Patent Description:
In recent years, attention has been drawn to so-called smart clothes that can obtain user's biological data such as the heart rate and the body temperature only by being worn by the user. Such smart clothes have an electrode disposed at a measurement site, and when a wearable device serving as a measurement device is electrically connected to the electrode, biological data can be transmitted to the wearable device.

The electrode and the wearable device can be interconnected by, for instance, use of a connector connected to a conductor drawn from the electrode.

As a connector of this type, for example, <CIT> discloses a connector as shown in <FIG>. This connector includes a housing <NUM> and a base member <NUM> that are separately disposed on opposite sides of a flexible substrate <NUM> to sandwich the flexible substrate <NUM>. Tubular portions 4A of contacts <NUM> are passed through contact through-holes 2A of the housing <NUM>, and flanges 4B of the contacts <NUM> are sandwiched between the housing <NUM> and conductors 1A exposed on the top surface of the flexible substrate <NUM>.

In this state, by pushing the base member <NUM> toward the housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, a projection 3A of the base member <NUM> is inserted into a projection accommodating portion 4C of the contact <NUM> with the flexible substrate <NUM> being sandwiched therebetween, and an inner surface of the projection accommodating portion 4C makes contact with the conductor 1A with a predetermined contact force, whereby the contact <NUM> is electrically connected to the conductor 1A.

Further, housing fixing posts 3B formed to project from the base member <NUM> are press-fitted into post accommodating portions 2B of the housing <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, so that the housing <NUM> and the base member <NUM> are fixed to each other.

When a wearable device is fitted with the connector disclosed in <CIT>, the wearable device can be connected to an electrode formed of a conductor.

However, when the conductor 1A is exposed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate <NUM>, the connector of <CIT> is useless for electrically connecting the conductor 1A to the contact <NUM>, disadvantageously.

The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problem and aims at providing a connector that enables an electrical connection of a contact to a conductor of a connection object regardless of whether the conductor is exposed on the top surface or the bottom surface of the connection object.

A connector according to the present invention comprises:.

<FIG> shows a connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is used as, for instance, a garment-side connector for fitting a wearable device and has a housing <NUM> made of an insulating material. Four plug contacts <NUM> are retained in the housing <NUM>, and, in addition, a sheet type conductive member <NUM> is retained by the housing <NUM>. The sheet type conductive member <NUM> constitutes a sheet type connection object to which the connector <NUM> is connected.

The four plug contacts <NUM> are arranged in two rows parallel to each other and disposed to project perpendicularly to the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

For convenience, the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is defined as extending in an XY plane, the arrangement direction of the four plug contacts <NUM> is referred to as "Y direction," and the direction in which the four plug contacts <NUM> project is referred to as "+Z direction. " The Z direction is a fitting direction in which the connector <NUM> is fitted to a counter connector.

<FIG> shows an exploded perspective view of the connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> includes a top insulator <NUM> and a bottom insulator <NUM>, and these top and bottom insulators <NUM> and <NUM> constitute the housing <NUM>.

The four plug contacts <NUM> are disposed on the -Z direction side of the top insulator <NUM>, and the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is disposed on the -Z direction side of the four plug contacts <NUM>. Further, four inner contacts <NUM> are disposed on the -Z direction side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the bottom insulator <NUM> is disposed on the -Z direction side of the four inner contacts <NUM>. The four inner contacts <NUM> separately correspond to the four plug contacts <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the top insulator <NUM> includes a recessed portion 16A opening in the +Z direction, and four contact through-holes 16B formed within the recessed portion 16A. The recessed portion 16A constitutes a counter connector accommodating portion in which part of a counter connector (not shown) is to be accommodated, and the four contact through-holes 16B separately correspond to the four plug contacts <NUM>. In addition, on a surface, facing in the -Z direction, of the top insulator <NUM>, a plurality of bosses 16C are formed to project in the -Z direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the bottom insulator <NUM> includes a flat plate portion 17A, and four contact arrangement regions 17B are defined on a top surface, facing in the +Z direction, of the flat plate portion 17A. Each contact arrangement region 17B is a circular region at which the corresponding plug contact <NUM> is arranged via the sheet type conductive member <NUM>. The four contact arrangement regions 17B are separately provided with four projections 17C projecting in the +Z direction from respectively center parts of the contact arrangement regions 17B.

In addition, the flat plate portion 17A is provided with a plurality of through-holes 17D separately corresponding to the plurality of bosses 16C of the top insulator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, each projection 17C formed in the contact arrangement region 17B of the bottom insulator <NUM> has a substantially columnar shape extending in the Z direction along a fitting axis C of the plug contact <NUM> disposed correspondingly to the contact arrangement region 17B, and an inner contact accommodating groove 17E is formed in the projection 17C and in the contact arrangement region 17B on the -X direction side of the projection 17C.

The inner contact accommodating groove 17E is provided to accommodate the corresponding inner contact <NUM>, passes the fitting axis C and extends along an XZ plane. The inner contact accommodating groove 17E penetrates a +Z directional portion of the projection 17C in the X direction and extends from a root part of the projection 17C to the contact arrangement region 17B as shown in <FIG>.

In addition, the inner contact accommodating groove 17E includes: a first accommodating groove 17F formed at a +Z directional end portion, which serves as an opening end portion, of the inner contact accommodating groove 17E; and a second accommodating groove <NUM> disposed at an inner part on the -Z direction side of the first accommodating groove 17F and communicating with the first accommodating groove 17F. These first and second accommodating grooves 17F and <NUM> have different groove widths. That is, as shown in <FIG>, as compared to a Y directional groove width W1 of the other part of the inner contact accommodating groove 17E than the first accommodating groove 17F and the second accommodating groove <NUM>, the first accommodating groove 17F has a first groove width W2 wider than the groove width W1, while the second accommodating groove <NUM> has a second groove width W3 wider than the groove width W1 and narrower than the first groove width W2.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the projection 17C has a restriction portion <NUM> disposed inside the inner contact accommodating groove 17E and formed from a surface facing in the +X direction.

The four plug contacts <NUM> are each made of a conductive material such as metal, and are to be connected to corresponding contacts of a counter connector (not shown) when part of the counter connector is accommodated in the recessed portion 16A of the top insulator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the plug contact <NUM> has a tubular portion 13A of cylindrical shape extending in the Z direction along the fitting axis C, and a flange 13B of flat plate shape extending from a -Z directional end portion of the tubular portion 13A along an XY plane. The tubular portion 13A includes a large diameter portion 13C situated on the -Z direction side and a small diameter portion 13D concentrically connected to the large diameter portion 13C on the +Z direction side of the large diameter portion 13C.

As shown in <FIG>, the tubular portion 13A is provided in its interior with a recessed portion 13E opening in the -Z direction, and a receiving portion 13F is formed of a dent annularly extending along an XY plane in an inner surface of the recessed portion 13E at a +Z directional end portion of the small diameter portion 13D. In addition, a step portion <NUM> annularly extending along an XY plane is formed in the inner surface of the recessed portion 13E at a boundary portion between the large diameter portion 13C and the small diameter portion 13D.

A distance L11 in the X direction from the receiving portion 13F to a part of an inner surface of the small diameter portion 13D which part faces the receiving portion 13F has a value smaller than an inside diameter L12 of the large diameter portion 13C and larger than an inside diameter L13 of the small diameter portion 13D.

The fitting axis C is an axis passing the center of the tubular portion 13A and extending in the Z direction that is the fitting direction between the connector <NUM> and a counter connector.

While the tubular portion 13A has a cylindrical shape, the cross-sectional shape thereof is not limited to a circular shape, and the tubular portion 13A may have various cross-sectional shapes such as an elliptical shape and a polygonal shape as long as the tubular portion 13A is provided in its interior with the recessed portion 13E.

Any of the four plug contacts <NUM> may be each used as a terminal for transmitting an electric signal.

The sheet type conductive member <NUM> has a multilayer structure in which a plurality of wiring layers each formed from a conductor and a plurality of insulating layers are laminated.

As shown in <FIG>, the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is provided with four circular opening portions 15A penetrating the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in the Z direction. The four opening portions 15A separately correspond to the four plug contacts <NUM>. On a top surface, facing in the +Z direction, of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, a wiring layer 15B is exposed toward the +Z direction at parts separately adjacent to the opening portions 15A on the -X direction side of the opening portions 15A, while an insulating layer 15C is exposed in a region excluding the four opening portions 15A and the four parts of the wiring layer 15B adjacent to these opening portions 15A.

Since the opening portions 15A penetrate the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in the Z direction, as shown in <FIG>, the four opening portions 15A can be seen also on a bottom surface, facing in the -Z direction, of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

On the bottom surface, facing in the -Z direction, of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, a wiring layer 15D is exposed toward the -Z direction at parts separately adjacent to the four opening portions 15A on the -X direction side of the opening portions 15A, while an insulating layer 15E is exposed in a region excluding the four opening portions 15A and the four parts of the wiring layer 15D adjacent to these opening portions 15A.

In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a plurality of through-holes 15F separately corresponding to the plurality of bosses 16C of the top insulator <NUM> are formed at a peripheral portion of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the inner contact <NUM> is formed of a metal sheet of flat plate shape that is cut in a predetermined shape and has conductivity, and has a flat plate portion 18A extending along an XZ plane. A first extending portion 18B extends in the -Z direction from a -X directional end portion of the flat plate portion 18A, an arm portion 18C extends in the -X direction from a -Z directional end portion of the first extending portion 18B, and a second extending portion 18D extends in the -Z direction from a +X directional end portion of the flat plate portion 18A. The flat plate portion 18A, the first extending portion 18B, and the second extending portion 18D are inserted into the recessed portion 13E of the corresponding plug contact <NUM> when the connector <NUM> is assembled.

A hook portion 18E is formed at the -X directional and +Z directional end portion of the flat plate portion 18A to project in the -X direction. The hook portion 18E projects in a right angle shape or a chevron shape toward the -X direction, and a first contacting portion P1 facing in the -Z direction is set at a -X directional end portion of the hook portion 18E.

A protruding portion 18F protruding in a convex shape in the +X direction is formed at the +X directional end portion of the flat plate portion 18A on the -Z direction side from the first contacting portion P1, and a second contacting portion P2 facing in the +X direction is set on a +X directional end portion of the protruding portion 18F.

A distance L21 in the X direction between the first contacting portion P1 and the second contacting portion P2 is slightly larger than the distance L11 in the X direction from the receiving portion 13D to a part of the inner surface of the small diameter portion 13D which part faces the receiving portion 13D, is smaller than the inside diameter L12 of the large diameter portion 13C, and is larger than the inside diameter L13 of the small diameter portion 13D in the plug contact <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In addition, a protruding portion <NUM> protruding in a convex shape toward the +Z direction is formed at a -X directional end portion of the arm portion 18C, and a third contacting portion P3 facing in the +Z direction is set on a +Z directional end portion of the protruding portion <NUM>.

A restricted portion P4 facing in the -X direction is set on a lateral surface of a - Z directional end portion of the second extending portion 18D facing the first extending portion 18B.

Further, a press-fitting portion <NUM> of convex shape is formed on a surface, facing in the +Y direction, of the flat plate portion 18A to protrude in the +Y direction. The press-fitting portion <NUM> is formed by, for example, exerting a pressing force on the flat plate portion 18A from the -Y direction and deforming the flat plate portion 18A.

Due to the presence of the press-fitting portion <NUM> as above, as shown in <FIG>, a thickness D2 of the inner contact <NUM> at a part where the press-fitting portion <NUM> is formed is larger than a thickness D1 of the inner contact <NUM> at a part where the press-fitting portion <NUM> is not formed.

In addition, the press-fitting portion <NUM> is formed at an X directional position corresponding to the first accommodating groove 17F and the second accommodating groove <NUM> of the projection 17C of the bottom insulator <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

It is configured such that the groove width W1 of the inner contact accommodating groove 17E of the projection 17C of the bottom insulator <NUM> shown in <FIG> is slightly larger than the thickness D1 of the inner contact <NUM> at the part where the press-fitting portion <NUM> is not formed, the first groove width W2 of the first accommodating groove 17F is substantially equal to the thickness D2 of the inner contact <NUM> at the part where the press-fitting portion <NUM> is formed, and the second groove width W3 of the second accommodating groove <NUM> is smaller than the thickness D2 of the inner contact <NUM> at the part where the press-fitting portion <NUM> is formed.

The four contact through-holes 16B of the top insulator <NUM>, the four plug contacts <NUM>, the four opening portions 15A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, the four inner contacts <NUM>, and the four contact arrangement regions 17B of the bottom insulator <NUM> are arranged so as to align with each other in the Z direction.

In addition, the bosses 16C of the top insulator <NUM>, the through-holes 15F of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the through-holes 17D of the bottom insulator <NUM> are arranged so as to align with each other in the Z direction.

When the connector <NUM> is assembled, first, the four inner contacts <NUM> are separately retained in the inner contact accommodating grooves 17E of the four projections 17C of the bottom insulator <NUM>. Since the first accommodating groove 17F formed at the +Z directional end portion of the inner contact accommodating groove 17E of the projection 17C has the first groove width W2 substantially equal to the thickness D2 of the inner contact <NUM> at the part where the press-fitting portion <NUM> is formed, as shown in <FIG>, each inner contact <NUM> is retained in a state where the press-fitting portion <NUM> is inserted into the first accommodating groove 17F of the corresponding projection 17C from the +Z direction and is situated at the boundary portion between the first accommodating groove 17F and the second accommodating groove <NUM>.

Subsequently, as shown in <FIG>, the tubular portion 13A of each plug contact <NUM> is inserted into the corresponding one of the four contact through-holes 16B of the top insulator <NUM> from the -Z direction, and the bottom insulator <NUM> is pressed toward the top insulator <NUM> in the +Z direction with the sheet type conductive member <NUM> being sandwiched therebetween.

At this time, the inner contact <NUM> retained by the inner contact accommodating groove 17E of the projection 17C of the bottom insulator <NUM> is pushed up in the +Z direction along with the bottom insulator <NUM>, and the flat plate portion 18A of the inner contact <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion 13E of the corresponding plug contact <NUM> through the opening portion 15A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

Here, the distance L21 in the X direction between the -X directional end portion of the hook portion 18E and the +X directional end portion of the protruding portion 18F of the inner contact <NUM> shown in <FIG> is smaller than the inside diameter L12 of the large diameter portion 13C and larger than the inside diameter L13 of the small diameter portion 13D of the plug contact <NUM>. Therefore, while the flat plate portion 18A of the inner contact <NUM> can move in the +Z direction within the large diameter portion 13C of the plug contact <NUM>, the protruding portion 18F situated on the - Z direction side from the hook portion 18E cannot enter the small diameter portion 13D and is hooked by the step portion <NUM> situated at the boundary portion between the large diameter portion 13C and the small diameter portion 13D as shown in <FIG>.

As a result, the inner contact <NUM> takes a position rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle in <FIG> and moves in the +Z direction within the recessed portion 13E of the plug contact <NUM>.

Accordingly, the first extending portion 18B and the second extending portion 18D of the inner contact <NUM> are also inserted into the recessed portion 13E of the plug contact <NUM>, and further, the protruding portion <NUM> formed at the -X directional end portion of the arm portion 18C extending in the -X direction from the -Z directional end portion of the first extending portion 18B makes contact with the bottom surface on the -Z direction side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

When the bottom insulator <NUM> is further pressed in the +Z direction in this state, the flat plate portion 18A moves in the +Z direction while the first extending portion 18B and the arm portion 18C of the inner contact <NUM> are elastically deformed, and as shown in <FIG>, the hook portion 18E is received by the receiving portion 13F formed in the recessed portion 13E of the plug contact <NUM>.

Consequently, the inner contact <NUM> is rotated clockwise in <FIG> and retained by the plug contact <NUM> in a state where the protruding portion <NUM> of the arm portion 18C is pressed in the -Z direction from the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the protruding portion 18F of the flat plate portion 18A is pressed in the -X direction from the inner surface of the small diameter portion 13D of the plug contact <NUM>.

Further, when the bottom insulator <NUM> is pressed in the +Z direction toward the top insulator <NUM>, since the inner contact <NUM> is retained by the plug contact <NUM>, the projection 17C of the bottom insulator <NUM> moves in the +Z direction relatively to the inner contact <NUM>, and as shown in <FIG>, the press-fitting portion <NUM> of the inner contact <NUM> is inserted into the second accommodating groove <NUM> from the first accommodating groove 17F of the corresponding projection 17C.

Here, since the second groove width W3 of the second accommodating groove <NUM> of the projection 17C shown in <FIG> has the second groove width W3 narrower than the thickness D2 of the inner contact <NUM> at the part where the press-fitting portion <NUM> is formed, the press-fitting portion <NUM> is press-fitted in the second accommodating groove <NUM> of the projection 17C, and the inner contact <NUM> is thus retained by the projection 17C of the bottom insulator <NUM>.

In addition, by pressing the bottom insulator <NUM> against the top insulator <NUM>, the bosses 16C of the top insulator <NUM> sequentially penetrate the through-holes 15F of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the through-holes 17D of the bottom insulator <NUM>. Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, the top insulator <NUM> and the bottom insulator <NUM> are fixed to each other through heat deformation of a tip of each of the plurality of bosses 16C projecting on the -Z direction side of the bottom insulator <NUM>. Thus, the assembling operation of the connector <NUM> is completed.

In the connector <NUM> assembled as above, as shown in <FIG>, the restricted portion P4 set at the -Z directional end portion of the second extending portion 18D of the inner contact <NUM> makes contact with the restriction portion <NUM> formed inside the inner contact accommodating groove 17E of the projection 17C of the bottom insulator <NUM>, whereby counterclockwise rotation of the inner contact <NUM> in <FIG> is restricted.

In addition, the flange 13B of the plug contact <NUM> is situated around the corresponding opening portion 15A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is sandwiched between the protruding portion <NUM> formed at the -X directional end portion of the arm portion 18C of the inner contact <NUM> and a bottom surface on the -Z direction side of the flange 13B of the plug contact <NUM>.

The inner contact <NUM> is retained in a state where the first contacting portion P1 set at the hook portion 18E of the flat plate portion 18A is receiving a force F1 acting in the +X direction and the +Z direction from the receiving portion 13F of the plug contact <NUM>, the second contacting portion P2 set at the protruding portion 18F of the flat plate portion 18A is receiving a force F2 acting in the -X direction from the inner surface of the small diameter portion 13D of the plug contact <NUM>, the third contacting portion P3 set at the protruding portion <NUM> of the arm portion 18C is receiving a force F3 acting in the -Z direction from the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the restricted portion P4 set at the second extending portion 18D is receiving a force F4 acting in the +X direction from the restriction portion <NUM> of the bottom insulator <NUM>.

Thus, the first and second contacting portions P1 and P2 are pressed against and make contact with the inner surface of the recessed portion 13E of the plug contact <NUM>, whereby the inner contact <NUM> is electrically connected to the plug contact <NUM>.

In addition, the top surface on the +Z direction side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is pressed against the bottom surface of the flange 13B of the plug contact <NUM>, while the bottom surface on the -Z direction side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is pressed against the third contacting portion P3 of the inner contact <NUM>.

Here, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, on the top surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, the wiring layer 15B is exposed at parts separately adjacent to the opening portions 15A on the -X direction side of the opening portions 15A, and on the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, the wiring layer 15D is exposed at separately adjacent to the opening portions 15A on the -X direction side of the opening portions 15A.

Therefore, the wiring layer 15B on the top surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> makes contact with the bottom surface of the flange 13B of the plug contact <NUM> with predetermined contact pressure, while the wiring layer 15D on the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> makes contact with the third contacting portion P3 of the inner contact <NUM> with predetermined contact pressure.

Therefore, the wiring layer 15B exposed on the top surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is electrically connected to the plug contact <NUM> directly, and the wiring layer 15D exposed on the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is electrically connected to the plug contact <NUM> via the inner contact <NUM>. In other words, both the wiring layers 15B and 15D are connected to the plug contact <NUM>.

Thus, in the connector <NUM>, both the wiring layer 15B and the wiring layer 15D formed of the conductors disposed on the top surface side and the bottom surface side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> can be electrically connected to a single plug contact <NUM> by use of the inner contact <NUM>.

Therefore, when the connector <NUM> is connected to a sheet type conductive member having a conductor exposed only on its top surface side, the plug contact <NUM> can be electrically connected to the conductor on the top surface side of the sheet type conductive member. On the other hand, when the connector <NUM> is connected to a sheet type conductive member having a conductor exposed only on its bottom surface side, the plug contact <NUM> can be electrically connected to the conductor on the bottom surface side of the sheet type conductive member.

Further, when the connector <NUM> is connected to a sheet type conductive member having conductors separately exposed on its top surface side and bottom surface side like the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> above, the plug contact <NUM> can be electrically connected to both the conductors on the top surface side and the bottom surface side of the sheet type conductive member. For example, assuming that a connection object is a sheet type conductive member having a multilayer structure in which conductors constituting shield layers are separately exposed on the top surface side and the bottom surface side and a conductor constituting a signal wiring layer is disposed between these shield layers so as to be insulated from both the shield layers, a shield effect is exhibited to the signal wiring layer when the plug contact <NUM> connected to the shield layers on the top surface side and the bottom surface side is connected to a ground potential, and it is possible to carry out highly accurate signal transmission with reduced influence of external disturbances caused by, for example, electromagnetic waves.

Note that the flange 13B of each of the plug contacts <NUM> is sandwiched between the top insulator <NUM> and the bottom insulator <NUM>, and the plug contacts <NUM> are thereby fixed to the top insulator <NUM> and the bottom insulator <NUM>.

In addition, the inner contact <NUM> is retained while receiving the forces F1 to F4, and if a frictional force is ignored, the force F1 applied to the first contacting portion P1, the force F2 applied to the second contacting portion P2, the force F3 applied to the third contacting portion P3, and the force F4 applied to the restricted portion P4 balance with one another.

That is, when an X directional component force and a Z directional component force of the force F1 are F1X and F1Z, respectively, the following relations are established:<MAT> and<MAT> Note that F1, F2, F3, F4, F1X, and F1Z are expressed in their absolute values.

For example, from balance of the moments about the first contacting portion P1, when a distance in the X direction between the first contacting portion P1 and the third contacting portion P3 is LX, a distance in the Z direction between the first contacting portion P1 and the second contacting portion P2 is LZ1, and a distance in the Z direction between the first contacting portion P1 and the restricted portion P4 is LZ2, the following relation is established: <MAT>.

As can be seen from Formula (<NUM>) above, since the force F4 is applied to the restricted portion P4, the distance LX in the X direction between the first contacting portion P1 and the third contacting portion P3 can be decreased. If the restricted portion P4 of the inner contact <NUM> does not contact the restriction portion <NUM> of the projection 17C of the bottom insulator <NUM> and does not receive the force F4 acting in the +X direction from the restriction portion <NUM>, in order to retain the inner contact <NUM> with the balanced moments, it is necessary to increase the distance LX in the X direction between the first contacting portion P1 and the third contacting portion P3 to increase the clockwise moments in <FIG>. That is, the length of the arm portion 18C extending in the X direction would need to be made larger, resulting in enlargement of the connector <NUM>.

According to Embodiment <NUM>, even when the wiring layer 15B or 15D is exposed on either of the top surface and the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, the plug contact <NUM> can be electrically connected to the wiring layer 15B or 15D of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the small-sized connector <NUM> can be achieved.

<FIG> shows an exploded perspective view of a connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>. The connector <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> constituted of the top insulator <NUM> and a bottom insulator <NUM>.

The four plug contacts <NUM> are disposed on the -Z direction side of the top insulator <NUM>, and a sheet type conductive member <NUM> is disposed on the -Z direction side of the four plug contacts <NUM>. Further, four inner contacts <NUM> are disposed on the -Z direction side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, four boss members <NUM> are disposed on the -Z direction side of the four inner contacts <NUM>, and the bottom insulator <NUM> is disposed on the -Z direction side of the four boss members <NUM>.

The top insulator <NUM> and the four plug contacts <NUM> are the same as those used in the connector <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>.

In addition, the four inner contacts <NUM> and the four boss members <NUM> correspond to the four plug contacts <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the bottom insulator <NUM> includes a flat plate portion 27A, and four contact arrangement regions 27B are defined on a top surface, facing in the +Z direction, of the flat plate portion 27A. Each contact arrangement region 27B is a circular region at which the corresponding plug contact <NUM> is arranged via the sheet type conductive member <NUM>. The four contact arrangement regions 27B are separately provided with four protrusion portions 27C projecting in the +Z direction from respective center parts of the contact arrangement regions 27B.

In addition, the flat plate portion 27A is provided with a plurality of through-holes 27D separately corresponding to the plurality of bosses 16C of the top insulator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the contact arrangement region 27B of the bottom insulator <NUM> has a recessed and circular shape, and the protrusion portion 27C has a columnar shape extending in the Z direction along the fitting axis C of the plug contact <NUM> disposed correspondingly to the contact arrangement region 27B. A lateral surface along an outer periphery of the protrusion portion 27C forms a restriction portion 27E.

As shown in <FIG>, the boss member <NUM> includes a base portion 29A of circular disk shape and a projection 29B projecting in the +Z direction from a center part of the base portion 29A, and an inner contact accommodating groove 29C is formed in the projection 29B and the base portion 29A on the -X direction side of the projection 29B. In addition, the base portion 29A has such a size as to be accommodated in the contact arrangement region 27B of recess shape of the bottom insulator <NUM>.

The inner contact accommodating groove 29C is configured to accommodate the corresponding inner contact <NUM>, passes the fitting axis C and extends along an XZ plane. The inner contact accommodating groove 29C penetrates a +Z directional portion of the projection 29B in the X direction and extends from a root part of the projection 29B to the base portion 29A as shown in <FIG>. The inner contact accommodating groove 29C has a Y directional groove width slightly larger than the thickness of the inner contact <NUM>.

In addition, the projection 29B includes an abutment portion 29D disposed inside the inner contact accommodating groove 29C and facing in the +Z direction.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the boss member <NUM> includes a protrusion portion accommodating hole 29E extending from a bottom surface on the -Z direction side of the base portion 29A along the fitting axis C to the inside of the projection 29B and communicating with the inner contact accommodating groove 29C. The protrusion portion accommodating hole 29E opens in the -Z direction from the bottom surface on the -Z direction side of the base portion 29A and is configured to accommodate the protrusion portion 27C of the bottom insulator <NUM> when the connector <NUM> is assembled.

As shown in <FIG>, the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is provided with four circular opening portions 25A penetrating the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in the Z direction. The four opening portions 25A separately correspond to the four plug contacts <NUM>. On a top surface, facing in the +Z direction, of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, a wiring layer 25B is exposed toward the +Z direction and around each of the opening portions 25A so as to surround the opening portions 25A, while an insulating layer 25C is exposed in a region excluding the four opening portions 25A and the four parts of the wiring layer 25B disposed around these opening portions 25A.

Since the opening portions 25A penetrate the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in the Z direction, as shown in <FIG>, the four opening portions 25A can be seen also on a bottom surface, facing in the -Z direction, of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

On the bottom surface, facing in the -Z direction, of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, a wiring layer 25D is exposed toward the -Z direction and around the four opening portions 25A so as to surround the opening portions 25A, while an insulating layer 25E is exposed in a region excluding the four opening portions 25A and the four parts of the wiring layer 25D disposed around these opening portions 25A.

In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a plurality of through-holes 25F separately corresponding to the plurality of bosses 16C of the top insulator <NUM> are formed at a peripheral portion of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

<FIG> show the inner contact <NUM>. The inner contact <NUM> does not have the press-fitting portion <NUM> formed on the surface of the flat plate portion 18A in the inner contact <NUM> used in Embodiment <NUM>, and the configuration of the inner contact <NUM> is the same as that of the inner contact <NUM> expect the press-fitting portion <NUM>.

More specifically, the inner contact <NUM> is formed from a metal sheet of flat plate shape that is cut in a predetermined shape and has conductivity, and includes the flat plate portion 18A extending along an XZ plane, the first extending portion 18B extending in the -Z direction from the -X directional end portion of the flat plate portion 18A, the arm portion 18C extending in the -X direction from the -Z directional end portion of the first extending portion 18B, and the second extending portion 18D extending in the -Z direction from the +X directional end portion of the flat plate portion 18A.

The hook portion 18E projecting in the -X direction is formed at the -X directional and +Z directional end portion of the flat plate portion 18A, and the first contacting portion P1 facing in the -Z direction is set at the -X directional end portion of the hook portion 18E.

In addition, the protruding portion 18F protruding in the +X direction is formed at a +X directional end portion of the flat plate portion 18A on the -Z direction side from the first contacting portion P1, and the second contacting portion P2 facing in the +X direction is set at the +X directional end portion of the protruding portion 18F.

The distance L21 in the X direction between the first contacting portion P1 and the second contacting portion P2 is slightly larger than the distance L11 in the X direction from the receiving portion 13D to a part of the inner surface of the small diameter portion 13D which part faces the receiving portion 13D, is smaller than the inside diameter L12 of the large diameter portion 13C, and is larger than the inside diameter L13 of the small diameter portion 13D in the plug contact <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In addition, the protruding portion <NUM> protruding in the +Z direction is formed at the -X directional end portion of the arm portion 18C, and the third contacting portion P3 facing in the +Z direction is set at a +Z directional end portion of the protruding portion <NUM>.

The restricted portion P4 facing in the -X direction is set on a part of the lateral surface of a -Z directional end portion of the second extending portion 18D which part faces the first extending portion 18B.

The four contact through-holes 16B of the top insulator <NUM>, the four plug contacts <NUM>, the four opening portions 25A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, the four inner contacts <NUM>, the four boss members <NUM>, and the four contact arrangement regions 27B of the bottom insulator <NUM> are arranged so as to align with each other in the Z direction.

In addition, the bosses 16C of the top insulator <NUM>, the through-holes 25F of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the through-holes 27D of the bottom insulator <NUM> are arranged so as to align with each other in the Z direction.

When the connector <NUM> is assembled, first, the four inner contacts <NUM> are separately retained by the inner contact accommodating grooves 29C of the projections 29B of the four boss members <NUM>. The inner contact accommodating groove 29C has a Y directional groove width slightly larger than the thickness of the inner contact <NUM>, the inner contact <NUM> is inserted into the inner contact accommodating groove 29C from the +Z direction, and as shown in <FIG>, the inner contact <NUM> is retained in a state where a -Z directional end portion of the flat plate portion 18A between the first extending portion 18B and the second extending portion 18D is making contact with the abutment portion 29D within the inner contact accommodating groove 29C.

Subsequently, the tubular portion 13A of each plug contact <NUM> is inserted into the corresponding one of the four contact through-holes 16B of the top insulator <NUM> from the -Z direction, and each of the four boss members <NUM> is pressed toward the top insulator <NUM> in the +Z direction with the sheet type conductive member <NUM> being sandwiched therebetween.

At this time, the inner contact <NUM> retained by the inner contact accommodating groove 29C of the projection 29B of the boss member <NUM> is, together with the boss member <NUM>, pushed up in the +Z direction, and the flat plate portion 18A of the inner contact <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion 13E of the corresponding plug contact <NUM> through the opening portion 25A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

Accordingly, the first extending portion 18B and the second extending portion 18D of the inner contact <NUM> are also inserted into the recessed portion 13E of the plug contact <NUM>, and further, the protruding portion <NUM> formed at the -X directional end portion of the arm portion 18C extending in the -X direction from the -Z directional end of the first extending portion 18B makes contact with the bottom surface on the -Z direction side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

When the boss member <NUM> is further pressed in the +Z direction in this state, the flat plate portion 18A moves in the +Z direction while the first extending portion 18B and the arm portion 18C of the inner contact <NUM> are elastically deformed, and as shown in <FIG>, the hook portion 18E is received by the receiving portion 13F formed at the recessed portion 13E of the plug contact <NUM>.

Consequently, the inner contact <NUM> is rotated clockwise in <FIG> and retained by the plug contact <NUM> in a state where the protruding portion <NUM> of the arm portion 18C is pressed in the -Z direction from the sheet type conductive member <NUM> and elastically deformed, and the protruding portion 18F of the flat plate portion 18A is pressed in the -X direction from the inner surface of the small diameter portion 13D of the plug contact <NUM>.

Here, by pressing the bottom insulator <NUM> toward the top insulator <NUM>, each of the four protrusion portions 27C of the bottom insulator <NUM> is inserted into the protrusion portion accommodating hole 29E of the corresponding boss member <NUM> from the -Z direction.

In addition, by pressing the bottom insulator <NUM> against the top insulator <NUM>, the bosses 16C of the top insulator <NUM> sequentially penetrate the through-holes 25F of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the through-holes 27D of the bottom insulator <NUM>. Thereafter, the top insulator <NUM> and the bottom insulator <NUM> are fixed to each other through heat deformation of a tip of each of the plurality of bosses 16C projecting on the -Z direction side of the bottom insulator <NUM>. Thus, the assembling operation of the connector <NUM> is completed.

In the connector <NUM> assembled as above, as shown in <FIG>, the base portion 29A of the boss member <NUM> is accommodated in the contact arrangement region 27B of recess shape of the bottom insulator <NUM>, the restriction portion 27E constituted of the lateral surface of the protrusion portion 27C of the bottom insulator <NUM> inserted in the protrusion portion accommodating hole 29E of the boss member <NUM> makes contact with the restricted portion P4 set at the -Z directional end portion of the second extending portion 18D of the inner contact <NUM> inserted in the inner contact accommodating groove 29C communicating with the protrusion portion accommodating hole 29E. Therefore, counterclockwise rotation of the inner contact <NUM> in <FIG> is restricted.

In addition, the flange 13B of the plug contact <NUM> is situated around the corresponding opening portion 25A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is sandwiched between the protruding portion <NUM> formed at the -X directional end portion of the arm portion 18C of the inner contact <NUM> and the bottom surface on the -Z direction side of the flange 13B of the plug contact <NUM>.

The inner contact <NUM> is retained in a state where the first contacting portion P1 set at the hook portion 18E of the flat plate portion 18A is receiving the force F1 acting in the +X direction and the +Z direction from the receiving portion 13F of the plug contact <NUM>, the second contacting portion P2 set at the protruding portion 18F of the flat plate portion 18A is receiving the force F2 acting in the -X direction from the inner surface of the small diameter portion 13D of the plug contact <NUM>, the third contacting portion P3 set at the protruding portion <NUM> of the arm portion 18C is receiving the force F3 acting in the -Z direction from the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> and is elastically displaced, and the restricted portion P4 set at the second extending portion 18D is receiving the force F4 acting in the +X direction from the restriction portion 27E of the protrusion portion 27C of the bottom insulator <NUM>.

Here, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, on the top surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, the wiring layer 25B is exposed around the opening portions 25A, and on the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, the wiring layer 25D is exposed around the opening portions 25A.

Therefore, the wiring layer 25B on the top surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> makes contact with the bottom surface of the flange 13B of the plug contact <NUM> with predetermined contact pressure, while the wiring layer 25D on the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> makes contact with the third contacting portion P3 of the inner contact <NUM> with predetermined contact pressure.

Therefore, the wiring layer 25B exposed on the top surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is electrically connected to the plug contact <NUM> directly, and the wiring layer 25D exposed on the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is electrically connected to the plug contact <NUM> via the inner contact <NUM>. In other words, both the wiring layers 25B and 25D are connected to the plug contact <NUM>.

Thus, in the connector <NUM>, as with the connector <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>, both the wiring layer 25B and the wiring layer 25D respectively formed of the conductor disposed on the top surface side and the conductor disposed on the bottom surface side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> can be electrically connected to the single plug contact <NUM>.

In addition, as with the connector <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>, the force F4 is applied from the restriction portion 27E of the protrusion portion 27C of the bottom insulator <NUM> to the restricted portion P4 of the inner contact <NUM>, whereby the small-sized connector <NUM> can be achieved.

The tubular portion 13A of the plug contact <NUM> has a cylindrical shape extending along the fitting axis C, the projection 29B of the boss member <NUM> is formed to project on the center part of the base portion 29A of circular disk shape, the protrusion portion 27C of the bottom insulator <NUM> is formed to project on the center part of the contact arrangement region 27B of circular shape, and the wiring layers 25B, 25D of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> are respectively exposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> so as to surround the opening portions 25A.

Therefore, when the boss member <NUM> in which the inner contact <NUM> is retained by the projection 29B is pressed in the +Z direction toward the top insulator <NUM>, even with the inner contact <NUM> facing in either of the rotational directions about the fitting axis C, the flat plate portion 18A, the first extending portion 18B, and the second extending portion 18D of the inner contact <NUM> are inserted into the recessed portion 13E of the plug contact <NUM>, and further, the protrusion portion 27C of the bottom insulator <NUM> is inserted into the protrusion portion accommodating hole 29E of the boss member <NUM>, so that the wiring layers 25B, 25D of the sheet type conducive member <NUM> can be electrically connected to the plug contact <NUM>. Of the lateral surface along the outer periphery of the protrusion portion 27C of the bottom insulator <NUM>, a part facing the restricted portion P4 of the inner contact <NUM> serves as the restriction portion 27E and applies the force F4 to the restricted portion P4.

While the plug contact <NUM> is connected to both the wiring layer 15B, 25B and the wiring layer 15D, 25D respectively exposed on the top surface side and the bottom surface side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, <NUM> in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> above, only the wiring layer 15D, 25D exposed on the bottom surface side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> may be connected to the plug contact <NUM>, for instance.

While the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, <NUM> used in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> above has a multilayer structure, the invention is not limited thereto, and it suffices if the sheet type conductive member has a conductor exposed on at least one surface thereof.

In addition, while the two layers of the conductors, i.e., the wiring layer 15B, 25B and the wiring layer 15D, 25D of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to the single plug contact <NUM> in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> above, the invention is not limited thereto, and three or more layers of conductors may be connected to the single plug contact <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A connector comprising:
a plug contact (<NUM>) having conductivity and including a tubular portion (13A) and a flange, the tubular portion extending along a fitting axis (C) and being provided in its interior with a recessed portion (13E), and the flange extending from a base end of the tubular portion in a direction orthogonal to the fitting axis;
an inner contact (<NUM>, <NUM>) having conductivity and being supported while having part of the inner contact inserted in the recessed portion; and
a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) retaining the plug contact,
wherein the housing includes a restriction portion (<NUM>, 27E) that is disposed in the recessed portion of the plug contact and is configured to restrict rotation of the inner contact,
the inner contact includes
a first contacting portion (P1) that makes contact with an inner surface of the recessed portion to be electrically connected to the plug contact,
a second contacting portion (P2) that makes contact with the inner surface of the recessed portion on an opposite side from the first contacting portion across the fitting axis and at a position closer to the base end of the recessed portion than the first contacting portion is,
a third contacting portion (P3) extending in a direction orthogonal to the fitting axis and facing the flange, and
a restricted portion (P4) that faces in an opposite direction from the second contacting portion and makes contact with the restriction portion at a position closer to the base end of the recessed portion than the second contacting portion is, and
part of a connection object (<NUM>, <NUM>) of sheet shape having a conductor (15B, 15D, 25B, 25D) exposed on at least one surface of the connection object is sandwiched between a bottom surface of the flange of the plug contact and the third contacting portion of the inner contact in a direction along the fitting axis, the bottom surface of the flange makes contact with a top surface of the connection object, and the third contacting portion makes contact with a bottom surface of the connection object, whereby the plug contact is electrically connected to the conductor directly when the conductor is exposed on the top surface of the connection object, and the plug contact is electrically connected to the conductor via the inner contact when the conductor is exposed on the bottom surface of the connection object.