Patent ID: 12230917

DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION

Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure

First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described.

(1) The connector device of the present disclosure is provided with a first connector to be mounted on a first circuit board, and a second connector to be mounted on a second circuit board, wherein the first connector includes a plurality of first terminal units each formed such that a first inner conductor is surrounded by a first outer conductor, the second connector includes a plurality of second terminal units facing the plurality of first terminal units and a plurality of movable terminal units, the second terminal unit is formed such that a second inner conductor is surrounded by a second outer conductor, the movable terminal unit is swingable with the second terminal unit as a fulcrum, a tip part of the movable terminal unit is connectable to the first terminal unit, and the plurality of movable terminal units are coupled to swing integrally by an alignment member. According to the configuration of the present disclosure, since the plurality of movable terminal units are caused to swing integrally by the alignment member, the tip parts of the plurality of movable terminal units are kept in the same positional relationship as the array of the plurality of first terminal units. In this way, the plurality of movable terminal units are reliably connected to the plurality of first terminal units. Therefore, the connector device of the present disclosure is excellent in connection performance.

(2) Preferably, the first connector includes a guiding portion for guiding the tip part of the movable terminal unit toward the first terminal unit. According to this configuration, the tip part of the movable terminal unit can be reliably connected to the first terminal unit only by bringing the first and second connectors closer.

(3) In (2), the guiding portion preferably surrounds the plurality of movable terminal units. According to this configuration, since the plurality of movable terminal units slide in contact with the guiding portion, it can be avoided that a load concentrates only on a specific one of the movable terminal units.

(4) Preferably, the alignment member includes hole portions, the plurality of movable terminal units being individually passed through the hole portions. According to this configuration, regardless of in which direction the movable terminal unit swings, the movable terminal unit is not separated from the alignment member.

(5) Preferably, the alignment member includes a contact portion configured to contact the movable terminal unit with a non-fracture surface. According to this configuration, it can be prevented that the movable terminal unit is damaged by a fracture surface of the alignment member.

(6) Preferably, the movable terminal unit is a member separate from the second terminal unit, and the movable terminal unit and the second terminal unit include a supporting portion for swingably supporting the movable terminal unit with respect to the second terminal unit. According to this configuration, even if the second connector is so oriented that the movable terminal units project downward from the second terminal units, the movable terminal units can be held in the second terminal units.

(7) Preferably, the second connector includes a housing for holding the plurality of second terminal units, and the alignment member and the housing include holding portions for holding the alignment member in a state mounted on the housing. According to this configuration, handling becomes easier since the alignment member and the housing can be integrated.

(8) In (7), preferably, the holding portion on the alignment member side and the holding portion on the housing side have facing surfaces facing each other in a direction intersecting a displacement direction of the alignment member when the movable terminal unit swings, and the facing surface on the alignment member side and the facing surface on the housing side are kept positioned to face each other when the alignment member is in a range where a displacement is allowed. According to this configuration, when the movable terminal unit swings, the alignment member can be displaced even without resiliently deforming the holding portions.

(9) Preferably, the movable terminal unit includes a movable outer conductor, and the alignment member is electrically conductive and contactable with a plurality of the movable outer conductors. According to this configuration, grounding performance is improved since potential differences among the plurality of movable terminal units can be prevented.

Details of Embodiment of Present Disclosure

Embodiment

A specific embodiment of a connector device A of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.1to8. Note that the present invention is not limited to these illustrations and is intended to be represented by claims and include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents. In this embodiment, an oblique right-lower side inFIGS.1to3is defined as a front side concerning a front-rear direction. Upper and lower sides shown inFIGS.1to6and8are directly defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. An oblique left-lower side inFIGS.1to3is defined as a left side concerning a lateral direction.

The connector device A of this embodiment includes, as shown inFIG.8, a first connector10to be mounted on a first circuit board B and a second connector30to be mounted on a second circuit board C. The first circuit board B is, for example, provided in a shark fin antenna (not shown) to be mounted on a roof (not shown) of an automotive vehicle. The first circuit board B is horizontally arranged with a mounting surface facing down, i.e. facing the inner side of the vehicle. The second circuit board C is, for example, provided in an ECU mounted in the roof of the automotive vehicle, and horizontally arranged with a mounting surface facing up, i.e. facing toward the shark fin antenna. The first and second circuit boards B, C are arranged in such a positional relationship that the mounting surfaces thereof are facing each other in parallel.

The first and second connectors10,30are electrically conductively connected by bringing the first circuit board B closer to the second circuit board C. By connecting the both connectors10,30, the first and second circuit boards B, C are connected without via a wiring harness, and high-speed communication becomes possible between the first and second circuit boards B, C. In a part of the roof of the automotive vehicle where the shark fin antenna is mounted, assembling tolerances between the roof and the shark fin antenna are relatively large. Thus, the first and second circuit boards B, C are possibly positionally deviated in a horizontal direction intersecting a connecting direction of the both connectors10,30. In the connector device A of this embodiment, the both connectors10,30are connected while positional deviations of the both circuit boards B, C are absorbed.

As shown inFIG.8, the first connector10includes a first housing11and a plurality of first terminal units16. With the first connector10mounted on the first circuit board B, the upper surface of the first housing11is fixed to the first circuit board B and upper end parts of the plurality of first terminal units16are connected to a printed circuit (not shown) of the first circuit board B. The first housing11is a single component made of synthetic resin and including a first terminal holding portion12having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a guiding portion14having a rectangular shape. The first terminal holding portion12is formed with a plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers13vertically penetrating through the first terminal holding portion12. In a plan view of the first connector10, the first terminal accommodation chamber13is circular. The plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers13are arranged to be aligned in the front-rear direction and the lateral direction.

The guiding portion14has a skirt shape projecting obliquely downward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower end of the first terminal holding portion12. The guiding portion14is inclined to be wider toward the bottom with respect to the connecting direction of the both connectors10,30. The guiding portion14is continuous over the entire periphery of the first terminal holding portion12. In a plan view, the guiding portion14surrounds all of the plurality of terminal accommodation chambers13. A space in the first housing11defined by the guiding portion14below the first terminal holding portion12functions as a first swinging space15. The first swinging space15is open downward of the first housing11.

The plurality of first terminal units16are individually accommodated in the plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers13. As shown inFIG.8, the first terminal unit16includes a first inner conductor17made of metal, a first dielectric21made of synthetic resin and a first outer conductor22made of metal. The first inner conductor17has a tubular shape having an axis oriented parallel to the connecting direction of the both connectors10,30. The first inner conductor17includes a small diameter portion18, a claw portion19radially projecting from the outer periphery of the small diameter portion18and a large diameter portion20having a larger diameter than the small diameter portion18. The small diameter portion18and the large diameter portion20are connected in an axial direction. The first dielectric21has a disk shape having a center hole. The first outer conductor22has a hollow cylindrical shape having an axis oriented parallel to the first inner conductor17and the first dielectric21.

The first terminal unit16is formed such that the small diameter portion18of the first inner conductor17is coaxially surrounded by the first dielectric21and the first inner conductor17and the first dielectric21are coaxially surrounded by the first outer conductor22. The first dielectric21is located in an upper end part of the first outer conductor22. A space in the first outer conductor22below the first dielectric21functions as a connection space23open downward. In the connection space23, the large diameter portion20of the first inner conductor17projects downward. Each connection space23communicates with the swinging space15.

As shown inFIG.2, the second connector30includes a second housing31, as many second terminal units43as the first terminal units16and as many movable terminal units50as the second terminal units43. With the second connector30mounted on the second circuit board C, the lower surface of the second housing31is fixed to the second circuit board C and lower end parts of a plurality of the second terminal units43are connected to a printed circuit (not shown) of the second circuit board C. The second housing31is a single component made of synthetic resin and including a second terminal holding portion32having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a peripheral wall portion34having a rectangular shape and a pair of bilaterally symmetrical holding projections40.

The second terminal holding portion32is formed with as many second terminal accommodation chambers33as the second terminal units43. The second terminal accommodation chambers33vertically penetrate through the second terminal holding portion32. In a plan view of the second connector30, the second terminal accommodation chamber33is circular. A plurality of the second terminal accommodation chambers33are arranged to be aligned in the front-rear direction and the lateral direction, similarly to the plurality of first terminal accommodation chambers13.

As shown inFIG.2, the peripheral wall portion34projects upward in parallel to the connecting direction of the both connectors10,30from the outer peripheral edge of the upper end of the second terminal holding portion32. In a plan view, the peripheral wall portion34surrounds all of the plurality of second terminal accommodation chambers33. A space of the second housing31defined by the peripheral wall portion34above the second terminal holding portion32functions as a second swinging space35. The second swinging space35is open upward of the second housing31, i.e. toward the first connector10. Both left and right side wall portions36constituting the peripheral wall portion34are formed with cut portions37. The cut portions37are substantially rectangular cuts formed to extend downward from the upper end edges of the side wall portions36.

Supporting wall portions38covering the cut portions37from laterally outer sides are formed on the both side wall portions36. Both front and rear end parts of the supporting wall portion38are bent and connected to the outer side surface of the side wall portion36. A space defined by the supporting wall portion38functions as a holding space39communicating with the second swinging space35via the cut portion37. Holding projections40are formed on the inner side surfaces of the both left and right supporting wall portions38. The holding projection40projects into the holding space39from a central part in the front-rear direction of the supporting wall portion38. As shown inFIG.6, a guide slope41inclined downward toward the second swinging space35from the side of the supporting wall portion38is formed on the upper surface of the holding projection40. The lower surface of the holding projection40functions as a fixed-side facing surface42intersecting the connecting direction of the both connectors10,30.

As shown inFIG.5, the plurality of second terminal units43are individually accommodated in the plurality of second terminal accommodation chambers33. As shown inFIG.6, the second terminal unit43includes a second inner conductor44made of metal, a second dielectric45made of synthetic resin and a second outer conductor46made of metal. The second inner conductor44is the same component as the first inner conductor17and includes a small diameter portion18, a claw portion19and a large diameter portion20. The second inner conductor44is arranged in an orientation opposite to that of the first inner conductor17in an axial direction. The second dielectric45is the same component as the first dielectric21and arranged in an orientation vertically inverted from that of the first dielectric21in the axial direction. The second outer conductor46has a hollow cylindrical shape having an axis oriented parallel to the second inner conductor44and the second dielectric45.

The second terminal unit43is formed such that the small diameter portion18of the second inner conductor44is coaxially surrounded by the second dielectric45and the second inner conductor44and the second dielectric45are coaxially surrounded by the second outer conductor46. The second dielectric45is located in a lower end part of the second outer conductor46. A space above the second dielectric45in the second outer conductor46functions as a supporting space47open upward. In the supporting space47, the large diameter portion20of the second inner conductor44projects upward. Each supporting space47communicates with the second swinging space35. A diameter reduced portion48continuous over the entire circumference is formed on the inner periphery of an upper end part of the second outer conductor46. The diameter reduced portion48is arranged in the supporting space47and shaped to bulge radially inward.

As shown inFIGS.2and5, the movable terminal unit50has an elongated shape as a whole. The movable terminal unit50is symmetrical to have the same shape when both axial end parts are inverted. As shown inFIG.5, the movable terminal unit50is a member including a movable inner conductor51made of metal, a movable dielectric53made of synthetic resin and a movable outer conductor56made of metal. A pair of resilient claw pieces52resiliently deformable in a radial direction are formed on each of both axial end parts of the movable inner conductor51.

The movable dielectric53is made of synthetic resin and has a hollow cylindrical shape coaxial with an axis of the movable terminal unit50. An insertion hole54coaxially penetrating through the movable dielectric53is formed in a central part of the movable dielectric53. Circular accommodation recesses55are formed in both axial end parts of the movable dielectric53by coaxially recessing both end surfaces of the movable dielectric53. The accommodation recesses55are spaces constituting both axial end parts of the insertion hole54. Inner diameters of the accommodation recesses55are larger than that of the insertion hole54.

The movable outer conductor56has a hollow cylindrical shape as a whole. As shown inFIGS.2and5, a plurality of resilient arm portions57disposed at intervals in a circumferential direction are formed on both axial end parts of the movable outer conductor56. The resilient arm portion57is cantilevered toward the axial end part and resiliently deformable in a radial direction. A diameter expanded portion58is formed on an extending end part of the resilient arm portion57.

The movable terminal unit50is formed such that the movable inner conductor51is inserted in the insertion hole54of the movable dielectric53and the movable outer conductor56is fit on the outer periphery of the movable dielectric53. The resilient claw pieces52of the movable inner conductor51are located in the accommodation recesses55. As shown inFIG.6, deflection spaces59for allowing resilient deformation of the resilient arm portions57are secured between the outer peripheries of the both axial end parts of the movable dielectric53and the inner peripheries of the resilient arm portions57of the movable outer conductor56.

One end part of the movable terminal unit50is attached, as a base end part50P of the movable terminal unit50, to the second terminal unit43. In attaching, the base end part50P of the movable terminal unit50is inserted into the supporting space47of the second connector30. With the movable terminal unit50attached to the second terminal unit43, the large diameter portion20of the second inner conductor44is accommodated in the accommodation recess55and the resilient claw pieces52of the movable inner conductor51resiliently contact the inner periphery of the large diameter portion20of the second inner conductor44. The resilient arm portions57of the movable outer conductor56are resiliently deformed and the diameter expanded portion58resiliently contacts the inner periphery of the second outer conductor46.

The diameter expanded portion58of the movable outer conductor56is locked to the diameter reduced portion48of the second outer conductor46, thereby restricting the separation of the movable terminal unit50from the second terminal unit43. Even if the movable terminal unit50is vertically inverted to project downward from the second terminal unit43, a locked state of the diameter expanded portion58and the diameter reduced portion48is maintained. The plurality of movable terminal units50can individually swing with contact parts of the base end parts50P and the second terminal units43as fulcrums. Even if the movable terminal unit50swings in the front-rear direction or lateral direction with respect to the second terminal unit43, the locked state of the diameter expanded portion58and the diameter reduced portion48is maintained.

The movable terminal unit50attached to the second terminal unit43projects upward from the second housing31. The other end part, i.e. the upper end part, of the movable terminal unit50is connected, as a tip part50T of the movable terminal unit50, to the first terminal unit16. Here, since one movable terminal unit50is supported in contact with only one second terminal unity43, each of the plurality of movable terminal units50can individually swing in a direction different from the other movable terminal units50. However, in a state where the plurality of movable terminal units50swing in mutually different directions, the tip parts50T of the plurality of movable terminal units50cannot be simultaneously connected to the plurality of first terminal units16when the first and second connectors10,30are connected.

As a measure against that, the second connector30is provided with an alignment member60. The alignment member60is a single component formed by bending a metal plate material punched into a predetermined shape. As shown inFIG.3, the alignment member60includes a plate-like body portion61and a pair of bilaterally symmetrical resilient holding pieces68. The plate-like body portion61is a flat plate having a plate thickness direction oriented parallel to the connecting direction of the both connector10,30. The plate-like body portion61has the same shape as the peripheral wall portion34of the second housing31in a plan view.

The plate-like body portion61is formed with a plurality of hole portions62in the same arrangement as the plurality of second terminal units43in a plan view. The hole portion62has a circular shape having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the movable outer conductor56, and vertically penetrates through the plate-like body portion61. A plurality of fixed projections63spaced apart in a circumferential direction are formed on the inner periphery of the hole portion62. The fixed projections63are formed by closely bending tip parts of extending parts extending toward a radial center from the inner periphery of the hole portion62so that the tip parts are folded downward.

The outer peripheral surface of the projecting end part of the fixed projection63functions as a fixed contact portion64in the form of a semicircular curved surface. The entire region of the fixed contact portion64is formed only by a non-fracture surface different from a fracture surface produced by press working, out of surfaces of the alignment member60. A diameter of an inscribed circle internally tangent to the projecting ends of the plurality of fixed projections63, i.e. the plurality of fixed contact portions64is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the movable outer conductor56.

The plate-like body portion61is integrally formed with a plurality of resilient contact pieces65disposed to overlap on the upper surface of the plate-like body portion61. The resilient contact piece65has an arcuate shape in a plan view. One resilient contact piece65is cantilevered along an opening edge of one hole portion62with the outer peripheral edge of the plate-like body portion61as a base point. A movable projection66is formed on an extending end part of the resilient contact piece65. The movable projection66is formed by closely bending a tip part of an extending part extending toward the radial center from the inner periphery of the extending end part of the resilient contact piece65so that the tip part is folded upward. The outer peripheral surface of the projecting end part of the movable projection66functions as a movable contact portion67in the form of a semicircular curved surface. The entire region of the movable contact portion67is formed only by a non-fracture surface, similarly to the fixed contact portion64.

As shown inFIG.3, the resilient holding piece68includes a pair of front and rear leg portions69extending downward at a right angle to the plate-like body portion61from a side edge of the plate-like body portion61and a locking portion70coupling the extending ends of the both leg portions69. The locking portion70is in the form of a plate parallel to the plate-like body portion61. As shown inFIGS.3and7, the upper surface of the locking portion70serves as a movable-side facing surface71. The movable-side facing surface71faces the fixed-side facing surface42in the vertical direction parallel to the connecting direction of the both connectors10,30. The resilient holding piece68is formed with a guided portion72protruding obliquely downward from the inner side edge of the locking portion70.

The alignment member60is mounted on the second housing31by being brought closer to the second housing31from above. In a mounting process, a pair of the guided portions72slide in contact with a pair of the guide slopes41, whereby the pair of resilient holding pieces68are resiliently deformed to be displaced in directions toward each other, i.e. toward the second swinging space35. If the guided portions72and the locking portions70pass through the holding projections40, the pair of resilient holding pieces68resiliently return to be separated from each other and accommodated into the holding spaces39. The movable-side facing surfaces71of the resilient holding pieces68face the fixed-side facing surfaces42of the second housing31from below. In the above way, the assembling of the alignment member60with the second housing31is completed.

With the alignment member60mounted on the second housing31, an outer peripheral edge part of the plate-like body portion61is placed on the upper end surface of the peripheral wall portion34, the leg portions69and the locking portions70are accommodated in the holding spaces39, and the locking portions70creep under the holding projections40. By locking the locking portions70to the holding projections40, the separation of the alignment member60from the second housing31is restricted. With the outer peripheral edge of the plate-like body portion61aligned with the peripheral wall portion34, clearances are secured between the leg portions69and the supporting wall portions38and between the locking portions70and the supporting wall portions38.

Accordingly, the alignment member60is held on the second housing31with a relative displacement in a direction parallel to the plate-like body portion61allowed. The direction parallel to the plate-like body portion61is a direction which intersects perpendicularly to the connecting direction of the both connectors10,30and in which positional deviations of the both circuit boards B, C are assumed. A relative displacement amount of the alignment member60with respect to the second housing31reaches its maximum when the leg portions69or the locking portions70come into contact with the supporting wall portions38. With the relative displacement amount of the alignment member60with respect to the second housing31maximized, a state where at least parts of the movable-side facing surfaces71vertically face at least parts of the fixed-side facing surfaces42is maintained. Therefore, even if the displacement amount of the alignment member60is maximum, the alignment member60is kept mounted on the second housing31.

After the alignment member60is mounted on the second housing31, the plurality of movable terminal units50are attached to the second terminal units43. In attaching the movable terminal unit50, the base end part50P of the movable terminal unit50is inserted into the second swinging space35through the hole portion62and fit into the supporting space47of the second terminal unit43. Note that the alignment member60may be mounted on the second housing31after the movable terminal units50are attached to the second terminal units43.

With the movable terminal units50and the alignment member60mounted in the second housing31, the outer peripheries of the movable outer conductors56are surrounded over the entire circumference by hole edge parts of the hole portions62. Since the fixed contact portions64and the movable contact portions67are in contact with the outer peripheries of the movable outer conductors56, the movable terminal units50are held in the alignment member60with relative displacements in directions parallel to the plate-like body portion61restricted. The alignment member60is made of a metal material and electrically conductive. By the contact of the fixed contact portions64and the movable contact portions67with the outer peripheries of the movable outer conductors56, the alignment member60and the plurality of movable terminal units50are electrically conductively connected.

The alignment member60is in contact with the movable outer conductor56in a region between the resilient arm portions57on the side of the base end part50P and the resilient arm portions57on the side of the tip part50P in the axial direction of the movable terminal unit50. Therefore, neither the fixed contact portions64nor the movable contact portions67are in contact with the resilient arm portions57. In this way, the damage and deformation of the resilient arm portions57are prevented.

By restricting a relative displacement of each movable terminal unit50with respect to the alignment member60, relative displacements among the movable terminal units50are restricted by the alignment member60. When an external force in a swinging direction is applied to any one of the movable terminal unit50, all the movable terminal units50swing by the same angle and in the same direction at once, integrally with the alignment member60. Thus, the tip parts SOT of all the movable terminal units50are maintained in a fixed positional relationship regardless of the swinging direction and the swing angle of the movable terminal units50. The maintained positional relationship is the same as the arrangement of the plurality of first terminal units16. The movable terminal unit50swings with the connected part of the second terminal unit43and the base end part SOP of the movable terminal unit50as a fulcrum. The swing angle of the movable terminal unit50reaches its maximum when the movable terminal unit50comes into contact with the peripheral wall portion34.

A displacement amount of the alignment member60when the movable terminal unit50is inclined becomes larger as a contact position of the alignment member60gets closer to the tip part SOT of the movable terminal unit50. A pressing force generated between the movable terminal unit50and the alignment member60when the movable terminal unit50sliding in contact with the guiding portion14pushes the alignment member60in a horizontal direction increases as the contact position of the alignment member60gets closer to the base end part50P of the movable terminal unit50. Since the contact position of the alignment member60is an intermediate position between the base end part50P and the tip part50T in this embodiment, the pressing force generated between the movable terminal unit50and the alignment member60can be reduced while the displacement amount of the alignment member60when the movable terminal unit50is inclined is suppressed.

If the first and second circuit boards B, C are relatively displaced when the first and second connectors10,30are connected, the tip part50T of any one of the movable terminal units50comes into contact with the inner surface of the guiding portion14. If the both connectors10,30are further connected from this state, the tip part50T of the movable terminal unit50slides in contact with the inclined inner surface of the guiding portion14, whereby the tip parts50T of all the movable terminal units50are guided to connection positions to the first terminal units16while changing the swing angles at once. During this time, the base end parts50P of the movable terminal units50swing in the second swinging space35and the tip parts50T of the movable terminal units50swing in the first swinging space15.

After passing through the guiding portion14, the tip parts50T of the movable terminal units50enter the connection spaces23of the first terminal units16and are connected to the first terminal units16. When the tip parts50T of the movable terminal units50are connected to the first terminal units16, the first and second connectors10,30are properly connected. When the both connectors10,30are properly connected, the first and second circuit boards B, C are connected via the first terminal units16, the alignment member60and the second terminal units43.

The movable inner conductor51is inserted in the insertion hole54of the movable dielectric53with a clearance formed therebetween. Accordingly, the movable inner conductor51can be relatively displaced to incline an axis with respect to the movable dielectric53and the movable outer conductor56. In this way, a good contact state of the movable inner conductor51with the first and second inner conductors17,44and a good contact state of the movable outer conductor56with the first and second outer conductors22,46can be combined regardless of the swing angle even if the movable terminal unit50swings and an axis of the movable terminal unit50is inclined with respect to those of the first and second terminal units16,43.

The connector device A of this embodiment includes the first connector10to be mounted on the first circuit board B and the second connector30to be mounted on the second circuit board C. The first connector10includes the plurality of first terminal units16each formed such that the first inner conductor17is surrounded by the first outer conductor22. The second connector30includes the plurality of second terminal units43facing the plurality of first terminal units16, and the plurality of movable terminal units50. The second terminal unit43is formed such that the second inner conductor44is surrounded by the second outer conductor46. The movable terminal unit50is swingable with the second terminal unit43as a fulcrum. The tip part50T of the movable terminal unit50is connectable to the first terminal unit16. The plurality of movable terminal units50are coupled to swing integrally by the alignment member60.

According to this configuration, the plurality of movable terminal units50are caused to swing integrally by the alignment member60. Thus, the tip parts50T of the plurality of movable terminal units50maintain the same positional relationship as the array of the plurality of first terminal units16, regardless of at which angle and in which direction the movable terminal unit50swings. In this way, the plurality of movable terminal units50are reliably connected to the plurality of first terminal units16. Therefore, the connector device A of this embodiment is excellent in the reliability of a connecting operation.

The first connector10includes the guiding portion14for guiding the tip parts50T of the movable terminal units50toward the first terminal units16. By providing the guiding portion14, the tip parts50T of the movable terminal units50can be reliably connected to the first terminal units16only by bringing the first and second connectors10,30closer to each other. The guiding portion14is formed to collectively surround all of the plurality of movable terminal units50in a connection process of the both connectors10,30. According to this configuration, since the plurality of movable terminal units50slide in contact with the guiding portion14, it can be avoided that a load concentrates only on a specific one of the movable terminal units50.

The alignment member60includes the plurality of hole portions62through which the plurality of movable terminal units50are individually passed. The inner peripheral edge of the hole portion62surrounds the movable terminal unit50over the entire circumference. Accordingly, regardless of in which direction the movable terminal unit50swings, the movable terminal unit50is not separated from the alignment member60. The alignment member60includes the fixed contact portions64and the movable contact portions67configured to contact the movable outer conductors56of the movable terminal units50with the non-fracture surfaces. Therefore, it can be prevented that the outer peripheral surfaces of the movable outer conductors56are damaged by the fracture surfaces of the alignment member60.

The movable terminal unit50is a member separate from the second terminal unit43. The movable outer conductor56of the movable terminal unit50includes the diameter expanded portion58. The second outer conductor46of the second terminal unit43includes the diameter reduced portion48. The diameter expanded portion58and the diameter reduced portion48function as supporting portions for swingably supporting the movable terminal unit50with respect to the first terminal unit43. According to this configuration, even if the second connector30is so oriented that the movable terminal units50project downward from the second terminal units43, the movable terminal units50can be held in the second terminal units43.

The second connector30includes the second housing31and the plurality of second terminal units43. The second housing31holds the plurality of second terminal units43. The alignment member60includes the resilient holding pieces68and the second housing31includes the holding projections40. The resilient holding pieces68and the holding projections40function as holding portions for holding the alignment member60in a state mounted on the second housing31. According to this configuration, since the alignment member60and the second housing31can be integrated, handling becomes easier.

The resilient holding piece68serving as the holding portion on the side of the alignment member60has the movable-side facing surface71, and the holding projection40serving as the holding portion on the side of the second housing31has the fixed-side facing surface42. The movable-side facing surface71and the fixed-side facing surface42are facing each other in a direction intersecting a displacement direction of the alignment member60when the movable terminal unit50swings. When the alignment member60is in a range where a displacement is allowed, the movable-side facing surface71and the fixed-side facing surface42are positioned to face each other. According to this configuration, when the movable terminal unit50swings, the alignment member60can be displaced even without resiliently deforming the resilient holding pieces68.

The connector device A of this embodiment includes the plurality of first terminal units16to be mounted on the first circuit board B, the plurality of second terminal units43to be mounted on the second circuit board C, the plurality of movable terminal units50and the alignment member60. The first terminal unit16includes the first outer conductor22surrounding the first inner conductor17. The second terminal unit43includes the second outer conductor46surrounding the second inner conductor44. The movable terminal unit50includes the movable outer conductor56surrounding the movable inner conductor51. The movable terminal unit50is swingable with the second terminal unit43as a fulcrum. The tip part50T of the movable terminal unit50is connectable to the first terminal unit16.

The alignment member60is made of an electrically conductive material. The alignment member60functions as a connecting member for shorting the plurality of movable outer conductors56to each other. Since the plurality of movable outer conductors56are made electrically conductive with each other via the alignment member60, no potential difference is produced among the plurality of movable outer conductors56. In this way, no potential difference is produced also among the plurality of first outer conductors22and no potential difference is produced also among the plurality of second outer conductors46. Therefore, the connector device A of this embodiment is excellent in grounding performance.

The alignment member60includes the resilient contact pieces65configured to resiliently contact the movable outer conductors56. Since the resilient contact piece65is cantilevered along the outer periphery of the movable outer conductor56, even if the movable terminal unit50is radially displaced with respect to the alignment member60, the resilient contact piece65flexibly follows a movement of the movable terminal unit50. Since a contact state of the alignment member60and the movable outer conductor56is stabilized in this way, the alignment member60and the movable outer conductor56can be reliably kept in the contact state.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiment and is represented by claims. The present invention is intended to include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents and also include the following embodiments.

Although the movable terminal unit is a member separate from the second terminal unit in the above embodiment, the movable terminal unit may be integrated with the second terminal unit.

Although one guiding portion surrounds the plurality of movable terminal units in the above embodiment, one guiding portion may surround only one movable terminal units. Also in this case, the plurality of movable terminal units can be connected to the plurality of first terminal units by guiding one movable terminal unit by the guiding portion.

Although the alignment member is provided with the plurality of hole portions, through which the plurality of movable terminal units are individually passed, in the above embodiment, the movable terminal units may be held in the alignment member by a plurality of arm portions or the like spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

Although the projections are formed on the inner periphery of the hole portion in the above embodiment, the inner peripheral edge of the hole portion may be so shaped that neither projections nor recesses are present on the inner peripheral edge of the hole portion over the entire circumference.

Although the fixed contact portion and the movable contact portion formed by the non-fracture surfaces contact the movable terminal unit in the above embodiment, fracture surfaces may contact the movable terminal unit.

Although the holding portions for holding the alignment member in such a state where the separation of the alignment member from the second terminal units is restricted are provided in the above embodiment, such holding portions may not be provided.

Although the holding portions (resilient holding pieces) of the alignment member and the holding portions (holding projections) of the second housing are relatively displaceable in the above embodiment, both holding portions may be relatively undisplaceably fit. In this case, the alignment member can be moved by resiliently deforming at least either the holding portions of the alignment members or the holding portions of the housing.

Although the alignment member is electrically conductive in the above embodiment, the alignment member may not be electrically conductive.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10. . . first connector11. . . first housing12. . . first terminal holding portion13. . . first terminal accommodation chamber14. . . guiding portion15. . . first swinging space16. . . first terminal unit17. . . first inner conductor18. . . small diameter portion19. . . claw portion20. . . large diameter portion21. . . first dielectric22. . . first outer conductor23. . . connection space30. . . second connector31. . . second housing (housing)32. . . second terminal holding portion33. . . second terminal accommodation chamber34. . . peripheral wall portion35. . . second swinging space36. . . side wall portion37. . . cut portion38. . . supporting wall portion39. . . holding space40. . . holding projection (holding portion of housing)41. . . guide slope42. . . fixed-side facing surface (facing surface)43. . . second terminal unit44. . . second inner conductor45. . . second dielectric46. . . second outer conductor47. . . supporting space48. . . diameter reduced portion (supporting portion of alignment member)50. . . movable terminal unit50P . . . base end part of movable terminal unit50T . . . tip part of movable terminal unit51. . . movable inner conductor52. . . resilient claw piece53. . . movable dielectric54. . . insertion hole55. . . accommodation recess56. . . movable outer conductor57. . . resilient arm portion58. . . diameter expanded portion (supporting portion of second terminal unit)59. . . deflection space60. . . alignment member61. . . plate-like body portion62. . . hole portion63. . . fixed projection64. . . fixed contact portion (contact portion)65. . . resilient contact piece66. . . movable projection67. . . movable contact portion (contact portion)68. . . resilient holding piece (holding portion of alignment member)69. . . leg portion70. . . locking portion71. . . movable-side facing surface (facing surface)72. . . guided portionA . . . connector deviceB . . . first circuit boardC . . . second circuit board