JP7846884B2 - Floating connectors, board-to-board connectors and terminals - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to floating connectors, board-to-board connectors, and terminals.

Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector assembly. In this electrical connector assembly, the terminals spanning a fixed housing and a movable housing have an elastic portion. The elastic portion undergoes elastic bending deformation, enabling the movable housing to move relative to the fixed housing, a phenomenon known as floating. Furthermore, to allow the elastic portion to undergo the necessary elastic bending deformation for floating, the elastic portion is divided into multiple elongated, thin elastic sections.

Patent No. 6849555

In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the fine elastic portion at the terminal is made elongated to facilitate elastic deflection and ensure floating performance, the strength of the fine elastic portion decreases. Therefore, it is anticipated that productivity may decrease due to deformation of the fine elastic portion during press molding during the manufacturing process. Thus, it is conceivable to connect adjacent fine elastic portions along a portion of their longitudinal direction. However, depending on the arrangement of these connecting portions, a decrease in floating performance is anticipated.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a floating connector, a board-to-board connector, and a terminal that can suppress a decrease in productivity while ensuring floating performance.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a floating connector (1) that is mated to a mating connector (10) in a mating direction (X1), comprising a fixed housing (2), a movable housing (3), and power terminals (4P; 4P1, 4P2; 4R). The movable housing is movable relative to the fixed housing. The power terminals include a fixed portion (4a), a contact portion (4b), and an elastic portion (4c). The fixed portion is fixed to the fixed housing. The contact portion is fixed to the movable housing and contacts the mating power terminals of the mating connector. The elastic portion extends longitudinally (L) from the fixed portion to the contact portion and elastically deforms as the movable housing moves. The elastic portion includes a plurality of slits (4e; 4e1 to 4e4), a plurality of segmented elastic portions (4f), and connecting portions (4g; 4g1 to 4g4). The plurality of slits are formed in a width direction (W) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and extend in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of segmented elastic parts are divided from each other by the slits and are arranged in the width direction and extend in the longitudinal direction. The connecting part connects two of the segmented elastic parts that are adjacent in the width direction, separated by the slit, across the slit at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction. The power terminal is formed by the parts other than the segmented elastic parts being connected in the width direction to form a single member. Of the connecting parts, the connecting parts that cross two of the slits that are adjacent in the width direction, with the segmented elastic parts in between, are arranged with their positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of segmented elastic parts extend from the fixed part to the contact part. Each of the plurality of slits extends from the fixed part to the contact part, straddling the corresponding connecting part. Each of the plurality of segmented elastic portions includes a first piece (41), an acute-angled first bent portion (45), a second piece (42), a third piece (43), a second bent portion (46), a third bent portion (47), and a fourth piece (44). The first piece extends from the fixed portion in the fitting direction. The second piece is connected to the extended end of the first piece via the first bent portion and extends from the first bent portion in the opposite direction (X2) to the fitting direction. The third piece extends from the contact portion in the opposite direction. The fourth piece includes one end (44a) connected to the extended end (42a) of the second piece via the second bent portion, and the other end (44b) connected to the extended end (43a) of the third piece via the third bent portion.

This configuration provides the following effects. In some cases, the segmented elastic section of the power terminal is made thin and long in order to achieve a larger amount of floating. In contrast, with this configuration, in the power terminal, adjacent segmented elastic sections in the width direction separated by a slit are connected at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction by a connecting section that crosses the slit. Therefore, a decrease in the strength of the segmented elastic section can be suppressed, thereby suppressing a decrease in productivity. Furthermore, the connecting sections that cross two adjacent slits on either side of the segmented elastic section are not aligned in the width direction. Therefore, a decrease in floating performance can be suppressed. Thus, a decrease in productivity can be suppressed while ensuring floating performance. Furthermore, the length of the segmented elastic section can be ensured. Therefore, the contact section can be made more movable relative to the fixed section, thereby ensuring floating performance. In addition, the segmented elastic section extending from the fixed section to the contact section is provided with a first piece, a second piece, a fourth piece, and a third piece, each with corresponding bent sections interposed between them, thereby making the segmented elastic section longer in the longitudinal direction. This allows the contact part to move more easily relative to the fixed part, thereby ensuring floating performance.

The alphanumeric characters in parentheses represent corresponding components in the embodiments described later; however, this does not mean that the present invention should be limited to those embodiments. The same applies hereafter in this section.

In one embodiment, the connecting portions that traverse the two adjacent slits in the width direction, flanking the divided elastic portion, are arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to the longitudinal direction. This configuration allows for the suppression of strength reduction in the divided elastic portion by the connecting portions, and also suppresses localized stress increases by preventing stress concentration around the connecting portions.

In one embodiment, the segmented elastic section includes a bent section (4h; 45, 46, 47) in a part of its longitudinal direction, and the connecting section connects the segmented elastic sections at a position that avoids the bent section. With this configuration, the connecting section connects the segmented elastic sections at a position that avoids the bent section, where stress tends to concentrate. Therefore, stress concentration can be suppressed, and the increase in localized stress can be reduced.

In one embodiment, the connecting portion that crosses one of the two adjacent slits (4e1; 4e3) in the width direction, sandwiching the divided elastic portion, includes a first connecting portion (4g1) that connects the first pieces and a fourth connecting portion (4g4) that connects the fourth pieces. The connecting portion that crosses the other of the two adjacent slits (4e2; 4e4) in the width direction, sandwiching the divided elastic portion, includes a second connecting portion (4g2) that connects the second pieces and a third connecting portion (4g3) that connects the third pieces.

In this configuration, the first and fourth connecting sections are separated by a distance in the longitudinal direction of the segmented elastic section, and the second and third connecting sections are also separated by a distance in the longitudinal direction of the segmented elastic section. The first to fourth connecting sections ensure the strength of the power terminals, thereby suppressing a decrease in productivity. Furthermore, since the connecting sections are not aligned in the width direction, a decrease in floating performance can be suppressed.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a board-to-board connector including a mating connector and a floating connector connected to the mating connector. This configuration allows for the acquisition of the effects of the floating connector in a board-to-board connector.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal used in a floating connector that is mated to a mating connector in the mating direction, the terminal comprising a fixed portion, a contact portion, and an elastic portion extending longitudinally from the fixed portion to the contact portion. The elastic portion comprises a plurality of slits, a plurality of segmented elastic portions, and a connecting portion. The plurality of slits are formed in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and extend in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of segmented elastic portions are divided from each other by the slits and are arranged in the width direction and extend in the longitudinal direction. The connecting portion connects two segmented elastic portions that are adjacent in the width direction, separated by the slits, by crossing the slits at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction. The terminal is formed by the portions other than the segmented elastic portions being connected in the width direction to form a single member. Of the connecting portions, the connecting portions that cross two slits that are adjacent in the width direction, sandwiching the segmented elastic portions, are arranged with their positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of segmented elastic portions extend from the fixed portion to the contact portion. Each of the plurality of slits extends from the fixed portion to the contact portion, straddling the corresponding connecting portion. Each of the plurality of segmented elastic portions includes a first piece extending from the fixed portion in the fitting direction, an acute-angled first bend, a second piece connected to the extended end of the first piece via the first bend and extending from the first bend in the opposite direction to the fitting direction, a third piece extending from the contact portion in the opposite direction, a second bend, a third bend, and a fourth piece including one end connected to the extended end of the second piece via the second bend and the other end connected to the extended end of the third piece via the third bend.

In this configuration, adjacent segmented elastic sections separated by a slit in the width direction are connected at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction by a connecting section that crosses the slit. This suppresses a decrease in the strength of the segmented elastic sections, thereby suppressing a decrease in productivity. Furthermore, the connecting sections that cross two adjacent slits on either side of the segmented elastic section are not aligned in the width direction. This suppresses a decrease in floating performance. For this reason, it can be suitably used in power terminals where the segmented elastic section is made thinner or longer to achieve a larger amount of floating. Furthermore, the length of the segmented elastic section can be ensured. This makes it easier to move the contact section relative to the fixed section, thereby ensuring floating performance. In addition, the segmented elastic section extending from the fixed section to the contact section is provided with a first piece, a second piece, a fourth piece, and a third piece, each with corresponding bent sections interposed between them, thereby making the segmented elastic section longer in the longitudinal direction. This makes it easier to move the contact section relative to the fixed section, thereby ensuring floating performance.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a floating connector, a board-to-board connector, and a terminal that can suppress a decrease in productivity while ensuring floating performance.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a board-to-board connector including a floating connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a mated board-to-board connector. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a cross-section of the inside of a board-to-board connector. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a cross-section of the inside of a mated board-to-board connector. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the board-to-board connector, with Figure 1 inverted vertically. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing only the terminals of both connectors. Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of the power terminals from different angles. Figure 8 is an exploded view of the power terminals. Figure 9 is a plan view of a board-to-board connector. Figures 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing the floating connector before and after mating, respectively. Figure 10B corresponds to the 10B-10B cross-sectional view in Figure 9. Figures 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views showing the floating connector before and after mating, respectively. Figure 11B corresponds to the 11B-11B cross-sectional view in Figure 9. Figure 12B shows perspective views of the power terminals in the modified example from different angles. Figure 13 is an exploded view of the power terminals in the modified example.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a board-to-board connector including a floating connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the board-to-board connector in a mated state.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the floating connector 1 is mated to the mating connector 10 in the mating direction X1. The floating connector 1 includes a plug connector, and the mating connector 10 includes a receptacle connector. The floating connector 1 is located on the mounting surface of one circuit board (not shown). The mating connector 10 is located on the mounting surface of another circuit board (not shown) parallel to the first circuit board.

The floating connector 1 is mated to the mating connector 10 with the two circuit boards parallel to each other, and the mating direction X1 is perpendicular to the mounting surface. The floating connector 1 and the mating connector 10 are combined to form a board-to-board connector 100.

The floating connector 1 includes a fixed housing 2, a movable housing 3, one or more conductive power terminals 4P, one or more conductive signal terminals 4Q, and two reinforcing tabs 5. The power terminals 4P include, for example, two pairs of first power terminals 4P1 and second power terminals 4P2. The signal terminals 4Q include, for example, a pair of first signal terminals 4Q1 and second signal terminals 4Q2.

The mating connector 10 includes a mating housing 11, for example, two mating power terminals 12P, for example, two mating signal terminals 12Q, and two reinforcing tabs 13. The mating power terminals 12P and the mating signal terminals 12Q are held by the mating housing 11. The floating connector 1 receives the mating connector 10 and electrically connects the mating power terminals 12P and their corresponding power terminals 4P by bringing them into contact, and also electrically connects the mating signal terminals 12Q and their corresponding signal terminals 4Q by bringing them into contact.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the interior of the board-to-board connector 100. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the interior of the board-to-board connector 100 in a mated state. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the board-to-board connector 100, with Figure 1 inverted vertically.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the two mating power terminals 12P includes two contact portions 12a facing each other. The two contact portions 12a are connected by contact with the contact portion 4b of the first power terminal 4P1 and the contact portion 4b of the second power terminal 4P2, respectively.

Furthermore, the two opposing signal terminals 12Q each include contact portions 12b facing each other. The contact portions 12b of the two opposing signal terminals 12Q are connected to the contact portion 4b' of the first signal terminal 4Q1 and the contact portion 4b' of the second signal terminal 4Q2, respectively (see Figure 11B).

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the power terminal 4P and signal terminal 4Q, as well as the mating power terminal 12P and mating signal terminal 12Q. As shown in Figure 6, the first power terminal 4P1 and the second power terminal 4P2 are identical in configuration, but are used in different orientations. Therefore, the configuration of the first power terminal 4P1 will be explained, and the explanation of the second power terminal 4P2 will be omitted. In the figure, components common to both the first power terminal 4P1 and the second power terminal 4P2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of the first power terminal 4P1 from different angles. As shown in Figures 6, 7A, and 7B, the first power terminal 4P1 includes a fixing portion 4a, a contact portion 4b, an elastic portion 4c, and a lead portion 4d. The fixing portion 4a is a rectangular plate shape extending in the mating direction X1 and the front-rear direction Y, and is fixed to the fixing housing 2. The lead portion 4d extends outward perpendicularly from the lower end of the fixing portion 4a and is soldered to the conductive part of the circuit board.

The contact portion 4b is a rectangular plate shape extending in the mating direction X1 and the front-rear direction Y, and is press-fitted and fixed into the fixing groove 3g of the movable housing 3 (see Figure 3). The contact portion 4b contacts the mating power terminal 12P of the mating connector 10 (see Figure 4). The elastic portion 4c extends longitudinally L from the fixed portion 4a to the contact portion 4b. The elastic portion 4c elastically deforms as the movable housing 3 moves relative to the fixed housing 2. The movable housing 3 moves relative to the fixed housing 2 by the amount of elastic deformation (elastic deflection deformation) of the elastic portion 4c.

The elastic portion 4c includes a plurality of slits 4e, a plurality of segmented elastic portions 4f, and a plurality of connecting portions 4g. The plurality of slits 4e are formed in a width direction W perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and extend in the longitudinal direction L. In this embodiment, the plurality of slits 4e include a first slit 4e1 and a second slit 4e2. Hereinafter, when referring to the first slit 4e1 and the second slit 4e2 collectively, they will simply be referred to as slits 4e.

Multiple segmented elastic sections 4f are separated from each other by slits 4e, arranged in the width direction W and extending in the longitudinal direction L. The connecting section 4g connects adjacent segmented elastic sections 4f in the width direction W, separated by the slits 4e, crossing the slits 4e at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction L. The first power terminal 4P1 is formed by the connection of the parts other than the segmented elastic sections 4f in the width direction W, creating a single component.

The connecting portions 4g that traverse the two adjacent slits 4e in the width direction W, with the divided elastic portion 4f in between, are arranged with their positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction L. The connecting portions 4g that traverse the two adjacent slits 4e in the width direction W, with the divided elastic portion 4f in between, are arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to the longitudinal direction L.

The multiple segmented elastic sections 4f each include a bent section 4h in a portion of their longitudinal direction L. The connecting section 4g connects the segmented elastic sections 4f at a position that avoids the bent section 4h. The multiple segmented elastic sections 4f extend from the fixed section 4a to the contact section 4b.

The segmented elastic portion 4f includes a first piece 41, a second piece 42, a third piece 43, a fourth piece 44, an acute-angled first bend portion 45, an obtuse-angled second bend portion 46, and a right-angled third bend portion 47.

The first piece 41 extends from the fixed portion 4a in the fitting direction X1. The second piece 42 is connected to the extended end 41a of the first piece 41 via an acute-angled first bend 45, and extends from the first bend 45 in the opposite direction X2 to the fitting direction X1. The third piece 43 extends from the contact portion 4b in the opposite direction X2. The fourth piece 44 includes one end 44a and the other end 44b. One end 44a of the fourth piece 44 is connected to the extended end 42a of the second piece 42 via an obtuse-angled second bend 46. The other end 44b of the fourth piece 44 is connected to the extended end 43a of the third piece 43 via a right-angled third bend 47. The bend 4h includes the first bend 45, the second bend 46, and the third bend 47.

The connecting portion 4g includes a first connecting portion 4g1, a second connecting portion 4g2, a third connecting portion 4g3, and a fourth connecting portion 4g4. The first connecting portion 4g1 and the fourth connecting portion 4g4 are positioned in one of two adjacent slits 4e (first slit 4e1) in the width direction W, flanking the divided elastic portion 4f. The second connecting portion 4g2 and the third connecting portion 4g3 are positioned in the other of two adjacent slits 4e (second slit 4e2) in the width direction W, flanking the divided elastic portion 4f.

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the power terminal 4P. The power terminal 4P is press-formed from sheet metal material into the shape shown in the exploded view of Figure 8. The connecting portions 4g are arranged in a staggered pattern along the longitudinal direction L. The first connecting portion 4g1 and the fourth connecting portion 4g4, which cross the first slit 4e1, are arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction L. Similarly, the second connecting portion 4g2 and the third connecting portion 4g3, which cross the second slit 4e2, are arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction L.

As shown in Figure 6, the first signal terminal 4Q1 and the second signal terminal 4Q2 are identical in configuration, but are used in different orientations. The first signal terminal 4Q1 includes a fixed portion 4a', a contact portion 4b', an elastic portion 4c', and a lead portion 4d'. The fixed portion 4a', contact portion 4b', elastic portion 4c', and lead portion 4d' of the first signal terminal 4Q1 have the same configuration as the fixed portion 4a, contact portion 4b, elastic portion 4c, and lead portion 4d of the first power terminal 4P1, except that the elastic portion 4c' is not divided but formed as a single piece.

Next, the fixed housing 2 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the fixed housing 2 is made of an insulating material. The fixed housing 2 includes a front wall 2a, a rear wall 2b, a pair of side walls 2c, and a pair of upper walls 2d. The fixed housing 2 forms a movable housing accommodating section 2S that houses the movable housing 3 inside. The movable housing accommodating section 2S is formed by being surrounded by the front wall 2a, the rear wall 2b, and the pair of side walls 2c. The movable housing accommodating section 2S is positioned below the pair of upper walls 2d. The movable housing 3 may be positioned so that a portion of it protrudes upward from the movable housing accommodating section 2S.

In a front view, the front wall 2a includes a lower half 2e extending over the entire left-right direction Z, and a pair of upper halves 2f positioned on the left and right sides of the movable housing casing 2S. The upper halves of the movable housing casing 2S are open in the front-rear direction Y. The front wall 2a includes an upward-facing stepped portion 2h formed along the upper edge 2g of the lower half 2e. A fixing hole 2i is formed in the stepped portion 2h, penetrating vertically.

A reinforcing tab 5 (see Figures 5 and 6) is press-fitted and fixed into the fixing hole 2i. As shown in Figure 6, the reinforcing tab 5 includes a main body portion 5a and two leg portions 5b extending downward from the lower edge of the main body portion 5a. The reinforcing tab 5 also includes press-fit projections 5d protruding from both sides of the main body portion 5a and press-fit projections 5e protruding outward from each of the two leg portions 5b.

As shown in Figure 5, a groove 2k is formed in the center of the bottom surface 2j of the front wall 2a in the left-right direction Z. The groove 2k penetrates the front wall 2a in the front-rear direction Y. The groove 2k includes the bottom surface 2m and a pair of left and right inner surfaces 2n. The groove 2k functions as a stopper to prevent the movable housing 3 from coming off. The bottom surface 2j of the front wall 2a is divided into two parts by the groove 2k. The lower ends 5c of the two legs 5b of the reinforcing tab 5 protrude from the two divided parts of the bottom surface 2j. The lower ends 5c of the legs 5b are soldered and fixed to a conductive part (not shown) of the circuit board.

The rear wall 2b has the same configuration as the front wall 2a. Components of the rear wall 2b that are common to the front wall 2a are given the same reference numerals as those of the front wall 2a.

Next, the movable housing 3 will be explained.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the movable housing 3 includes a base wall 3a, a contact portion fixing structure 3b, a pair of front and rear end walls 3c, and a pair of front and rear restricted portions 3d (see also Figure 5). The base wall 3a is a rectangular plate positioned parallel to the upper wall 2d of the fixed housing 2. The pair of front and rear end walls 3c are parallel rectangular plates that protrude vertically from the front and rear edges of the base wall 3a and extend in the left-right direction Z.

As shown in Figure 5, the pair of restricted portions 3d are rectangular parallelepiped-shaped blocks that protrude forward and backward from the outer surfaces of the pair of end walls 3c. The contact between the pair of restricted portions 3d and the corresponding portions of the front wall 2a and rear wall 2b of the fixed housing 2 restricts the range of motion of the movable housing 3.

Specifically, the bottom surface 2m of the groove 2k of the fixed housing abuts against the restricted portion 3d of the movable housing 3, thereby restricting the amount of movement of the movable housing 3 in the fitting direction X1. Furthermore, the left and right inner surfaces 2n of the groove 2k of the fixed housing abut against the restricted portion 3d of the movable housing 3, thereby restricting the amount of movement of the movable housing 3 in the left-right direction Z.

Furthermore, the front wall 2a and rear wall 2b of the fixed housing 2 come into contact with the corresponding end wall 3c of the movable housing 3, thereby restricting the range of motion of the movable housing 3 in the front-rear direction Y.

As shown in Figure 3, the contact fixing structure 3b fixes the contact portions 4b of the first power terminal 4P1 and the second power terminal 4P2, and fixes the contact portions 4b' of the first signal terminal 4Q1 and the second signal terminal 4Q2. The contact fixing structure 3b is formed by a pair of end walls 3c that protrude upward from the upper surface of the base wall 3a, and a plurality of ribs.

As shown in Figure 1, the contact fixing structure 3b includes a longitudinal rib 3e and multiple pairs of transverse ribs 3f. The longitudinal rib 3e is positioned in the center of the upper surface of the base wall 3a in the left-right direction Z and extends in the front-rear direction Y to connect a pair of end walls 3c. The multiple pairs of transverse ribs 3f extend from the longitudinal rib 3e in the left-right direction Z between the pair of end walls 3c, and are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction Y.

As shown in Figure 3, the contact portion 4b of the power terminal 4P is fixed along the bottom of the groove-shaped portion formed by the adjacent end walls 3c and transverse ribs 3f in the front-rear direction Y, and the portion of the longitudinal rib 3e connecting them. Similarly, the contact portion 4b' of the signal terminal 4Q is fixed along the bottom of the groove-shaped portion formed by the adjacent transverse ribs 3f in the front-rear direction Y, and the portion of the longitudinal rib 3e connecting them. Specifically, the contact portions 4b and 4b' are press-fitted and fixed into fixing grooves 3g formed adjacent to the longitudinal ribs 3e in the end walls 3c and transverse ribs 3f.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the floating connector 1 with the mating connector 10 mated to it. Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view of the floating connector 1 with the mating connector 10 mated to it, corresponding to the XB-XB cross-sectional view in Figure 9. Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 10B, showing the state of both connectors 1 and 10 before mating. As shown in Figures 10A and 10B, as the two connectors 1 and 10 are mated, the contact portion 4b of the power terminal 4P connects to the contact portion 12a of the mating power terminal 12P.

Figure 11B is a cross-sectional view of the floating connector 1 with the mating connector 10 mated to it, corresponding to the XIB-XIB cross-sectional view in Figure 9. Figure 11A is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 11B, showing the state of both connectors 1 and 10 before mating. As shown in Figures 11A and 11B, when both connectors 1 and 10 are mated, the contact portion 4b' of the signal terminal 4Q connects to the contact portion 12b of the mating signal terminal 12Q.

This embodiment provides the following advantages. Specifically, to achieve a larger floating amount, the segmented elastic portion 4f of the power terminal 4P may be made thinner and longer. In contrast, according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, in the power terminal 4P, adjacent segmented elastic portions 4f separated by a slit 4e in the width direction W are connected by a connecting portion 4g that crosses the slit 4e at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, a decrease in the strength of the segmented elastic portion 4f can be suppressed, thereby suppressing a decrease in productivity. Furthermore, the connecting portions 4g that cross the two adjacent slits 4e1 and 4e2, respectively, with the segmented elastic portion 4f in between, are not aligned in the width direction W (see also Figure 8, which is an unfolded view). Therefore, a decrease in floating performance can be suppressed. Thus, it is possible to ensure floating performance while suppressing a decrease in productivity.

Furthermore, the connecting portions 4g that traverse the two slits 4e1 and 4e2 adjacent in the width direction W, with the segmented elastic portion 4f in between, are arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, the connecting portions 4g can suppress the reduction in strength of the segmented elastic portion 4f, and by suppressing stress concentration around the connecting portions 4g, the increase in localized stress can be suppressed.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the segmented elastic section 4f includes a bent section 4h in a portion of its longitudinal direction L, and the connecting section 4g connects the segmented elastic sections 4f at a position that avoids the bent section 4h, where stress tends to concentrate. Therefore, stress concentration can be suppressed, and the increase in localized stress can be reduced.

Furthermore, the multiple segmented elastic sections 4f extend from the fixed section 4a to the contact section 4b. This ensures sufficient length for the segmented elastic sections 4f. Therefore, the contact section 4b can be easily moved relative to the fixed section 4a, thereby ensuring floating performance.

Furthermore, the segmented elastic portion 4f includes a first piece 41, a second piece 42, a third piece 43, a fourth piece 44, an acute-angled first bend 45, a second bend 46, and a third bend 47. The first piece 41 extends from the fixed portion 4a in the fitting direction X1. The second piece 42 is connected to the extended end 41a of the first piece 41 via the acute-angled first bend 45 and extends from the first bend 45 in the opposite direction X2 to the fitting direction X1. The third piece 43 extends from the contact portion 4b in the opposite direction X2. The fourth piece 44 includes one end 44a connected to the extended end 42a of the second piece 42 via the second bend 46, and the other end 44b connected to the extended end 43a of the third piece 43 via the third bend 47.

In this configuration, the segmented elastic section 4f, extending from the fixed section 4a to the contact section 4b, is provided with a first section 41, a second section 42, a third section 43, and a fourth section 44, each interposed with corresponding bent sections 4h (first bent section 45, second bent section 46, and third bent section 47). This lengthens the segmented elastic section 4f in the longitudinal direction L. This allows the contact section 4b to move more easily relative to the fixed section 4a, thereby ensuring floating performance.

Furthermore, the connecting portion 4g that crosses one of the two adjacent slits 4e in the width direction W across the divided elastic portion 4f (the first slit 4e1) includes a first connecting portion 4g1 that connects the first pieces 41 together and a fourth connecting portion 4g4 that connects the fourth pieces 44 together. The connecting portion 4g that crosses the other of the two adjacent slits 4e in the width direction W across the divided elastic portion 4f (the second slit 4e2) includes a second connecting portion 4g2 that connects the second pieces 42 together and a third connecting portion 4g3 that connects the third pieces 43 together.

In this configuration, the first connecting portion 4g1 and the fourth connecting portion 4g4 are separated by a distance in the longitudinal direction L of the divided elastic portion 4f, and the second connecting portion 4g2 and the third connecting portion 4g3 are also separated by a distance in the longitudinal direction L of the divided elastic portion 4f. The first to fourth connecting portions 4g1 to 4g4 ensure the strength of the terminal 4 and suppress the decrease in productivity. Furthermore, since the connecting portions 4g1 to 4g4 are not aligned in the width direction W, a decrease in floating performance can be suppressed.

Furthermore, even when a larger amount of floating is required at the power terminal 4P, it is possible to ensure floating performance while suppressing a decrease in productivity. That is, when a larger amount of floating is required at the power terminal 4P, the segmented elastic section 4f is made longer and thinner. In contrast, by providing a connecting section 4g in this embodiment to ensure strength while suppressing a decrease in floating performance, it is possible to ensure the required floating performance while suppressing a decrease in productivity. Also, to address the issue of the reduced cross-sectional area of each segmented elastic section 4f, which decreases the cross-sectional area contributing to current passage, the number of segmented elastic sections 4f (number of slits 4e) is increased to ensure the total cross-sectional area of multiple segmented elastic sections 4f. This makes it possible to ensure the required rated current, or even a higher rated current.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the effects of the floating connector 1 described above can be obtained in a board-to-board connector 100 including the mating connector 10 and the floating connector 1.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the power terminal 4R in the modified example. Figure 13 is an exploded view of the power terminal 4R. The main difference between the power terminal 4R and the power terminal 4P in Figures 7A and 8 is that it has four slits 4e (first slit 4e1, second slit 4e2, third slit 4e3, and fourth slit 4e4), and the elastic portion 4c is divided into five segmented elastic portions 4f by the four slits 4e. Additionally, there are two connecting portions 4g that traverse each of the four slits 4e.

Specifically, connecting portions 4g are provided to connect two adjacent segmented elastic portions 4f separated by the third slit 4e3 in the width direction W. These connecting portions include a first connecting portion 4g1 connecting the first pieces 41 and a fourth connecting portion 4g4 connecting the fourth pieces 44. Furthermore, connecting portions 4g are provided to connect two adjacent segmented elastic portions 4f separated by the fourth slit 4e4 in the width direction W. These connecting portions include a second connecting portion 4g2 connecting the second pieces 42 and a third connecting portion 4g3 connecting the third pieces 43. That is, as shown in Figure 13, the connecting portions 4g crossing the third slit 4e3 and the fourth slit 4e4 are arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to the longitudinal direction L. Similarly, the connecting portions 4g crossing the second slit 4e2 and the third slit 4e3 are also arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to the longitudinal direction L.

According to this modification example, even when the segmented elastic section 4f is made elongated to ensure the amount of floating, similar to the embodiment in Figure 7A, it is possible to ensure floating performance while suppressing a decrease in productivity. Furthermore, by increasing the number of segmented elastic sections 4f and increasing the total cross-sectional area of the multiple segmented elastic sections 4f that contribute to current passage, it becomes possible to achieve a larger rated current. Note that the first connecting section 4g1 and the fourth connecting section 4g4 that cross the first slit 4e1, and the first connecting section 4g1 and the fourth connecting section 4g4 that cross the third slit 4e3, may be arranged at the same position with respect to the longitudinal direction L, as shown in Figure 13, or they may be arranged with their positions offset.

The second connecting portion 4g2 and the third connecting portion 4g3 that cross the second slit 4e2, and the second connecting portion 4g2 and the third connecting portion 4g3 that cross the fourth slit 4e4, may be arranged at the same position with respect to the longitudinal direction L, as shown in Figure 13, or they may be arranged with a staggered position.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The number of slits 4e may be three or five or more. Furthermore, the connecting portion 4g, which traverses two slits adjacent in the width direction W with a divided elastic portion 4f in between, may be arranged in any manner as long as its position is shifted in the longitudinal direction L. In addition, the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

1 Floating connector 2 Fixed housing 3 Movable housing 4P Power terminal 4P1 First power terminal 4P2 Second power terminal 4R Power terminal 4a Fixed part 4b Contact part 4c Elastic part 4e Slit 4e1 First slit 4e2 Second slit 4e3 Third slit 4e4 Fourth slit 4f Divided elastic part 4g Connecting part 4g1 First connecting part 4g2 Second connecting part 4g3 Third connecting part 4g4 Fourth connecting part 4h Bent part 10 Mating connector 41 First piece 41a Extended end 42 Second piece 42a Extended end 43 Third piece 43a Extended end 44 Fourth piece 44a One end 44b Other end 45 First bent part 46 Second bent part 47 Third bent part L Longitudinal direction W Width direction X1 Mating direction X2 Opposite direction

Claims (6)

A floating connector that is mated to a mating connector in the mating direction,
Fixed housing and
A movable housing that is movable relative to the fixed housing,
A power terminal comprising: a fixed portion fixed to the fixed housing; a contact portion fixed to the movable housing that contacts the mating power terminal of the mating connector; and an elastic portion extending longitudinally from the fixed portion to the contact portion and elastically deforming as the movable housing moves,
The elastic portion includes a plurality of slits formed in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and extending in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of divided elastic portions separated from each other by the slits and aligned in the width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a connecting portion that connects two of the divided elastic portions adjacent in the width direction with respect to the slits, crossing the slits at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction.
The power terminal is formed by the parts other than the divided elastic portion being connected in the width direction to form a single member.
Of the connecting portions, the connecting portions that cross the two slits adjacent in the width direction with respect to the divided elastic portion are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the longitudinal direction.
The plurality of segmented elastic parts extend from the fixed part to the contact part,
Each of the plurality of slits extends from the fixing portion to the contact portion, spanning the corresponding connecting portion.
A floating connector in which each of the plurality of segmented elastic parts includes a first piece extending from the fixed part in the fitting direction, an acute-angled first bent part, a second piece connected to the extended end of the first piece via the first bent part and extending from the first bent part in the opposite direction to the fitting direction, a third piece extending from the contact part in the opposite direction, a second bent part, a third bent part, and a fourth piece including one end connected to the extended end of the second piece via the second bent part and the other end connected to the extended end of the third piece via the third bent part . The floating connector according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portions that traverse the two slits adjacent in the width direction, with the divided elastic portion in between, are arranged in a staggered pattern with respect to the longitudinal direction. The segmented elastic portion includes a bent portion in part in the longitudinal direction.
The floating connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion connects the divided elastic portions at a position that avoids the bending portion. The connecting portion that crosses one of the two slits adjacent in the width direction with respect to the divided elastic portion includes a first connecting portion that connects the first pieces together and a fourth connecting portion that connects the fourth pieces together.
The floating connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting portion that crosses the other of two slits adjacent in the width direction with respect to the divided elastic portion includes a second connecting portion that connects the second pieces together and a third connecting portion that connects the third pieces together. A board-to-board connector comprising the mating connector and a floating connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4 connected to the mating connector. A terminal used in a floating connector that is mated to a mating connector in the mating direction, comprising a fixed portion, a contact portion, and an elastic portion extending longitudinally from the fixed portion to the contact portion,
The elastic portion includes a plurality of slits formed in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and extending in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of divided elastic portions separated from each other by the slits and aligned in the width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a connecting portion that connects two of the divided elastic portions adjacent in the width direction with respect to the slits, crossing the slits at an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction.
The terminal, with the portions other than the divided elastic portion connected in the width direction, forms a single member.
Of the connecting portions, the connecting portions that cross the two slits adjacent in the width direction with respect to the divided elastic portion are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the longitudinal direction.
The plurality of segmented elastic parts extend from the fixed part to the contact part,
Each of the plurality of slits extends from the fixing portion to the contact portion, spanning the corresponding connecting portion.
Each of the plurality of segmented elastic parts is a terminal, each comprising: a first piece extending from the fixed part in the fitting direction; an acute-angled first bent part; a second piece connected to the extended end of the first piece via the first bent part and extending from the first bent part in the opposite direction to the fitting direction; a third piece extending from the contact part in the opposite direction; a second bent part; a third bent part; and a fourth piece including one end connected to the extended end of the second piece via the second bent part and the other end connected to the extended end of the third piece via the third bent part .