Patent Description:
The present invention also relates to a connector assembly in which a conductor portion of an electric wire is connected to a flexible conductor of a sheet type conductive member by means of the connector.

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 constituted of a flexible conductor, 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 the flexible conductor.

However, when the wearable device is situated away from the measurement site, it is necessary to provide an electric path connecting the electrode disposed at the measurement site to the place where the connector is attached, and if such an electric path is formed from a flexible conductor, the electric resistance would increase, and the cost would also increase.

To interconnect an electrode constituted of a flexible conductor and a wearable device by use of an electric wire that has low electric resistance and is inexpensive, it has been desired to develop a small-sized connector connecting the electric wire to the flexible conductor disposed on a garment.

As a connector for connecting an electric wire to a flexible conductor, for instance, <CIT> discloses a connector as shown in <FIG>. This connector includes: a first connector <NUM> connected to an end of a sheet type conductive member <NUM>; and a second connector <NUM> attached to tips of electric wires <NUM>. The electric wires <NUM> can be connected to a flexible conductor of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> by fitting a box-shaped housing of the second connector <NUM> to a box-shaped housing of the first connector <NUM>.

However, it is necessary to fit together the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> each having the box-shaped housing in order to connect the electric wires <NUM> to the flexible conductor of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, and this causes a larger size of a device; and there is a separatable connection portion between the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM>, which impairs the reliability of electric connection.

<CIT> also discloses a connector for connecting an electric wire to a flexible conductor.

<CIT> discloses a connector wherein the second connector portion comprises a locking spring member corresponding to the locking projection of the first connector portion.

The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problem described above and aims at providing a connector and a connector assembly that can be smaller in size while reliably connecting a conductor portion of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet type conductive member.

A connector according to the present invention is one connecting a conductor portion of an electric wire to a flexible conductor of a sheet type conductive member, the connector comprising:.

<FIG> shows a connector assembly using a connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>. The connector assembly is obtained by connecting conductor portions <NUM> of a plurality of coated electric wires <NUM> to a sheet type conductive member <NUM> by means of a connector <NUM>.

The sheet type conductive member <NUM> includes a sheet type insulating substrate <NUM>, and a plurality of flexible conductors to be described later are formed on the bottom surface of the insulating substrate <NUM>.

The coated electric wires <NUM> are arranged in a predetermined arrangement direction and each extend in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction in parallel to the top surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>. Each coated electric wire <NUM> has a structure in which the outer periphery of the conductor portion <NUM> is covered with an insulating coating portion <NUM>. The conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> are electrically connected to the flexible conductors of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> by means of the connector <NUM>. The conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM> may be either a so-called solid wire constituted of one conductor or a so-called stranded wire constituted of plural conductors being stranded.

For convenience, the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is defined as extending along an XY plane, the predetermined arrangement direction of the coated electric wires <NUM> is referred to as "X direction (second direction)," the direction in which each coated electric wire <NUM> extends toward the connector <NUM> is referred to as "+Y direction (first direction)," and the direction orthogonal to an XY plane is referred to as "Z direction.

<FIG> and <FIG> show assembly views of the connector assembly.

The connector <NUM> is formed of a first connector portion <NUM> disposed on the -Z direction side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> and a second connector portion <NUM> disposed on the +Z direction side of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>. The first connector portion <NUM> faces the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, while the second connector portion <NUM> faces the top surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

The conductor portions <NUM> drawn from the insulating coating portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> are disposed between the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> and the first connector portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the flexible conductors <NUM> corresponding to the coated electric wires <NUM> are exposed on the bottom surface of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> facing the first connector portion <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the structure of the first connector portion <NUM>. The first connector portion <NUM> is constituted of a first insulator made of an insulating resin material and includes a flat plate portion <NUM> of rectangular shape extending along an XY plane. A plurality of electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and a plurality of locking projections <NUM> are arranged alternately in the X direction on the top surface, on the +Z direction side, of the flat plate portion <NUM>. The electric wire retaining portions <NUM> correspond to the coated electric wires <NUM>.

Each electric wire retaining portion <NUM> includes: a pair of retaining projections 43A formed to project on the top surface of the flat plate portion <NUM> so as to face each other in the X direction (second direction) on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM>; and a pair of retaining projections 43B formed to project on the top surface of the flat plate portion <NUM> so as to face each other in the X direction (second direction) on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM>. Those retaining projections 43A and 43B have the same prismatic shape and the same size.

The locking projections <NUM> are formed to project on the top surface of the flat plate portion <NUM> at positions spaced from the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> in the X direction and in a middle portion, in the Y direction, of the flat plate portion <NUM>, and have a substantially prismatic shape.

The flat plate portion <NUM> is provided at its opposite ends in the X direction with a pair of positioning projections <NUM> projecting in the +Z direction. The positioning projections <NUM> have a Z directional height larger than that of the retaining projections 43A and 43B and the locking projections <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a distance S1 between the pair of retaining projections 43B in the X direction is formed to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM>, and the coated electric wire <NUM> is retained by the pair of retaining projections 43B when the conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM> is pushed in between the pair of retaining projections 43B from the +Z direction.

Likewise, a distance between the pair of retaining projections 43A in the X direction is formed to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM>, so that the pair of retaining projections 43A can retain the coated electric wire <NUM>.

The +Z directional end of the locking projection <NUM> is provided with a pair of overhanging portions 44A overhanging in the +X and -X directions.

<FIG> shows the structure of the second connector portion <NUM>. The second connector portion <NUM> includes a second insulator <NUM> made of an insulating resin material. A plurality of connecting spring members <NUM> and a plurality of locking spring members <NUM> are retained in the second insulator <NUM> to be alternately arranged at predetermined intervals in the X direction. The connecting spring members <NUM> correspond to the coated electric wires <NUM>.

<FIG> show assembly views of the second connector portion <NUM>. The connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are disposed on the +Z direction side of the second insulator <NUM>, and an insulating sheet <NUM> is disposed on the +Z direction side of the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>. The insulating sheet <NUM> is attached to the top surface, on the +Z direction side, of the second insulator <NUM> to thereby retain the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> in the second insulator <NUM>.

The second insulator <NUM> includes a flat plate portion 52A of rectangular shape extending along an XY plane and a plurality of spring member attachment portions 52B formed to be arranged in the X direction in the flat plate portion 52A. The spring member attachment portions 52B are used to attach the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> to the second insulator <NUM> and all have the same structure without distinguishing between the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, each spring member attachment portion 52B includes: a pair of through-holes 52C disposed to be spaced from each other in the X direction and penetrating the flat plate portion 52A in the Z direction; a communication portion 52D disposed between the pair of through-holes 52C and extending in the Y direction; and a groove portion 52E formed at the top surface, on the +Z direction side, of the flat plate portion 52A and traversing the flat plate portion 52A in the Y direction along the communication portion 52D. The top surface, on the +Z direction side, of the communication portion 52D forms the same plane with the bottom surface of the groove portion 52E.

As shown in <FIG>, each spring member attachment portion 52B further includes a pair of outer wall portions 52F corresponding to the pair of through-holes 52C, the pair of outer wall portions 52F protruding in the -Z direction on the bottom surface, on the -Z direction side, of the flat plate portion 52A. The pair of outer wall portions 52F each have a U shape such that the pair of outer wall portions 52F surround a +X directional portion and -X directional portion of the pair of through-holes 52C when seen from the -Z direction.

<FIG> shows the structure of the connecting spring member <NUM>. The connecting spring member <NUM> is formed of a bent metal plate and includes: a pair of spring pieces 53A facing each other in the X direction and being elastically deformable at least in the X direction; and a joint portion 53B extending along an XY plane and joining the pair of spring pieces 53A together. The pair of spring pieces 53A protrude in the -Z direction from the joint portion 53B and are provided at their -Z directional ends with a pair of pressing portions 53C that face each other in the X direction. Protrusion portions 53D extend from the opposite ends, in the Y direction, of the joint portion 53B to protrude in the opposite directions from each other along the Y direction.

<FIG> shows the structure of the locking spring member <NUM>. The locking spring member <NUM> is formed of a bent metal plate and includes: a pair of lock pieces 54A facing each other in the X direction and being elastically deformable in the X direction; and a joint portion 54B extending along an XY plane and joining the pair of lock pieces 54A together. The pair of lock pieces 54A protrude in the -Z direction from the joint portion 54B. A pair of hook portions 54C facing the +Z direction are formed by bending the -Z directional ends of the pair of lock pieces 54A toward the +Z direction and inward within the locking spring member <NUM>. Protrusion portions 54D extend from the opposite ends, in the Y direction, of the joint portion 54B to protrude in the opposite directions from each other along the Y direction.

The pair of spring pieces 53A of the connecting spring member <NUM> and the pair of lock pieces 54A of the locking spring member <NUM> are sized to penetrate through the pair of through-holes 52C of the second insulator <NUM>, and the protrusion portions 53D of the connecting spring member <NUM> and the protrusion portions 54D of the locking spring member <NUM> are sized to be inserted in the groove portion 52E of the second insulator <NUM>.

When the second connector portion <NUM> is assembled, the pairs of spring pieces 53A of the connecting spring members <NUM> are passed through the pairs of through-holes 52C of the corresponding spring member attachment portions 52B of the second insulator <NUM> from the +Z direction, and likewise, the pairs of lock pieces 54A of the locking spring members <NUM> are passed through the pairs of through-holes 52C of the corresponding spring member attachment portions 52B of the second insulator <NUM> from the +Z direction. In addition, the insulating sheet <NUM> is attached to the top surface, on the +Z direction side, of the second insulator <NUM> with the protrusion portions 53D and 54D of the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> being inserted in the groove portions 52E of the corresponding spring member attachment portions 52B of the second insulator <NUM>. Thus, the second connector portion <NUM> having the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> attached to the second insulator <NUM> can be assembled as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the structure of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>. A plurality of electric wire connection portions 21A arranged in the X direction are formed in the vicinity of the -Y directional end of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>. The electric wire connection portions 21A correspond to the coated electric wires <NUM> and each have a pair of protrusion pieces 22A formed by cutting out the insulating substrate <NUM> of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>. The pair of protrusion pieces 22A protrude in the opposite directions from each other in the X direction. An opening portion 22B penetrating the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in the Z direction is formed between protrusion pieces 22A of adjacent electric wire connection portions 21A.

As shown in <FIG>, a contacting portion 23A is formed by the flexible conductor <NUM> being exposed on the bottom surface, facing the -Z direction, of the pair of protrusion pieces 22A of each electric wire connection portion 21A.

The sheet type conductive member <NUM> is further provided with a pair of positioning holes 21B penetrating the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in the Z direction on the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the electric wire connection portions 21A arranged in the X direction.

When the connector assembly is assembled, first, the conductor portions <NUM> drawn from the insulating coating portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> are separately retained in the corresponding electric wire retaining portions <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. More specifically, each conductor portion <NUM> is pushed in between the pair of retaining projections 43A and between the pair of retaining projections 43B of the corresponding electric wire retaining portion <NUM> from the +Z direction and thus retained in the electric wire retaining portion <NUM>.

Next, the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is disposed on the first connector portion <NUM> from the +Z direction as shown in <FIG>. In this process, the pair of positioning projections <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM> are passed through the pair of positioning holes 21B of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>, whereby the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is positioned with respect to the first connector portion <NUM>. In other words, the pair of protrusion pieces 22A in each of the electric wire connection portions 21A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> are disposed above a place between the pair of retaining projections 43A on the +Y direction side and the pair of retaining projections 43B on the -Y direction side in the corresponding electric wire retaining portion <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM>.

In this state, the second connector portion <NUM> is moved from the +Z direction toward the first connector portion <NUM> and the sheet type conductive member <NUM> and fitted to the first connector portion <NUM>. In this process, each of the connecting spring members <NUM> of the second connector portion <NUM> is inserted between the pair of retaining projections 43A on the +Y direction side and the pair of retaining projections 43B on the -Y direction side in the corresponding electric wire retaining portion <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM> while pushing the pair of protrusion pieces 22A in the corresponding electric wire connection portion 21A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in the -Z direction. The pair of protrusion pieces 22A in the corresponding electric wire connection portion 21A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> are pushed in the -Z direction by the pair of spring pieces 53A of the connecting spring member <NUM> of the second connector portion <NUM>, whereby the pair of protrusion pieces 22A and the contacting portion 23A exposed on the bottom surface of those protrusion pieces 22A are bent toward the -Z direction as shown in <FIG>.

In addition, the pair of lock pieces 54A of each of the locking spring members <NUM> of the second connector portion <NUM> catch on the corresponding locking projection <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM> through the corresponding opening portion 22B of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

Thus, the second connector portion <NUM> is fitted to the first connector portion <NUM>, and the assembling operation of the connector assembly is completed.

<FIG> shows the inside of the connector assembly <NUM>. The contacting portion 23A exposed on the bottom surface of the pair of protrusion pieces 22A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> having been pushed in the -Z direction by the pair of spring pieces 53A of the connecting spring member <NUM> of the second connector portion <NUM> is, by the pair of pressing portions 53C of the connecting spring member <NUM>, pressed against the conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM> retained by the electric wire retaining portion <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM>. Consequently, the contacting portion 23A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> makes contact with the conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM> at a predetermined contact pressure and is electrically connected thereto.

Meanwhile, as shown in <FIG>, a -Z directional portion of the conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM> is diagonally pushed in the X direction and the +Z direction by the pair of pressing portions 53C of the connecting spring member <NUM> via the pair of protrusion pieces 22A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>; accordingly, +Z directional force acts on the conductor portion <NUM>, so that the +Z directional end of the conductor portion <NUM> is pressed against the contacting portion 23A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>. In other words, the conductor portion <NUM> makes contact with the contacting portion 23A at three points, namely, the +X directional lateral portion and -X directional lateral portion pressed by the pair of pressing portions 53C and also the +Z directional end, thus achieving reliable electrical connection. However, the contact of the +Z directional end of the conductor portion <NUM> with the contacting portion 23A is not necessarily required.

When the second connector portion <NUM> is fitted to the first connector portion <NUM>, the pair of lock pieces 54A of the locking spring member <NUM> of the second connector portion <NUM> are pressed against the corresponding locking projection <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM> and elastically deform, so that the pair of hook portions 54C catch on the pair of overhanging portions 44A of the locking projection <NUM>.

In this manner, the contacting portions 23A of the electric wire connection portions 21A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> are separately pressed against the conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> retained in the first connector portion <NUM> by the connecting spring members <NUM> of the second connector portion <NUM> and electrically connected to the conductor portions <NUM>.

Aside from that, the locking spring members <NUM> of the second connector portion <NUM> alternating with the connecting spring members <NUM> separately catch on the locking projections <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM>, whereby the fitting state between the first connector portion <NUM> and the second connector portion <NUM> is locked.

Therefore, the size of the connector <NUM> can be reduced, while the contacting portions 23A formed of the flexible conductors <NUM> of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> are electrically connected to the conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> with high reliability.

In addition, the flexible conductors <NUM> of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> can be electrically connected to the conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> only by a simple connecting operation in which the conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> are pushed in the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM>, the sheet type conductive member <NUM> is disposed on the first connector portion <NUM>, and the second connector portion <NUM> is fitted to the first connector portion <NUM> from the top of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

It should be noted that the connecting spring member <NUM> of the second connector portion <NUM> is inserted between the pair of retaining projections 43A on the +Y direction side and the pair of retaining projections 43B on the -Y direction side in the corresponding electric wire retaining portion <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM>; therefore, the conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM> retained by the electric wire retaining portion <NUM> can be connected to the contacting portion 23A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> as long as the conductor portion <NUM> is drawn from the insulating coating portion <NUM> at least in a position between the pair of retaining projections 43A on the +Y direction side and the pair of retaining projections 43B on the -Y direction side.

Thus, the conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM> need not be exposed and may be covered with the insulating coating portion <NUM> in a position pushed in between and retained by the pair of retaining projections 43A on the +Y direction side of the first connector portion <NUM> and a position pushed in between and retained by the pair of retaining projections 43B on the -Y direction side thereof.

In Embodiment <NUM> above, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> of the first connector portion <NUM> each have the pair of retaining projections 43A disposed on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM> and the pair of retaining projections 43B disposed on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM>; however, the invention is not limited thereto. For instance, each electric wire retaining portion may be formed solely of the pair of retaining projections 43A disposed on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM>, as in a first connector portion 41A shown in <FIG>. Even with the first connector portion 41A configured as above, the conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> can be retained and electrically connected to the contacting portions 23A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in the same manner.

Likewise, each electric wire retaining portion may be formed solely of the pair of retaining projections 43B disposed on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM> in the first connector portion <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

While the retaining projections 43A and 43B of the first connector portion <NUM> used in Embodiment <NUM> above have a prismatic shape projecting in the +Z direction from the top surface of the flat plate portion <NUM>, the invention is not limited thereto.

<FIG> shows a first connector portion 41B used in a connector according to Embodiment <NUM>. In the first connector portion 41B, each electric wire retaining portion is formed of a single retaining projection 46A disposed on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM> and a single retaining projection 46B disposed on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM> in place of the pair of retaining projections 43A and the pair of retaining projections 43B that form each electric wire retaining portion <NUM> in the first connector portion <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first connector portion <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the retaining projection 46B includes: a projection body 46C of prismatic shape projecting in the +Z direction from the surface of the flat plate portion <NUM>; and an arm portion 46D extending in the +X direction from the +Z directional end of the projection body 46C while facing the top surface of the flat plate portion <NUM>. A distance S2 between the arm portion 46D and the top surface of the flat plate portion <NUM> is formed to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM>.

The retaining projection 46A disposed on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM> also has a similar configuration to that of the retaining projection 46B. The conductor portion <NUM> of the coated electric wire <NUM> is pushed in between the arm portion 46D of the retaining projection 46B and the top surface of the flat plate portion <NUM> and between the arm portion 46D of the retaining projection 46A and the surface of the flat plate portion <NUM> from the +X direction, whereby the coated electric wire <NUM> can be retained by the retaining projections 46A and 46B.

Even when the first connector portion 41B having the retaining projections 46A and 46B as above is used in place of the first connector portion <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>, similarly, a small-sized connector can be obtained, while the contacting portions 23A formed of the flexible conductors <NUM> of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> are electrically connected to the conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> with high reliability.

In the first connector portion 41B shown in <FIG>, each electric wire retaining portion has the single retaining projection 46A disposed on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM> and the single retaining projection 46B disposed on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM>; however, the invention is not limited thereto. For instance, each electric wire retaining portion may be formed solely of the single retaining projection 46A disposed on the +Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM>, as in a first connector portion 41C shown in <FIG>. Even with the first connector portion 41C configured as above, the conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> can be retained and electrically connected to the contacting portions 23A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> in the same manner.

Likewise, each electric wire retaining portion may be formed solely of the single retaining projection 46B disposed on the -Y direction side of the flat plate portion <NUM> in the first connector portion 41B shown in <FIG>.

While four coated electric wires <NUM> connected to the sheet type conductive member <NUM> are illustrated in Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> above, the number of the coated electric wires <NUM> is not limited to four, and the conductor portion(s) <NUM> of one or more coated electric wires <NUM> may be connected to the contacting portion(s) 23A formed of the flexible conductor(s) <NUM> of the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

In the connector <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> are alternately arranged in the X direction in the first connector portion <NUM>, and also the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are alternately arranged in the X direction in the second connector portion <NUM>. However, the arrangement of the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> and the arrangement of the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> may be modified into various forms.

In a connector 61A shown in <FIG>, the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are alternately arranged in the X direction in the same manner as in Embodiment <NUM>. Although not shown in <FIG>, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> are also arranged in the X direction to correspond to the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>.

Since the fitting state of the connector 61A is locked by the locking spring members <NUM> alternating with the connecting spring members <NUM>, the contacting portions 23A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> can be electrically connected to the conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> by means of the connecting spring members <NUM> with high reliability.

In a connector 61B shown in <FIG>, the locking spring member <NUM> is disposed on each of the opposite sides, in the X direction, of every two connecting spring members <NUM> arranged in series in the X direction. Although not shown in <FIG>, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> are also arranged in the X direction to correspond to the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>.

Even with this arrangement, the fitting state of the connector 61B is locked by the locking spring member <NUM> for every two connecting spring members <NUM>, and the contacting portions 23A of the sheet type conductive member <NUM> can be electrically connected to the conductor portions <NUM> of the coated electric wires <NUM> by means of the connecting spring members <NUM> with high reliability.

In a connector 61C shown in <FIG>, the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are arranged in the X direction in two rows at a distance in the Y direction and staggered in the Y direction. In each row, the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are alternately arranged in the X direction. Although not shown in <FIG>, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> are also arranged to correspond to the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>.

Since the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are staggered in the Y direction, the coated electric wires <NUM> can be arranged on the -Y direction side of the connector 61C such that their conductor portions <NUM> extend to the corresponding connecting spring members <NUM>.

This arrangement makes it possible to connect the conductor portions <NUM> of a large number of coated electric wires <NUM> to the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

In a connector 61D shown in <FIG>, the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are arranged in the X direction in two rows at a distance in the Y direction and staggered in the Y direction, similarly to the connector 61C shown in <FIG>. In each row, however, the locking spring member <NUM> is disposed on each of the opposite sides, in the X direction, of every two connecting spring members <NUM> arranged in series in the X direction. Although not shown in <FIG>, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> are also arranged to correspond to the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>.

Even with this configuration, since the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are staggered in the Y direction, the coated electric wires <NUM> can be arranged on the -Y direction side of the connector 61D such that their conductor portions <NUM> extend to the corresponding connecting spring members <NUM>. Besides, the conductor portions <NUM> of a large number of coated electric wires <NUM> can be connected to the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

In a connector 61E shown in <FIG>, the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are arranged in the X direction in two rows at a distance in the Y direction and aligned in the Y direction. In addition, the connecting spring members <NUM> arranged in, of the two rows, one row are placed in the same X-directional positions as those of the connecting spring members <NUM> arranged in the other row. Although not shown in <FIG>, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> are also arranged to correspond to the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>.

Since the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction, the coated electric wires <NUM> are arranged on each of the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the connector 61E.

Even with this arrangement, the conductor portions <NUM> of a large number of coated electric wires <NUM> can be connected to the sheet type conductive member <NUM>.

In a connector 61F shown in <FIG>, the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are arranged in the X direction in two rows at a distance in the Y direction and aligned in the Y direction, similarly to the connector 61E shown in <FIG>. However, the connecting spring members <NUM> arranged in, of the two rows, one row and the connecting spring members <NUM> arranged in the other row are staggered in the Y direction. Although not shown in <FIG>, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> are also arranged to correspond to the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>.

Also in this case, since the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction, the coated electric wires <NUM> are arranged on each of the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the connector 61F.

Also in a connector <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are arranged in the X direction in two rows at a distance in the Y direction and aligned in the Y direction, similarly to the connector 61E shown in <FIG>. In each row, however, the locking spring member <NUM> is disposed on each of the opposite sides, in the X direction, of every two connecting spring members <NUM> arranged in series in the X direction. Although not shown in <FIG>, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> are also arranged to correspond to the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>.

Also in this case, since the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction, the coated electric wires <NUM> are arranged on each of the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the connector <NUM>.

Also in a connector <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are arranged in the X direction in two rows at a distance in the Y direction and aligned in the Y direction. In each row, however, the locking spring member <NUM> is disposed on each of the opposite sides, in the X direction, of every three connecting spring members <NUM> arranged in series in the X direction. Although not shown in <FIG>, the electric wire retaining portions <NUM> and the locking projections <NUM> are also arranged to correspond to the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM>.

Since the connecting spring members <NUM> and the locking spring members <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction, the coated electric wires <NUM> are arranged on each of the +Y direction side and the -Y direction side of the connector <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A connector (<NUM>, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 61E, 61F, <NUM>, <NUM>) for connecting a
conductor portion (<NUM>) of an electric wire (<NUM>) to a flexible conductor (<NUM>) of a sheet type conductive member (<NUM>), the connector comprising:
a first connector portion (<NUM>, 41A, 41B, 41C) including an electric wire retaining portion (<NUM>) used to retain the electric wire, and a locking projection (<NUM>); and
a second connector portion (<NUM>) including a connecting spring member (<NUM>) corresponding to the electric wire retained by the electric wire retaining portion,
wherein the electric wire extends along a first direction (Y), characterized by the second connector portion further comprising:
- a locking spring member (<NUM>) corresponding to the locking projection (<NUM>), the connecting spring member and the locking spring member are disposed at a predetermined interval in a second direction (X) perpendicular to the first direction, and
when the second connector portion is fitted to the first connector portion having the electric wire retained in the electric wire retaining portion with the sheet type conductive member being interposed between the second connector portion and the first connector portion, the flexible conductor (<NUM>) of the sheet type conductive member is pressed against the conductor portion (<NUM>) of the electric wire by the connecting spring member (<NUM>) and electrically connected to the conductor portion, and the locking spring member (<NUM>) catches on the locking projection (<NUM>) so that a fitting state between the first connector portion (<NUM>, 41A, 41B, 41C) and the second connector portion (<NUM>) is locked.