Patent Publication Number: US-10333240-B2

Title: Connector assembly for electrically connecting circuit boards

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2017-060862, filed Mar. 27, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a connector assembly. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A connector for electrically connecting circuit boards together is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. The connector includes a plug contact soldered to a circuit board and a receptacle contact, and is configured such that the plug contact is fitted between a pair of contact pieces provided on the receptacle contact. In Patent Document 1, the plug contact is configured such that the plug contact is allowed to move in the direction (longitudinal direction) in which the pair of contact pieces is not provided while making contact with the pair of contact pieces. In addition, the plug contact has a cylindrical shape, configured so as to allow movement toward the rotational direction while making contact with the pair of contact pieces. 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2013-114933 A 
     SUMMARY 
     There is a need for further improvement of the allowable range for the displacement of a circuit board that is electrically connected via a connector. 
     One of the advantages of the present disclosure is that it proposes a connector assembly that allows positional displacement in multiple directions. 
     The connector assembly proposed by the present disclosure is a connector assembly including a first connector, a second connector opposing the first connector, and a relay conductor that is held by the first connector and the second connector and allows conduction between the first connector and the second connector; wherein the first connector preferably includes a pair of terminals that clamp the relay conductor so that movement of the relay conductor in a first direction, which is a relative moving direction with respect to the second connector, is allowed; and wherein the second connector preferably includes a pair of terminals that clamp the relay conductor so that movement of the relay conductor in a second direction, which is a relative moving direction with respect to the first connector and intersects the first direction, is allowed. This connector assembly can allow positional displacement of the circuit board, on which the connector assembly is attached, in the first direction and the second direction, and suppress a load from being placed on these circuit boards if positional displacement occurs. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay conductor preferably includes a first surface opposing the first connector, a second surface opposing the second connector, and a side surface for connecting the first surface and the second surface; wherein the pair of terminals of the first connector preferably includes holding parts that are supported by a base part and on which edges are respectively formed along the first direction extending through between the first surface and the second surface of the relay conductor, and the edges preferably conductively clamp the side surface of the relay conductor so as to conduct with the relay conductor; and wherein the pair of terminals of the second connector preferably includes holding parts that are supported by a base part and on which edges are respectively formed along the second direction extending through between the first surface and the second surface of the relay conductor, and the edges preferably conductively clamp the side surface of the relay conductor so as to conduct with the relay conductor. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the holding parts provided on the pair of terminals of the first connector preferably includes clamping pieces that extend to the other terminal, with the edge capable of being formed on this clamping piece; and each of the holding parts provided on the pair of terminals of the second connector preferably includes clamping pieces extending to the other terminal, with the edge capable of being formed on this clamping piece. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay conductor preferably includes a retaining part that protrudes from the side surface, the side surface that is nearer the second connector side than the retaining part of the relay conductor is preferably held on the holding parts of the first connector, and the side surface that is nearer the first connector side than the retaining part of the relay conductor is preferably held on the holding parts of the second connector. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a gap is preferably provided at least either between the first surface of the relay conductor and the base part of the first connector or between the second surface of the relay conductor and the base part of the second connector. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the retaining part preferably has inclined surfaces on which, when the first connector and the second connector are spaced apart from each other, they slide to the edge of the second connector following the side surface of the first connector, along with an abutting surface that protrudes from the side surface on the second connector side and on which the clamping piece of the first connector is locked. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a gap is preferably provided at least either between the first surface of the relay conductor and the base part of the first connector or between the second surface of the relay conductor and the base part of the second connector. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay conductor preferably has a disk shape and the region that is clamped between and makes contact with a pair of edges on the side surface preferably has a continuous, identical radius curved surface. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the holding parts of the first connector preferably include a pair of regulating parts for regulating the movable range of the relay conductor in the first direction. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the holding parts of the second connector preferably include a pair of regulating parts for regulating the movable range of the relay conductor in the second direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the state in which a relay conductor is held by a first connector. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the connector assembly according to the present embodiment is assembled. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the connector assembly according to the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line V-V in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line VI-VI in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Connector assembly  100  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as “the present embodiment”) will now be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the state in which a relay conductor is held by a first connector.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the relay conductor is further held by a second connector from the state in  FIG. 2 . That is,  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the connector assembly is assembled.  FIG. 4  is a top view of the connector assembly according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line V-V in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line VI-VI in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the following description, as illustrated in each drawing, the X-axis direction shall be the relative moving direction of first connector  20  with respect to second connector
         and the direction that second connector  30  sandwiches relay conductor  10  with a pair of holding parts  322 ,  332 . In addition, the Y-axis direction shall be the relative moving direction of second connector  30  with respect to first connector  20  and the direction that first connector  20  sandwiches relay conductor  10  with a pair of holding parts  222 ,  232 . In addition, the Z-axis direction shall be the center axis direction (vertical direction) of relay conductor  10 . In addition, the arrowed direction in the drawings shall be the positive direction of each axis, while the opposite direction of the positive direction shall be the negative direction.       

     Connector assembly  100  includes relay conductor  10 , first connector  20 , and second connector  30 . Connector assembly  100  electrically connects the circuit board on which first connector  20  is attached with the circuit board on which second connector  30  is attached, via relay conductor  10  that makes contact with a pair of terminals  22 ,  23  provided on first connector  20  and a pair of connectors  32 ,  33  provided on second connector  30 . In addition, in the present embodiment, first connector  20  and second connector  30  are attachably and detachably provided in the Z-axis direction with respect to relay conductor  10 . 
     A configuration overview of each member provided on connector assembly  100  will be described with reference to mainly  FIG. 1 . 
     Relay conductor  10  is preferably a conductive member, for example, metals such as brass and aluminum, or carbon, and the like. Relay conductor  10  is preferably, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a disk shape that includes lower surface  11 , upper surface  12 , and a side surface  13  for connecting lower surface  11  and upper surface  12 . Relay conductor  10  preferably includes retaining part  14  on side surface  13 , which protrudes radially outwardly. 
     First connector  20  preferably includes flat plate part  21 , a pair of terminals  22 ,  23 , and a pair of soldering parts  24 ,  25 . Terminal  22  preferably includes elastic portion  221  that bends from plate part  21  as a base part and extends in the generally vertical direction (Z-axis positive direction in the drawing) with respect to flat plate part  21 , along with holding part  222  provided at the front end of elastic portion  221 . Likewise, terminal  23  preferably includes elastic portion  231  that bends from plate part  21  and extends in the generally vertical direction (Z-axis positive direction in the drawing) with respect to flat plate part  21 , along with holding part  232  provided at the front end of elastic portion  231 . In addition, first connector  20  preferably includes soldering parts  24 ,  25  that are soldered to a circuit board (not illustrated) external to connector assembly  100  and extend from flat plate part  21 . Although not illustrated in the drawing, the circuit board is preferably provided so as to make face to face contact with the lower surface (the surface opposing the direction in which terminals  22 ,  23  extend) of flat plate part  21 . However, the method for attaching first connector  20  to the circuit board is not limited to soldering and may be any method in which first connector  20  is fixed to the circuit board. 
     Second connector  30  preferably includes flat plate part  31 , a pair of terminals  32 ,  33 , and a pair of soldering parts  34 ,  35 . Terminal  32  preferably includes elastic portion  321  that bends from plate part  31  serving as a base part and extends in the generally vertical direction (Z-axis negative direction in the drawing) with respect to flat plate part  31 , along with holding part  322  provided at the front end of elastic portion  322 . Likewise, terminal  33  preferably includes elastic portion  331  that bends from plate part  31  and extends in the generally vertical direction (Z-axis negative direction in the drawing) with respect to flat plate part  31 , along with holding part  332  provided at the front end of elastic portion  331 . In addition, second connector  30  preferably includes soldering parts  34 ,  35  that are soldered to a circuit board (not illustrated) external to connector assembly  100  and extend from flat plate part  31 . Although not illustrated in the drawing, the circuit board is preferably provided so as to make face to face contact with the lower surface (the surface opposing the direction in which terminals  32 ,  33  extend) of flat plate part  31 . However, the method for attaching second connector  30  to the circuit board is not limited to soldering and may be any method in which second connector  30  is fixed to the circuit board. 
     The present embodiment is disclosed in a manner such that terminals  22 ,  23  of first connector  20 , flat plate part  21  as a base part, and soldering parts  24 ,  25  are formed integrally from a metal plate. However, it is not limited thereto, and for example, terminals  22 ,  23  and soldering parts  24 ,  25  may be integrally formed from a metal plate, flat plate part  21  as a base part may be molded from a resin, and flat plate part  21  may integrally support formed terminals  22 ,  23  and soldering parts  24 ,  25 . Likewise, with regard to second connector  30 , terminals  32 ,  33  and soldering parts  34 ,  35  are preferably integrally formed from a metal plate, flat plate part  31  as a base part is preferably molded from a resin, and flat plate part  31  preferably supports integrally formed terminals  32 ,  33  and soldering parts  34 ,  35 . 
     Next, a holding structure of first connector  20  that holds relay conductor  10  will be described with reference to mainly  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 . 
     First connector  20  is arranged on the lower surface  11  side of relay conductor  10 . First connector  20  clamps relay conductor  10  with holding part  222  of terminal  22  and holding part  232  of terminal  23 . Each of elastic portion  221  of terminal  22  and elastic portion  231  of terminal  23  preferably has elasticity. Because elastic part  221  of terminal  22  and elastic portion  231  of terminal  23  have elasticity, relay conductor  10  is elastically held with holding part  222  of terminal  22  and holding part  232  of terminal  23 . 
     By elastically clamping relay conductor  10  with holding part  222  and holding part  232 , it receives an elastic force that acts in the Y-axis negative direction from holding part  222  and receives an elastic force that acts in the Y-axis positive direction from holding part  232 . Accordingly, holding part  222  receives an opposing force that acts in the Y-axis positive direction from relay conductor  10 , while holding part  232  receives an opposing force that acts in the Y-axis negative direction from relay conductor  10 . These opposing forces are canceled out in the Y-axis direction when relay conductor  10  is in a stationary state. Therefore, any load due to first connector  20  elastically holding relay conductor  10  is not applied to the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , holding part  222  includes clamping piece  222   d  extending toward the holding part  232  side, along with edge  222   b  that is formed at the front end of clamping piece  222   d  and makes contact with relay conductor  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , assuming that the amount of outward protrusion in the radial direction of retaining part  14  is l 1  and the length of clamping piece  222   d  is l 2 , l 1  is preferably made smaller than l 2 . Making l 1  smaller than l 2  results in a space between retaining part  14  and elastic portion  221  of terminal  22 , preventing retaining part  14  from interfering with elastic portion  221 . Likewise, holding part  232  includes clamping piece  232   d  extending toward holding part  222  side, along with edge  232   b  that is formed at the front end of clamping piece  232   d  and makes contact with relay conductor  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , assuming that the amount of outward protrusion in the radial direction of retaining part  14  is l 1  and the length of clamping piece  232   d  is l 3 , l 1  is preferably made smaller than l 3 . Making l 1  smaller than l 3  results in a space between retaining part  14  and elastic portion  231  of terminal  23 , preventing retaining part  14  from interfering with elastic portion  231 . 
     Edges  222   b ,  232   b  of holding parts  222 ,  232  that make contact with relay conductor  10  preferably have a linear form extending in the X-axis direction, in a planar view. In addition, edges  222   b ,  232   b  preferably make contact with side surface  13  of relay conductor  10  in a planar shape or in an edge shape in which the plate thickness is reduced by inclined surfaces  222   c ,  232   c , in a side view. According to such a configuration, relay conductor  10  that is elastically clamped between holding part  222  and holding part  232  is allowed to relatively move in the X-axis direction with respect to first connector  20  along edges  222   b ,  232   b.    
     In addition, holding part  222  preferably includes a pair of regulating parts  222   a  that regulate the range of movement of relay conductor  10  in the X-axis direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , regulating parts  222   a  are preferably protrusions that protrude in the Y-axis negative direction at both ends in the X-axis direction of holding part  222 . Likewise, holding part  231  preferably includes a pair of regulating parts  232   a  that regulate the range of movement of relay conductor  10  in the X-axis direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , regulating parts  232   a  are preferably protrusions that protrude in the Y-axis positive direction at both ends in the X-axis direction of holding part  232 . When relay conductor  10  relatively moves in the X-axis direction with respect to first connector  20 , part of side surface  13  of relay conductor  10  abuts against regulating part  222   a  and regulating part  232   a . As a result, relay conductor  10  is suppressed from separating from the first connector in the X-axis direction. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , relay conductor  10  is preferably elastically clamped between a pair of holding parts  222 ,  232  such that there is a space in the Z-axis direction between lower surface  11  of relay conductor  10  and flat plate part  21  of first connector  20 . Specifically, assuming that the distance in the Z-axis direction between abutting surface  14   b  as described below and lower surface  11  is L 1  and the distance between edge  222   b  and flat plate part  21  of first connector  20  is L 2 , L 1  is preferably made smaller than L 2 . Likewise, assuming that the distance between edge  232   b  and flat plate part  21  of first connector  20  is L 3 , L 1  is preferably made smaller than L 3 . Making L 1  smaller than L 2  and L 1  smaller than L 3  results in a space in the Z-axis direction at least either between lower surface  11  and flat plate part  21  or between edges  222   b ,  232   b  and abutting surface  14   b . According to such a configuration, relay conductor  10  is allowed to relatively move in the Z-axis direction with respect to first connector  20 . 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , relay conductor  10  is preferably elastically clamped between a pair of holding parts  222 ,  232  on side surface  13   a  above (in the Z-axis positive direction side) retaining part  14 . According to such a configuration, when relay conductor  10  relatively moves in the Z-axis positive direction with respect to first connector  20 , holding parts  222 ,  232  are caught on retaining part  14 . As a result, relay conductor  10  is suppressed from easily separating from first connector  20 . However, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , retaining part  14  preferably includes abutting surface  14   b  that, when relay conductor  10  relatively moves in the Z-axis positive direction with respect to first connector  20 , makes face to face contact with corner parts  222   e ,  232   e  formed on the side opposite retaining part  14  in clamping pieces  222   d ,  232   d . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , according to a configuration in which, when relay conductor  10  relatively moves in the Z-axis positive direction with respect to first connector  20 , corner parts  222   e ,  232   e  fit into a corner that is formed with side surface  13   a  and abutting surface  14   b  and abut abutting surface  14   b , relay conductor  10  is further suppressed from easily separating from first connector  20 . 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, relay conductor  10  has a disk shape, with the side surface  13   a  thereof having a curved surface with a constant curvature. On the other hand, the region that makes contact with relay conductor  10  in holding parts  222 ,  232  of first connector  20  is linear edges  222   b ,  232   b , in a planar view. According to such a configuration, relay conductor  10  is able to rotate about the center axis of relay conductor  10  as the axis of rotation while making side surface  13   a  of relay conductor  10  contact edges  222   b ,  232   b  of holding parts  222 ,  232 . That is, relay conductor  10  is elastically clamped between holding parts  222 ,  232  of first connector  20  such that making a relative movement in the rotational direction with respect to first connector  20  is allowed. 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, relay conductor  10  is elastically clamped between holding parts  222 ,  232  of first connector  20  such that relative movement in the X-axis direction, the Z-axis direction, and the rotational direction with respect to first connector  20  is allowed. As a result, positional displacement in the X-axis direction, the Z-axis direction, or the rotational direction between the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered is allowed. In addition, even if positional displacement occurs, no load is placed on the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered. 
     However, relay conductor  10  is not limited to a disk shape. The region of relay conductor  10  with which at least holding part  222  and holding part  232  make contact is preferably a curved surface. More specifically, the region of relay conductor  10  with which at least holding part  222  and holding part  232  contact is preferably a shape that follows a circular arc with the same distance from the center axis of relay conductor  10  in a planar view. According to such a configuration, relay conductor  10  is allowed to relatively move in the rotational direction with respect to first connector  20 . In addition, the planar shape of relay conductor  10  is preferably a rectangle shape. That is, relay conductor  10  is preferably a plane surface in which side surface  13  of the relay conductor is parallel to edge  222   a  of holding part  222  and edge  232   a  of holding part  232 . According to such a configuration, relay conductor  10  is allowed to relatively move at least in the X-axis direction with respect to first connector  20 . 
     Next, a holding structure of second connector  30  that holds relay conductor  10  will be described with reference to mainly  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 . 
     Second connector  30  is arranged on the upper surface  12  side of relay conductor  10 . Second connector  30  clamps relay conductor  10  with holding part  322  of terminal  32  and holding part  332  of terminal  33 . Each of elastic portion  321  of terminal  32  and elastic portion  331  of terminal  33  preferably has elasticity. Because elastic part  321  of terminal  32  and elastic portion  331  of terminal  33  have elasticity, relay conductor  10  is elastically held with holding part  322  of terminal  32  and holding part  332  of terminal  33 . 
     By elastically clamping relay conductor  10  with holding part  322  and holding part  332 , it receives an elastic force that acts in the X-axis negative direction from holding part  322  and receives an elastic force that acts in the X-axis positive direction from holding part  332 . Accordingly, holding part  322  receives an opposing force that acts in the X-axis positive direction from relay conductor  10 , while holding part  332  receives an opposing force that acts in the X-axis negative direction from relay conductor  10 . These opposing forces are canceled out in the X-axis direction when relay conductor  10  is in a stationary state. Therefore, no load due to second connector  30  elastically holding relay conductor  10  is placed on the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , holding part  322  includes clamping piece  322   d  extending toward the holding part  332  side, along with edge  322   b  that is formed at the front end of clamping piece  322   d  and makes contact with relay conductor  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , assuming that the amount of outward protrusion in the radial direction of retaining part  14  is l 1  and the length of clamping piece  322   d  is l 4 , l 1  is preferably made smaller than l 4 . Making l 1  smaller than l 4  results in a space between retaining part  14  and elastic portion  321  of terminal  32 , preventing retaining part  14  from interfering with elastic portion  321 . Likewise, holding part  332  includes clamping piece  332   d  extending toward the holding part  322  side, along with edge  332   b  that is formed at the front end of clamping piece  332   d  and makes contact with relay conductor  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , assuming that the amount of outward protrusion in the radial direction of retaining part  14  is l 1  and the length of clamping piece  332   d  is l 5 , l 1  is preferably made smaller than l 5 . Making l 1  smaller than l 5  results in a space between retaining part  14  and elastic portion  331  of terminal  33 , preventing retaining part  14  from interfering with elastic portion  331 . 
     Edges  322   b ,  332   b  of holding parts  322 ,  332  that make contact with relay conductor  10  preferably have a linear form extending in the Y-axis direction, in a planar view. In addition, edges  322   b ,  332   b  preferably make contact with side surface  13  of relay conductor  10  in a planar shape or in an edge shape in which the plate thickness is reduced by inclined surfaces  322   c ,  332   c , in a side view. According to such a configuration, relay conductor  10  that is elastically clamped between holding part  322  and holding part  332  is allowed to relatively move in the Y-axis direction with respect to second connector  30  along edges  322   b ,  332   b.    
     In addition, holding part  322 , like abovementioned holding part  222 , preferably includes a pair of regulating parts (not illustrated) that regulate the range of movement of relay conductor  10  in the Y-axis direction. The regulating parts of holding part  322  are preferably protrusions that protrude in the X-axis negative direction at both ends in the Y-axis direction of holding part  322 . Likewise, holding part  332  preferably includes a pair of regulating parts (not illustrated) that regulate the range of movement of relay conductor  10  in the Y-axis direction. The regulating parts of holding part  332  are preferably protrusions that protrude in the X-axis positive direction at both ends in the Y-axis direction of holding part  332 . When relay conductor  10  relatively moves in the Y-axis direction with respect to second connector  30 , part of side surface  13  of relay conductor  10  abuts against the regulating parts of holding part  322  and holding part  332 . As a result, relay conductor  10  is suppressed from separating from second connector  30  in the Y-axis direction. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , relay conductor  10  is preferably elastically clamped between a pair of holding parts  322 ,  332  such that there is a space in the Z-axis direction between upper surface  12  of relay conductor  10  and flat plate part  31  of second connector  30 . Specifically, assuming that the distance in the Z-axis direction between the part in inclined surface  14   a  that is nearest to holding part  322  and upper surface  12  is L 4  and the distance between edge  322   b  and flat plate part  31  of second connector  30  is L 5 , L 4  is preferably made smaller than L 5 . Likewise, assuming that the distance between edge  332   b  and flat plate part  31  of second connector  30  is L 6 , L 4  is preferably made smaller than L 6 . Making L 4  smaller than L 5  and L 4  smaller than L 6  results in a space in the Z-axis direction at least either between upper surface  12  and flat plate part  31  or between edges  322   b ,  332   b  and the part in inclined surface  14   a  that is nearest holding part  322 ,  332 . According to such a configuration, relay conductor  10  is allowed to relatively move in the Z-axis direction with respect to second connector  30 . 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , relay conductor  10  is preferably elastically clamped between a pair of holding parts  322 ,  332  on side surface  13   b  below (in the Z-axis negative direction side) retaining part  14 . According to such a configuration, when relay conductor  10  relatively moves in the Z-axis negative direction with respect to second connector  30 , holding parts  322 ,  332  are caught on retaining part  14 . As a result, relay conductor  10  is suppressed from easily separating from second connector  30 . 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, relay conductor  10  has a disk shape, with the side surface  13   b  thereof having a curved surface with a constant curvature. On the other hand, the region that makes contact with relay conductor  10  in holding parts  322 ,  332  of second connector  30  is linear edges  322   b ,  332   b , in a planar view. According to such a configuration, relay conductor  10  is able to rotate about the center axis of relay conductor  10  as the axis of rotation while making side surface  13   b  of relay conductor  10  contact edges  322   b ,  332   b  of holding parts  322 ,  332 . That is, relay conductor  10  is elastically clamped between holding parts  322 ,  332  of second connector  30  such that relative movement in the rotational direction with respect to second connector  30  is allowed. 
     Here, when the abovementioned side surface  13   a  and side surface  13   b  have a curved surface with a constant curvature, that is, they are formed with a predetermined radius, the width between the pair of edges can be different in first connector  20  and second connector  30  by making the radius of side surface  13   a  and the radius of side surface  13   b  different. Accordingly, the size of the connector can be changed depending on the location where first connector  20  and second connector  30  are installed. 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, relay conductor  10  is elastically clamped between holding parts  322 ,  332  of second connector  30  such that relative movement in the Y-axis direction, the Z-axis direction, and the rotational direction with respect to second connector  30  is allowed. As a result, positional displacement in the Y-axis direction, the Z-axis direction, or the rotational direction between the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered is allowed. In addition, even if positional displacement occurs, no load is placed on the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered. 
     However, relay conductor  10  is not limited to a disk shape. The region of relay conductor  10  with which at least holding part  322  and holding part  332  make contact may be a curved surface. More specifically, the region of relay conductor  10  with which at least holding part  322  and holding part  332  contact is preferably a shape that follows a circular arc with the same distance from the center axis of relay conductor  10  in a planar view. According to such a configuration, relay conductor  10  is allowed to relatively move in the rotational direction with respect to second connector  30 . In addition, the planar shape of relay conductor  10  may be a rectangle shape. That is, relay conductor  10  is preferably a plane surface in which side surface  13  of the relay conductor is parallel to edge  322   b  of holding part  322  and edge  332   b  of holding part  332 . According to such a configuration, the relay conductor is allowed to relatively move at least in the Y-axis direction with respect to second connector  30 . 
     Next, the attaching structure of first connector  20  to relay conductor  10  is described with reference to mainly  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 . By adopting the structure described below, first connector  20  can easily be attached to relay conductor  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , inclined surface  222   c  is preferably provided on holding part  222  of first connector  20 , while inclined surface  232   c  is preferably provided on holding part  232  of first connector  20 . Inclined surface  222   c ,  232   c  is preferably provided on the opposite side of retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10  in the Z-axis direction, in the state in which first connector  20  holds relay conductor  10 . 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , inclined surface  14   a  is preferably provided on retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10 . Inclined surface  14   a  is preferably provided on the opposite side of holding parts  222 ,  232  of first connector  20  in the Z-axis direction, in the state in which first connector  20  holds relay conductor  10 . 
     Relay conductor  10  is fitted into first connector  20  in the Z-axis direction such that relay conductor  10  is sandwiched between holding parts  222 ,  232  of first connector  20  from the state in which relay conductor  10  and first connector  20  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are spaced apart from each other. At this time, first, inclined surface  14   a  of relay conductor  10  makes contact with inclined surfaces  222   c ,  232   c  of first connector  20 . Then, once holding parts  222 ,  232  are pushed with relay conductor  10 , elastic part  221  of terminal  22  elastically deforms in the Y-axis positive direction, while elastic part  231  of terminal  23  elastically deforms in the Y-axis negative direction. In addition, inclined surface  14   a  of relay conductor  10  and inclined surfaces  222   c ,  232   c  of first connector  20  slide, and thereafter, holding part  222  and holding part  232  climb over retaining part  14 , thereby elastically holding side surface  13   a  above retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10 . Accordingly, because when first connector  20  is attached to relay conductor  10 , inclined surface  14   a  of relay conductor  10  and inclined surfaces  222   c ,  232   c  of first connector  20  slide, holding part  222  and holding part  232  are not caught on retaining part  14 , thereby allowing first connector  20  to be easily attached to relay conductor  10 . 
     Next, the attaching and detaching structure of second connector  30  to relay conductor  10  will be described with reference to mainly  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 6 . By adopting the structure described below, second connector  30  can easily be attached to and detached from relay conductor  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , inclined surface  322   c  is preferably provided on holding part  322  of second connector  30 , while inclined surface  332   c  is preferably provided on holding part  332  of second connector  30 . Inclined surface  322   c ,  332   c  is preferably provided on the opposite side of retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10  in the Z-axis direction, in the state in which second connector  30  holds relay conductor  10 . In addition, as described above, inclined surface  14   a  is preferably provided on retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10 . 
     Relay conductor  10  is fitted into second connector  30  in the Z-axis direction such that relay conductor  10  is sandwiched between holding parts  322 ,  332  of second connector  30  from the state in which relay conductor  10  and second connector  30  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are spaced apart from each other. At this time, first, abutting surface  14   b  of retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10  makes contact with inclined surfaces  322   c ,  332   c  of second connector  30 . Then, once holding parts  322 ,  332  are pushed with relay conductor  10 , elastic part  321  of terminal  32  elastically deforms in the X-axis positive direction, while elastic part  331  of terminal  33  elastically deforms in the X-axis negative direction. In addition, inclined surfaces  322   c ,  332   c  of second connector  30  slide with respect to retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10 , and thereafter, holding part  322  and holding part  332  climb over retaining part  14 , thereby elastically holding side surface  13   b  below retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10 . Accordingly, because when second connector  30  is attached to relay conductor  10 , inclined surfaces  322   c ,  332   c  of second connector  30  slide with respect to retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10 , holding part  322  and holding part  332  are not caught on retaining part  14 , thereby allowing second connector  30  to be easily attached to relay conductor  10 . 
     Second connector  30  is detached from relay conductor  10  by pulling second connector  30  in the Z-axis positive direction, from the state in which relay conductor  10  is fitted into second connector  30  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . At this time, first, inclined surface  14   a  of relay conductor  10  makes contact with holding parts  322 ,  332  of second connector  30 . Then, once holding parts  322 ,  332  are pushed with relay conductor  10 , elastic part  321  of terminal  32  elastically deforms in the X-axis positive direction, while elastic part  331  of terminal  33  elastically deforms in the X-axis negative direction. In addition, inclined surface  14   a  of relay conductor  10  and holding parts  322 ,  332  of second connector  30  slide, and thereafter, holding part  322  and holding part  332  clime over retaining part  14 , thereby causing second connector  30  to detach from relay conductor  10 . Accordingly, because when second connector  30  is detached from relay conductor  10 , inclined surface  14   a  of relay conductor  10  slides with respect to holding parts  322 ,  332  of second connector  30 , holding part  322  and holding part  332  are not caught on retaining part  14 , thereby allowing second connector  30  to be easily detached from relay conductor  10 . However, the inclined angle of inclined surface  14   a  is not limited to those illustrated in the drawings and may be set appropriately according to applications and the like. If the inclined angle of inclined surface  14   a  is gentler, second connector  30  can be more easily detached from relay conductor  10 , while if the inclined angle of inclined surface  14   a  is steeper, second connector  30  can be held more stably second connector  30  with respect to relay conductor  10 . 
     However, as described above, in the present embodiment, as for retaining part  14  of relay conductor  10 , abutting surface  14   b  is provided on holding parts  222 ,  232  of the first connector  20  side and retaining part  14   a  is provided on holding parts  322 ,  332  of the second connector  30  side. For this reason, because the electrical connection between the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered is disconnected, when either one of the circuit boards is pulled in a direction to separate it from the other circuit board, second connector  30  is detached from relay conductor  10 , causing first connector  20  to hold relay conductor  10 . That is, when the electrical connection between the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered is disconnected, relay conductor  10  remains on the first connector  20  side. However, first connector  20  is not limited to the configuration in which the first connector is attachable to and detachable from relay conductor  10 . That is, it is configured such that first connector  20  always holds relay conductor  10  and is configured such that only second connector  30  is attachable to and detachable from relay conductor  10 . 
     In the present embodiment, first connector  20  and second connector  30  have the same structure. As a result, first connector  20  and second connector  30  can be manufactured by a similar process, allowing connector assembly  100  to be efficiently produced. 
     In addition, as illustrated in each drawing, retaining part  14  is preferably provided continuously over the entire outer perimeter of relay conductor  10 . Accordingly, because holding parts  222 ,  232  of first connector  20  and holding part  322 ,  332  of second connector  30  are caught on retaining part  14  even if first connector  20  and second connector  30  are at any position in the rotational direction, first connector  20  and second connector  30  are suppressed from easily separating from relay conductor  10 . 
     As described above, as for connector assembly  100  according to the present embodiment, positional displacement between the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered is allowed in any of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, the Z-axis direction, and the rotational direction, with no load placed on each circuit board even if positional displacement occurs. This is because first connector  20  relatively moves in the X-axis direction with respect to relay conductor  10  even if the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered are positionally displaced in the X-axis direction. In addition, this is because second connector  30  relatively moves in the Y-axis direction with respect to relay conductor  10  even if the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered are positionally displaced in the Y-axis direction. In addition, this is because at least one of first connector  20  and second connector  30  relatively moves in the Z-axis direction with respect to relay conductor  10  even if the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered are positionally displaced in the Z-axis direction. In addition, this is because at least one of first connector  20  and second connector  30  relatively moves in the rotational direction with respect to relay conductor  10  even if the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered are positionally displaced in the rotational direction. 
     However, the circuit board on which first connector  20  is soldered and the circuit board on which second connector  30  is soldered are preferably configured such that generally the entire region of these circuit boards are provided so as to be opposite each other, or preferably configured such that part of these circuit boards are provided so as to be opposite each other. 
     In addition, in the drawings, a configuration is illustrated in which soldering parts  24 ,  25  of first connector  20  and soldering parts  34 ,  35  of second connector  30  are arranged parallel to each other in the state in which first connector  20  and second connector  30  hold relay conductor  10 . According to such a configuration, the circuit board on which soldering parts  24 ,  25  are soldered and the circuit board on which soldering parts  34 ,  35  are soldered can be electrically connected via connector assembly  100  in the state of being arranged parallel to each other. However, it is not limited to such a configuration and, for example, may be formed such that soldering part  24  of first connector  20  is bent from flat plate part  21  and extends in the Z-axis negative direction. According to such a configuration, the circuit board on which soldering part  24  is soldered and the circuit board on which soldering parts  34 ,  35  are soldered can be electrically connected via connector assembly  100  in the state of being arranged perpendicular to each other. 
     The disclosure according to the present specification is only one example of a connector assembly, with any appropriate change that maintains the spirit of the present disclosure and can easily be arrived at by a person skilled in the art also being within the scope of the present disclosure.