JP2000260509A - Board-to-board type connector system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a board-to-board type connector system capable of securing a deviation due to sufficient elastic deformation, even for a constitution with low height, and achieving an satisfactory electrically contact state. SOLUTION: A first connector piece 100 has a plurality of first contacts 120 held by a first housing 130 and arranged at a prescribed pitch. A second connector piece 200 has a plurality of second contacts 220 held by a second housing 230 and arranged at a prescribed pitch. The first and second connector pieces 100, 200 engage with each other, so that the plurality of first contacts 120 are brought into contact with the corresponding plurality of second contacts 220, thereby providing electrical connection. Each of the first and second contacts 120, 220 is configured elastically deformable. The tip of each of the plurality of first contacts 120, functioning as a contact point with the corresponding second contact 220, is bent into a substantially U-shaped bellows.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a board-to-board (board-to-board) connector system for securing electrical connection between stacked boards. In particular, the present invention reduces the height by arranging a pair of connector pieces on a pair of boards in a stacking state so as to face each other, and by fitting these, electrical connection between the boards is realized. To a board-to-board connector system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the improvement and diversification of functions of various electric and electronic devices, the configuration of electronic circuits incorporated and used in these devices has become complicated. For this reason, the circuit elements arranged on a plurality of substrates are electrically connected to each other to increase the number of cases where the circuit elements are configured to exhibit their intended functions. In this case, the occupied area inside the electric / electronic device and / or
Alternatively, in order to prevent an increase in the occupied space, a plurality of substrates are arranged so as to be stacked on each other. The connection between the substrates is generally realized using an electrical connector system including a pair of connector pieces (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “connector system” or “connector”). In the specification of the present application, such an arrangement state of the substrates is referred to as a “stacking state”, and the substrates arranged as such are referred to as a “stacked substrate”.

[0003] In particular, in order to respond to the demand for miniaturization of various electric and electronic devices typified by cellular phones, a pair of connector pieces constituting a connector system are respectively opposed to a pair of boards in a stacking state. In recent years, the demand for a configuration that realizes electrical connection between substrates by arranging them in such a manner and fitting them together has been increasing in recent years. Generally, a connector system having such a configuration is referred to as a “board-to-board connector” or “board-to-board connector”.
It is referred to as a "board-to-board type connector".

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a board-to-board connector disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 7-16381 as an example of a conventional board-to-board connector.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the female connector 30 and the male connector 50 are arranged so as to face a pair of boards (not shown) in a stacking state.

The contact 40 of the female connector piece 30
Is press-fitted and held in a housing (insulating block) 35 and has a bifurcated shape having elasticity in the thickness direction. One of the contact branches 44 is configured to be particularly largely elastically deformable, and an electric contact portion 45 is provided near a tip portion thereof. Further, the other contact branch 46 of the contact 40 has a recess 4 near the tip.
8 are provided.

On the other hand, the contacts 60 of the male connector piece 50 also have a bifurcated shape, and the contact branches 62 and 66 are provided inside the contact branches 44 and 46 of the contact 40 of the female connector piece 30. Fit. However, the contact 60 has a configuration in which each of the contact branches 62 and 66 is pressed into and held by the housing (insulating block) 55.
0 is regarded as a rigid configuration that does not cause elastic deformation.

As described above, in the board-to-board connector shown in FIG.
Are configured to be elastically deformable, and the contacts 60 of the other connector piece 50 are rigidly configured.
When the connector pieces 30 and 50 are fitted together, the electrical contact portions 45 of the contacts 40 electrically contact the contact branches 62 of the contacts 60, and the connector pieces 30 and 50 are connected.
Electrical contact between the substrates on which are mounted, respectively. At this time, the necessary contact force is secured by the contact of the contact 40 while being elastically deformed.

Further, when the contacts 40 and 60 are fitted together, the projection 68 provided near the tip of the contact branch 66 of the contact 60 falls into the depression 48 provided in the contact branch 46 of the contact 40. by this,
A click sound is generated to inform the user of the completion of the fitting, and a locking state between the contacts 40 and 60 is realized during the fitting period to ensure a secure fitting state.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing the female connector piece 30 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 when it is not fitted. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As can be seen by comparing the position of the tip of the contact branch 44 of the contact 40 between FIG. 1 and FIG.
The contact branch 44 undergoes elastic deformation at the time of fitting, and its tip end (electric contact portion 45) is displaced by a predetermined displacement amount ΔL. This elastic deformation causes a contact force between the contact branch 44 of the contact 40 and the contact branch 62 (see FIG. 1) of the contact 60 facing the contact branch at the time of fitting, a housing molding error and a press-fitting of the contact. It plays a role in absorbing an error, and furthermore, a displacement of the electric contact portion 45 which may be caused by a fitting error or the like.

The amount of displacement Δ due to the elastic deformation of the electric contact portion 45
L (per contact) is a general conventional board-to-board connector in which the total height (connector height) of the female and male connector pieces 30 and 50 at the time of fitting is about 4 mm to about 6 mm. When the fitting stroke h of the contact branch 44 of the contact 40 of the female connector piece 30 is about 3 mm, ΔL is generally about 0.1 mm. In addition, the electric contact portion 45 generated due to the above-described cause.
In order to surely absorb the positional deviation, the displacement ΔL (per contact) due to elastic deformation is about 0.08 mm
Preferably, it is in the range of about 0.15 mm to about 0.15 mm.

[0013]

With the recent demand for miniaturization of various electric and electronic devices, further reduction in the height of the board-to-board type connector included therein is required. As a result, there is a strong demand for a reduction in connector height of a board-to-board connector. Specifically, when the connector height of the board-to-board connector generally used in the market is about 4 mm to about 6 mm, for example, in the present application, the connector height is 1.5 mm.
Aiming to achieve.

However, in the structure of the conventional board-to-board connector described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, if the connector height is reduced for the above-described reason, the fitting of the female connector piece 30 at the contact 40 is inevitable. The combined stroke h becomes smaller. Thus, the fitting stroke h
(Ie, the length of the elastically deforming contact branch 44) is reduced, and the elastic deformation displacement amount ΔL is the same as that of the related art.
In order to secure the contact, among the contacts 40, FIG.
As a result, a large deformation exceeding the elastic limit is imposed on the area near the dotted lines 41 and 42. As a result, it is difficult to secure an appropriate elastic deformation state and dimensional accuracy, and the contact 40 cannot withstand repeated insertion / removal (multiple insertion / removal).

As described above, in the structure of the conventional board-to-board connector, it is difficult to secure a sufficient amount of displacement ΔL due to sufficient elastic deformation when the height is reduced. Therefore, when the height is low, a required amount of contact force cannot be obtained, and as a result, it is difficult to realize a good electrical contact state.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and has as its object to ensure a sufficient amount of displacement due to elastic deformation even in a low-profile configuration, and to provide a good electrical contact state ( It is an object of the present invention to provide a board-to-board connector system capable of realizing a fitted state.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A connector system according to the present invention includes first and second connector pieces mounted at opposing positions on each of two boards in a stacking state. A board-to-board connector system for providing electrical connection between the boards by mating a second connector piece, wherein the first connector piece is held by a first housing. The second connector piece includes a plurality of first contacts arranged at a predetermined pitch, the second connector pieces having a plurality of second contacts arranged at a predetermined pitch, the second contacts being held by a second housing. The first and second connector pieces are fitted together and each of the plurality of first contacts contacts a corresponding one of the second contacts, thereby providing the electrical connection. And wherein each of the plurality of first contacts and each of the plurality of second contacts are configured to be elastically deformable, and in each of the plurality of first contacts, the corresponding second contact is provided. The distal end side functioning as a contact point with the bellows has a bellows shape bent in a substantially U-shape, thereby achieving the above-described object.

In one embodiment, the bellows shape in each of the plurality of first contacts is a press-fitting piece portion press-fitted into the housing, and a portion following the press-fitting piece portion and folded back. A movable piece that is separated from the housing, and the movable piece functions as a contact point with the corresponding second contact.

Alternatively, the bellows shape in each of the plurality of first contacts may be a first direction facing a certain direction.
And a second portion that follows the first portion and is folded back, wherein both the first and second portions are movable away from the housing; Is also good.

Preferably, each of the plurality of first contacts has a groove at the point of the contact, and each of the plurality of second contacts is formed with a corresponding first contact. A protrusion is provided at a tip portion functioning as a contact point, and the protrusion and the groove engage when the first and second connector pieces are fitted.

In one embodiment, in each of the plurality of first contacts, a surface functioning as a contact point with the corresponding second contact is a smooth surface, and in each of the plurality of second contacts, , The corresponding first
The surface that functions as a contact point with the contact is a rough surface.

For example, the rough surface is a press-cut surface when the second contact is formed.

Further, in each of the plurality of second contacts, a tip side functioning as a contact point with the corresponding first contact may have a bellows shape bent in a substantially U shape. .

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, even in a situation where the height of a connector is reduced and the fitting stroke of a contact is reduced, a reliable fitting (electrical connection) between connector pieces (between contact pairs) is performed. The following describes the results of a study conducted by the inventor of the present application to realize a configuration of a board-to-board connector that can secure contact.

As described above, if the configuration of the conventional board-to-board connector system described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is simply reduced in height, a sufficient size near the contact point can be obtained. The displacement amount ΔL due to elastic deformation cannot be secured. In order to solve this problem, for example, in the configuration of FIG. 1, only the contacts 40 of the female connector piece 30 have elasticity. It is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which elasticity is also provided.

Specifically, for example, as shown schematically in FIG. 3, by arranging one contact branch 62 of the contact 60 at a position away from the housing 55,
The elastic deformation at the time of fitting can be made possible. According to such a configuration, the amount of elastic deformation displacement near the electrical contact portion at the time of fitting is the sum of the amount of elastic deformation displacement near the contact portion of the contact 40 and the amount of elastic deformation displacement near the contact portion of the contact 60. Will be given as Therefore, as compared with the configuration in which only one contact 40 has elasticity as shown in FIG. 1, a larger amount of elastic deformation displacement can be obtained at a low height.

However, in practice, even with such a configuration, it is not easy to realize a predetermined amount of elastic deformation displacement ΔL. The reason will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the contact branch 62 of the contact 60 is arranged away from the housing 55 to allow its elastic deformation, the largest displacement is obtained by the circle 63. Near the tip. But,
In a normal configuration, what actually functions as an electrical contact portion in the contact branch 62 is, for example, a circle 64 instead of the distal end portion 63, as can be seen from the fitted state shown in FIG. Contact branch 6
2 corresponds to an intermediate position. In this case, the amount of elastic deformation displacement Δ12 in the region 64 that is the actual contact position
Is smaller than the elastic deformation displacement amount Δl1 in the vicinity 63 of the tip end. As a result, the sum of the elastic deformation displacement amounts actually secured at the time of fitting (at the time of contact) must be small. Further, as the height of the connector is reduced, the contact position is necessarily located lower in FIG. 3, so that the obtained displacement amount is further reduced.

In order to ensure a sufficiently large displacement under such a situation, a large deformation exceeding the elastic limit is imposed on a region shown by a circle 65 in FIG.
As a result, it becomes difficult to secure an appropriate elastic deformation state and dimensional accuracy, and it becomes impossible to withstand repeated insertion and removal (multiple insertion and removal).

Further, in the configuration of FIG. 3, in order to hold the contact 60 in the housing 55, it is necessary to press-fit the other contact branch 66 into the housing 55. If the contact branch 66 is not pressed into the housing 55 or the formation of the contact branch 66 is omitted, only the portion of the contact 60 indicated by reference numeral 67 in FIG. Will be. However, with such a configuration, it is difficult to reliably hold the contact 60 with the housing 55 when a stress is repeatedly applied over a long period of time, for example, due to repeated insertion and removal many times.

Based on the contents described above, the following points are clear. That is, the opposing connector piece 3
If each of the 0 and 50 contacts 40 and 60 is configured to be capable of elastic deformation, it is possible to secure a larger amount of elastic deformation displacement than the conventional configuration in which only one of the contacts is elastically deformable. . However, in order to achieve more preferable connector performance, it is desirable to further improve the contact shape.

Therefore, a configuration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention achieved based on the above-described study results will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams schematically showing a configuration of a connector system (board-to-board type connector) 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector system 1000 includes a first connector piece 100 and a second connector piece 200 mounted on a pair of substrates 110 and 210 in a stacking state, respectively.
It is composed of FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which these two connector pieces 100 and 200 are arranged slightly apart from each other.
(B) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the connector pieces 100 and 200 are fitted and the electrical connection between the substrates 110 and 210 has been achieved. FIG. 4 (c)
Is a plan view depicting the fitting surface side of the connector piece 100, and specifically corresponds to a view of the connector piece 100 viewed from the direction of arrow 4C in FIG. on the other hand,
FIG. 4D is a plan view illustrating the fitting surface side of the connector piece 200, and specifically corresponds to a view of the connector piece 200 viewed from the direction of arrow 4D in FIG. 4A.

The first connector piece 100 has a plurality of contacts 120 arranged at a predetermined pitch. Each of the contacts 120 is pressed and held in the housing 130. Similarly, the second connector piece 200 also has a plurality of contacts 220 arranged at a corresponding predetermined pitch, each of which is pressed and held in the housing 230. Connector piece 1
When the contacts 00 and 200 are fitted, each of the contacts 120 makes electrical contact with the corresponding contact 220 so that a predetermined electrical conduction state is established between the substrates 110 and 210 on which the connector pieces 100 and 200 are mounted. Is achieved.

As a method of arranging the plurality of contacts 120 in the connector piece 100, for example, as shown in FIG.
A total of two rows can be arranged along the side. in this case,
FIG. 4 (d) also shows the facing connector piece 200.
As shown in (2), the contacts 220 are arranged in a total of two rows along two opposing sides of the frame-shaped housing 230. In the illustrated example, the housing 230 of the connector piece 200 is provided with a protrusion 235 near the center of the frame shape. When the connector pieces 100 and 200 are fitted, the protrusion 235 is attached to the connector piece 100. In the housing 130, the opening 130 is provided at the center of the frame shape.

Both rows of the contacts 120 in the connector piece 100 correspond to the housing 1 of the connector piece 100.
30 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center line. Similarly, both rows of the contacts 220 in the connector piece 200 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the protrusion 235 of the housing 230 of the connector piece 200.

However, the shapes of the connector pieces 100 and 200 shown here and the contacts 120 and 22
The method of arranging 0 and the like are merely a design example, and various modifications are possible.

For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, in the contacts 120 or 220 of the connector piece 100 or 200, the contacts in one row and the contacts in the other row face each other. It is arranged in such a position as to do. Alternatively, in the contacts 120 or 220 in the connector piece 100 or 200, the contacts in one row and the contacts in the other row may be arranged in a staggered manner.

If it is desired to make the fitting tighter than in this embodiment, for example, in the case of a connector having a small number of poles, it is only necessary to use the elastically deformable contact according to the present invention and the non-elastically deformable contact as appropriate.

A significant feature of the connector system 1000 of the present invention is the shape of the contacts 120 and 220 to be provided on each connector piece 100 and 200. Therefore, these points will be described below.

FIG. 5 (a) is an enlarged view of the contact 120 provided in the connector piece 100, and FIG. 5 (b) shows the contact 120 from the direction of the arrow 5B in FIG. 5 (a). FIG.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4A and 5A, the vicinity of one end of the contact 120 is close to the substrate 110.
It functions as a lead part 120a for soldering to the substrate. The portion following the lead portion 120a functions as a press-fitting piece 120b that is press-fitted into the housing 130.

Further, the other end of the contact 120 following the press-fitting piece 120b constitutes a movable piece 120c.
At the time of mating, it comes into electrical contact with the contact 220 of the opposing second connector piece 200. The movable piece 120c is extended and bent by bending to form a so-called bellows shape which is bent into a substantially U-shape. By extending the movable piece 120c to have a bellows shape in this manner, the movable piece 120
c becomes longer. Thereby, as compared with the case where the movable piece is simply provided to obtain the elastic deformation as described above with reference to FIG. Is a contact point), a larger value is secured as the displacement amount in the vicinity.

On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a diagram in which the contact 220 provided on the connector piece 200 is particularly enlarged.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4A and 6, the vicinity of one end of the contact 220 functions as a lead 220 a for soldering to the substrate 210. The portion following the lead portion 220a is branched into two, and one of the branches 220b functions as a press-fitting piece 220b that is press-fitted into the housing 230. In addition, the other branch is bent upward after extending in the horizontal direction from the branch point, and constitutes a so-called fork-shaped movable piece 220c. It makes electrical contact with the contacts 120 of the connector piece 100. Specifically, the movable piece 220 of the contact 220
A projection 225 is provided at the tip of c, and the projection 225 is in electrical contact with the groove 125 of the contact 120 facing the same. Further, the movable piece 220c has a relatively long movable length from a position where the movable piece 220c is press-fitted and held in the housing 230 (a branch point with the press-fitting piece 220b), and is elastically deformed at the time of fitting. A larger value is secured as the amount of displacement in the vicinity of the contact point (projection 225) due to.

As described above, in the connector system 1000 of the present invention, the contact 220 included in one of the connector pieces 200 is used as a fork-shaped contact, and the contact 220 is provided near the contact point (protruding portion 225) provided near the tip. A large value is secured as the amount of elastic deformation displacement at the time of fitting, and the contact 120 included in the other connector piece 100 is used as a bellows-like contact when fitted near a contact point (groove 125) provided near the tip thereof. As a result, it is possible to secure a large value as the amount of elastic deformation displacement. Since the amount of elastic deformation displacement at the contact point at the time of completion of the fitting is obtained as the sum of the amount of displacement at the contact 220 (fork-shaped contact) and the amount of displacement at the contact 120 (bellows-shaped contact), as a result, a sufficiently large displacement It is possible to secure the quantity. Thereby, the connector system 1000
Even if the connector pieces 100 and 200 are reduced in height as the overall size of the connector is reduced, sufficiently large elastic deformation can be easily realized without imposing excessive stress (mechanical burden) on the contacts. A sufficiently large fitting force (contact force) can be reliably ensured.

In the configuration of the bellows-like contact 120 in the connector piece 100 described above, different parts of the contact 120 are different from each other in that the movable piece 120
It functions as c and the press-fitting piece 120b. As a result, it is not necessary to newly provide a branched press-fitting piece portion as seen in the fork-shaped contact 220, and the overall size of the contact 120 can be reduced. Further, in the illustrated shape of the contact 120, it is difficult to apply stress due to deformation at the time of fitting to the lead portion 120 a, and there is little possibility that the connection state of the lead portion 120 a to the substrate 110 is adversely affected.

In order to realize a stronger press-fitting, FIG.
As shown in (b), it is preferable to provide an appropriate number and shape of projections 128 at the end of the press-fitting piece 120b. FIG.
5 schematically shows a state in which the press-fitting piece 120b of the contact 120 provided with the projection 128 is pressed into the housing 130. By providing such a projection 128, the contact 120 can be connected to the housing 1 at the time of press-fitting.
30 will result in a more firm hold. In addition,
The number and shape of the projections 128 to be provided for the above purpose may be appropriately set according to the overall shape of the contact 120 to be formed, the positional relationship with the housing 130, and the like.

As described above, the contact 1
A groove 125 is provided in the vicinity of the tip of the movable piece 120c of the contact 20.
Protruding portion 22 provided near the tip of the movable piece portion 220c
5 are configured to fall (engage) into the groove 125. With such a configuration, the reliability of the fitting is improved, and a click sound (click feeling) is generated at the time of the fitting, so that the time of the end of the fitting can be reliably and easily recognized. However, such a groove 1
The formation of the protrusion 25 and the protrusion 225 can be omitted.

In the example shown in FIG.
In this case, a shape having a substantially trapezoidal cross section and inclined surfaces at both ends is provided. However, the shape of the groove 125 is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible.

For example, in the example shown in FIG.
Both ends of 25 (parts indicated by circles 125a and 125b) are nearly right-angled surfaces. If the end (circle 125a) of the groove 125 on the side close to the tip of the contact 120 is a surface close to a right angle, a stopper function can be exerted when the protrusion of the opposing contact is inserted into the groove 125. It is effective for preventing excessive insertion. Also, the groove 125
If the other end (circle 125b) is a surface close to a right angle, the inserted protruding portion is unlikely to be detached from the groove portion 125, thereby enabling reliable fitting (contact). In contrast, FIG.
As shown in (b), while the end (circle 125a) of the groove 125 on the side close to the tip of the contact 120 is a surface close to a right angle, a stopper function at the time of insertion of the projection is exhibited.
If the other end (circle 125c) of the groove 125 is formed as a tapered slope, an effect of facilitating insertion of the protrusion into the groove 125 can be obtained. The shape of the circle 125b (FIG. 8A) or the circle 125c (FIG. 8B)
What is necessary is just to set suitably according to the use of a connector system, etc.

As described above, in the connector system of the present invention, a pair of connector pieces constituting the connector system are arranged on the board surface in a stacking state so as to face each other, and these are fitted to each other to fit the board. In the board-to-board connector realizing the electrical connection of (1), both the contacts of both connector pieces are formed into a shape that can be elastically deformed, and one of the contacts is formed into a bellows shape, thereby reducing the height of the connector piece. Even in this case, a sufficient amount of displacement due to elastic deformation is ensured to ensure a sufficient fitting force (contact force).
Here, in the example described above with reference to the drawings, the contact facing the bellows-like contact has a fork-like shape. However, application of the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the connector piece has an elastically deformable bellows-like contact.

However, according to the configuration in which the bellows shape and the fork shape face each other, the effects described below are further exhibited, and this is a more preferable configuration.

The bellows-like contact 120 described with reference to FIG. 5 is generally formed by the following process. That is, first, the groove 1 is formed in the material metal plate.
A depression corresponding to 25 is formed by press working, and then a shape corresponding to the entire length of the contact 120 from the end on the side of the lead 120a to the end on the side of the movable piece 120c is formed by punching. . Thereafter, the stamped metal piece is subjected to bending to obtain a final shape as shown.

According to such a working process, the surface of the contact 120 which functions as the contact surface at the time of fitting corresponds to the original surface of the material metal plate, so that a relatively smooth surface can be obtained. Will be done. Such a smooth surface has the advantage that the contact can be smoothly slid when mated, so that it can be smoothly mated.On the other hand, foreign substances such as dust are easily attached, and an oxide film or the like is formed when the connector is inserted or removed. Is difficult to remove (wiping). For this reason, the possibility of causing a contact failure is relatively high.

On the other hand, fork-like contacts 220 described with reference to FIG. 6 are generally pressed (punched).
The final shape is obtained from the material metal plate by processing. According to such a processing process, in the contact 220,
The surface that functions as the contact surface at the time of fitting corresponds to the processed surface (pressed surface) at the time of pressing, so that a relatively rough surface can be obtained.

The rough surface of the fork-like contact 220 is replaced with the bellows-like contact 1 described above.
With a configuration in which electrical contact is obtained by making contact with the smooth surface of the contact 20, even if foreign matter is attached to the surface of the bellows-like contact 120 or an insulating film is formed, these are removed by a wiping operation. The effect is obtained. As a result, a good contact state is realized.

As described above, the bellows-like contact 120
According to the above-described configuration in which the fork-shaped contact 220 and the fork-shaped contact 220 face each other, in addition to the main object of the present invention, in addition to the effect of ensuring sufficient elastic deformation near the contact point (securing sufficient fitting force and contact force). Therefore, the effect of realizing a good contact state by the wiping operation at the time of fitting is also exhibited, which is a preferable configuration.

The specific shapes of the bellows-like contact 120 and the fork-like contact 220 and their press-fit shapes into the housings 130 and 230 are not limited to the examples described above with reference to the drawings, but may be variously modified. Is possible.

For example, in the bellows-like contact 120, as shown in FIG. 9, the entirety of the bellows-like folded portion (the portion indicated by reference numerals 120 b and 120 c) is constituted as a movable portion separated from the housing 130. It is also possible. However, in such a configuration, in order to sufficiently press-fit and hold the housing 130 into the housing 130, as shown in FIG.
It is preferable that both the press-fitting piece 120e and the area indicated by the reference numeral 120d be formed as separate press-fitting portions into the housing 130.

In the two connector pieces of the connector system of the present invention having the above-described configuration, for example, the contacts are made of gold-plated phosphor bronze, and the housing is made of a liquid crystal polymer. However, the constituent materials of the contacts and the housing are not limited to these, and materials generally used for connectors can be appropriately selected and used.

[0062]

As described above, in the board-to-board connector system of the present invention, the contacts included in the two connector pieces are made elastically deformable, and in particular, the contacts of one connector piece are formed as bellows-like contacts. In addition, it is possible to secure a large value as the amount of elastic deformation displacement at the time of fitting near the contact point provided near the tip. Since the amount of elastic deformation displacement at the contact point at the time of the completion of the fitting is obtained as the sum of the amounts of displacement of the contacts of the two connector pieces, it is possible to secure a sufficiently large displacement as a result. As a result, even if the height of the connector piece is reduced due to the reduction in the overall size of the board-to-board connector system, a sufficiently large elastic deformation is easily realized, and excessive stress (mechanical burden) is applied to the contact. ), It is possible to reliably secure a sufficiently large fitting force (contact force).

Further, a groove is provided near the tip of the movable piece of the bellows-shaped contact, and at the time of fitting, the projection provided near the tip of the movable piece of the opposing contact falls into this groove ( Engaging). By adopting such a configuration, the reliability of the fitting is improved, and at the time of the fitting, a click sound (click feeling) is generated.
Occurs, and the end point of the fitting can be reliably and easily recognized.

Further, if the smooth contact surface of the bellows-like contact and the rough contact surface of the counterpart contact are configured to face each other, the wiping operation at the time of contact (at the time of fitting) can remove foreign matter from near the contact point. Exclusion and removal of the insulating coating become possible, and a more reliable electrical contact state can be secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a conventional board-to-board connector.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a female connector piece in the configuration of the board-to-board connector shown in FIG. 1 when not fitted.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a male connector piece in the configuration of the board-to-board connector shown in FIG. 1, in which contacts are configured to be elastically deformable.

FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing a configuration of a connector system (board-to-board type connector) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 (a) shows that two connector pieces included in this connector system are slightly apart from each other. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the connector pieces are arranged, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the connector pieces are fitted and the electrical connection between the substrates is achieved. , (C) is a plan view depicting the fitting surface side of one connector piece (specifically, a view as seen from the direction of arrow 4C in (a)).
(D) is a plan view depicting the fitting surface side of the other connector piece (specifically, a view as seen from the direction of arrow 4D in (a)).

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a contact 120 provided on the connector piece 100, and FIG.
FIG. 5A is a view of the contact 120 viewed from the direction of the arrow 5B in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a contact 220 provided in the connector piece 200.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a press-fitting piece portion of a contact provided with a protrusion is press-fitted into a housing.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams schematically showing modified examples of the shape of a groove provided in a contact. FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a view schematically showing a modified example of the shape of a bellows-like contact.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 connector piece 110 substrate 120 contact 120a contact lead 120b contact press-fitting piece 120c contact movable piece 125 groove 128 press-fitting projection 130 housing 135 housing frame opening 200 connector piece 210 board 220 contact 220a contact lead 220b Press-fitting piece of contact 220c Movable piece of contact 225 Projection 230 Housing 235 Projection of housing

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5E023 AA04 AA16 BB02 BB29 CC02 CC22 CC26 DD22 EE07 EE10 EE29 GG01 HH17 HH21 HH28 HH30

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A method comprising: mounting first and second connector pieces at opposing positions on each of two boards in a stacking state and fitting the first and second connector pieces; A board-to-board connector system for providing an electrical connection between the boards, wherein the first connector piece comprises a plurality of first connectors arranged at a predetermined pitch and carried by a first housing.
The second connector piece has a plurality of second connectors arranged at a predetermined pitch and held by a second housing.
And wherein said first and second connector pieces are mated with each other and each of said plurality of first contacts contacts a corresponding one of said second contacts, thereby establishing said electrical connection. Each of the plurality of first contacts and each of the plurality of second contacts are configured to be elastically deformable, and in each of the plurality of first contacts, the corresponding second contact The tip side that functions as a contact point with
Having a bellows shape bent into a substantially U-shape,
Board-to-board connector system. 2. The bellows shape of each of the plurality of first contacts is a press-fit piece that is press-fitted into the housing, and a portion that follows the press-fit piece and is folded back from the housing. The board-to-board connector system according to claim 1, further comprising a movable piece that is separated, wherein the movable piece functions as a contact point with the corresponding second contact. 3. The bellows shape of each of the plurality of first contacts is a first portion oriented in a certain direction, and a second portion that follows the first portion and is folded back. The board-to-board connector system of claim 1, wherein both the first and second portions are movable away from the housing. 4. Each of the plurality of first contacts includes:
A groove portion is provided at a portion of the contact point, and the plurality of second
Each of the contacts has a protrusion at the tip that functions as a contact point with the corresponding first contact;
4. The board-to-board connector system according to claim 1, wherein said projection and said groove engage when said first and second connector pieces are fitted. 5. In each of the plurality of first contacts, a surface functioning as a contact point with the corresponding second contact is a smooth surface, and in each of the plurality of second contacts, 5. The board-to-board connector system according to claim 1, wherein a surface functioning as a contact point with the first contact is a rough surface. 6. 6. The board-to-board connector system according to claim 5, wherein said rough surface is a press-cut surface when said second contact is formed. 7. A tip of each of the plurality of second contacts, which functions as a contact point with the corresponding first contact, has a bellows shape bent in a substantially U-shape. Item 2. A board-to-board connector system according to item 1.