JP2000231957A - Connector for flexible flat cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To highly reliably connect this connector to a male terminal tab of another wiring material by bringing a flexible flat cable connecting part having the exposed part fixed to the outside of an elastic body holder into pressure contact with the other wiring material terminal connecting piece insertedly fixed in a second housing to be fitted to a first housing in which the above connecting part is insertedly fixed, by an elastic force of the elastic holder, in order to electrically connect them. SOLUTION: An elastic body holder locking protuberance 5 for an almost V-shaped flat elastic body, on which the exposed terminal part of the conductor part of a flexible flat cable 1 formed by coating plural parallel conductors with an insulating film is fixed by a nail 4 on its side along its outside, is locked in the recessed elastic body holder locking part 13 of a housing B. A connecting piece 31' for another wiring material which has a male tab and is protruded from a terminal connecting piece protruding hole 24 is inserted in a narrow space between the ceiling frame of a flexible flat cable connecting part storing compartment 12 and the conductor 2 from the connecting piece inserting hole 14. Thereby, the elastic holder 3 is pressed, in order to obtain a stable electrical connection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector for a flexible flat cable used as a connection means for various electric devices, for example, for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of flexible flat cable connectors have been proposed for connecting the flexible flat cable to other conductors in order to use the flexible flat cable in various fields because of its convenience.

[0003] However, there has been proposed as a structure of a conventional connector for a flexible flat cable,
There are the following: That is, a flat terminal piece is fixed by soldering to the conductor portion exposed by peeling off the insulating coating of the flexible flat cable terminal portion, or the terminal piece is crimped, and then incorporated into one housing, and a female mold is formed. A structure in which the connector is fitted to the other housing in which the connector is inserted and electrically connected (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-3078).
5) Or, by bending the conductor portion exposed by peeling off the insulating coating of the flexible flat cable terminal portion, and bending the thin flat plate between the bent portions,
By forming the flexible flat cable end into a hard male connector, incorporating it into one housing, and fitting it into the other housing with the female connector inserted,
Electrically connected structure (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-15)
8778, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 02-016587, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-1
61910).

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional flexible flat cable connector, the structure of the flexible flat cable can be regarded as a male connector when the structure of the connector is considered as a male connector. It is structured to be inserted into the side female connector.

[0005] However, recently, the mating terminal to be connected to the flexible flat cable is often a male terminal tab, and this tendency is particularly strong in wiring equipment for vehicles. Therefore, the structure of the conventional connector for flexible flat cable cannot be used as it is, and in the case where the female connector is attached to the flexible flat cable terminal, the flexible flat cable can be satisfied both in terms of reliability and cost. No connector can be provided.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a flexible flat cable connecting portion has a function of a female connector, and a mating male connector is connected to a flexible flat cable connecting portion. The flexible flat cable connecting portion has a structure in which the conductor of the flexible flat cable connecting portion presses the male connector on the other side by the elastic repulsive force of the flexible flat cable connecting portion. If a flexible flat cable connector with such a structure is adopted, the connection between the flexible flat cable connector and the mating male connector will not only be stable and reliable, but will be satisfactory in terms of cost. A flexible flat cable connector that can be provided.

That is, a first aspect of the present invention is to remove an insulating coating at a terminal portion of a flexible flat cable in which a plurality of conductors arranged in a flat shape are insulated with an insulating coating, and to expose the exposed conductor to the outside. When the first housing in which the flexible flat cable connecting portion fixed along the outside of the elastic body holder is inserted and the second housing in which the other wiring material terminal connector is inserted, the other wiring is formed. The present invention relates to a connector for a flexible flat cable, wherein a material terminal connector and a flexible flat cable connection portion are pressed and electrically connected by the elastic force of an elastic body holder.

A second aspect of the present invention is the connector for a flexible flat cable according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the structure of the elastic body holder is a substantially U-shaped plate-like elastic body.

A third aspect of the present invention is the connector for a flexible flat cable according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the elastic holding member comprises a substantially U-shaped plate-like elastic body and a plate-like base. In addition, the U-shaped plate-shaped elastic body is fixed so that the free end can be resilient.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a connector for a flexible flat cable which requires a highly reliable connection with a mating male terminal connector.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a flexible flat cable connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view thereof. The flexible flat cable connector includes a flexible flat cable connection portion A, a first housing B, and a second
1 and 2, a flexible flat cable connecting portion A is inserted into the first housing B, and the first housing B and the second housing C are fitted to each other. The flat cable connection portion A, the first housing B, and the second housing C with the other wiring material terminal connector inserted thereinto are shown before being inserted and before being fitted. The first housing B and the second housing C
Is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, nylon or polypropylene.

The flexible flat cable 1 inserted into the first housing B is a flexible flat cable in which a plurality of conductors are arranged in parallel and flat, and covered with an insulating film. The elastic holder 3 to which the flexible flat cable terminal is attached is, as shown in FIG. 3 to be described later, a substantially U-shaped plate formed by forming an elastic plate material such as a spring metal material or plastic into a substantially U shape. An elastic member is provided on its side surface with a pawl 4 for fixing a flexible flat cable terminal. The processing of the end of the flexible flat cable is performed by first stripping off the insulating coating on at least one surface of the end of the flexible flat cable, exposing the conductor portion 2, and then turning the exposed conductor portion surface 2 outward to form an elastic body. Along the outside of the holder 3, it is fixed to the elastic holder 3 by a claw 4 provided on the elastic holder 3 to form a flexible flat cable connection portion A.

The flexible flat cable connecting portion A in which the flexible flat cable 1 is fixed to the elastic body holder 3 is inserted into the flexible flat cable connecting portion storage chamber 12 of the first housing B with the bent portion of the flexible flat cable 1 first. The flexible flat cable connection portion is inserted by locking the locking projection 5 provided on the elastic body holder 3 with the locking recess 13 provided at a position relative to the flexible flat cable connection portion storage chamber 12 of the first housing B. It is inserted and fixed at a predetermined position in the storage room 12. In order to smoothly insert the elastic body holder 3 into the first housing B and to easily remove the elastic body holder 3 from the first housing B, a locking recess is formed in the outer frame of the first housing B. It is preferable that cut grooves 15 are provided on both sides of 13 to form a resilient locking piece.

The flexible flat cable connection portion storage chamber 12 of the first housing B may be configured as a single-stage structure in which only one set of the flexible flat cable connection portion A is inserted or may be divided into a plurality of stages. It is good also as a structure which can insert a flat cable connection part. Further, a structure in which a plurality of sets of flexible flat cable connection portions can be inserted into each stage may be adopted. 1 and 2, the flexible flat cable connection portion storage chamber 12 has two stages, and the flexible flat cable connection portion A has two stages.
This is a structure that can be assembled and inserted.

In the second housing C, another wiring material terminal 31 having a male tab is inserted into the terminal storage chamber 22. In this case, a locking hole provided in the other wiring material terminal 31 and the terminal storage chamber 2 are provided.
The projections provided on 2 are locked to fix them. In addition,
1 and 2, neither the locking hole nor the projection is shown.
Preferably, the male tab is formed in a flat plate shape.

When the first housing B and the second housing C are fitted, the terminal connector projecting holes 2 of the second housing C
The other wiring material terminal connector 31 ′ protruding from the fourth
From the connector insertion hole 14 of the housing B to the first housing B
Is inserted into the gap between the ceiling frame of the flexible flat cable connection portion storage room 12 and the conductor portion 2 of the flexible flat cable connection portion A, which is narrower than the thickness of the other wiring material terminal connector 31 ′. The body holder 3 is pressed and elastically deformed by the other wiring member terminal connector 31 '. Due to this elastic pressure, the other wiring member terminal connector 31 'and the flexible flat cable conductor 2 are pressed against each other, and an electrically stable connection is obtained. A first housing B fitted,
The second housing C is provided with locking projections 1 provided at respective relative positions so as not to come off by an external force such as vibration.
1 and locked by the locking recess 21. In addition, in order to facilitate the fitting or removal of the first housing B and the second housing C, the locking recess 21 is formed in the outer frame of the second housing C.
It is preferable to form cutouts 23 on both sides of the support member to form a locking piece having elasticity.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an embodiment of the elastic holder 3 used in the flexible flat cable connector of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a main body of the elastic body holder 3, and FIG. 3B shows an end of the flexible flat cable 1 in which the conductor portion 2 is exposed by the elastic body holder 3. This shows a fixed state. The material of the plate-like elastic body of the elastic body holder 3 is not limited to a metal material for a spring, and may be a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate as long as the material has little elastic degradation.

FIG. 3C shows another embodiment of the elastic body holder 3. In this case, a convex portion 2 ′ is provided in the flexible flat cable conductor portion 2 by press molding or the like, and the convex portion 2 ′ is connected to the male tab of the other wiring material terminal 31. The elastic holder 3
A projection for holding the projection 2 ′ may be formed at a position corresponding to the above, and the projection may be fixed to the elastic holder 3 in accordance with the projection.
Further, a projection may be formed only on the elastic holder 3, and the flexible flat cable conductor 2 may be arranged on the projection. By such means, a stable connection between the flexible flat cable connection portion and the other wiring material terminal connector 31 'can be obtained.

Further, the upper surface of the elastic holder 3 may be processed into a comb-like shape corresponding to the flexible flat cable conductor pitch so that the conductor of the flexible flat cable can be supported independently.

In order to fix the flexible flat cable 1 to the elastic holder 3, in FIG. 3, both side portions or upper end portions of the elastic holder 3 made of a plate-like elastic member formed in a substantially U-shape. In addition, a plurality of claws 4 for sandwiching and fixing the flexible flat cable are provided. In order to ensure this fixation, it is possible to take measures to sharpen the tip of the hook 4 or to narrow a small hole at a predetermined position of the flexible flat cable 1 where the hook 4 hits.

Further, as a method for fixing the flexible flat cable to the elastic holder 3, the elastic holder 3
It is also effective to provide a projection on the surface (the upper surface in FIG. 3A) of the above, and to provide a locking hole on the flexible flat cable side at a position corresponding to the surface projection of the elastic body holder 3, and fit them together. .

It is also effective to interpose a double-sided adhesive tape between the two.

If such measures are taken, the elastic holder 3 to which the flexible flat cable 1 is fixed, that is, the flexible flat cable connection portion A is connected to the flexible flat cable connection portion storage chamber 1 of the first housing B.
The flexible flat cable 1 does not come off from the elastic holder 3 or is displaced even if insertion and withdrawal of the flexible flat cable 2 are repeated.

When the elastic holder 3 is formed, the locking projections 5 are provided, and when the elastic holder 3 is inserted into the flexible flat cable connection storage chamber 12 of the first housing B, the flexible flat cable connection Storage room 12
It is necessary to be able to engage with and engage with the locking recess 13 provided on the side wall.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the elastic body holder. The elastic body holder inserts a plate-like base 6 having a thickness into a plate-like elastic body 7 formed into a substantially U-shape,
On one surface (the lower surface in FIG. 4), the two are fixed with small screws 8 and the like, and on the other surface (the upper surface in FIG. 4), the plate-like elastic body 7 Therefore, it can be resilient as a free end that can move freely. When the structure of the elastic body holder is as described above, even if a thin elastic body having a small elastic repulsion is used, a large bending can be supported by the plate-like base 6. Therefore, external force such as vibration is applied to the other wiring material terminal connector 3.
In addition to 1 ′, even if the thin plate elastic body 7 is pushed down, the bending is absorbed by the plate-like base 6 and there is no possibility that chattering occurs between the other wiring member terminal connector 31 ′ and the flexible flat cable connection portion. . In addition, when the elastic holder having such a structure is used, the contact pressure between the other wiring member terminal connector 31 'and the flexible flat cable connecting portion conductor 2 can be reduced, so that the thin and strong The flexible flat cable conductor portion 2 that is weak to the advantage has the advantage that it is not damaged by the other wiring member terminal connector 31 ′ with which it comes into contact. The material of the plate-like base 6 may be a metal or a synthetic resin material, but it is preferable that at least a joint surface with the flexible flat cable has an insulating property.

The elastic body holder may be formed of a mass of an elastic body such as rubber, and the connecting portion of the flexible flat cable may be formed in a substantially U-shape using this. The connection portion of the flexible flat cable may be formed in a substantially U-shape by setting a metal plate in a mold along the end of the flexible flat cable and filling synthetic resin by insert molding.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view when the first housing B in which the flexible flat cable connecting portion A is inserted and the second housing C in which the other wiring material terminal connector 31 is inserted. FIG. 5A shows that the ceiling frame of the flexible flat cable terminal insertion chamber 12 of the first housing B is flat, while FIG. This facilitates the positioning of the other wiring member terminal connector 31 ′ protruding from the housing C. FIG. 5 (c) shows a case in which the plate-like elastic body 16 is provided on the ceiling frame of the first housing B so that the other wiring member terminal connector 31 'can be pressed from both upper and lower surfaces, and is flexible with the other wiring member terminal connector 31'. The contact with the flat cable conductor 2 is made more stable.

By using the connector for a flexible flat cable having the structure of the present invention, high stability and reliability can be achieved between the flexible flat cable terminal and other wiring material terminals, especially the male terminal tab, especially the flat tab. And a connector for a flexible flat cable, which is advantageous in terms of cost, can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a connector for a flexible flat cable of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the connector for a flexible flat cable of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing details of an elastic holder of the connector for a flexible flat cable of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modification of the elastic holder shown in FIG. 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a flexible flat cable connection portion storage room of the first housing B of the flexible flat cable connector of the present invention. (A) is one embodiment thereof, (b) is a second embodiment,
(C) shows the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS A Flexible flat cable connection part B 1st housing B C 2nd housing C 1 Flexible flat cable 2 Flexible flat cable conductor 3 Elastic retainer 4 Claw 5 Elastic retainer engaging projection 6 Plate base 7 Plate Elastic body 11 First housing B locking projection 12 Flexible flat cable connection part storage chamber 13 Elastic body holder locking recess 21 Second housing C locking recess 31 Other wiring material terminal connector 31 'Other wiring material terminal connector

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A flexible flat cable in which a plurality of conductors arranged in a flat shape are insulated with an insulating coating, an insulating coating is removed from a terminal portion of the flexible flat cable, and an exposed conductor portion is directed outward.
When the first housing in which the flexible flat cable connection portion fixed along the outside of the elastic body holder is inserted and the second housing in which the other wiring material terminal connector is inserted, the other wiring is formed. A connector for a flexible flat cable, wherein a material terminal connector and a flexible flat cable connection portion are pressed and electrically connected by the elastic force of an elastic body holder. 2. The flexible flat cable connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body holder is a substantially U-shaped plate-like elastic body. 3. The flexible flat cable connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body holder comprises a substantially U-shaped plate-shaped elastic body and a plate-shaped base, and the base has a U-shaped. A connector for a flexible flat cable, wherein a free end of a plate-like elastic body is fixed so as to be resilient.