JP2003007376A - Connector for ffc connection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector for FFC connection, which can efficiently be installed and reduce parts cost. SOLUTION: The connector is characterized in that its made connector housing 1 is a injection molded one body, a retainer 106 engaging with a locking hole 2-1 made on FFC2 of this male connector housing 1 is provided on a retaining surface 1-15 of the FFC2, and a deflection space 1-5 of FFC with its cross section formed in an U-shape groove is provided throughout the ceiling surface 1-11 located on top of this retainer 1-6 from a slot 1-4 of FFC2 to its opposite end 1-16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flexible flat wiring board (hereinafter referred to as "FFC") having flexibility for automobiles and the like.
The same applies hereinafter, including flexible printed wiring boards (FPC). ) Belongs to the technical field of a connector for connecting a wiring board) to a wiring board or the like, and particularly relates to improvement of connection reliability and workability of assembling the connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of electrical connector, the one shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 has been used.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, reference numeral 51 denotes a male connector housing, which is composed of a base member 55 which receives the FFC 52 and a fixing member 56. The base member 55 is provided with a support portion 55-1 on which the FFC 52 is placed, a slit 55-3 formed in the support portion 55-1 and a locate pin 55-2.

Male connector housing 51 of FFC 52
Assembling to the FFC in the slit 55-3 of the base member
Insert the tip portion of 52, fit the locate pin 55-2 into the hole 52-1 of the FFC, and then insert the hole 56- of the fixing member.
1 is fitted with the locate pin 55-2 of the base member, and the engaging claws 56-2 at both ends of the fixing member 56 are engaged with the engaging portions 55-5 of the base member.

Reference numeral 53 is a female connector housing formed by injection molding of resin, to which contact terminals 54 are assembled.

The contact terminal 54 is a press-molded product of a brass plate, has a solder tail 54-2 formed at one end, and is inserted into a through hole of a circuit board or the like and soldered (not shown).

Two rod-shaped parts 54-3 having contacts 54-1 are formed at the other end.

When the male connector and the female connector are fitted to each other, the locking projection 55-4 of the base member and the engaging recess 53-1 of the female connector housing are engaged and fixed, and the tip portion of the support portion 55-1 is formed. Comes into contact with the contact terminal 54, and the rod-shaped portion 5
4-3 is elastically deformed, and the contact 54-1 of the contact terminal
Holds a conductor circuit portion of the FFC 52 to form a predetermined electric circuit.

[0009]

However, in such a conventional male connector, the assembly of the FFC 52 to the base member 55 requires the slit 55 of the base member 55.
-3 until the tip of the FFC 52 abuts against the vertical wall 55-6 of the slit, and is fitted into the locate pin 55-2 in the hole 52-1 of the FFC, and then the hole 5 of the fixing member 56.
Locating pin 55-2 is fitted to 6-1 to engage locking claw 56-2 of fixing member 56 with engaging portion 55-of base member 55.
5 must be engaged.

For this reason, the male connector housing 51 becomes two parts of the base member 55 and the fixing member 56, and the parts cost becomes high, and the assembling of the FFC 52 to the male connector housing 51 is performed by the slit of the base member at the tip of the FFC 52. 55-3 insert, base member locate pin and F
There is a problem that the work cost increases because the work of fitting the FC hole 52-1 and the assembling of the fixing member 56 and the base member 55 are required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an FFC connection connector which is inexpensive in component cost and assembly work cost and has good FFC assembly workability. .

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a male connector housing having an FFC assembled therein and a female connector housing having a contact terminal assembled therein are fitted to each other to provide a predetermined structure. An electrical connection connector that constitutes an electrical circuit, wherein the male connector housing has a holding surface for holding the assembled FFC, a ceiling surface on the upper side thereof, and a storage portion formed by guide grooves on both sides thereof, and the holding surface is provided on the holding surface. Is provided with a locking projection that engages with a locking hole provided in the FFC, and a ceiling surface located above the locking projection covers substantially the entire area from the insertion opening to the end of the FFC. And a groove-shaped FFC deflection space is provided.

The number of the locking projections may be one or plural, and they may be arranged in series or in parallel in the insertion direction of the FFC.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the groove of the flexible space of the FFC provided on the ceiling portion may be any of U-shape, U-shape and V-shape, and any other shape may restrain the deformation of the FFC caused by the locking projection. You don't have to do it.

A second aspect of the invention is the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, in which the F side is provided on the holding surface of the male connector housing.
It is characterized in that it has a shape regulation portion that regulates the tip portion of the FC by bending it downward.

[0016]

1 is a cross-sectional view of a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front (corresponding to cross-section AA in FIG. 3 after FFC installation), and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the male connector housing according to the embodiment of FIG.
1 is a right side view according to FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a left side view according to FIG.

1 to 4, reference numeral 1 is a male connector housing formed by injection molding of resin, and 2 is an FFC. Reference numeral 1-1 is a lock member, and a locking claw 1-2 that engages with the locking projection 3-1 of the female connector housing 3 when the male connector and the female connector are fitted to each other is provided at the tip.

Reference numerals 1-8 are guides for fitting the male connector and the female connector, and two guides are provided at both ends of the male connector housing to contribute to ensuring the rigidity of the male connector housing 1.

Reference numeral 1-13 is a storage portion for assembling and storing the FFC 2, and a lower portion thereof is a holding portion 1-1 for holding the FFC 2.
2 and the upper surface is the holding surface 1-15 of the FFC 2 and is 1
-11 is the ceiling surface. The ceiling surface 1-11 ends almost at the center of the holding surface 1-15.

1-3 are FF in the male connector housing 1.
This is a guide groove for inserting C2, and is provided over the substantially entire length of the male connector housing 1 from the insertion port 1-4 to the root of the guide 1-8.

Further, one or a plurality of guides 1-8 may be added to the central portion of the male connector housing 1, and a guide groove similar to the guide groove 1-3 may be provided at the base portion thereof.

Reference numeral 1-6 is a projection provided on a holding surface 1-15 for locking the FFC 2, and a slope 1-7 is formed on one surface of the projection 1-6.

Reference numeral 1-5 is a groove having a U-shaped cross section formed on the ceiling surface 1-11, which is located above the locking projection 1-6 provided on the holding surface 1-15, and which is located in the FFC 2. Insertion port 1-
It is provided over the entire area of the ceiling surface 1-11 from 4 to the opposite end 1-16.

Numerals 1-9 are protective protrusions provided on both sides of the lock member 1-1, and the locking claw 1-2 at the tip of the lock member 1-1 and the locking protrusion 3-1 of the female connector housing.
Has a function of protecting it from being inadvertently released when or after being assembled to an automobile or the like.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the FFC according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram during insertion of the FFC according to the embodiment of the present invention into the male connector housing.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram after inserting the FFC according to the embodiment of the present invention into the male connector housing.

In FIG. 5, 2 is an FFC, and 2-1
Is a hole for engaging with the projection 1-6 when the FFC 2 is assembled to the male connector housing 1 to prevent positioning and separation, and two holes are provided in parallel.

Reference numeral 2-3 is a conductor portion which constitutes an FFC circuit.

Assembling the FFC 2 into the male connector housing 1 is as shown in FIG. 6 from the insertion port 1-4 of the male connector housing 1 to the tip 2-2 of the FFC and the guide groove 1-3.
Insert along.

When the tip 2-2 of the FFC 2 reaches the projection 1-6 of the male connector housing 1, the tip 2-2 is inclined 1-.
7 and then deformed upward in a protruding shape, and when further pushed in, the tip 2-2 bends downward along the guide groove 1-3,
It abuts the vertical wall 1-10 of the male connector housing 1 and the locking projections 1-6 and the locking holes 2-1 engage at this position to complete the assembly (FIG. 7).

In the present embodiment, the locking protrusion 1-6
A flexible space 1-5 having a U-shaped groove in cross section is provided over the entire area of the ceiling surface 1-11 from the insertion opening 1-4 of the FFC 2 located on the upper part to the opposite end 1-16. Therefore, the insertion can be smoothly performed without restraining the deformation of the FFC 2.

Further, since the FFC 2 is guided and inserted into the guide groove 1-3, it does not float above the surface of the holding surface 1-15 of the male connector housing 1 and the tip 2
-2 is bent downward and accommodated in the shape restricting portion 1-14, and is in contact with the vertical wall 1-10, so that no catching occurs when engaging with the female connector housing 3. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the female connector according to the embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front (corresponding to cross-section BB of FIG. 10 after the contact terminal is incorporated), and FIG. 9 is related to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a left side view of the female connector housing shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 8 to 10, 3 is a female connector housing injection-molded of resin. On the outside of the female connector housing 3, a locking projection 3-1 that engages with the lock member 1-1 of the male connector housing, the lock member 1
-1 is provided with a protection member 3-2 for protecting the -1, and a storage chamber 3-3 for receiving the male connector is provided inside thereof.
Is provided.

The contact terminal 4 is inserted into the accommodating chamber 3-3 4
One slit 3-5 and male connector housing 1 at both ends
Guide grooves 3-4 that engage with the guides 1-8 are formed.

Further, at the other end of the female connector housing 3, there are provided locate pins 3-6 for positioning when the female connector housing 3 is attached to the circuit board.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a contact terminal formed by press-molding a brass plate. Two rod-shaped portions 4-3 are formed at one end of the contact terminal, and a contact 4-1 is formed at the tip of the rod-shaped portion 4-3. A solder tail 4-2 which is inserted into a through hole (not shown) and soldered is provided.

The contact terminal 4 is assembled into the female connector housing 3 by inserting the contact terminal 4 into the slit 3-5 from the right end of the female connector housing and pushing it in as shown in FIG. 8 to slit the protrusion 4-4 of the contact terminal 4. The end face 3-7 of the female connector housing 3 and the end face 4-5 of the contact terminal 4 are brought into contact with each other to complete the operation.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view when the male connector and the female connector according to the embodiment of the present invention are fitted together.

The male connector having the FFC 2 incorporated therein and the female connector having the contact terminals 4 incorporated therein are fitted with each other by inserting the guide 1-8 of the male connector housing 1 into the guide groove 3-4 of the female connector housing 3 in FIG. When engaged and pushed in, the tip of the holding portion 1-12 of the male connector housing 1 comes into contact with the contact 4-1 of the contact terminal 4 and 2
The bar-shaped portion 4-3 of the book elastically deforms, and the contact 4-1
And the conductor portion 2-3 of the FFC are electrically connected to each other to form a predetermined electric circuit, and the lock member 1- of the male connector housing 1
The locking claw 1-2 of 1 passes over the locking projection 3-1 of the female connector housing, and the locking claw 1-2 and the engagement projection 3-1 are engaged with each other to complete the fitting of the male and female connectors.

When the male and female connectors are fitted together, the guide 1-8 of the male connector housing 1 and the guide groove 3-4 of the female connector housing 3 are engaged with each other so that smooth fitting is possible.

Further, unlike the conventional example, the male connector housing 1 is not divided into two parts, that is, the base member 55 and the fixing member 56, so that the parts cost is low and the assembling workability is good.

[0042]

According to the invention of claim 1, since the male connector housing is an integrally molded product of resin, there is an effect that the parts cost is low.

Further, a locking projection that engages with a locking hole provided in the FFC is provided on the holding surface of the FFC of the male connector housing, and the ceiling surface located above the locking projection is F-shaped.
A flexible space for the FFC, which has a U-shaped groove in cross section, is provided over the entire area of the ceiling surface from the FC insertion port to the opposite end, so when the FFC is assembled and inserted into the male connector housing, the FFC is inserted. Where FF reaches the protrusion
Although C deforms upward in a protruding shape, there is an effect that the insertion can be smoothly performed without restraining the deformation of the FFC.

Further, since the FFC is inserted while being guided by the guide groove, it is possible to obtain an effect that it does not float up from the holding surface of the male connector housing.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the tip of the FFC is bent downward and accommodated in the shape restricting portion of the male connector housing, and abuts against the vertical wall. Therefore, there is an advantage that no catching occurs when engaging with the female connector housing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a male connector according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the male connector housing 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the FFC 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram during insertion of the FFC 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention into the male connector housing 1.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram after inserting the FFC 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention into the male connector housing 1.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the female connector according to the embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the female connector housing 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a left side view according to FIG.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view after fitting the male connector and the female connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a male connector and a female connector according to a conventional example.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a male connector and a female connector according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 51: Male connector housing 1-1, 53-1: Lock member 1-2: Locking claw 1-3: Guide groove 1-4: Insertion port 1-5
: Deflection space 1-6: Locking protrusion 1-7: Slope 1-8: Guide 1-9: Protecting protrusion 1-
10: Vertical wall 1-11: Ceiling surface 1-12: Holding part 1-
13: Storage part 1-14: Shape control part 1-15: Holding surface
1-16: End part 2, 52: FFC 2-1, 52-1: Locking hole 2-2: Tip part 2-3: Conductor part 3, 53: Female connector housing 3-1: Locking protrusion 3- 2: Protective member 3-3
: Storage room 3-4: Guide groove 3-5: Slit 3-6
: Locate pin 4, 54: Contact terminal 4-1, 54-1: Contact 4-2: Solder tail 4-3: Bar part 55: Base member 55-1: Support part 55-2: Locate pin 5
5-3: Slit 55-4: Locking projection 55-5: Engagement recess 56: Fixing member 56-1: Hole

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An electrical connector in which a male connector housing having an FFC assembled therein and a female connector housing having contact terminals assembled therein are fitted to each other to form a predetermined electric circuit, wherein the male connector housing is assembled. Further, the holding surface for holding the FFC, the ceiling surface on the upper side of the holding surface, and the storage portion formed of the guide grooves on both sides thereof are provided, and the holding surface has a locking projection that engages with a locking hole provided in the FFC. The ceiling surface, which is provided above the locking protrusion, is provided with the FFC.
An electric connection connector, wherein a groove-shaped FFC flexure space is provided over substantially the entire area from the insertion opening to the end. 2. The electrical connecting connector according to claim 1, wherein the holding surface of the male connector housing has a shape restricting portion that restricts a tip end portion of the FFC by bending it downward.