Patent Description:
The present invention also relates to a connector assembly composed of such a connector and a counter connector.

The present invention also relates to a wearing article as a mounting object on which a connector is mounted.

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 wiring portion drawn from the electrode.

In the smart clothes as above, the electrode needs to be closely attached to the body of the user to acquire the user's biological data with high accuracy.

To cope with it, for example, <CIT> discloses a garment to which a tightening device is attached as shown in <FIG>. The tightening device includes: a band type self-adherent tape <NUM> attached to each of the right and left lateral portions on the outer side of a front body <NUM> of the garment as shown in <FIG>; and sheet type self-adherent tapes <NUM> and <NUM> attached to each of the right and left lateral portions on the outer side of a back body <NUM> of the garment as shown in <FIG>.

Although not shown, electrodes are disposed on the inner side of the front body <NUM>. When the band type self-adherent tapes <NUM> of the front body <NUM> are, while being pulled, connected to the self-adherent tapes <NUM> or <NUM> of the back body <NUM>, the garment is tightened so that the electrodes can be closely attached to the body of the user.

However, in the garment to which the tightening device of <CIT> is attached, it is necessary to further mount a circuit module, a connector, and other components on the garment and electrically connect them to the electrodes in order to measure biological data acquired through the electrodes or transmit such data to a remote measurement device. Thus, another operation is required to electrically connect the electrodes to the circuit module, the connector, and other components, in addition to tightening operation of the garment using the tightening device. <CIT> discloses an elastically stretchable sheet member having electrical contacts thereon, wherein a counter-connector can be mated to the contacts when the sheet member is stretched, and the shrinking force of the sheet member ensures electrical continuity between the contacts and the counter-connector.

The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problem as above and aims at providing a connector that is mounted on a mounting object and is capable of both tightening of the mounting object and establishment of electric connection only by being fitted to a counter connector.

The present invention also aims at providing a connector assembly composed of the connector and a counter connector.

The present invention also aims at providing a wearing article on which the connector is mounted.

A connector according to the present invention is one that is configured to be mounted on a mounting object and fitted to a counter connector in which a counter first contact and a counter second contact are retained by a housing having rigidity and an insulating property, the connector comprising:.

A connector assembly according to the present invention comprises:.

A wearing article according to the present invention serves as the mounting object on which the foregoing connector is mounted.

<FIG> shows a garment G on which a connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> is attached. The garment G is a top such as a shirt worn by a user. The connector <NUM> used as a garment-side connector is disposed on a tubular circumferential portion G1 constituted of a body part in which a torso of a user is inserted.

The connector <NUM> is attached to a front body of the garment G and is composed of a first connector member <NUM> and a second connector member <NUM> that are spaced from each other at an interval in the circumferential direction of the circumferential portion G1.

A plurality of electrodes G2 constituting terminal members are attached on an inner peripheral surface of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G, that is, the inner surface of the garment G that faces the body of the user when the user wears the garment G.

In addition, a plurality of first wiring portions W1 and a plurality of second wiring portions W2 are respectively disposed between electrodes G2 and the first connector member <NUM> and between electrodes G2 and the second connector member <NUM> on the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential portion G1. Specifically, of the electrodes G2, some are connected to the first connector member <NUM> via the first wiring portions W1 and the others are connected to the second connector member <NUM> via the second wiring portions W2.

For convenience, the front body of the garment G in <FIG> is defined as extending along an XY plane, the first connector member <NUM> and the second connector member <NUM> are defined as being spaced in an X direction, and the direction that is perpendicular to an XY plane and is directed from the front body toward the front of the garment G is defined as a +Z direction.

The second connector member <NUM> is disposed on the -X direction side of the first connector member <NUM> when the garment G is seen from the front.

As shown in <FIG>, the first connector member <NUM> includes an insulating first sheet member <NUM> extending from the +X direction toward the -X direction along an XY plane. The circumferential portion G1 of the garment G is provided with a slit G3 corresponding to the first connector member <NUM> and extending in the Y direction. By passing the first sheet member <NUM> through the slit G3, the +X directional portion of the first connector member <NUM> is placed on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G, while the -X directional portion of the first connector member <NUM> is placed on the outer peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G.

As shown in <FIG>, the first sheet member <NUM> extending from the +X direction toward the -X direction includes: a mounting portion MP that is defined at a base end of the first sheet member <NUM> on the +X direction side and is to be mounted on the garment G; and a fitting portion FP that is defined at a distal end of the first sheet member <NUM> on the -X direction side and is to be fitted to a counter connector <NUM>.

The first sheet member <NUM> is provided with an embroidery pattern <NUM> made by sewing an embroidery thread. The embroidery pattern <NUM> extends from the mounting portion MP to the fitting portion FP. A conductive thread is used as the embroidery thread forming the embroidery pattern <NUM>, so that a plurality of first flexible conductors <NUM> having electric conductivity are formed.

Each first flexible conductor <NUM> includes: a linear first connection portion 24A disposed in the fitting portion FP of the first sheet member <NUM> and extending in the X direction; a rectangular second connection portion 24B disposed in the mounting portion MP of the first sheet member <NUM>; and a joint portion 24C joining the first connection portion 24A and the second connection portion 24B to each other in the X direction.

The first connector member <NUM> includes a plurality of first contacts <NUM> attached to the fitting portion FP of the first sheet member <NUM> and electrically connected to the first connection portions 24A of the first flexible conductors <NUM>. The first contacts <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction in the fitting portion FP to form a contact row R2 extending in the Y direction.

Each first contact <NUM> is a conductive member having a ring shape, more specifically, a donut shape, made of metal or the like, and is attached to a peripheral portion of a sheet through hole 22A that is formed in the first sheet member <NUM> in a place where the first connection portion 24A of the corresponding first flexible conductor <NUM> is disposed. For the first contact <NUM>, a ring-shaped metal fitting called a grommet may be used, for instance.

The first sheet member <NUM> is made of, for example, insulating cloth, knitted fabric, or rubber material and is a flexible member that is stretchable at least in the X direction. The first contacts <NUM> situated in the contact row R2 can be displaced in the -X direction when a tensile force in the -X direction is exerted on the distal end of the first sheet member <NUM> on the -X direction side, as illustrated by the two-dot-dash line in <FIG>. An amount of displacement dL of the first contacts <NUM> varies depending on the tensile force acting on the first sheet member <NUM>, and a shrinking force according to the amount of displacement dL is generated at the first sheet member <NUM> elastically stretched in the X direction.

Since the first flexible conductors <NUM> are made of the embroidery thread, the first flexible conductors <NUM> extending in the X direction are also configured to be stretchable in the X direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the base end of the first connector member <NUM> on the +X direction side is situated on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G. The second connection portions 24B of the first flexible conductors <NUM> are electrically connected to the corresponding first wiring portions W1 and further to the corresponding electrodes G2 via the first wiring portions W1 on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1.

The distal end of the first connector member <NUM> on the -X direction side is situated on the outer peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G, so that the first contacts <NUM> are exposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1.

As shown in <FIG>, the second connector member <NUM> includes an insulating second sheet member <NUM> extending from the -X direction toward the +X direction along an XY plane. The circumferential portion G1 of the garment G is provided with a slit G4 corresponding to the second connector member <NUM> and extending in the Y direction. By passing the second sheet member <NUM> through the slit G4, the -X directional portion of the second connector member <NUM> is placed on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G, while the +X directional portion of the second connector member <NUM> is placed on the outer peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G.

The second connector member <NUM> has a configuration similar to the first connector member <NUM>. To be more specific, as shown in <FIG>, the second sheet member <NUM> extending from the -X direction toward the +X direction includes: a mounting portion MP that is defined at a base end of the second sheet member <NUM> on the -X direction side and is to be mounted on the garment G; and a fitting portion FP that is defined at a distal end of the second sheet member <NUM> on the +X direction side and is to be fitted to the counter connector <NUM>.

The second sheet member <NUM> is provided with an embroidery pattern <NUM> made by sewing an embroidery thread, and a plurality of second flexible conductors <NUM> having electric conductivity are formed by the embroidery pattern <NUM>.

Each second flexible conductor <NUM> includes: a linear first connection portion 34A disposed in the fitting portion FP of the second sheet member <NUM> and extending in the X direction; a rectangular second connection portion 34B disposed in the mounting portion MP of the second sheet member <NUM>; and a joint portion 34C joining the first connection portion 34A and the second connection portion 34B to each other in the X direction.

The second connector member <NUM> includes a plurality of second contacts <NUM> attached to the fitting portion FP of the second sheet member <NUM> and electrically connected to the first connection portions 34A of the second flexible conductors <NUM>. The second contacts <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction in the fitting portion FP to form a contact row R3 extending in the Y direction.

Each second contact <NUM> is a donut-shaped conductive member having the same configuration as the first contact <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and is attached to a peripheral portion of a sheet through hole 32A formed in the second sheet member <NUM>.

The first and second contacts <NUM> and <NUM> of donut shape have the same inner diameter.

The second sheet member <NUM> is made of, for example, insulating cloth, knitted fabric, or rubber material and is a flexible member that is stretchable at least in the X direction, similarly to the first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM>. The second contacts <NUM> situated in the contact row R3 are displaced when a tensile force in the +X direction is exerted on the distal end of the second sheet member <NUM> on the +X direction side, and an X-directional shrinking force is generated at the second sheet member <NUM> elastically stretched in the X direction.

Since the second flexible conductors <NUM> are made of the embroidery thread, the second flexible conductors <NUM> extending in the X direction are also configured to be stretchable in the X direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the base end of the second connector member <NUM> on the -X direction side is situated on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G. The second connection portions 34B of the second flexible conductors <NUM> are electrically connected to the corresponding second wiring portions W2 and further to the corresponding electrodes G2 via the second wiring portions W2 on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1.

The distal end of the second connector member <NUM> on the +X direction side is situated on the outer peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G, so that the second contacts <NUM> are exposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1.

In the state where no external force other than gravity acts on the garment G and the connector <NUM>, the contact row R2 of the first connector member <NUM> and the contact row R3 of the second connector member <NUM> both exposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G are spaced from each other in the X direction by a distance L1, as shown in <FIG>.

The electrodes G2 attached on the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G shown in <FIG> are used to acquire biological data of the user who is wearing the garment G and can be made of a metal material but may also be formed by weaving-in of a conductive thread; alternatively, use may be made of the electrode G2 having a conductive layer formed by printing or the like on a surface of an insulating resin film.

Fiber wiring formed by weaving-in of a conductive thread may be used for the first wiring portions W1 connecting the second connection portions 24B of the first flexible conductors <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> to the corresponding electrodes G2 and the second wiring portions W2 connecting the second connection portions 34B of the second flexible conductors <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> to the corresponding electrodes G2 on the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G. Alternatively, wiring having a conductive layer formed by printing or the like on a surface of an insulating resin film may be used for the first wiring portions W1 and the second wiring portions W2.

<FIG> shows the counter connector <NUM> to be fitted to the connector <NUM>. The counter connector <NUM> includes: an insulating housing <NUM> having rigidity; and a plurality of counter first contacts <NUM> and a plurality of counter second contacts <NUM> both retained by the housing <NUM>. The counter connector <NUM> is used as a module-side connector.

The housing <NUM> has a connector opposing surface 13A of flat shape that extends along an XY plane and faces in the +Z direction. The counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> protrude in the +Z direction from the connector opposing surface 13A.

The counter first contacts <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction in a +X directional portion of the housing <NUM> to form a contact row R11 extending in the Y direction. The counter second contacts <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction in a -X directional portion of the housing <NUM> to form a contact row R12 extending in the Y direction at a position spaced from the contact row R11 formed of the counter first contacts <NUM> in the -X direction by a distance L2.

The distance L2 in the X direction between the contact rows R11 and R12 is set to be shorter than the distance L1 in the X direction between the contact row R2 of the first connector member <NUM> and the contact row R3 of the second connector member <NUM> in the state where no external force other than gravity acts on the garment G and the connector <NUM>.

The counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> have the same configuration and, as shown in <FIG>, each include a tubular portion S1 of cylindrical shape extending in the +Z direction and a flange S2 extending along an XY plane from the -Z directional end of the tubular portion S1. The tubular portion S1 is provided at its +Z directional end with a guide portion S3 of conical shape that tapers toward the +Z direction, and the guide portion S3 is provided at its -Z directional end with an overhanging portion S4 of annular shape that protrudes in the radial direction with respect to the tubular portion S1. The outer diameter of the overhanging portion S4 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the donut-shaped first contact <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the inner diameter of the donut-shaped second contact <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM>, and the tubular portion S1 and the guide portion S3 are formed to be insertable into the donut-shaped first and second contacts <NUM> and <NUM>.

When the connector <NUM> is fitted to the counter connector <NUM>, first, a user puts on the garment G, and the counter connector <NUM> is positioned between the first connector member <NUM> and the second connector member <NUM>.

Next, the -X directional end of the first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the +X directional end of the second sheet member <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> that are exposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G are pulled to approach each other, whereby the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> are stretched in the X direction to the position where the first contacts <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> are situated on the +Z direction side of the counter first contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> and the second contacts <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are situated on the +Z direction side of the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM>.

In this state, the fitting portion FP of the first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the fitting portion FP of the second sheet member <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are moved in the -Z direction toward the connector opposing surface 13A of the housing <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> from the +Z direction. Consequently, as shown in <FIG>, the counter first contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are separately inserted into and fitted to the corresponding donut-shaped first contacts <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM>, and the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are separately inserted into and fitted to the corresponding donut-shaped second contacts <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM>.

Then, when X-directional tensile forces acting on the first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are released, the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> shrink in the X direction, the first contacts <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the second contacts <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are electrically connected to the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM>, respectively, and the connector <NUM> is fitted to the counter connector <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the connector <NUM> and the counter connector <NUM> thus fitted together. The housing <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> has a module substrate <NUM> therein, and the flanges S2 of the counter first contacts <NUM> and the flanges S2 of the counter second contacts <NUM> are mounted on the module substrate <NUM>.

In the state where the tubular portion S1 and the guide portion S3 of the counter first contact <NUM> protrude in the +Z direction from the connector opposing surface 13A via a through-hole 13B of the housing <NUM> and are inserted in the corresponding donut-shaped first contact <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM>, a shrinking force is generated at the first sheet member <NUM> due to release of the tensile force acting on the first sheet member <NUM>.

Likewise, in the state where the tubular portion S1 and the guide portion S3 of the counter second contact <NUM> protrude in the +Z direction from the connector opposing surface 13A via a through-hole 13B of the housing <NUM> and are inserted in the corresponding donut-shaped second contact <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM>, a shrinking force is generated at the second sheet member <NUM> due to release of the tensile force acting on the second sheet member <NUM>.

Consequently, an inner peripheral portion, on the -X direction side, of the first contact <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> makes contact with an outer peripheral portion, on the -X direction side, of the counter first contact <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> at a predetermined contact pressure, and an inner peripheral portion, on the +X direction side, of the second contact <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> makes contact with an outer peripheral portion, on the +X direction side, of the counter second contact <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> at a predetermined contact pressure.

As a result, the first contacts <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> are electrically connected to the counter first contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> separately, and the second contacts <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are electrically connected to the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> separately.

As shown in <FIG>, the second connection portions 24B of the first flexible conductors <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> are electrically connected to the corresponding electrodes G2 via the first wiring portions W1 of the garment G, separately.

Likewise, as shown in <FIG>, the second connection portions 34B of the second flexible conductors <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are electrically connected to the corresponding electrodes G2 via the second wiring portions W2 of the garment G, separately.

Therefore, it is possible to, via the first contacts <NUM> and the second contacts <NUM> of the connector <NUM>, electrically connect the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> separately to the electrodes G2 disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G.

Hence, by mounting a predetermined electronic circuit on the module substrate <NUM> housed in the counter connector <NUM>, the user's biological data acquired through the electrodes G2 can be measured by the electronic circuit or transmitted from the electronic circuit to a remote measurement device.

Since the distance L2 in the X direction between the contact rows R11 and R12 of the counter connector <NUM> is set to be shorter than the distance L1 in the X direction between the contact row R2 of the first connector member <NUM> and the contact row R3 of the second connector member <NUM> with no external force other than gravity acting on the garment G and the connector <NUM>, the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> are each in a state of being stretched in the X direction in the connector <NUM> fitted to the counter connector <NUM>.

Accordingly, X-directional shrinking forces act on the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM>, and this tightens the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G to which the first connector member <NUM> and the second connector member <NUM> are attached, thus making the circumferential length of the circumferential portion G1 shorter as shown in <FIG>.

This configuration makes it possible to cause the electrodes G2 disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G to be closely attached to the body of the user who is wearing the garment G.

Thus, it is possible to carry out both establishment of electric connection of the electrodes G2 attached to the garment G to the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> and tightening of the garment G only by mounting the connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> on the garment G and fitting the counter connector <NUM> to the connector <NUM>. In other words, it is possible to acquire biological data of the user who is wearing the garment G with high accuracy and perform electric processing by use of the counter connector <NUM> that is the module-side connector.

When acquisition of the user's biological data is not carried out, the counter connector <NUM> may be detached from the garment G to release the fitting between the connector <NUM> and the counter connector <NUM>, whereby the garment G returns to the initial condition shown in <FIG>, which is loose clothes without a feel of tightness.

In Embodiment <NUM> above, the second connection portions 24B of the first flexible conductors <NUM> of the first sheet member <NUM> and the second connection portions 34B of the second flexible conductors <NUM> of the second sheet member <NUM> are electrically connected to the corresponding first and second wiring portions W1 and W2 on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G, respectively; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

For example, the second connection portions 24B of the first flexible conductors <NUM> of the first sheet member <NUM> and the second connection portions 34B of the second flexible conductors <NUM> of the second sheet member <NUM> may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G and electrically connected to the corresponding first and second wiring portions W1 and W2 disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 by sewing with a conductive thread. This configuration eliminates the need of the slits G3 and G4 formed in the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G.

In the connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>, only by mounting the connector <NUM> on the garment G and fitting the same to the counter connector <NUM>, contact forces are imparted between the first contacts <NUM> and the counter first contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> and between the second contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM>, and also a tightening force is imparted to the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G. In this respect, the contact forces and tightening force imparted can be configured to be adjustable.

<FIG> shows a first connector member <NUM> used in a connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>. The first connector member <NUM> includes an insulating first sheet member <NUM> extending along an XY plane. The first sheet member <NUM> includes: a mounting portion MP defined at a base end of the first sheet member <NUM> on the +X direction side; and a fitting portion FP defined at a distal end of the first sheet member <NUM> on the -X direction side.

The first sheet member <NUM> is provided with an embroidery pattern <NUM> made by sewing an embroidery thread, and a conductive thread is used as the embroidery thread forming the embroidery pattern <NUM>, so that a plurality of first flexible conductors <NUM> having electric conductivity are formed. Each first flexible conductor <NUM> includes a first connection portion 54A disposed in the fitting portion FP of the first sheet member <NUM>, a second connection portion 54B disposed in the mounting portion MP of the first sheet member <NUM>, and a joint portion 54C joining the first connection portion 54A and the second connection portion 54B to each other, as with the first flexible conductor <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

The first connector member <NUM> includes a plurality of first contacts <NUM> that correspond to the first flexible conductors <NUM> and that are attached to the fitting portion FP of the first sheet member <NUM>. Each first contact <NUM> includes two first contact parts 55A aligned at an interval along the X direction, and those two first contact parts 55A are both electrically connected to the first connection portion 54A of the corresponding first flexible conductor <NUM>.

The first contact parts 55A disposed on the -X direction side in the first contacts <NUM> form a first contact row R51 aligned in the Y direction and extending in the Y direction, and the first contact parts 55A disposed on the +X direction side in the first contacts <NUM> form a second contact row R52 aligned in the Y direction and extending in the Y direction.

<FIG> shows a second connector member <NUM> used in the connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>. The second connector member <NUM> includes an insulating second sheet member <NUM> extending along an XY plane. The second sheet member <NUM> includes: a mounting portion MP defined at a base end of the second sheet member <NUM> on the -X direction side; and a fitting portion FP defined at a distal end of the second sheet member <NUM> on the +X direction side.

The second sheet member <NUM> is provided with an embroidery pattern <NUM> made by sewing an embroidery thread, and a conductive thread is used as the embroidery thread forming the embroidery pattern <NUM>, so that a plurality of second flexible conductors <NUM> having electric conductivity are formed. Each second flexible conductor <NUM> includes a first connection portion 64A disposed in the fitting portion FP of the second sheet member <NUM>, a second connection portion 64B disposed in the mounting portion MP of the second sheet member <NUM>, and a joint portion 64C joining the first connection portion 64A and the second connection portion 64B to each other, as with the second flexible conductor <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

The second connector member <NUM> includes a plurality of second contacts <NUM> that correspond to the second flexible conductors <NUM> and that are attached to the fitting portion FP of the second sheet member <NUM>. Each second contact <NUM> includes two second contact parts 65A aligned at an interval along the X direction, and those two second contact parts 65A are both electrically connected to the first connection portion 64A of the corresponding second flexible conductor <NUM>.

The second contact parts 65A disposed on the +X direction side in the second contacts <NUM> form a first contact row R61 aligned in the Y direction and extending in the Y direction, and the second contact parts 65A disposed on the -X direction side in the second contacts <NUM> form a second contact row R62 aligned in the Y direction and extending in the Y direction.

The first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> are made of, for example, insulating cloth, knitted fabric, or rubber material and are flexible members stretchable at least in the X direction, as with the first and second sheet members <NUM> and <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

The two first contact parts 55A of each first contact <NUM> and the two second contact parts 65A of each second contact <NUM> are conductive members having a ring shape, more specifically, a donut shape, made of metal or the like, and may be formed of a ring-shaped metal fitting called a grommet for instance, similarly to the first contact <NUM> and the second contact <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

The first contact part 55A is attached to a peripheral portion of a sheet through hole 52A that is formed in the first sheet member <NUM> in a place where the first connection portion 54A of the corresponding first flexible conductor <NUM> is situated, and the second contact part 65A is attached to a peripheral portion of a sheet through hole 62A that is formed in the second sheet member <NUM> in a place where the first connection portion 64A of the corresponding second flexible conductor <NUM> is situated.

<FIG> shows a counter connector <NUM> to be fitted to the connector <NUM>. The counter connector <NUM> has the same structure as the counter connector <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM> except for its shape elongated in the X direction. Specifically, the counter connector <NUM> includes: an insulating housing <NUM> having rigidity; and a plurality of counter first contacts <NUM> and a plurality of counter second contacts <NUM> protruding in the +Z direction from a connector opposing surface 43A of the housing <NUM>, the connector opposing surface 43A extending along an XY plane and facing the +Z direction.

The counter first contacts <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction in a +X directional portion of the housing <NUM> to form a contact row R41 extending in the Y direction, and the counter second contacts <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction in a -X directional portion of the housing <NUM> to form a contact row R42 extending in the Y direction.

The counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> have the same structure as the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> used in Embodiment <NUM> and shown in <FIG>.

Also in the connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM>, the first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are stretched in the X direction, and in this state, the counter first contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are fitted to the first contacts <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM>, while the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are fitted to the second contacts <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM>, as with the connector <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM>.

Subsequently, X-directional tensile forces acting on the first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are released, whereupon the counter connector <NUM> is fitted to the connector <NUM>.

In the meantime, the first contacts <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> each have the two first contact parts 55A aligned at an interval along the X direction, so that the first contact row R51 and the second contact row R52 are formed. Therefore, a shrinking force generated at the first sheet member <NUM> when the connector <NUM> is fitted to the counter connector <NUM> varies depending on, into the first contact parts 55A of which row, the first contact row R51 or the second contact row R52, the counter first contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are inserted.

Likewise, the second contacts <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> each have the two second contact parts 65A aligned at an interval along the X direction, so that the first contact row R61 and the second contact row R62 are formed. Therefore, a shrinking force generated at the second sheet member <NUM> when the connector <NUM> is fitted to the counter connector <NUM> varies depending on, into the second contact parts 65A of which row, the first contact row R61 or the second contact row R62, the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are inserted.

For instance, the counter connector <NUM> can be fitted to the connector <NUM> by fitting the counter first contacts <NUM> forming the contact row R41 of the counter connector <NUM> to the first contact parts 55A forming the first contact row R51 of the first connector member <NUM> and fitting the counter second contacts <NUM> forming the contact row R42 of the counter connector <NUM> to the second contact parts 65A forming the first contact row R61 of the second connector member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In this case, the X-directional stretching amounts of the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> are relatively small, and hence, the shrinking forces generated at the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> are relatively weak. As a consequence, the first contact parts 55A and the second contact parts 65A make contact with the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> with relatively weak forces, respectively, so that a relatively weak tightening force acts on the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G.

On the other hand, the counter connector <NUM> can be fitted to the connector <NUM> also by, for example, fitting the counter first contacts <NUM> forming the contact row R41 of the counter connector <NUM> to the first contact parts 55A forming the second contact row R52 of the first connector member <NUM> and fitting the counter second contacts <NUM> forming the contact row R42 of the counter connector <NUM> to the second contact parts 65A forming the second contact row R62 of the second connector member <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In this case, the X-directional stretching amounts of the first sheet member 52b and the second sheet member <NUM> are relatively large, and hence, the shrinking forces generated at the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> are relatively strong. As a consequence, the first contact parts 55A and the second contact parts 65A make contact with the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> with relatively strong forces, respectively, so that a relatively strong tightening force acts on the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G.

Thus, one of the first contact row R51 and the second contact row R52 of the first connector member <NUM> and one of the first contact row R61 and the second contact row R62 of the second connector member <NUM> are selected depending on the body frame of the user who wears the garment G, and then the counter connector <NUM> is fitted to the connector <NUM>, thus adjusting the contact forces and tightening force imparted.

In Embodiment <NUM> above, the first connector member <NUM> has the first contact row R51 and the second contact row R52, and the second connector member <NUM> has the first contact row R61 and the second contact row R62; however, each of the first and second connector members <NUM> and <NUM> may have three or more contact rows.

The number of contact rows of the first connector member <NUM> may be the same as or different from the number of contact rows of the second connector member <NUM>.

In Embodiment <NUM>, the counter connector <NUM> is fitted to the connector <NUM> in the state where the housing <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> is disposed on the -Z direction side of the -X directional portion of the first sheet member <NUM> where the first contacts <NUM> are exposed and the +X directional portion of the second sheet member <NUM> where the second contacts <NUM> are exposed, that is, disposed on the side closer to the garment G, as shown in <FIG>; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

For instance, as shown in <FIG>, the counter connector <NUM> may be disposed on the +Z direction side of the -X directional portion of the first sheet member <NUM> and the +X directional portion of the second sheet member <NUM>, that is, on the opposite side from the garment G, to fit the counter connector <NUM> to the connector <NUM>.

It should be noted that, in this case, the counter connector <NUM> is fitted to the connector <NUM> from the +Z direction with its position being turned over in the Z direction such that the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> protrude in the -Z direction.

In Embodiment <NUM>, the first contacts <NUM> are retained by the stretchable first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM>, and the second contacts <NUM> are retained by the stretchable second sheet member <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM>; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

<FIG> shows a garment G on which a connector 11A according to Embodiment <NUM> is attached. The garment G is the same as that used in Embodiment <NUM>. The electrodes G2 and the first and second wiring portions W1 and W2 are disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular circumferential portion G1.

The connector 11A is a connector corresponding to the connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> but, of the first and second connector members <NUM> and <NUM>, the second connector member <NUM> is omitted, and the second contacts <NUM> are retained on the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G.

The second contacts <NUM> are directly connected to the second wiring portions W2 on the inner peripheral surface side of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G.

In the connector 11A of Embodiment <NUM>, the first sheet member <NUM> is stretched in the X direction by pulling the -X directional end of the first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> in the -X direction, and in this state, the counter first contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are fitted to the first contacts <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM>, while the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are fitted to the second contacts <NUM> retained on the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G, as shown in <FIG>.

Subsequently, an X-directional tensile force acting on the first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> is released, whereupon the counter connector <NUM> is fitted to the connector 11A.

Even when the second contacts <NUM> are retained by the garment G, a shrinking force is generated at the first sheet member <NUM> stretched in the X direction, and this makes it possible to bring the first contacts <NUM> and the second contacts <NUM> into contact with the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> at a predetermined contact pressure, respectively, and to allow a tightening force to act on the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G where the connector 11A is disposed.

It should be noted that, of the first and second connector members <NUM> and <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>, the first connector member <NUM> may be omitted with the first contacts <NUM> being retained on the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G. In this case, the counter first contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are inserted into the first contacts <NUM> retained on the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G, and the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> are inserted into the second contacts <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM>.

In Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> above, the first contacts <NUM>, the second contacts <NUM>, the first contact parts 55A of the first contacts <NUM>, and the second contact parts 65A of the second contacts <NUM> all have a so-called donut shape; however, the shape is not limited to a donut shape, and for example, a conductive member of flat plate and ring shape made of metal or the like may also be used.

<FIG> shows a fitting state between a connector <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> and a counter connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> includes a first connector member <NUM> having a plurality of first contacts <NUM> protruding in the +Z direction and a second connector member <NUM> having a plurality of second contacts <NUM> protruding in the +Z direction.

The first connector member <NUM> has an insulating first sheet member <NUM> extending in an XY plane, and the first sheet member <NUM> is provided with a plurality of first flexible conductors <NUM> formed using a conductive thread. The first contacts <NUM> are retained by the first sheet member <NUM> and connected to the first flexible conductors <NUM>.

The second connector member <NUM> has an insulating second sheet member <NUM> extending in an XY plane, and the second sheet member <NUM> is provided with a plurality of second flexible conductors <NUM> formed using a conductive thread. The second contacts <NUM> are retained by the second sheet member <NUM> and connected to the second flexible conductors <NUM>.

The first contacts <NUM> and the second contacts <NUM> each include a tubular portion T1 of cylindrical shape extending in the +Z direction and a flange T2 extending along an XY plane from the -Z directional end of the tubular portion T1, as shown in <FIG>. The first contacts <NUM> and the second contacts <NUM> are retained by the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> by partially inserting their flanges T2 through the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> and bending the inserted parts to the -Z direction side, and are thereby electrically connected to the corresponding first flexible conductors <NUM> and the corresponding second flexible conductors <NUM>, respectively.

The tubular portion T1 is provided at its +Z directional end with a guide portion T3 of conical shape that tapers toward the +Z direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the counter connector <NUM> includes: an insulating housing <NUM> having rigidity; and a plurality of counter first contacts <NUM> and a plurality of counter second contacts <NUM> both retained by the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has a connector opposing surface 73A of flat shape that extends along an XY plane and faces in the -Z direction. The counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> are retained by the housing <NUM> so as to be exposed in the -Z direction from the connector opposing surface 73A.

The counter first contacts <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction in a +X directional portion of the housing <NUM> to form a contact row R8 extending in the Y direction, and the counter second contacts <NUM> are aligned in the Y direction in a -X directional portion of the housing <NUM> to form a contact row R9 extending in the Y direction.

The counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> are conductive members of flat ring shape made of metal or the like. Each of the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> is provided at its center with an insertion hole that allows insertion of the tubular portion T1 and the guide portion T3 of the corresponding one of the first contacts <NUM> and the second contacts <NUM>.

When the connector <NUM> is fitted to the counter connector <NUM>, first, the -X directional end of the first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the +X directional end of the second sheet member <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are pulled to approach each other, whereby the first sheet member <NUM> and the second sheet member <NUM> are stretched in the X direction, as with Embodiment <NUM>.

In this state, the tubular portions T1 and the guide portions T3 of the first contacts <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> are inserted into the ring-shaped counter first contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM>, and the tubular portions T1 and the guide portions T3 of the second contacts <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> are inserted into the ring-shaped counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the connector <NUM> and the counter connector <NUM> thus fitted together. Upon shrinking of the first and second sheet members <NUM> and <NUM> in the X direction, an outer peripheral portion, on the +X direction side, of the tubular portion T1 of the first contact <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> makes contact with an inner peripheral portion, on the +X direction side, of the ring-shaped counter first contact <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> at a predetermined contact pressure, and an outer peripheral portion, on the -X direction side, of the tubular portion T1 of the second contact <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> makes contact with an inner peripheral portion, on the -X direction side, of the ring-shaped counter second contact <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM> at a predetermined contact pressure.

As a result, the first contacts <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the second contacts <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM> can be electrically connected to the counter first contacts <NUM> and the counter second contacts <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM>, respectively.

In addition, upon shrinking of the first and second sheet members <NUM> and <NUM> in the X direction, a tightening force acts on the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G where the connector <NUM> is disposed.

Thus, even when the first contacts <NUM> and the second contacts <NUM> that protrude in the +Z direction are attached to the stretchable first sheet member <NUM> of the first connector member <NUM> and the stretchable second sheet member <NUM> of the second connector member <NUM>, respectively, and the ring-shaped counter first contacts <NUM> and the ring-shaped counter second contacts <NUM> are disposed in the rigid housing <NUM> of the counter connector <NUM>, the same effects as those of the connector <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> can be obtained.

In Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> above, the number of the first contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the number of the second contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the connector <NUM>, 11A, <NUM>, <NUM> as well as the number of the counter first contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the number of the counter second contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the counter connector <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are not particularly limited, and it suffices if one or more first contacts and one or more second contacts of the connector are respectively connected to one or more counter first contacts and one or more counter second contacts of the counter connector.

While the electrodes G2 attached on the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G are, as the terminal member, connected to the connector <NUM>, 11A, <NUM>, <NUM> in Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> above, various sensors used to acquire user's biological data may serve as the terminal member. Fitting the counter connector <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to the connector <NUM>, 11A, <NUM>, <NUM> allows a tightening force to act on the circumferential portion G1 of the garment G, whereby the sensors serving as the terminal member can be closely attached to the user's body, thus acquiring the user's biological data with high accuracy.

While the connector <NUM>, 11A, <NUM>, <NUM> is mounted on the garment G serving as the mounting object in Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM> above, the mounting object is not limited to the garment G, and the connector <NUM>, 11A, <NUM>, <NUM> may be mounted on various types of mounting objects.

Claim 1:
A connector (<NUM>, 11A, <NUM>, <NUM>) that is configured to be mounted on a mounting object (G) and fitted to a counter connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in which a counter first contact (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a counter second contact (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are retained by a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having rigidity and an insulating property, the connector comprising:
a first contact (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a second contact (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that are spaced from each other in a predetermined direction and are configured to be respectively fitted to the counter first contact and the counter second contact when the connector is fitted to the counter connector; and
a first sheet member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that has flexibility and an insulating property and is stretchable at least in the predetermined direction, a base end of the first sheet member in the predetermined direction being configured to be mounted on the mounting object at a position opposite from the second contact with respect to the first contact, and a distal end of the first sheet member in the predetermined direction having the first contact retained therein,
wherein the second contact (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to be retained by the mounting object via a second sheet member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having flexibility and an insulating property or directly retained by the mounting object, and
with at least the first sheet member being elastically stretched in the predetermined direction, the connector is fitted to the counter connector, and due to a shrinking force generated at the first sheet member, the first contact and the second contact are electrically connected to the counter first contact and the counter second contact, respectively.