触圧が確保されるようになっている。
【０００３】
尚、回路基板の縁部と電線に固着された端子金具とを接続させるコネクタの従来公報としては、特開平９−９２３７０号がある。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記弾性接触片１０８には、リブ１０３が当接を開始してから挟圧する状態へ円滑に移行できるようにするため、リブ１０３が摺接し易いような前傾部１０８Ａが形成されている。しかし、弾性接触片１０８がリブ１０３に向かって片持ち状に延出するように形成され、その弾性接触片１０８の延出端部に前傾部１０８Ａが配されているため、例えば両コネクタ１００，１０５が斜めに嵌合された状態でリブ１０３が前傾部１０８Ａに当接したような場合には、リブ１０３が前傾部１０８Ａ上を滑らずに引っ掛かってしまい、その結果、弾性接触片１０８を座屈変形させる、ということが懸念される。
【０００５】
本願発明は上記事情に鑑みて創案され、弾性接触片の不正な変形を防止することを目的としている。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１の発明は、回路基板とリブを備えた基板側コネクタと、前方へ片持ち状に延出する形態の弾性接触片を有する端子金具が収容された端子側コネクタとからなり、前記基板側コネクタと前記端子側コネクタとの嵌合により、前記端子側コネクタに対しその前方から進入した前記リブが前記弾性接触片を弾性撓みさせつつ前記回路基板との間で挟んでその弾性接触片と回路基板とを接続させるようにしたコネクタであって、前記端子側コネクタには、斜め後方に向かって片持ち状に延出する形態の挟圧手段が設けられ、前記両コネクタの嵌合過程では、前記挟圧手段が、前記弾性接触片を前記回路基板側との間で嵌合方向と交差する方向に挟むような形態で前記弾性接触片への当接を開始するとともに、嵌合の進行に伴い、前記挟圧手段が、前記リブで押されることにより傾動変位しつつ前記回路基板との間で挟んだ前記弾性接触片の弾性撓みを増大させる構成とした。
【０００８】
請求項２の発明は、請求項１の発明において、前記挟圧手段の押さえつけによって弾性撓みさせられる前記弾性接触片の弾性撓み量が増大するのに伴い、その挟圧手段の姿勢が押さえつけ方向に対して直角に近づくように変化する構成とした。
請求項３の発明は、請求項１又は請求項２の発明において、前記挟圧手段が前記端子金具に一体に形成されている構成とした。
【０００９】
【発明の作用及び効果】
［請求項１の発明］
弾性接触片が挟圧手段による弾性撓みを開始するときには、挟圧手段が弾性接触片を回路基板との間で嵌合方向と交差する方向に挟むようになっているので、弾性接触片がリブに向かって片持ち状に延出する形態であっても、その弾性接触片が座屈などの不正な変形を来す虞はない。
【００１０】
また、挟圧手段は、嵌合時における弾性接触片に対するリブの接近方向と概ね同じ方向へ斜めに延出するように片持ち支持されているので、リブによって座屈変形させられる虞がない。
［請求項２の発明］
挟圧手段の押さえつけによる弾性接触片の弾性撓み量が増大するほど（弾性接触片側から挟圧手段側への反力が増大するほど）、挟圧手段の姿勢が押さえつけ方向に対して直角に近づくように変化するので、弾性接触片がその弾性復元力のために挟圧手段に対して滑る虞がないのであり、このことによっても、弾性接触片の不正な変形が防止される。
【００１１】
［請求項３の発明］
挟圧手段を端子金具に一体に形成したので、挟圧手段を端子金具とは独立した部品とする場合に比べると、部品点数が少なくて済む。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
［実施形態１］
以下、本発明を具体化した実施形態１を図１乃至図７を参照して説明する。
本実施形態のコネクタは、基板側コネクタ１０と端子側コネクタ２０とから構成される。
基板側コネクタ１０は、合成樹脂製のコネクタハウジング１１と、このコネクタハウジング１１に前端縁部を貫通させた水平な平板状をなす回路基板１２と、このコネクタハウジング１１の前方に突出して回路基板１２の端縁部を包囲する角筒状のフード部１３と、フード部１３の奥端面から前方へ直線棒状に突出するとともに回路基板１２の上方位置及び下方位置において水平に並列された複数のリブ１４とを備えて構成されている。このリブ１４の突出端の位置は回路基板１２の前端縁の位置よりも後方に設定されている。
【００１３】
端子側コネクタ２０は、合成樹脂製のコネクタハウジング２１と、このコネクタハウジング２１のキャビティ２２内に収容される複数の端子金具３０とを備えて構成される。コネクタハウジング２１内には、上下２段に分かれているとともに各段毎に水平方向に並列した複数のキャビティ２２が形成され、各キャビティ２２内に、夫々、端子金具３０が挿入されている。キャビティ２２及びそのキャビティ２２内に収容された端子金具３０は、上下対称な形状及び配置となっている。
【００１４】
コネクタハウジング２１内には、上段側のキャビティ２２と下段側のキャビティ２２との間に位置する水平なスリット状の基板収容部２３が、コネクタハウジング２１の前端面に開口して形成されており、この基板収容部２３内には回路基板１２の前端縁部が嵌入されるようになっている。基板収容部２３とキャビティ２２の略前半領域とは互いに連通している。また、各キャビティ２２の前端部は、リブ１４を嵌入させるための嵌入孔２４としてコネクタハウジング２１の前端面に開口されている。
【００１５】
端子金具３０は、後方からキャビティ２２に挿入され、樹脂ランス２５の係止により後方への戻りを規制された状態に保持されている。端子金具３０は、所定形状に打ち抜いた金属板材を曲げ加工してなり、略前半部分が弾性接触片３８を取り囲む箱部３１とされ、略後半部分が電線３２が接続された電線圧着部３３とされている。箱部３１は、左右両側壁３４と、この両側壁３４の上端縁から内側へ延出して互いに上下に重ねられた一対の上面壁３５，３６と、両側壁３４の下端縁後端部同士を連結する底壁３７とから構成される。底壁３７には、その前端から前方へ片持ち状に延出する形態の弾性接触片３８が形成されている。
【００１６】
弾性接触片３８は、底壁３７から斜め上前方へ延出する立上り部３８Ａと、この立上り部３８Ａの前端から斜め下先方へ延出する前傾部３８Ｂと、この前傾部３８Ｂの前端から斜め下後方へ延出する接触部３８Ｃとからなり、接触部３８Ｃの延出端は下方へ膨らむように湾曲した接点部３８Ｄとなっている。前後方向における接点部３８Ｄの位置は、弾性接触片３８のうち最も高い山形状の頭頂部３８Ｅ（立上り部３８Ａと前傾部３８Ｂとの連続部）とほぼ同じ位置であり、換言すると、両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合方向とほぼ直交する方向において接点部３８Ｄと頭頂部３８Ｅとが対応している。
【００１７】
また、両側壁３４の前端側部分の頭頂部３８Ｅよりも低い低背壁３４Ｌ，３４Ｒのうち、右側の低背壁３４Ｒの上端縁前端部からは支持壁３９が内側へ延出され、その支持壁３９の後端縁からは挟圧片４０（本発明の構成要件である挟圧手段）が片持ち状に延出されている。挟圧片４０は、斜め上後方へ向かって（基板側コネクタ１０と端子側コネクタ２０の嵌合時における弾性接触片３８に対するリブ１４の接近方向と概ね同じ方向へ斜めに）延び、弾性接触片３８と挟圧片４０の双方が弾性撓みしない自由状態のときには、挟圧片４０は、弾性接触片３８の前傾部３８Ｂの上面に対して非接触状態で沿うように配されており、挟圧片４０の後端（延出端）の押え部４０Ａが弾性接触片３８の頭頂部３８Ｅに対して少し間隔を空けた状態でその上方に位置している。尚、左側の低背壁３４Ｌの上端縁からは、支持壁３９の前端部上面に重なる押さえ壁４１と、支持壁３９の後端部下面に重なる支え壁４２とが内向きに突成されている。
【００１８】
かかる端子金具３０は、上段側のキャビティ２２には弾性接触片３８の接点部３８Ｄが下方へ面する姿勢で挿入されるが、下段側のキャビティ２２には接点部３８Ｄが上方へ面する姿勢で挿入される。端子金具３０が挿入された状態では、挟圧片４０はコネクタハウジング２１の嵌入孔２４とほぼ同じ高さに位置し、また、接点部３８Ｄは＜基板収容部２３における回路基板１２の進入領域から上方又は下方へ退避した位置にある（図５を参照）。
【００１９】
次に、基板側コネクタ１０と端子側コネクタ２０の嵌合状態を説明するが、ここでは便宜上、上段側のキャビティ２２に挿入されている端子金具３０に関して述べることにする。下段側の端子金具３０については、上段側とは上下対称の関係にあるので、詳しい説明は省略する。
さて、両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合過程では、まず回路基板１２の前端縁が基板収容部２３内への進入を開始し、次いでリブ１４が嵌入孔２４からキャビティ２２内への進入を開始し、進入したリブ１４の前端が挟圧片４０の上面の基端部（前端部）に当接する。リブ１４が挟圧片４０に当接した時点では、回路基板１２は接点部３８Ｄの真下に位置しているが、回路基板１２と接点部３８Ｄとはまだ接触していない。
【００２０】
そして、リブ１４の進入が進むのに伴い（両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合が進むのに伴い）、そのリブ１４に押された挟圧片４０がその傾斜により支持壁３９の後端（挟圧片４０の基端）を支点として下方へ傾動変位する。この挟圧片４０の傾動変位に伴い、その延出端部（押え部４０Ａの近傍部分）が弾性接触片３８の頭頂部３８Ｅに対してほぼ真上から（両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合方向と交差する方向に）当接し、更にその頭頂部３８Ｅを上から押さえ付ける。すると、弾性接触片３８が全体として下方へ変位してその接点部３８Ｄが回路基板１２に当接し、導通可能な接続状態となる（図６を参照）。
【００２１】
この後は、弾性接触片３８の下方（回路基板１２側）への変位が規制されるので、両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合（リブ１４の進入）及び挟圧片４０の下方への変位が進むのに伴い、弾性接触片３８が全体として上下方向に潰されるように（立上り部３８Ａと前傾部３８Ｂとのなす角度が大きくなるとともに、前傾部３８Ｂと接触部３８Ｃとのなす角度が小さくなるように）弾性撓みを生じる。そして、両コネクタ１０，２０が正規の嵌合状態に至ると、挟圧片４０が水平姿勢（両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合方向及び回路基板１２と平行な姿勢）に変位するとともに、その挟圧片４０の上面にリブ１４の下面がほぼ密着する状態となり、その挟圧片４０の下面と回路基板１２の上面との間で弾性接触片３８が挟圧され、その弾性接触片３８の弾性復元力によって端子金具３０と回路基板１２との間では所定の接触圧が確保される。
【００２２】
上述のように本実施形態のコネクタは、基板側コネクタ１０と端子側コネクタ２０の嵌合により、リブ１４が弾性接触片３８を弾性撓みさせつつ回路基板１２との間で挟んでその弾性接触片３８と回路基板１２とを接続させるようにしたものであるが、両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合過程では、弾性接触片３８を回路基板１２側との間で嵌合方向と交差する方向に挟むような形態で挟圧片４０が弾性接触片３８への当接を開始するとともに、嵌合の進行に伴って、挟圧片４０が回路基板１２との間で弾性接触片３８を挟む状態を保ちつつ両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合方向と交差する方向へ変位することによって弾性接触片３８の弾性撓みを増大させるようにしている。つまり、弾性接触片３８が挟圧片４０の当接による弾性撓みを開始するときには、リブ１４が前方から弾性接触片３８に突き当たるのではなく、挟圧片４０が弾性接触片３８を回路基板１２との間で嵌合方向と交差する方向に挟むようになっているので、弾性接触片３８がリブ１４（基板側コネクタ１０）に向かって片持ち状に延出する形態であっても、その弾性接触片３８が座屈などの不正な変形を来す虞はない。
【００２３】
また、挟圧片４０が頭頂部３８Ｅを上から押さえつけて弾性接触片３８を弾性撓みさせる際には、その弾性接触片３８の弾性撓み量が増大するほど（弾性接触片３８側から挟圧片４０側への反力が増大するほど）、挟圧片４０の姿勢が押さえつけ方向に対して直角に近づくように変化するので、頭頂部３８Ｅが弾性接触片３８の弾性復元力のために挟圧片４０の表面を滑る虞がないのであり、このことによっても、弾性接触片３８の不正な変形が防止されている。
【００２４】
また、端子金具３０に設けた挟圧片４０は、両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合時における弾性接触片３８に対するリブ１４の接近方向と概ね同じ方向へ斜めに延出するように片持ち支持され、両コネクタ１０，２０の嵌合の進行に伴ってリブ１４で押されることによりその挟圧片４０の片持ち支持の基端部（支持壁３９の後端）を支点として傾動変位するようにしている。したがって、挟圧片４０に対してリブ１４が斜めに当接し、当接後は挟圧片４０の表面上をリブ１４が円滑に摺接するようになり、挟圧片４０がリブ１４によって座屈変形させられる虞はない。
【００２５】
また、挟圧片４０が端子金具３０に一体に形成されているので、挟圧片を端子金具とは独立した部品とする場合に比べて、部品点数が少なくて済んでいる。
また、両コネクタ１０，２０が嵌合した状態では、リブ１４が挟圧片４０における回路基板１２とは反対側の面に当接するように位置するので、挟圧片４０が回路基板１２から離れる方向へ遊動することがなく、弾性接触片３８の弾性撓み状態が堅持される。したがって、弾性接触片３８と回路基板１２との間の接触信頼性に優れている。
【００２６】
［他の実施形態］
本発明は上記記述及び図面によって説明した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば次のような実施態様も本発明の技術的範囲に含まれ、さらに、下記以外にも要旨を逸脱しない範囲内で種々変更して実施することができる。
（１）上記実施形態では挟圧手段としての挟圧片を端子金具に一体形成してその挟圧片がリブで押されて変位するようにしたが、本発明によれば、端子側コネクタのコネクタハウジングに形成した弾性アーム部を挟圧手段とし、この弾性アーム部がリブで押されて変位することによって弾性接触片を挟圧するようにしてもよい。
【００２７】
（２）上記実施形態ではリブとは別体の部材を挟圧手段とし、その挟圧手段をリブで押して変位させることで弾性接触片の弾性撓み量を増大させるようにしたが、本発明の参考例として、リブの先端部の形状をテーパ状に傾斜させることによってリブ自身に挟圧手段を形成し、そのテーパ面が弾性接触片に対して回路基板との間で挟むような形態で当接を開始し、両コネクタの嵌合の進行に伴ってテーパ面が弾性接触片に摺接してその弾性接触片の弾性撓み量を増大させるようにしてもよい。
【００２８】
（３）上記実施形態では弾性接触片がリブ側に向かって（端子金具の前方へ）片持ち状に延出する形態としたが、本発明の参考例として、撓み接触片がリブとは反対側に向かって（端子金具の後方へ）片持ち状に延出する形態とすることができる。
（４）上記実施形態では挟圧手段を端子金具に一体形成したが、本発明によれば、挟圧手段を独立した部品とし、それを端子金具やコネクタハウジングに取り付けてもよい。
【００２９】
（５）上記実施形態では挟圧手段を端子側コネクタに設けたが、本発明の参考例として、基板側コネクタに挟圧手段を設けてもよい。
（６）上記実施形態では挟圧手段としての挟圧片が両コネクタの嵌合時における弾性接触片に対するリブの接近方向と概ね同じ方向へ斜めに延出するような片持ち支持形態としたが、本発明の参考例として、挟圧片は、弾性接触片に対するリブの接近方向とは逆方向へ延出するような片持ち支持形態としてもよく、また、山形に湾曲した両端支持形態としてもよい。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】実施形態１の基板側コネクタの斜視図
【図２】端子側コネクタの斜視図
【図３】端子金具の斜視図
【図４】端子金具の断面図
【図５】端子側コネクタの断面図
【図６】両コネクタの嵌合過程をあらわす断面図
【図７】両コネクタの嵌合完了状態をあらわす断面図
【図８】従来形の嵌合過程をあらわす断面図
【図９】従来例の嵌合完了状態をあらわす断面図
【符号の説明】
１０…基板側コネクタ
１２…回路基板
１４…リブ
２０…端子側コネクタ
３０…端子金具
３８…弾性接触片
４０…挟圧片（挟圧手段）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector for connecting to a circuit board.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are connectors shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 for connecting an edge of a circuit board and a terminal fitting fixed to an electric wire. This is because the elastic contact piece 108 of the terminal fitting 107 faces the board-side connector 100 in which the rib 103 protrudes from the back end surface of the hood part 102 surrounding the edge of the circuit board 101 and the slit 106 into which the circuit board 101 is inserted. Terminal side connector 105. In the process of fitting both the connectors 100 and 105, first, the circuit board 101 is inserted into the slit 106 to correspond to the elastic contact piece 108 in a non-contact state, and then the rib 103 contacts the elastic contact piece 108, As the fitting progresses, the rib 103 clamps the elastic contact piece 108 while elastically bending the elastic contact piece 108, and a predetermined contact pressure is secured by the elastic restoring force of the bent contact piece 108. ing.
[0003]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-92370 is known as a prior art publication of a connector for connecting an edge of a circuit board and a terminal fitting fixed to an electric wire.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The elastic contact piece 108 is formed with a forward inclined portion 108 </ b> A so that the rib 103 can easily come into sliding contact so that the rib 103 can smoothly shift to a state where the rib 103 is pressed after starting contact. However, since the elastic contact piece 108 is formed so as to be cantilevered toward the rib 103 and the forward inclined portion 108A is disposed at the extended end portion of the elastic contact piece 108, for example, both connectors 100 , 105 are obliquely fitted and the rib 103 is brought into contact with the forward inclined portion 108A, the rib 103 is caught without sliding on the forward inclined portion 108A. As a result, the elastic contact piece There is concern that 108 may buckle and deform.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to prevent unauthorized deformation of an elastic contact piece.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention of claim 1 includes a board-side connector having a circuit board and a rib, and a terminal-side connector in which a terminal fitting having a resilient contact piece extending forward in a cantilevered form is accommodated, When the side connector and the terminal side connector are fitted, the rib that has entered from the front side of the terminal side connector is elastically bent between the elastic contact piece and the elastic contact piece. A connector for connecting to a circuit board, wherein the terminal-side connector is provided with a clamping means extending in a cantilever direction obliquely rearwardly, and in the fitting process of both the connectors In addition, the clamping means starts contact with the elastic contact piece in such a manner that the elastic contact piece is sandwiched between the elastic contact piece and the circuit board side in a direction crossing the fitting direction, and the fitting progresses. Along with, the clamping means And configured to increase the resilient deformation of the resilient contact piece sandwiched between the circuit board while tilting displaced by being pressed by the rib.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention , in the first aspect of the invention , as the amount of elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece that is elastically deflected by the pressing of the pinching means increases, the posture of the pinching means in the pressing direction. On the other hand, the configuration changes so as to approach a right angle.
According to a third aspect of the present invention , in the first or second aspect of the present invention , the clamping means is integrally formed with the terminal fitting.
[0009]
[Action and effect of the invention]
[Invention of Claim 1]
When the elastic contact piece starts to bend elastically by the pinching means, the pinching means sandwiches the elastic contact piece with the circuit board in a direction crossing the fitting direction, so that the elastic contact piece is a rib. Even if the elastic contact piece extends in a cantilevered manner, there is no possibility that the elastic contact piece will be deformed in an unauthorized manner such as buckling.
[0010]
In addition, since the clamping means is cantilevered so as to extend obliquely in substantially the same direction as the approaching direction of the rib with respect to the elastic contact piece at the time of fitting, there is no possibility of buckling deformation by the rib.
[ Invention of claim 2 ]
As the amount of elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece due to pressing of the clamping means increases (as the reaction force from the elastic contact piece side to the clamping means side increases), the attitude of the clamping means approaches perpendicular to the pressing direction. Thus, there is no possibility that the elastic contact piece slides against the clamping means due to its elastic restoring force, and this also prevents unauthorized deformation of the elastic contact piece.
[0011]
[ Invention of claim 3 ]
Since the clamping means is integrally formed with the terminal fitting, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the clamping means is a component independent of the terminal fitting.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[Embodiment 1]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
The connector according to this embodiment includes a board-side connector 10 and a terminal-side connector 20.
The board-side connector 10 includes a connector housing 11 made of synthetic resin, a circuit board 12 having a horizontal flat plate shape with a front edge passing through the connector housing 11, and a circuit board 12 protruding forward of the connector housing 11. A rectangular tube-shaped hood portion 13 that surrounds the edge portion of the hood portion 13, and a plurality of ribs 14 that protrude forward from the rear end surface of the hood portion 13 in a straight bar shape and are horizontally juxtaposed at an upper position and a lower position of the circuit board 12 And is configured. The position of the protruding end of the rib 14 is set behind the position of the front edge of the circuit board 12.
[0013]
The terminal-side connector 20 includes a connector housing 21 made of synthetic resin and a plurality of terminal fittings 30 accommodated in a cavity 22 of the connector housing 21. In the connector housing 21, a plurality of cavities 22 that are divided into upper and lower stages and are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction are formed, and terminal fittings 30 are inserted into the cavities 22, respectively. The cavity 22 and the terminal fitting 30 accommodated in the cavity 22 have a vertically symmetrical shape and arrangement.
[0014]
In the connector housing 21, a horizontal slit-shaped substrate housing portion 23 located between the upper-stage cavity 22 and the lower-stage cavity 22 is formed to open to the front end surface of the connector housing 21. A front end edge portion of the circuit board 12 is fitted into the board housing portion 23. The substrate housing part 23 and the substantially first half region of the cavity 22 communicate with each other. Further, the front end portion of each cavity 22 is opened on the front end surface of the connector housing 21 as a fitting hole 24 for fitting the rib 14 therein.
[0015]
The terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the cavity 22 from the rear, and is held in a state where return to the rear is restricted by the locking of the resin lance 25. The terminal fitting 30 is formed by bending a metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape, and a substantially first half portion is a box portion 31 surrounding the elastic contact piece 38, and a substantially second half portion is a wire crimping portion 33 to which an electric wire 32 is connected. Has been. The box portion 31 includes left and right side walls 34, a pair of upper surface walls 35, 36 that extend inwardly from the upper end edges of the both side walls 34 and overlap each other, and rear end portions of the lower end edges of the side walls 34. It is comprised from the bottom wall 37 to connect. The bottom wall 37 is formed with an elastic contact piece 38 that cantilevered forward from the front end thereof.
[0016]
The elastic contact piece 38 includes a rising portion 38A extending obliquely upward and forward from the bottom wall 37, a forward inclined portion 38B extending obliquely downward from the front end of the rising portion 38A, and a front end of the forward inclined portion 38B. The contact portion 38C extends obliquely downward and rearward, and the extended end of the contact portion 38C is a contact portion 38D curved so as to bulge downward. The position of the contact portion 38D in the front-rear direction is substantially the same position as the highest peak-shaped top portion 38E (continuous portion of the rising portion 38A and the forward inclined portion 38B) of the elastic contact pieces 38. In other words, both connectors The contact portion 38D and the top portion 38E correspond to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to the fitting direction of the ten and the twenty.
[0017]
Further, of the low-back walls 34L and 34R lower than the top portion 38E of the front end side portion of the both side walls 34, a support wall 39 extends inward from the front end portion of the upper edge of the right-side low-back wall 34R. From the rear end edge of the wall 39, a pinching piece 40 (pressing means which is a constituent element of the present invention) extends in a cantilever manner. The pinching piece 40 extends obliquely upward and rearward (obliquely in a direction substantially the same as the approaching direction of the rib 14 with respect to the elastic contact piece 38 when the board-side connector 10 and the terminal-side connector 20 are fitted). When both the pressing member 40 and the pressing member 40 are in a free state where they do not flex elastically, the pressing member 40 is arranged so as to follow the upper surface of the forward inclined portion 38B of the elastic contact piece 38 in a non-contact state. The pressing portion 40A at the rear end (extended end) of the pressure piece 40 is positioned above the head portion 38E of the elastic contact piece 38 with a slight gap therebetween. A pressing wall 41 that overlaps the upper surface of the front end portion of the support wall 39 and a support wall 42 that overlaps the lower surface of the rear end portion of the support wall 39 protrude inward from the upper end edge of the left low-profile wall 34L. Yes.
[0018]
The terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the upper cavity 22 with the contact portion 38D of the elastic contact piece 38 facing downward, but with the lower cavity 22 having the contact portion 38D facing upward. Inserted. In the state in which the terminal fitting 30 is inserted, the pinching piece 40 is positioned at almost the same height as the insertion hole 24 of the connector housing 21, and the contact portion 38 </ b> D is <from the entry region of the circuit board 12 in the board housing part 23. It is in a position retracted upward or downward (see FIG. 5).
[0019]
Next, the fitting state of the board-side connector 10 and the terminal-side connector 20 will be described. Here, for convenience, the terminal fitting 30 inserted in the upper cavity 22 will be described. Since the lower side metal fitting 30 is in a vertically symmetrical relationship with the upper side, detailed description is omitted.
In the process of fitting both the connectors 10 and 20, first, the front edge of the circuit board 12 starts to enter the board housing portion 23, and then the rib 14 starts to enter the cavity 22 from the insertion hole 24. The front end of the entered rib 14 comes into contact with the base end portion (front end portion) of the upper surface of the pressing piece 40. At the time when the rib 14 abuts on the pinching piece 40, the circuit board 12 is positioned directly below the contact part 38D, but the circuit board 12 and the contact part 38D are not yet in contact with each other.
[0020]
As the rib 14 advances (as the fitting of the connectors 10 and 20 progresses), the pressing piece 40 pressed by the rib 14 causes the rear end of the support wall 39 (clamping) due to the inclination. It is tilted and displaced downward with the base end of the pressure piece 40 as a fulcrum. Accompanying the tilting displacement of the pinching piece 40, its extended end (the vicinity of the pressing portion 40 </ b> A) is almost directly above the top of the head 38 </ b> E of the elastic contact piece 38 (the fitting direction of both connectors 10 and 20 In the direction intersecting with the head) and further pressing the crown 38E from above. Then, the elastic contact piece 38 is displaced downward as a whole, and the contact portion 38D comes into contact with the circuit board 12 to be in a conductive connection state (see FIG. 6).
[0021]
After this, since the displacement of the elastic contact piece 38 to the lower side (circuit board 12 side) is restricted, the fitting of both the connectors 10 and 20 (intrusion of the rib 14) and the downward displacement of the pinching piece 40 are prevented. As it advances, the elastic contact piece 38 is crushed in the vertical direction as a whole (the angle formed by the rising portion 38A and the forward inclined portion 38B is increased, and the angle formed by the forward inclined portion 38B and the contact portion 38C is Elastic deformation occurs (to reduce). When both the connectors 10 and 20 reach the proper fitting state, the pinching piece 40 is displaced in the horizontal posture (the fitting direction of both the connectors 10 and 20 and the posture parallel to the circuit board 12). The bottom surface of the rib 14 is in close contact with the top surface of the pressure piece 40, and the elastic contact piece 38 is sandwiched between the bottom surface of the pressure piece 40 and the top surface of the circuit board 12. A predetermined contact pressure is secured between the terminal fitting 30 and the circuit board 12 by the restoring force.
[0022]
As described above, the connector according to the present embodiment has the elastic contact piece sandwiched between the circuit board 12 while the rib 14 elastically deflects the elastic contact piece 38 by fitting the board side connector 10 and the terminal side connector 20. 38 and the circuit board 12 are connected to each other. In the fitting process of the connectors 10 and 20, the elastic contact piece 38 is sandwiched between the circuit board 12 side and the fitting direction. In such a form, the pressing piece 40 starts to contact the elastic contact piece 38 and, as the fitting progresses, the holding piece 40 sandwiches the elastic contact piece 38 with the circuit board 12. The elastic deformation of the elastic contact piece 38 is increased by displacing in the direction intersecting with the fitting direction of both the connectors 10 and 20 while maintaining. That is, when the elastic contact piece 38 starts elastic bending due to the contact of the pinching piece 40, the rib 14 does not hit the elastic contact piece 38 from the front, but the pinching piece 40 pushes the elastic contact piece 38 to the circuit board 12. Since the elastic contact piece 38 is cantilevered toward the rib 14 (board-side connector 10), it is sandwiched in the direction intersecting the fitting direction between There is no possibility that the elastic contact piece 38 will be improperly deformed such as buckling.
[0023]
In addition, when the pinching piece 40 presses the top portion 38E from above and elastically deforms the elastic contact piece 38, the amount of elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece 38 increases (the pressure piece from the elastic contact piece 38 side). As the reaction force toward the side 40 increases, the posture of the pressing piece 40 changes so as to approach a right angle with respect to the pressing direction, so that the top portion 38E is pressed by the elastic restoring force of the elastic contact piece 38. There is no possibility of slipping on the surface of the piece 40, and this also prevents unauthorized deformation of the elastic contact piece 38.
[0024]
Further, the pinching piece 40 provided on the terminal fitting 30 is cantilevered so as to extend obliquely in substantially the same direction as the approaching direction of the rib 14 with respect to the elastic contact piece 38 when the connectors 10 and 20 are fitted. When the connectors 10 and 20 are pushed by the ribs 14 as the fitting progresses, the cantilevered base 40 (the rear end of the support wall 39) of the pinching piece 40 is tilted and displaced with the base end (the rear end of the support wall 39) as a fulcrum. ing. Therefore, the rib 14 comes into contact with the pinching piece 40 obliquely, and after the contact, the rib 14 smoothly slides on the surface of the pinching piece 40, and the pinching piece 40 is buckled by the rib 14. There is no risk of deformation.
[0025]
Moreover, since the pinching piece 40 is formed integrally with the terminal fitting 30, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where the pinching piece is a component independent of the terminal fitting.
Further, in a state in which both connectors 10 and 20 are fitted, the rib 14 is positioned so as to contact the surface of the pinching piece 40 opposite to the circuit board 12, so that the pinching piece 40 is separated from the circuit board 12. The elastic contact piece 38 is held in an elastically bent state without floating in the direction. Therefore, the contact reliability between the elastic contact piece 38 and the circuit board 12 is excellent.
[0026]
[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) In the above embodiment, the clamping piece as the clamping means is formed integrally with the terminal fitting, and the clamping piece is pushed and displaced by the rib, but according to the present invention, the terminal side connector The elastic arm portion formed in the connector housing may be used as a pinching means, and the elastic arm piece may be pressed and displaced by the rib to pinch the elastic contact piece.
[0027]
(2) In the above embodiment, a member separate from the rib is used as the clamping means, and the clamping means is pushed and displaced by the rib to increase the amount of elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece . As a reference example, a pinching means is formed on the rib itself by inclining the shape of the tip of the rib in a tapered shape, and the tapered surface is sandwiched between the elastic contact piece and the circuit board. The contact may be started, and the taper surface may be brought into sliding contact with the elastic contact piece as the fitting of both connectors proceeds, and the amount of elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece may be increased.
[0028]
(3) In the above embodiment, the elastic contact piece extends in a cantilever shape toward the rib side (to the front of the terminal fitting). However, as a reference example of the present invention, the flexible contact piece is opposite to the rib. It can be set as the form extended in the cantilever shape toward the side (backward of a terminal metal fitting).
(4) In the above embodiment, the clamping means is integrally formed with the terminal fitting. However, according to the present invention, the clamping means may be an independent component and attached to the terminal fitting or the connector housing.
[0029]
(5) Although the pinching means is provided in the terminal-side connector in the above embodiment, the pinching means may be provided in the board-side connector as a reference example of the present invention .
(6) In the above embodiment, the pinching piece as the pinching means has a cantilever support configuration that extends obliquely in substantially the same direction as the approaching direction of the rib with respect to the elastic contact piece when the two connectors are fitted. As a reference example of the present invention , the pinching piece may be a cantilever support form that extends in a direction opposite to the approaching direction of the rib with respect to the elastic contact piece, or may be a both-end support form that is curved in a mountain shape. Good.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a board-side connector according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal-side connector. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting. Cross-sectional view [FIG. 6] Cross-sectional view showing the mating process of both connectors [FIG. 7] Cross-sectional view showing the mating completion state of both connectors [FIG. 8] Cross-sectional view showing the mating process of the conventional type [FIG. Cross-sectional view showing the completed state of the example [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Board | substrate side connector 12 ... Circuit board 14 ... Rib 20 ... Terminal side connector 30 ... Terminal metal fitting 38 ... Elastic contact piece 40 ... Clamping piece (clamping means)

Claims

回路基板とリブを備えた基板側コネクタと、
前方へ片持ち状に延出する形態の弾性接触片を有する端子金具が収容された端子側コネクタとからなり、
前記基板側コネクタと前記端子側コネクタとの嵌合により、前記端子側コネクタに対しその前方から進入した前記リブが前記弾性接触片を弾性撓みさせつつ前記回路基板との間で挟んでその弾性接触片と回路基板とを接続させるようにしたコネクタであって、
前記端子側コネクタには、斜め後方に向かって片持ち状に延出する形態の挟圧手段が設けられ、
前記両コネクタの嵌合過程では、前記挟圧手段が、前記弾性接触片を前記回路基板側との間で嵌合方向と交差する方向に挟むような形態で前記弾性接触片への当接を開始するとともに、
嵌合の進行に伴い、前記挟圧手段が、前記リブで押されることにより傾動変位しつつ前記回路基板との間で挟んだ前記弾性接触片の弾性撓みを増大させる構成としたことを特徴とするコネクタ。A board-side connector with a circuit board and ribs;
It consists of a terminal-side connector in which a terminal fitting having a resilient contact piece in a form that cantilevered forward is housed,
Due to the fitting between the board-side connector and the terminal-side connector, the rib that has entered from the front of the terminal-side connector is elastically bent between the circuit board while elastically bending the elastic contact piece. A connector that connects a piece and a circuit board,
The terminal-side connector is provided with a pinching means in a form that extends obliquely rearward in a cantilevered manner,
In the fitting process of the two connectors, the clamping means makes contact with the elastic contact piece in such a form as to hold the elastic contact piece in a direction intersecting the fitting direction with the circuit board side. As you start,
As the fitting progresses, the clamping means is configured to increase the elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece sandwiched between the circuit board while being tilted and displaced by being pushed by the rib. Connector.

前記挟圧手段の押さえつけによって弾性撓みさせられる前記弾性接触片の弾性撓み量が増大するのに伴い、その挟圧手段の姿勢が押さえつけ方向に対して直角に近づくように変化する構成としたことを特徴とする請求項１記載のコネクタ。 As the amount of elastic deflection of the elastic contact piece that is elastically bent by the pressing of the clamping means increases, the posture of the clamping means changes so as to approach at right angles to the pressing direction. The connector according to claim 1.

前記挟圧手段が前記端子金具に一体に形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１又は請求項２に記載のコネクタ。The connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the clamping means is formed integrally with the terminal fitting .