EP1469557A1 - Connector for a flat cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The plug connector (10) has first and second plug parts (12,14) that can be fitted together with a latching or snap connection (38) and each has a guide channel for the ribbon cable (16) extending through the plug parts in the plugging direction from a rear region of the plug parts to a leading end (18). The plug parts are arranged in series in a pre-assembled state with their leading ends facing each other. An independent claim is also included for the following: (a) a method of manufacturing a ribbon cable with at least one plug connector.

Description

The invention relates to a connector for a flat conductor, for example a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a flexible Flat cable (FFC), and in particular for flat cable harnesses using several, spaced connectors are provided, such as for example bus connections.

Connectors for flat conductors are generally known. An acquaintance Type of connector consists of two connector halves that are on the side the flat conductor is pushed on and then pressed together, whereby they lock together in an end position. In one connector half there are provided contact elements designed like insulation-piercing clamps, which insulation of the flat conductor when the connector halves are pressed together cut through to make electrical contact with the leads to form the flat conductor. Another type of connector must be used a free end of the flat conductor is inserted into a connector housing in this way that stripped free ends of the electrical wires of the Protrude flat conductor in corresponding contact sockets, which in the Connector housings are provided.

The invention has for its object to provide a connector which can be easily mounted on a flat conductor and which Handling of a flat conductor provided with several connectors simplified.

To solve the problem is a connector with the features of Claim 1 provided.

The connector according to the invention has a first connector part and second plug part, which by means of a snap or snap connection can be put together and each have a guide channel for the Have flat conductor, which is in the direction of insertion of the plug contact a rear area of the connector parts to a front face of the Plug parts extends through the plug parts.

Since according to the invention both connector parts each have a guide channel have, which extends essentially through the entire plug part extends, a mounted flat conductor runs through each connector part. The connector is therefore not necessarily an end connector, in which a free end of the flat conductor must be inserted, but it can be mounted on the flat conductor without cutting the flat conductor must become. This makes the connector particularly suitable good for mounting on a continuous flat conductor. By the rest or The two connector parts can also be snap-fitted assemble quickly and safely in a simple way. This makes it easier the final assembly of the connector.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subclaims, can be found in the description and the drawing.

According to a first embodiment, the connector parts are in a pre-assembly state of the connector arranged one behind the other, wherein the front end faces of the connector parts point towards each other. By arranging the connector parts one behind the other shows the connector in Preassembly state to a low overall height. Multiple connectors can be stored or transported in a space-saving manner. are several connectors already mounted on a flat conductor, so made possible the pre-assembly condition makes rolling up easy and space-saving of the flat conductor, which simplifies the packaging of the flat conductor becomes.

By arranging the plug parts one behind the other, a Passing the flat conductor through the connector parts will be easier. Thereby, that the front end faces of the connector parts each face each other point, the connector parts can also be around an imaginary axis, that between the front faces across the guide channels runs, fold over, bring into contact with each other on the back and assemble using the snap or snap connection. The front End faces of the plug parts then both point in the plugging direction of the connector.

A distance of the front facing one another in the pre-assembled state End faces of the connector parts can be chosen so that a between the Section of a connector part through the guide channels running flat conductor in the assembled state on the front End faces of the connector parts. This ensures that the flat conductor is tight around the front of the connector runs and there does not form a loop that the space required by the Connector increased or damage to the flat conductor could lead.

According to a further embodiment, the connector parts are at least in a pre-assembly state of the connector via at least one Connection bridge connected to each other. The connecting bridge provides a correct distance between the two connector parts and in particular between the front faces facing each other the connector parts safely. On the other hand, the connecting bridge prevents that a plug part of a loose connector can be lost. The The connecting bridge can either be flexible so that it can be bent when the plug parts are folded, or it can be rigid be so that it breaks when the connector parts are folded over.

According to yet another embodiment, the connector parts are in the Area of their guide channels molded onto the flat conductor. By the The connector parts can be molded on in a particularly simple manner attach the flat conductor. In particular, it is not necessary Thread flat conductor through each connector part or in a connector housing loops through. The injection can be done quickly and inexpensive to carry out and is also particularly suitable good for mounting multiple connectors on a continuous flat conductor. By molding the connector parts onto the flat conductor the connector and the flat conductor merge into one unit. This form of connection relieves strain, so that no additional Strain relief for the flat conductor provided on the connector must become.

The connector parts can each be in one piece and in particular as injection molded parts be formed, or the connector parts and at least one connecting web can be integral with one another and in particular as one Be injection molded part. In both cases, the connector can be in this way with a particularly low economic outlay produce.

According to yet another embodiment, a plug part has contact openings on contacting exposed portions of electrical Allow lines of a flat conductor in the area of the guide channel. The connector consequently does not have its own contact elements, i.e. there is no need to equip connector parts with contact elements. Thereby is the number of process steps to manufacture the connector or a flat cable set with one or more connectors reduced and thus the corresponding manufacturing costs reduced.

The connector parts can each have a half base in their rear area have, the half-base in the assembled state form a handle base. The handle base makes handling the Connector improved.

Another object of the invention is a method for manufacturing a flat conductor with at least one connector one of the previous training, in which a flat conductor with at least a first and second connector part is provided, the connector parts in a pre-assembled state of the plug contact in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the flat conductor one behind the other along the flat conductor be arranged so that the front end faces of the connector parts point to each other.

The individual connector parts are in the pre-assembled state of the connector with the flat conductor essentially in one plane. A flat conductor with connectors in the pre-assembled state is therefore particularly easy Roll up easily and space-saving, which means that the packaging of the Flat conductor cable set is simplified and on the other hand the transport security is improved. Due to the pre-assembly condition of the connectors is also prevented that, for example, during a removal of the flat cable set from its packaging, the individual Hook connectors together. In addition, at the process take advantage of all the advantages that already exist above have been explained in connection with the connector.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention at least one in at least one contact area of the flat conductor Cable of the flat conductor exposed before the connector parts on the flat conductor be attached, at least one connector part with at least a contact opening is positioned such that the contact opening allows access to the line. Even before installing the The flat conductor becomes plug parts for the contacting of its electrical Lines prepared. Exposing the electrical lines can be achieved in that a cover film to cover the electrical lines already with corresponding cutouts or Openings are provided before they together with a carrier film and the electrical lines are laminated. But it is also possible that to expose electrical cables after laminating the flat conductor, by the cover film, for example by a milling process, in the Contact areas down to the electrical lines.

Alternatively, one or more lines of the flat conductor in the area of the first and / or second connector part are exposed after the flat conductor was provided with the connector parts. In this case the electrical lines of the flat conductor through the contact openings of a plug part are exposed, for example by milling or Scraping. This variant of the method has the advantage that the connector parts not exactly aligned with previously exposed contact areas Need to become.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines an einem Flachleiter angebrachten erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders in einem Vormontagezustand;

Fig. 2

eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des Steckverbinders von Fig. 1 im Vormontagezustand;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Steckverbinders von Fig. 1 im Endzustand;

Fig. 4

eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des Steckverbinders von Fig. 1 im Endzustand;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Flachleiters mit mehreren, jeweils im Vormontagezustand befindlichen Steckverbindern; und

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Flachleiters mit mehreren, jeweils im Endzustand befindlichen Steckverbindern.

The invention is described below purely by way of example using an advantageous embodiment and with reference to the attached drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a connector attached to a flat conductor according to the invention in a pre-assembled state;

Fig. 2

another perspective view of the connector of Figure 1 in the pre-assembled state.

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the connector of Figure 1 in the final state.

Fig. 4

another perspective view of the connector of Figure 1 in the final state.

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a flat conductor with a plurality of connectors, each in the pre-assembled state; and

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a flat conductor with several, each in the final state connectors.

1 and 2 show a connector 10 according to the invention in one Preassembled condition. The connector 10 comprises a first connector part 12 and a second plug part 14, which run along a flat conductor 16, for example a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a flexible Flat cables (FFC), are arranged one behind the other. The connector parts 12, 14 face each other with front end faces 18 and are through two, extending between the end faces 18 and on opposite Sides of the flat conductor 16 next to this extending connecting webs 20 connected together.

The connector parts 12, 14 and the connecting webs 20 are together integrally formed as an injection molded part. Here are the connector parts 12, 14 are molded onto the flat conductor 16 in such a way that the flat conductor 16 completely surrounded. By molding the connector parts 12, 14 to the Flat conductors 16 go an inseparable connection with the flat conductor 16 a, on the one hand for fixing the plug parts to the flat conductor 16 serves and on the other hand acts as a strain relief for the flat conductor 16.

The flat conductor 16 extends lengthwise from a rear end face 22 to the front end face 18 through each plug part 12, 14. Each plug part 12, 14 accordingly has a guide channel extends from the rear face 22 to the front face 18, for the flat conductor 16. The guide channel does not run through a central plane of a connector part 12, 14, but parallel in the direction an outer side 26 of the plug part 12, 14 offset to the central plane.

The plug parts 12, 14 have a substantially cuboid shape Base body 23. A side surface 24 each parallel to the flat conductor 16 Plug parts 12, 14 are flat (Fig. 2). The plan pages 24 are located both on the same side of the flat conductor 16 and border in one Final state of the connector to each other, as described in more detail below is described.

The opposite side surfaces 26 of the plan sides 24 each Plug parts 12, 14 are referred to here as outer sides 26 (FIG. 1). in the Area of their front faces 18, the connector parts 12, 14 are chamfered, i.e. the outer sides 26 each have an outer side section 28 on, which is inclined in the direction of the face 24. These bevels the connector parts 12, 14 give the connector in assembled final state a wedge-shaped seen in the direction of insertion Front end (Fig. 3 and 4), which the insertion of the connector 10th relieved in a socket housing.

At the rear end of each connector part 12, 14 there is a socket-like extension 30 formed, which - except on the plan sides 24 of the connector parts 12, 14 - protrudes beyond the base body 23 of the plug parts 12, 14. The pedestal-like Lugs 30 each form a half base and in the final state of the connector 10, i.e. with merged Plug parts 12, 14, a handle base 32 (Fig. 3 and 4) on which the Connector 10 can grip well and the handling of the connector 10 improved. The pages of the Handle base 32 as grip surfaces 34, which are oriented perpendicular to the flat conductor 16 are. To further increase the grip of the handle base 32, in the grip surfaces 34 formed groove-like depressions 35, which Extend perpendicular to the plug direction of the connector 10.

On the plane side 24 of the one connector part, in the illustrated embodiment of the first plug part 12 are in opposite edge areas the flat side 24 locking hook 36 arranged. The locking hooks 36 are in Longitudinal direction of the flat conductor 16 oriented and engage when assembling the connector parts 12, 14 in appropriately designed locking openings 38 a, which in opposite edge areas of the plan side 24 of the each other connector part, in this case the second connector part 14, are provided. The latching hooks 36 form a with the latching openings 38 Snap or snap lock that make it easy and quick to assemble the connector parts 12, 14 enables and a reliable connection between them.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, on the plane sides 24 of the connector parts 12, 14 furthermore a plurality of elongate cutouts arranged parallel to one another 40 is provided, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the flat conductor 16 extend. These cutouts 40 reduce the weight of the Connector 10 and on the other hand increase the rigidity of the connector parts 12, 14.

On the outside 26 of the first plug part 12 there are a plurality of contact openings 42 is provided, which is also in the longitudinal direction of the flat conductor 16 extend and access to exposed portions of the enable electrical lines of the flat conductor 16. At least that Consequently, plug part 12 must be aligned with respect to flat conductor 16 in this way be that the positions of the contact openings 42 with the respective Positions of the sections of the electrical lines to be contacted to match.

Also on the outside 26 of the second connector part 14 are elongated Openings 44 are provided, which in principle make contact with the electrical Lines of the flat conductor 16 allow, provided the electrical Lines in the area of these openings 44 are exposed, which in the illustrated embodiment, however, is not the case. Serve here the openings 44 consequently only to reduce the weight of the Connector 10 and for further stiffening of the second connector part 14th

In an edge area of the outside 26 of the first plug part 12 a nose-like extension 46 is also provided, which extends in the direction of insertion of the connector 10 extends. This approach 46 serves as a coding or Index nose and engages when inserting the connector 10 into a socket housing into a correspondingly positioned longitudinal groove. To this The correct way is to insert the connector 10 into the socket housing ensured.

In a central area of the outside 26 of the second plug part 14 a nose-like extension 48 is also provided, which acts as a latch serves. This locking lug 48 snaps into a correspondingly designed locking opening a socket housing if the connector 10 is correct was inserted into the socket housing, thus ensuring a secure connection between connector 10 and socket housing.

The connector 10 becomes from the pre-assembly state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 brought into its final state (Fig. 3 and 4), in which the connector parts 12, 14 can be folded around an imaginary axis, the extends transversely to the flat conductor 16 and through the connecting webs 20. The Plug parts 12, 14 are folded down until they are with their inner Adjacent plan pages 24. In this situation, they are in the locking openings 38 engaging locking hook 36 locked. In the illustrated Embodiment are the connecting webs 20 between the Connector parts 12, 14 are rigid, so that when you fold the Break through connector parts 12, 14. However, it is also possible to use the connecting webs 20 flexible training so that when you fold the Plug parts 12, 14 act as a kind of film hinge.

The distance between the predetermined by the connecting webs 20 front end faces 18 of the connector parts 12, 14 is selected so that the im Pre-assembly state between the connector parts 12, 14 exposed section 50 of the flat conductor 16 in the final state of the connector 10 closely abuts the front end faces 18 of the plug parts 12, 14 (FIG. 3).

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the flat conductor 16 runs in an assembled state State of the connector 10 on a rear end face 22 of the connector 10 into the one connector part 12, 14, is on the Front 18 of the connector 10 is bent through 180 ° and starts up the rear end face 22 of the other connector part 14, 12 again out of the connector 10. With a connector formed in this way 10 is an internal connector 10 ', the can be arranged between the ends of a flat conductor 16 (Fig. 6). If a free end of the flat conductor 16 directly on the rear face 22 of the connector 10 is cut off, so the connector 10 also serve as end plugs 10 "(FIG. 6).

A method for producing a flat conductor 16 is described below described several connectors 10.

First, the flat conductor 16 for the assembly of the connector 10 prepared, i.e. there will be contact areas at desired intervals of the flat conductor 16 defined in which the electrical lines of the Flat conductor 16 are to be contacted and exposed for this purpose become. This can be done by lamination before a flat conductor 16, the carrier film, several electrical lines and has a cover film, the cover film with suitably positioned Recesses is provided. The electrical lines can can also be exposed in that an insulation layer of the flat conductor 16, for example the cover film, by milling or scraping in the desired contact areas is removed.

Next, through the connecting webs 20 to each other connected connector parts 12, 14 molded onto the flat conductor 16, for example through an injection molding process, with the connectors 10 at this stage of the process in that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 Pre-assembly condition. For molding the connector parts For example, the flat conductor can be unrolled from a cable drum be and continuously or clocked an injection molding device run through. This enables the production of continuous flat conductor cable sets.

Since the connector 10 is flat in the pre-assembled state have, the flat conductor 10 after injection molding the connector parts easy and space-saving to wind up and therefore easy to pack and transport. At a different location, the cable sets can then can be shortened to their desired length and the connector parts 12, 14 for final shape of the connector 10 folded and assembled become.

Alternatively, the flat conductor 16 can also be applied immediately after injection molding if necessary, harden the connector parts. Also the Connectors 10 can follow the injection molding process step be brought into their final form.

In the illustrated embodiment, a connector is direct formed on a flat conductor, i.e. the manufacture of the connector and the assembly of the connector on the flat conductor is done in one Step. This enables a particularly cost-effective production of a with one or more connectors provided flat conductor.

In principle, however, it is also possible to start with the connector or connectors to be manufactured as separate components and only at a later date to mount a flat conductor, the flat conductor through the guide channel each plug part is pushed through.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Connectors

12

first connector part

14

second connector part

16

flat Head

18

front face

20

connecting web

22

rear face

23

body

24

Schedule page

26

outside

28

Face section

30

pedestal-like approach

32

handle base

34

grips

35

wells

36

latch hook

38

latching openings

40

recess

42

contact opening

44

opening

46

Coding pin

48

locking lug

50

Flat conductor section

Claims (13)

Connector (10) for a flat conductor (16), for example a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC), with a first plug part (12) and a second plug part (14), which by means of a snap or snap connection (36, 38) can be put together and each have a guide channel for the Have flat conductor (16), which is in the plugging direction of the connector (10) from a rear area of the plug parts (12, 14) a front side (18) of the connector parts (12, 14) through the connector parts (12, 14) extends through. Connector (10) according to claim 1,
characterized in that the plug parts (12, 14) are arranged one behind the other in a pre-assembled state of the plug connector (10), the front end faces (18) of the plug parts (12, 14) each facing one another. Connector (10) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that a distance between the front end faces (18) of the plug parts (12, 14) facing one another in the pre-assembled state is selected such that a section (50) of a flat conductor (16.) running through the guide channels is located between the plug parts (12, 14) ) in the assembled state on the front faces (18) of the connector parts (12, 14). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the plug parts (12, 14) are connected to one another at least in a pre-assembled state of the plug connector (10) via at least one connecting web (20). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the plug parts (12, 14) are molded onto the flat conductor (16) in the region of their guide channels. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the plug parts (12, 14) are each made in one piece and in particular as injection molded parts, or in that the plug parts (12, 14) and at least one connecting web (20) are formed in one piece with one another and in particular as an injection molded part. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a plug part (12, 14) has contact openings (42) which make it possible to contact exposed sections of electrical lines of a flat conductor (16) in the region of the guide channel. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the plug parts (12, 14) each have a half-base (30) in their rear area, the half-base (30) forming a handle base (32) in the assembled state. Method for producing a flat conductor (16) with at least a connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a flat conductor (16) with at least a first and a second Plug part (12, 14) is provided, the plug parts (12, 14) in a pre-assembled state of the connector (10) in the direction the longitudinal extension of the flat conductor (16) one behind the other of the flat conductor (16) are arranged such that the front Sides (18) of the connector parts (12, 14) face each other. Method according to claim 9,
characterized in that the flat conductor (16) is passed through a respective guide channel of the plug parts (12, 14) or in that the plug parts (12, 14) are injection molded onto the flat conductor (16), in particular by an injection molding process. A method according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized in that the plug parts (12, 14) are joined together by means of a snap or snap connection (36, 38), the flat conductor (16) being bent between the plug parts (12, 14). Method according to one of claims 9 to 11,
characterized in that at least one electrical line of the flat conductor (16) is exposed in at least one contact area of the flat conductor (16) before the plug parts (12, 14) are attached to the flat conductor (16), at least one plug part (12) with at least one contact opening (42) is positioned such that the contact opening (42) enables access to the electrical line. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11,
characterized in that one or more electrical lines of the flat conductor (16) are exposed in the region of the first and / or second plug part (12, 14) after the flat conductor (16) has been provided with the plug parts (12, 14).

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