EP2075877A2 - Flexible board electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector (10) has a contact carrier (11) carrying contacts (16), and a pressing unit i.e. cover (13), made of metal and supported on the contact carrier. A cover bearing unit allows a movement of the pressing unit between a printed circuit board accommodating position and a cover locking position. The pressing unit presses the contacts against a printed circuit board and contact points against the contacts into the cover locking position. The pressing unit comprises a flaring geometry i.e. pressure guide (21), and a cover locking unit (3) locks the cover in a locking position.

Description

Flexible circuit boards (which are also referred to as flexible interconnects) generally have at one end a plurality of juxtaposed contact paths, which may be provided both on the top and on the underside of the flexible printed circuit board. These contact sheets of the flexible circuit boards often have to be connected to other components, which is generally done by mounting a connector at the end of the flexible circuit board which can be engaged with another connector mounted on a component to be connected.

The present invention relates to a connector for attachment to a flexible circuit board, which in particular has a plurality of arranged in a row contact paths, preferably on both sides.

So far, it has been necessary to provide a soldering method for connecting such printed circuit boards. According to the invention, it is now possible to connect the contact paths of the flexible printed circuit board by means of a pressure element (pressure means) to the contacts provided in a connector. By means of the pressure element which is movable in a pressure position, the contact paths are pressed into electrical contact with the contacts inserted in a contact carrier of the connector. Preferably, the pressure element is held in the pressure position by locking means. Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit board and its contact paths are held securely in the pressing or locking position preferably by circuit board holding means.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board connector having an extremely small height, on the order of only 1 mm.

In order to produce a sufficiently high contact pressure on the printed circuit board and their contact paths, the corresponding components of the connector are preferably made of metal.

According to the invention, the connector for flexible printed circuit boards on a contact carrier, are preferably engaged in the contacts for contacting the contact tracks of the flexible printed circuit board. At the contact carrier, the pressure element is preferably movably mounted in the form of a lid or metal closure between a receiving position for a flexible printed circuit board and the locking or Andruckstellung for the flexible circuit board and the contact tracks.

In the pressure position, the contact paths are pressed by the metal closure or cover against the contacts in the contact carrier. Locking means hold the metal closure or lid in the pressure position. The metal closure is preferably a metal plate that extends across the width of the array of contacts. The metal closure is provided according to the invention with an insulating layer and in particular at the points where he presses on the contacts.

Test holes are provided in the lid to a position check of the flexible printed circuit board used in the locked position d. H. to check the pressure position.

Further advantages, objects and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines Steckverbinders in einer Aufnahmestellung für eine flexible Leiterbahn;
• Fig. 2 eine perspektivische Teilansicht des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels ähnlich wie Fig. 1 in dessen Andruck- bzw. Schließstellung;
• Fig. 3 eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht der Fig. 2;
• Fig. 4 und 5 weitere schematische Schnittansichten von Einzelheiten des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels;
• Fig. 6 eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines Steckverbinders und zwar in dessen Aufnahmestellung;
• Fig. 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht ähnlich Fig. 6, wobei sich der Steckverbinder gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in seiner Andruck- bzw. Schließstellung befindet und wobei die flexible Leiterbahn dargestellt ist;
• Fig. 8 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer Einzelheit des Ausführungsbeispiels der Fig. 7;
• Fig. 9 eine schematische Einzelheit des Ausführungsbeispiels der Fig. 7;
• Fig. 10 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, wobei sich der Steckverbinder in seiner Aufnahme- oder Öffnungsstellung befindet; und
• Fig. 11 eine perspektivische Ansicht ähnlich Fig. 9, wobei hier die Andruck- bzw. Schließstellung dargestellt ist.

In the drawing shows:

• Fig. 1 a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a connector in a receiving position for a flexible conductor;
• Fig. 2 a partial perspective view of the first embodiment similar to Fig. 1 in its pressure or closed position;
• Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of Fig. 2 ;
• Fig. 4 and 5 further schematic sectional views of details of the first embodiment;
• Fig. 6 a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a connector and in its receiving position;
• Fig. 7 a perspective view similar Fig. 6 , wherein the connector according to the second embodiment is in its pressing or closing position and wherein the flexible conductor is shown;
• Fig. 8 a schematic sectional view of a detail of the embodiment of Fig. 7 ;
• Fig. 9 a schematic detail of the embodiment of Fig. 7 ;
• Fig. 10 a perspective view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the connector is in its receiving or open position; and
• Fig. 11 a perspective view similar Fig. 9 , wherein here the pressure or closed position is shown.

As noted in the introduction, the connector according to the invention comprises a contact-carrying contact carrier, preferably on the pressure means a metallic (also referred to as metal closure) pressure element preferably in the form of a lid, movable between a receiving position for the flexible printed circuit board (PCB receiving position) and a Andruckstellung Deckelschließ- or Kontaktierstellung for the flexible circuit board (short: lid closed position) is movable.

The cover is mounted on the contact carrier by cover bearing means in particular slidable (according to the first two embodiments) or pivotally mounted (according to the third embodiment).

Furthermore, lid locking means are preferably formed on the lid and the contact carrier in order to lock the lid in its closed position and thereby also the flexible printed circuit board in its Kontaktierstellung, so that This closing or Kontaktierstellung can also be referred to as a locking position.

Preferably, circuit board holding means are provided to hold the flexible circuit board in the connector, and in particular in the locking position. The printed circuit board holding means have cover-side and also contact carrier-side printed circuit board holding means.

In the FIGS. 1 to 5 is a first embodiment of a connector 10 for contacting a flexible printed circuit board 1 ( Fig. 7 ). The connector 10 has a contacts 16 carrying contact carrier 11, and a preferably made of metal pressure element (pressure means) 13, preferably in the form of a metal closure or cover 13. The cover 13 is displaceable on the contact carrier 11 back and forth between the receiving position and the closed position, arranged by cover bearing means in the form of plain bearing means 2. The plain bearing means 2 have cover-side bearing means and contact carrier side bearing means. To form the contact carrier side bearing means, the contact carrier 11 in addition to a contact 16 receiving insulating body 12 to be described in more detail bearing parts preferably in the form of metal frame 14, 15.

Lid lock means 3 for the lid 13 cause the contacts 16 to remain securely on the contact tracks of the flexible circuit board 1 when the lid closed position (FIG. Fig. 2 ) is reached. The lid 13 extends over the length of the adjacently arranged contacts 16 in the contact carrier 11 away.

The metal frames 14, 15 allow the lid 13 to pivot back and forth between the receiving position according to Fig. 1 and the closed position according to Fig. 2 is guided. The two metal frames 14, 15 are attached to the contact carrier 11. The lower ends of the cover parts 26, 27 of the metal frame 14, 15 form latching lugs 30, with the contact carrier 11th On the underside formed latching openings 45 are engaged (see. Fig. 3 ). More specifically, each of the metal frames 14, 15 has a flat portion 25 connecting the turnup portions 26, 27 and comprising projections 37, 38 of the insulator 12 formed on both sides for attachment.

In the contact carrier 11 is preferably a plurality of contacts 16 arranged in a row next to each other, so as to form a double-row contact system, which can also contact a rotated by 180 ° conductor.

The cover 13 has a flat plate member 17 and to form the cover-side bearing means on both sides in each case a bent guide member 18, 19. The bent guide parts 18, 19 each form guide plates 190 (FIG. Fig. 3 ), which engage in guide slots formed between the contact carrier 11 and the undersides of the metal frames 14, 15.

In the plate part 17 test holes 20 are provided. The plate member 17 also forms parallel to its front longitudinal edge running a bead geometry, preferably a pressure rail 21, i. a pointing down to the contacts 16 out bead-like down-facing embossing.

Printed circuit board holding means 70 serve to securely hold the flexible printed circuit board in the closed position.

The printed circuit board holding means 70 preferably comprise, in order to form the lid-side printed circuit board holding means on both sides adjacent to the front edge of the lid 13, stamped and downwardly bent pressing arms 22, 23 in alignment with the pressure rail 21. The pressing arms 22, 23 protrude slightly more than the pressure rail 21 below, and press an inserted flexible circuit board 1 in addition to Pressure rail 21 down to hold them in their Kontaktierstellung or to lock.

The Andruckarme 22, 23 press on the circuit board 1 on the kontakträgerseitigen circuit board holding means which are formed here preferably by the upper side 143 of the contact carrier 11 formed by ribs 43. The Andruckarme 22, 23 but could also be used with flexible circuit board 1 in the region of the contacts 16th exert their pressure. An insulating layer is provided between the Andruckarmen 22, 23 but also the underside of the pressure rail 21 and the contact points with the circuit board.

The flat plate member 17 forms for insertion of a tool a cutout 24th

For fixing or locking the lid 13 in the lid closed position, the lid locking means 3 contact carrier-side locking means 28 preferably on the metal frame 14, 15. These contact carrier side locking means are as in Fig. 1 and 3 shown, "down", facing lugs 28 in the lid closed position formed on the lid 13 detent openings 29 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) come into engagement. These lid locking means 28, 29 hold the lid 13 in addition to the action of the pressure means in its closed position.

Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the latching lugs 28 arranged on both sides are formed in the planar parts 25 of the metal frames 14, 15, which are formed with the latching openings 29 in the bent guide parts 18, 19, in particular their plate-shaped ends 190 engage.

The contact carrier 11 has a transverse part 32 and on both sides projecting forward angle parts 33, 34. The angle parts 33, 34 each form lateral Support surfaces 35 and lower support surfaces 36 for the flexible circuit board 1. contact receiving slots 39 - see. Fig. 4 - Are formed in the contact carrier 11, and are limited by the aforementioned ribs 43.

The contacts 16

The contacts 16 each have two spaced contact arms 50, 51, which are connected to each other, and at the front end a locking part 52 (see. Fig. 3 ) and at the rear end form a locking part 53. The latching part 52 is equipped with a latching lug 54 which, when inserted contact 16 with the latching surface 41 of the contact carrier. 11 is engaged. Similarly, the locking member 53 is a detent 55 with a locking surface 42 on the contact carrier 11 into engagement. Each contact 16 further forms an upper contact tip 57 on the contact arm 50 and a lower contact tip 58 on the contact arm 51. Between the lower contact tips 58 and the upper contact tips 57 is a receiving gap 59 (cf. Fig. 3 ) is formed for the flexible printed circuit board 1. On the locking part 52, a, preferably a soldering surface 60 forming, further connection surface is provided.

To a flexible circuit board 1 in about the way they are in Fig. 7 is shown to connect to the connector 10, the flexible circuit board 1 is in the receiving position in the connector 10 and that in the receiving gap 59 (FIG. Fig. 5 ) used until the front edge of the flexible printed circuit board 1 in the insertion direction on the stop surface formed by the contact carrier 11 (s) 44 (see. FIGS. 4 and 5 ). When inserting the flexible printed circuit board 1, this is guided laterally by the contact surfaces 35 of the contact carrier.

After the flexible circuit board 1 is inserted, the lid is in the in Fig. 2 shown lid closed position shifted until the locking means 28, 29 engage and hold the lid 13 in its final position.

During the movement of the lid 13 from the receiving position according to Fig. 1 in the lid closing position according to the Figures 2 and 3 , the downwardly curved pressure rail 21 runs on a cam surface 61 of the upper contact arms 50, and pushes this resiliently to the lower contact arm 51, so that the contact tips 57, 58 pressed towards each other. In this case, the upper contact arm 50 is tensioned and is held by the pressure rail 21 under tension. Of course, there is the flexible circuit board between the contact blades 57, 58, and in particular their contact paths, these contact paths can be contacted both from above and from below.

In the lid closing position, furthermore, the pressing arms 22, 23 preferably press on the guide plate 1 with an increased force, namely against the upper sides 143 of the ribs 43 or against the upper sides of the contact elements 16.

In the FIGS. 6 to 9 a second embodiment of a connector 110 for contacting a flexible printed circuit board 1 is shown. The connector 110 has a contacts 16 carrying contact carrier 111, and a preferably made of metal pressure element 113, preferably in the form of a metal closure 13 or cover 113. The cover 113 is displaceable on the contact carrier 111 between the receiving position and the closed position, arranged by cover bearing means in the form of plain bearing means 2. The plain bearing means 2 have cover-side bearing means and contact carrier side bearing means. To form the contact carrier side bearing means, the contact carrier 111 in addition to a contact 16 receiving insulating body 112 to be described in more detail bearing parts 14, 15.

Lid lock means 3 for the lid 113 cause the contacts 16 to remain securely on the contact paths of the flexible circuit board 1 when the lid closed position (FIG. Fig. 7 ) is reached. The lid 13 extends over the length of the adjacently arranged contacts 16 in the contact carrier 111 away.

The contact carrier 111 has the insulating body 112 carrying contacts 16 and two metal frames 14, 15 spaced apart from one another on the contact carrier-side bearing means. The metal frames 14, 15 allow the lid 113 to pivot back and forth between the receiving position according to FIG Fig. 6 and the closed position according to Fig. 7 is guided.

The two metal frames 14, 15 are attached to the contact carrier 111. Envelope parts 26, 27 of the metal frame 14, 15 form latching lugs 30 which are engaged with and formed by the contact carrier 11 latching openings 45 (see. Fig. 3 ). More specifically, each of the metal frames 14, 15 has a flat portion 25 connecting the turnup portions 26, 27 to provide protrusions 37, 38 of the contact carrier 11 for attachment thereto.

In the contact carrier 111, a plurality of contacts 16 are preferably arranged in a row next to each other, so as to form a double-row contact system, which can also contact a conductor track rotated by 180 °.

The lid 113 has a flat plate portion 117 and to form the cover-side bearing means on both sides in each case a bent guide member 118, 1119. The bent guide parts 118, 119 respectively form guide plates 190 (FIG. Fig. 3 ), which engage in guide slots formed between the contact carrier 11 and the undersides of the metal frames 14, 15.

In the plate part 17 test holes 20 are provided. The plate member 17 also forms parallel to its front longitudinal edge running a bead geometry, preferably a pressure rail 121, ie one after down to the contacts 16 facing bead-like down-facing embossing

Circuit board holding means 71 preferably comprise on both sides adjacent to the front edge of the lid 113 stamped and downwardly bent pressure arms 122, 123, as shown. The pressure arms 122, 123 project slightly more than the pressure bar 121 downwards and press a flexible circuit board inserted 1 in addition to the pressure rail 121 down to hold them in their Kontaktierstellung or to lock.

The Andruckarme 122, 123 press on the circuit board 1 on the Kontakträgerseitigen printed circuit board holding means which are formed here by preferably the upper side 143 of formed by the contact carrier 11 cams 160, 161.Wie Fig. 7 shown protrude the cams 160, 161 through recesses 170 of the circuit board first

For fixing or locking the lid 113 in the lid closing position lid locking means 3 are provided as in the first embodiment. The contacts 16 are arranged as leg first embodiment.

During the movement of the lid 113 from the receiving position according to Fig. 6 in the lid closing position according to the FIG. 7 and 3 , the downwardly curved pressure rail 121 runs on a cam surface 61 of the upper contact arms 50, and pushes this resiliently to the lower contact arm 51, so that the contact tips 57, 58 are pressed toward each other. In this case, the upper contact arm 50 is tensioned and held by the Andruckschiene 121 under tension. Of course, there is the flexible circuit board between the contact blades 57, 58, and in particular their contact paths, these contact paths can be contacted both from above and from below.

In the lid closing position, furthermore, the pressing arms 122, 123 preferably press on the cams 160, 161 with an increased force

The connector 110 is different from the connector 10 in that the board holding means 71 is formed differently from the board holding means 70

The contact carrier 111, as well as the contact carrier 11 of the first embodiment, an elongated insulating body 112, which has a rear cross member 132, and on both sides forward projecting angle members 133, 134. The angle parts 133, 134 each form lateral contact surfaces 135 and lower support surfaces 136 for the flexible conductor 1, as in F.ig. 7. Contact receiving slots, like those according to Fig. 3 are also formed in the contact carrier 112 of the second embodiment, and they are bounded by ribs 43 formed by the contact carrier 112.

As in the first embodiment, a plurality of contacts 16 are preferably inserted in a row in the contact carrier 111, in order in this way the contact tracks 172 (see. Fig. 7 ) to contact the conductor 1 from below, from above or from below and above.

The pressure rail 121 extends substantially across the width of the contact carrier away, where the contact elements are arranged, which are pressed by the rail 121 down when the lid 113 from its open position ( Fig. 1 ) is moved into its closing or locking or Andruckstellung.

Further, laterally spaced from the pressure rail 121 inwardly projecting support arms 122 and 123 provided on the bent guide members 118, 119. The holding arms 122, 123 protrude into corresponding recesses formed by the metal closure 113. The holding arms 122, 123 are each bent downwards and form contact surfaces, which still with closer to described by the insulating body of the contact carrier formed cam 160, 161 can work together.

In the Figures 10 and 11 a third embodiment of a connector 210 according to the invention for contacting a flexible conductor 1 is shown. The connector 210 is different from the connector 10 in that the lid 213 is pivotally supported by pivot bearing means to contact carriers and the board holding means 73 is formed differently from the board holding means 70.

The contact carrier 211 has, like the contact carrier 11 of the first embodiment, an elongated insulating body 220, the einein rear transverse member 232, as well as on both sides projecting forward angle portions 233, 234. The angle parts 233, 234 each form lateral contact surfaces 235 and lower bearing surfaces 236 for the flexible conductor 1, as in Fig. 10 shown. Contact receiving slots, like those according to Fig. 3 , are also formed in the contact carrier 111 of the second embodiment, and they are bounded by ribs 43 formed by the contact carrier 111.

As in the first embodiment, in the contact carrier 211, ie in the insulating body 212, preferably a plurality of contacts 16 are inserted in a row, in order in this way the contact tracks 172 (see. Fig. 7 ) to contact the circuit board 1 from below, from above or from below and above. The contact carrier 211 has on both sides in each case a metal frame 214, 215.

The cover 213 has a flat plate part 217 and on the two narrow sides in each case a bent guide parts 218 and 219. The plate member 217 and the guide members 218 and 219 are preferably integrally formed. The plate member 217 forms at its in Fig. 11 The pressure rail 221 extends substantially across the width of the lid 213 away, where the contact elements are arranged, which pressed by the rail 221 down be when the lid 213 from the open position ( Fig. 10 ) in the closing or locking or Andruckstellung ( Fig. 11 ) is pivoted. The lid 213 is pivotally mounted in the two metal frames 214, 215 and / or the contact carrier 211. In its closed position, the lid 313 is locked by lid locking means 300.

The lid locking means 300 have on both sides contact carrier side locking means. These locking means are punched out of the rails 214, 215 in the form of resilient arms 301, 302. Lid-side locking means are formed in the lid and in the form of locking lugs 228, on side walls of the lid. These latches 228 hold the lid in its closed position when engaged with the resilient arms 301, 302.

Preferably, further circuit board holding means 73 are provided, which are formed by contact carrier side holding means and lid-side holding means. The lid-side circuit board holding means are formed by preferably bent arms 222, 223 formed on both sides in the front portion of the lid. These arms 222, 223 are in the closed position of the cover 213 fixed with the interposition of a circuit board on the contact surfaces formed by the contact surfaces.

Claims (13)

Connector (10, 110, 210) for connection to a flexible printed circuit board (1), the connector comprising: a contact carrier (11) carrying a contact (16), movably mounted on the contact carrier preferably made of metal pressure means (13), and Cover stock means permitting movement of the pressing means between a board receiving position and a lid closing position, and wherein the pressure means (13) in the lid closed position to press the contacts against the circuit board and the contact tracks against the contacts (16). Connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the pressure means are designed as a lid and are provided at least in the region of the pressure with an insulating layer. A connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cover bearing means are slide bearing means such that the cover is slidable back and forth between the receiving position and the closed position. Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover bearing means are pivot bearing means, such that the lid between the receiving position and the closed position is pivotally mounted on the contact carrier. Connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims claim 1, wherein the pressure means comprise a bead geometry preferably a pressure rail (21). Connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein cover locking means (3) are provided which lock the lid in the closed position. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein printed circuit board holding means (70) are provided for holding the printed circuit board in the closed position. A connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contacts (16) comprise two contact arms (50,51) connected together at one end and having at that end a locking portion (53) for latching in an insulating body the lower contact arm (51) at its free end also forms a latching part (52) for latching on the contact support. Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two contact arms (50, 51) extend parallel to each other, and have facing each other Kontaktkuppen (57, 58). Connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (13, 113, 213) is plate-shaped, and adjacent to its front end preferably forms a downwardly curved pressure rail (21), which is arranged such that during movement of the cover (13, 113, 213) from the receiving position into the closed position by the Andruckschiene (21) the upper contact arms (50) presses against the lower contact arms, such that when inserted flexible conductor (1) the corresponding contact paths of the circuit board (1) contacted by the contacts (16). Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the cover (13) Prüfbohrungen (20) are formed. Connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover locking means comprise contact carrier side and cover-side locking means. A connector (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board holding means comprises contact carrier side and cover side circuit board holding means.

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