JP2001257020A - Electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely perform positioning of a contact of a connector with a pattern of FPC or FFC. SOLUTION: After protrusions are arrayed along a ridgeline between contacts of a terminal block of a connector at the opening side into which FPC or FFC is inserted and FPC or FFC is inserted into the terminal block, a slider is moved to have FPC or FFC pressed down to the contact to be electrically connected with it. Here, these protrusions get into concave parts between patterns of FPC or FFC to securely set positioning of the contact of the connector with the patterns of FPC or FFC.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric connector mounted on a circuit board in electric or electronic equipment, and more particularly to a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as FPC) or a flexible flat cable (hereinafter referred to as FFC).
The present invention relates to a connector for inserting and electrical connection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as electric and electronic devices have been miniaturized, connectors have been miniaturized. When the connector is miniaturized, the contact pitch (contact) becomes narrow, and as a result, the FPC or FPC inserted into the connector is reduced.
FC pattern becomes narrow. Conventionally, this type of connector sometimes forcibly inserts an FPC or FFC into the connector, but generally has a zero insertion force (ZIF) structure in many cases. That is, after inserting the FPC or the FFC into the block to which the contact is fixed, the FPC or the FFC is pressed against the contact by a slider of another component. In addition, the positioning of the contact of the connector and the pattern of the FPC or FFC has been performed based on the outer shape of the FPC or FFC and the inside size of the fitting opening of the connector.

[0003]

However, in the above-described alignment by the conventional method, the FPC or FFC
Accumulation of the tolerances between the patterns causes dropouts, poor contact, short-circuits, and the like.
In addition, as electrical and electronic devices have become smaller and connectors have become smaller, FPCs with conventional configurations have become increasingly difficult.
Or it was hard to insert FFC.

[0004]

According to the present invention, a projection is provided between each contact of a terminal block of a connector on an opening side where an FPC or an FFC is inserted, and the projection is inserted into the block. By fitting into the recesses between the FFC patterns, the contact between the connector and the FPC or FFC pattern is surely aligned. In addition, the present invention provides a method in which a plurality of protrusions are arranged in rows between each contact of a terminal block of a connector on the opening side where an FPC or FFC is inserted, and after the FPC or FFC is inserted into a terminal block or a slider. When the slider presses the FPC or FFC against the contact, the projection enters the recess between the FPC or FFC pattern, thereby ensuring the alignment between the connector contact and the FPC or FFC pattern. It is something to do.

According to the present invention, the slider or terminal block which is engaged with the terminal block while rotating is preliminarily formed on the slider.
After inserting the PC or FFC, the slider is inserted into the terminal block of the connector, and the slider is turned and advanced, so that when the FPC or FFC is pressed against the contact, the protrusion is , FPC or FFC into the recess between the patterns to ensure that the contact of the connector is aligned with the FPC or FFC pattern. For this reason, while forming the projection provided between the contacts inside the opening of the terminal block of the connector from the middle of the opening to the back,
One or more guide projections are implanted on the side surfaces parallel to the sliding direction of the slider, and L-shaped or branched guide groove holes are formed on the inner surface of the terminal block facing the slider side surface. The end of the slot is arranged so as to open on the outer surface of the terminal block on the side where the protrusions are not arranged. By forming the guide slot in this way,
The slider moves forward while turning, as described later, and the FPC
Alternatively, the FFC can be fixed and connected to a correct position in the terminal block without any trouble.

In the terminal block of the electric connector according to the present invention, since the projections are formed between the respective contacts, the alignment of the contacts of the connector in the block with the FPC or FFC pattern is reliably performed. In particular, when the slider is mounted on the terminal block, the slider is pivotally connected to the terminal block by first inserting the guide protrusion of the slider into the guide slot of the terminal block, and then inserting the contact into the terminal block. Then, when the slider is rotated with respect to the terminal block around the guide protrusion, the inner corner of the slider comes into contact with the end of the guide slot of the terminal block, and at the same time, the slider is moved to the terminal of the FPC or FFC. The slider is moved in the direction of insertion into the block, and the end of the slider comes into contact with the end of the guide slot of the terminal block, thereby completing the movement of the slider.

In addition, a plurality of guide projections are implanted on the side surface parallel to the sliding direction of the slider, respectively.
The terminal block having a branched guide groove formed on the inner side surface of the terminal block facing the slider side surface is one of the guide protrusions.
After the book, that is, the first guide element abuts on the inner part of the guide slot, the slider is turned with respect to the terminal block around the first guide protrusion, and the other guide protrusion, ie, the second guide protrusion,
After the guide element has been inserted into the branched slot through the opening, it comes to the middle of the slot from the opening of the slot. Thereafter, the slider is advanced with respect to the terminal block until the first guide projection reaches the innermost part of the guide slot, and the first guide projection reaches the innermost part of the guide slot and the second When the guide projection comes into contact with the innermost portion of the branched slot, the movement of the slider with respect to the terminal block is completed, and the slider is locked at the position with respect to the terminal block. The protrusions arranged between the contacts of the slider are used for the FPC or FPC of the slider.
By entering the concave portions between the FC patterns, the contact between the connector and the FPC or FFC pattern can be surely aligned. Then, when the first guide projection reaches the deepest portion of the guide slot and the second guide projection reaches the deepest portion of the branched portion of the slot, the slider pivots with respect to the terminal block. Is completed, and the respective guide projections are locked at the innermost portions of the slots, whereby the slider is stably held at a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the contacts of the terminal block, and the slider of the terminal block is connected to the contacts of the connector. FP
The C or FFC is reliably connected at the correct position.

[0008]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the electrical connector of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a terminal block 1, a contact 2, a slider 3, and a locking holder 4 of an electric connector.
Shows the unfolded state before assembling respectively. In the figure, the terminal block 1 and the slider 3 are cut off at the center so that the inside of the terminal block 1 can be clearly seen, and only the right half as viewed in the drawing is shown, and the FPC or FFC inserted into the terminal block is omitted. Have been. The locking holder 4 is used to attach and fix the terminal block 1 of the connector to a substrate (not shown).

In the terminal block 1, a predetermined number of insertion slots 5 for arranging the contacts 2 at regular intervals are integrally formed, and the insertion slots at the opening side into which the FPC or FFC is inserted. The protrusions 6 are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval on the middle ridge line portion of 5. In FIG. 1, the projections 6 are provided at every third row of the contact insertion holes 5, but this arrangement can be increased or decreased as necessary. The contact 2 is a contact piece 2a having one end (the left end in FIG. 1) formed short.
And a pair of long and key-shaped contact pieces 2b are paired, and the required number of pairs are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in a horizontal direction. Each contact piece 2
The other ends (right ends in FIG. 1) of a and 2b are formed in a U-shape. When the contact 2 is inserted into the terminal block 1, the other end of each of the contact pieces 2a and 2b is aligned by the insertion slot 5 as shown, and the opening for inserting the connection end of the FPC or FFC is inserted. Is formed.

The slider 3 has guide projections 7 implanted on the left and right side surfaces parallel to the sliding direction, and has L terminals on the inner side surface of the terminal block 1 facing the slider side surface.
A guide groove 8 in the shape of a letter is formed.
The protrusions 6 of the terminal block 1 are arranged so as to open on the outer surface on the side where the protrusions 6 are not arranged.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the slider 3 is inserted into the terminal block 1 from the vertical direction, and the guide projection 7 of the slider 3 is attached to the guide slot 8 of the terminal block 1. When the contact 2 is inserted from one end of the terminal block 1 and the FPC or FFC is inserted from the other end of the terminal block 1, the projection 6 enters the concave portion between the FPC or FFC patterns. Connector contact and F
The alignment with the PC or FFC pattern is reliably performed. Thereafter, the slider 3 is moved from the state shown in FIGS. 2 to 3 to hold the FPC or FFC in the terminal block 1. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the FPC or FFC is held in the terminal block 1 by rotating the slider 3 about the guide projection 7 and then sliding it inward. FIGS. 4A and 4B show a series of these operations as viewed from the side of the terminal block 1. FIG.
(B), (C), and (2) show cross-sectional views of the terminal block 1 in (E), (F), (G), and (H) of FIG. (A), (B), (C) and (2) of FIG. 4 correspond to (E), (F), (G) and (H) of FIG. 5, respectively. The inner corner 3a of the slider 3 contacts the end 8a of the guide slot 8 of the terminal block 1, and at the same time, the slider 3
The PC or FFC moves in the direction of insertion into the terminal block 1, and the end of the distal end 3 b of the slider 3 comes into contact with the inner end 8 b of the guide groove 8 of the terminal block 1, thereby completing the movement of the slider. An upwardly projecting piece 9 is formed on the lower branch of the U-shaped portion at the other end (right end in the figure) of each contact 2, and when the slider 3 is slid toward the inside of the opening of the terminal block 1. The lower surface 10 of the slider 3 sandwiches the upper and lower surfaces of the FPC or FFC between the projecting piece 9 and the electrical connection between the contact 2 and the FPC or FFC.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 is a front view showing a state in which the contact 12 and the slider 13 are incorporated in the terminal block 11, FIG. 7 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 6, and FIG. It is.

The slider 13 differs from that of the first embodiment in that the connection end of the FPC or FFC is inserted into the insertion opening 14 and then the slider 13 is brought into contact with the contact 12 of the terminal block 11. A predetermined number of insertion slots 15 for arranging the contacts 12 at regular intervals are integrally formed in the terminal block 11, and the FPC or FFC
The projections 16 are provided at predetermined intervals (every other ridge line in this embodiment) on the ridge portion in the middle of the insertion slot 15 on the side of the insertion opening 14. Two guide projections 17 are respectively implanted on the side surface parallel to the sliding direction of the slider 13 and the terminal block 11 facing the side surface of the slider 13.
A guide groove 18 having a branched shape is formed on the inner surface of the terminal block. The end of the guide groove 18 has an opening on the outer surface of the terminal block on which the protrusions are not arranged as shown in FIG. I do.

FIGS. 10 (a), (b), (c), (2), and (c) show a series of operations in which the slider 13 is inserted into the terminal block 11 and locked, as viewed from the side of the terminal block 1.
(E) and (F) show cross-sectional views of the terminal block 11 in (G), (H), (L), (N), (L), and (ヲ) in FIG. (A), (b), (c),
(Ii), (e) and (f) are respectively (g) and (g) in FIG.
(H), (li), (nu), (ru) and (ヲ) are supported. The first guide projection 17a is inserted into the terminal block 11 from the opening of the guide slot 18 and abuts on the middle part 18a of the slot 18 (FIG. 10A).
The guide protrusion 17a is pivoted about the terminal block about the axis, and the second guide protrusion 17b is
10 ((b) in FIG. 10), the slider 13 further advances, and the first guide projection 17a is
As it proceeds further, the second guide projection 17b reaches the branching portion 18b of the slot 18 ((c) and (2) in FIG. 10), and the first guide projection 17a further advances to form the guide slot 18 The second guide projection 17b reaches the innermost portion 18c, and the
8b, the slider 13 completes its advance with respect to the terminal block (FIG. 10 (e)), and the slider 13 further pivots so that the second guide projection 17b is branched into a slot 18b.
Reaches the innermost portion 18d ((F) in FIG. 10), and the slider 1
3 is locked to the terminal block 11 at that position. In the meantime, protruding pieces 9 arranged in a row on one end between the contacts of the terminal block are formed. When the slider 13 is slid toward the inner side of the terminal block 11, the lower surface 20 of the slider 13 is The upper and lower surfaces of the FPC or FFC are held between the projecting piece 9 and the electrical connection between the contact 2 and the FPC or FFC is performed.

During the above-described series of operations, the projection 16 provided at the middle ridge of the insertion slot 15 is inserted into the recess between the FPC or FFC patterns sandwiched by the slider 13, and the action causes the FPC or FPC to enter. Is such that the FFC is at a predetermined position with respect to the terminal block 11.

[0016]

Since the electrical connector of the present invention is constructed as described above, the protrusions of the spacers arranged in the terminal block enter into the recesses between the FPC or FFC patterns, so that the contact of the connector and the FPC can be formed. Or the FFC pattern is securely aligned, the slider is stably held at a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the terminal block contacts, and the connector contacts and the FPC or FFC are securely positioned at the correct positions. Connected by In addition, since the slider is rotated and moved with respect to the terminal block, the FPC can be easily and reliably performed even in a narrow space.
Alternatively, an FFC can be inserted into the terminal block and connected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a contact, a terminal block, and a slider are respectively expanded in an embodiment of the electric connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a slider is attached to a terminal block of a contact shown in FIG. 1 and an opening of the block is open.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a slider is attached to a terminal block of the contact of FIG. 1 and an opening of the block is closed.

FIG. 4 shows a guide slot provided on the inner surface of the terminal block.
(A), (b), (c), and (2) show the state in which the guide protrusion of the slider is inserted, the slider is advanced, and the slider is locked to the terminal block.

5 (e) to (h) schematically show a process in which the slider and the contact are connected to each other with the FPC or FFC interposed therebetween according to the operation of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a slider incorporated in a terminal block in another embodiment of the electric connector of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a slider incorporated in the terminal block of FIG. 6;

8 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 shows a series of operations in which a slider is inserted into and locked in a terminal block as viewed from the side of the terminal block, (a), (b), (c), (ii), (e) and (e). To).

FIG. 11 shows a series of operations at k10 in the cross section of the terminal block, where (g), (h), (li), (nu),
(L) and (ヲ).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal block 2 Contact 2a, 2b Contact piece 3 Slider 3a Inner corner 3b Tip 4 Locking holder 5 Insertion slot 6 Projection 7 Guide projection 8 Guide slot 8a End 8b Inner end 9 Projection piece 10 Lower surface 11 Terminal block 12 Contact 13 Slider 14 Insertion opening 15 Insertion slot 16 Projection 17 Guide projection 17a First guide projection 17b Second guide projection 18 Guide slot 18a Middle depth 18b Branch 18c Deepest 18d Branch The innermost part of the part 19 Opening 20 Lower surface

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5E023 AA04 AA13 AA16 BB01 BB08 BB22 BB23 BB25 CC23 DD06 DD08 DD28 EE10 GG02 GG08 HH01 HH06 HH07

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A projection is provided between each contact of a terminal block of a connector on an opening side where an FPC or FFC is inserted, and the projection fits into a recess between FPC or FFC patterns inserted into the block. The electrical connector ensures that the contact of the connector and the FPC or FFC pattern are aligned by mating. 2. A projection is provided between each contact of a terminal block of a connector on an opening side where an FPC or an FFC is inserted, and a slider is moved to a contact of an opening where an FPC or an FFC of the terminal block of the connector is inserted. FPC attached to the terminal block.
After inserting the FFC or the FFC, the slider is moved to press the FPC or the FFC against the contact, and the protrusion enters the concave portion between the FPC or the FFC pattern, so that the contact of the connector and the FPC or the FFC are inserted. An electrical connector that ensures alignment with the FFC pattern 3. A guide projection is implanted on each of the left and right side surfaces parallel to the sliding direction of the slider, and an L-shaped guide groove is formed on a side surface of the terminal block facing the slider side surface. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein an end of the slot is arranged so as to open on an outer surface of the terminal block on a side where the protrusions are not arranged. 4. A slider is rotatably connected to the terminal block by inserting a contact into the terminal block after inserting the guide lug of the slider into the guide slot of the terminal block. Is pivoted about the terminal block, so that the inner corner of the slider abuts on the end of the guide slot of the terminal block, and at the same time, the slider moves in the insertion direction of the FPC or FFC into the terminal block, The end of the slider comes into contact with the end of the guide slot of the terminal block so that the movement of the slider is completed.
The electrical connector according to claim 3. 5. A plurality of guide projections are respectively implanted on a side surface parallel to a sliding direction of a slider, and a branched guide groove is formed on an inner surface of a terminal block facing the slider side surface. 3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein an end of the guide groove is arranged so as to open on an outer surface of the terminal block on a side where the protrusions are not arranged. 6. A first and a second guide projection are respectively implanted on a side surface parallel to a sliding direction of a slider, and said first and second guide projections are implanted.
After the guide projection comes into contact with the inside of the guide slot, the slider is pivoted about the first guide projection with respect to the terminal block, and the second guide projection is formed into a branched groove. The slider is advanced from the opening portion of the hole into the branched portion of the slot until the first guide projection reaches the innermost portion of the guide slot, and the first guide projection is moved by the guide slot. When the second guide projection reaches the innermost portion of the terminal block and contacts the innermost portion of the branched slot, the movement of the slider with respect to the terminal block ends, and the slider engages with the terminal block at that position. 6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein the protrusions are arranged so as to be stopped, and the projections arranged between the contacts of the terminal block are inserted into the recesses between the FPC or FFC patterns of the slider.