JP2004319145A

JP2004319145A - Connector device and circuit board inspection method

Info

Publication number: JP2004319145A
Application number: JP2003108556A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Takahiro Shindo; 高広神藤; Hiroshi Abe; 博阿部
Original assignee: Fuji Machine Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fuji Corp
Priority date: 2003-04-14
Filing date: 2003-04-14
Publication date: 2004-11-11

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent making scratches on a flexible board at attaching and detaching a connector device to and from the terminal of the flexible board. <P>SOLUTION: A lifter 27 is provided in a connector housing 21 so as to be opposed to contacts 22, 23 and this lifter 27 is energized by a spring in the direction of opening the gap for terminal insertion between the contacts 22, 23. A lifter push-up member 35 for pushing up the lifter 27 to the contact 22, 23 side is provided capable of sliding, and in the state that the terminal of the flexible board 24 is inserted into the gap for terminal insertion between contacts 22, 23 and the lifter 27, the lifter push-up member 35 is pushed into the connector housing 21, and the lifter 27 is pushed up. Thereby, the terminal of the flexible board 24 is clipped between the contacts 22, 23 and the lifter 27, and the contacts 22, 23 and the terminal are supported in contacted state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、フレキシブル基板等の回路基板の端縁部に列設された端子に挿脱可能に接続されるコネクタ装置及びこのコネクタ装置を用いた回路基板検査方法に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種のコネクタ装置としては、下記の特許文献１〜３に記載されたものがある。例えば、特許文献１（特開２００１−２３００３３号公報）には、図１０に示すように、フレキシブル基板１１（フラットケーブル）の端子の配列ピッチと同じピッチで配列されたコンタクト１２を内蔵するコネクタハウジング１３に、該フレキシブル基板１の端子をコンタクト１２との間で挟み込んで保持するためのスライド部材１４を該フレキシブル基板１１の挿脱方向にスライド可能に設けた構成のものが記載されている。
【０００３】
この構成では、図１０（ａ）に示すように、スライド部材１４をコネクタハウジング１３から引き出した時に、該スライド部材１４とコンタクト１２との間にフレキシブル基板１１の端子部分の厚み寸法よりも大きい隙間が形成され、この隙間にフレキシブル基板１１の端子部分を挿入した後、図１０（ｂ）に示すように、スライド部材１４をコネクタハウジング１３内に押し込むことで、該スライド部材１４とコンタクト１２との間にフレキシブル基板１１の端子を挟み込んで、コンタクト１２とフレキシブル基板１１の端子とを接触させた状態に保持するようになっている。そして、このコネクタ装置をフレキシブル基板１１から取り外す場合は、スライド部材１４をコネクタハウジング１３から引き出すことで、スライド部材１４とコンタクト１２との間の隙間を開いてフレキシブル基板１１の端子の挟み付けを解除するようにしている。
【０００４】
尚、特許文献２（実用新案登録第２５９０８５９号公報）や、特許文献３（実公平６−３５４１５号公報）に記載されたコネクタ装置も、スライド部材とコンタクトとの間にフレキシブル基板の端子を挟み込む構成となっている。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−２３００３３号公報（第２頁〜第３頁等）
【特許文献２】
実用新案登録第２５９０８５９号公報（第３頁〜第４頁等）
【特許文献３】
実公平６−３５４１５号公報（第３頁〜第４頁等）
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記特許文献１〜３に記載されたコネクタ装置は、いずれも、スライド部材１４とコンタクト１２との間にフレキシブル基板１１の端子を挟み込む構成となっているため、フレキシブル基板１１の端子に対してコネクタ装置を着脱する際に、コネクタハウジング１３内にスライド部材１４を押し込んだり引き出す過程で、スライド部材１４がフレキシブル基板１１の裏面と擦れ合った状態で押し込まれたり引き出されるようになる。このため、コネクタ装置の着脱時にフレキシブル基板１１の裏面にスライド部材１４と擦れ合った擦り傷が付いたり、或は、フレキシブル基板１１の表面がコンタクト１２に押し付けられた状態で該フレキシブル基板１１がスライド部材１４から受ける摩擦力によってずれ動かされて該フレキシブル基板１１の表面にコンタクト１２と擦れ合った擦り傷が付く可能性もある。
【０００７】
特に、フレキシブル基板１１の製造後の検査工程で、フレキシブル基板１１の配線パターンの良否を検査する検査装置とフレキシブル基板１１の端子とを電気的に接続するコネクタ装置として、上記特許文献１〜３の構成のコネクタ装置を用いると、検査工程で、フレキシブル基板１１に擦り傷を付けてしまい、フレキシブル基板１１の品質低下や不良品発生を招いてしまう。
【０００８】
本発明はこれらの事情を考慮してなされたものであり、従ってその目的は、フレキシブル基板等の回路基板の端縁部に列設された端子にコネクタ装置を着脱する際に、回路基板に擦り傷が付くことを防止することができるコネクタ装置及び回路基板検査方法を提供することにある。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、本発明の請求項１のコネクタ装置は、コネクタハウジング内にコンタクトと対向するようにリフタを設けて、このリフタをコンタクトとの間の隙間を回路基板の端子部分の厚み寸法よりも大きく開く方向に付勢すると共に、このリフタをコンタクト側に押し上げるリフタ押上部材を設け、フレキシブル基板等の回路基板の端子を前記コンタクトと前記リフタとの間の隙間に挿入した状態で前記リフタ押上部材により該リフタを該コンタクト側に押し上げることで、該コンタクトと該リフタとの間に該回路基板の端子を挟み込んで該コンタクトと該端子とを接触させた状態に保持するように構成したものである。
【００１０】
この構成では、回路基板の端子をコンタクトに押し付けるための部材が、回路基板の挿脱方向にスライドするスライド部材ではなく、回路基板に対してその接離方向（端子挿入用の隙間を開閉する方向）に移動するリフタであるため、コネクタ装置の着脱時にリフタが回路基板と擦れ合うことなく移動して、回路基板の裏面にリフタによる擦り傷が付くことが防止される。しかも、回路基板の表面がコンタクトに押し付けられた状態で該回路基板がリフタの摩擦力によりずれ動かされることがないため、回路基板の表面にコンタクトによる擦り傷が付くことも防止される。
【００１１】
この場合、リフタ押上部材を回動させてリフタを押し上げる構成や、リフタ押上部材を上昇させてリフタを押し上げる構成も考えられるが、請求項２のように、リフタ押上部材を、コネクタハウジングに対して回路基板の挿脱方向にスライド可能に設け、該リフタ押上部材をコネクタハウジングから引き出した状態では、該リフタ押上部材とリフタとが一平面状に並んで該リフタ押上部材が回路基板の端子の挿入を案内するガイド部材として機能し、該リフタ押上部材を該コネクタハウジング内に押し込んで、該リフタ押上部材の奥側に形成した楔形部を該リフタの裏面側に潜り込ませることで、該リフタを押し上げるように構成すると良い。このようにすれば、回路基板の端子をコンタクトとリフタとの間の隙間に挿入する際に、リフタ押上部材を回路基板の端子の挿入を案内するガイド部材として機能させることができるので、回路基板の端子の挿入が容易となり、作業能率を向上させることができる。しかも、リフタ押上部材をコネクタハウジングにスライド可能に設ける構成であるため、リフタを押し上げる構成が簡単で、かつ、コネクタ装置をコンパクト化できるという利点がある。
【００１２】
また、請求項３のように、リフタ押上部材に、回路基板の端子を左右方向に位置決めして挿入する位置決めガイド部を設けるようにしても良い。このようにすれば、回路基板の端子の挿入時に、該端子とコンタクトとの位置合わせが容易になると共に、両者の位置合わせ精度を高めて接続信頼性を向上させることができる。
【００１３】
更に、請求項４のように、リフタに、回路基板の端子を左右方向に位置決めして挿入する位置決めガイド部と、該回路基板の端子の挿入限界位置を決めるストッパ部とを設けるようにしても良い。このようにすれば、請求項３と同じく、回路基板の端子の挿入時に、該端子とコンタクトとの位置合わせが容易になると共に、両者の位置合わせ精度を高めて接続信頼性を向上させることができる。
【００１４】
また、請求項５のように、コネクタハウジングに、リフタ押上部材をリフタを押し上げる位置とその押し上げを解除する位置との間で移動させる操作レバーを回動操作可能に設けるようにしても良い。このようにすれば、操作レバーの回動操作によってリフタを移動させることができるため、リフタの移動操作が容易となり、作業能率を向上させることができる。
【００１５】
この場合、請求項６のように、操作レバーを、コネクタハウジングの上方側を回動するように設け、該操作レバーを該コネクタハウジングの上面とほぼ平行になる位置まで回動させることで、リフタ押上部材をリフタを押し上げる位置まで移動させるように構成しても良い。このようにすれば、コネクタ装置の取付時に、片手で操作レバーを上から押さえ付けるだけで、コンタクトとリフタとの間に回路基板の端子を挟み込んだ状態に保持することができ、操作性を更に向上させることができる。
【００１６】
また、請求項７のように、操作レバーには、リフタ押上部材をリフタを押し上げる位置に移動させた時に該リフタ押上部材に掛合してこれを保持するロック部を設けるようにしても良い。このようにすれば、リフタ押上部材をリフタを押し上げる位置で確実にロックすることができ、外力等によりリフタ押上部材が勝手に動いてコネクタ装置が外れることを確実に防止できる。
【００１７】
以上説明した請求項１〜７に記載のコネクタ装置は、種々の用途に用いることができるが、例えば、請求項８のように、回路基板の配線パターンの良否を検査する検査装置と回路基板の端子とを電気的に接続するコネクタ装置として、請求項１乃至７のいずれかに記載のコネクタ装置を用いるようにすると良い。このようにすれば、回路基板の製造後の検査工程で、回路基板の端子にコネクタ装置を着脱する際に、回路基板に擦り傷が付くことを防止することができ、検査工程での回路基板の品質低下や不良品発生を防止できる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施形態を図１乃至図９に基づいて説明する。まず、コネクタ装置の構成を説明する。コネクタハウジング２１は、プラスチック等の絶縁性材料により偏平な箱状に形成され、その内部には、コンタクト２２，２３が千鳥状に配列されている。このコンタクト２２，２３の千鳥状の配列パターンは、フレキシブル基板２４の端縁部に千鳥状に形成された端子２５，２６（図９参照）の配列パターンに対応させたものである。要は、コンタクト２２，２３の配列パターン・ピッチを、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の配列パターン・ピッチと同一にすれば良い。従って、例えば、フレキシブル基板の端子が一直線状に配列されている場合は、その端子ピッチと同ピッチでコンタクトを一直線状に配列すれば良い。
【００１９】
コネクタハウジング２１内には、コンタクト２２，２３の下方側にリフタ２７が上下動可能に設けられている。このリフタ２７は、プラスチック等の絶縁性材料により縦断面Ｌ字形に形成され、その背面壁部２７ｂには、コンタクト２３を挿通する開口部２８［図６（ｂ）参照］が形成されている。この開口部２８の大きさは、リフタ２７の上下動範囲でコンタクト２３が開口部２８の上縁・下縁に当接しないように形成されている。図６に示すように、リフタ２７の左右両側部には、上下方向に貫通する支持孔２９が形成され、図６（ｅ）に示すように、各支持孔２９にシャフト３０を挿通してこのシャフト３０の上下両端部をコネクタハウジング２１に固定することで、リフタ２７をシャフト３０を介してコネクタハウジング２１に上下動可能に組み付けている。そして、シャフト３０の上部側に挿通したスプリング３１によってリフタ２７を上側から押さえ付けることで、該リフタ２７とコンタクト２２，２３との間の端子挿入用の隙間をフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６部分の厚み寸法よりも大きく開く方向（つまり下方）に付勢するようにしている。
【００２０】
リフタ２７は、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を受ける底壁部２７ａの上面（基板受け面）を水平面に形成し、この底壁部２７ａの前端上縁部から下面側（裏面側）に向けて傾斜するガイド面３２が形成されている。このガイド面３２は、後述するリフタ押上部材３５をリフタ２７の底壁部２７ａの下面側（裏面側）に押し込むためのガイド面となる。リフタ２７の左右両側壁部には、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を左右方向に位置決めして挿入する位置決めガイド部３３，３４が前後２段に形成されている。前側の位置決めガイド部３３間の開口幅Ｄは、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の挿入を容易にするために後側の位置決めガイド部３４間の開口幅Ｅよりも少し大きく形成され、後側の位置決めガイド部３４間の開口幅Ｅは、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６部分の幅寸法よりも必要最小限の挿入クリアランス分だけ大きいだけであり、それによって、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を左右方向に精度良く位置決めできるようになっている。各位置決めガイド部３３，３４の前端部には、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の挿入を案内するガイド面３３ａ，３４ａが形成されている。リフタ２７の背面壁部２７ｂは、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の挿入限界位置を決めるストッパ部として利用される。
【００２１】
一方、コネクタハウジング２１には、リフタ押上部材３５がフレキシブル基板２４の挿脱方向（前後方向）にスライド可能に設けられている。このリフタ押上部材３５は、プラスチック等の絶縁性材料により縦断面Ｌ字形に形成され、その奥側（後側）には、上面が奥側に向かって下り傾斜する楔形部４０が形成されている。
【００２２】
図１（ｂ）に示すように、リフタ押上部材３５の楔形部４０の上面の傾斜角度は、リフタ２７のガイド面３２の傾斜角度とほぼ同一となっており、リフタ押上部材３５をコネクタハウジング２１から限界位置まで引き出した状態では、リフタ押上部材３５の楔形部４０の上面とリフタ２７のガイド面３２とが重なり合って、リフタ押上部材３５の基板受け面とリフタ２７の基板受け面とが一平面状に連続するように並んだ状態となり、これにより、リフタ押上部材３５がフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の挿入を案内するガイド部材として機能するようになっている。図１（ｂ）に示すように、リフタ押上部材３５をコネクタハウジング２１から限界位置まで引き出した状態では、スプリング３１の押し下げ力によってリフタ２７が下限位置に保持され、該リフタ２７とコンタクト２２，２３との間の端子挿入用の隙間がフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６部分の厚み寸法よりも大きく開いた状態に保持されている。
【００２３】
図７に示すように、リフタ押上部材３５の前面壁部３５ａには、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を左右方向に位置決めして挿入する端子挿入口３６（位置決めガイド部）が形成されている。この端子挿入口３６の内周面は、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の挿入を容易にするために前側に向かって拡開するテーパ面に形成され、該端子挿入口３６の左右方向の最小開口幅Ｆは、リフタ２７の前側の位置決めガイド部３３間の開口幅Ｄとほぼ同一に設定されている（図５参照）。
【００２４】
また、リフタ押上部材３５の前面壁部３５ａの左右両側部には、それぞれ支持片部３７が後方に延びるように一体に形成され、各支持片部３７の後端部内面に抜止め用の係止突部３８が一体に形成され、更に、各支持片部３７の後側部外面には、後述する操作レバー５０と連結するための連結軸部３９が一体に形成されている。
【００２５】
これに対して、図１、図５等に示すように、コネクタハウジング２１の左右両側壁部外面には、スライド溝４１が前後方向に延びるように形成され、このスライド溝４１にリフタ押上部材３５の支持片部３７が前後方向にスライド可能に嵌合されている。各スライド溝４１のうちの支持片部３７の係止突部３８がスライドする領域は、溝の深さが深く形成され、リフタ押上部材３５をコネクタハウジング２１から引き出したときに、支持片部３７の係止突部３８がスライド溝４１の段差部で係止されることで、リフタ押上部材３５が抜止めされ、この抜止め位置（限界位置）で、図１（ｂ）に示すように、リフタ押上部材３５の楔形部４０の上面とリフタ２７のガイド面３２とが重なり合って、リフタ押上部材３５の基板受け面とリフタ２７の基板受け面とが一平面状に連続するように並んだ状態となる。
【００２６】
この状態で、リフタ押上部材３５をコネクタハウジング２１内に押し込むと、図２（ｂ）、図３（ｂ）に示すように、リフタ押上部材３５の楔形部４０をリフタ２７の下面側に潜り込ませることで、リフタ２７をコンタクト２２，２３側に押し上げて、最終的にリフタ押上部材３５上にリフタ２７を乗り上げさせた状態となる。この状態では、コンタクト２２，２３の弾性力によって該コンタクト２２，２３とリフタ押上部材３５との間にフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を挟み込んで該コンタクト２２，２３と該端子２５，２６とを接触させた状態に保持する。
【００２７】
コネクタハウジング２１のスライド溝４１には、リフタ押上部材３５をコネクタハウジング２１内に押込限界位置まで押し込んだ状態に保持するための保持突部４２（図５参照）が形成され、リフタ押上部材３５の支持片部３７の係止突部３８がスライド溝４１の保持突部４２に係合することで、リフタ押上部材３５が押込限界位置で保持されるようになっている。
【００２８】
また、図１（ａ）〜図３（ａ）等に示すように、コネクタハウジング２１の上面側には、リフタ押上部材３５のスライド移動を操作するための操作レバー５０が上下方向に回動操作可能に設けられている。本実施形態では、図８に示すように、左右の操作レバー５０を連結板部５１で一体化した構成となっており、各操作レバー５０に形成した軸孔５２を、コネクタハウジング２１の左右両側部に上向きに形成した支持突片５３の軸孔（図示せず）に一致させた状態で、両軸孔５２に軸５５を挿通することで、操作レバー５０がコネクタハウジング２１の上面側に回動操作可能に組み付けられている。
【００２９】
この操作レバー５０には、その回動中心（軸孔５２）付近からほぼ直角方向に延びる連結片部５６が一体に形成され、この連結片部５６の先端部に形成されたＵ字溝５７にリフタ押上部材３５の支持片部３７の連結軸部３９が嵌まり込んだ状態となっている［図１（ａ）参照］。これにより、図１（ａ）〜図３（ａ）に示すように、操作レバー５０と一体に回動する連結片部５６の回動角度に応じて、連結片部５６のＵ字溝５７と連結軸部３９との当接位置がずれ動くことで、操作レバー５０の回動操作がリフタ押上部材３５のスライド操作に変換されるようになっている。
【００３０】
本実施形態では、図３（ａ）に示すように、操作レバー５０をコネクタハウジング２１の上面とほぼ平行になる位置まで回動させることで、リフタ押上部材３５を押込限界位置までスライドさせると共に、操作レバー５０に形成されたロック部５８がリフタ押上部材３５の前面壁部３５ａに掛合して該リフタ押上部材３５を押込限界位置に保持するようになっている。一方、図１（ａ）に示すように、操作レバー５０を上方へ回動操作すると、コネクタハウジング２１からリフタ押上部材３５が引き出されるようになっている。
【００３１】
以上のように構成したコネクタ装置は、フレキシブル基板２４の配線パターンの良否を検査する検査装置（図示せず）とフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６とを電気的に接続するコネクタ装置として使用できる他、各種の電子機器のコネクタ装置として広範囲に使用できる。
【００３２】
次に、上記構成のコネクタ装置の使用方法を説明する。今、図１（ａ）に示すように、操作レバー５０が上方へ回動操作され、コネクタハウジング２１からリフタ押上部材３５が限界位置（抜止め位置）まで引き出された状態になっているものとする。この状態では、図１（ｂ）に示すように、リフタ押上部材３５の楔形部４０の上面とリフタ２７のガイド面３２とが重なり合って、リフタ押上部材３５の基板受け面とリフタ２７の基板受け面とが一平面状に連続するように並んで該リフタ押上部材３５がフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の挿入を案内するガイド部材として機能する。更に、この状態では、スプリング３１の押し下げ力によってリフタ２７が下限位置に保持され、該リフタ２７とコンタクト２２，２３との間の端子挿入用の隙間がフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６部分の厚み寸法よりも大きく開いた状態に保持される。
【００３３】
この状態で、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６をリフタ押上部材３５の端子挿入口３６に挿入し、更に、この端子２５，２６をリフタ２７とコンタクト２２，２３との間の端子挿入用の隙間に挿入する。この際、リフタ２７とコンタクト２２，２３との間の端子挿入用の隙間はフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６部分の厚み寸法よりも大きく開いているため、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６部分に擦り傷が付くことはない。
【００３４】
また、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を端子挿入用の隙間に挿入する際に、リフタ２７の位置決めガイド部３３，３４によってフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６が左右方向に位置決めされ、かつ、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の挿入限界位置がリフタ２７の背面壁部２７ｂ（ストッパ部）によって一定に決められる。これにより、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６が左右方向及び挿入方向（前後方向）に精度良く位置決めされる。
【００３５】
以上のようにして、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を端子挿入用の隙間に挿入した後、操作レバー５０を指で上から押さえ付けるように回動操作すると、図２（ａ）、図３（ａ）に示すように、操作レバー５０と一体に回動する連結片部５６の回動角度に応じて、連結片部５６のＵ字溝５７と連結軸部３９との当接位置がずれ動くことで、操作レバー５０の回動操作がリフタ押上部材３５のスライド操作に変換され、それによって、リフタ押上部材３５がコネクタハウジング２１内に押し込まれる。
【００３６】
これにより、図２（ｂ）に示すように、リフタ押上部材３５の楔形部４０がリフタ２７の下面側に潜り込むことで、リフタ２７がコンタクト２２，２３側に押し上げられる。このリフタ２７の押上げ動作の途中で、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６がコンタクト２２，２３に接触した状態となる。
【００３７】
そして、図３（ａ）に示すように、操作レバー５０をコネクタハウジング２１の上面とほぼ平行になる位置まで回動させることで、リフタ押上部材３５を押込限界位置まで押し込むと、図３（ｂ）に示すように、リフタ２７がフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を介してコンタクト２２，２３を上方に弾性変形させてリフタ押上部材３５上に乗り上がった状態となる。この状態では、コンタクト２２，２３の弾性力によって該コンタクト２２，２３とリフタ押上部材３５との間にフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６が挟み込まれて該コンタクト２２，２３と該端子２５，２６とが接触した状態に保持される。更に、この状態では、操作レバー５０のロック部５８がリフタ押上部材３５の前面壁部３５ａに掛合することで、リフタ押上部材３５が押込限界位置に保持される。
【００３８】
以上のようにしてフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６に接続したコネクタ装置を取り外す場合は、操作レバー５０を図３（ａ）の位置から図１（ａ）の位置へ引き上げるように回動操作する。これにより、リフタ２７の下面側からリフタ押上部材３５が引き出され、その過程で、リフタ押上部材３５の楔形部４０の上面に沿ってリフタ２７がスプリング３１の押し下げ力によって下降し、最終的に、リフタ２７が下限位置まで下降する。これにより、リフタ２７とコンタクト２２，２３との間の隙間がフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６部分の厚み寸法よりも大きく開いた状態になり、その隙間からフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を摩擦力を受けずに抜き出すことができる。
【００３９】
以上説明した本実施形態によれば、コネクタハウジング２１内にコンタクト２２，２３と対向するようにリフタ２７を設け、このリフタ２７をコンタクト２２，２３との間の端子挿入用の隙間をスプリング３１によって開く方向に付勢すると共に、このリフタ２７をコンタクト２２，２３側に押し上げるリフタ押上部材３５を設け、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６をコンタクト２２，２３とリフタ２７との間の端子挿入用の隙間に挿入した状態でリフタ押上部材３５により該リフタ２７を押し上げることで、コンタクト２２，２３とリフタ２７との間にフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を挟み込んで該コンタクト２２，２３と該端子２５，２６とを接触させた状態に保持するように構成されている。この構成では、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６をコンタクト２２，２３に押し付けるための部材が、フレキシブル基板２４の挿脱方向にスライドするスライド部材ではなく、フレキシブル基板２４に対してその接離方向（端子挿入用の隙間を開閉する方向）に移動するリフタ２７であるため、コネクタ装置の着脱時にリフタ２７がフレキシブル基板２４と擦れ合うことなく移動して、フレキシブル基板２４の裏面にリフタ２７による擦り傷が付くことが防止される。しかも、フレキシブル基板２４の表面がコンタクト２２，２３に押し付けられた状態で該フレキシブル基板２４がリフタ２７の摩擦力によりずれ動かされることがないため、フレキシブル基板２４の表面にコンタクト２２，２３による擦り傷が付くことも防止される。
【００４０】
このため、本実施形態のコネクタ装置を、フレキシブル基板２４の配線パターンの良否を検査する検査装置（図示せず）とフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６とを電気的に接続するコネクタ装置として使用すれば、フレキシブル基板２４の製造後の検査工程で、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６にコネクタ装置を着脱する際に、フレキシブル基板２４に擦り傷が付くことを防止することができ、検査工程でのフレキシブル基板２４の品質低下や不良品発生を防止することができる。
【００４１】
しかも、本実施形態では、リフタ押上部材３５を、コネクタハウジング２１に対してフレキシブル基板２４の挿脱方向にスライド可能に設け、該リフタ押上部材３５をコネクタハウジング２１から引き出した状態で、該リフタ押上部材３５とリフタ２７とが一平面状に並んだ状態となるように構成したので、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を端子挿入用の隙間に挿入する際に、リフタ押上部材３５をフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の挿入を案内するガイド部材として機能させることができて、フレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６の挿入が容易となり、作業能率を向上させることができる。しかも、リフタ押上部材３５をコネクタハウジング２１にスライド可能に設ける構成であるため、リフタ３５を押し上げる構成が簡単で、かつ、コネクタ装置をコンパクト化できるという利点がある。
【００４２】
但し、本発明は、リフタ押上部材３５をフレキシブル基板２４の挿脱方向にスライド可能に設ける構成に限定されず、例えば、リフタ押上部材を回動させてリフタを押し上げる構成や、リフタ押上部材を上昇させてリフタを押し上げる構成も考えられる。
【００４３】
また、本実施形態では、コネクタハウジング２１に、リフタ押上部材３５をリフタ２７を押し上げる位置とその押し上げを解除する位置との間で移動させる操作レバー５０を回動操作可能に設けるようにしたので、操作レバー５０の回動操作によってリフタ２７を移動させることができて、リフタ２７の移動操作が容易となり、作業能率を向上させることができる。
【００４４】
しかも、本実施形態では、操作レバー５０を、コネクタハウジング２１の上方側を回動するように設け、該操作レバー５０を該コネクタハウジング２１の上面とほぼ平行になる位置まで回動させることで、リフタ押上部材３５をリフタを押し上げる位置まで移動させるように構成したので、コネクタ装置の取付時に、片手で操作レバー５０を上から押さえ付けるだけで、コンタクト２２，２３とリフタ２７との間にフレキシブル基板２４の端子２５，２６を挟み込んだ状態に保持することができ、操作性を更に向上させることができる。
【００４５】
しかしながら、本発明は、操作レバー５０の回動操作角度を適宜変更しても良く、また、操作レバー５０を省略して、リフタ押上部材３５を指で押し込んだり、リフタ押上部材３５を掴んで引き出すようにしても良い。
【００４６】
また、本発明のコネクタ装置は、フレキシブル基板用のコネクタ装置に限定されず、柔軟性のないプリント配線基板等の各種の回路基板用のコネクタ装置として使用するようにしても良い。
【００４７】
その他、本発明は、リフタ２７の弾性支持構造を適宜変更したり、リフタ２７、リフタ押上部材３５、操作レバー５０等の各部品の形状を適宜変更しても良い等、種々変更して実施できることは言うまでもない。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態におけるフレキシブル基板の端子挿入時の状態を説明するもので、（ａ）はコネクタ装置全体の右側面図、（ｂ）はコネクタ装置の主要部の縦断右側面図
【図２】リフタ押上部材の押し込み途中の状態を説明するもので、（ａ）はコネクタ装置全体の右側面図、（ｂ）はコネクタ装置の主要部の縦断右側面図
【図３】リフタ押上部材の押し込み完了後の状態を説明するもので、（ａ）はコネクタ装置全体の右側面図、（ｂ）はコネクタ装置の主要部の縦断右側面図
【図４】コネクタ装置全体の正面図
【図５】コネクタ装置の主要部の横断下面図
【図６】（ａ）はリフタの平面図、（ｂ）は同正面図、（ｃ）は同右側面図、（ｄ）は（ａ）のＡ−Ａ線に沿って示す断面図、（ｅ）はリフタ支持構造を説明する図
【図７】（ａ）はリフタ押上部材の平面図、（ｂ）は同正面図、（ｃ）は同右側面図、（ｄ）は（ａ）のＢ−Ｂ線に沿って示す断面図
【図８】（ａ）は操作レバーの正面図、（ｂ）は同背面図、（ｃ）は同下面図、（ｄ）は左側面図、（ｅ）は（ａ）のＣ−Ｃ線に沿って示す断面図
【図９】フレキシブル基板の端子部分の平面図
【図１０】従来のコネクタ装置の構成を説明するもので、（ａ）はフレキシブル基板の端子挿入時のコネクタ装置の状態を示す縦断側面図、（ｂ）はスライド部材の押し込み完了後のコネクタ装置の状態を示す縦断側面図
【符号の説明】
２１…コネクタハウジング、２２，２３…コンタクト、２４…フレキシブル基板（回路基板）、２５，２６…端子、２７…リフタ、２７ｂ…背面壁部（ストッパ部）、３１…スプリング、３２…ガイド面、３３，３４…位置決めガイド部、３５…リフタ押上部材、３６…端子挿入口（位置決めガイド部）、３７…支持片部、４０…楔形部、４１…スライド溝、５０…操作レバー、５５…シャフト、５６…連結片部、５７…Ｕ字溝、５８…ロック部。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector device which is removably connected to terminals arranged in an edge portion of a circuit board such as a flexible board and a circuit board inspection method using the connector device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of connector device, there are those described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below. For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-230033), as shown in FIG. 10, a connector housing that incorporates contacts 12 arranged at the same pitch as the arrangement pitch of terminals of a flexible substrate 11 (flat cable). Reference 13 describes a configuration in which a slide member 14 for sandwiching and holding the terminals of the flexible substrate 1 between the contacts 12 is provided so as to be slidable in the insertion / removal direction of the flexible substrate 11.
[0003]
In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the slide member 14 is pulled out from the connector housing 13, a gap between the slide member 14 and the contact 12 is larger than the thickness of the terminal portion of the flexible board 11. After the terminal portion of the flexible substrate 11 is inserted into this gap, the slide member 14 is pushed into the connector housing 13 as shown in FIG. The terminals of the flexible substrate 11 are sandwiched between them, and the contact 12 and the terminals of the flexible substrate 11 are kept in contact with each other. When the connector device is to be detached from the flexible board 11, the slide member 14 is pulled out of the connector housing 13, thereby opening a gap between the slide member 14 and the contact 12 to release the pinching of the terminal of the flexible board 11. I am trying to do it.
[0004]
Note that the connector devices described in Patent Document 2 (U.S. Patent No. 2,590,859) and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-35415) also sandwich a terminal of a flexible substrate between a slide member and a contact. It has a configuration.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-230033 A (Pages 2 to 3 etc.)
[Patent Document 2]
Utility Model Registration No. 2590859 (Pages 3 to 4 etc.)
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-35415 (Pages 3-4)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Each of the connector devices described in Patent Literatures 1 to 3 has a configuration in which the terminal of the flexible substrate 11 is sandwiched between the slide member 14 and the contact 12, so that the connector is connected to the terminal of the flexible substrate 11. When the device is attached or detached, in the process of pushing or pulling the slide member 14 into or out of the connector housing 13, the slide member 14 is pushed or pulled out while rubbing against the back surface of the flexible substrate 11. For this reason, when the connector device is attached or detached, the back surface of the flexible substrate 11 is scratched by rubbing with the slide member 14, or the flexible substrate 11 is moved in a state where the surface of the flexible substrate 11 is pressed against the contact 12. There is also a possibility that the surface of the flexible substrate 11 is abraded by the frictional force received from the contact 14 and rubbed against the contact 12.
[0007]
In particular, in an inspection process after the manufacturing of the flexible substrate 11, a connector device for electrically connecting a terminal of the flexible substrate 11 with an inspection device for inspecting the quality of the wiring pattern of the flexible substrate 11 is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3. When the connector device having the above configuration is used, the flexible substrate 11 is scratched in the inspection process, which leads to a decrease in the quality of the flexible substrate 11 and the occurrence of defective products.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and accordingly, an object of the present invention is to scratch a circuit board when attaching or detaching a connector device to or from a terminal arranged at an edge of a circuit board such as a flexible board. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector device and a circuit board inspection method that can prevent sticking.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a connector device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a lifter provided in a connector housing so as to face a contact, and a gap between the lifter and the contact is provided for a terminal portion of a circuit board. A bias is applied in a direction of opening larger than the thickness dimension, and a lifter lifting member that pushes up the lifter to the contact side is provided, and a terminal of a circuit board such as a flexible substrate is inserted into a gap between the contact and the lifter. By lifting the lifter to the contact side by the lifter lifting member, a terminal of the circuit board is sandwiched between the contact and the lifter, and the contact and the terminal are kept in contact. It was done.
[0010]
In this configuration, the member for pressing the terminal of the circuit board against the contact is not a slide member that slides in the insertion / removal direction of the circuit board, but a direction in which the terminal is moved toward and away from the circuit board (a direction for opening / closing the terminal insertion gap). ), The lifter moves without rubbing against the circuit board when the connector device is attached / detached, thereby preventing the back surface of the circuit board from being scratched by the lifter. In addition, since the circuit board is not displaced and moved by the frictional force of the lifter in a state where the surface of the circuit board is pressed against the contact, the surface of the circuit board is prevented from being scratched by the contact.
[0011]
In this case, a configuration in which the lifter lifting member is rotated to push up the lifter, or a configuration in which the lifter lifting member is lifted to push up the lifter are also conceivable. When the lifter lifting member is pulled out of the connector housing, the lifter lifting member and the lifter are arranged in a plane so that the lifter lifting member is inserted into the terminal of the circuit board. The lifter is pushed up by pushing the lifter push-up member into the connector housing and allowing the wedge-shaped portion formed on the back side of the lifter push-up member to sneak into the back side of the lifter. It is good to configure as follows. With this configuration, when inserting the terminal of the circuit board into the gap between the contact and the lifter, the lifter lifting member can function as a guide member for guiding the insertion of the terminal of the circuit board. The terminal can be easily inserted, and work efficiency can be improved. In addition, since the lifter lifting member is slidably provided in the connector housing, there is an advantage that the structure for lifting the lifter is simple and the connector device can be made compact.
[0012]
Also, a positioning guide portion for positioning and inserting the terminals of the circuit board in the left-right direction may be provided on the lifter lifting member. This facilitates the positioning of the terminal and the contact when the terminal of the circuit board is inserted, and also enhances the positioning accuracy of the two to improve the connection reliability.
[0013]
Further, the lifter may be provided with a positioning guide section for positioning and inserting the terminals of the circuit board in the left-right direction and a stopper section for determining an insertion limit position of the terminals of the circuit board. good. With this configuration, when the terminal of the circuit board is inserted, the positioning of the terminal and the contact is facilitated, and the positioning accuracy of the two is improved to improve the connection reliability. it can.
[0014]
Further, an operation lever for moving the lifter lifting member between a position for lifting the lifter and a position for releasing the lifting may be provided in the connector housing so as to be rotatable. According to this configuration, the lifter can be moved by rotating the operation lever, so that the lifter can be easily moved and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0015]
In this case, the operation lever is provided so as to rotate above the connector housing, and the operation lever is rotated to a position substantially parallel to the upper surface of the connector housing. You may comprise so that a raising member may be moved to the position which pushes up a lifter. With this configuration, when the connector device is mounted, it is possible to hold the terminal of the circuit board between the contact and the lifter simply by pressing the operation lever from above with one hand, thereby further improving operability. Can be improved.
[0016]
Further, as in claim 7, the operating lever may be provided with a lock portion which engages with and holds the lifter lifting member when the lifter lifting member is moved to a position for lifting the lifter. With this configuration, the lifter lifting member can be securely locked at the position where the lifter is lifted up, and it is possible to reliably prevent the lifter lifting member from moving freely by an external force or the like and the connector device being detached.
[0017]
The connector device according to claims 1 to 7 described above can be used for various applications. For example, as described in claim 8, an inspection device for inspecting the quality of a wiring pattern on a circuit board and a connector It is preferable to use the connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as a connector device for electrically connecting terminals. In this way, it is possible to prevent the circuit board from being scratched when the connector device is attached to or detached from the terminal of the circuit board in the inspection step after the manufacture of the circuit board. Deterioration of quality and occurrence of defective products can be prevented.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the configuration of the connector device will be described. The connector housing 21 is formed in a flat box shape from an insulating material such as plastic, and the contacts 22 and 23 are arranged in a staggered manner inside the connector housing 21. The staggered arrangement pattern of the contacts 22 and 23 corresponds to the arrangement pattern of the terminals 25 and 26 (see FIG. 9) formed in a staggered manner at the edge of the flexible substrate 24. The point is that the arrangement pattern pitch of the contacts 22 and 23 should be the same as the arrangement pattern pitch of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24. Therefore, for example, when the terminals of the flexible substrate are arranged in a straight line, the contacts may be arranged in a straight line at the same pitch as the terminal pitch.
[0019]
In the connector housing 21, a lifter 27 is provided below the contacts 22 and 23 so as to be vertically movable. The lifter 27 is formed of an insulating material such as plastic and has an L-shaped vertical section, and an opening 28 through which the contact 23 is inserted (see FIG. 6B) is formed in the rear wall 27b. The size of the opening 28 is such that the contact 23 does not contact the upper and lower edges of the opening 28 in the vertical movement range of the lifter 27. As shown in FIG. 6, on both left and right sides of the lifter 27, support holes 29 penetrating in the vertical direction are formed. As shown in FIG. By fixing both upper and lower ends of the shaft 30 to the connector housing 21, the lifter 27 is assembled to the connector housing 21 via the shaft 30 so as to be vertically movable. The lifter 27 is pressed from above by a spring 31 inserted into the upper side of the shaft 30, so that a terminal insertion gap between the lifter 27 and the contacts 22 and 23 is formed between the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24. In the opening direction (that is, downward) larger than the thickness dimension of.
[0020]
The lifter 27 forms the upper surface (substrate receiving surface) of the bottom wall portion 27a for receiving the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 in a horizontal plane, and faces the lower end side (back side) from the upper edge of the front end of the bottom wall portion 27a. The guide surface 32 is formed to be inclined. The guide surface 32 serves as a guide surface for pushing a lifter lifting member 35, which will be described later, into the lower surface side (rear surface side) of the bottom wall 27 a of the lifter 27. Positioning guides 33 and 34 for positioning and inserting the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 in the left and right direction are formed in two front and rear stages on the left and right side walls of the lifter 27. The opening width D between the front positioning guides 33 is formed slightly larger than the opening width E between the rear positioning guides 34 in order to facilitate the insertion of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24. The width E of the opening between the positioning guide portions 34 is larger than the width dimension of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 by only the necessary minimum insertion clearance, whereby the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 are formed. Can be accurately positioned in the left-right direction. Guide surfaces 33a, 34a for guiding the insertion of the terminals 25, 26 of the flexible substrate 24 are formed at the front ends of the positioning guides 33, 34. The back wall 27b of the lifter 27 is used as a stopper for determining the insertion limit position of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24.
[0021]
On the other hand, a lifter lifting member 35 is provided in the connector housing 21 so as to be slidable in the insertion / removal direction (front-back direction) of the flexible board 24. The lifter lifting member 35 is formed of an insulating material such as plastic and has an L-shaped vertical cross section, and a wedge-shaped portion 40 whose upper surface is inclined downward toward the back is formed on the back (rear side). .
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1B, the inclination angle of the upper surface of the wedge-shaped portion 40 of the lifter lifting member 35 is almost the same as the inclination angle of the guide surface 32 of the lifter 27, and the lifter lifting member 35 is connected to the connector housing 21. In the state where the lifter is pulled out to the limit position, the upper surface of the wedge-shaped portion 40 of the lifter lifting member 35 and the guide surface 32 of the lifter 27 overlap, and the substrate receiving surface of the lifter lifting member 35 and the substrate receiving surface of the lifter 27 are flush with each other. The lifter push-up member 35 functions as a guide member for guiding the insertion of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24. As shown in FIG. 1B, when the lifter lifting member 35 is pulled out from the connector housing 21 to the limit position, the lifter 27 is held at the lower limit position by the pressing force of the spring 31, and the lifter 27 and the contacts 22 and 23 are held. Is held in a state in which the gap for terminal insertion is larger than the thickness of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 7, a terminal insertion port 36 (positioning guide portion) for positioning and inserting the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 in the left-right direction is formed in the front wall portion 35 a of the lifter lifting member 35. . The inner peripheral surface of the terminal insertion port 36 is formed as a tapered surface that expands toward the front side in order to facilitate the insertion of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24. The opening width F is set substantially equal to the opening width D between the positioning guide portions 33 on the front side of the lifter 27 (see FIG. 5).
[0024]
Supporting portions 37 are integrally formed on the left and right sides of the front wall portion 35a of the lifter lifting member 35 so as to extend rearward, respectively. A stop projection 38 is integrally formed, and a connecting shaft 39 for connecting to an operation lever 50 described later is integrally formed on the outer surface of the rear side of each support piece 37.
[0025]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, slide grooves 41 are formed on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the connector housing 21 so as to extend in the front-rear direction. Support piece 37 is slidably fitted in the front-rear direction. The area of each slide groove 41 in which the locking projection 38 of the support piece 37 slides is formed so that the depth of the groove is deep, and when the lifter lifting member 35 is pulled out of the connector housing 21, the support piece 37 Is locked by the stepped portion of the slide groove 41, the lifter lifting member 35 is prevented from being pulled out. At this stopping position (limit position), as shown in FIG. A state in which the upper surface of the wedge-shaped portion 40 of the lifter lifting member 35 and the guide surface 32 of the lifter 27 overlap, and the substrate receiving surface of the lifter lifting member 35 and the substrate receiving surface of the lifter 27 are arranged so as to be continuous in one plane. It becomes.
[0026]
In this state, when the lifter push-up member 35 is pushed into the connector housing 21, the wedge-shaped portion 40 of the lifter push-up member 35 is sunk into the lower surface side of the lifter 27, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B. As a result, the lifter 27 is pushed up toward the contacts 22 and 23, and finally the lifter 27 rides on the lifter push-up member 35. In this state, the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24 are sandwiched between the contacts 22 and 23 and the lifter lifting member 35 by the elastic force of the contacts 22 and 23, and the contacts 22 and 23 and the terminals 25 and 26 are connected. Hold in contact.
[0027]
In the slide groove 41 of the connector housing 21, a holding projection 42 (see FIG. 5) for holding the lifter pushing-up member 35 pushed into the connector housing 21 to the pushing limit position is formed. By engaging the locking projection 38 of the support piece 37 with the holding projection 42 of the slide groove 41, the lifter lifting member 35 is held at the pushing limit position.
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 1A to 3A, an operation lever 50 for operating the slide movement of the lifter push-up member 35 is vertically operated on the upper surface side of the connector housing 21. It is provided as possible. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the left and right operation levers 50 are integrated by a connecting plate portion 51, and shaft holes 52 formed in each operation lever 50 are connected to the left and right sides of the connector housing 21. When the shaft 55 is inserted through both shaft holes 52 in a state where the shaft 55 is aligned with the shaft hole (not shown) of the support protrusion 53 formed upward in the portion, the operation lever 50 is turned to the upper surface side of the connector housing 21. It is assembled so that it can be operated dynamically.
[0029]
The operating lever 50 is integrally formed with a connecting piece 56 extending substantially at right angles from the vicinity of the center of rotation (the shaft hole 52), and a U-shaped groove 57 formed at the tip of the connecting piece 56. The connecting shaft 39 of the support piece 37 of the lifter lifting member 35 is in a fitted state (see FIG. 1A). Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 3A, the U-shaped groove 57 of the connecting piece 56 is formed in accordance with the rotation angle of the connecting piece 56 that rotates integrally with the operation lever 50. When the contact position with the connecting shaft portion 39 shifts, the rotation operation of the operation lever 50 is converted into the slide operation of the lifter lifting member 35.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, by rotating the operation lever 50 to a position substantially parallel to the upper surface of the connector housing 21, the lifter lifting member 35 is slid to the pushing limit position, A lock portion 58 formed on the operation lever 50 is engaged with the front wall 35a of the lifter lifting member 35 to hold the lifter lifting member 35 at the push limit position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the operation lever 50 is rotated upward, the lifter lifting member 35 is pulled out from the connector housing 21.
[0031]
The connector device configured as described above can be used as a connector device for electrically connecting an inspection device (not shown) for inspecting the quality of the wiring pattern of the flexible substrate 24 with the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24. It can be widely used as a connector device for various electronic devices.
[0032]
Next, a method of using the connector device having the above configuration will be described. Now, as shown in FIG. 1A, it is assumed that the operation lever 50 is rotated upward and the lifter push-up member 35 is pulled out from the connector housing 21 to the limit position (removal stop position). I do. In this state, as shown in FIG. 1B, the upper surface of the wedge-shaped portion 40 of the lifter lifting member 35 and the guide surface 32 of the lifter 27 overlap, and the substrate receiving surface of the lifter lifting member 35 and the substrate receiving surface of the lifter 27 overlap. The lifter push-up member 35 functions as a guide member for guiding the insertion of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 so that the surfaces are continuous with one another in a plane. Further, in this state, the lifter 27 is held at the lower limit position by the pressing force of the spring 31, and the terminal insertion gap between the lifter 27 and the contacts 22, 23 has a thickness of the terminals 25, 26 of the flexible substrate 24. It is kept open larger than the size.
[0033]
In this state, the terminals 25, 26 of the flexible board 24 are inserted into the terminal insertion openings 36 of the lifter lifting member 35, and the terminals 25, 26 are further inserted between the lifter 27 and the contacts 22, 23. Insert At this time, since the terminal insertion gap between the lifter 27 and the contacts 22 and 23 is larger than the thickness of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24, the terminal insertion gap is formed between the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24. No scuffing.
[0034]
When the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 are inserted into the terminal insertion gaps, the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 are positioned in the left-right direction by the positioning guides 33 and 34 of the lifter 27, and are flexible. The insertion limit positions of the terminals 25 and 26 of the substrate 24 are fixedly determined by the rear wall portion 27 b (stopper portion) of the lifter 27. Thereby, the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 are accurately positioned in the left-right direction and the insertion direction (front-back direction).
[0035]
As described above, after the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 are inserted into the terminal insertion gaps, when the operation lever 50 is rotated so as to be pressed from above with a finger, FIGS. As shown in (a), the contact position between the U-shaped groove 57 of the connecting piece 56 and the connecting shaft 39 is shifted according to the rotation angle of the connecting piece 56 that rotates integrally with the operation lever 50. By the movement, the turning operation of the operation lever 50 is converted into the sliding operation of the lifter lifting member 35, whereby the lifter lifting member 35 is pushed into the connector housing 21.
[0036]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 2B, the wedge-shaped portion 40 of the lifter pushing-up member 35 sinks into the lower surface of the lifter 27, and the lifter 27 is pushed up to the contacts 22 and 23. During the lifting operation of the lifter 27, the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 come into contact with the contacts 22 and 23.
[0037]
Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the operation lever 50 is rotated to a position substantially parallel to the upper surface of the connector housing 21 to push the lifter push-up member 35 to the push limit position, FIG. As shown in ()), the lifter 27 elastically deforms the contacts 22 and 23 upward via the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24 and rides on the lifter lifting member 35. In this state, the terminals 25, 26 of the flexible substrate 24 are sandwiched between the contacts 22, 23 and the lifter lifting member 35 by the elastic force of the contacts 22, 23, and the contacts 22, 23 and the terminals 25, 26 Are kept in contact. Further, in this state, the lock portion 58 of the operation lever 50 is engaged with the front wall portion 35a of the lifter lifting member 35, so that the lifter lifting member 35 is held at the push limit position.
[0038]
When the connector device connected to the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 is removed as described above, the operation lever 50 is rotated so as to be pulled up from the position shown in FIG. 3A to the position shown in FIG. . Thereby, the lifter lifting member 35 is pulled out from the lower surface side of the lifter 27, and in the process, the lifter 27 descends along the upper surface of the wedge-shaped portion 40 of the lifter lifting member 35 by the pressing force of the spring 31, and finally, The lifter 27 descends to the lower limit position. As a result, the gap between the lifter 27 and the contacts 22 and 23 is larger than the thickness of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24, and the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24 are rubbed from the gap. You can extract without receiving any force.
[0039]
According to the present embodiment described above, the lifter 27 is provided in the connector housing 21 so as to face the contacts 22 and 23, and the lifter 27 is formed with the spring 31 to form a gap for terminal insertion between the contacts 22 and 23. A lifter lifting member 35 that urges the lifter 27 toward the contacts 22 and 23 is provided to urge the lifter 27 toward the opening direction, and the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible board 24 are inserted into the terminals between the contacts 22 and 23 and the lifter 27. The lifter 27 is pushed up by the lifter lifting member 35 in a state of being inserted in the gap, so that the terminals 25, 26 of the flexible substrate 24 are sandwiched between the contacts 22, 23 and the lifter 27, and the contacts 22, 23 and the terminal 25 , 26 are kept in contact with each other. In this configuration, the member for pressing the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 against the contacts 22 and 23 is not a slide member that slides in the insertion / removal direction of the flexible substrate 24, but the direction of contact and separation ( Since the lifter 27 moves in the direction of opening and closing the terminal insertion gap), the lifter 27 moves without rubbing against the flexible substrate 24 when the connector device is attached or detached, and the back surface of the flexible substrate 24 is scratched by the lifter 27. Is prevented. Moreover, since the flexible substrate 24 is not displaced and moved by the frictional force of the lifter 27 while the surface of the flexible substrate 24 is pressed against the contacts 22 and 23, the surface of the flexible substrate 24 is not scratched by the contacts 22 and 23. Sticking is also prevented.
[0040]
Therefore, the connector device of the present embodiment is used as a connector device for electrically connecting an inspection device (not shown) for inspecting the quality of the wiring pattern of the flexible substrate 24 with the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24. For example, it is possible to prevent the flexible substrate 24 from being scratched when the connector device is attached to and detached from the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 in the inspection process after the production of the flexible substrate 24, and the flexible process in the inspection process can be prevented. Deterioration of the quality of the substrate 24 and occurrence of defective products can be prevented.
[0041]
Moreover, in the present embodiment, the lifter lifting member 35 is provided so as to be slidable in the insertion / removal direction of the flexible board 24 with respect to the connector housing 21, and the lifter lifting member 35 is pulled out from the connector housing 21. Since the member 35 and the lifter 27 are arranged so as to be arranged in one plane, when the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 are inserted into the terminal insertion gap, the lifter lifting member 35 is moved to the flexible substrate 24. Can be functioned as a guide member for guiding the insertion of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24, and the insertion of the terminals 25 and 26 of the flexible substrate 24 becomes easy, and the work efficiency can be improved. In addition, since the lifter lifting member 35 is slidably provided on the connector housing 21, there is an advantage that the structure for lifting the lifter 35 is simple and the connector device can be made compact.
[0042]
However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the lifter lifting member 35 is provided so as to be slidable in the insertion / removal direction of the flexible substrate 24. For example, a configuration in which the lifter lifting member is rotated to push up the lifter, or the lifter lifting member is raised A configuration is also conceivable in which the lifter is pushed up.
[0043]
Further, in the present embodiment, the operation lever 50 for moving the lifter push-up member 35 between the position where the lifter 27 is pushed up and the position where the lifter 27 is released is rotatably provided on the connector housing 21. The lifter 27 can be moved by the rotation operation of the operation lever 50, so that the movement operation of the lifter 27 is facilitated, and the work efficiency can be improved.
[0044]
Moreover, in the present embodiment, the operation lever 50 is provided so as to rotate above the connector housing 21, and the operation lever 50 is rotated to a position substantially parallel to the upper surface of the connector housing 21 by rotating the operation lever 50. Since the lifter lifting member 35 is configured to be moved to a position where the lifter is lifted up, the flexible board can be provided between the contacts 22 and 23 and the lifter 27 only by pressing down the operation lever 50 with one hand when mounting the connector device. The terminals 25 and 26 of the 24 can be held in a sandwiched state, and the operability can be further improved.
[0045]
However, in the present invention, the rotation operation angle of the operation lever 50 may be changed as appropriate, and the operation lever 50 is omitted, and the lifter lifting member 35 is pushed in with a finger, or the lifter lifting member 35 is grasped and pulled out. You may do it.
[0046]
Further, the connector device of the present invention is not limited to a connector device for a flexible board, and may be used as a connector device for various circuit boards such as a printed circuit board having no flexibility.
[0047]
In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various changes, such as appropriately changing the elastic support structure of the lifter 27 and appropriately changing the shape of each component such as the lifter 27, the lifter lifting member 35, the operation lever 50, and the like. Needless to say.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a state of a flexible board according to an embodiment of the present invention when terminals are inserted, wherein FIG. 1A is a right side view of an entire connector device, and FIG. Figure
2 (a) is a right side view of the entire connector device, and FIG. 2 (b) is a vertical right side view of a main part of the connector device. FIG.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a state after the lifting of the lifter pushing member is completed. FIG. 3A is a right side view of the entire connector device, and FIG. 3B is a vertical right side view of a main part of the connector device.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the entire connector device.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional bottom view of a main part of the connector device.
6A is a plan view of the lifter, FIG. 6B is a front view thereof, FIG. 6C is a right side view thereof, FIG. 6D is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. e) Diagram for explaining the lifter support structure
7A is a plan view of a lifter lifting member, FIG. 7B is a front view thereof, FIG. 7C is a right side view thereof, and FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.
8A is a front view of the operation lever, FIG. 8B is a rear view thereof, FIG. 8C is a bottom view thereof, FIG. 8D is a left side view thereof, and FIG. 8E is a line CC of FIG. Sectional view along
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a terminal portion of the flexible substrate.
10A and 10B illustrate a configuration of a conventional connector device, in which FIG. 10A is a longitudinal sectional side view showing a state of the connector device when a terminal of a flexible board is inserted, and FIG. 10B is a connector device after a slide member is completely pushed. Longitudinal side view showing the state of
[Explanation of symbols]
21 ... Connector housing, 22,23 ... Contact, 24 ... Flexible board (circuit board), 25,26 ... Terminal, 27 ... Lifter, 27b ... Back wall (stopper), 31 ... Spring, 32 ... Guide surface, 33 , 34: positioning guide portion, 35: lifter lifting member, 36: terminal insertion opening (positioning guide portion), 37: support piece portion, 40: wedge-shaped portion, 41: slide groove, 50: operation lever, 55: shaft, 56 ... Connecting piece, 57 ... U-shaped groove, 58 ... Lock.

Claims

In a connector device detachably connected to terminals arranged in a row at an edge portion of a circuit board such as a flexible board,
A connector housing containing contacts arranged at the same pitch as the arrangement pitch of the terminals of the circuit board,
A lifter provided in the connector housing so as to face the contact, and urged in a direction to open a gap between the contact and the terminal portion of the circuit board so as to be larger than a thickness dimension thereof;
A lifter pushing-up member that pushes up the lifter to the contact side,
A terminal of the circuit board is placed between the contact and the lifter by pushing up the lifter to the contact side by the lifter lifting member in a state where the terminal of the circuit board is inserted into a gap between the contact and the lifter. A connector device configured to hold the contact and the terminal in contact with each other by sandwiching the contact.

The lifter lifting member is provided so as to be slidable in the insertion / removal direction of the circuit board with respect to the connector housing. When the lifter lifting member is pulled out of the connector housing, the lifter lifting member and the lifter are separated from each other. The lifter lifting member functions as a guide member that guides the insertion of the terminals of the circuit board in a plane, and pushes the lifter lifting member into the connector housing to form a wedge formed on the back side of the lifter lifting member. 2. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to be pushed up to the contact side by making a portion go under the rear surface of the lifter. 3.

3. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein the lifter push-up member is provided with a positioning guide portion that positions and inserts the terminal of the circuit board in the left-right direction. 4.

The lifter is provided with a positioning guide part for positioning and inserting the terminals of the circuit board in the left-right direction and a stopper part for determining an insertion limit position of the terminals of the circuit board. The connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

4. The connector housing according to claim 1, wherein an operation lever for moving the lifter push-up member between a position where the lifter is pushed up and a position where the lifter is released is rotatably provided. 5. The connector device according to any one of 4.

The operation lever is provided so as to rotate above the connector housing, and by rotating the operation lever to a position that is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the connector housing, the lifter lifting member holds the lifter up. The connector device according to claim 5, wherein the connector device is configured to be moved to a position where the connector is pushed up.

7. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the operation lever has a lock portion that engages with and holds the lifter lifting member when the lifter lifting member is moved to a position where the lifter is raised. apparatus.

In a circuit board inspection method for inspecting the quality of a wiring pattern of a circuit board such as a flexible board with an inspection device,
8. A circuit board using the connector device according to claim 1 as a connector device for electrically connecting the inspection device and terminals arranged in an edge portion of the circuit board. Inspection methods.