JP2009266785A - Electric connector and liquid crystal display having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric connector which can lessen a load applied on a terminal at inserting the terminal of a fluorescent tube between a pair of elastic pieces, can surely hold the terminal with the pair of elastic pieces after inserting the terminal and has the smallest number of components. <P>SOLUTION: The first electric connector 11 has an insulating housing 24 and a conductive contact 25. The contact 25 can be moved from a temporary retained position to a fixed position by moving along the inserting direction M1 against the housing 24. When the contact 25 is located at the temporary retained position, an expansion operation section 88 of the housing 24 expands a space between the pair of holding sections 69, 69. When the contact 25 is located at the fixed position, the pair of holding sections 69, 69 of a pair of elastic piece sections 50, 51 hold an outer lead 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector and a liquid crystal display device including the electrical connector.

For example, an outer lead (terminal) of a fluorescent tube as a backlight used in a liquid crystal display television or monitor is connected to an electrical connector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The contact of the electrical connector of Patent Document 1 includes a pair of elastic pieces. The pair of elastic pieces are electrically connected to the outer lead by sandwiching the outer lead of the fluorescent tube.
JP 2007-48715 A

  When the outer leads are inserted between the pair of elastic pieces, the outer leads may come into contact with these elastic pieces and receive a force (load). However, it is preferable that the load is small. On the other hand, after the outer leads have been inserted between the pair of elastic pieces, it is necessary to ensure that the outer leads can be clamped between the pair of elastic pieces. Further, from the viewpoint of reducing the manufacturing cost, the smaller the number of parts of the electrical connector, the better.

  The present invention has been made under such background, and it is possible to reduce the load on the terminal when the terminal of the fluorescent tube is inserted between the pair of elastic pieces, and to connect the terminal to the pair of elastic pieces. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector that can be securely clamped by a portion and has a small number of parts, and a liquid crystal display device including the electrical connector.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 includes an insulating housing and a conductive contact, and the contact extends from the main body and a main body fixed to the housing. A pair of elastic pieces, and in the pair of elastic pieces, a terminal provided at an end of the fluorescent tube can be inserted along a predetermined insertion direction corresponding to the radial direction of the terminal, The contact is moved relative to the housing along a predetermined movement direction along the insertion direction, so that the contact is displaced from a temporary holding position temporarily held by the housing to a fixed position where the main body is fixed to the housing. And the pair of elastic pieces include a pair of clamping parts for clamping the terminal when the contact is in a fixed position, and the housing includes a fixing part for fixing the main body. An expansion operation unit that expands a distance between the pair of sandwiching portions when the contact is in the temporary holding position and is incapable of relative movement with the fixed portion. In accordance with the displacement to the fixed position, the expansion of the interval between the pair of holding portions by the expansion operation portion is released.

  According to the present invention, when the contact is in the temporary holding position, the space between the pair of sandwiching portions is expanded by the expansion operation portion of the housing. For this reason, when inserting the terminal of a fluorescent tube between a pair of clamping parts, it can prevent that this terminal and a pair of clamping parts contact strongly, for example, insert a terminal with no insertion force between a pair of clamping parts can do. Thereby, when inserting the terminal of a fluorescent tube between a pair of elastic piece parts, the load concerning a terminal can be reduced. Further, when the contact is in the fixed position, the terminal of the fluorescent tube can be held by the pair of holding portions. Thereby, after inserting the terminal of a fluorescent tube between a pair of clamping parts, this terminal can be reliably clamped with a pair of elastic piece part. Furthermore, the electrical connector can be formed of two parts, a housing and a contact, and the number of parts of the electrical connector can be reduced as much as possible.

A second aspect of the present invention is the electrical connector according to the first aspect, wherein the fixing portion and the expanding operation portion of the housing are integrally formed using a single member. According to the present invention, the fixing portion and the expansion operation portion can be configured by a single member, and the number of parts of the electrical connector can be further reduced.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the housing includes a facing wall facing the pair of elastic piece portions in a predetermined facing direction corresponding to an axial direction of the terminal. The electrical connector in which the expansion operation part is extended. According to this invention, the expansion operation part can be extended from the location close | similar to both of a pair of elastic piece parts among housings.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the pair of operated portions provided in the pair of elastic pieces, and the expanding operation corresponding to the pair of operated portions. A pair of operation parts provided on the part, wherein the pair of operation parts engages with the pair of operated parts when the contact is in the temporary holding position, thereby It is an electrical connector that widens the interval. According to the present invention, the operated portion is provided in each of the pair of elastic piece portions, and the operating portion is provided corresponding to each operated portion. Thereby, the space | interval between a pair of clamping parts of a pair of elastic piece part can be expanded reliably.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the pair of operation portions are disposed between the pair of operated portions, and an interval between the pair of operation portions is narrowed toward the moving direction. It is an electrical connector.
According to the present invention, as the contact is displaced from the temporary holding position to the fixed position, the interval between the pair of operated parts pressed by the pair of operating parts can be gradually narrowed. As a result, the interval between the pair of sandwiching portions of the contact at the fixed position can be reliably reduced. Moreover, since the space | interval between a pair of clamping parts can be narrowed gradually, it can prevent that a sudden load fluctuation arises in each elastic piece part, and can reduce the burden concerning each elastic piece part.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the contact includes a pressed portion that extends from the main body portion in a direction opposite to the moving direction and protrudes in the opposite direction with respect to the housing. The electrical connector is capable of displacing the contact from the temporary holding position to the fixed position by pressing the pressed portion along the moving direction.
According to the present invention, the contact can be displaced from the temporary holding position to the fixed position by pressing the pressed portion with a jig or the like. The contact can be displaced relative to the housing without applying a force to each elastic piece, and an extra load can be prevented from being applied to each elastic piece.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the electrical connector according to the sixth aspect, wherein a pair of the pressed parts are provided, and the pair of pressed parts are disposed adjacent to the pair of elastic pieces. According to the present invention, when the contact is displaced with respect to the housing, both of the pair of elastic pieces can be reliably displaced by the same amount with respect to the housing by pressing the pair of pressed portions. Thereby, the position of a pair of elastic piece part when a contact exists in a fixed position can be set with a sufficient precision.

  The invention described in claim 8 is the housing according to claim 7, wherein the housing includes opposing walls opposed to the pair of elastic pieces in a predetermined facing direction corresponding to the axial direction of the terminals. The portion is disposed between the pair of elastic pieces and the opposing wall with respect to the opposing direction, and the expansion operation portion passes between the pair of pressed parts from the opposing wall. It is an electrical connector connected to the connecting piece extending to the elastic piece portion side. According to the present invention, by arranging the connecting piece between the pair of pressed parts, the dead space between the pair of pressed parts can be used as a space for a member related to the expansion operation part. As a result, the electrical connector can be further downsized.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the pair of elastic piece portions includes a first end portion close to the facing wall in the facing direction, and a first end portion opposite to the first end portion. Each of the pair of operated parts is an electrical connector provided at a first end of the pair of elastic pieces.
According to this invention, the to-be-operated part is provided in the 1st edge part which adjoins an opposing wall among elastic piece parts. Thereby, the quantity which an expansion operation part protrudes from an opposing wall can be decreased. As a result, the electrical connector can be further downsized.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the main body of the contact includes a pair of side plates opposed to each other with the pair of elastic pieces interposed therebetween, and the housing includes the pair of side plates. An electrical connector including a pair of side walls formed with a pair of grooves into which side plates are inserted, wherein the pair of side plates is movable in the moving direction with respect to the pair of side walls.
According to the present invention, the movement of the contact with respect to the housing can be guided by fitting each side plate of the contact with the groove on the corresponding side wall of the housing.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention includes the pair of engaged portions provided on the pair of side plates according to the tenth aspect, wherein the pair of grooves are provided at positions corresponding to the fixed positions. A pair of first engaging portions and a pair of second engaging portions provided at positions corresponding to the temporary holding position, wherein the contacts are fixed to the pair of engaged portions. An electrical connector that engages with the pair of first engaging portions when in the position and engages with the pair of second engaging portions when the contact is in the temporary holding position.

  According to the present invention, when the contact is in the temporary holding position, the contact is reliably temporarily held in the temporary holding position with respect to the housing by the engagement between the engaged portion and the corresponding second engaging portion. Can do. Further, when the contact is in the fixed position, the contact can be reliably fixed to the fixed position with respect to the housing by the engagement of each engaged portion with the corresponding first engaging portion.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is that, in the eleventh aspect, each of the engaged portions includes one of a convex portion and a concave portion, and each of the first and second engaging portions includes the convex portion and the concave portion. It is an electrical connector which consists of either. According to the present invention, the engagement between the engaged portions and the corresponding first and second engaging portions can be realized by the concave-convex engaging structure as a simple configuration.
The invention described in claim 13 is connected to a liquid crystal panel, a fluorescent tube for irradiating the liquid crystal panel with light, and a terminal provided at an end of the fluorescent tube. A liquid crystal display device comprising the electrical connector according to the item.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load on the terminal when the terminal of the fluorescent tube is inserted between the pair of elastic pieces, and to securely hold the terminal between the pair of elastic pieces. . In addition, the number of parts of the electrical connector connected to the fluorescent tube can be reduced as much as possible.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal display device including an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display device 1 is used as a monitor of a television or a personal computer, for example.
The liquid crystal display device 1 includes a housing 2, a liquid crystal panel 3, a circuit board 4 as a connecting member, an inverter circuit 5, a reflecting member 6, a cold cathode tube 7 as a fluorescent tube, and a first electrical connector. 11 and a second electrical connector 12.

The housing | casing 2 is formed in the box shape, and the front is opened.
The liquid crystal panel 3 is a non-self-luminous display panel and is attached to the opening on the front surface of the housing 2. The front surface 3 a of the liquid crystal panel 3 faces the front of the housing 2, and the back surface 3 b faces the rear of the housing 2.
The circuit board 4 is a plate-like member that is disposed substantially parallel to the liquid crystal panel 3 and is accommodated in the housing 2. The circuit board 4 includes a front surface 4a facing the back surface 3b of the liquid crystal panel 3 and a back surface 4b facing the opposite side with respect to the front surface 4a. A conductor pattern 13 as a conductive portion is formed on the back surface 4 b of the circuit board 4. The circuit board 4 is fixed to the housing 2 via mounting members 14 and 15 such as brackets, for example.

  The inverter circuit 5 is connected to the conductor pattern 13 formed on the front surface 4 a and the back surface 4 b of the circuit board 4. The inverter circuit 5 is for supplying driving power to the cold cathode tube 7, and is mounted on the back surface 4 b of the circuit board 4. The inverter circuit 5 and each cold cathode tube 7 are electrically connected using the conductor pattern 13 of the circuit board 4, the first electrical connector 11, the second electrical connector 12, and the conductive member 16.

The reflecting member 6 reflects light from the cold cathode tube 7 toward the liquid crystal panel 3 and is formed in a container shape using, for example, a metal plate. The reflecting member 6 is disposed between the back surface 3b of the liquid crystal panel 3 and the surface 4a of the circuit board 4, and is fixed to the housing 2 using a fixing screw or the like (not shown).
The cold cathode tube 7 is a backlight of the liquid crystal panel 3. A plurality of cold cathode tubes 7 are provided between the back surface 3b of the liquid crystal panel 3 and the reflection member 6 (only one cold cathode tube 7 is shown in FIG. 1). The number of cold cathode tubes 7 is, for example, two per inch of the liquid crystal panel 3.

  Each cold cathode tube 7 is arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction of the housing 2 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface), and irradiates the liquid crystal panel 3 with light. The longitudinal direction of each cold-cathode tube 7 is along the left-right direction of the housing 2 and is parallel to the back surface 3 b of the liquid crystal panel 3. In FIG. 1, only one cold cathode tube 7, first electrical connector 11, and second electrical connector 12 are illustrated.

The cold cathode tube 7 includes a long cylindrical main body portion 18 and outer leads 19 as a pair of terminals provided at each of a pair of end portions 18 a of the main body portion 18.
The main body 18 is, for example, a glass member having a diameter of about several mm to several tens of mm. The outer lead 19 is a shaft-like conductive member made of metal such as soft iron, and protrudes in parallel with the main body 18 from the end 18 a of the main body 18. The outer lead 19 has a diameter of, for example, about 1 mm and a length of about several mm. An intermediate portion of the main body portion 18 is held by a support member 20 fixed to the reflecting member 6.

The outer lead 19 on one end side of the body portion 18 of the cold cathode tube 7 is connected to the first electrical connector 11, and the outer lead 19 on the other end side of the body portion 18 of the cold cathode tube 7 is connected to the second electrical connector 11. Connected to the electrical connector 12.
The first electrical connector 11 is for making an electrical connection between the cold cathode tube 7 and the conductor pattern 13 of the circuit board 4. The first electrical connector 11 is disposed on one end side of the main body 18 of each cold cathode tube 7. Each first electrical connector 11 is engaged with one end edge 21 of the circuit board 4 in the left-right direction of the liquid crystal display device 1.

The second electrical connector 12 is for making an electrical connection between the cold cathode tube 7 and the conductor pattern 13 of the circuit board 4. The second electrical connector 12 is disposed on the other end side of each cold cathode tube 7.
Each second electrical connector 12 is supported by a conductive member 16 mounted on the circuit board 4 and is electrically connected to the conductive member 16. The conductive member 16 is electrically connected to the conductor pattern 13 of the circuit board 4.

A positive voltage from the inverter circuit 5 is applied to the outer lead 19 at one end of the cold cathode tube 7 from the first electrical connector 11 side. The outer lead 19 at the other end of the cold cathode tube 7 is grounded via the second electrical connector 12 and the conductive member 16.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of essential parts of the circuit board 4, the cold cathode tube 7, and the first electrical connector 11. With reference to FIG. 2, hereinafter, for convenience, the direction parallel to the left-right direction of the housing 2 is defined as the X direction X, and the direction parallel to the vertical direction of the housing 2 is defined as the Y direction Y. A direction parallel to the front-rear direction will be described as the Z direction Z.

One of the X directions X is a first X direction X1, and the other of the X directions X is a second X direction X2. One of the Y directions Y is a first Y direction Y1, and the other of the Y directions Y is a second Y direction Y2. One of the Z directions Z is defined as a first Z direction Z1, and the other of the Z directions Z is defined as a second Z direction Z2.
When the X direction X is simply referred to, the first and second X directions X1 and X2 are collectively referred to. When the Y direction is simply referred to, the first and second Y directions Y1 and Y2 are collectively referred to. In addition, when simply referring to the Z direction Z, the first and second Z directions Z1 and Z2 are collectively referred to.

One of the two first electrical connectors 11 shown in FIG. 2 shows a state where the outer lead 19 is being connected, and the other shows a state where the outer lead 19 is not connected. .
When the cold cathode tube 7 is attached to the corresponding first electrical connector 11, the cold cathode tube 7 is moved along a predetermined insertion direction M <b> 1 along the radial direction of the outer lead 19. The insertion direction M1 corresponds to, for example, the first Z direction Z1. Further, when each cold cathode tube 7 is detached from the corresponding first electrical connector 11, it is moved along a pulling direction M2 opposite to the insertion direction M1. The insertion direction M1 corresponds to, for example, the second Z direction Z2.

The circuit board 4 includes a main part 22 on which an inverter circuit (not shown) and the like are mounted, and a plurality of insertion convex parts 23 formed side by side on one end edge 21 of the main part 22 (see FIG. In FIG. 2, only two insertion convex portions 23 are shown).
The insertion protrusions 23 are formed side by side in the Y direction so as to correspond to the first electrical connectors 11, and the conductor pattern 13 is provided on the surface 4 a of the insertion protrusion 23.

Each insertion convex part 23 is formed in the rectangular shape. These insertion protrusions 23 are inserted into the corresponding first electrical connectors 11 along the insertion direction P1. Thereby, the conductor pattern 13 of the insertion convex part 23 and the 1st electrical connector 11 are electrically connected. The insertion direction P1 corresponds to, for example, the first X direction X1.
Each insertion convex part 23 is pulled out along the drawing direction P2 opposite to the insertion direction P1 with respect to the corresponding first electrical connector 11. Thereby, the electrical connection with the 1st electrical connector 11 corresponding to the conductor pattern 13 of each insertion convex part 23 is cancelled | released. The drawing direction P2 corresponds to, for example, the second X direction X2.

Since the configuration of each first electrical connector 11 is the same, the following description will mainly focus on one first electrical connector 11.
For example, the length of the first electrical connector 11 in the X direction X, the Y direction Y, and the Z direction Z is about 10 mm to 15 mm, respectively. The first electrical connector 11 includes an insulative housing 24 and conductive contacts 25 held in the housing 24.

The housing 24 has a substantially symmetric shape in the Y direction Y. The housing 24 is an integrally molded product made of synthetic resin and is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the first electrical connector 11 as viewed along the first Y direction Y. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the first electrical connector 11 as viewed along the first X direction X1. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first electrical connector 11. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first electrical connector 11.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the housing 24 has a tubular shape elongated in the Z direction Z as a whole, and includes first to fourth side walls 31 to 34. The first side wall 31 and the third side wall 33 are paired to face each other in the X direction X. The second side wall 32 and the fourth side wall 34 are opposed to each other in the Y direction Y and make a pair.
The first side wall 31 is formed with a recess 35 into which the cold cathode tube 7 is inserted along the insertion direction M1. A cavity 36 for accommodating a part of the contact 25 is formed in the first side wall 31. Further, a slit 37 is formed at the peripheral edge of the recess 35 of the first side wall 31, and the inside of the cavity 36 and the outside of the first side wall 31 communicate with each other through the slit 37.

  A rectangular flange portion 38 is formed on the first side wall 31 so as to protrude. The flange portion 38 extends from the first side wall 31 along the removal direction P2. A receiving portion 39 for receiving the surface 4a of the circuit board 4 is formed on the end face of the flange portion 38 in the first Z direction Z1. The receiving portion 39 extends in parallel with the surface 4 a of the one end edge portion 21 of the circuit board 4 and receives the one end edge portion 21.

A rectangular parallelepiped accommodation space 40 for accommodating at least a part of the contact 25 is defined by the first to fourth side walls 31 to 34.
A pair of cover pieces 41 and 42 are formed so as to protrude from the second side wall 32 and the fourth side wall 34 along the insertion direction M1. The pair of cover pieces 41 and 42 oppose each other in a predetermined orthogonal direction V (corresponding to the Y direction Y) orthogonal to the removal direction M2, and second extending portions 45 and 46, which will be described later, of the contact 25. Are arranged between each other. As a result, the second extending portions 45 and 46 are protected.

  2 and 5, the contact 25 is electrically connected to the outer lead 19 at one end 18 a of the main body 18 of the cold cathode tube 7, and the conductor pattern 13 of the insertion convex portion 23 of the circuit board 4. It is an electrical connection. As a material constituting the contact 25, a single sheet metal member made of a conductive member such as metal can be exemplified. The sheet thickness of this sheet metal member is, for example, about 0.2 mm. As for the said sheet metal member, the plating layer is formed by performing the plating process on each of the surface and the back surface. Most of the contacts 25 are accommodated in the accommodating space 40.

Referring to FIG. 5, the contact 25 has a substantially symmetric shape in the Y direction Y. The contact 25 includes a main body 43, a first extending portion 44, a pair of second extending portions 45 and 46, a pair of pressed portions 47 and 48, and a pair of fluorescent tube connecting contacts. 1st elastic piece part 50,51 and the 2nd elastic piece part 52 as a circuit board connection contact are included.
The main body 43 has a U-shape as a whole when viewed along the insertion direction M1, and includes a pair of side portions 53 and 54 disposed in proximity between the second and fourth side walls 32 and 24. And a connecting portion 55 that connects the pair of side portions 53 and 54. The connecting portion 55 is arranged substantially in parallel with the first side wall 31 and is relatively long in the Y direction Y and relatively short in the Z direction Z. The pair of side portions 53 and 54 extend from the pair of end portions in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 55 to the first X direction X1 side, and face each other in parallel. One side 53 is close to the second side wall 32, and the other side 54 is close to the fourth side wall 34.

  With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first extending portion 44 extends from the connecting portion 55 of the main body 43 toward the removal direction M <b> 2. The first extending portion 44 includes a rectangular portion 56 accommodated in the cavity 36 of the first side wall 31, and first to third tongue pieces extending from one end portion 56a of the rectangular portion 56 on the side in the removal direction M2. 57-59. The first tongue piece 57, the second tongue piece 58, and the third tongue piece 59 are arranged in this order with respect to the orthogonal direction V.

  The first and third tongue pieces 57 and 59 are symmetrical to each other, and extend from the one end portion 56a toward the removal direction M2 to form a V shape as a whole. A part of the first and third tongue pieces 57 and 59 protrudes from the slit 37 of the first side wall 31 toward the removal direction M2 so as to receive the main body portion 18 of the cold cathode tube 7. Yes. This prevents the main body portion 18 of the cold cathode tube 7 from directly contacting the first side wall 31 of the housing 24.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the second tongue piece 58 has an L shape when viewed from the orthogonal direction V, and the proximal end portion connected to the one end portion 56 a has a second X direction. It extends to the X2 side, and the tip end opposite to the base end extends along the removal direction M2. A concave portion 60 that is recessed in the insertion direction M1 is formed at the distal end portion. The opening in the recess direction 60 in the removal direction M <b> 2 has a maximum length in the orthogonal direction V larger than the diameter of the outer lead 19.

The second extending portions 45 and 46 extend from the corresponding side portions 53 and 54 of the main body 43 to the insertion direction M1 side, respectively. Each of the second extending portions 45 and 46 is formed with an insertion concave portion 61 for receiving the corresponding insertion convex portion 23 of the circuit board 4. The insertion recess 61 is formed by cutting out the end of the second extending portions 45 and 46 on the side in the removal direction P2.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the corresponding insertion convex portion 23 can be inserted into the insertion concave portion 61 by moving the corresponding insertion convex portion 23 in the insertion direction P <b> 1 with respect to the insertion concave portion 61. . Further, the insertion convex portion 23 can be extracted from the insertion concave portion 61 by moving the insertion convex portion 23 in the pulling direction P2 opposite to the insertion direction P1 with respect to the insertion concave portion 61.

  Each pressed portion 47, 48 extends from the tip of the corresponding side portion 53, 54 of the main body 43 along a removal direction M2 as a direction opposite to the moving direction. The tips of the pressed parts 47 and 48 protrude toward the removal direction M2 with respect to the housing 24. Each of the pressed parts 47 and 48 has an L shape when viewed along the removal direction M2 and is symmetric in the orthogonal direction V. With respect to the orthogonal direction V, a predetermined gap C is provided between the pair of pressed parts 47 and 48.

  The pair of elastic pieces 50 and 51 and the third side wall 33 as the opposing wall of the housing 24 are in a predetermined facing direction T, and the outer lead 19 is sandwiched between the pair of elastic pieces 50 and 51. Facing each other in a predetermined facing direction T along the axial direction of the outer lead 19. With respect to the facing direction T, the pair of pressed parts 47 and 48 are disposed adjacent to the pair of elastic pieces 50 and 51, and between the pair of elastic pieces 50 and 51 and the third wall 33. Is arranged.

The second elastic piece 52 is electrically connected to the conductor pattern 13 by elastically contacting the conductor pattern 13 of the corresponding insertion protrusion 23 inserted in the insertion recess 61. The second elastic piece 52 is an elongated plate-like member that extends from the end of the connecting portion 55 of the main body 43 on the side in the removal direction M2 toward the insertion direction M1.
The second elastic piece portion 52 includes a bent portion 62 that is continuous with the connecting portion 55 of the main body 43, and a chevron portion 63 that is continuous with the bent portion 62.

The bent portion 62 is smoothly bent toward the insertion direction P1 as it advances from the connecting portion 55 of the main body 43 in the insertion direction M1, and the edge of the insertion convex portion 23 of the circuit board 4 is the second elastic piece portion 52. It is hard to get caught in.
The chevron 63 is formed in a chevron shape that is convex toward the insertion direction M1 when viewed along the orthogonal direction V. The chevron 63 extends from the first inclined portion 64, which is inclined so as to be separated from the main body 43 as it proceeds in the insertion direction P1, and extends from the first inclined portion 64 to the main body 43 as it proceeds in the insertion direction P1. And a second inclined portion 65 that is inclined so as to be close to each other.

A contact portion 66 is provided at the tip of the first inclined portion 64. When the second elastic piece 52 is in a free state in which no force is received, the contact portion 66 is disposed so as to overlap the insertion recess 61 when viewed from the orthogonal direction V. When the insertion convex portion 23 is inserted into the insertion concave portion 61, the contact portion 66 contacts and is electrically connected to the conductor pattern 13 of the insertion convex portion 23.
4 and 5, the pair of first elastic pieces 50 and 51 are attached so as to be in elastic contact with the outer leads 19 of the corresponding cold cathode tubes 7. Connected.

Each of the first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 extends from the corresponding side portions 53 and 54 of the main body 43 toward the removal direction M2. Each of the first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 has a base portion 67, a first inclined portion 71, a sandwiching portion 69, a drop prevention portion 70, and a second inclined portion 72.
Each base portion 67 is connected to the corresponding side portions 53 and 54 of the main body 43, and has a rectangular shape as a whole when viewed along a predetermined orthogonal direction V (Y direction Y) orthogonal to the removal direction M2. I am doing. The base portions 67 face each other substantially in parallel when they are in a free state (when no force is applied).

Each of the first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 is bent with the base end of the corresponding base portion 67 as a fulcrum. Each of the first inclined portions 71 extends from the corresponding base portion 67, and the interval between the first inclined portions 71 is narrowed as the first inclined portion 71 proceeds in the removal direction M2. Thereby, a pair of 1st inclination part 71 has comprised the taper shape as a whole.
Referring to FIG. 3, the end portion of each first inclined portion 71 on the first X direction X1 side proceeds toward the second X direction X2 side as it proceeds toward the removal direction M2. Thereby, the expansion operation part 88 of the expansion mechanism 85 mentioned later is made not to contact the 1st inclination part 71, the clamping part 69 grade | etc.,.

  Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 includes an outer lead 19 inserted between the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 along the insertion direction M <b> 1. It is for pinching in the radial direction. Each clamping part 69 is linearly extended from the corresponding 1st inclination part 71 along the removal direction M2. When the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 are in a free state, the distance between them becomes narrower as the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 progress in the removal direction M2. Note that the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 may extend in parallel with the removal direction M2. The minimum distance between the pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69 is narrower than the diameter of the outer lead 19. At least a part of each inner side surface of each clamping portion 69 is a contact portion for contacting the outer lead 19.

When viewed along the X direction X, each sandwiching portion 69 has a length in the insertion direction M <b> 1 longer than the depth of the recess 60 of the first extending portion 44. The recess 60 is opposed to the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 in the X direction X over the entire region in the insertion direction M1.
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the main part of FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, each drop prevention portion 70 is adjacent to the corresponding sandwiching portion 69 on the side in the removal direction M <b> 2. The pair of removal preventing portions 70, 70 is for preventing the outer leads 19 held between the pair of holding portions 69, 69 from being accidentally removed along the removal direction M2. The distance between the pair of removal prevention portions 70, 70 decreases from the pair of holding portions 69, 69 in the removal direction M2.

Each second inclined portion 72 is adjacent to the corresponding removal prevention portion 70 on the removal direction M2 side. The pair of second inclined portions 72, 72 are configured such that the distance between them increases as they proceed in the removal direction M2, and as a whole, they are tapered. The tip portions of the pair of second inclined portions 72 and 72 are the tip portions of the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51.
8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line IX-IX in FIG. With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, fixed portions 73 and 74 provided on the main body 43 of the contact 25 are fixed portions 75 and 76 provided on the second side wall 32 and the fourth side wall 34 of the housing 24. It is fixed to. As a result, the contact 25 is held by the housing 24.

Specifically, a pair of fixed portions 73 and 74 are provided on the outer surfaces of the pair of side portions 53 and 54 of the main body 43. Further, bulging portions 78 and 79 as protrusions are formed on the inner side surfaces 77 of the second side wall 32 and the fourth side wall 34, respectively. Fixing portions 75 and 76 are provided on, for example, the entire front surfaces of the pair of bulging portions 78 and 79 facing each other.
The pair of fixing portions 75 and 76 press the pair of fixed portions 73 and 74 inward in the orthogonal direction V. Accordingly, the pair of fixed portions 75 and 76 are frictionally engaged with the pair of fixed portions 73 and 74, and the pair of fixed portions 73 and 74 are fixed by using a frictional force. When a force of a predetermined value or more acts between the pair of fixed portions 73 and 74 and the pair of fixed portions 75 and 76 due to the force in the insertion direction M1 or the withdrawal direction M2 acting on the contact 25, the above-mentioned The pair of fixed portions 73 and 74 (contact 25) is displaced in the insertion direction M1 or the removal direction M2 with respect to the pair of fixed portions 75 and 76 (housing 24) against the frictional force. Thereby, the contact 25 can be displaced with respect to the housing 24 along the insertion direction M1 and the removal direction M2 corresponding to each other between the temporary holding position and the fixed position.

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, most of the pressed parts 47 and 48 of the contact 25 in the fixed position are arranged in the accommodating space 40, and the tip on the removal direction M <b> 2 side with respect to the housing 24. It protrudes slightly toward the removal direction M2. Further, the pair of first elastic pieces 50 and 51 of the contact 25 in the fixed position are all housed in the housing space 40, and are orthogonally crossed by the second and fourth side walls 32 and 34. It is sandwiched between V.

Further, the entire first extending portion 44 of the contact 25 at the fixed position is disposed in the accommodation space 40 and the cavity 36. Further, the entire main body 43 of the contact 25 at the fixed position is disposed in the accommodation space 40. Further, the second extending portions 45 and 46 of the contact 25 in the fixed position are disposed between the pair of cover pieces 41 and 42.
Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7, the housing 24 includes a drop prevention portion 80. The slip-off preventing action portion 80 prevents the outer lead 19 sandwiched between the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 from coming out from between the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 in the removal direction M2. In order to do so, it acts between the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51.

  The slip-out preventing action portion 80 includes a pair of receiving portions 81 and 81 that face each other in the orthogonal direction V. The pair of receiving portions 81, 81 are formed on a pair of protruding portions 82, 82 protruding from the second and fourth side walls 32, 34 of the housing 24. The pair of protrusions 82, 82 protrudes along the orthogonal direction V from the inner surface of the end of the second and fourth side walls 32, 24 on the side in the removal direction M 2, and a pair of receiving parts described later 83, 83. The pair of receiving portions 81, 81 are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of protrusions 82, 82 facing each other in the orthogonal direction V. Each receiving portion 81 is formed on a rectangular surface orthogonal to the orthogonal direction V, for example.

  When the contact is in the fixed position, the pair of receiving portions 83 and 83 are disposed between the pair of receiving portions 81 and 81 in the orthogonal direction V. The pair of receiving portions 83 and 83 are provided at the tips of the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 in the removal direction M2. More specifically, each receiving portion 83 is provided at the tip of the second inclined portion 72 of the corresponding first elastic piece portion 50, 51. When the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 are in a free state, the pair of receiving portions 81 and 81 and the pair of received portions 83 and 83 are separated from each other.

  3 and 4, the first electrical connector 11 includes an expansion mechanism 85 for forcibly expanding the distance between the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 of the contact 25 in the temporary holding position. Yes. The expansion mechanism 85 includes a pair of operation portions 86 and 86 provided in the housing 24 and a pair of operated portions 87 and 87 provided in the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 of the contact 25. It is out.

  10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line XX of FIG. With reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 10, a pair of operation parts 86 and 86 are formed in the expansion operation part 88 which consists of a small piece. The expansion operation portion 88 has a trapezoidal shape when viewed along the X direction X, and the length in the orthogonal direction V is shortened as it proceeds in the insertion direction M1. The expansion operation unit 88 has a rectangular shape when viewed along the orthogonal direction V.

  The expansion operation portion 88 is arranged so as to overlap with the base portions 67 of the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 in the X direction X, but each clamping portion 69 and each second inclined portion 72. Are not arranged overlapping each other. Thereby, the expansion operation part 88 does not prevent the pair of first elastic piece parts 50 and 51 from moving in the insertion direction M1 or the removal direction M2 with respect to the housing 24.

  The spreading operation portion 88 is supported on the third side wall 33 via a connecting piece 89. The connecting piece 89 extends in the X direction X and passes from the inner side surface 33a of the third side wall 33 to the pair of elastic pieces 50 and 51 through the pair of pressed portions 47 and 48 of the contact 25. It extends and is connected to one side surface of the expansion operation unit 88. The first to fourth side walls 31 to 34, the connecting piece 89, and the expansion operation portion 88 are integrally formed using a single material, for example, and cannot be moved relative to each other.

The pair of operation portions 86 and 86 are formed on a pair of side surfaces facing each other in the orthogonal direction V in the expansion operation portion 88. When viewed along the X direction X, the pair of operation portions 86 and 86 are tapered. The distance between the pair of operation portions 86 and 86 becomes narrower as the contact 25 advances in the insertion direction M1 as the moving direction from the temporary holding position to the fixed position.
With reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 10, the pair of elastic pieces 50 and 51 includes first end portions 50 a and 51 a that are close to the third wall 33 of the housing 24 in the facing direction T, and the first end portions 50 a and 51 a. The second end portions 50b and 51b opposite to the first end portions 50a and 50b are included.

  With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 10, each operated portion 87 is provided in operated portion forming body 90. The operated portion forming body 90 has a small piece extending from the corresponding base portion 67 of the first end portions 50a and 50b of the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51, respectively. The pair of operated portion forming bodies 90, 90 are disposed inside the orthogonal direction V with respect to the pair of base portions 67, 67, and have, for example, a rectangular shape when viewed in the X direction X. .

  Of the outer peripheral edge of each operated part forming body 90, a part close to the corresponding operating part 86 is an operated part 87. A pair of operation parts 86, 86 are arranged between the pair of operated parts 87, 87. When the contact 25 is in the fixed position, each operated portion 87 is not in contact with the corresponding operating portion 86. Thereby, when the contact 25 is in the fixed position, the force from the operation portion 86 does not act on the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51.

  Referring to FIG. 11, connection of outer lead 19 to first electrical connector 11 is achieved through the following steps (1) to (3), for example. That is, (1) preparing the first electrical connector 11 in which the distance between the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 is widened by arranging the contact 25 in the temporary holding position, and (2) this first A step of inserting the outer lead 19 between the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 of the electrical connector 11, and (3) the outer lead 19 is disposed between the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51. After the contact 25 is displaced from the temporary holding position to the fixed position, the interval between the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 is narrowed and the outer lead 19 is sandwiched between the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69. The outer lead 19 is connected to the first electrical connector 11.

  Referring to FIG. 11, when the contact 25 is in the temporary holding position with respect to the housing 24, the operated portion 87 of each of the first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 is in the removal direction M <b> 2 of the corresponding operating portion 86. In the vicinity of the end on the side. Thereby, the pair of operation parts 86 and 86 of the expansion operation part 88 presses the pair of operated parts 87 and 87 outward in the orthogonal direction V, and the interval between the pair of sandwiching parts 69 and 69 is forced. It has been expanded. As a result, the distance between the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 and the distance between the pair of removal preventing portions 70 and 70 are made wider than the diameter of the outer lead 19.

  When the contact 25 is in the temporary holding position, the second inclined portion 72 of each of the first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 protrudes toward the removal direction M2 with respect to the housing 24. As a result, the pair of receiving portions 83, 83 are not disposed between the pair of receiving portions 81, 81, and the pair of receiving portions 81, 81 are not restricted by the pair of receiving portions 81, 81. The interval between the portions 69 and 69 can be enlarged.

  The outer lead 19 is inserted along the insertion direction M1 between the pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 of the contact 25 in the temporary holding position. As a result, the outer lead 19 passes between the pair of second inclined portions 72 and 72 and the pair of disconnection preventing portions 70 and 70, and further reaches between the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 as shown in FIG. . The outer lead 19 is received by the recess 60 of the first extending portion 44 of the contact 25, and movement in the insertion direction M <b> 1 with respect to the contact 25 is restricted.

  After the outer lead 19 is disposed between the pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69, the tip of the pair of pressed portions 47, 48 of the contact 25 is inserted in the insertion direction M1 side as the moving direction using a jig or the like (not shown). Press on. As a result, the contact 25 is moved toward the insertion direction M1 with respect to the housing 24 against the frictional force between the pair of fixed portions and the pair of fixed portions (not shown), as shown in FIG. Displaces to a fixed position.

  As the contact 25 moves in the insertion direction M1, the distance between the pair of operation parts 86 and 86 with which the pair of operation parts 87 and 87 abut is reduced, and the distance between the pair of operation parts 87 and 87 is reduced. Narrows. Accordingly, the distance between the pair of sandwiching parts 69, 69, the distance between the pair of drop prevention parts 70, 70, and the distance between the pair of second inclined parts 72, 72 are the first elastic piece parts. It is narrowed by the elastic restoring force of 50 and 51. When the contact 25 reaches the fixed position, the pair of operation portions 86 and 86 of the expansion operation portion 88 are disengaged from the corresponding operated portions 87 and 87. Thereby, the expansion of the space | interval between a pair of clamping parts 69 and 69 by the expansion operation part 88 is cancelled | released. The pair of first elastic piece portions 50 and 51 of the contact 25 that has reached the fixed position holds the outer lead 19 between the pair of holding portions 69 and 69 by its own elasticity. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13 (B), the pair of receiving portions 83, 83 are disposed between the pair of receiving portions 81, 81, but are separated from the pair of receiving portions 81, 81. Yes.

  Referring to FIG. 13A, the outer lead 19 held between the pair of holding portions 69, 69 moves toward the contact direction M2 with respect to the contact 25 when a strong force such as strong vibration is applied. Then, it is conceivable that the pair of holding portions 69, 69 move to the pair of drop prevention portions 70, 70. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, when the outer lead 19 reaches between the pair of removal preventing portions 70, 70, the distance between the pair of removal preventing portions 70, 70 is expanded by the outer lead 19. Along with this, the pair of receiving portions 83, 83 move to the outside in the orthogonal direction V and are received by the pair of receiving portions 81, 81. When the pair of receiving portions 83, 83 are received by the pair of receiving portions 81, 81, expansion of the interval between the pair of drop prevention portions 70, 70 (interval between the pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69) is restricted. The As described above, when the outer lead 19 is sandwiched between the pair of removal preventing portions 70, 70, the pair of received portions 83, 83 are received by the pair of receiving portions 81, 81, thereby The minimum interval between the slip-off prevention portions 70 and 70 is regulated to be smaller than the diameter of the outer lead 19.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the main parts of the cold cathode tube 7 and the second electrical connector 12. Next, the second electrical connector 12 will be described with reference to FIG. Each second electrical connector 12 is included in the connector unit 91.
The connector unit 91 includes a plurality of insulating housings 92 and a plurality of conductive contacts 93. The plurality of contacts 93 are included in a contact forming body 94 that is integrally formed using a single member. Specifically, the contact forming body 94 includes a holder plate 95 extending along the Y direction Y, and contacts 93 held at equal intervals in the Y direction Y as a side-by-side direction by the holder plate 95. The holder plate 95 is fixed to the conductive member 16 (see FIG. 1) and is electrically connected to the conductive member 16. Each housing 92 may be formed separately from each other as in the present embodiment, or may be formed integrally with each other.

Each second electrical connector 12 is formed by assembling the housing 92 corresponding to each contact 93.
In addition, since the structure of each 2nd electrical connector 12 is mutually the same, below, the one 2nd electrical connector 12 is mainly demonstrated below.
As described above, the second electrical connector 12 includes the housing 92 and the contacts 93. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the second electrical connector 12. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the housing 92 is an integrally molded product made of synthetic resin and has a symmetrical shape in the Y direction Y. The housing 24 includes a pair of side walls 96 and 97 facing each other with a gap in the Y direction Y, and a connection wall 98 as an opposing wall connecting the pair of side walls 96 and 97.
Grooves 99 into which side plates 114 and 115 (described later) of the contacts 93 are inserted are formed in the side walls 96 and 97, respectively. Each groove 99 extends along the insertion direction M1 as the direction opposite to the moving direction of the second electrical connector 12, and the corresponding side walls 96 and 97 are connected to the insertion direction M1 and the first X direction X1. It is open. In each groove 99, first and second engaging portions 101, 101; 102, 102 are formed as fixing portions made of concave stripes.

  The first and second engaging portions 101, 101; 102, 102 extend parallel to each other along the X direction X. Of the first and second engaging portions 101, 101; 102, 102, the first engaging portions 101, 101 that are relatively on the side in the removal direction M 2 correspond to the temporary holding position of the contact 93 with respect to the housing 92. The fixing portion 102 that is relatively on the insertion direction M1 side is arranged corresponding to the fixing position of the contact 93 with respect to the housing 92.

  Tabs 103 and 104 are provided at the end portions of the side walls 96 and 97 on the first X direction X1 side. When viewed along the X direction X, each of the tabs 103 and 104 covers the end of the corresponding groove 99 on the side in the removal direction M2. Thus, the side plates 114 and 115 of the main body 111 of the contact 93 at the fixed position are opposed to the corresponding tabs 103 and 104 in the X direction X. Thus, the side plates 114 and 115 are prevented from coming out of the corresponding grooves 99 along the X direction X.

  The connecting wall 98 connects ends of the pair of side walls 96, 97 on the second X direction X2 side to each other, and is orthogonal to the X direction. The pair of side walls 96 and 97 and the connecting wall 98 define a rectangular parallelepiped housing space 105 for housing at least a part of the contact 93. The accommodation space 105 accommodates a pair of elastic piece portions 112 and 113 described later of the contact 93.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the contact 93. Referring to FIGS. 16 and 19, the contact 93 is electrically connected to the outer lead 19 at the other end of the cold cathode tube 7, and the conductor pattern 13 of the circuit board 4 through the holder plate 95 and the conductive member 16. (See FIG. 1). The contact 93 is formed using the same material as the contact 25.

The contact 93 has a substantially symmetric shape in the Y direction Y. The contact 93 includes a main body 111 and a pair of elastic pieces 112 and 113 as contacts for connecting a fluorescent tube.
The main body 111 has a U-shape as a whole when viewed along the insertion direction M1. The main body 111 has a pair of side plates 114 and 115 that engage with the pair of side walls 96 and 97 of the housing 92, and a connecting plate 116 that connects the pair of side plates 114 and 115.

  The connecting plate 116 is arranged substantially in parallel with the connecting wall 98 of the housing 92 and faces the connecting wall 98 in the X direction X with the pair of elastic pieces 112 and 113 interposed therebetween. The connecting plate 116 is formed with a recess 106 for receiving the outer lead 19. The recess 106 is formed by recessing the end of the connecting plate 116 on the side in the removal direction M2. The opening on the exit direction M <b> 2 side of the recess 106 has a maximum length in the Y direction larger than the diameter of the outer lead 19. The outer lead 19 can be supported by the recess 106.

  Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the pair of side plates 114 and 115 extend from the pair of end portions of the connecting plate 116 in the orthogonal direction V to the second X direction X2 side. 113 are opposed to each other in parallel in the orthogonal direction V. One side plate 114 is fitted in the groove 99 of one side wall 96, and the other side plate 115 is fitted in the groove 99 of the other side wall 97.

The side plates 114 and 115 are movable in the insertion direction M1 and the removal direction M2 with respect to the corresponding side walls 96 and 97.
Each side plate 114, 115 is formed with an engaged portion 118 as a fixed portion made of a ridge. The pair of engaged portions 118, 118 are convex portions provided on the outer surfaces 114 a, 115 a of the corresponding side plates 114, 115, and extend in the X direction X with a cross-sectional mountain shape. Referring to FIG. 18, each engaged portion 118, 118 is engaged with a corresponding first and second engaging portion 101, 101; 102, 102. The first and second engaging portions 101, 101; 102, 102 are provided in the grooves 99, 99 of the corresponding side walls 96, 97, respectively. Each of the first and second engaging portions 101, 101; 102, 102 is a recess formed corresponding to the engaged portion 118, 118 of the corresponding side plate 114, 115, and extends in the X direction X. Yes.

  With respect to the Z direction Z, the pair of first engaging portions 101, 101 are provided at positions corresponding to the fixed positions of the contacts 93 in the corresponding grooves 99, 99. Regarding the Z direction Z, the second engaging portions 102 and 102 are provided at positions corresponding to the temporary holding positions of the contacts 93 in the corresponding grooves 99 and 99. The housing 92 and the contact 93 are fixed to each other or temporarily held by the engagement between the engaged portions 118 and 118 and the corresponding first and second engaging portions 101 and 101; 102 and 102. .

Each engaged portion 118, 118 can get over the corresponding first and second engaging portions 101, 101; 102, 102 along the insertion direction M1 or the withdrawal direction M2. As a result, the contact 93 can be displaced with respect to the housing 92 along the insertion direction M1 and the removal direction M2 between the temporary holding position and the fixed position.
Referring to FIGS. 17 and 19, the reinforcing beams 119 protrude from the pair of end portions in the orthogonal direction V in the connecting plate 116 of the main body 111. Each reinforcing beam 119 extends in the orthogonal direction V, and the tip is connected to the holder plate 95. Further, a bottom piece 120 is extended from a central portion of the connecting plate 116 of the main body 111 in the orthogonal direction V. The bottom piece 120 extends from the connecting plate 116 in the second X direction X2, and connects the end of the connecting plate 116 on the insertion direction M1 side to the holder plate 95.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 18, the pair of elastic pieces 112 and 113 are attached so as to be in elastic contact with the outer leads 19 of the corresponding cold cathode fluorescent lamps 7. Connected.
Each elastic piece 112, 113 extends from the bottom piece 120 of the main body 111 toward the removal direction M 2, and is disposed inside the orthogonal direction V with respect to the pair of side walls 96, 97. The pair of elastic pieces 112 and 113 and the connecting wall 98 as the opposing wall of the housing 92 are relative to each other in a predetermined opposing direction T (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 18) along the axial direction of the outer lead 19. It is suitable.

Each elastic piece part 112,113 has the 1st inclination part 121, the clamping part 122, the removal prevention part 123, and the 2nd inclination part 124. As shown in FIG.
The intervals between the first inclined portions 121 become narrower as they proceed in the removal direction M2. Thereby, a pair of 1st inclination parts 121 and 121 have constituted the taper shape as a whole. Each elastic piece part 112,113 bends using the base end of the corresponding 1st inclination part 121,121 as a fulcrum.

  The pair of clamping portions 122 and 122 are for clamping the outer lead 19 inserted between the pair of elastic pieces 112 and 113 in the radial direction of the outer lead 19 along the insertion direction M1. Each clamping part 122 is linearly extended from the corresponding 1st inclination part 121 along the removal direction M2. The pair of sandwiching portions 122, 122 in the free state has a smaller distance from each other as they proceed in the removal direction M2. Note that the pair of sandwiching portions 122 and 122 in the free state may be parallel to each other. The minimum distance between the pair of sandwiching portions 122 and 122 in the free state is narrower than the diameter of the outer lead 19. At least a part of each inner side surface of each clamping portion 122 is a contact portion for contacting the outer lead 19.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the second electrical connector 12 as viewed along the X direction X. Referring to FIG. 20, when viewed along the second X direction X <b> 2, the ends on the insertion direction M <b> 1 side of the pair of sandwiching portions 122, 122 are on the insertion direction M <b> 1 side with respect to the bottom of the recess 106. positioned.
Referring to FIG. 18, each drop prevention portion 123 is adjacent to the corresponding holding portion 122 on the side in the removal direction M2. The pair of removal preventing portions 123, 123 are for preventing the outer lead 19 held between the pair of holding portions 122, 122 from being inadvertently removed along the removal direction M2. The distance between the pair of drop prevention portions 123 and 123 decreases from the pair of holding portions 122 and 122 in the removal direction M2.

  Each second inclined portion 124 is adjacent to the corresponding removal preventing portion 123 on the side in the removal direction M2. The pair of second inclined portions 124 and 124 are configured such that the distance between the pair of second inclined portions 124 and 124 increases in the removal direction M2, and the entire second inclined portions 124 and 124 are tapered. The tip portions of the pair of second inclined portions 124 and 124 are the tip portions of the pair of elastic piece portions 112 and 113.

  FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. Referring to FIG. 21, the housing 92 includes a removal preventing action portion 125. The disconnection preventing action portion 125 is configured to prevent the outer lead 19 sandwiched between the pair of elastic piece portions 112 and 113 from coming out from between the pair of elastic piece portions 112 and 113 in the removal direction M2. Acting on the elastic piece portions 112 and 113.

  The slip-out preventing action portion 125 includes a pair of receiving portions 126 and 126 that face each other in the orthogonal direction V. The pair of receiving portions 126 and 126 are formed on a pair of projecting portions 127 and 127 projecting from the pair of side walls 96 and 97 of the housing 92. The pair of protrusions 127 and 127 protrude from the ends of the pair of side walls 96 and 97 on the side in the removal direction M2 toward the pair of receiving portions 128 and 128 described later along the orthogonal direction V. The pair of receiving portions 126 and 126 are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of protrusions 127 and 127 facing each other in the orthogonal direction V. Each receiving portion 126 is formed on a rectangular surface orthogonal to the orthogonal direction V, for example.

  When the contact 93 is in the fixed position, the pair of receiving portions 128 and 128 are disposed between the pair of receiving portions 126 and 126 in the orthogonal direction V. The pair of receiving portions 128 and 128 are provided at the tips of the pair of elastic piece portions 112 and 113 in the removal direction M2. More specifically, each of the receiving portions 126 is provided at the tip of the second inclined portion 124 of the corresponding elastic piece portion 112, 113, respectively. When the pair of elastic pieces 112 and 113 are in a free state, the pair of receiving portions 126 and 126 and the pair of received portions 128 and 128 are separated from each other.

  FIG. 22 is a partially broken perspective view of the second electrical connector 12. Referring to FIGS. 18 and 22, the second electrical connector 12 includes an expansion mechanism 129 for forcibly expanding the distance between the pair of holding portions 122, 122 of the contact 93 in the temporary holding position. Yes. 18 and 22 both show the second housing 12 when the contact 93 is in the fixed position. The expansion mechanism 129 includes a pair of operation portions 131 and 131 provided on the housing 92 and a pair of operated portions 132 and 132 provided on the pair of elastic pieces 112 and 113 of the contact 93.

  A pair of operation parts 131 and 131 are formed in the expansion operation part 133 which consists of a small piece. The expansion operation unit 133 is formed integrally with the housing 92 using a single member, and is not movable relative to the housing 92. The expansion operation unit 133 protrudes from the connection wall 98 of the housing 92 in the first X direction X1. The expanding operation portion 133 is formed in a tapered shape in which the length (width) in the orthogonal direction V becomes narrower as it proceeds from the connecting wall 98 in the first X direction X1.

The pair of operation units 131 and 131 are formed on a pair of side surfaces facing each other in the orthogonal direction V in the expansion operation unit 133. When viewed along the insertion direction M1, the pair of operation units 131 and 131 have a taper shape in which the distance between the operation units 131 and 131 decreases as the first operation unit 131 moves toward the first X direction X1.
Each operated portion 132 is provided on the inner side surface of each of the first inclined portions 121 and 121 and the sandwiching portions 122 and 122 corresponding to the pair of elastic pieces 112 and 113. Between the pair of elastic pieces 112 and 113, at least a part of the pair of operation units 131 and 131 is disposed. When the contact 93 is in the fixed position, each operation part 131 and the corresponding operated part 132 are not substantially in contact (no force is applied).

  Referring to FIG. 23, connection of outer lead 19 to second electrical connector 12 is achieved through the following steps (1) to (3), for example. That is, (1) preparing the second electrical connector 12 in which the distance between the pair of sandwiching portions 122, 122 is widened by arranging the contact 93 at the temporary holding position, and (2) this second A step of inserting the outer lead 19 between the pair of elastic pieces 112, 113 of the electrical connector 12; and (3) a temporary holding position of the contact 93 where the outer lead 19 is disposed between the pair of elastic pieces 112, 113. And the step of clamping the outer lead 19 between the pair of sandwiching portions 122, 122 by moving the outer lead 19 to the fixed position, the outer lead 19 is second To the electrical connector 12.

  Referring to FIG. 23, when the contact 93 is in the temporary holding position, the pair of engaged portions 118 and 118 of the contact 93 engage with the second engaging portions 102 and 102 of the corresponding side walls 96 and 97. is doing. The operated parts 132 and 132 of the elastic pieces 112 and 113 are in contact with the corresponding operating parts 131 and 131, respectively. Thereby, the pair of operation parts 131 and 131 of the expansion operation part 133 presses the pair of operated parts 132 and 132 to the outside in the orthogonal direction V, and the interval between the pair of sandwiching parts 122 and 122 is forced. It has been expanded. Thereby, the space | interval between a pair of clamping parts 122 and 122 and the space | interval between a pair of removal prevention parts 123 and 123 are made wider than the diameter of the outer lead 19. FIG.

  Further, when the contact 93 is in the temporary holding position, the second inclined portions 124 of the elastic piece portions 112 and 113 are located on the insertion direction M1 side with respect to the housing 92. Accordingly, the pair of receiving portions 128 and 128 are not disposed between the pair of receiving portions 126 and 126, and the pair of receiving portions 128 and 128 are sandwiched without being restricted by the pair of receiving portions 126 and 126. The interval between the parts 122 and 122 can be enlarged.

  The outer lead 19 is inserted along the insertion direction M1 between the pair of elastic pieces 112, 113 of the contact 93 in the temporary holding position. As a result, the outer lead 19 passes between the pair of second inclined portions 124 and 124 and the pair of removal preventing portions 123 and 123, and further reaches between the pair of sandwiching portions 122 and 122 as shown in FIG. . The outer lead 19 is received by the expansion operation portion 133 and movement in the insertion direction M1 with respect to the contact 93 is restricted.

  After the outer lead 19 is disposed between the pair of sandwiching portions 122, 122, the pair of side walls 96, 97 of the housing 92 are pressed toward the insertion direction M1 using a jig (not shown). As a result, the engaged portions 118 and 118 of the contact 93 move over the second engaging portions 102 and 102 and move to the first engaging portions 101 and 101 side. That is, the contact 93 moves with respect to the housing 92 in the removal direction M <b> 2 as the movement direction of the second electrical connector 12. As a result, the contact 93 is displaced to the fixed position shown in FIG. When the contact 93 reaches the fixed position, the pair of engaged portions 118 and 118 of the contact 93 engage with the first engaging portions 101 and 101 of the corresponding side walls 96 and 97.

In addition, as the contact 93 moves in the removal direction M2, the engagement between the pair of operation units 131 and 131 and the corresponding operated units 132 and 132 is released.
That is, when the contact 93 reaches the fixed position, the pair of operation parts 131 and 131 of the expansion operation part 133 are disengaged from the corresponding operated parts 132 and 132. Thereby, the expansion of the space | interval between a pair of clamping parts 122 and 122 by the expansion operation part 133 is cancelled | released. Thereby, the space | interval between a pair of to-be-operated parts 132 and 132 narrows. When the distance between the pair of operated parts 132 and 132 is narrowed, the distance between the pair of sandwiching parts 122 and 122 and the distance between the pair of removal preventing parts 123 and 123 are the elastic restoring force of the elastic piece parts 112 and 113. It narrows by. The pair of elastic piece portions 112 and 113 of the contact 93 that has reached the fixed position clamps the outer lead 19 between the pair of sandwiching portions 122 and 122 by its own elasticity. At this time, the pair of receiving portions 128 and 128 are disposed between the pair of receiving portions 126 and 126, but are separated from the pair of receiving portions 126 and 126.

  The outer lead 19 sandwiched between the pair of sandwiching portions 122 and 122 moves toward the contact direction M2 with respect to the contact 93 when a strong force such as strong vibration is applied, for example, from the pair of sandwiching portions 122 and 122. It is conceivable to move to the pair of drop prevention portions 123, 123. In this case, as shown in FIG. 26, when the outer lead 19 reaches between the pair of removal preventing portions 123, 123, the distance between the pair of removal preventing portions 123, 123 is expanded by the outer lead 19. Along with this, the pair of receiving portions 128, 128 move to the outside in the orthogonal direction V and are received by the pair of receiving portions 126, 126. When the pair of receiving portions 128 and 128 are received by the pair of receiving portions 126 and 126, expansion of the interval between the pair of removal preventing portions 123 and 123 (interval between the pair of sandwiching portions 122 and 122) is restricted. The As described above, when the outer lead 19 is sandwiched between the pair of disconnection preventing portions 123 and 123, the pair of received portions 128 and 128 are received by the pair of receiving portions 126 and 126, thereby The minimum gap between the omission prevention portions 123 and 123 is restricted to be smaller than the diameter of the outer lead 19.

The connection between each outer lead 19 of the cold cathode tube 7 and the corresponding first electrical connector 11 is performed in a lump. Similarly, each outer lead 19 of the cold cathode tube 7 and the corresponding second electrical connector 12 are connected together.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the disconnection preventing action portions 80 and 125 are provided in the housing 24 of the first electrical connector 11 and the housing 92 of the second electrical connector 12, respectively. This prevents the outer lead 19 of the cold-cathode tube 7 from being inadvertently pulled out between the corresponding pair of elastic pieces 50, 51; 112, 113 in the removal direction M2, using the removal prevention action portions 80, 125. Can be prevented.

In addition, since the housings 24 and 92 are provided with a function of preventing removal, the configuration for preventing the outer leads 19 from being unintentionally removed can be realized with a small number of parts.
Furthermore, in each of the first electrical connector 11 and the second electrical connector 12, each pair of receiving portions 83, 83; 128, 128 is received by the corresponding pair of receiving portions 81, 81; 126, 126, Expansion of the space between the pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; 122, 122 is restricted. As a result, it is possible to prevent the outer lead 19 from coming off between the pair of elastic pieces 50, 51; 112, 113.

  Further, when the corresponding outer lead 19 is held by each pair of holding portions 69, 69; 122, 122, each pair of receiving portions 83, 83; 128, 128 corresponds to a pair of receiving portions 81, 81; 126, 126 apart. This prevents the heat transmitted from the outer lead 19 to each pair of elastic pieces 50, 51; 112, 113 from being directly transmitted to the corresponding pair of receiving portions 81, 81; 126, 126 of the housing 24, 92. it can. Thereby, each pair of receiving portions 81 can be prevented from being softened and deformed by heat.

  Further, when each pair of receiving portions 83, 83; 128, 128 is received by a corresponding pair of receiving portions 81, 81; 126, 126, between each pair of drop prevention portions 70, 70; 123, 123 The minimum interval is smaller than the diameter of the outer lead 19. Thereby, the outer lead 19 can be reliably prevented from coming off from each pair of elastic piece portions 50, 51; 112, 113.

  Further, the distance between each pair of drop prevention portions 70, 70; 123, 123 is gradually narrowed in the removal direction M2. Thereby, in each contact 25 and 93, the space | interval between a pair of removal prevention parts 70 and 70; 123,123 expands as the outer lead 19 moves to the removal direction M2 side. Thereby, each pair of receiving parts 83,83; 128,128 can be kept away from each other in the orthogonal direction V, and each pair of receiving parts 83,83; 128,128 is reliably paired with a pair of receiving parts. 81, 81; 126, 126.

  Also, when the elastic pieces 50, 51; 112, 113 are bent at the distal end as the fulcrum of bending, that is, when the elastic pieces 50, 51; 112, 113 are bent with the base as a fulcrum. The receiving portions 83 and 128 are provided at the tip where the amount of displacement increases. Thus, even when the distance between the pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; 122, 122 is small, the corresponding pair of the receiving portions 83, 83; 128, 128 corresponds to the pair of receiving portions 81, 81; 126. , 126 can be reliably received.

  Further, in each of the first electrical connector 11 and the second electrical connector 12, it corresponds to the pair of protrusions 82, 82; 127, 127 provided on the pair of side walls 32, 34; 96, 97, respectively. A pair of receiving portions 81, 81; 126, 126 are provided. Thereby, each pair of receiving part 81,81; 126,126 can be arrange | positioned adjacent to a corresponding pair of receiving part 83,83; 128,128.

  Further, the pair of receiving portions 83, 83, 128, 128 of the contacts 25, 93 in the temporary holding position are not disposed between the corresponding pair of receiving portions 81, 81; A pair of receiving portions 83, 83; 128, 128 of each contact 25, 93 is disposed between a corresponding pair of receiving portions 81, 81, 126, 126. Thereby, when each contact 25 and 93 exists in a temporary holding position, expansion of the space | interval between a pair of clamping part 69,69,122,122 by a corresponding pair of receiving part 81,81; 126,126 is not controlled. Therefore, the space between each pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; 122, 122 can be freely expanded, and the outer lead 19 can be easily inserted between each pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; 122, 122. . When each contact 25, 93 is in a fixed position, each pair of receiving portions 81, 81; 126, 126 can receive a corresponding pair of receiving portions 83, 83, 128, 128. . Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent the outer lead 19 disposed between each pair of the sandwiching portions 69 and 69;

  Further, the contacts 25 and 93 in the temporary holding position have a relatively large distance between the pair of holding portions 69 and 69; 122 and 122, and the contacts 25 and 93 in the fixed position have the pair of holding portions. 69,69; The space | interval between 122,122 is made relatively narrow. In this way, the distance between the pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; 122, 122 of each contact 25, 93 in the temporary holding position is widened, so that the pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; The outer lead 19 can be easily inserted into the pair of holding portions 69, 69; 122, 122 without being rubbed strongly. As a result, it becomes possible to insert the outer lead 19 between the pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; 122, 122 with no insertion force. Further, since the distance between the pair of holding portions 69, 69; 122, 122 of the contacts 25, 93 at the fixed position is narrowed, the corresponding pair of holding portions 69, 69; 122 can be securely held.

  Furthermore, the space | interval between a pair of clamping part 69,69; 122,122 of each contact 25,93 of a temporary holding position is forcibly expanded by the corresponding expansion mechanism 85,129. Thereby, it can prevent that the space | interval between a pair of clamping parts 69 and 69; 122,122 of each contact 25 and 93 of a temporary holding position closes carelessly. Therefore, when the outer lead 19 is inserted between each pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; 122, 122, the outer lead 19 is prevented from being rubbed strongly with the corresponding pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; 122, 122. it can. As a result, it becomes possible to insert the outer lead 19 between the pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69; 122, 122 with no insertion force.

Further, the operated portions 87 and 132 of the elastic piece portions 50 and 51; 112 and 113 are pressed by the corresponding operation portions 86 and 131. As a result, the space between each pair of sandwiching portions 69, 69;
Further, in the first electrical connector 11, a pair of operation portions 86, 86 are arranged between the pair of operated portions 87, 87, and the interval between the pair of operation portions 86, 86 is the moving direction of the contact 25. The width is narrowed in the insertion direction M1. Thereby, as the contact 25 is displaced from the temporary holding position to the fixed position, the distance between the pair of operated portions 87 and 87 pressed by the pair of operating portions 86 and 86 can be gradually narrowed. As a result, the interval between the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 of the contact 25 at the fixed position can be reliably narrowed. Moreover, since the space | interval between a pair of clamping parts 69 and 69 can be narrowed gradually, sudden load fluctuation | variation does not arise in each elastic piece part 50 and 51, and the burden concerning each elastic piece part 50 and 51 is reduced. be able to.

  When each contact 25, 93 is in the temporary holding position, the space between the corresponding pair of holding portions 69, 69; 122, 122 is expanded by the expansion operation portions 88, 133 of the corresponding housings 24, 92. The For this reason, when the outer lead 19 is inserted between each pair of clamping parts 69, 69; 122, 122, the pair of clamping parts 69, 69; 122, 122 corresponding to the outer lead 19 is strongly contacted. As a result, the outer lead 19 can be inserted between the corresponding pair of holding portions 69, 69; 122, 122 with no insertion force.

Thereby, when inserting the outer lead 19 between each pair of elastic piece parts 50 and 51; 112,113, the load concerning the outer lead 19 can be decreased. Moreover, when each contact 25 and 93 is in a fixed position, the outer lead 19 can be clamped by the corresponding pair of clamping portions 69 and 69; 122 and 122.
Thus, after the outer lead 19 is inserted between the corresponding pair of holding portions 69, 69; 122, 122, the outer lead 19 is securely held by the corresponding pair of elastic pieces 50, 51; 112, 113. can do. Furthermore, each of the electrical connectors 11 and 12 can be formed of two parts, the corresponding housings 24 and 92 and the corresponding contacts 25 and 93, and the number of parts of each of the electrical connectors 11 and 12 can be reduced as much as possible. it can.

Moreover, when each contact 25 and 93 exists in a fixed position, a corresponding pair of clamping part 69,69; 122,122 is not expanded by corresponding expansion operation part 88,133. Therefore, the corresponding outer leads 19 can be securely clamped by the pair of clamping portions 69, 69; 122, 122.
Moreover, in each housing 24 and 92, each fixing | fixed part 75,76 and 1st engaging part 101,101 and the corresponding expansion operation part 88,133 are integrally formed using a single member. As a result, the number of parts of each of the electrical connectors 11 and 12 can be further reduced.

Further, among the housings 24 and 92, the corresponding elastic piece portions 50 and 51; 112 and 113 are opposed to the third side wall 33 and the connecting wall 98 facing the opposing direction T. Is extended. Thereby, these expansion operation parts 88 and 133 can be extended from the location close | similar to both of a pair of corresponding elastic piece part 50 and 51; 112,113 among each housing 24,92.

  Furthermore, each of the pair of elastic pieces 50, 51; 112, 113 is provided with the operated portions 87, 87; 132, 132, and the operating portions 86 corresponding to the operated portions 87, 87; 132, 132, respectively. 86; 131, 131. Thereby, the space | interval between a pair of clamping part 69,69; 122,122 of each pair of elastic piece part 50,51; 112,113 can be expanded reliably.

  In the first electrical connector 11, the distance between the pair of operation portions 86, 86 is narrowed toward the insertion direction M <b> 1 as the movement direction of the contact 25. Thereby, as the contact 25 is displaced from the temporary holding position to the fixed position, the distance between the pair of operated portions 87 and 87 pressed by the pair of operating portions 86 and 86 can be gradually narrowed. As a result, the interval between the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 of the contact 25 at the fixed position can be reliably narrowed. Moreover, since the space | interval between a pair of clamping parts 69 and 69 can be narrowed gradually, it can prevent that a sudden load fluctuation arises in each elastic piece part 50 and 51, and the load concerning each elastic piece part 50 and 51 is carried out. Can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the first electrical connector 11, the contact 25 can be displaced from the temporary holding position to the fixed position by pressing the pressed portions 47 and 48 of the contact 25 with a jig or the like in the insertion direction M1. The contact 25 can be displaced with respect to the housing 24 without applying a force to each elastic piece portion 50, 51, and an extra load can be prevented from being applied to each elastic piece portion 50, 51.

  Further, the pair of pressed parts 47 and 48 of the contact 25 are disposed adjacent to the pair of elastic piece parts 50 and 51. Thus, by pressing the pair of pressed portions 47 and 48 along the insertion direction M <b> 1, both the pair of elastic piece portions 50 and 51 can be reliably displaced by the same amount with respect to the housing 24. Thereby, the position of a pair of elastic piece parts 50 and 51 when the contact 25 exists in a fixed position can be set accurately.

  Further, in the first electrical connector 11, the connecting piece 89 that supports the expansion operation portion 88 is passed from the third side wall 33 between the pair of pressed portions 47 and 48, and the pair of elastic piece portions 50 and 51. It extends to the side. Thus, by arranging the connecting piece 89 between the pair of pressed parts 47, 48, the dead space between the pair of pressed parts 47, 48 can be reduced by a member (connecting piece 89) related to the expansion operation part 88. Available as a space for). As a result, the first electrical connector 11 can be further downsized.

  In the first electrical connector 11, the pair of operated portions 87 and 87 are provided at the first end portions 50 a and 51 a of the pair of elastic piece portions 50 and 51. As described above, the operated portions 87 and 87 are provided at the first end portions 50 a and 51 a close to the third side wall 33 of the housing 24 among the elastic piece portions 50 and 51. Thereby, the amount by which the expansion operation portion 88 protrudes from the third side wall 33 can be reduced. As a result, the first electrical connector 11 can be further downsized.

Further, in the second electrical connector 12, the side plates 114 and 115 of the contact 93 and the grooves 99 and 99 of the corresponding side walls 96 and 97 of the housing 92 are fitted, so that the movement of the contact 93 with respect to the housing 92 is performed. Can be guided.
In the second electrical connector 12, when the contact 93 is in the temporary holding position, the contact 93 is attached to the housing 92 by the engagement between the second engaging portions 102 and 102 and the engaged portions 118 and 118. On the other hand, it can be temporarily held securely at the temporary holding position. When the contact 93 is in the fixed position, the contact 93 is securely fixed to the housing 92 at the fixed position by the engagement of the first engaging portions 101 and 101 and the engaged portions 118 and 118. be able to.

Further, the engagement between the pair of engaged portions 118, 118 and the corresponding first and second engaging portions 101, 101; 102, 102 can be realized with a concave-convex engaging structure as a simple configuration. it can.
The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, each protrusion 82 of the first electrical connector 11 may be formed separately from the corresponding second and fourth side walls 32, 34 of the housing 24. In this case, these protrusions 82 are formed using the same material as the housing 24 or a different material such as a metal, and are fixed to the corresponding second and fourth side walls 32 and 34. Similarly, each protrusion 127 of the second electrical connector 12 may be formed separately from the corresponding side walls 96 and 97 of the housing 92. In this case, these protrusions 127 are formed using the same material as the housing 92 or a different material such as a metal, and are fixed to the corresponding side walls 96 and 97.

Further, in the second electrical connector 12, the shape of the convex portions of the engaged portions 118, 118 of the pair of side plates 114, 115 of the contact 93 and the first and first of the pair of side walls 96, 97 of the housing 92. The shapes of the concave portions of the two engaging portions 101, 101; 102, 102 may be interchanged.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 27A, the pair of receiving portions 81A, 81A of the first electrical connector 11A may be formed in a taper shape such that the distance between the receiving portions 81A, 81A becomes narrower toward the insertion direction M1 side. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 27 (B), the pair of receiving portions 126A and 126A of the second electrical connector 12A are formed in a tapered shape so that the distance between the receiving portions 126A and 126A decreases toward the insertion direction M1 side. Also good.

  As shown in FIG. 28A, when the outer lead 19 is clamped by the pair of clamping parts 69, 69, the pair of receiving parts 83, 83 are received by the pair of receiving parts 81B, 81B. By doing so, the minimum distance between the pair of drop prevention portions 70, 70 may be regulated to be smaller than the diameter of the outer lead 19. In this case, the pair of receiving portions 81B and 81B of the first electrical connector 11B are formed in a tapered shape, for example, such that the distance between the receiving portions 81B and 81B decreases toward the insertion direction M1. Even when the outer lead 19 is clamped by the pair of clamping portions 69, 69, the pair of receiving portions 83, 83 are pressurized by the pair of receiving portions 81B, 81B. As a result, the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 sandwich the outer lead 19 by the applied pressure from the pair of receiving portions 83 and 83 in addition to the elastic force of the pair of elastic piece portions 50 and 51 themselves. As a result, the contact between the pair of sandwiching portions 69 and 69 and the outer lead 19 can be more reliably maintained.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 28 (B), when the outer lead 19 is clamped by the pair of clamping parts 122, 122, the pair of receiving parts 128B, 128B are replaced by the pair of receiving parts 126B, 126B. By being received, the minimum distance between the pair of drop prevention portions 123, 123 may be regulated to be smaller than the diameter of the outer lead 19. In this case, the pair of receiving portions 126B and 126B of the second electrical connector 11B are formed in a tapered shape, for example, such that the distance between the receiving portions 126B and 126B increases toward the insertion direction M1. The pair of receiving portions 128B and 128B are formed in portions formed by curling the tips of the pair of second inclined portions 124B and 124B outward in the orthogonal direction V. Thereby, engagement with each receiving part 126B and the to-be-received part 128B corresponding to a pair of receiving part 126B and 126B moving to the insertion direction M1 can be made smooth. Even when the outer lead 19 is clamped by the pair of clamping parts 122, 122, the pair of receiving parts 128B, 128B are pressurized by the pair of receiving parts 126B, 126B. Thereby, a pair of clamping parts 122 and 122 clamp outer lead 19 by the applied pressure from a pair of receiving parts 126B and 126B in addition to the elastic force of a pair of elastic piece parts 112B and 113B itself. As a result, the contact between the pair of sandwiching portions 122 and 122 and the outer lead 19 can be more reliably maintained.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 29A, the pair of receiving portions 81C, 81C of the first electrical connector 11C may be formed in a shape in which the intermediate portion in the insertion direction M1 is recessed outward in the orthogonal direction V. . Similarly, as shown in FIG. 29B, the pair of receiving portions 126C and 126C of the second electrical connector 12C may be formed in a shape in which an intermediate portion in the insertion direction M1 is recessed outward in the orthogonal direction V. Good.

  In addition, the present invention can be applied to connection with other fluorescent tubes such as outer cathode tubes. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to an edge light type liquid crystal display device.

It is a typical plane sectional view showing a schematic structure of a liquid crystal display provided with an electric connector concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the principal part of a circuit board, a cold cathode tube, and a 1st electrical connector. It is the side view which looked at the 1st electric connector along the 1st Y direction. It is the side view which looked at the 1st electric connector along the 1st X direction. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 1st electrical connector. It is a perspective view of the 1st electric connector. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4. It is sectional drawing of the principal part which follows the VIII-VIII line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the principal part along the IX-IX line of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the principal part which follows the XX line of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the connection process of the outer lead to a 1st electrical connector. It is a figure for demonstrating the connection process of the outer lead to a 1st electrical connector. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the connection process of the outer lead to a 1st electrical connector, (B) is an enlarged view of the principal part of FIG. 13 (A). It is a figure for demonstrating prevention of omission of an outer lead. It is an enlarged view of the principal part of FIG. It is a perspective view of the principal part of a cold cathode tube and a 2nd electrical connector. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 2nd electrical connector. It is sectional drawing of the principal part which follows the XVIII-XVIII line | wire of FIG. It is a perspective view of a contact. It is a side view when the 2nd electric connector is seen along the X direction. It is an enlarged view of the principal part of FIG. It is a partially broken perspective view of the 2nd electric connector. It is a figure for demonstrating the connection process of the outer lead to a 2nd electrical connector. It is a figure for demonstrating the connection process of the outer lead to a 2nd electrical connector. It is a figure for demonstrating the connection process of the outer lead to a 2nd electrical connector. It is a figure for demonstrating prevention of omission of an outer lead. (A) is a schematic diagram of the principal part of another embodiment of this invention, (B) is a schematic diagram of the principal part of another embodiment of this invention. (A) is a schematic diagram of the principal part of further another embodiment of this invention, (B) is a schematic diagram of the principal part of another embodiment of this invention. (A) is a schematic diagram of the principal part of further another embodiment of this invention, (B) is a schematic diagram of the principal part of another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Liquid Crystal Display 3 Liquid Crystal Panel 7 Cold Cathode Tube (Fluorescent Tube)
11, 11A, 11B, 11C First electrical connector 12, 12A, 12B, 12C Second electrical connector 18a End 19 Outer lead (terminal)
24 Housing 25 Contact 33 Third side wall (opposite wall)
43 Main body 47, 48 Pressed portion 50, 51 First elastic piece (a pair of elastic pieces)
50a, 51a First end portion 50b, 51b Second end portion 69 Clamping portion 75, 76 Fixing portion 86 Operation portion 87 Operated portion 88 Expanding operation portion 89 Connecting piece 92 Housing 93 Contact 96, 97 Side wall Side wall)
98 Connecting wall (opposite wall)
99 groove 101 1st engaging part (fixing part, recessed part)
102 2nd engaging part (recessed part)
111 Body 112, 113, 112B, 113B Elastic piece (a pair of elastic pieces)
114, 115 Side plate 118 Engagement part (convex part)
122 clamping part 131 operation part 132 operated part 133 widening operation part M1 insertion direction (moving direction of contacts of the first electrical connector, opposite direction of contacts of the second electrical connector)
M2 disconnection direction (moving direction of the contact of the second electrical connector, opposite direction of the contact of the first electrical connector)
T facing direction

Claims (13)

An insulating housing;
With conductive contacts,
The contact includes a main body fixed to the housing, and a pair of elastic pieces extending from the main body,
In the pair of elastic pieces, a terminal provided at an end of the fluorescent tube can be inserted along a predetermined insertion direction corresponding to the radial direction of the terminal,
The contact moves from the temporary holding position temporarily held by the housing to a fixed position where the main body is fixed to the housing by moving with respect to the housing along a predetermined moving direction along the insertion direction. Displaceable,
The pair of elastic pieces include a pair of clamping portions for clamping the terminal when the contact is in a fixed position,
The housing includes a fixing portion that fixes the main body, and an expansion operation portion that expands a gap between the pair of holding portions when the contact is in the temporary holding position and the fixing portion is not relatively movable. Including
The electrical connector, wherein the expansion of the gap between the pair of holding portions by the expansion operation portion is released in accordance with the displacement of the contact from the temporary holding position to the fixed position.   The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion and the expansion operation portion of the housing are integrally formed using a single member. 3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes opposing walls facing the pair of elastic piece portions in a predetermined opposing direction corresponding to an axial direction of the terminal,
An electrical connector in which the expansion operation portion is extended from the facing wall. The pair of operation portions provided in the pair of elastic pieces, and the pair of operation portions provided in the expansion operation portion corresponding to the pair of operation portions. Including
The pair of operation parts is an electrical connector that widens a gap between the pair of sandwiching parts by engaging with the pair of operated parts when the contact is in the temporary holding position. In Claim 4, the pair of operation parts are arranged between the pair of operated parts,
The electrical connector in which the interval between the pair of operation units is narrowed toward the moving direction. The contact according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the contact includes a pressed portion that extends from the main body portion in a direction opposite to the moving direction and protrudes in the opposite direction with respect to the housing.
An electrical connector in which the contact can be displaced from a temporary holding position to a fixed position by pressing the pressed portion along the moving direction.   7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein a pair of the pressed parts are provided, and the pair of pressed parts are disposed adjacent to the pair of elastic pieces. The housing according to claim 7, wherein the housing includes opposing walls facing the pair of elastic piece portions in a predetermined opposing direction corresponding to an axial direction of the terminal,
The pair of pressed parts are arranged between the pair of elastic pieces and the opposing wall in the opposing direction,
The said expansion operation part is an electrical connector connected to the connection piece extended in a pair of elastic piece part side through the space | interval of a pair of said to-be-pressed part from the said opposing wall. 9. The pair of elastic pieces according to claim 8, wherein each of the pair of elastic pieces includes a first end adjacent to the opposing wall in the opposing direction and a second end opposite to the first end. ,
The pair of operated parts is an electrical connector provided at a first end of the pair of elastic pieces. In any one of Claims 1-4, the main body of the said contact contains a pair of side plate which opposes on both sides of the said pair of elastic piece part,
The housing includes a pair of side walls formed with a pair of grooves into which the pair of side plates are inserted,
An electrical connector in which the pair of side plates are movable in the moving direction with respect to the pair of side walls. In Claim 10, including a pair of engaged portions provided on the pair of side plates,
The pair of grooves includes a pair of first engaging portions as the fixing portion provided at a position corresponding to the fixing position, and a pair of second engagement provided at a position corresponding to the temporary holding position. Including
The pair of engaged portions engages with the pair of first engaging portions when the contact is in the fixed position, and the pair of second engaged portions when the contact is in the temporary holding position. An electrical connector that engages with the engaging portion.   12. The electrical connector according to claim 11, wherein each of the engaged portions includes any one of a convex portion and a concave portion, and each of the first and second engaging portions includes any one of the convex portion and the concave portion. . LCD panel,
A fluorescent tube for irradiating the liquid crystal panel with light;
A liquid crystal display device comprising the electrical connector according to claim 1, which is connected to a terminal provided at an end of the fluorescent tube.

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