Double-sided connector capable of easily and accurately positioning a connection member

Abstract

In a connector including a frame having an engaged portion and a connection member adapted to be inserted into the frame either in a first direction or in a second direction reverse to the first direction, the connection member includes an elastic member coupled to the frame. A conductor is coupled to the elastic member and protrudes from the frame in the first and the second directions to be electrically connected to the connection objects. First and second engaging portions protrude from the elastic member in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction to be engaged with the engaged portion in the first abs the second directions, respectively. Each of the first and the second engaging portions has a slant surface formed on a side opposite to the engaged portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional connector;

FIG. 2A is a rear view of a connection member of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a plan view of the connection member;

FIG. 2C is a front view of the connection member;

FIG. 2D is a side view of the connection member;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the connector illustrated in FIG. 1 in a first stage of assembling;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the connector illustrated in FIG. 1 in a second stage of assembling;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the connector illustrated in FIG. 1 after completion of assembling;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional perspective view of a frame illustrated in FIG. 7, taken along a line VIII-VIII;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged perspective view of a connection member illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the connection member illustrated in FIG. 7 as seen from the other side;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along a line XI-XI in FIG. 10, showing a state where one of connection members is not yet fitted to the frame;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 11 but taken along a line XII-XII in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a connection member of a connector according to a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a connector according to a third embodiment of this invention, showing a state where one of connection members is not yet fitted to a frame;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view for describing an apparatus in which the connector according to this invention is used;

FIG. 16 is a front view of the apparatus in FIG. 15 in the middle of assembling; and

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the apparatus in FIG. 15 after completion of assembling.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting two connection objects to each other, the connector comprising: a frame having an engaged portion; anda connection member adapted to be inserted into the frame either in a first direction or in a second direction reverse to the first direction;the connection member comprising:an elastic member coupled to the frame;a conductor coupled to the elastic member and protruding from the frame in the first and the second directions to be electrically connected to the connection objects;a first engaging portion protruding from the elastic member in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction to be engaged with the engaged portion in the first direction; anda second engaging portion protruding from the elastic member in the third direction to be engaged with the engaged portion in the second direction;the first engaging portion having a first slant surface formed on a side opposite to the engaged portion and inclined to be closer to the elastic member towards the second direction;the second engaging portion having a second slant surface formed on the side opposite to the engaged portion and inclined to be closer to the elastic member towards the first direction.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and the second engaging portions has a stopper surface extending in the third direction and faced to the engaged portion.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second engaging portions are made of a material same as that of the elastic member and integrally formed with the elastic member.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the connection member has a strengthening member higher in rigidity than the elastic member and formed at positions corresponding to the first and the second engaging portions.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein the strengthening member is embedded in the elastic member.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: the connection member has a strengthening member higher in rigidity than the elastic member and formed at positions corresponding to the first and the second engaging portions;the first and the second engaging portions being made of a material same as that of the strengthening member and integrally formed with the strengthening member.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: the frame has a slit penetrating the frame in the first direction and receiving the connection member;the engaged portion having a slant surface formed at a position adjacent to the slit to be engaged with the first and the second slant surfaces when the connection member is inserted into the slit.

8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second engaging portions are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the first and the third directions; the engaged portion having:a first engaged portion to be engaged with the first engaging portion; anda second engaged portion to be engaged with the second engaging portion;the first and the second engaged portions being displaced from each other in the first direction.

9. A connector for connecting two connection objects to each other, the connector comprising: a connection member; anda frame holding the connection member;the connection member comprising:an elastic member;a conductor coupled to the elastic member and protruding from the frame to be electrically connected to the connection objects; andan engaging portion coupled to the elastic member;the frame having an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion;the engaging portion being made of a material higher in rigidity than the elastic member.

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein: the frame has a slit receiving the connection member;the engaged portion having a recess faced to the slit;the engaging portion being fitted to the recess.

11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein the frame has a slant surface formed at a position adjacent to the slit to press and move the engaging portion towards the elastic member when the connection member is inserted into the slit.