JP2001223046A - Connector for flat wiring materials - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a higher connection reliability by detecting incomplete insertion state that might cause electrical conduction interruption later. SOLUTION: In a connector C1 (connector for flat wiring materials) for the circuit board which is constituted to let each conductor of FFC10 come into contact with each terminal by inserting FFC from an insertion port of housing 20, and where terminals are equipped in a lateral row in the housing 20, two kinds of terminals 24A, 24B are installed for circuit connection and insertion verification as the terminals. Then, a bending piece 23B of terminal 24B for insertion verification is formed shorter than a bending piece 23A for connection of terminal 24A for circuit connection so that the contact position of terminal 24B for insertion verification for conductor of FFC is positioned in more depth of FFC path of insertion direction than that of the contact position of terminal 24A for circuit connection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to flat cables, ribbon electric wires, FFCs (Flexible Flat Cables), and FFCs.
The present invention relates to a connector for a flat wiring material such as a PC (Flexible Printed Cable).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when configuring various electronic units, for example, a plurality of circuit boards are arranged vertically and arranged,
It is common practice to electrically connect each circuit board with a flat wiring material such as a flat cable.

FIG. 6 shows an example of such an electronic unit. Such a unit includes a housing 2,
Inside, four circuit boards P1, P2, P3, and P4 are housed. In the illustrated example, three circuit boards P1, P
2 and P3 are arranged vertically one above the other in a horizontal state, and a circuit board P4 is arranged in a vertical state in front of them.

The circuit on the circuit board P1 is connected to the circuit board P via a flat wiring material (in the example shown, FFC 10).
2 and P3. In particular,
A board connector C1 (flat wiring material connector) is mounted on each of the circuit boards P1 to P3, and the conductor of each FFC 10 and the on-board circuit are connected via these board connectors C1.

On the other hand, the circuit on the circuit board P1 is also connected to the circuit on the circuit board P4 via a so-called card edge connector C2.

The specific structure of the board connector C1 is shown in FIGS. A large number of terminal storage chambers 22 are formed in the illustrated housing 20 and are arranged in the horizontal direction. Terminals 24 are stored in each terminal storage chamber 22. At the tip of each terminal 24, a connection bending piece 23 that can be bent and displaced up and down is formed.

In order to make a connection using the board connector C1, first, the housing 20 is fixed to the circuit board by a holder or the like (not shown), and the legs 25 of the terminals 24 are connected to the land on the board (not shown). Is connected with solder or the like. On the other hand, the FFC 10 processes the terminal to expose the terminal of each conductor 11 to the upper side, and further attaches a reinforcing plate 12 for restricting the bending of the end of the FFC 10 to the back surface of the end. Then, as shown in FIGS.
After inserting the terminal of C10 into the housing 20 in a loosely fitted state until its end face abuts on the back side of the housing 20,
The slider 30 having the tongue piece 32 is inserted from the insertion side. When the insertion of the slider 30 is completed ((c) in the figure), the tongue 32 pushes up the end of the conductor 11 of the FFC 10, whereby each conductor 11 comes into contact with the connecting flexure 23 of the terminal 24. By this contact, FFC1
0 is connected to the circuit on the circuit board P1 side via the terminal 24.

[0008]

In the case of the above-mentioned conventional board connector C1, even if the insertion of the FFC 10 is incomplete, the FFC 10 can be fixed to the housing 20 by the sliding operation of the slider 30. However, in such an imperfect insertion state, there is a possibility that conduction is not achieved, and
Even if it is conducting, if such a state is left, FF
All or a part of each conductor 11 of C10 is likely to be in a non-contact state with the terminal 24, and there is a possibility that conduction may be cut off.

Therefore, in order to ensure the connection reliability, an inspection step for confirming whether or not the insertion is complete is required.
A continuity test is performed as a means for this.

However, conduction may occur even in an incomplete insertion state where the conduction is likely to be cut off later (for example, as shown in FIG.
1 and the connecting flexure 23 are in contact with each other),
Proper inspection was not possible.

Therefore, as another means, the housing 20
The insertion position with respect to is written in FFC10, and using this as a guide,
Although the FFC 10 is also connected to the board connector C1, accurate judgment is difficult and automation is difficult with such a method relying on visual observation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has a higher connection by making it possible to electrically detect an incomplete insertion state of a flat wiring material that is disconnected later. It is an object of the present invention to provide a flat wiring material connector that can obtain reliability.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a housing having a plurality of terminal storage chambers arranged in a line, terminals stored in each terminal storage chamber, and a flat wiring in the housing. In a flat wiring material connector in which each conductor of the flat wiring material is brought into contact with each terminal by inserting a material, a circuit connection for connecting the conductor of the flat wiring material to a substrate circuit is provided as the terminal. In addition to having two types of terminals, an insertion confirmation terminal for confirming the connection state of the terminal and the flat wiring material to the housing, the insertion confirmation is performed when the flat wiring material is incompletely inserted into the housing. Both terminals are configured such that only the terminal for use is in a non-contact state with the conductor of the flat wiring member (claim 1).

More specifically, when the ends of the conductors of the flat wiring member are formed in a horizontal line, the terminal for confirming the insertion is connected to the conductor at a position deeper in the insertion direction of the flat wiring member than the terminal for circuit connection. Both terminals are configured to be in contact with each other (claim 2).

According to this configuration, even when the flat wiring member is inserted into the housing and the circuit connection terminal is in contact with the flat wiring member, the flat wiring member is incompletely inserted into the housing. At times, the insertion confirmation terminal and the conductor of the flat wiring member are in a non-contact state. Therefore, such an incomplete insertion state can be detected by performing a continuity test on the insertion confirmation terminal.

In addition, even in an incompletely inserted state, the circuit connection terminal is secured with a margin for contact so as to contact the conductor of the flat wiring member, so that high connection reliability can be ensured. it can. That is, for the circuit connection terminal, while ensuring a high reliability by gaining an insertion stroke at which the circuit is connected, the insertion confirmation terminal having a different shape and the like reliably prevents the incomplete insertion state from being left. be able to.

In this specification, the "incomplete insertion state" in the present invention means that only the insertion confirmation terminal is in a non-contact state, but both the insertion confirmation terminal and the circuit connection terminal are not in contact with each other. It goes without saying that it is possible to determine that the insertion is defective even in the non-contact state.

The flat wiring member is incompletely inserted in many cases because the flat wiring member is obliquely inserted into the housing. If the terminal for insertion confirmation is accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber (claim 3), it is possible to more reliably detect the incomplete insertion state of the flat wiring material in the conduction test.

In this type of connector, the connector is usually fixed on the board by connecting fixing means provided on the housing to the land on the board by soldering or the like. In the flat wiring material connector, a rational configuration can be achieved by using the terminal for insertion confirmation as such a fixing means (claim 4).

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, an example in which the present invention is applied to the board connector C1 of the electronic unit (FIG. 6) described in the related art will be described. Therefore, members common to the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and differences will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a board connector C1 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in this figure,
The board connector C1 has a housing 20 and a slider 30 that is attached to and detached from the housing 20. A large number of terminal storage chambers 22 arranged in the lateral direction are formed in the housing 20, and terminals are stored in each terminal storage chamber 22.

Here, two types of terminals 24A and 24B for circuit connection and insertion confirmation are stored in each terminal storage chamber 22. In the present embodiment, the terminal storage chambers 22 at both ends of the housing 20 are stored in the terminal storage chambers 22. The terminal 24B for insertion confirmation is stored, and the other terminal storage chamber 22 stores the terminal 24A for circuit connection. The circuit connection terminal 24A is a terminal for contacting each conductor 11 of the FFC 10 and connecting each circuit of the circuit boards P1, P2 and P3 to each other.
4B is a terminal used to confirm the insertion state of the FFC 10 into the board connector C1.

Although both terminals 24A and 24B have basically the same structure, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the insertion confirming terminal 24B has a connecting flexure piece 23B for circuit connection. The terminal 24A is formed shorter than the connecting flexure 23A, so that the contact position of the insertion confirming terminal 24B with respect to each conductor 11 of the FFC 10 can be changed.
A at the back of the FFC 10 in the insertion direction by a predetermined distance from the same contact position A (the insertion opening 2 of the FFC 10 in the housing 20).
(A position far from 1). That is, FFC1
The contact allowance (margin) of the insertion confirmation terminal 24B for each of the 0 conductors 11 is smaller than the contact allowance of the circuit connection terminal 24A.

More specifically, when the FFC 10 is completely inserted until the FFC 10 abuts on the rear side of the housing 20, as shown in FIGS.
4B comes into contact with each conductor 11 of the FFC 10, but for example, as shown in FIG.
In an incomplete insertion state where the end of the FC 10 comes into contact with the conductor 11, as shown in FIG. 4B, both ends of the insertion confirmation terminal 24 </ b> B and each conductor 11 of the FFC 10 are in a non-contact state. The child 24A, 24B is comprised.

In order to make connection using the board connector C1, the housing 20 is fixed to the circuit board side by a holder or the like (not shown) and the terminals 24A,
The legs 25A, 25B of 24B are connected to the substrate by soldering or the like. On the other hand, the FFC 10 is also subjected to a terminal treatment in the same manner as in the related art, exposing the terminal of each conductor 11 to the upper side, and attaching the reinforcing plate 12 to the back surface of the end. Then, after inserting the terminal of the FFC 10 into the housing 20 from the insertion opening 21, the slider 30 is inserted from the insertion side, and the FFC 10 is inserted.
The ends of the conductors 11 are pushed up by the tongue pieces 32 so that the ends of the conductors 11 are connected to the connecting flexure pieces 23A, 23
B (see FIGS. 8A to 8C). Thus, the FFC 10 is connected to the circuits on the circuit boards P1 to P3 via the two terminals 24A and 24B.

According to the board connector C1 as described above, after the FFC 10 is inserted into the board connector C1, a continuity test is performed on each circuit connection terminal 24A. 11 can be detected.

Also, even if there is no problem in the continuity test for each circuit connection terminal 24A, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the FFC 10 is in an incompletely inserted state with respect to the housing 20, the insertion confirmation terminal 24B and each conductor 11 of the FFC 10 are in a non-contact state. By performing the continuity test, such an incompletely inserted state of the FFC 10 can be detected.

That is, according to the board connector C1, by conducting a continuity test on each of the terminals 24A and 24B, not only the non-contact state of the circuit connection terminal 24A and each conductor 11 but also the contact between the two. Incomplete insertion state of the FFC 10 that may be disconnected later (FIG. 4A)
(State shown in (b)) can also be electrically detected. Therefore, there is an effect that higher connection reliability can be ensured as compared with a conventional connector of this type which prevents the above-described incomplete insertion state by relying on the mark written on the FFC.

In particular, in the board connector C1, since the insertion confirmation terminals 24B are provided at both ends of the housing 20, the incomplete insertion state of the FFC 10 can be detected more reliably. That is, most of the incompletely inserted state of the FFC 10 is a case where the FFC 10 is inserted obliquely with respect to the housing 20. In this case, the end of the housing is likely to be in a non-contact state. Therefore, FFC10
By providing the insertion check terminals 24B at both ends of the housing, the contact allowance of which is smaller than the circuit connection terminal 24A, the incomplete insertion state of the FFC 10 can be more reliably detected.

Further, there is an effect that the electronic unit can be protected from damage due to disconnection during use. That is, during use, the connector for board C1
If the circuit breaks due to the dropping of the terminal 10 or the like, the electronic unit may be fatally damaged. However, the conduction state of the insertion confirmation terminal 24B is monitored, and the insertion confirmation terminal 24B is monitored.
If the electronic unit is stopped when B and the conductor 11 of the FFC 10 are in a non-contact state, the electronic unit can be stopped before the conduction between the circuit connection terminal 24A and each conductor 11 is cut off. . Therefore, disconnection of the circuit in use can be avoided, thereby protecting the electronic unit.

In the above example, the housing 20 is fixed to the circuit board side by using a fixing means such as a holder. However, for example, the fixing means is configured to also serve as the insertion confirmation terminal 24B. May be. According to this, a dedicated fixing means is not required, and a reasonable configuration is achieved.

In the above-described example, an example in which the present invention is applied to the board connector C1 of the circuit boards P1, P2, and P3 shown in FIG. 6 has been described. The same can be applied to the card edge connector C2. Hereinafter, the configuration in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

The card edge connector C2 has a housing 40 that opens in one direction, and terminals that are assembled in the housing 40 in a row in a horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface). As terminals, a circuit connection terminal 42A for contacting each conductor 50 described later of the circuit board P1 and connecting each circuit of the circuit boards P1 and P4 to each other, and an insertion state of the circuit board P1 into the connector C2 are examined. And a terminal 42B for confirming insertion.

One end 44 of each terminal 42A, 42B
A and 44B are exposed to the outside of the housing 40 and connected to the circuit board P4, and the other ends 46A and 46B face the inside of the housing as contact spring pieces. Both terminals 42A,
42B has basically the same structure, but as shown in the drawing, an end portion 46 which is a contact spring piece of the insertion confirmation terminal 42B.
B is formed to be shorter than the end 46A of the circuit connection terminal 42A.
The contact position of the insertion confirmation terminal 42B with respect to the insertion direction of the circuit board P1 is deeper than the contact position of the circuit connection terminal 42A with respect to the circuit connection terminal 42A.
(A position far from 1).

The circuit board P1 is inserted into the housing 40 as shown in FIG.
1 pushes up the terminals 42A and 42B so that the ends 46A and 46B are pressed against the conductor 50 of the circuit board P1 by the elastic force.

In such a configuration of the connector C2, the terminal 4 for confirming insertion into the conductor 50 of the circuit board P1 is also provided.
Since the contact position of 2B is set farther in the insertion direction of the circuit board P1 than the contact position of the circuit connection terminal 42A, when the circuit board P1 is not completely inserted into the connector C2, Even if each circuit connection terminal 42A is in contact with each conductor 50 of the circuit board P1, the insertion confirmation terminal 42B and the conductor 50 of the circuit board P1 are in a non-contact state.

Therefore, the circuit board P is connected to the connector C2.
1 is inserted, a continuity test is performed on both terminals 42A and 42B, not only when each circuit connection terminal 42A and each conductor 50 are in a non-contact state, but also each circuit connection terminal. Even when 42A and each conductor 50 are in contact,
When the circuit board P1 is in an incompletely inserted state with respect to the housing 40, the state can be detected.

If the connector C2 is provided with the insertion confirmation terminals 42B at both ends of the housing 40, the incomplete insertion state of the circuit board P1 can be more reliably detected. .

[0040]

As described above, the flat wiring material connector according to the present invention is provided with two types of terminals, a circuit connection terminal and an insertion confirmation terminal, as well as a flat wiring with respect to the connector housing. When the material is incompletely inserted, both terminals are configured so that only the insertion confirmation terminal is in a non-contact state with the conductor of the flat wiring material, so by conducting a continuity test after connection,
In addition to the case where the connection between the circuit connection terminal and the conductor has already been broken, not to mention the incomplete insertion state of the flat wiring material that is likely to break the connection between the circuit connection terminal and the conductor later. Can be detected. Therefore, higher connection reliability can be ensured as compared to a conventional connector of this type which prevents incomplete insertion by using a mark written on the flat wiring material with a mark or the like as a guide. effective.

In particular, if the insertion confirmation terminals are stored in the terminal storage chambers at both ends of the housing, the incomplete insertion state of the flat wiring member can be more reliably detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connector for flat wiring members according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a flat wiring material connector showing a terminal structure ((a) is a circuit connection terminal, and (b) is an insertion confirmation terminal).

FIG. 3 shows the terminal and FFC when the FFC is completely inserted.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a connector for a flat wiring member showing a contact state with the terminal ((a) is a circuit connection terminal, and (b) is an insertion confirmation terminal).

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of a connector for a flat wiring member showing a contact state between a terminal and an FFC when insertion of the FFC is incomplete ((a) is a circuit connection terminal, and (b) is an insertion confirmation terminal). Is).

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration of the flat wiring material connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic unit.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional connector for flat wiring members.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a connection procedure between an FFC and a connector.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the flat wiring material connector showing a contact state between the terminal and the FFC when the insertion of the FFC is incomplete.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C1 Board connector (Flat wiring material connector) 10 FFC (Flat wiring material) 11 Conductor 20 Housing 22 Terminal storage chamber 23A, 23B Connection flexure piece 24A Circuit connection terminal 24B Insertion confirmation terminal 30 Slider 32 Tongue piece

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Noriichi Okamura 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Harness Research Institute, Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroki Hirai 1 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 7-7-10 Harness Research Institute Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) JJ22

Claims (4)

[Claims] A plurality of terminal storage chambers are arranged in a row in a housing, terminals are stored in each terminal storage chamber, and each conductor of the flat wiring material is inserted into the housing by inserting a flat wiring material into the housing. In the flat wiring material connector adapted to be brought into contact with each terminal, the connection state of the flat wiring material to the housing and the circuit connection terminal for connecting the conductor of the flat wiring material to the board circuit are confirmed as the terminals. In addition, when the flat wiring material is incompletely inserted into the housing, only the insertion checking terminal is non-conductive with respect to the conductor of the flat wiring material. A flat wiring material connector, wherein both terminals are configured to be in a contact state. 2. The flat wiring material connector according to claim 1, wherein said flat wiring material has end portions of respective conductors formed in a horizontal line, and said terminal for confirming insertion is provided for said circuit connection. A flat wiring material connector, wherein both terminals are configured to be in contact with the conductor at a position farther in the insertion direction of the flat wiring material than the terminal. 3. The flat wiring material connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal for confirming insertion is stored in terminal storage chambers at both ends of the housing. 4. The flat wiring material connector according to claim 3, wherein the terminal for confirming insertion also serves as a fixing means for fixing the housing on a circuit board. connector.