JP2010225580A - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrical connector of a connection structure large in contact area and high in contact pressure. <P>SOLUTION: The electrical connector which is equipped with a female terminal electrically connecting with a lead 41 of an electronic component and in which the female terminal has an expandable spiral contact part and the spiral contact part forms a loop capable of binding the lead 41 is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a body having a terminal insertion hole that allows insertion of a male terminal, and a female terminal in which an electrical contact portion that is electrically connected to the male terminal is waiting in the terminal insertion hole. It relates to electrical connectors.

  As a method of mounting the electronic component on the circuit board, the terminal of the electronic component is placed on the solder paste printed on the connection portion of the circuit board, and the solder paste is melted in a reflow furnace to electrically connect the terminal of the electronic component. The fixed reflow method is widely used. Alternatively, a flow soldering method in which a lead terminal of an electronic component is inserted into a through hole provided in a substrate and is immersed in a molten solder bath and soldered is widely used. However, there are electronic parts such as electrolytic capacitors whose performance deteriorates when heat is applied. For this reason, such electronic components are soldered one by one on a substrate using a soldering iron after other electronic components are mounted by a reflow method or a flow solder method. However, this requires two large soldering steps, and there is a problem that costs are increased. For this reason, there has been a demand for a method of performing board mounting and surface mounting by a simple method while greatly reducing the mounting process. As a conventional example of a method without soldering, there are those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  Patent Document 1 describes a connector that can insert a male terminal into a female terminal with a low insertion force, a so-called low insertion force connector. In paragraph [0011] of Patent Document 1, the structure of the connector, that is, “the connector 10 of the present invention has an insulating housing 20 having one or more contact receiving openings 21, and coil spring-like contacts 30 inserted into the openings 21. And a pin insertion end of the coil spring-like contact 30, that is, a contact actuating plate 40 disposed on the upper surface in the figure.The insulating housing 20 is preferably an insulating plastic molded product having a two-body structure of a base 20a and an upper part 20b. The base portion 20a has a through hole 22 into which the lead portion 32 of the coil spring-like contact 30 is inserted, and has a small protrusion 23 on the upper surface, and is aligned with the contact receiving opening 21 of the upper portion 20b. It is done ... "is described. In paragraph [0012], the structure of the contact, that is, “the coil spring-like contact 30 is provided with a sufficient space as shown in FIG. The lead portion 32 extends to the outside (downward) through the through hole 22 of the base portion 20a of the insulating housing 20, and the operation portion 33 extends upward from the contact portion 31 and protrudes from the upper surface 24 of the upper portion 20b.-・ ・ ”Is written.

  Further, paragraph number [0016] of Patent Document 1 describes the action of the coil spring-like contact, “.... As is clear from FIG. 2A, the coil spring-like contact 30 is in a natural state. In some cases, that is, when no external force is applied, the center hole 34 is smaller than the outer diameter of the contacted pin 51. However, when compressed by the operating plate 40 or the like, it is shown in FIG. Thus, the inner diameter of the center hole 34 'of the contact portion 31 of the coil spring-like contact 30 increases and becomes larger than the outer diameter of the contacted pin 51. Therefore, in the state of FIG. It will be understood that it can be inserted with a very low insertion force without contacting the inner wall of the contact portion 31 of the coil spring-like contact 30. "

  Patent Document 2 is not related to an electrical connector, but is related to electrical connection between a male lead terminal and a female terminal performed on a wiring board, and mounting of an insertion-type electronic component that does not require soldering A wiring board and an electronic device applied to the technology are described. Paragraph Nos. [0022] and [0023] of Patent Document 2 include a description for explaining contact terminals. “... The wiring board 1 has leads 3 of the insertion type electronic component 2 as shown in FIG. A plurality of through-holes 12 are provided, and a conductor layer 13 is provided on the inner wall of the through-hole 12, and a contact terminal 14 is provided in the through-hole 12. The contact terminal 14 is a metal tube, and the central portion is crushed from both sides to form a spring portion 15 that elastically contacts the lead 3. The spring property of the spring portion 15 The contact terminals 14 are each provided with slits in the tube extending direction, and the spring portion 15 between the slits elastically contacts the lead 3. [The contact terminal 14 is inserted into the through hole 12 so as not to fall off by pressure contact, and is electrically connected to the conductor layer 13 on the inner wall of the through hole 12. Conductor layer. 13 is electrically connected to the wiring layer 9 via the internal wiring layer 16 and the conductor 17 of the wiring board 1 ”.

JP-A-5-144497 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-122826

  Patent Document 1 relates to a technique for electrically connecting a contacted pin 51 such as an LSI and a coil spring-like contact 30 in a connector, and Patent Document 2 describes an insertion type electronic device such as an IC having a lead terminal, a capacitor, or a resistor. The present invention relates to a technique for mounting components directly on a wiring board and electrically interconnecting a lead terminal and a contact terminal within a through hole of the wiring board. Both documents are common in that an electronic component having a male electrical contact is electrically connected to the female electrical contact without using solder. However, in the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, the coil spring contact portion and the contacted pin are connected by reducing the coil diameter of the coil spring contact portion. Since the contact force (contact pressure) with the contact pin is limited within the range of the elastic force of the coil spring-like contact portion, the necessary contact force may not be obtained. Further, if the spring force is increased in order to increase the contact force, the operation force of the connector becomes too large and the connection operability may be impaired. Further, since the spring-like contact portion is in the form of a coil, the connector housing is raised in the height direction. In the wiring board disclosed in Patent Document 2, the contact between the lead and the contact terminal is limited to the center portion of the contact terminal, and the contact area is reduced. Further, it is necessary to press-fit the lead while applying a force between the spring portions of the contact terminals, and the operability when connecting the leads and the contact terminals is not good. Accordingly, there has been a demand for a connection structure that can increase the contact area more than ever, obtain the required contact pressure, and have good connection operability. In particular, in an electronic component such as an electrolytic capacitor to which a large current of several hundred amperes is supplied, a highly reliable electrical connection structure has been demanded.

  In one aspect, the present invention provides an electrical connector having a connection structure having a large contact area and a high contact pressure.

  One aspect of the present invention is an electrical connector including a female terminal that is electrically connected to a male electrical contact portion of an electronic component, the female terminal having a spiral contact portion, and the spiral contact portion. Provides an electrical connector forming a loop capable of fastening the male electrical contact.

  According to the electrical connector of one aspect of the present invention, the male electrical contact portion is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion, thereby increasing the contact distance between the spiral contact portion and the male electrical contact portion. Contact with a large contact area. The male electrical contact portion is fastened by the loop of the spiral contact portion, thereby electrically connecting the spiral contact portion and the male electrical contact portion with a contact force larger than the elastic force of the spiral contact portion. Can do. Therefore, the contact reliability between the electronic component and the electrical connector can be improved.

1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an electrical connector of the present invention. It is the figure which looked at the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1 from the back surface. It is a perspective view which similarly shows the internal structure of the electrical connector shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the modification of the electrical connector of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is an assembly diagram of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 5. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the movable end of a female terminal is pressed with the lock piece of a lock member. It is another modification of the electrical connector of this embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the electrical connector in the state which the loop of the helical contact part is expanding. FIG. 8B shows the electrical connector of FIG. 8A in a state where the loop of the spiral contact portion is contracted. It is a perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the electrical connector of this invention. It is an exploded view which shows the state before inserting a lead part in the loop of the spiral contact part of a female terminal. It is an exploded view which shows the state after inserting a lead part in the loop of the spiral contact part of a female terminal. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the modification of the connector of 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the state which assembled the electrical connector shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the electrical connector shown to FIG. 13A. It is a perspective view in the state where the lead part of electronic parts is connected to the electrical connector shown in FIG. 13A. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 14A to which the lead part of the electronic component is connected. It is another modification of the electrical connector of 2nd Embodiment, Comprising: It is sectional drawing of the electrical connector which shows the state in which the female terminal is accommodated in the connector housing. It is sectional drawing of the electrical connector of FIG. 15A which shows the state which the movable end of a female terminal is urged | biased by the enlarged diameter part formed in the leg part of the cover, and the loop is expanding. It is sectional drawing of the electrical connector of FIG. 15A which shows the state by which the lead part was inserted in the loop. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 15A showing a state where the pressing member is inserted into the connector housing. It is sectional drawing of the electric connector of FIG. 15A which shows the state which slid the press member within the connector housing. It is a perspective view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the electrical connector of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the electrical connector shown in FIG. 16 from the back side. It is a figure which shows the state which has a press means in a 1st latching position, and the movable end of a helical contact part is not pressed by the press means. It is a figure which shows the state which has a press means in a 2nd latching position, and the movable end of the spiral contact part is pressed by the press means. It is a figure which shows the state which slid the press means from the 1st latching position to the 2nd latching position after a lead part is inserted in the loop of a spiral contact part. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of connecting a lead part to the electrical connector shown in FIG. 16, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the electrical connector attached on the board | substrate. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of similarly connecting a lead part to an electrical connector, Comprising: It is a figure which shows a state which slides a press means from the 1st latching position to the 2nd latching position. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of similarly connecting a lead part to an electrical connector, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state by which a pair of lead part has been arrange | positioned under the board | substrate. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of similarly connecting a lead part to an electrical connector, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state in which a pair of lead part was inserted in the electrical connector. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of similarly connecting a lead part to an electrical connector, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which the lead part of the electronic component and the spiral contact part of the female terminal connected.

  The usage form of the electrical connector of the present invention is not limited, but can be used as a connection component when an electronic component is mounted on a substrate as an example. When the electrical connector is used as a connection component for board mounting, the electronic component receives power from the board through the electrical connector. As an example of the electronic component mounted on the substrate via the electrical connector, an electrolytic capacitor can be given as an example.

  The electrical connector of the present invention includes a female terminal in which a female electrical contact portion electrically connected to the male electrical contact portion is waiting in a terminal insertion hole. The male electrical contact part is a lead part of an electronic component such as a capacitor, relay, transistor, resistor, light emitting diode, etc., and its form is not limited, and has a cross-sectional shape such as a round shape, a square shape, and a flat shape. be able to. The female electrical contact portion is a portion that allows insertion and electrical connection of the male electrical contact portion, and is a spiral contact portion. As the male electrical contact portion is fastened by the spiral contact portion, reliable electrical connection between the male electrical contact portion and the spiral contact portion is performed. When the electronic component is surface-mounted on the substrate via the electrical connector of the present invention, one end of the spiral contact portion becomes a fixed end, the other end becomes a movable end, and the spiral contact between the fixed end and the movable end The part is formed so as to be able to expand and contract. Here, in this specification, the meaning of the term “fastening” means that the movable end of the spiral contact portion is forcibly displaced (moved) by the pressing means, or the movable end of the spiral contact portion is restricted by the restricting means. By restricting the displacement, the male electrical contact portion is held by the spiral contact portion with a force greater than the elastic force of the spiral contact portion, and the male electrical contact portion and the spiral contact portion are electrically connected. To connect to.

  Hereinafter, an electrical connector of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the electrical connector of the present invention. The electrical connector 1 of this embodiment is a board-mounting type that is provided on the front surface 31a of the substrate 30 having a predetermined circuit pattern and is electrically connected to a capacitor 40 that is an electronic component that is surface-mounted on the back surface 31b of the substrate 30. It is a connector. The electronic component is an electrolytic capacitor 40 for a large current, and has a pair of lead portions (male electrical contact portions) 41 extending upward. The pair of lead portions 41 are inserted through the through holes 43 (see FIG. 3) provided in the substrate 30 from the back surface side to the front surface side. The tips of the pair of lead portions 41 protruding from the surface 31a of the substrate 30 are inserted into the spiral contact portion 25 of the female terminal 20 of the connector 1, and the loop of the spiral contact portion 25 is reduced, so that the capacitor 40 and the connector are connected. 1 is electrically connected.

  The connector 1 includes a housing 3 and a pair of female terminals 20 housed inside the housing 3. The housing 3 can be manufactured from a material such as plastic by a known method such as injection molding. The housing 3 can be made from a material having an insulating property. The fixing surface (lower surface) 5 of the housing 3 with respect to the substrate 30 has a hole 6 that allows the pair of lead portions 41 of the electrolytic capacitor 40 to be inserted (see FIG. 2). The upper surface 7 opposite to the fixed surface 5 of the housing 3 has a rectangular opening 8 that allows insertion of a lever member 17 described later. Of the outer peripheral side surface 9 of the housing 3, a front surface 10a on the side where the lever member 17 is inserted has an opening (not shown) into which a slide member 18 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) described later is inserted. . The housing 3 is fixed to the substrate 30 by the leg portions 27 of the pair of female terminals 20 that are electrically connected to the conductor portion 33 (see FIG. 3) of the substrate 30. The leg portions 27 of the pair of female terminals 20 can be fixed to the substrate 30 by soldering, so that the electrolytic capacitor 40 can receive power from the substrate 30. The connector 1 can also be soldered by the reflow method on the substrate 30 simultaneously with other electronic components. The housing 3 is provided with a pair of connector fixing terminals 15 (see FIG. 2) as separate members for fixing the connector. By soldering the pair of connector fixing terminals 15 to the substrate 30, the connector 1 can be firmly fixed to the substrate 30. In the present embodiment, the fixed terminal 15 and the female terminal 20 are insulated from each other by the wall portion of the housing 3, but the fixed terminal 15 and the female terminal 20 may be integrally formed.

  The female terminal 20 can be produced by bending a metal thin plate material such as copper (see FIG. 4). The female terminal 20 has a fixed end 21 fixed to the substrate 30 at one end, a movable end 23 pressed by a slide member 18 described later at the other end, and a spiral between the fixed end 21 and the movable end 23. A contact portion 25 is provided. By producing the female terminal 20 from a thin plate, the contact area with the lead portion 41 can be widened, and heat generation at the contact portion can be suppressed in an application in which a large current flows. The leg portion 27 fixed to the conductor portion 33 of the substrate 30 is formed in a portion extending from the fixed end 21. The female terminal 20 is housed in the housing groove 12 formed in the lower surface 5 of the housing 3. In this embodiment, the fixed end 21 is formed as a portion bent in a U-shape, and the female terminal 20 is positioned in the longitudinal direction by engaging with the engaging portion 13a of the receiving groove 12. . The movable end 23 is a portion bent at about 90 ° at the other end of the female terminal 20 and can move in the arrow a direction when pressed by the slide member 18 in the arrow a direction which is the longitudinal direction of the female terminal 20. Thus, it is a free end which is not restrained by the wall portion of the housing 3. That is, the female terminal 20 is housed in the housing 3 with one end fixed and the other end free.

  The spiral contact portion 25 is a diameter-reducible portion that is curved to have a predetermined loop diameter by turning the other end approximately 180 ° with one end of the female terminal 20 fixed. In a state where the female terminal 20 is received in the receiving groove 12 of the housing 3, the spiral contact portion 25 is located in the hole 6. The loop diameter may be approximately the same as or larger than the diameter of the lead 41 of the capacitor 40 so that the lead 41 of the capacitor 40 is inserted into the loop with a low or zero insertion force. . When the loop diameter is larger than the diameter of the lead part 41, the lead part 41 is suitable for a thin part because the electronic part can be mounted without applying an axial compressive force to the lead part 41. On the other hand, when the loop diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the lead portion 41, the inserted lead portion 41 is temporarily fixed by the loop, so that the electronic components can be prevented from falling off and the assembly workability can be improved. The loop is reduced by pushing the movable end 23 in the direction of the arrow a, and expanded by pushing the movable end 23 in the direction opposite to the arrow a. In the present embodiment, the movable end 23 is pushed by the slide member 18 in the direction of arrow a, the loop becomes smaller, and the lead portion 41 is fastened by the loop. That is, the size of the loop is regulated by moving the movable end 23 in the direction away from the fixed end 21.

  The female terminal of the present invention is not limited to one in which the fixed end and the movable end extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the spiral as in this embodiment, and the fixed end and the movable end are substantially parallel to the central axis of the spiral. You may extend to. If the fixed end and the movable end extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the spiral, the connector can be made thin, and therefore, it is suitable for applications in which thinning of electronic devices or the like is preferred. When the fixed end and the movable end extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the spiral, the change in the size of the loop with respect to the displacement amount of the movable end is substantially parallel to the central axis of the spiral. Compared with the case of extending, it can enlarge.

  In addition, although the spiral contact part 25 of this embodiment is formed as one loop or curl, the number of turns of the loop or curl is not limited, and the number of turns of two or three or more turns It is also possible to do. When the number of turns is increased, the contact area between the lead portion 41 and the loop can be increased. The smaller the number of turns, the easier it is to uniformly reduce the diameter of each loop, so that the contact pressure can be made uniform, and the displacement amount of the movable end 23 can be reduced, thereby improving the operability. When a high-frequency current flows, the inductance can be reduced. If the loop has two or more turns, when the movable end 23 is pulled, the axis of the loop may be inclined and the height of the connector 1 increases. Accordingly, one winding shown in FIG. 3 or the like is preferable, and the contact area can be maximized when the lead portion 41 has a circular cross section, which is particularly preferable. That is, the two loop ends extend in directions substantially orthogonal to the center axis of the loop and in opposite directions, and the other loop end as the movable end 23 is connected to the one loop end as the fixed end 21. The number of turns of the present embodiment is not limited as long as the loop can be reduced by moving in the pulling direction. Further, the two loop ends are not limited to the case of extending in the opposite direction by 180 ° in the direction substantially orthogonal to the central axis of the loop, and include cases where the two loop ends extend in a direction intersecting.

  The connector 1 of this embodiment further includes a lever member 17 and a slide member 18 as the pressing means 16 of the present invention. The lever member 17 has an insertion end on which an inclined surface 17 a that presses the slide member 18 is formed. The slide member 18 is slidably accommodated in the housing 3 so that the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20 can be pressed in the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. An inclined surface 18 a that is pushed by the inclined surface 17 a of the lever member 17 is formed at the rear end of the slide member 18. The lever member 17 and the slide member 18 are configured such that the inclined surfaces 17 a and 18 a are in sliding contact with each other, and the slide member 18 slides in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the lever member 17. By sliding the slide member 18 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the lever member 17, a large force can be generated in the slide direction of the slide member 18 from a small insertion force of the lever member 17, and the female terminal 20 can be moved. The end 23 can be pushed with a strong force. Since it can be pushed from above, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the mounted components on the board 30 adjacent to the connector 1 is increased, which is suitable for increasing the efficiency of the mounting area. The lever member 17 is locked to the inner wall of the opening 8 by locking means (not shown). When the locking is released and the lever member 17 is pulled upward, the slide member 18 is pushed back by the elasticity of the female terminal 20, the diameter of the spiral contact portion 25 of the female terminal 20 is expanded, and the fastening of the lead portion 41 is released. The electronic component can be removed.

  The means for pressing the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20 is not limited to the configuration of the lever member 17 and the slide member 18 of the present embodiment. An equivalent member corresponding to the lever member 17 can be inserted into the side of the female terminal 20 located at the movable end 23, and the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20 is directly connected to the inclined surface formed at the tip of the equivalent member. You can also press it. In this case, the pressing means can be composed of only one member. As another configuration, the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20 can be directly pushed only by a member corresponding to the slide member 18. That is, the pressing means 16 of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can take various forms.

  The modification of the connector 1 of this embodiment is shown by FIGS. In the connector 1A according to the modification, an example of the pressing means 16A and the female terminal 20A different from the first embodiment is shown. In the pressing means 16A of this modified example, the point that the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20A is mainly pressed by the lock piece 51 (pressing means 16A) of the lock member 50 is the same as the configuration of the pressing means 16 shown in FIGS. It is different. The lock member 50 is integrally formed by bending a press piece punched from a metal plate by a press. The lock piece 51 has a narrow base portion 52a connected to the main body 53 of the lock member 50, and an extending portion 52b following the base portion 52a. The extending part 52b has a bending space 54 between itself and the main body 53, and can be plastically deformed at the base part 52a.

  Although a part of the housing 3 is shown in FIG. 5, the point that the female terminal 20A is attached to the housing 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the female terminal 20A of this modified example is similar to FIG. Instead of the fixed end 21 that engages with the housing 3 shown in FIG. 1, a claw portion 28 that engages with the locking hole 55 of the lock member 50 is provided. By engaging the claw portion 28 with the locking hole 55, the female terminal 20 </ b> A of the modified example is positioned in the longitudinal direction, like the female terminal 20 of the first embodiment. The other female terminal 20A has the same configuration as the female terminal 20 of the first embodiment, and has a movable end 23 at the end opposite to the end where the claw 28 is formed. A spiral contact portion 25 is provided between the movable end 23 and the movable end 23. As shown in FIG. 6, in the assembled state, the tip of the lock piece 51 of the lock member 50 is disposed at a position approaching the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20A. As shown in FIG. 7, a jig is provided in the bending space 54 between the lock piece 51 of the lock member 50 and the main body 53 in a state where the lead portion 41 of the capacitor 40 is inserted into the spiral contact portion 25 of the female terminal 20A. (Pressing means) 59 or the like is inserted, and the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20A is plastically deformed from the base 52a toward the movable end 23 without plastically deforming the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20A. When pressed by the tip of the lock piece 51, the loop of the spiral contact portion 25 of the female terminal 20A becomes small. Thereby, the lead part 41 of the capacitor 40 can be fastened by the spiral contact part 25. Since the lock piece 51 is plastically deformed, the jig 59 can be removed and the movable end 23 can be kept pressed.

  As a connector 1AA according to another modification of the present embodiment, the pressing means may be configured so that the size of the loop of the female terminal 20 (see FIG. 4) can be enlarged or reduced. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the slide member (pressing means) 118 according to the present modification includes a first pressing portion 119a that presses the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20 in the direction a in which the loop is reduced, and a large loop. And a second pressing portion 119b that presses the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20 in the direction b.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the slide member 118 is incorporated in the housing 3 in a state where the second pressing portion 119b presses the movable end 23 so that the loop of the female terminal 20 becomes larger than the natural state. The slide member 118 is locked to a projection (not shown) of the housing 3 and maintains the state where the movable end 23 is pressed. When the loop is made large in this way, the lead portion 41 can be easily inserted into the loop of the female terminal 20.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, after the lead portion 41 is inserted into the loop, the slide member 118 is moved, and the movable end 23 is pressed by the first pressing portion 119a so that the loop becomes smaller than the diameter of the lead portion 41. To do. Thereby, the lead part 41 is fastened by the spiral contact part 25 of the female terminal 20. In the case where the loop size in the natural state is configured to be smaller than the diameter of the lead portion 41, the fastening force due to the elastic force of the spiral contact portion 25 is applied at the time of fastening, so that the fastening force can be further increased.

  As a further modification, the slide member may be configured to be movable in two directions with respect to the female terminal 20. When the male terminal 20 is inserted, the slide member is moved in one direction, the movable end 23 is pressed by the second pressing portion to enlarge the loop, and after the lead portion 41 is inserted, the slide member is moved in the other direction. Then, the movable end 23 may be pressed by the first pressing portion, and the lead portion 41 and the female terminal 20 may be fastened. Moreover, the slide member may be a single pressing member, or may be used together with the lever member as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the connectors 1, 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> AA of the present embodiment, the lead portion 41 of the capacitor 40 is fastened by the spiral contact portion 25, so that the contact area between the lead portion 41 and the spiral contact portion 25 is small. In addition to increasing the size, the pressing means 16, 16A, 118 presses the movable end 23 of the female terminal 20, 20A to reduce the loop of the spiral contact portion 25 and forcibly fasten the lead portion 41. As a result, the contact pressure of the spiral contact portion 25 increases, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the electronic component such as the capacitor 40 and the connector 1 can be increased.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 9-11, 2nd Embodiment of the electrical connector which concerns on this invention is described. The connector 1 </ b> B of the present embodiment has a regulating means for regulating the opening of the loop of the spiral contact portion 25 when the lead portion 41 of the capacitor 40 is press-fitted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 25. The restricting means is not limited to the present embodiment, but the movable end 23A is rotated by a predetermined amount in the direction adjacent to the movable end 23A of the female terminal 20B and the loop diameter of the spiral contact portion 25 is increased. It can be set as the contact wall 61 provided in the position which allows it to move. The contact wall 61 can be formed as a wall portion of a lock member 60 provided as a separate member from the housing 3 as in the present embodiment, or can be formed as a wall portion of the housing 3. It is not limited. In the present embodiment, the loop diameter of the spiral contact portion 25 is formed to be approximately the same as or smaller than the diameter of the lead portion 41. For this reason, electrical connection can be performed only by inserting the lead part 41 into the loop of the spiral contact part 25.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which the movable end 23A of the female terminal 20B is in contact with the contact wall (side wall) 61 of the lock member 60 and the opening of the loop of the spiral contact portion 25 is restricted. The female terminal 20B is engaged with the claw portion 28 as a fixed end in the engagement hole 55 of the lock member 60, so that the female terminal 20B is engaged, and the female terminal 20B is positioned in the longitudinal direction. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams referred to for describing the operation of the lock member 60. FIG. FIG. 10 shows a state before the lead portion 41 of the capacitor 40 (see FIG. 1 etc.) is press-fitted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 25. The loop of the spiral contact portion 25 has a size smaller than the diameter of the lead portion 41. In FIG. 11, since the lead portion 41 of the capacitor 40 is press-fitted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 25 and the movable end 23A of the female terminal 20B is not in contact with the contact wall 61 of the lock member 60, the movable end 23A is A state in which the loop of the spiral contact portion 25 moves in the direction of expanding the diameter (the loop is opened) is shown. That is, when the lead portion 41 is press-fitted into the loop, the movable end 23A moves (turns) to open the loop, and the lead portion 41 comes into contact only by the elastic force of the loop. Since the lock member 60 of the present embodiment abuts against the movable end 23A and restricts the opening of the loop, the movable end 23A of the female terminal 20B looks like it is returned in a direction in which the loop becomes smaller, and is in the loop. The lead portion 41 that has been press-fitted is fastened with a force stronger than that without the lock member 60, and the contact pressure between the lead portion 41 and the spiral contact portion 25 can be increased. Thereby, there can exist an effect similar to 1st Embodiment, and the reliability of the electrical connection of electronic components, such as the capacitor | condenser 40, and the connector 1B can be improved. The number of turns of the loop is not limited to one and may be more than one. Further, the number of turns of the loop may be less than one turn and less than one turn, and may be, for example, a 3/4 turn loop. The smaller the number of turns, the smaller the insertion force when inserting the lead part 41 into the loop.

  FIG. 12 shows a female terminal 20 </ b> C having a spiral contact portion 25 </ b> A that is a 3/4 round loop together with the connector 1 </ b> C. The female terminal 20 </ b> C is fixed to the substrate 30 while being held by the housing 70 covered with the cover 80. In the housing 70, a wall portion (corresponding to the contact wall 61) that restricts the rotation of the movable end 23 </ b> A of the female terminal 20 </ b> C is formed as an inner wall of the hole portion 74. The cover 80 is fixed to the substrate 30 together with the housing 70 by fixing a fixing piece 86 obtained by bending the leg portion 82 of the cover 80 inward to the substrate 30. A hole 84 communicating with the hole 74 of the housing 70 is also formed in the cover 80. The form of the cover 80 is not limited to this example.

  In this modified example, both ends of the loop extending outward of the spiral contact portion 25 do not extend in the opposite directions of 180 ° as in the female terminal 20B of the second embodiment, but both ends of the loop are Each extends in a crossing direction. The extending end following one end of the loop is a locking piece 29 as a fixed end fixed to the housing 70, and the extending end following the other end of the loop is a movable end 23A. By engaging the locking piece 29 with the locking hole 76 of the housing 70, the female terminal 20C is positioned in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of protrusions 29 c are formed on the side surface of the locking piece 29, and when the locking piece 29 is inserted (press-fitted) into the locking hole 76, the plurality of protrusions 29 c of the locking piece 29 are locked. By being hooked on the inner surface of the hole 76, the locking piece 29 is prevented from coming off from the locking hole 76. The locking piece 29 of this modification is shown as an example, and is not limited to this form. Like the female terminal 20B of the second embodiment, the movable end 23A is formed as a linear extension portion following the other end of the loop, but when the loop is less than one turn as in this modification, The length of the extended portion may be shortened, and the vicinity of the loop end may be used as the movable end.

  The housing 70 holding the female terminal 20C has a main body 71, a hole 74 that allows insertion of the spiral contact portion 25A and restricts the diameter of the loop, and a locking hole 76 that engages with the locking piece 29. And have. The main body 71 can be manufactured from a material such as an insulating plastic by a known method such as injection molding. The hole portion 74 is formed so as to penetrate from the lower surface (fixed surface) 75a side to the upper surface 75b side of the main body 71. However, if the insertion of the spiral contact portion 25A and the movable end 23A is permitted, the hole portion 74 is inserted into the lower surface 75a. It can also be formed as a blind hole having a mouth and a closed wall on the upper surface 75b. The hole 74 has a main hole 73a where the spiral contact portion 25A is located and a sub-hole 73b where the movable end 23A is located. 13B shows a state in which the spiral contact portion 25A is located in the main hole 73a of the hole portion 74, and the movable end 23A is located in the sub hole 73b of the hole portion 74. The main hole 73a is formed to have a size that allows the loop diameter of the spiral contact portion 25A to be allowed, and the sub hole 73b has a size that allows the movable end 23A to rotate in the direction in which the loop diameter increases. Is formed. The dimension by which the movable end 23A can move is set so that when the lead part 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact part 25A, a forced force acts on the lead part 41 from the inner surface of the loop. ing. That is, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 14B, when the lead portion 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 25A, the movable end 23A rotates in the direction in which the diameter of the loop expands, and the movable end 23A The outer surface comes into contact with the inner surface (inner wall surface) 73c of the sub-hole 73b, whereby the movement of the movable end 23A is restricted, and the lead portion 41 is forcibly fastened by the loop of the spiral contact portion 25A. ing.

  Other modified examples of the second embodiment are shown in FIGS. The connector 1D of this modification has a point that the cover 80A has a diameter-expanding portion 85 that displaces the movable end 23B of the female terminal 20D in the direction in which the loop of the spiral contact portion 25B increases, and after the lead portion 41 is inserted. The second embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a slide member (pressing means) 160 that presses the movable end 23B of the female terminal 20D is slidably provided in a direction in which the loop of the spiral contact portion 25B decreases.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, the enlarged diameter portion (expanded member) 85 abuts on the movable end 23B of the female terminal 20D accommodated in the hole 170 and makes the loop of the spiral contact portion 25B larger than the natural state. Keep in state. In this modification, the enlarged diameter portion 85 is formed by extending a part of the leg portion 82 of the cover 80A and folding the extended portion inward. Of course, the member having the enlarged diameter portion 85 can be provided as a separate member from the cover 80A. The enlarged diameter portion 85 is disposed at a position where the movable end 23B of the female terminal 20D is rotated from its natural state in the direction in which the loop of the spiral contact portion 25B opens. FIG. 15C shows a state where the lead portion 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 25B. In this state, no contact pressure acts between the spiral contact portion 25B and the lead portion 41, or a weak contact pressure acts. In order to provide a strong contact pressure between the spiral contact portion 25B and the lead portion 41, the slide member 160 is used.

  As shown in FIG. 15D, the slide member 160 is a member shaped like a wedge and can be slidably assembled to the housing 70A. Alternatively, the slide member 160 may be assembled after the lead portion 41 is inserted without being assembled in advance to the housing 70A. The slide member 160 has an inclined surface 162 at the insertion end. When the movable end 23B of the female terminal 20D is pressed by the inclined surface 162, the lead portion 41 is fastened by the female terminal 20D.

  After the lead portion 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 25B, the slide member 160 is inserted inward from an opening (not shown) of the connector 1D. When the slide member 160 is inserted into the connector 1D to some extent, the inclined surface 162 and the movable end 23B of the female terminal 20D come into contact with each other, and the movable end 23B is displaced in a direction in which the loop becomes smaller. In conjunction with the displacement of the movable end 23B, the enlarged diameter portion 85 also rotates in a direction approaching the leg portion 82 of the cover 80A. In a state where the slide member 160 is pushed into the connector 1D to some extent, the enlarged diameter portion 85 contacts the corner portion 164 of the slide member 160 and continues to rotate toward the leg portion 82 of the cover 80A.

  As shown in FIG. 15E, when the slide member 160 is slid to the final position, the movable end 23B is pressed by the inclined surface 162, and the lead portion 41 is forcibly fastened by the spiral contact portion 25B. The enlarged diameter portion 85 abuts against the side wall 166 or the corner portion 164 of the slide member 160 and prevents the enlarged diameter portion 85 from being displaced toward the movable end 23B side of the spiral contact portion 25B. When the slide member 160 is slid to the final position, the slide member 160 is locked by a projection (not shown) so that the fastening of the lead portion 41 and the spiral contact portion 25B is not released.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 16-20, 3rd Embodiment of the electrical connector which concerns on this invention is described. The connector 201 of this embodiment includes a female terminal 220 in which the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the lead portion 41, and a female terminal in a direction in which the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 of the female terminal 220 increases. And a pressing means (pressing member) 250 for pressing the movable end 223 of 220. The pair of female terminals 220 have a symmetrical shape. The pressing means 250 is slidably attached to the housing 203 in the front-rear direction, and a first locking position where the movable end 223 of the female terminal 220 is not pressed and a second position where the movable end 223 of the female terminal 220 is pressed. It can slide between the locking positions. When the pressing means 250 is in the first locking position and the second locking position, the pressing means 250 is locked by the locking means, so that the pressing means 250 is moved from one locking position to the other locking position. In order to slide it to the stop position, it is necessary to release the lock. 19A and 19C show a state in which the pressing means 250 is in the first locking position, and FIG. 19B shows a state in which the pressing means 250 is in the second locking position.

  When the pressing means 250 presses the movable end 223 of the female terminal 220 and the loop portion of the spiral contact portion 225 is enlarged, the lead portion 41 of the capacitor 40 is in the second locking position. It is designed to be inserted into the loop with a low insertion force. That is, the pressing means 250 slides from the first locking position to the second locking position while resisting the spring force of the spiral contact section 225, so that the loop of the spiral contact section 225 becomes large. The lead portion 41 can be easily inserted. After the lead portion 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 225, the movable end 223, which is the loop end of the spiral contact portion 225, comes into contact with the inner wall surfaces of the holes 205 and 206 of the housing 203. The loop of the contact portion 225 is not opened any more, and the lead portion 41 is fastened with a stronger contact pressure.

  In FIG. 16, the connector 201 of the present embodiment fixed to the substrate 30 is shown together with the capacitor 40 having the lead portion 41 disposed on the back side of the substrate 30. The connector 201 is attached to the housing 203, a pair of female terminals 220 built in the housing 203, and slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the housing 203, and the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 of the female terminal 220 is attached. In order to increase the size, a pressing means 250 that presses the movable end 223 of the female terminal 220 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the housing 203 can be molded from a material such as plastic by a known method such as injection molding. The housing 203 is formed between a pair of holes 205 and 206 accommodated in the spiral contact portion 225 of the female terminal 220 and a pair of holes 205 and 206, and is a pair of engagement members suspended from the back surface of the pressing means 250. Two locking grooves 209a and 209b for engaging the locking leg portions 260a and 260b to position the pressing means 250 at the first locking position and the second locking position in the front-rear direction, and left and right side walls And locking projections 216 and 217 that project from 213 and 214 and engage with the pair of locking arms 263 and 264 of the pressing means 250. The locking projections 216 and 217 have inclined surfaces 216a and 217a and locking surfaces 216b and 217b, respectively, and the pressing means 250 has the locking arms 263 and 264 guided along the inclined surfaces 216a and 217a. The frame inner surfaces 263a and 264a of the locking arms 263 and 264 are locked to the locking surfaces 216b and 217b. The housing 203 has an opening 212 at the center of the front wall 211, and a hanging wall 255 that is suspended from the upper wall 252 of the pressing means 250 engages with the opening 212.

  As shown in FIG. 18, housing grooves 207 and 208 and notches 218 and 219 in which L-shaped extended ends following the spiral contact portion 225 of the female terminal 220 are formed on the back surface of the housing 203. ing. The groove bottoms of the receiving grooves 207 and 208 have locking holes (not shown) with which the locking pieces 229 having a plurality of protrusions are engaged on the side surfaces, and the locking pieces 229 are press-fitted into the locking holes. The female terminal 220 is prevented from coming off by the plurality of protrusions of the stopper piece 229 being hooked on the inner surface of the locking hole. The L-shaped extending end of the female terminal 220 has a leg portion 227 that is electrically connected to the conductor portion 33 (see FIG. 3) of the substrate 30, and the leg portion 227 is soldered to the conductor portion 33 of the substrate 30. By being attached, the electrolytic capacitor 40 can receive power from the substrate 30 and the housing 203 is fixed to the substrate 30.

  The pressing means 250 can be molded from an insulating material such as plastic by a known method such as injection molding. The pressing means 250 includes an upper wall 252 that covers the pair of female terminals 220 housed in the housing 203, a pair of locking arms 263 and 264 that are suspended from the left and right ends of the upper wall 252, and the upper wall 252. And a pair of locking legs 260a and 260b facing the hanging wall 255 and hanging from the back surface of the upper wall 252. The upper wall 252 of the present embodiment has long holes 257 and 258 for avoiding interference with the tips of the pair of lead portions 41 of the electrolytic capacitor 40, and the pressing means 250 interferes with the lead portion 41. It can be slid back and forth. When the pair of locking arms 263 and 264 are engaged with the locking projections 216 and 217 of the housing 203, the pressing means 250 is positioned in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, but the locking arms 263 and 264 are locked. Since there is a gap between the projections 216 and 217, the projection can be slid in the front-rear direction.

  The pressing means 250 slidable in the front-rear direction has a first locking position and a second locking position by engaging the pair of locking legs 260a and 260b with the two locking grooves 209a and 209b of the housing 203. Positioned at the locking position. Since the pair of locking legs 260a and 260b that are separated by a predetermined distance can bend in the direction of narrowing the distance, the pressing means 250 has the first engagement position and the second engagement. It can slide between the stop position. The first locking position is a position where the pair of locking legs 260 a and 260 b are locked in the locking groove 209 a and is a position when the pressing means 250 is attached to the housing 203. The second locking position is a position where the pair of locking legs 260a and 260b are locked by the locking groove 209b, and the lead 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 of the female terminal 220. It is the position when you do. In this embodiment, a pair of locking legs 260a and 260b are provided in the pressing means 250, and two locking grooves 209a and 209b are provided in the housing 203. On the contrary, the pressing means It is also possible to provide two locking grooves in 250 and provide a pair of locking legs on the housing 203. Further, if the pressing means 250 is a locking structure that can slide from one locking position to the other locking position, it is limited to a pair of locking legs 260a and 260b and two locking grooves 209a and 209b. However, other locking structures can be applied to the electrical connector 201 of the present embodiment.

  A hanging wall 255 suspended from the front end of the upper wall 252 of the pressing means 250 engages with an opening 212 formed in the front wall 211 of the housing 203. As shown in FIG. 19A, when the pressing means 250 is in the first locking position, the inner surface of the hanging wall 255 does not contact the movable ends 223 of the pair of female terminals 220, and the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 is The outer diameter of the lead portion 41 is smaller. As shown in FIG. 19B, when the pressing means 250 is in the second locking position, the inner surface of the vertical wall 255 presses the movable ends 223 of the pair of female terminals 220, thereby causing the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 to loop. Enlarge. The size of the loop is the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the lead portion 41, and does not become larger than the outer diameter of the lead portion 41. This is because if the loop is larger than the outer diameter of the lead portion 41, the lead portion 41 is fastened only by the elastic force of the spiral contact portion 225, and sufficient contact pressure cannot be obtained. As shown in FIG. 19C, after the lead portion 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 225, the pressing means 250 is returned from the second locking position to the first locking position. When the lead means 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 when the pressing means 250 is in the second locking position, the movable end 223 of the female terminal 220 is brought into contact with the inner wall surfaces of the holes 205 and 206. The lead portion 41 is fastened by the spiral contact portion 225 in a state where the contact and the opening of the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 are restricted. The connector 201 of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment in that the inner wall surfaces of the holes 205 and 206 with which the movable end 223 abuts function as a restricting means that restricts the opening of the loop of the spiral contact portion 225. Although common to the connector 1B, it is different from the connector 1B of the second embodiment in that the lead portion 41 can be inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 with a low insertion force. In the present embodiment, the lead portion 41 is prevented from being folded when the lead portion 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 225, and the connection operability between the connector 201 and the capacitor 40 is improved.

  Next, a method for connecting the lead portion 41 of the electrolytic capacitor 40 to the connector 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 20A, after fixing the housing 203 on the substrate, the pressing means 250 is assembled to the housing 203 and locked at the first locking position. Since the pressing unit 250 is in the first locking position, the movable ends 223 of the pair of female terminals 220 housed in the housing 203 are not pressed from the pressing unit 250. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 20B, the pressing means 250 is slid against the elastic restoring force received from the movable ends 223 of the pair of female terminals 220, and the pressing means 250 is moved to the housing 203 at the second locking position. Lock. In this state, the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 of the pair of female terminals 220 becomes large, and the lead portion 41 can be easily inserted.

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 20C, the capacitor 40 having the pair of lead portions 41 is disposed on the back side of the substrate 30, and the pair of lead portions 41 are aligned with the spiral contact portions 225 of the pair of female terminals 220. . FIG. 20D shows a state where the pair of lead portions 41 is inserted into the loop of the spiral contact portion 225 of the pair of female terminals 220. Finally, as shown in FIG. 20E, the pressing means 250 is slid from the second locking position to the first locking position. In this way, the lead portion 41 of the capacitor 40 can be fastened with a strong force by the spiral contact portion 225 of the female terminal 220.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment, various modifications can be made in addition to the above-described embodiment. The lead part 41 as the male electrical contact part of the electronic component is not limited to the present embodiment, and the tip shape can be a conical shape or a wedge shape (one surface inclination or two surface inclination). In the connector 1 of the first embodiment, the two female terminals 20 are held in the connector housing 3. However, as in the modified example of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the connector 1 is a single connector. It can also be configured to hold one female terminal and be electrically connected to one electronic component with two connectors. As described above, when one female terminal is held by one connector, it is not necessary to prepare a connector housing according to the lead pitch of the pair of lead parts of the electronic component, and the range of application of the connector is expanded. Can do.

1, 1A, 1AA, 1B, 1C, 201 Electrical connector 3, 70, 70A, 203 Housing 16, 16A, 118, 160, 250 Pressing means 17 Lever member 18 Slide member 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 220 Female Terminal 21 Fixed end 23, 23A, 23B, 223 Movable end 25, 25A, 25B, 225 Spiral contact portion 27, 227 Leg portion 29, 229 Locking piece 30 Substrate 40 Capacitor 41 Lead portion 50, 60 Lock member 52a Base portion 52b Extension part 61 Contact wall 74, 170, 206, 206 Hole part

Claims (10)

An electrical connector having a female terminal electrically connected to a male electrical contact portion of an electronic component,
The female connector has a spiral contact portion, and the spiral contact portion forms a loop capable of fastening the male electrical contact portion.   The female terminal has a fixed end located on one side of the female terminal and a movable end located on the other side of the female terminal, and the spiral contact portion is between the fixed end and the movable end. And the size of the loop of the spiral contact portion is restricted by moving the movable end relative to the fixed end, so that the male electrical contact portion is the spiral contact portion. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is fastened.   The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the fixed end and the movable end extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of a spiral of the spiral contact portion.   A pressing member that presses the movable end of the female terminal; the pressing member abuts on the movable end of the female terminal, and displaces the movable end so as to reduce a loop of the spiral contact portion. The electrical connector according to claim 3, comprising one abutting portion.   The said pressing member is further contacted with the said movable end of the said female terminal, and further has the 2nd contact part which displaces the said movable end so that the loop of the said helical contact part may be enlarged. Electrical connector.   When the female terminal is in a free state, the inner diameter of the loop of the spiral contact portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the male electrical contact portion, and the male electrical contact portion is press-fitted into the loop of the spiral contact portion. The electrical connector according to claim 2, further comprising a restricting portion that is fixedly configured to restrict the opening of the loop of the spiral contact portion in a state where the spiral contact portion is formed.   In order to enlarge the loop of the end spiral contact portion, it has a pressing member that presses the movable end of the female terminal, and the pressing member is slidably attached to the housing that houses the female terminal. The electrical connector according to claim 6.   The pressing member has a locking portion, the housing has a first engaging portion that engages with the locking portion, and when the pressing member presses the movable end of the female terminal, The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein a locking portion engages with the first engagement portion, and the pressing member is locked to the housing.   The housing has a second engagement portion that communicates with the first engagement portion and is disposed in a direction in which the pressing member slides, and the pressing member presses the movable end of the female terminal. The electrical connector according to claim 8, wherein when there is not, the locking portion engages with the second engagement portion, and the pressing member is locked to the housing.   The engaging portion is a pair of opposing leg portions, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaging grooves, and the pair of leg portions are elastically deformed inward. Accordingly, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are disengaged from each other, and the pair of leg portions engages with the first engagement portion, and The electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein the pressing member is slidable between a second engagement position that engages with the second engagement portion.

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