Patent attributes
A terminal structure has a first connector arranged at a first member, such as a vacuum pump, and a plurality of connector pins. A second member, such as a control device, is movable toward and away from the first member, and a second member side bolt is arranged at the second member. A second connector has a plurality of connecting pins and a flange portion through which the bolt passes and which is movable with respect to the bolt while the second connector is being fit-engaged with the first connector to electrically connect the connector pins of the first and second connectors. An elastic member elastically retains the flange portion and produces an elastic force that resists a push-back displacement which acts on the second connector at the moment of fit-engagement with the first connector in either a direction parallel to the bolt or in a direction inclined at an angle from the parallel direction. The push-back displacement of the flange portion of the second connector is resisted by the elastic force generated by deformation of the elastic member so that excessive force is not applied to the two connectors even if they are obliquely fit-engaged with one another.
