Connecting device

Abstract

A connecting device of the present invention includes a contact and a body which accommodates it. Clamp arms of the contact include bent parts, and hold parts continued from the tips of the bent parts and bent opposite to the bent parts. When piece members of the operation member press the bent parts, the hold parts approach each other and intersect to thereby form a space between them. When the press is released, the hold parts approach each other to thereby close the space, whereby the lead terminal inserted in the space is held between the hold parts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1( a) is a schematic front view showing a connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(b) is a schematic side view showing a connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(c) is a schematic rear view showing a connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2( a) is a schematic plan view showing the device. FIG. 2(b) is a schematic bottom view showing the device.

FIG. 3( a) is a schematic perspective view of the device showing a state where an operation member is slide-moved. FIG. 3(b) is a schematic perspective view of the device showing a state where a lead terminal of an electronic device is inserted.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the operation member of the device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a contact of the device.

FIG. 6( a) is an A-A sectional view of the device showing a state where the operation member is slide-moved. FIG. 6(b) is an A-A sectional view of the device showing a state where a lead terminal of an electronic device is inserted.

FIG. 7( a) is a B-B sectional view of the device showing a state before the operation member is slide-moved. FIG. 7(b) is a B-B sectional view of the device showing a state after the operation member is slide-moved. FIG. 7(c) is a B-B sectional view of the device showing a state where a lead terminal of an electronic device is inserted.

FIG. 8( a) is a schematic perspective view illustrates a design modification example of the contact of the device and showing a contact having two first clamp arms which are fixed pieces and a second clamp arm which is a elastically deformable movable piece. FIG. 8(b) is a schematic perspective view illustrates a design modification example of the contact of the device and showing a contact having first clamp arm and second clamp arm which are elastically deformable movable pieces. FIG. 8(c) is a schematic perspective view illustrates a design modification example of the contact of the device and showing a contact having a first clamp arm which is a fixed piece and a second clamp arm which is an elastically deformable movable piece.

FIG. 9( a) is a schematic perspective view illustrates another design modification example of the contact of the device and showing a second connection part which is a plate-shaped body capable of being inserted into a through hole of a substrate. FIG. 9(b) is a schematic perspective view illustrates another design modification example of the contact of the device and showing a second connection part which is a hook-shaped body capable of being mounted on a substrate. FIG. 9(c) is a schematic perspective view illustrates another design modification example of the contact of the device and showing a second connection part in a shape enabling a lead wire to be press-bonded.

FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing still another design modification example of the contact of the device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing a design modification example of the body of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of a connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown with reference to the drawings attached. The connecting device mentioned here serves as sockets for cold cathode fluorescent lamps 10 not shown and has two contacts 100 for electrically connecting lead terminals 12 of the cold cathode fluorescent lamps (electronic devices) 10 and a substrate 20, respectively, and a body 200 which accommodates the two contacts 100. Detailed explanation will be given below.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10 includes a lamp part 11 and a lead terminal 12 protruding from the lamp part 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the body 200 has a rectangular main body part 210 made of plastic material, and two operation members 220, made of plastic material, attached to the main body part 210 slidably.

Inside the both end parts in a length direction of the main body part 210, accommodation parts 211 for accommodating the two contacts 100 are provided, as shown in FIGS. 2(b), 6 and 7.

Each accommodation part 211 is an almost rectangular space, in which the width dimension is slightly smaller than the width dimension of an intermediate part 130 of the contact 100. As shown in FIG. 2(b), in the middle of the both wall faces in the width direction of the accommodation part 211, press-fitting grooves 211a are vertically provided, into which the both end parts of the intermediate part 130 of the contact 100 may be press-fitted. Further, on each wall face in a length direction of the accommodation part 211, three projected veins 211b are vertically provided at spaced intervals, respectively.

The projected veins 211b contact the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 if the clamp arms are splayed out in directions away from each other due to dimension tolerance. Therefore, the projected veins can prevent interference between the piece members 223 and the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 when piece members 223 of the operation member 220 are inserted into openings 217b of a guide part 217 of the main body part 210.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), at each lengthwise opposite end portion of the lower face of the main body part 210, there is provided a rectangular opening 212 formed for releasing the lower end portion of the accommodation part 211 and allowing the second connection part 120 of the contact 100 to protrude downwardly therethrough. The main body part 210 is further provided at each edge portion outside the opening 212 with an engaging claw 213 extending downwardly to engage with an engaging hole, not shown, of the substrate 20 (that is, engaging claw 213 extends in the same direction as the protruding direction of the second connection part 120 of the contact 100).

As shown in FIG. 1(a), FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 3, at each lengthwise opposite end portion of the upper face of the main body part 210, there is provided a first accommodation groove 214 for removably inserting the lamp part 11 of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10 in an up and down direction, a second accommodation groove 215, which continues from the first accommodation groove 214, enabling the lead terminal 12 of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10 to be inserted/removed in an up and down direction, and a wall part 216 linking the first and second accommodation grooves 214 and 215.

The second accommodation groove 215 is a groove communicating with the accommodation part 211 and the width dimension thereof is set larger than the width dimension of the lead terminal 12 of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10. The both edges in the width direction of the second accommodation groove 215 form tapered faces for guiding the lead terminal 12 into the second accommodation groove 215.

The wall part 216 is a wall-like member linking one lengthwise end of the second accommodation groove 215 and the other lengthwise end of the first accommodation groove 214, in which a slit 216a continuing to the second accommodation groove 215 is provided in an up and down direction. The width dimension of the slit 216a is set to be slightly larger than the width dimension of the lead terminal 12 of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10. The both edges in a width direction of the slit 216a form tapered faces for guiding the lead terminal 12. The depth dimension of the slit 216a is set to a depth up to the almost same position as a position where the lead terminal 12 is held between the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 of the contact 100 inside the accommodation part 211. Namely, it is adapted that the lead terminal 12 is held between the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 of the contact 100 inside the accommodation part 211, and is also supported by the bottom part of the slit 216a.

The first accommodation groove 214 is so set that the width dimension thereof is slightly larger than that of the lamp part 11 of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10. The depth dimension of the first accommodation groove 214 is set to a depth such that the lamp part 11 of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10 is mounted on the bottom part of the first accommodation groove 214 in a state where the lead terminal 12 of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10 is supported by the bottom part of the slit 216a.

Further, the back face part of the main body part 210 is in such a shape that a part other than the lower end part is cut away in an almost rectangular shape. In the lengthwise opposite end portions of the wall face of the cutaway portion, two guide parts 217 are formed for guiding the operation member 220 slidably in an up and down direction. As shown in FIGS. 1(c), 3, 4, 6 and 7, the guide parts 217 are hollow protrusions in an almost rectangular shape, and the inside thereof constitute a part of the accommodation part 211. On the both end faces in a width direction of each of the guide parts 217, a pair of guide protrusions 217a are formed. In the both end parts of the front face of the guide part 217, a pair of openings 217b are formed, into which a pair of piece members 223 of the operation member 220 are inserted. Further, on the lower center portion of the front face of the guide part 217, a pair of engaging protrusions 217c are provided for engaging with the operation member 220.

As shown in FIGS. 1(b), 1(c), 3, 4, 6 and 7, each operation member 220 includes a movable main body part 221 having the shape of a rectangular box with the bottom being open, a pair of rail grooves 222 formed by cutting the corners of the both end parts in a width direction of the movable main body part 211, a pair of piece members 223 provided between the pair of rail grooves 222 on an inner face of the movable main body part 221, and an engaging piece 224 provided on the lower end part of the movable main body part 221.

In the rail grooves 222, the guide protrusions 217a of the guide part 217 are fitted. Thereby, the movable main body part 221 is mounted to the guide part 217 slidably from the initial position (that is, a position where the guide protrusions 217a are positioned at the tops of the rail grooves 222) to the pressed position (that is, a position where the guide protrusions 217a are positioned at the bottoms of the rail grooves 222).

The engaging piece 224 is protruded at the lower end portion thereof toward the guide part 217, and when the movable main body part 221 is positioned at the initial position, it is engaged with the engaging protrusions 217c of the guide part 217.

The top end parts of the pair of piece members 223 form tapered faces between which the spacing decreases gradually. The pair of piece members 223 are inserted in the pair of openings 217b, and when the movable main body part 221 is positioned at the pressed position, they press first and second bent parts 111a and 112a of the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 of the contact 100 inside the accommodation part 211.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, each contact 100 is a plate spring having conductivity, including a first connection part 110 for connecting a lead terminal, a second connection part 120 for connecting a substrate, and an intermediate part 130 positioned between the first and second connection parts 110 and 120.

The intermediate part 130 is of a rectangular plate-shaped and has a width dimension slightly larger than the width dimension of the accommodation part 211 of the main body part 210 of the body 200. The both end parts of the intermediate part 130 are press-fitted in the press-fitting grooves 211a of the accommodation part 211, whereby the contact 100 is held inside the accommodation part 211.

The second connection part 120 is continued from the lower end of the intermediate part 130 and bent in an almost U shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the height dimension of the second connection part 120 is set enough to protrude from the opening 212 of the main body part 210 of the body 200 in a state where the intermediate part 130 is held inside the accommodation part 211 of the main body part 210 of the body 200 of the contact 100.

The first connection part 110 has two first clamp arms 111, elastically deformable, provided with an interval therebetween on the top end of the intermediate part 130, and a second clamp arm 112, elastically deformable, disposed between the two first clamp arms 111 on the top end of the intermediate part 130.

Each of the first clamp arm 11 has a first bent part 111a in an almost L shape, and a first hold part 111b which is continued from the tip of the first bent part 111a and bent in a direction opposite to the first bent part 111a.

The second clamp arm 112 has a second bent part 112a in an almost inverse L shape (that is, it is bent in a direction opposite to the first bent part 111a), and a second hold part 112b which is continued from the tip of the second bent part 112a and bent in a direction opposite to the second bent part 112a.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a are bent such that the bent piece parts continued from the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b become almost parallel to the substrate 20. The length dimensions of the bent piece parts of the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a is set such that the bent parts will not intersect with each other in the initial state and when the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a are pressed by the piece members 223 of the operation members 220, they intersect with each other so as to form a space α for inserting the lead terminal 12 between the hold parts 111b and 112b.

Hereinafter, assembling procedures of the connecting device of such a configuration will be explained. First, the intermediate part 130 of the contact 100 is positioned to be press-inserted into the press-fitting grooves 211a of the accommodation part 211 of the body 200, whereby the contact 100 is accommodated in the accommodation part 211.

Then, the pair of piece members 223 of the operation member 220 is positioned to be inserted into the pair of openings 217b of the guide part 217 of the body 200 with care not to contact the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a of the contact 100 inside the accommodation part 211. Then, when the operation member 220 is pressed against the guide part 217 of the body 200, the both end parts in a width direction of the operation member 220 are elastically deformed and go over the guide part 217 of the body 200. Thereby, the guide protrusions 217a of the guide part 217 are fitted in the rail grooves 222 of the operation member 220.

Hereinafter, a using method of the connecting device assembled in this manner will be explained. First, the engaging claws 213 of the body 200 are inserted into engaging holes, not shown, of the substrate 20, and engaged. Then, the second connection parts 120 of the contact 100 protruding from the opening 212 of the body 200 are pressed to a circuit pattern, not shown, of the substrate 200, and elastically contact. Thereby, the contact 100 is electrically connected with the circuit pattern of the substrate 20.

Then, the operation member 220 is moved from the initial position to the pressed position. At this time, the engaging piece 224 of the operation member 220 goes over the engaging protrusions 217c of the guide part 217. Then, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the pair of piece members 223 of the operation member 220 press the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a of the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 of the contact 100, whereby the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a move in directions approaching each other, and the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b move in directions approaching each other and intersect with each other, and then move in directions away from each other to thereby form the space α between them.

Then, the lamp part 11 of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10 is inserted into the first accommodation groove 214 of the body 200, and the lead terminal 12 of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10 is inserted in the accommodation groove 215 of the body 200. Thereby, the lead terminal 12 is guided into the slit 216a of the wall part 216 of the body 200, and inserted into the space α between the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b of the contact 100 inside the accommodation part 211 of the body 200.

Then, the operation member 220 is moved from the pressed position to the initial position. At this time, the engaging piece 224 of the operation member 220 is engaged with the engaging protrusions 217c of the guide part 217. Thereby, pressing by the pair of piece members 223 of the operation member 220 to the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a is released. Then, with return forces of the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 themselves, the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a move in directions away from each other, and on the other hand, the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b move in directions approaching each other. Thereby, the space α is closed, and the lead terminal 12 inserted in the space α is held between the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b. In this way, the lead terminal 12 is electrically connected with the contact 100.

To remove the lead terminal 12, the operation member 220 is moved from the initial position to the pressed position. At this time, the engaging piece 224 of the operation member 220 goes over the engaging protrusion 217c of the guide part 217. Then, the pair of piece members 223 of the operation member 220 press the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a of the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 of the contact 100, and the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a move in directions of approaching each other, while the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b move in directions away from each other. Thereby, the space α opens, so the holding of the lead terminal 12 between the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b is released. Then, the lead terminal 12 is drawn upward from the second accommodation groove 215 of the body 200 or drawn in parallel with the substrate 20.

In the case of the connecting device as described above, the operation member 220 is moved to the pressed position, and by the pressing of the piece members 223 of the operation member 220, the space α is formed between the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b of the first and second clamp arms ill and 112, and the lead terminal 12 is inserted in the space α. Then, the operation member 220 is moved to the initial position so as to release the pressing by the piece members 223 of the operation member 220 to thereby close the space α, whereby the lead terminal 12 is held between the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b. Therefore, a load due to the elastic forces of the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 will not be applied to the body 200, so the connecting device is suitable for use in a long period. Further, to mount the lead terminal 12, it is only necessary to insert the lead terminal 12 in the space α between the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b and hold it between the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b, so unnecessary load due to the elastic forces of the first and second clamp arms 111 and 112 will not be applied to the lead terminal 12 or to the lamp part 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent breakage of the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10 when mounting which may be caused by the load.

Further, holding of the lead terminal 12 between them and a release thereof can be done by only slide-moving the operation member 220, so mounting and removal of the lead terminal 12 can be done easily. Therefore, it is easy to replace the cold cathode fluorescent lamp 10.

Further, by engaging the engaging claw 213 of the body 200 with the engaging hole of the substrate 20, the second connection part 120 of the contact 100 protruding from the opening 212 of the body 200 is made to elastically contact the circuit pattern of the substrate 20. Therefore, the contact 100 can be connected with the substrate 20 easily without using soldering connection, which results in cost reduction.

Note that for the first connection part of the contact, any design change is acceptable, provided that the part includes a pair of clamp arms in which at least one of them is a movable piece, and that when a bent part of the movable piece is press-operated, the hold part of the movable piece moves in a direction approaching the other clamp arm so that they intersect with each other to thereby form a space between them for inserting a lead terminal. For example, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the first connection part may be so configured as to include two first clamp arms 111′, which are plate-shaped fixed pieces, and a second clamp arm 112′, which is an elastically deformable movable piece disposed between the first clamp arms. Alternatively, although it is not shown, the first connection part may be so configured as to include two first clamp arms which are elastically deformable movable pieces and a second clamp arm, which is a plate-shaped fixed piece disposed between the first clamp arms. By holding the lead terminal 12 at three points, it can be held stably. Further alternatively, the lead terminal may be held between two points in a configuration as shown in FIG. 8(b) including a pair of first and second clamp arms 111′ and 112′ both of which are elastically deformable movable pieces or, as shown in FIG. 8(c), in a configuration including a plate-shaped first clamp arm 111′ which is a fixed piece and a second clamp arm 112′ which is an elastically deformable movable piece. It is needless to say that four or more clamp arms may be provided.

The first and second bent parts 111a and 112a and the first and second hold parts 111b and 112b may be in curved shape. For the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a and hold parts 111b and 112b, bent-shaped ones and curved-shaped ones may be combined. Further, although the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a have been described as being press-operated by the operation member 220, they are not limited to this configuration. An operator may operate the bent parts manually. Specifically, the operator may operate the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a because they protrude from the body.

For the second connection part, any design change is acceptable if it can be electrically connected with the substrate 20. For example, if a through hole is formed in the substrate 20, the second connection part may be a linear plate-shaped body capable of being inserted in the through hole as shown in FIG. 9(a), or maybe a hook-shaped body to be brought contact with and be mounted on the circuit pattern of the substrate 20 as shown in FIG. 9(b), or may be in such a shape as to press-fit therein a lead wire for connecting the second connection part with the circuit pattern or other electronic components of the substrate 20 as shown in FIG. 9(c). Further, it is passable to provide the second connection part 120 as a separate body and contact with the first connection part 120.

Note that for the contact, it is only necessary to include the first and second connection parts, and any combination thereof is possible. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to form the second connection part in an dented shape in a side view and to arrange the first connection parts at the each end thereof.

Any design change to the body 200 is acceptable if it can accommodate the contact. Accordingly, although it has been described as a configuration of accommodating two contacts 100, it is only necessary to accommodate at least one, as shown in FIG. 11.

The engaging claw 213 may be of any type as long as it is provided on the edge part of the opening 212 of the body 200 and extends toward the protruding direction of the second connection part 120 and is capable of engaging with the substrate 20. Further, although the engaging claw 213 has been described to engage with the engaging hole of the substrate 20, it may be configured to engage with an end part or a groove part of the substrate 20, or to engage with another component provided on the substrate 20. Further, it is passable to form an engaging claw on the substrate 20 and form an engaged part on the body 200 for engaging with the engaging claw.

For the operation member 220, anything may be used if it can press the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a. For example, the body may have an opening positioned above the first and second bent parts 111a and 112a, which are pressed by the insertion of the operation member 220 in a rod shape.

Note that although the connecting device has been described as a socket for a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, it is not limited to this. It is needles to say that it is applicable to any other connecting devices such as a connector which electrically connects a lead terminal and a substrate.

Claims

1. A connecting device comprising: a contact; anda body for accommodating the contact,the contact including a first connection part for connecting a lead terminal and a second connection part for connecting a substrate,wherein the first connection part of the contact has first and second clamp arms which are elastically deformable, the first and second clamp arms including:first and second bent or curved parts which are bent or curved in directions away from each other; andfirst and second hold parts which are continued from tips of the first and second bent or curved parts and are bent or curved in directions opposite to the first and second bent or curved parts, andwherein, when the first and second bent or curved parts of the first and second clamp arms are press-operated in directions approaching each other respectively, the first and second hold parts move in directions approaching each other and then intersect so as to form a space therebetween for inserting the lead terminal, and when the first and second bent or curved parts are released from the press operation, the first and second hold parts move in directions approaching each other so as to close the space, whereby the lead terminal is held between the first and second hold parts.

2. A connecting device comprising: a contact; anda body for accommodating the contact,the contact including a first connection part for connecting a lead terminal and a second connection part for connecting a substrate,wherein the first connection part of the contact has a first clamp arm comprising a fixed piece, and a second clamp arm comprising an elastically deformable movable piece, the second clamp arm including:a bent or curved part which is bent or curved in a direction away from the first clamp arm; anda hold part which is continued from a tip part of the bent or curved part and is bent or curved in a direction opposite to the bent or curved part, andwherein, when the bent or curved part of the second clamp arm is press-operated toward the first clamp arm, the hold part of the second clamp arm moves in a direction approaching the first clamp arm and then intersects with the first clamp arm so as to form a space therebetween for inserting the lead terminal, and when the bent or curved part is released from the press operation, the hold part moves in a direction approaching the first clamp arm so as to close the space, whereby the lead terminal is held between the hold part of the second clamp arm and the first clamp arm.

3. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises: a main body part for accommodating the contact; andan operation member which is provided movably to the main body part and is adapted, in accordance with movement thereof, to press the first and second bent or curved parts.

4. The connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the body comprises: a main body part for accommodating the contact; andan operation member which is provided movably to the main body part and is adapted, in accordance with movement thereof, to press the bent or curved part.

5. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the first clamp arm comprises two first clamp arms and are disposed on both sides of the second clamp arm.

6. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the second clamp arm comprises two second clamp arms and are disposed on both sides of the first clamp arm.

7. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises: an opening allowing the second connection part of the contact to protrude so as to contact a circuit pattern of the substrate; andan engaging claw being provided at an edge of the opening and extending toward a protruding direction of the second connection part for engaging with the substrate.

8. The connecting device according to claim 7, wherein the second connection part of the contact is in such a shape as to elastically contact the circuit pattern of the substrate.

9. The connecting device according to claim 7, wherein the second connection part of the contact is linearly shaped as to be inserted into a through hole of the substrate.

10. The connecting device according to claim 7, wherein the second connection part of the contact is in such a shape as to pressure-bond a lead wire thereto.

11. The connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the first clamp arm comprises two first clamp arms and are disposed on both sides of the second clamp arm.

12. The connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the second clamp arm comprises two second clamp arms and are disposed on both sides of the first clamp arm.

13. The connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the body comprises: an opening allowing the second connection part of the contact to protrude so as to contact a circuit pattern of the substrate; andan engaging claw being provided at an edge of the opening and extending toward a protruding direction of the second connection part for engaging with the substrate.