Connector and connecting method

A connector includes a contact member having a contact, and an elastic member having an elastic member body and a rotation operating portion, the contact member having a conductor-contact portion formed of part of the contact and an elastic member-contact portion disposed to be separated from the conductor-contact portion in a predetermined direction, the elastic member body having a base portion joined to the rotation operating portion and a pressing portion disposed to be separated from the base portion in the predetermined direction and being elastically displaceable in the predetermined direction, part of the flexible conductor being disposed between the pressing portion and the conductor-contact portion, the base portion coming into contact with the elastic member-contact portion, and the pressing portion elastically displaced pressing the part of the flexible conductor against the conductor-contact portion, whereby the contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connector and a connecting method, particularly to a connector to be connected to a flexible conductor.

As the connector to be connected to a flexible conductor, for example, JP2018-129244A discloses a connector as illustrated inFIG. 41. This connector includes a contact2and a base member3that are disposed on the opposite sides across a flexible substrate1to sandwich the flexible substrate1therebetween.

A flexible conductor4is exposed on the front surface of the flexible substrate1with the front surface facing the contact2, the contact2has a projection accommodating portion5of recess shape formed to face the flexible conductor4, and a projection6is formed on the base member3to project toward the rear surface of the flexible substrate1. When the projection6of the base member3, together with the flexible substrate1, is inserted into the projection accommodating portion5of the contact2with the flexible substrate1being sandwiched between the projection6and the contact2such that the projection6is covered by the flexible substrate1, the flexible substrate1is pressed against the inner surface of the projection accommodating portion5of the contact2by the projection6, and accordingly the inner surface of the projection accommodating portion5contacts the flexible conductor4exposed on the front surface of the flexible substrate1with a predetermined contact force, whereby the contact2is electrically connected to the flexible conductor4.

Meanwhile, when the projection6of the base member3together with the flexible substrate1is inserted into the projection accommodating portion5of the contact2, the flexible substrate1receives from the projection6a large force which turns to be a predetermined contact force between the flexible conductor4and the inner surface of the projection accommodating portion5when connected and rubs the inner surface of the projection accommodating portion5to be inserted. Accordingly, the flexible conductor4disposed on the front surface of the flexible substrate1may be damaged, and reliability of electrical connection between the flexible conductor4and the contact2may be impaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problem and aims at providing a connector that can prevent damage to a flexible conductor at the time of connection and can ensure reliability of electrical connection to the flexible conductor.

The present invention also aims at providing a connecting method for electrically connecting a contact to a flexible conductor while the flexible conductor is prevented from being damaged.

A connector according to the present invention is a connector to be connected to a flexible conductor, the connector comprising:a contact member including a contact made of a conductive material; andan elastic member including an elastic member body and a rotation operating portion extending from the elastic member body,wherein the contact member includes a conductor-contact portion formed of part of the contact and an elastic member-contact portion disposed to be separated from the conductor-contact portion in a predetermined direction and facing the conductor-contact portion,wherein the elastic member body includes a base portion joined to the rotation operating portion and a pressing portion disposed to be separated from the base portion in the predetermined direction and being elastically displaceable in the predetermined direction with respect to the base portion, andwherein part of the flexible conductor is disposed between the pressing portion of the elastic member body and the conductor-contact portion of the contact member, the base portion of the elastic member body comes into contact with the elastic member-contact portion of the contact member, and the pressing portion elastically displaced in the predetermined direction presses the part of the flexible conductor against the conductor-contact portion, whereby the contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor.

A connecting method according to the present invention is a connecting method for connecting a contact of a contact member to a flexible conductor with use of an elastic member, the contact member including a conductor-contact portion constituted by part of the contact and an elastic member-contact portion disposed to be separated from the conductor-contact portion in a predetermined direction, the elastic member including an elastic member body and a rotation operating portion joined to the elastic member body, the elastic member body having a base portion and a pressing portion disposed to be separated from the base portion in the predetermined direction and being elastically displaceable in the predetermined direction with respect to the base portion, the connecting method comprising:disposing the flexible conductor with respect to the contact member such that part of the flexible conductor is situated near the conductor-contact portion;disposing the elastic member obliquely with respect to the contact member such that the pressing portion contacts the part of the flexible conductor and that the part of the flexible conductor is sandwiched between the conductor-contact portion and the pressing portion; androtating the elastic member about the pressing portion that is in contact with the part of the flexible conductor through an operation of the rotation operating portion to bring the base portion of the elastic member body into contact with the elastic member-contact portion of the contact member so that the pressing portion elastically displaced presses the part of the flexible conductor against the conductor-contact portion, whereby the contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate a connector11according to Embodiment 1. The connector11is used as, for example, a garment-side connector portion for fitting a wearable device and is connected to a plurality of flexible conductors21.

The connector11includes a first insulator12, four contacts13and a second insulator14that faces the first insulator12with four flexible conductors21being sandwiched therebetween, and the four contacts13are electrically connected to the four flexible conductors21in a one-by-one manner. The first insulator12includes a recess12A, and in the recess12A of the first insulator12, the contacts13project perpendicularly to a flat bottom surface of the recess12A.

The flexible conductors21are each produced using a band-like conductor formed by twisting a plurality of conductive fibers.

For convenience, the bottom surface of the recess12A of the first insulator12is defined as extending along an XY plane, and the direction in which the contacts13project is referred to as “+Z direction.”

The four flexible conductors21are disposed on the −Z direction side of the first insulator12, and the second insulator14is disposed on the −Z direction side of the four flexible conductors21.

The four contacts13are arranged in two rows including a first row R1and a second row R2. Each of the first row R1and the second row R2extends along the Y direction and is composed of a pair of contacts13adjoining each other. In addition, the first row R1and the second row R2are separated from each other in the X direction, and the second row R2is disposed on the +X direction side of the first row R1.

FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate assembly views of the connector11. The first insulator12is made of an insulating resin, and within the recess12A opening toward the +Z direction, four contact through-holes12B are formed. The recess12A constitutes a counter connector-accommodating portion in which part of a counter connector (not shown) is to be accommodated. Into the four contact through-holes12B, the contacts13are independently inserted. In addition, two post accommodating portions12D of recess shape are formed outside the recess12A in the XY direction on a surface12C of the first insulator12, which surface12C faces in the −Z direction.

The four contacts13are plug-type contacts made of a conductive material such as metal, constitute contact members used in Embodiment 1 and are to be connected to corresponding contacts of a counter connector (not shown) when part of the counter connector is accommodated in the recess12A of the first insulator12.

The four flexible conductors21are disposed on the −Z direction side of the first insulator12, and two elastic members15and16are disposed on the −Z direction side of the four flexible conductors21.

The elastic member15corresponds to the pair of contacts13constituting the first row R1, and the elastic member16corresponds to the pair of contacts13constituting the second row R2. The elastic member15includes two elastic member bodies15A and one rotation operating portion15B joined to the two elastic member bodies15A. Similarly, the elastic member16includes two elastic member bodies16A and one rotation operating portion16B joined to the two elastic member bodies16A. The elastic members15and16are formed of an elastically deformable resin or metal.

The second insulator14is disposed on the −Z direction side of the two elastic members15and16. The second insulator14is made of an insulating resin and includes a flat plate portion14A. On a surface14B of the flat plate portion14A, which surface14B faces in the +Z direction, two elastic member-corresponding recesses14C and14D separately corresponding to the two elastic members15and16are formed, and two conductor accommodating grooves14E communicating with the elastic member-corresponding recess14C as well as two conductor accommodating grooves14E communicating with the elastic member-corresponding recess14D are formed. The conductor accommodating grooves14E are used to accommodate the corresponding flexible conductors21.

In addition, two fixing posts14F are formed on and project from the surface14B of the flat plate portion14A. The two fixing posts14F correspond to the two post accommodating portions12D of recess shape of the first insulator12.

Two contacts13which are inserted into, among the four contact through-holes12B of the first insulator12, two contact through-holes12B disposed on the −X direction side and which constitute the first row R1, contact portions21A of, among the four flexible conductors21, two flexible conductors21disposed on the −X direction side, and two elastic member bodies15A of the elastic member15are positionally aligned with each other in the Z direction.

Similarly, two contacts13which are inserted into, among the four contact through-holes12B of the first insulator12, two contact through-holes12B disposed on the +X direction side and which constitute the second row R2, contact portions21A of, among the four flexible conductors21, two flexible conductors21disposed on the +X direction side, and two elastic member bodies16A of the elastic member16are positionally aligned with each other in the Z direction.

In addition, the two post accommodating portions12D of the first insulator12and the two fixing posts14F of the second insulator14are positionally aligned with each other in the Z direction.

FIGS. 5 and 6illustrate the contact13arranged in the first row R1. The contact13has a projection portion13A of cylindrical tube shape extending in the Z direction and a flange13B of circular disc shape extending from the −Z directional end of the projection portion13A along an XY plane. A large diameter portion13A1having a larger diameter than that of a +Z direction portion of the projection portion13A is provided at a −Z direction portion of the projection portion13A, and an elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of recess shape opening toward the −Z direction is formed inside the large diameter portion13A1. The elastic member body-accommodating portion13C has an inside diameter D1, an inner surface of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C at the −X directional end forms a conductor-contact portion13D which contacts the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21, and an inner surface of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C at the +X directional end forms an elastic member-contact portion13E which contacts the elastic member15.

The contact13arranged in the second row R2has a similar configuration to the contact13arranged in the first row R1but has the conductor-contact portion13D and the elastic member-contact portion13E positionally reversed in the X direction; the inner surface of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C at the +X directional end forms the conductor-contact portion13D which contacts the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21, and the inner surface of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C at the −X directional end forms the elastic member-contact portion13E which contacts the elastic member16.

The contact13as above can be manufactured by, for example, press working, cutting or drawing.

The contact through-hole12B of the first insulator12has an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of the large diameter portion13A1of the projection portion13A of the contact13and smaller than the outside diameter of the flange13B. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the projection portions13A of the contacts13penetrate through the contact through-holes12B to project inside the recess12A of the first insulator12, and as illustrated inFIG. 4, the flanges13B of the contacts13are exposed on the surface12C of the first insulator12, which surface12C faces in the −Z direction.

FIGS. 7 to 9illustrate the elastic member15corresponding to the two contacts13arranged in the first row R1. The elastic member15includes the two elastic member bodies15A arranged side by side in the Y direction and the one rotation operating portion15B joined to the two elastic member bodies15A. A distance between centers of the two elastic member bodies15A in the Y direction is set to be equal to a distance between centers of the two contacts13constituting the first row R1in the Y direction.

Each elastic member body15A has a ring-like shape extending on an XY plane, a base portion15C is provided at the +X directional end of the elastic member body15A, and a pressing portion15D which is elastically displaceable in the X direction (predetermined direction) with respect to the base portion15C is provided at the −X directional end of the elastic member body15A, being separated from the base portion15C in the X direction (predetermined direction).

The pressing portion15D presses the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21against the conductor-contact portion13D of the corresponding contact13to thereby electrically connect the flexible conductor21to the contact13.

An external dimension D2of the ring-like elastic member body15A in the X direction is set to be larger than a value obtained by subtracting a thickness of the flexible conductor21from the inside diameter D1of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13.

Meanwhile, an external dimension D2Y of the elastic member body15A in the Y direction has a smaller value than the external dimension D2in the X direction.

The rotation operating portion15B is joined to the base portions15C of the two elastic member bodies15A on the −Z direction side. The rotation operating portion15B extends in the Y direction across the two elastic member bodies15A at a position separated away in the −Z direction from an XY plane along which the elastic member bodies15A extend, and has a flat plate shape extending from the base portions15C of the two elastic member bodies15A in the +X direction, i.e., the opposite direction to the pressing portions15D. The rotation operating portion15B is used to rotate the two elastic member bodies15A about a Y axis at a time.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the ring-like elastic member body15A is provided with a curved surface15E at its +Z directional edge and −Z directional edge.

FIG. 10illustrates the elastic member16corresponding to the two contacts13constituting the second row R2. As with the elastic member15, the elastic member16includes the two elastic member bodies16A arranged side by side in the Y direction and the one rotation operating portion16B joined to the two elastic member bodies16A. However, the positional relationship between the elastic member bodies16A and the rotation operating portion16B in the X direction is opposite to that of the elastic member15; the rotation operating portion16B is joined to the two elastic member bodies16A on the −X direction side. A distance between centers of the two elastic member bodies16A in the Y direction is set to be equal to a distance between centers of the two contacts13constituting the second row R2in the Y direction.

While each elastic member body16A has a similar configuration to that of the elastic member body15A of the elastic member15, a base portion16C is provided at the −X directional end of the elastic member body16A, and a pressing portion16D is provided at the +X directional end of the elastic member body16A. The elastic member body16A has the same external dimension D2in the X direction and the same external dimension D2Y in the Y direction as those of the elastic member body15A of the elastic member15.

The rotation operating portion16B joined to the base portions16C of the two elastic member bodies16A extends in the Y direction across the two elastic member bodies16A at a position separated away in the −Z direction from an XY plane along which the elastic member bodies16A extend, and has a flat plate shape extending from the base portions16C of the two elastic member bodies16A in the −X direction, i.e., the opposite direction to the pressing portions16D. The rotation operating portion16B is used to rotate the two elastic member bodies16A about a Y axis at a time.

As with the elastic member body15A of the elastic member15, the ring-like elastic member body16A is provided with a curved surface16E at its +Z directional edge and −Z directional edge.

For connecting the connector11to the plurality of flexible conductors21, first, the projection portions13A of the four contacts13are inserted into the four contact through-holes12B of the first insulator12. At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 11, the flanges13B of the four contacts13are exposed on the surface12C of the first insulator12, which surface12C faces in the −Z direction.

Next, the four flexible conductors21are disposed on the surface12C of the first insulator such that the contact portions21A of the flexible conductors21are separately situated on the elastic member body-accommodating portions13C of recess shape of the corresponding contacts13. At this time, to the elastic member body-accommodating portions13C of the two contacts13constituting the first row R1, the corresponding flexible conductors21extend from the −X direction side in the +X direction, and the contact portions21A provided at the +X directional ends of the flexible conductors21are situated on the elastic member body-accommodating portions13C of the contacts13. Meanwhile, to the elastic member body-accommodating portions13C of the two contacts13constituting the second row R2, the corresponding flexible conductors21extend from the +X direction side in the −X direction, and the contact portions21A provided at the −X directional ends of the flexible conductors21are situated on the elastic member body-accommodating portions13C of the contacts13.

In this state, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the two elastic member bodies15A of the elastic member15are obliquely inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portions13C of the two contacts13constituting the first row R1, while the two elastic member bodies16A of the elastic member16are obliquely inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portions13C of the two contacts13constituting the second row R2.

As a result, as illustrated inFIG. 13, of each elastic member body15A of the elastic member15, only the pressing portion15D is inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the corresponding contact13arranged in the first row R1, the base portion15C protrudes on the −Z direction side of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C, and the rotation operating portion15B joined to the base portion15C obliquely projects from the surface12C of the first insulator12on the −Z direction side. Accordingly, the pressing portion15D is not elastically displaced with respect to the base portion15C, and the external dimension D2of the elastic member body15A is maintained.

In addition, the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21disposed on the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13is pushed by the pressing portion15D of the elastic member body15A to bend in the +Z direction and is inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13. The contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21comes into contact with the pressing portion15D of the elastic member body15A and is disposed to be sandwiched between the pressing portion15D of the elastic member body15A and the conductor-contact portion13D of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C. At this time, the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21is pushed in the +Z direction by the pressing portion15D of the elastic member body15A of the elastic member15and inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13, while bending in the +Z direction without being rubbed by the pressing portion15D.

Although not illustrated, similarly, of each elastic member body16A of the elastic member16, only the pressing portion16D is inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the corresponding contact13arranged in the second row R2, the base portion16C protrudes on the −Z direction side of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C, and the rotation operating portion16B joined to the base portion16C obliquely projects from the surface12C of the first insulator12on the −Z direction side. Accordingly, the pressing portion16D is not elastically displaced, and the external dimension D2of the elastic member body16A is maintained.

In addition, the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21disposed on the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13bends in the +Z direction, is inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13and is disposed to be sandwiched between the pressing portion16D of the elastic member body16A and the conductor-contact portion13D of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C. At this time, the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21is pushed in the +Z direction by the pressing portion16D of the elastic member body16A of the elastic member16and inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13, while bending in the +Z direction without being rubbed by the pressing portion16D.

Next, by operating the rotation operating portions15B and16B obliquely projecting from the surface12C of the first insulator12on the −Z direction side, the elastic members15and16are rotated until the rotation operating portions15B and16B become parallel to the surface12C of the first insulator12, as illustrated inFIG. 14.

As illustrated inFIG. 15, the elastic member15is rotated about the pressing portion15D which is in contact with the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13arranged in the first row R1. Meanwhile, since the curved surface15E is provided at an edge of the elastic member body15A situated at the +Z directional end of the base portion15C, the pressing portion15D is elastically displaced as the elastic member15is rotated, and the base portion15C of the elastic member body15A is inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13.

When the elastic member15is rotated until the rotation operating portion15B becomes parallel to the surface12C of the first insulator12in this manner, the base portion15C of the elastic member body15A comes into contact with the elastic member-contact portion13E of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13, and the pressing portion15D that has been elastically displaced presses the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21against the conductor-contact portion13D of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13. As a result, each contact13arranged in the first row R1is electrically connected to the corresponding flexible conductor21.

In this process, the pressing portion15D of the elastic member body15A is elastically displaced in the +X direction by a displacement amount of ΔD2, whereby the external dimension of the elastic member body15A in the X direction turns to be an external dimension D3that is equal to a value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the flexible conductor21from the inside diameter D1of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13.

Although not illustrated, similarly, the elastic member16is rotated about the pressing portion16D which is in contact with the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13arranged in the second row R2, and while the pressing portion16D is elastically displaced, the base portion16C of the elastic member body16A is inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13.

When the elastic member16is rotated until the rotation operating portion16B becomes parallel to the surface12C of the first insulator12, the base portion16C of the elastic member body16A comes into contact with the elastic member-contact portion13E of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13, and the pressing portion16D that has been elastically displaced presses the contact portion21A of the flexible conductor21against the conductor-contact portion13D of the elastic member body-accommodating portion13C of the contact13. As a result, each contact13arranged in the second row R2is electrically connected to the corresponding flexible conductor21.

Even when the elastic members15and16are separately rotated through operations of the rotation operating portions15B and16B, the elastic members15and16respectively rotate about the pressing portions15D and16D which are in contact with the contact portions21A of the flexible conductors21inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portions13C of the corresponding contacts13, and therefore the contact portions21A of the flexible conductors21would not be rubbed by the pressing portions15D and16D.

Subsequently, the two fixing posts14F of the second insulator14are inserted into the two post accommodating portions12D of the first insulator12, and the first insulator12and the second insulator14are adhered to each other with an adhesive, with the flexible conductors21being sandwiched therebetween, such that the surface12C, on the −Z direction side, of the first insulator12and the surface14, facing in the +Z direction, of the flat plate portion14A of the second insulator14oppose each other, whereby connection of the connector11to the flexible conductors21is completed.

At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 16, the rotation operating portion15B of the elastic member15is accommodated in the elastic member-corresponding recess14C formed in the second insulator14, and the flexible conductor21connected to the contact13arranged in the first row R1is accommodated in the conductor accommodating groove14E formed in the second insulator14so as to be communicated with the elastic member-corresponding recess14C.

Although not illustrated, similarly, the rotation operating portion16B of the elastic member16is accommodated in the elastic member-corresponding recess14D formed in the second insulator14, and the flexible conductor21connected to the contact13arranged in the second row R2is accommodated in the conductor accommodating groove14E formed in the second insulator14so as to be communicated with the elastic member-corresponding recess14C.

Here, both when the elastic members15and16are obliquely disposed with respect to the contacts13and when the elastic members15and16are rotated through operations of the rotation operating portions15B and16B, the contact portions21A of the flexible conductors21are not rubbed by the pressing portions15D and16D, and the flexible conductors21are hence prevented from being damaged, whereby reliability of electrical connection between the flexible conductors21and the contacts13can be ensured.

In Embodiment 1 described above, the elastic member15includes two elastic member bodies15A to correspond to the two contacts13constituting the first row R1, and the elastic member16includes two elastic member bodies16A to correspond to the two contacts13constituting the second row R2. However, this is not the sole case, and as shown inFIG. 17, an elastic member17corresponding to a single contact13may also be used.

The elastic member17includes a single elastic member body17A and a single rotation operating portion17B joined to the elastic member body17A. The elastic member body17A has the same configuration as that of the elastic member body15A of the elastic member15and that of the elastic member body16A of the elastic member16, and the rotation operating portion17B also has the same configuration as that of the rotation operating portion15B of the elastic member15and that of the rotation operating portion16B of the elastic member16.

With use of four elastic members17, the connector11can be similarly connected to a plurality of flexible conductors21.

Meanwhile, when the elastic members15and16respectively including the two elastic member bodies15A and the two elastic member bodies16A are used, two contacts13can be connected to two flexible conductors21at a time through a single operation of the rotation operating portions15B and16B, thereby enabling efficient connection of the connector11to a plurality of flexible conductors21.

In Embodiment 1 described above, the connector11includes four contacts13, but this is not the sole case. The present invention can be applied to a connector having one or more contacts13.

When a connector includes three or more contacts13that are aligned in a straight line, an elastic member in which three or more elastic member bodies corresponding to the three or more contacts13are joined to a single rotation operating portion can be used.

In Embodiment 1 described above, the elastic member bodies15A and16A of the elastic members15and16have a ring-like shape. Meanwhile, it is only required that the pressing portions15D and16D are elastically displaceable in the X direction, and the use may be made of, for instance, an elastic member18including an elastic member body18A having a C shape as illustrated inFIG. 18, or an elastic member19including an elastic member body19A having a flat plate shape as illustrated inFIG. 19.

Moreover, in Embodiment 1 described above, the flexible conductor21is not supported by, for instance, an insulating substrate body but is independently disposed between the pressing portion15D or16D of the elastic member15or16and the conductor-contact portion13D of the contact13, but this is not the sole case. The connector of the present invention can be connected to the flexible conductor21disposed to be exposed on a front surface of a substrate body made of an insulating material. Meanwhile, in order to electrically connect the contact13to the flexible conductor21, it is required to dispose the flexible conductor21such that the flexible conductor21faces the conductor-contact portion13D of the contact13and that a rear surface of the substrate body made of an insulating material faces the pressing portion15D or16D of the elastic member15or16.

FIGS. 20 to 22illustrate a connector31according to Embodiment 2. As with the connector11of Embodiment 1, the connector31is used as, for example, a garment-side connector portion for fitting a wearable device, and is mounted on a flexible substrate41.

The connector31includes a contact unit51disposed on a surface of the flexible substrate41and having a plurality of contacts33, and a second insulator34that faces the contact unit51with the flexible substrate41being sandwiched therebetween.

The flexible substrate41includes a sheet-like substrate body42made of an insulating material, the substrate body42has a front surface42A facing in the +Z direction and a rear surface42B facing in the −Z direction. A plurality of flexible conductors43are disposed to be exposed on the front surface42A of the substrate body42. The plurality of flexible conductors43are, for instance, band-like or yarn-like conductors formed of conductive fibers, extend in the X direction and are arranged in parallel to each other in the Y direction.

The flexible conductors43may be made of conductive paste applied onto the front surface42A of the substrate body42by printing or another method.

The contact unit51constitutes a contact member in Embodiment 2 and is disposed on and projects from the front surface42A of the substrate body42of the flexible substrate41.

For convenience, the front surface42A of the substrate body42of the flexible substrate41is defined as extending along an XY plane, and the direction in which the contact unit51projects is referred to as “+Z direction.”

FIGS. 23 and 24illustrate assembly views of the connector31. The flexible substrate41is disposed on the −Z direction side of the contact unit51. The flexible substrate41is provided with a cut44. The cut44has a substantially U shape extending linearly in the Y direction and slightly extending in the +X direction from each of the +Y and −Y directional ends thereof. On the front surface42A of the substrate body42, the plurality of flexible conductors43are disposed in parallel to each other on the +X direction side of the cut44. The −X directional end of each flexible conductor43reaches the cut44and forms a contact portion45that is bendable.

An elastic member35is disposed on the −Z direction side of the flexible substrate41, and a second insulator34is disposed on the −Z direction side of the elastic member35.

The elastic member35is used to electrically connect the contact portions45of the flexible conductors43to the corresponding contacts33of the contact unit51.

The second insulator34is made of an insulating resin and has a flat plate shape, and an elastic member-corresponding recess34B is formed in a surface34A of the second insulator34, which surface34A faces in the +Z direction.

As illustrated inFIGS. 25 and 26, the contact unit51is configured such that the plurality of contacts33aligned in the Y direction are held by a contact-insulator52.

Each of the contacts33is a plug-type contact formed of a conductive material such as metal, is to be connected to a corresponding contact of a counter-connector that is not shown, and has a flat plate shape extending in the Z direction as illustrated inFIG. 27. More specifically, the contact33includes a contact portion33A formed at the +X directional edge face on the +Z directional end side, and a conductor-contact portion33B formed at the −X directional edge face on the −Z directional end side.

The contacts33are held by the contact-insulator52with the contact portions33A and the conductor-contact portions33B being exposed.

The contact-insulator52includes an elastic member-contact portion52A extending along a YZ plane to face the conductor-contact portions33B of the contacts33, and an elastic member body-accommodating portion53of recess shape extending in the Y direction and opening toward the −Z direction is formed between the conductor-contact portions33B of the contacts33and the elastic member-contact portion52A of the contact-insulator52facing each other. The elastic member body-accommodating portion53has a width W1in the X direction at the −Z directional end.

As illustrated inFIG. 26, in the contact-insulator52, a pair of recess-shaped guide receiving portions54are formed separately on the +Y direction side further from the +Y directional end of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53and on the −Y direction side further from the −Y directional end of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53.

The elastic member35is formed of an elastically deformable resin or metal and includes an elastic member body35A and a rotation operating portion356joined to the elastic member body35A as illustrated inFIGS. 28 to 30.

The elastic member body35A includes a plurality of elastic pieces35C of cantilever shape that are joined to the rotation operating portion35B and are aligned in the Y direction. Each elastic piece35C is provided, at its base end part, with a base portion35D joined to the rotation operating portion35B; the elastic piece35is shaped to rise from the base portion35D toward the +Z direction and the +X direction and bend in the −Z direction as curving at the apex of the rising.

The elastic piece35C is provided, at its tip end part forming a free end of a cantilever, with a pressing portion35E that is elastically displaceable in the X direction (predetermined direction) with respect to the base portion35D and that projects in the +X direction.

The pressing portion35E presses the contact portion45of the flexible conductor43against the conductor-contact portion33B of the corresponding contact33of the contact unit51to electrically connect the flexible conductor43to the contact33.

The rotation operating portion35B is joined to the base portions35D of the plurality of elastic pieces35C of the elastic member body35A and has a flat plate shape extending in the Y direction and in the −X direction, i.e., on the opposite side to the pressing portions35E of the elastic pieces35C. The rotation operating portion35B is used to rotate the plurality of elastic pieces35C about a Y axis at a time.

A pair of guide portions35F projecting in the +X direction are separately joined to the −Y directional end and the +Y directional end of the rotation operating portion35B. The elastic pieces35C aligned in the Y direction are disposed between the pair of guide portions35F.

As illustrated inFIG. 31, each elastic piece35C has a width W2in the X direction from the base portion35D to the pressing portion35E. The width W2of the elastic piece35C in the X direction is set to be larger than a value obtained by subtracting a thickness of the flexible conductor43from the width W1in the X direction of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53formed in the contact unit51.

In addition, a curved surface35G is formed at the +Z directional end of the base portion35D of the elastic piece35C.

The elastic member body35A is to be accommodated in the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51and has a Y directional length slightly shorter than a Y directional length of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51.

The pair of guide portions35F of the elastic member35have a size and an interval therebetween corresponding to the pair of recess-shaped guide receiving portions54of the contact unit51, and the substantially U-shaped cut44of the flexible substrate41also has a size corresponding to the pair of guide portions35F of the elastic member35and the pair of recess-shaped guide receiving portions54of the contact unit51.

In addition, the plurality of elastic pieces35C have a height dimension in the Z direction smaller than a depth dimension in the Z direction of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53so as not to abut a ceiling portion of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53when the elastic member body35A is accommodated in the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51.

For mounting the connector31on the flexible substrate41, first, as illustrated inFIG. 32, the contact unit51is disposed on the front surface42A of the substrate body42of the flexible substrate41. At this time, the contact unit51is disposed on the plurality of flexible conductors43immediately above the cut44of the flexible substrate41.

Then, as illustrated inFIG. 33, the elastic member35is moved from the −Z direction toward the cut44in the rear surface42B of the substrate body42of the flexible substrate41, and as illustrated inFIG. 34, the elastic member35is obliquely inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51through the cut44.

As a result, as illustrated inFIG. 35, of the elastic member body35A of the elastic member35, the pressing portions35E of the plurality of elastic pieces35C are inserted in the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51, while the base portions35D of the elastic pieces35C protrude on the −Z direction side of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53, and the rotation operating portion35B joined to the base portions35D obliquely projects on the −Z direction side from the rear surface42B of the substrate body42of the flexible substrate41. Accordingly, the pressing portion35E of each elastic piece35C is not elastically displaced with respect to the base portion35D, and hence the width W2of the elastic piece35C is maintained.

Further, the contact portions45of the plurality of flexible conductors43disposed on the +X direction side of the cut44of the flexible substrate41are pushed by the elastic pieces35C of the elastic member body35A to bend in the +Z direction and are inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51. The contact portions45of the flexible conductors43come into contact with the pressing portions35E of the elastic pieces35C of the elastic member body35A and are disposed to be sandwiched between the pressing portions35E of the plurality of elastic pieces35C and the conductor-contact portions33B of the plurality of contacts33of the contact unit51. At this time, the contact portions45of the flexible conductors43are pushed in the +Z direction by the pressing portions35E of the corresponding elastic pieces35C of the elastic member35and are inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51; the contact portions45bend in the +Z direction without being rubbed by the pressing portions35E.

At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 36, while the +X directional ends of the pair of guide portions35F of the elastic member35are inserted into the pair of recess-shaped guide receiving portions54of the contact unit51through the cut44, the −X directional ends of the pair of guide portions35F protrude on the −Z direction side of the pair of recess-shaped guide receiving portions54.

Subsequently, the rotation operating portion35B obliquely projecting on the −Z direction side from the rear surface42B of the substrate body42of the flexible substrate41is operated to rotate the elastic member35until the rotation operating portion35B becomes parallel to the rear surface42B of the substrate body42of the flexible substrate41as illustrated inFIG. 37.

As illustrated inFIG. 38, the elastic member35is rotated about the pressing portions35E of the elastic pieces35C, which pressing portions35E are in contact with the contact portions45of the flexible conductors43inserted in the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51. In the meantime, since the curved surface35G is formed at the +Z directional end of the base portion35D of each of the elastic pieces35C, the base portions35D of the elastic pieces35C are inserted into the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51with the pressing portions35E of the elastic pieces35C being elastically displaced as the elastic member35is rotated.

When the elastic member35is rotated until the rotation operating portion35B becomes parallel to the rear surface42B of the substrate body42of the flexible substrate41in this manner, the base portions35D of the elastic pieces35C come into contact with the elastic member-contact portion52A of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51, and the pressing portions35E of the elastic pieces35C that have been elastically displaced press the contact portions45of the flexible conductors43against the conductor-contact portions33B of the contacts33of the contact unit51. As a result, the plurality of contacts33are electrically connected to the plurality of flexible conductors43.

At this time, of each elastic piece35C of the elastic member body35A, the pressing portion35E is elastically displaced in the −X direction by a displacement amount ΔW2, whereby the width of the elastic piece35C in the X direction turns to be a width W3that is equal to a value obtained by subtracting the thickness of the flexible conductor43from the width W1in the X direction of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53formed in the contact unit51.

When the elastic member35is rotated through the operation of the rotation operating portion35B, the contact portion45of each of the flexible conductors43is also prevented from being rubbed by the pressing portion35E of the corresponding elastic piece35C since the elastic member35is rotated about the pressing portions35E of the elastic pieces35C, which pressing portions35E are in contact with the contact portions45of the flexible conductors43inserted in the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51.

Thereafter, as illustrated inFIG. 39, the surface34A of the second insulator34, which surface34A faces in the +Z direction, is adhered to the rear surface42B of the substrate body42of the flexible substrate41with an adhesive. Meanwhile, the flexible substrate41and the contact unit51are also adhered to each other with an adhesive. Accordingly, the process of mounting the connector31on the flexible substrate41is completed.

In this process, the rotation operating portion35B of the elastic member35is accommodated in the elastic member-corresponding recess34B formed in the surface34A of the second insulator14.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 40, the pair of guide portions35F of the elastic member35are accommodated in the pair of recess-shaped guide receiving portions54of the contact unit51.

Both when the elastic member35is obliquely disposed with respect to the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51and when the elastic member35is rotated through the operation of the rotation operating portion35B, the contact portions45of the flexible conductors43are not rubbed by the pressing portions35E of the elastic pieces35C of the elastic member35, and accordingly, the flexible conductors43are prevented from being damaged, whereby reliability of electrical connection between the plurality of flexible conductors43and the plurality of contacts33of the contact unit51can be ensured.

In Embodiment 2, since the pair of guide portions35F of the elastic member35are accommodated in the pair of recess-shaped guide receiving portions54of the contact unit51as illustrated inFIG. 40, the position of the elastic member body35A of the elastic member35when accommodated in the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51is regulated. It is therefore possible to prevent damage to the elastic pieces35C that may be caused if the elastic member body35A of the elastic member35is inserted too far into the elastic member body-accommodating portion53of the contact unit51, and the elastic pieces35C abut the ceiling portion of the elastic member body-accommodating portion53.

According to Embodiment 2, with use of the single elastic member35, the plurality of contacts33of the contact unit51are electrically connected to the plurality of flexible conductors43of the flexible substrate41, thereby enabling to realize a multi-core connector31.

In Embodiment 2 described above, the plurality of contacts33of the contact unit51are aligned in one row, but this is not the sole case. For instance, the plurality of contacts33may be arranged in two rows, and with use of two elastic members35, the contacts33in the respective rows may be electrically connected to the corresponding flexible conductors43.

In Embodiment 2 described above, the connector31is mounted on the flexible substrate41in which the flexible conductors43are supported by the insulating substrate body42, but this is not the sole case. It is also possible to configure a connector to be connected to the flexible conductors43that are not supported by an insulating substrate body but are independently disposed between the pressing portions35E of the elastic pieces35C of the elastic member35and the conductor-contact portions33B of the contacts33of the contact unit51.

While the plug-type contacts13,33are used in the Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, this is not the sole case. It is also possible to similarly configure a connector in which receptacle-type contacts are connected to the flexible conductors21,43.