JP2003017167A - Connector for fpc/ffc - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector equipped in a good balance with turning operability and high contact pressure for one for an FPC/FFC having a turning type actuator. SOLUTION: A plurality of contacts equipped with a contacting leg with an FPC/FFC and a stabilizer leg matching the contact leg are composed of a front-side contact group with the contact legs located at front side and a hind-side contact group. A spring-rest part and an insertion protrusion are alternately formed at an actuator in correspondence with stabilizer legs of hind-side contacts and front-side contacts, of which, the stabilizer leg of the hind-side contact group is to be an elastically deforming leg which elastically deforms by engaging with the spring-rest part of the actuator and the stabilizer leg of the front-side contact group is to be a fixed leg which generates contact pressure of the FPC/FFC with the contact legs of the both contact groups when the actuator turns to a locking position and its insertion protrusion gets in between the stabilizer legs and the FPC/FFC.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) and a flexible flat cable (FFC).
The present invention relates to a connector used when connecting a contact group (a substrate).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FPC / FFC connectors support a plurality of contacts in an insulator for electrically connecting the FPC / FFC and a board, and lock the contact group and the FPC / FFC inserted in the insulator. The position (position) and the unlock position are brought into contact with each other by an actuator (slider) rotatably supported (obtaining contact pressure).

With this FPC / FFC connector, it has been difficult to obtain a good balance between the rotational operability of the actuator and a sufficient contact pressure. In particular, the recent miniaturization of connectors is progressing to the utmost limit, and in order to narrow the contact group arrangement pitch, it is common to arrange the contact groups in two rows in a staggered pattern. Difficult.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a rotary type FP for rotating an actuator between a locked position and an unlocked position.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a C / FFC connector that has a good balance of rotational operability and high contact pressure.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an insulator having a plurality of contacts for contacting an FPC / FFC; a pivoting operation between a locked position and an unlocked position is possible with respect to the insulator, and the elastic position is provided in the locked position. In an FPC / FFC connector having a deformable contact group and an actuator that receives a contact pressure between the FPC / FFC, the plurality of contacts constitute an FPC / FFC insertion groove, and a contact leg with the FPC / FFC and this contact. A first contact group and a second contact group having stabilizer legs corresponding to the legs and aligned in parallel with each other; the first and second contact groups having contact legs F
It should be a front contact group and a back contact group that are aligned every other on the front side and the back side in the PC insertion direction; the actuator corresponds to each stabilizer leg of the back side contact and the front side contact, Every other spring receiving portion and insertion protrusion are formed in sequence; the stabilizer leg of the rear contact group is provided with the spring of the actuator when the actuator rotates between the unlock position and the lock position. The stabilizer leg that is elastically deformed by engaging with the receiving portion; and the stabilizer leg of the front side contact group is such that the insertion protrusion of the stabilizer pivot and the FPC / FFC when the actuator rotates to the lock position. With a fixed leg that receives the force from the contact legs of both contact groups that elastically deforms when entering between them and generates contact pressure with the FPC / FFC It is characterized in; Rukoto.

In one form of the actuator, the actuator is provided with a pressing protrusion for pressing the FPC / FFC when rotating in the locking direction from the rotation end in the unlocking direction, and the spring receiving portion has the pressing protrusion at its maximum. When the FPC / FFC is pressed and deformed to the contact leg side, it is preferable to elastically deform the elastically deformable leg of the back side contact group to the maximum and reduce the elastic deformation amount before and after that.

The locking position of the actuator having a substantially flat plate shape is a position substantially parallel to the insulator having a substantially flat plate shape. The rotation end of the actuator in the unlocking direction is set, for example, so as to exceed the position where the actuator is orthogonal to the insulator, and the maximum displacement of the elastically deformable leg of the rear contact group is locked from the position where the actuator is orthogonal to the insulator. When it is generated at the position pivoted to the side, a favorable click feeling to the locked position is obtained.

Alternatively, the spring receiving portion of the actuator temporarily elastically deforms the elastically deformable leg of the back side contact group to the maximum when the actuator is rotated in the locking direction from the rotation end in the unlocking direction, and then elastically deformed. It is also possible to use a cam portion that reduces the amount of deformation, and the spring receiving portion in the shape of this cam portion also provides a favorable click feeling to the locked position.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS.
1 shows a first embodiment of a PC / FFC connector. The insulator 10, which is made of an insulating material and has a flat plate shape parallel to the substrate B as a whole, is formed with a pair of left and right pivotal support portions 11, and between the left and right pivotal support portions (arms) 11, Similarly, the left and right rotation supporting portions 21 of the actuator 20 which is also made of an insulating material and has a substantially flat plate shape are rotatably supported. Reference numeral 21X (FIGS. 3 and 5) represents the central axis of rotation.
When the actuator 20 is rotated around this rotation support portion 21 (11), the FPC / FFC 50 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is obtained.
The FPC / FFC mounting surface 10S (FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8) for mounting (inserting) is opened and closed. That is, this FPC
The / FFC mounting surface 10S is closed when the actuator 20 is rotated to the lock position, and opened when rotated to the unlock position. Rotation center shaft 21X of the actuator 20
Can be slightly moved (there is some play) with respect to the rotation support portion 11 of the insulator 10.

The insulator 10 is formed with a contact storage groove 12 for storing the first contact group 30 and a contact storage groove 13 for storing the second contact group 40, which are aligned at predetermined intervals. ing.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first contact group 30 has a soldering leg 30a to be soldered to the land BL on the substrate B and an FPC / FFC mounting surface 1 respectively.
The contact leg 30b facing 0S and the stabilizer leg 30c facing the contact leg 30b are provided. Similarly, each of the second contact groups 40 includes the land BL on the substrate B.
Soldering leg 40a to be soldered to, contact leg 40b facing FPC / FFC mounting surface 10S, and this contact leg 40b
Is provided with a stabilizer leg 40c opposed to. A downward hook portion 40d is formed at the tip of the stabilizer leg 40c. Contact leg 30b of the first contact group 30
And stabilizer legs 30c, and second contact group 40
The contact leg 40b and the stabilizer leg 30c have a flat U-shape with one end connected to each other and the other end opened to form FPC / FFC insertion grooves 30s and 40s. Since the contact leg 30b and the contact leg 40b are located on the front side and the back side in the FPC insertion direction, the first contact group 30 is the front (front) side contact group, and the second contact group 40 is the back (rear) side. A group of contacts. The front elastic contact legs 30b and the rear elastic contact legs 40b are arranged in a zigzag shape when viewed in a plan view.

Actuator 20 is provided with contact accommodating grooves 22 and 23, which are located in the vicinity of rotation fulcrum shaft 21X and are located in the extending direction of contact accommodating grooves 12 and 13 of insulator 10, respectively. As is apparent from FIG. 7, the contact receiving grooves 22 and 23 are
Every other one is formed in order. The tip end portion of the stabilizer leg 30c of the front side contact group 30 is fitted in the contact storage groove 22, and the stabilizer leg 40c of the back side contact group 40 is fitted in the contact storage groove 23. In addition, the actuator 20 includes a rotation center shaft 2
Regarding 1X, a pressing protrusion 24 that presses the FPC / FFC 50 is formed on the side opposite to the force applying portion. In this embodiment, the lock position of the actuator 20 is substantially parallel to the insulator 10 (FPC / FFC mounting surface 50S).
Is the position where the actuator 20 is closed), and the pivot end in the unlock direction is beyond the position where the actuator 20 is orthogonal to the insulator. The pressing protrusion 24 maximizes the contact leg 30 with the FPC / FFC 50 when the actuator 20 is rotated from the position orthogonal to the insulator 10 to the lock position side.
It is formed at a position (shape) where it is elastically deformed toward the b and 40b sides.

An insertion protrusion 22a is formed in each contact receiving groove 22, and a spring receiving portion 23a is formed in each contact receiving groove 23. The spring bearing portion 23a has a circular cross-sectional shape substantially centering on the rotation center shaft 21X. The relationship between the insertion protrusion 22a and the stabilizer leg 30c of the front contact group 30 is such that when the actuator 20 rotates to the lock position and the insertion protrusion 22a enters between the stabilizer leg 30c and the FPC / FFC50, the front side. And the contact leg 30b and the contact leg 40b of the contact group on the far side are in contact with each other (to generate contact pressure) with the FPC / FFC 50. That is, the stabilizer leg 30c is substantially a fixed leg. On the other hand, the spring receiving portion 2
3a is a stabilizer leg 40c of the rear contact group 40.
It is fitted in a hook portion 40d formed at the tip of the to prevent it from coming off. The actuator 20 is provided with the stabilizer leg 40.
Due to the engagement relationship between the hook portion 40d of c and the spring receiving portion 23a having a circular cross section, it can rotate about the rotation center shaft 21X. Further, the relationship between the spring receiving portion 23a and the stabilizer leg 40c (hook portion 40d) of the back side contact group 40 is that the actuator 20 is rotated between the unlock position and the lock position, and the FPC / FFC
When 50 is deformed by pressing, the stabilizer leg 40c is elastically deformed by the reaction force of the FPC / FFC 50, and a rotational force in the locking direction is applied to the actuator 20. That is, the stabilizer leg 40c is an elastically deformable leg. As described above, there is a play between the rotation support portion 21 of the actuator 20 and the rotation support portion 11 of the insulator 10, which allows the spring receiving portion 23a (actuator 20) to move further.

In the FPC / FFC connector having the above structure, the actuator 20 is rotated in the unlocking direction on the insulator 10 about the rotation supporting portion 21 (11) to open the FPC / FFC mounting surface 10S. FP in that state
C / FFC50 to FPC / FFC insertion groove 30s and 40s
It is inserted between (FIG. 5 (A), FIG. 6 (A)). And
After inserting the FPC / FFC 50, the actuator 20
Is rotated to the lock position, the pressing protrusion 24
The FFC 50 is elastically deformed toward the contact legs 30b and 40b,
The spring receiving portion 23a receiving the reaction force is the stabilizer leg 4
0c is elastically deformed. When the actuator 20 is rotated toward the lock side from the position where the actuator 20 is orthogonal to the insulator 10 (FIG. 5 (B)), the pressing protrusions 24 are FPC / F.
Since the FC50 is elastically deformed to the side of the contact legs 30b and 40b to the maximum, the maximum elastic displacement of the stabilizer leg 40c also occurs at this time, and the actuator 20 is given a turning force in the locking direction (FIG. 5C). Therefore, the actuator 20 can be rotated to the lock position with a preferable click feeling (FIG. 5D).

On the other hand, when the actuator 20 is rotated to the lock position, the insertion projection 22a thereof is inserted between the stabilizer leg 30c and the FPC / FFC 50, and the FP
The C / FFC 50 is pressed toward the contact legs 30b and 40b to elastically deform the contact legs 30b and 40b, and the FPC / FF
Contact with C50 (generate contact pressure) (Fig. 6)
(B)).

As described above, in this embodiment, the stabilizer leg 40c of the back side contact group 40 mainly acts as an elastic contact leg that causes the actuator 20 to generate a force in the locking direction (closing direction), and the front side contact group 40 The stabilizer leg 30c of 30 mainly uses the insertion protrusion 22a to
Since the contact pressure between the FPC / FFC 50 and the contact legs 30b and 40b is applied, a connector having a good balance of the turning operability and the high (sufficient) contact pressure can be obtained. It does not matter whether or not the stabilizer leg 40c of the back side contact group 40 is provided with the contact pressure application function at the lock position of the actuator 20. That is, in the locked position, the stabilizer leg 40c moves the actuator 20 to the FP.
Whether or not the C / FFC 50 has elasticity to press and urge it can be freely designed.

9 and 10 show the FPC / F according to the present invention.
9 shows another embodiment of an FC connector. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the spring receiving portion 23a of the actuator 20 is a cam portion 23a 'and that the shapes of the front side contact group 30 and the back side contact group 40 are slightly changed. The cam portion 23a ′ (the outer peripheral surface shape of the spring receiving portion 23a) is provided when the actuator 20 exceeds a position orthogonal to the insulator 10 when the actuator 20 is rotated in the lock direction from the rotation end in the unlock direction. The stabilizer leg 40c of the rear contact group 40 is elastically deformed to the maximum and then the amount of elastic deformation is reduced. Therefore, similarly to the previous embodiment, the actuator 20 can be rotated to the lock position with a preferable click feeling. In this embodiment, the rotation center shaft 21
This is suitable for a mode in which the play of X is reduced and the large pressing protrusion 24 is not formed on the actuator 20.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the FPC / FFC connector having the rotary type actuator, a connector having a good balance of the rotary operability and the high contact pressure can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an FPC / FFC connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view in the cross-sectional state of FIG. 3, showing a state change when the actuator is rotated.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in the cross-sectional state of FIG. 4, showing a state change when the actuator is rotated.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a relationship between an actuator and one front contact and one rear contact.

8 is a perspective view of the FPC / FFC connector of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing another embodiment of the FPC / FFC connector according to the present invention.

10 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

B board 10 insulator 11 Rotation support 12 13 Contact storage groove 20 actuators 21 Rotation support 21X rotation center axis 22 23 Contact storage groove 22a Insertion protrusion 23a Spring receiver 23a 'cam part 24 Pressing protrusion 30 First contact group (front side contact group) 40 Second contact group (back side contact group) 30a 40a Soldering leg 30b 40b contact leg 30c Stabilizer leg (fixed leg) 40c Stabilizer leg (elastically deformable leg) 40d hook 30s 40s FPC / FFC insertion groove 50 FPC / FFC 50S FPC / FFC mounting surface

Continued front page    F term (reference) 5E021 FA05 FA11 FB02 FB05 FB08                       FB13 FC25 FC36 GA01 HC16                       HC33                 5E023 AA04 AA16 BB08 BB22 BB23                       CC23 CC26 DD03 DD25 DD28                       EE12 GG02 HH08 HH17

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An insulator having a plurality of contacts in contact with an FPC / FFC; and a contact group which is rotatable with respect to the insulator between a locked position and an unlocked position and which is elastically deformed at the locked position. In an FPC / FFC connector having an actuator that receives a contact pressure with the FPC / FFC, the plurality of contacts correspond to the contact leg with the FPC / FFC forming the FPC / FFC insertion groove and the contact leg. A first contact group and a second contact group, which have stabilizer legs and are aligned in parallel with each other.
It is a front contact group and a back side contact group that are aligned every other side on the front side and the back side in the insertion direction.The actuator has springs that correspond to the stabilizer legs of the back side contact and the front side contact. The receiving portion and the insertion projection are formed in sequence, and the stabilizer leg of the rear contact group is provided with the spring bearing of the actuator when the actuator rotates between the unlock position and the lock position. The stabilizer leg of the front contact group is an elastically deformable leg that is elastically deformed by engaging with a portion of the front contact group, and the insertion protrusion is formed between the stabilizer leg and the FPC / FFC when the actuator rotates to the lock position. When it gets in, it receives the force from the contact legs of both contact groups that elastically deform and F
An FPC / FFC connector, which is a fixed leg that generates a contact pressure with the PC / FFC. 2. The FPC / FFC connector according to claim 1, wherein the actuator has a pressing protrusion that presses the FPC / FFC when rotating in the locking direction from a rotation end in the unlocking direction, and the spring. The receiving portion FPC / F reduces the elastic deformation amount before and after the elastic deformation leg of the back side contact group is elastically deformed to the maximum when the pressing protrusion deforms the FPC / FFC to the contact leg side to the maximum.
FC connector. 3. The FPC / FFC connector according to claim 2, wherein the actuator lock position is substantially parallel to the insulator, and the pivot end in the unlock direction is a position where the actuator is orthogonal to the insulator. The maximum displacement of the elastically deformable leg of the back-side contact group occurs at a position where the actuator rotates to the lock side from a position orthogonal to the insulator, and FP that causes the actuator to generate a click turning force in the lock direction.
C / FFC connector. 4. The FPC / FFC connector according to claim 1, wherein the spring bearing portion of the actuator is orthogonal to the insulator when the actuator is rotated in the lock direction from a rotation end in the unlock direction. The cam part that causes the actuator to generate a click rotation force in the locking direction by elastically deforming the elastically deformable legs of the rear contact group to the maximum at the position rotated to the lock side from the position and then reducing the elastic deformation amount. FPC / FFC connector consisting of.