# US 11,114,784 B2 · Electrical connector structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,114,784 B2 - Document ID: US11114784B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/808,510 - Filed: 2020-03-04 - Published: 2020-10-08 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-04 - Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Saki Naito - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11114784B2 ## CPC - H01R 12/716: {Coupling device provided on the PCB} - H01R 12/91: allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating or self aligning (for coupling devices not specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R13/6315 takes precedence) - H01R 12/7076: {for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display} - H01R 13/055: {co-operating with sockets having a rectangular transverse section} - H01R 13/11: Resilient sockets (carrying separate resilient parts H01R13/15) - H01R 13/502: composed of different pieces (H01R13/514 takes precedence) - H01R 13/533: Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure (H01R13/52 takes precedence) - H01R 13/627: Snap or like fastening - H01R 13/635: by mechanical pressure, e.g. spring force - H01R 2201/26: for vehicles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A connector structure configured to electrically connect an electrical component to a circuit board is disclosed. The connector structure may include a female connector secured to the circuit board; and a male terminal extending from the electrical component and inserted into the female connector. The female connector may include a connector housing secured to the circuit board; a connector-side terminal located within the connector housing and including a female contact configured to receive the male terminal; and a contact sleeve located within the connector housing and secured to the female contact. The female contact may be displaceable within the connector housing. The male terminal may be deformed so as to press the contact sleeve against a frictional inner surface of the connector housing by a restoring force of the male terminal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector structure configured to electrically connect an electrical component to a circuit board, the connector structure comprising: a female connector secured to the circuit board; and a male terminal extending from the electrical component and inserted into the female connector, wherein the female connector comprises: a connector housing secured to the circuit board; a connector-side terminal located within the connector housing and including a female contact configured to receive the male terminal; and a contact sleeve located within the connector housing and secured to the female contact, the female contact is displaceable within the connector housing, and the male terminal is elastically deformed so as to press the contact sleeve against a frictional inner surface of the connector housing by a restoring force of the male terminal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein an opening is provided in the circuit board, and the male terminal is inserted into the female connector through the opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the connector-side terminal comprises: a distal end portion at which the female contact is provided; a proximal end portion secured to the connector housing; and a plate spring portion extending between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connector structure according to claim 3, wherein the plate spring portion has a U-shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the contact sleeve is constituted of resin. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing is constituted of resin. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing comprises: a base housing secured to the circuit board; and a main housing slidable with respect to the base housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The connector structure according to claim 7, wherein the connector-side terminal comprises a proximal end portion that is secured to the main housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The connector structure according to claim 8, wherein the connector-side terminal further comprises: a distal end portion at which the female contact is provided; and a plate spring portion extending between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The connector structure according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing further comprises another inner surface opposing to the frictional inner surface, the male terminal comprises a base end portion that is secured to the electrical component and a tip end portion that is in contact with the female contact, and the male terminal is elastically bent toward the another inner surface in a direction from the base end portion to the tip end portion.