Connector with movable-side contact and fixed-side contact

A connector which makes it possible to accommodate positional displacement from a mating connector, and prevent the contact force and the amount of deformation of contacts from becoming too large. Fixed-side contacts are fixed to a fixed-side housings. A movable-side housing is assembled to the fixed-side housing slidably in a direction orthogonal to a fitting/removing direction in which the movable-side housing is fitted to and removed from the mating connector. Movable-side contacts each include first contact portions brought into contact with an associated one of the fixed-side contacts, and second contact portions brought into contact with an associated one of mating contacts of the mating connector. Contact-accommodating chambers for accommodating the movable-side contacts are formed in the movable-side housing such that each movable-side contact can be pivoted about a pivotal axis extending orthogonal to the fitting/removing direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a connector that is interposed between two objects to be connected, and electrically connects those objects to be connected to each other.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there has been proposed a connector comprising a plurality of contacts, a first and second housing which hold these contacts (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2008-198441: Paragraphs 0032, 0035, 0036, 0050, and 0051, and FIGS. 9 to 13).

The plurality of contacts are arranged in two rows, upper and lower, and the contacts in the upper row and the contacts in the lower row are arranged in a line-symmetric manner.

The plurality of contacts each include a first and second contact portion, a first and second spring portion, a first and second holding portion, and a floating portion.

When a card board and a motherboard are electrically connected to each other by using this connector, even if the card board is disposed relatively upward of the motherboard, or even if the card board is inclined with respect to the motherboard, a displacement between the both boards in a vertical direction or an inclination of the card board with respect to the motherboard is accommodated, through deformation of the contacts, whereby the contact of the first and second contact portions to both the boards is ensured.

However, in the above-described connector, the contact force of the first contact portions which are brought into contact with the card board sometimes becomes considerably larger than that of the second contact portions which are brought into contact with the motherboard, or the floating portion is sometimes largely deformed. Therefore, there are fears that operating force required in fitting the connector to the card board becomes large, and that the first and second contact portions and the floating portion are plastically deformed, causing degraded contact stability of the contact portions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector which makes it possible to accommodate a positional displacement of the connector from a mating connector, and prevent the contact force and the amount of deformation of its contacts from becoming too large.

To attain the above object, the present invention provides a connector that can be fitted to a mating connector, comprising a fixed-side housing, a fixed-side contact fixed to the fixed-side housing, a movable-side housing that is assembled to the fixed-side housing in a manner slidable in a direction which is orthogonal to a fitting/removing direction in which the movable-side housing is fitted to and removed from the mating connector, and a movable-side contact including a first contact portion which is brought into contact with the fixed-side contact and a second contact portion which is brought into contact with a mating contact of the mating connector, wherein the movable-side housing includes a contact-accommodating hole which extends in the fitting/removing direction, and accommodates the movable-side contact such that the movable-side contact can be pivoted about a pivotal axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the fitting/removing direction.

With the arrangement of the connector according to the present invention, when the movable-side housing is fitted to the mating connector, the movable-side housing is allowed to be slid in the direction which is orthogonal to the fitting/removing direction, so that the movable-side contact can be pivoted about the pivotal axis which is orthogonal to the fitting/removing direction and the sliding direction of the movable-side housing, and hence the movable-side contact is hardly deformed, and the contact force of the first and second contact portions which are brought into contact with the fixed-side contact and the mating contact, respectively, is prevented from becoming too large.

Preferably, the movable-side contact includes a linking portion linking the first contact portion and the second contact portion and pivotally supported by the fixed-side housing and the movable-side housing.

Preferably, the first and second contact portions are shaped such that the first and second contact portions hold the fixed-side contact and the mating contact, respectively, in a sandwiching manner.

Preferably, the connector comprises wobble-suppressing means for suppressing the second contact portion from wobbling when the movable-side contact is pivoted.

According to this invention, it is possible to accommodate the displacement from the mating connector, and prevent the contact force and the amount of deformation of the contacts from becoming too large.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing preferred embodiments thereof. A description will be given of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference toFIGS. 1 to 12.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a connector100comprises a fixed-side housing10, a plurality of fixed-side contacts20, a movable-side housing30, and a plurality of movable-side contacts40. The connector100is mounted on a printed circuit board, not shown, and is capable of being fitted and removed to and from a mating connector900(seeFIG. 3).

As shown inFIGS. 1,2,5, and12, the fixed-side housing10is box-shaped, and an upper part thereof (upper part of the fixed-side housing10as viewed inFIG. 2) is open. The fixed-side housing10is integrally formed of insulating resin. The fixed-side housing10includes a front portion11, a rear portion12, a bottom portion13, and side portions14and14.

The front portion11is not uniform in thickness thereof, that is, a lower portion thereof (upper portion of a left-side portion of the fixed-side housing10as viewed inFIG. 12) is thick, and an upper portion thereof (lower portion of the left-side portion of the fixed-side housing10as viewed inFIG. 12) is thin. A step surface11ais formed on an inner surface of the front portion11, and is formed with protrusions11d(seeFIG. 12). Each protrusion11dhas an arc-shaped end.

The rear portion12has the same shape as that of the front portion11, that is, a lower portion thereof (upper portion of a right-side portion of the fixed-side housing10as viewed inFIG. 12) is thick, and an upper portion thereof (lower portion of the right-side portion of the fixed-side housing10as viewed inFIG. 12) is thin. A step surface12ais formed on an inner surface of the rear portion12. The step surface12aof the rear portion12is disposed at the same position as the step surface11aof the front portion11in a direction of the height of the fixed-side housing10(direction parallel to a fitting/removing direction F in which the connector100is fitted to and removed from the mating connector900(seeFIG. 3)). The step surface12ais formed with protrusions12d(seeFIG. 12). Each protrusion12dhas an arc-shaped end.

The bottom portion13is formed with slits13bat equally-spaced intervals along an X direction (direction orthogonal to the fitting/removing direction F). The slits13bextend in a Y direction (direction orthogonal to the fitting/removing direction F and the X direction) (seeFIG. 2).

The opposite side portions14and14are each formed with a step surface14a(seeFIGS. 2 and 5), similarly to the front portion11and the rear portion12. The step surface14aof each side portion14is disposed at the same position as the step surface11aof the front portion11in the direction of the height of the fixed-side housing10.

A plurality of partitions16are formed within the fixed-side housing10at equally-spaced intervals along the X direction (seeFIG. 5). Each partition16is arranged between two adjacent ones of the slits13b.

Further, a center partition17which is orthogonal to the plurality of partitions16is formed within the fixed-side housing10(seeFIG. 2). A space within the fixed-side housing10is partitioned by the plurality of partitions16and the center partition17into a plurality of spaces which form a plurality of accommodating chambers18and19(seeFIG. 12). The plurality of accommodating chambers18and the plurality of accommodating chambers19are respectively arranged along the X direction. Each accommodating chamber18and each accommodating chamber19are communicated with an associated one of the slits13b.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 7, the fixed-side contacts20each include a contact portion21and a plurality of connection portions22. The contact portion21and the plurality of connection portions22are integrally formed. The contact portion21is plate-shaped. The plurality of connection portions22are each pin-shaped, and are continuous with the contact portion21at equally-spaced intervals.

The fixed-side contacts20are press-fitted in the respective slits13bof the bottom portion13of the fixed-side housing10(seeFIG. 2).

As shown inFIGS. 1,2,5, and12, the movable-side housing30is box-shaped, and a lower part thereof (upper part of the movable-side housing30as viewed inFIG. 12) is open. The movable-side housing30is integrally formed of insulating resin. The movable-side housing30includes a front portion31, a rear portion32, au upper portion33, and side portions34and34(seeFIG. 1).

Step surfaces31aand32aare formed on respective inner surfaces of the front portion31and the rear portion32of the movable-side housing30. The step surfaces31aand32aare formed with protrusions31dand32d, respectively (seeFIGS. 5and12). Each of the protrusions31dand32dhas an arc-shaped end.

The linking portion45of each movable-side contact40is freely movably arranged between an associated one of the protrusions31dor32dand an associated one of the protrusions11dor12dthat are formed on the fixed-side housing10as described previously.

As shown inFIG. 1, the front portion31is formed with a plurality of slits31bat equally-spaced intervals along the X direction. The slits31bextend in the fitting/removing direction F.

The rear portion32is formed with a plurality of slits (not shown) at equally-spaced intervals along the X direction. The slits of the rear portion32extend in the fitting/removing direction F. The slits of the rear portion32are opposite to the slits31bof the front portion31in the Y direction, respectively.

The upper portion33is formed with a plurality of slits33bat equally-spaced intervals along the X direction. The slits33bextend in the Y direction. One end of each slit33bis communicated with an associated one of the slits31bof the front portion31, and the other end of each slit33bis communicated with an associated one of the slits of the rear portion32. A plurality of holes33care formed in the movable-side housing30on opposite sides of each slit33b, at predetermined intervals along the Y direction.

A plurality of partitions36are formed within the movable-side housing30at equally-spaced intervals along the X direction (seeFIG. 5). Each partition36is arranged between two adjacent ones of the slits33b. The partitions36are opposed to the partitions16of the fixed-side housing10in the fitting/removing direction F.

Further, a center partition37which is orthogonal to the plurality of partitions36is formed within the movable-side housing30(seeFIG. 12). A space within the movable-side housing30is partitioned by the plurality of partitions36and the center partition37into a plurality of spaces which form a plurality of contact-accommodating chambers (contact-accommodating holes)38and39. The plurality of contact-accommodating chambers38and the plurality of contact-accommodating chambers39are respectively arranged along the X direction. The contact-accommodating chambers38and39are each communicated with an associated one of the slits33band associated ones of the holes33c. Further, the contact-accommodating chambers38are continuous with the accommodating chambers18, and the contact-accommodating chambers39are continuous with the accommodating chambers19, respectively (seeFIG. 12).

The front portion31and the rear portion32of the movable-side housing30have respective protruding portions (not shown) formed on the respective outer surfaces. The front portion11and the rear portion12of the fixed-side housing10have recesses (not shown) formed in the respective inner surfaces. These recesses extend in the X direction, and by fitting the protruding portions of the movable-side housing30into the respective recesses of the fixed-side housing10, the lower part of the movable-side housing30is assembled to the fixed-side housing10in a manner slidable in the X direction.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 7, the movable-side contacts40each include a pair of first contact portions43, a pair of second contact portions44, and the linking portion45. Each movable-side contact40is formed by blanking and bending a metal plate.

The pair of first contact portions43each include a spring portion43aand a contact point portion43b. The spring portion43aurges the contact point portion43bagainst the contact portion21of an associated one of the fixed-side contacts20. The contact point portion43bis bent into an arc-shape, and is brought into contact with the contact portion21of the associated one of the fixed-side contacts20.

The pair of second contact portions44each include a spring portion44a, a contact point portion44b, and a pair of protruding portions44c. The spring portion44aurges the contact point portion44bagainst a contact portion921of an associated one of mating contacts920, referred to hereinafter. The contact point portion44bis bent into a substantially arc-shape, and is brought into contact with the contact portion921of the associated one of the mating contacts920. The pair of protruding portions44care each bent into a substantially L-shape, and are continuous with the contact point portion44b. The pair of protruding portions44care inserted in the associated holes33cof the upper portion33of the movable-side housing30, respectively (seeFIG. 5). The pair of protruding portions44cand the associated holes33cform wobble-suppressing means which suppresses wobbling of the second contact portions44of each movable-side contact40when the movable-side housing30is slid.

The linking portion45links the pair of first contact portions43and the pair of second contact portions44.

The movable-side contacts40are accommodated in the contact-accommodating chambers38and39of the movable-side housing30. The linking portion45of each movable-side contact40in the associated contact-accommodating chamber38, as shown inFIG. 12, is arranged between the associated one of the protrusions11dof the fixed-side housing10and the associated one of the protrusions31dof the movable-side housing30, and at the same time is arranged between the center partition17of the fixed-side housing10and the center partition37of the movable-side housing30. Each movable-side contact40is capable of pivoting about a pivotal axis parallel to the Y direction only within a predetermined range in the associated contact-accommodating chamber38.

Further, each movable-side contact40is capable of slightly pivoting about a pivotal axis parallel to the X direction in the contact-accommodating chamber38.

As shown inFIG. 12, the movable-side contacts40accommodated in the contact-accommodating chambers39are oriented oppositely to the movable-side contacts40accommodated in the contact-accommodating chambers38. The linking portion45of each movable-side contact40in each contact-accommodating chamber39is arranged between the associated one of the protrusions12dof the fixed-side housing10and the associated one of the protrusions32dof the movable-side housing30, and at the same time is arranged between the center partition17of the fixed-side housing10and the center partition37of the movable-side housing30. Each movable-side contact40is capable of pivoting about the pivotal axis parallel to the Y direction only within a predetermined range in each contact-accommodating chamber39.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the mating connector900comprises a mating housing910and the plurality of mating contacts920.

The mating housing910is box-shaped, and an upper part thereof is open. The mating housing910is integrally formed of insulating resin. The mating housing910includes a front portion911, a rear portion912, a bottom portion913, and side portions914and914.

An inner surface of the front portion911and an inner surface of the rear portion912are distanced such that the movable-side housing30can move slightly in the Y direction therebetween. The inner surface of the rear portion912is formed further with a recess912atherein to prevent a warpage of the rear portion912from reducing its intended distance from the inner surface of the front portion911. Further, grooves912bare formed in the inner surface of the rear portion912at equally-spaced intervals along the X direction. The grooves912bextend in the fitting/removing direction F. Further, the rear portion912has a guiding surface912cformed on a top end portion thereof.

An inner surface of the front portion911is formed with a recess911a, grooves (not shown), and a guiding surface (not shown), similarly to the inner surface of the rear portion912. The grooves of the front portion911are formed in the inner surface of the front portion911at equally-spaced intervals along the X direction, and extend in the fitting/removing direction F.

The bottom portion913is formed with slits913bat equally-spaced intervals along the X direction. The slits913bextend in the Y direction. One end of each slit913bis communicated with an associated one of the grooves (not shown) of the front portion911, and other end of each slit913bis communicated with an associated one of the grooves912bof the rear portion912.

The opposite side portions914each have a guiding surface914cformed on a top end portion thereof (seeFIG. 5).

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 7, the mating contacts920each include the contact portion921and a plurality of connection portions922. The contact portion921and the connection portions922are integrally formed. The contact portion921is plate-shaped. The plurality of connection portions922are each pin-shaped, and are continuous with the contact portion921at equally-spaced intervals.

The mating contacts920are press-fitted into the slits913bof the bottom portion913of the mating housing910.

Next, a description will be given of the operation of the above-described connector100.

It should be noted that the connector100is mounted on a printed circuit board, not shown, and the connection portions22of the fixed-side contacts20are inserted and soldered to through holes of the printed circuit board. The mating connector900is mounted on another printed circuit board, not shown, and the connection portions922of the mating contacts920are inserted and soldered to through holes of the another printed circuit board.

As shown inFIG. 5, the connector100and the mating connector900are made opposed to each other and are then fitted to each other.

At this time, even if the center of the connector100and the center of the mating connector900are displaced in the X direction, the movable-side housing30is slid with respect to the fixed-side housing10as shown inFIG. 8, whereby the movable-side housing30and the mating housing910are fitted to each other. The movable-side housing30is not inclined with respect to the fitting/removing direction F. Further, there are spaces between the front portion31of the movable-side housing30and the front portion911of the mating housing910, and between the rear portion32of the movable-side housing30and the rear portion912of the mating housing910, respectively, whereby the movable-side housing30can be moved in the Y direction, and hence the displacement of the connector100and the mating connector900in the Y direction is accommodated.

When the movable-side housing30is slid to the right side with respect to the fixed-side housing10as shown inFIG. 8, each movable-side contact40is only pivoted in an anticlockwise direction about the linking portion45as shown inFIG. 9, and is hardly elastically deformed. Therefore, as compared with a case where the center of the connector100and the center of the mating connector900are not displaced in the X direction, the contact force generated between the contact portion21of each fixed-side contact20or the contact portion921of each mating contact920and the associated movable-side contact40is hardly changed.

According to the present embodiment in which the movable-side contacts40are pivoted, when the connector100is fitted to the mating connector900, the contact force generated between the contact portion21of each fixed-side contact20or the contact portion921of each mating contact920and the associated movable-side contact40is hardly changed.

Therefore, even if the center of the connector100and the center of the mating connector900are displaced, it is possible to fit the connector100to the mating connector900by a small force. Further, there is almost no change in the amount of deformation of each movable-side contact40between when the connector100and the mating connector900are fitted to each other with the center of the connector100and the center of the mating connector900being displaced in the Y direction, and when the connector100and the mating connector900are fitted to each other with the center of the connector100and the center of the mating connector900being not displaced in the Y direction, and hence it is possible to prevent each movable-side contact40from being plastically deformed, which makes it possible to maintain the contact stability.

Further, in order to reduce the force required for inserting and removing the connector, differently from the conventional connector, each contact need not be made long and narrow so as to increase the amount of displacement of a displacement portion of the contact, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the movable-side housing30and easily make the connector100compact in size.

Further, by making each movable-side contact40thick instead of reducing the size of the movable-side housing30, it is possible to use the connector100as a high current capacity connector.

Further, the protruding portions44cof each movable-side contact40are inserted in the associated holes33cof the movable-side housing30, and hence it is possible to suppress the second contact portions44of each movable-side contact40from largely wobbling in the contact-accommodating chambers38and39.

It should be noted that although in the above-described embodiment, the linking portion45of each movable-side contact40is pivotally supported by the fixed-side housing10and the movable-side housing30, it is not necessarily required to support the linking portion45by the fixed-side housing10and the movable-side housing30. For example, the linking portion45may be supported only by the movable-side housing30.

Further, although in the above-described embodiment, the first contact portions43and the second contact portions44of each movable-side contact40are shaped such that they hold an associated one of the fixed-side contacts20and an associated one of the mating contacts920in a sandwiching manner, the respective shapes of the first and second contact portions43and44are not limited to those for holding the fixed-side contact20and the mating contact920in a sandwiching manner.

It should be noted that although in the above-described embodiment, the protruding portions44cof each movable-side contact40and the holes33cof the movable-side housing30, into which the protruding portions44care inserted, form the wobble-suppressing means, the construction of the wobble-suppressing means is not limited to this.

Although in the above-described embodiment, the protrusions11dand12d, and31dand32dare formed on the fixed-side housing10and the movable-side housing30, respectively, the protrusions11d,12d,31d, and32dmay be formed on the linking portion45of each movable-side contact40. In this case, the fixed-side housing10and the movable-side housing30are only formed with the step surfaces11aand12a, and31aand32a, respectively.

Further, although the respective ends of the protrusions11d,12d,31d, and32dare arc-shaped, they may be angle-shaped, that is, the shape of the end is not limited to an arc.

It is further understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing are the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and that various changes and modification may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.