CN1069451C

CN1069451C - Electrical connector assembly

Info

Publication number: CN1069451C
Application number: CN96191573A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山田正治; 山本芳久; 浅川和重; 小幡广行
Original assignee: Whitaker LLC
Current assignee: Whitaker LLC
Priority date: 1995-01-23
Filing date: 1996-01-23
Publication date: 2001-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-23
Also published as: CN1169210A; EP0871992B1; DE69609526D1; DE69609526T2; EP0871992A1

Abstract

To reduce consumption of electricity by stopping electric source supply to a car audio apparatus by detecting a state where an ignition key is at an off position or is extracted and supplying the electric source until specified time in the case when operation to enter a new motional state against at least one of the car audio apparatuses is made. A system control microprocessor 30 stops supplying an electric source from an electric source circuit 15 to a car audio apparatus when an ACC voltage detection circuit 14 detects that an ignition key of an automobile is changed from a position of ACC to an off position or a state where it is extracted and a detection signal G1 is switched off. Thereafter, in the case when operation to switch on a power switch 20 on a keyboard 19 or operation to newly actuate one of the audio apparatuses such as cassette insertion, etc., of a cassette deck part 2, it is controlled so as to supply the electric source to the car audio apparatus for specified time previously set by outputting detection signals G4, G5 of operation to the microcomputer 30.

Description

Electric coupler component

The present invention relates to a kind of electric connector, more particularly relate to a kind of high density electrical connector, PC plug-in connector for example, this connector adopts a flexible circuit, and the joint of PC connector is connected to another connector that is installed on the circuit board.

The development of electronic device (comprising microprocessor) has been set up big market for the miniaturized electronics that uses memory card or PC plug-in unit, hard disk drive (HDD) etc.Butt connector or memory card connector are applied in this electronic equipment.Butt connector another similar electronic equipment that is used to interconnect to form a network, also is used to connect for example son storage (submemory) equipment of ancillary equipment.A memory card connector is admitted one or more memory cards or HDD, to realize electrical connection.

Recently, the demand to the plug-in type device has been arranged, these devices are commonly referred to as the PC plug-in unit, and they are used for the expansion or the additional properties of the miniaturized electronics such as notebook-sized personal computer.This PC plug-in unit normally inserts in the PC plug-in connector that is installed in the miniaturized electronics, additional memory capacity to be provided or to provide and the interface of external device (ED) such as ancillary equipment.Usually, the PC plug-in connector has two stacked connector mating parts, to allow to admit three types PC plug-in unit, that is, and I type, II type and III type plug-in unit.

These butt connectors and PC or memory card connector comprise a plurality of joints, surpass 100 joints usually, and these joint arrangement become to have many rows' a array.These joints bend to right angle or L-shaped with respect to connector, and are soldered to corresponding conductive path or track on the main PC plate.An example of sort memory plug-in connector is disclosed in the United States Patent (USP) 5324204.In this specific example, four row's joints are connected to main PC plate with the false relation bending thereby arrange structures according to eight.

The exemplary of this connector also is disclosed among the open 6-56992 of the practical new case of open 6-332573 of Japan Patent and Japan.Preceding a kind of connection device has the joint that is arranged in a row in connector shell, these joints are roughly at right angles crooked at the rear portion, thereby are connected to main circuit board.In a kind of connector in back, the joint of two stacked connectors is opposite to one another at its rear portion promptly to be extended towards the center, thereby is connected to an auxiliary circuit board in the center, by plate-connector for substrate auxiliary circuit board and main circuit board is interconnected thus.

Unfortunately, along with the electronic equipment miniaturization more that becomes, need more highdensity joint.Therefore, each joint has littler size and spacing (Pitch), and a kind of connector than lengthening joint weldering tooth (solder tines) of connector formed with the reliable of main circuit board and is connected before this made and is difficult to adopt one to have.Though a kind of connector in back can be realized the connection than fine pitch effectively, connector needs a large amount of elements, makes that therefore manufacturing is more difficult and more expensive.

In addition, increased by one recently about the signal of formation PC plug-in connector and the standard of ground connection (SG).A purpose is with signal and the Signal Spacing of transmitting by another connector by a connector transmission, prevents the noise that cross-talk causes thus.But unfortunately, this noise prevents and can not always fully meet the demands in existing connector.

Moreover in above-mentioned existing connector, connector or its joint connection or the installation site on main circuit board need pre-determine; The precision manufacturing that has restricted the design of main circuit board thus and had closely spaced conductive through hole figure etc.Therefore, be desirable to provide the flexibility of connection or installation aspect.

For the electronic equipment of for example undersized printed circuit board (PCB) of the circuit on the interconnect substrates (PCB) and high-density installation, it is well known in the art adopting flexible circuit (FC, that is: flexible circuit).The electric connector that is used for FC generally comprises: a plurality ofly will touch the joint that pad engages with FC go up to form; A housing that is used to be provided with and keep joint; And, movably vinyl cover or other parts, this lid or other parts be used for FC push housing and with FC go up the conductive pad that forms be pushed into housing in joint correctly engage.The example of the electric connector of the existing FC of being used for is disclosed in the open 61-131382 of Japan Patent, the Japan open 2-120780 of practical new case and the open 5-251140 of Japan Patent.

United States Patent (USP) 3923364 discloses a kind of electric coupler component, and it comprises: a housing, and it has a plurality of joints that are provided with along an elongated opening; The flexible substrate of a shielding, its width is corresponding with the opening in the housing, and on one surface, have with housing in the corresponding electrically conductive signal track of joint and pad and ground connection conductive pad; And, a guiding part, it has a plate portion, this part will be placed in the flexible substrate, this flexible substrate roughly will be inserted in the opening of housing in the crooked and outside its above-mentioned surface of U-shaped, thus when in the opening that guiding part and substrate is inserted housing, lip-deep signal of substrate and ground mat are electrically connected to the corresponding joint in the housing.

Therefore along with electronic equipment becomes littler, and have highdensity joint, for example, the spacing of joint is less than 0.5mm, and the size of wherein used joint also will diminish, easy deformation more.With joint particularly their welding ends head part accurately be positioned to desired position and keep joint indeformable in operation and when being mounted to connector on the substrate, be very difficult.

In addition, for the electric connector that adopts FC, accurately and firmly pushing movably, vinyl cover with a plurality of connector engages, is difficult so that do not have under the situation of distortion to a certain degree on the whole width of FC in the whole width range of FC.So conductive pad has reduced with the reliability that is connected between the joint.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a kind of little high density electrical connector assembly, this electric coupler component adopt FC and make simple in structure and process operation easy.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of electric coupler component with grounding function and handling ease, wherein a plurality of joint high reliability ground interconnection of touching in pad and the housing on the FC.

A further object of the present invention provides a kind of electric coupler component that is used for card bus, and this assembly makes one or more memory card connector etc. be connected to the PC plate easily and reliably.

For solving the problem that the prior art electric coupler component exists and realizing above-mentioned purpose, electric coupler component of the present invention comprises: a housing, and it has many row's joints; A flexible printed circuit board (FC), its two ends are connected to the joint of housing, and described printed circuit board (PCB) has a plurality of strip conductors and pad; And the guiding part that will be inserted among the FC, guiding part bends to U-shaped roughly, make FC a corresponding connector joint row between interconnect conductive track and joint.

According to an aspect of the present invention, electric coupler component comprises: a housing, and it has a plurality of joints of arranging along an elongated open; A flexible substrate, it has the opening corresponding width with housing, and has on one surface and the corresponding strip conductor of joint in the housing; And, a guiding part, it has a plate portion, and this part will be placed in the flexible substrate, and the outside that this flexible substrate bends to a U-shaped roughly and a described surface will be inserted in the opening of housing.This connector assembly is characterised in that: housing comprises the conductive component of a ground connection at its at least one end; Flexible substrate is formed with an earthing conductor on its another surface; And, guiding part is the parts of a conduction, and it is suitable for this assembly ground connection connection further is provided, thus, joint and strip conductor are realized being electrically connected by the power that guiding part is applied on the flexible substrate, and the earthing conductor of substrate then is connected to the ground connection conductive component of housing by parts.

In this preferred embodiment, this assembly also comprises and is arranged on that go up on its another surface and the stiffener of the corresponding position of conductive pad.

One aspect of the present invention is a kind of FC, and it has two arrays that are made of corresponding conductive pad and strip conductor on a surface, and a plurality of conductive pads in the array are arranged in a row with relativeness.Between array, be formed with a plurality of openings, between adjacent apertures, leave narrow bridge shape part.A plurality of stiffeners are installed on the opposed surface, and its position is corresponding with conductive pad, and the part of stiffener stretches in the opening with predetermined length.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention is a kind of flexible circuit (FC), and it comprises: a lip-deep strip conductor that is positioned at one deck central mode; Be positioned at a ground plane on the opposite surfaces; And, a cover layer that covers strip conductor and ground plane.Do not have the select location place of strip conductor roughly to be a word mode in the cover layer and be formed with a plurality of openings.

FC of the present invention has a plurality of openings on Width, they are located substantially on the center between two row's conductive pads.These openings have defined the narrower bridge shape part of FC.This FC has a pair of stiffener, and they are bonded at least one surface of the both sides of opening and this FC.This edge to stiffener stretches to length predetermined the opening from both sides.

In addition, FC of the present invention has a plurality of recesses, and they set in a row basically near sweep.These recesses preferably part of the one deck of the FC by removing sandwich construction form, and allow FC crooked smoothly in desired position thus.

Before inserting in the connector with guiding part, FC is crooked or folding along bridge shape part, and when (circuit) plate and guiding part inserted fully, the conductive pad of FC was electrically connected with joint in the connector.The marginal portion of stiffener is after this against the bottom of housing, so that FC suitably is positioned in the connector, guarantees to touch reliable electrical connection the between pad and the joint thus.In addition, FC preferably is connected to a connector such as PC plug-in connector or other device along the recess bending in the right angle thus according to desired angle in the marginal portion.Because this connector assembly comprises such FC, be it not as in existing electric connector, see with respect to a wall right-angle bending or L shaped independent joint, therefore, connector of the present invention has been eliminated the distortion of guiding part between the joint and disconnection that causes betwixt and short circuit.Therefore, stable electrical connection and easy operation processing characteristics have been realized.In addition, the two ends of the FC this structure that is connected to the joint on the housing makes it possible to realize high density.

According to a further aspect in the invention, electric connector comprises: a housing, and it has two row's joints of arranging along an elongated open; A flexible printed circuit board, it with the corresponding surface of above-mentioned joint on have a plurality of strip conductors; And, a guiding part, it has a generally flat part, this part will be inserted in the U-shaped sweep of flexible printed circuit board, wherein, strip conductor on the flexible printed circuit board is pushed between the joint row by means of guiding part, is electrically connected mutually to form between the joint in strip conductor and the housing, thus these joints and the corresponding joint of at least one electric connector that is connected to the end of FC is coupled together with electrical way.

According to electric coupler component of the present invention, it is possible by the lip-deep strip conductor of FC high-frequency signal being connected to joint, bending holds guiding part and makes the electric earthing conductor that be engaged in the FC plate of its energy thereby FC takes the shape of the letter U, and, when inserting FC in the housing, guiding part and engaging that the ground connection conductive component of housing conducts electricity.Because it all can be signal track that FC goes up all strip conductors that form, and therefore, can obtain highdensity and high-frequency electric connector.

Also with way of example the present invention is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings with reference to preferred embodiment below.

Fig. 1 is the isometrical drawing of electric connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 A be the electric connector shown in Fig. 1 with end view before corresponding connector cooperates.

Fig. 2 B is the end view of the electric connector shown in Fig. 1 when cooperating beginning with corresponding connector.

The end view of Fig. 2 C when to be this electric connector with corresponding connector cooperate fully.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional side view, and wherein, electric coupler component of the present invention is applicable to stacked memory card connector.

Fig. 4 is the partial schematic diagram of another embodiment of electric coupler component of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is the isometrical drawing of electric coupler component according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an isometrical drawing, and the guiding part that it illustrates in the electric coupler component shown in Fig. 5 is installed on a state in the flexible printed circuit board, and described printed circuit board (PCB) then is connected to the memory card connector.

Fig. 7 A has shown the front view of the housing of electric coupler component shown in Figure 5.

Fig. 7 B has shown the end view of the housing of electric coupler component shown in Figure 5.

Fig. 7 C has shown along the cutaway view of 7C-7C line among Fig. 7 A.

Fig. 8 A is the plane graph of the housing shown in Fig. 7 A.

Fig. 8 B is the bottom view of the housing shown in Fig. 7 A.

Fig. 9 A is the front view of a guiding part of electric coupler component shown in Figure 5.

Fig. 9 B is the plane graph of a guiding part of electric coupler component shown in Figure 5.

Fig. 9 C is the rearview of a guiding part of electric coupler component shown in Figure 5.

Figure 10 A is the cutaway view along 10A-10A line among Fig. 9 A of guiding part shown in Figure 9.

Figure 10 B is the end-view of the guiding part shown in Fig. 9 A-C.

Figure 11 A is the front view that inserts a flexible circuit in the electric coupler component.

Figure 11 B is the end view of the flexible circuit in the insertion electric coupler component shown in Figure 11 A.

Figure 12 A is a cutaway view, and it illustrates a guiding part that is arranged at the electric connector before flexible circuit inserts a connector shell between the U-shaped flexible circuit.

Figure 12 B is a cutaway view, and it illustrates a guiding part of the electric connector that is arranged between the U-shaped flexible circuit, and wherein, the U-shaped end of flexible printed circuit board is inserted into connector shell.

Figure 12 B is a cutaway view, and it illustrates by guiding part and is fixed on flexible circuit in the connector shell.

Figure 13 is the plane graph on the surface of FC of the present invention.

Figure 14 is the bottom view of the opposed surface of FC shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is the schematic diagram similar to Figure 14 before the bonding stiffener.

Figure 16 is the amplification view of the FC among Fig. 1.

Figure 17 is the simplified cross-sectional view of the FC among Fig. 1 when inserting a connector.

Figure 18 is the isometrical drawing of the FC among Figure 13, and it is illustrated in when inserting connector FC and how folds or crooked.

Fig. 1 is an isometrical drawing, and it illustrates a major part of one embodiment of the present of invention, and this part is applicable to an electric coupler component, such as memory card connector 10.Fig. 2 A-2C illustrates memory card connector 10 plug-in mountings of Fig. 1 and is connected to a process on the

matching connector

40, and 40 of matching connectors are provided with and are connected to a main substrate 100.That is to say that Fig. 2 A illustrates memory card connector 10 and matching connector 40 state when separated from one another.Fig. 2 B illustrates memory card connector 10 and partly inserts in the matching connector 40.Fig. 2 C illustrates memory card connector 10 and cooperates fully with matching connector 40.

As can seeing from Fig. 1 and 2, the memory card connector 10 of this specific embodiment comprises stacked two connector shells 11 and 12.Many row's

joints

13 and 14

wall

11a and 12a from these

housings

11 and 12 stretch out.In these figure, a plurality of

joints

13 and 14 comprise two

row signal joint

13a and 14a and a row ground joint 13b and a 14b.As from above-mentioned United States Patent (USP) 5324204, knowing, these

housings

11 and 12 comprise that respectively one is positioned at the memory card of its front surface or the plate holder (plate-holder) of plastics or metal, and it is used for admitting HDD (not shown at Fig. 1 and 2).

FC20 with enough length is connected to each

joint

13 and 14 of

connector shell

11 and 12 at the two

ends

21 and 22 places of the strip conductor of this FC20 by scolder etc., and is connected to the routine that has through hole and touches pad to form a card bus.Having a plurality of strip conductors 23 that touch pad 24 is formed on the outer surface of FC20.

The middle part that guiding part 30 inserts FC20 is to bend to U-shaped with this FC.Guiding part 30 is preferably by forming by traditional approach punching press and crooked conductive metal sheet.As from Fig. 2 A-2C, can being clear that, guiding part 30 has an insertion portion 31 that forms by folded sheet metal, this part is used to be inserted into as will be described later, between two row's joints 50 of matching connector 40, this guiding part also has an operation part 32, and this operation part is basically perpendicular to above-mentioned insertion portion and has a roughly even curface.Operation part 32 is provided with a groove 33, and this groove has the corresponding width with FC20, so that admit the lateral margin of FC20.FC20 inserts in the groove 33 that roughly takes the shape of the letter U along the outer surface of insertion portion 31.

Socket-type matching connector 40 has the thin-long casing 41 of a box-like, so that be installed on the main substrate 100.Housing 41 surface thereon has an opening 42 and has a plurality of settings and be fixed on surface installing type (STM) joint 50 of opening 42 both sides.Vertical two ends of housing 41 have installs with metal frame 43, and connector shell 41 preferably welds and is fixed on the conductive layer (not shown) of main substrate 100.

Each joint 50 of connector 40 includes: a flexible joint arm 52, and it has the contact surface 51 near its front end; A mounting portion 53, the joint that it will be inserted into and be fixed in housing 41 holds in the opening; And, a coupling part 54, it will be surface-mounted on the conductive region 102 of main substrate 100.Best is that the length of elastomeric joint arm 52 is selected by multiple different numerical value and arranged with false relation, thereby realizes high-density arrangement.As seeing from Fig. 2 A, the contact surface 51 of joint 50 stretches out in the opening 42 of housing 41.

Memory card connector 10 do not cooperate with corresponding connector 40 or situation about being connected under, that is to say that under the situation shown in Fig. 2 A, the pad that touches of FC20 partly bends to roughly U-shaped.Therefore, shown in Fig. 2 B, the FC20 of this U-shaped can and not be engaged in basically under the situation of joint 50 in low insertion force and easily inserts in the housing 41.At last, shown in Fig. 2 C, when the insertion portion 31 of guiding part 30 inserted in the opening 42 of corresponding connector 40, the U-shaped that is formed with the FC20 that touches pad 24 partly was subjected to power from inside to outside, thereby outwards pushed the joint arm 52 with expansion nipple 50.So, the FC20 of strip conductor 23 to touch pad 24 stressed and engage with the contact surface 51 of joint 50, thereby the

joint

13 and 14 of memory card connector 10 is connected to the joint 50 of matching connector 40, and has realized in the interconnection of filling up between 102 of touching on the main substrate 100.

If be formed with a ground connection conductive layer on its inner surface of FC20, so, the insertion portion 31 of guiding part 30 will contact this conductive layer.Though do not illustrate, guiding part 30 is preferably in its vertical two ends and engages with metal frame 43 with the installation of housing 41, so as with engaging that the ground connection conductive layer of FC20 conducts electricity.

The connector 10 of Fig. 2 A-2C and 40 is compared with disclosed existing memory plug-in connector in the above-mentioned United States Patent (USP) 5324204, can easily understand, electric coupler component of the present invention has substituted a plurality of L shaped joint with the false relation layout of existing connector with FC20 and corresponding connector 40.According to connector of the present invention, can easily process and the corresponding high density structures of strip conductor of acquisition and FC20, because economize L shaped joint except many rows easy deformation and high-density arrangement.In addition, an important problem is, can form like this from the joint 13 of

housing

11 and 12 and 14 length to the signal track of the joint 50 of matching connector 40, that is: this length remains unchanged substantially.Therefore, even because signal transmission time or signal delay are remained unchanged, therefore, connector of the present invention is applicable to the card bus of transmitting high speed and high-frequency signal.In addition, because memory card connector 10 is to be connected to the connector 40 that is installed on the main substrate in demountable mode, therefore should be pointed out that termination, assembling and the operating characteristics of this connector have obtained remarkable improvement.

Fig. 3 is a cutaway view, and it illustrates whole memory card connector 10 of the present invention, comprising a memory card maintenance (retention) part 15.The memory card maintenance part 15 of memory card connector 10 is to form by crooked thin metallic plate.In this preferred embodiment of electric coupler component shown in Figure 3,

connector shell

11 and 12 is stacked, and has corresponding joint 13 and 14 stacked on top of each other.But the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, for example, and the present invention's can be used for interconnecting card bus of the joint on the wall that is positioned at the pair of shells that is provided with relativeness.

This type of embodiment of another of electric connector shown in Fig. 4, promptly electric connector 60.Electric coupler component 60 comprises butt connector or

memory card connector

61 and 62 of pair of

separated.Connector

61 and 62 each at an one wall surface place toward each other, and preferably include many row's (every row is a plurality of) joints 63 and 64, comprising

Signal connector

63a and 64a and ground joint 63a and 64b.Between joint 61 and 62 be a matching connector 40 ' that is welded on the main substrate 200.Matching connector 40 can be basic identical with the matching connector 40 shown in Fig. 1-3.FC70 is connected to the joint 63 and 64 on the wall of two

connectors

61 and 62 by means of prior art at an end of its strip conductor.Insert in the groove of a guiding part 80 at the middle part of FC70.The pad (not shown) that touches at the middle part of FC70 is subjected to the thrust of guiding part 80 and enters in the opening of connector 40 ', interconnects thereby engage so that form with the joint 50 ' that is arranged on these opening both sides.

Another embodiment with reference to Fig. 5-12 pair electric connector of the present invention is described below.Fig. 5 is the isometrical drawing of the electric connector of this another embodiment.Fig. 6 is an isometrical drawing, and wherein, the guiding part that is used for this electric connector navigates to FC, and FC then is connected to the memory card connector.Fig. 7 A-C and 8A-B illustrate a housing of the electric connector shown in Fig. 5.Fig. 9 A-C and 10A-B illustrate the guiding part of the electric connector shown in Fig. 5.

An electric connector 110 is provided with: a housing 120, and it has an opening 121, and this housing is used to hold a FC160; A plurality of joints 122, their positioned opposite in housing 120 become two rows; And, a guiding part 140, it is used for pushing and fixing the FC160 that inserts housing 120.Tabular ground connection conductive component 124 so is arranged on the two end surfaces 120a of housing 120, that is: cooperate with housing 120 by sidepiece 124a is pressed among the groove 120b of housing 120, makes the ledge (not shown) that forms on sidepiece 124a, shown in Fig. 8 B.As the back will as described in, when guiding part 140 moves and when inserting housing 120, a grounded part 142 of guiding part 140 cooperates with the ledge 124b of the grounded parts 124 of conduction along arrow 141.Because the grounded parts 124 of conduction is installed and is connected on the substrate (not shown), so the installation strength of 120 pairs of substrates of housing has improved.The a plurality of joints 122 that are arranged in the housing 120 engage with the pad 164 that touches of the signal track 162 that forms on FC160 respectively.

As shown in Figure 6, FC160 is the bending of 165 places at the middle part, and the

end

166 and 168 of FC160 is connected to the corresponding joint of a memory card connector 180.The shape of FC160 schematically is shown among Figure 11 A-B and the 12A-C.Thereby crooked form two wiring portion or

array

170 and 172 are continued in the middle part of FC160.Wiring portion or

array

170 and 172 are formed with by the signal track shown in Fig. 6 162 and are positioned at two surperficial 170a of this

wiring portion

170 and 172 and the conductive pad 164 on the 172a.In addition,

wiring portion

170 and 172 also is formed with respectively and will connects up with reference to described earthing conductor or the ground connection that is positioned on surperficial 170b of the back of the body and the 172b of Figure 13-18.Ground connection wiring or conductor are preferably formed on surperficial 170b of the whole back of the body and the 172b, perhaps also can only be formed on its part.

Guiding part 140 for example forms integral way by a punching press and a crooked metallic plate and forms shown in Fig. 9 A-C and 10A-B, metallic plate is then made by copper alloy such as phosphor-copper, and is formed with above-mentioned grounded part 142 on the two end portions of this guiding part 140.When forming guiding part 140, the metallic plate of punching press is in middle part 140a place bending and outwardly-bent in the end, thereby described end portion is bent downwardly and has formed grounded part 142.Grounded part 142 has elasticity, works as housing 120 thus and is assembled to this moment from sandwich housing 120.Guiding part 140 is arranged between wiring portion or array 170 and 172.Before guiding part 140 was inserted into housing 120, guiding part 140 engaged in advance with ledge 191 (seeing Figure 11 and 14) on being formed at FC160.

Referring now to Figure 11 A-B and 12A-C the process that FC160 inserts housing 120 and fixes by means of guiding part 140 is described.In order by guiding part 140 FC160 to be fixed in the housing 120, at first, shown in Figure 12 A, guiding part 140 is placed on the part place at the middle part 165 of leaving FC160.Then, shown in Figure 11 A-B and 12B, the middle part 165 of FC160 is inserted in the housing 120.After the middle part 165 of FC160 was inserted in the housing 120, shown in Figure 12 C, guiding part 140 was ridden and is pressed on the ledge 161 that inserts the FC160 in the housing 120, and the middle part 165 of inserting the FC160 of housing 120 is subjected to coming from the power of guiding part 140.Therefore, the ground connection wiring that forms on surperficial 170b of the back of the body of FC160 and 172b engages reliably with guiding part 140, and as mentioned above, the grounded part 142 of guiding part 140 engages with the ledge 124b of ground connection conductive component 124.

Guiding part 140 is made of metal, eliminated thus guiding part 140 in inserting housing 120 time distortion or break.Therefore, compare with the lid or the guiding part of plastics, conductive pad 164 (see figure 6)s can more easily make things convenient for joint 122 and engage reliably, make to have extraordinary reliability and processing ease thus.In addition, under the situation in the guiding part 140 insertion housings 120 of metal, since guiding part 140 not only be fixed on housing 120 in ground connection conductive component 124 engages but also engages with the earthing conductor or the (not shown) that connects up on the FC160, therefore, guiding part 140 also has the function of grounded parts.

A preferred embodiment according to FC160 of the present invention has been shown in Figure 13-16.Figure 13 illustrates the surperficial 160a of FC160, and Figure 14 illustrates its opposite surfaces 160b.Also show bonding stiffener 190 and 196 surperficial 150b before among Figure 15, this will be described later.In addition, Figure 16 illustrate from groove to the marginal portion cutaway view along the amplification of thickness direction.

As shown in Figure 16, FC160 forms sandwich construction.The opposition side structure 182b that the central mode of being made by polyamide or similar substance 182 will form a side structure 182a on surface 160 and form surperficial 160b separates.Each structure 182a and 182b are made of the conducting film of layer of copper or similar material and a cover layer 185 that is formed by polyamide or similar substance, and they are bonded on the surface of central mode 182 by binding material 183a and 183b.Conducting film is further etched and form conductive pattern 162 and ground plane 176, and this will be described later.

As shown in Figure 13 and 16, the structure 182a that is positioned on the surperficial 160a of FC comprises: conductive array 170 and 172, and they have the conductive pad 164 that comprises strip conductor 162; Be connected to the coupling part 167 of strip conductor 162; And, extend to the through hole 169 of another surperficial 160b.Each strip conductor 162 is with corresponding conductive pad 164 and coupling part 167 interconnection.Being clearly shown that in Figure 16, conductive pad 164 has layer 163 gold-plated or solder-coating.Pad 164 be arranged in such as with the connector 10 shown in Fig. 5-12 in joint the corresponding part of adapter connector in to admit FC160.In the embodiment shown in fig. 13, pad 164 is interlaced arrangement.It should be noted that it is to be mixed among each row who touches pad 164, as shown in figure 13 that ground connection is touched pad 174.Ground connection touch pad 174 be arranged on can with position that desirable joint in the connector engages on.In addition, ground connection is touched pad 174 and is electrically connected to the ground plane 176 that will describe the back by a through hole 173, and through hole 173 extends on the thickness direction of FC.The coupling part 167 that forms in the marginal portion of FC160 is annular, and being soldered to the joint of a PC plug-in connector, and this coupling part is formed with an aforesaid through hole 169.

Structure 182a on the 160a of surface also comprises a plurality of recesses 184, and these recesses extend to cover layer 185, and forms by part removal cover layer 185, and these recesses are roughly arranged in a row, shown in Figure 13 and 18.

FC160 has been preferably formed as a plurality of openings or groove 186, and these openings or groove connect to extend and roughly be in two rows and touch the center of filling up between 164.Narrower bridge shape or band-like portions 188 are provided for FC160 between these openings 186.

As Figure 14-16 was clearly shown that, the reverse side structure 182b on the surperficial 160b comprised ground plane 176 and coupling part 178.Ground plane 176 comprises a plate portion 175 and a plurality of mesh portion 177.Plate portion 175 comprises the conducting film that one deck is formed by copper or similar material, and this film extends in two-dimensional space, and mesh portion 177 is to form by this conducting film of mode etching with oblique mesh, shown in Figure 14 and 15.In addition, ground plane 176 extends to the edge of FC160 from the edge of mesh portion 177, so that be connected to coupling part 178, the structure of coupling part 178 and above-mentioned coupling part 167 are basic identical.The earth terminal of PC plug-in connector is admitted in coupling part 178 in the through hole 179 that extends to surperficial 160a, so that be welded to connect to the joint of a connector (not shown).

FC160 also comprises the first and second plastics stiffeners 190 and 196, and they are that the epoxy resin 183a that filled by glass or similar material are made and are bonded on the surperficial 160b, as shown in figure 14.First stiffener 190 is arranged in pairs in the both sides of opening 186, and is a diametical side that is in conductive pad 164.It should be noted that first stiffener 190 comprises opposed

edges

192 and 193, edge 192 has a ledge 191, and when first stiffener 190 was bonded, ledge 191 stretched in the opening 186.Edge 192 is parallel with opening 186.Shown in Figure 14 and 15, first stiffener 190 has roughly covered plate portion 175.In addition, this is formed with engaging groove 194 or ledge 191 in first stiffener 190 at least one, so that as the front with reference to Figure 11 described, when a guiding part 140 inserts in the connectors, make FC160 and guiding part 140 preliminary maintenances.

On the other hand, the binding material 183a the scolder protective agent (solderresist) of second stiffener, 196 usefulness such as liquid is fixed in the above-mentioned position of coupling part 167 and 178 in the mode of bonding.This makes it possible to easily this connector is soldered to the PC plug-in connector.Second stiffener 196 with coupling part 167 and 178 corresponding positions on have through hole.

Shown in Figure 17 is FC160 of the present invention, the cutaway view when inserting in the connector 110 with FC holding tank 121.FC160 is folding at bridge shape part 188 places, conductive pad 164 towards outside.

Guiding part or guiding part 140 are used for FC160 is inserted FC holding tank 121.As shown in figure 18, FC160 is roughly at right angles crooked along recess 184, and opposite surfaces 160b is near the edge 193 of first stiffener 190.In the part of inserting, the edge 193 of first stiffener 190 is against the basal surface 123 of FC holding tank 121.The accurate contraposition that this provides the contact point that touches the joint (not shown) in pad 164 and the connector 110 has guaranteed reliable interconnect therebetween thus.

Should be understood that the structure shown in Fig. 1-4 can be changed to supporting bracket 190 and add-in card 196 (not shown) that comprise shown in Figure 18.The overfill protection of stiffener 190 inner surface of FC.

Although described a plurality of one exemplary embodiment of electric coupler component of the present invention here, very clear, the present invention does not really want to be confined to these embodiment.Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand, and under situation about not departing from the scope of the present invention with spirit, can make various modifications for specific application.For example, the given shape shown in recess 184 can be not limited to, it can have one along the constriction of neighboring or have a wide portions.Stiffener 190 can be not limited to plastic material, and it can be substituted by metallic plate.

From above explanation, can be expressly understood, electric coupler component of the present invention provide with Lower a plurality of significant advantages. It is fit to be applied to such application, has the height of a plurality of joints that is: Density connector for example memory card connector is connected to corresponding conduction on the printed circuit board (PCB) The zone. By adopting flexible substrate, can eliminate the right angle contact leg, thus so that the height of connector The density joint can reliably and easily be connected to the conductive region of PC plate, and can not produce and connect Touch the relevant problem of distortion of leg.

The present invention has realized a kind of high density electrical connector, because, leading that the middle part of FC forms Electric rail or conductive pad engage with a plurality of joints in the connector, and, its of track Its termination is connected in the corresponding joint of at least one conventional FC connector, said conventional FC Connector end is connected to the end of FC.

By guiding part being inserted among the FC of roughly U-shaped bending, can be between touch pad and joint Formed electrical connection. Because guiding part is stressed between two row's joints, this provides stable Interconnection, even also be like this for the FC with very big width. In addition, for opposite at it Side has the FC of earth conductor, if adopt the metal guide parts of a conduction, this guidance part Part can be engaged in the ground connection conductive component of housing one or both ends conductively. Can obtain thus to be used for The high-density connector assembly of high-frequency signal.

Flexible circuit of the present invention has guaranteed highly reliable electrical connection, simultaneously, and by the narrower bridge in edge Partially folded this circuit of shape and for the exactitude position between touch pad and the joint or registration and establish Put the stiffener of applying housing, can keep between the joint than thin space. Especially, bridge shape section Branch is narrower, thereby allows FC smoothly folding, has avoided thus undesirable power to be applied to the conductor battle array List.

In addition, ground plane and be provided on the outer surface signal transmission is set on the FC inner surface Conductive pattern all can reduce the crosstalk noise between the conductive pattern effectively.

Moreover, fair by the recess that a part of removing near the layer of the sweep of FC forms Permitted FC according to desirable position and angular bend.

Claims

1. electric coupler component comprises: a housing, and it has a plurality of joints of arranging along an elongated open; A flexible substrate, it has the opening corresponding width with housing, and on one surface, have with housing in the corresponding strip conductor of joint; And, a guiding part, it has a plate portion, and this part will be placed in the flexible substrate, and the outside that this flexible substrate bends to a U-shaped roughly and a described surface will be inserted in the opening of housing; This connector assembly is characterised in that:

Housing comprises the conductive component of a ground connection on its at least one end;

Flexible substrate is formed with an earthing conductor on its another surface; And

Guiding part is the parts of a conduction, and it is suitable for this assembly ground connection connection further is provided,

Thus, joint and strip conductor are realized being electrically connected by the power that guiding part is applied on the flexible substrate, and the earthing conductor of substrate then is connected to the ground connection conductive component of housing by guiding part.

2. according to the electric coupler component of claim 1, it is characterized in that flexible substrate also comprises and is arranged on that go up on its another surface and the stiffener of the corresponding position of conductive pad.

3. according to the electric coupler component of claim 2, it is characterized in that flexible substrate also is included in a plurality of openings that form between the array of conductive pad, to define narrower bridge shape part; And the part of stiffener stretches in the opening by predetermined length.

4. according to claim 1,2 or 3 electric coupler component, it is characterized in that flexible substrate comprises by the array at described lip-deep two corresponding conductive pads.

5. according to the electric coupler component of claim 1, it is characterized in that, flexible substrate also comprises a cover layer, it covers on the strip conductor, but do not cover the conductive pad of track, to realize and its be electrically connected that this lid comprises that roughly in-line is arranged a plurality of recesses of formation, the position that forms recess is in the zone that does not form strip conductor and conductive pad, so that flexible circuit is bonded on the position of selection.

6. according to the electric coupler component of claim 4, it is characterized in that this assembly comprises a cover layer, it covers earthing conductor on the position of selecting.