JP2004335201A - Electric connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accomplish a secure connection even when the heights of a contact parts of a contact are dispersed, or when a relatively rigid FPC (flexible printed circuit) is used. <P>SOLUTION: A second contact 15 mounted to a fixed housing 4 from its front side is a non-ZIF (zero insert force) type, and is provided with: a main body part 41; a fixed beam 43 extending in parallel with the insertion direction X of a connection member 2 from the body part 41; and an elastic beam 45 extending into a housing hole 44 of the fixed housing 4 from the body part 41. The elastic beam 45 includes a first piece part 47 extending in parallel with the fixed beam 43, and a second piece part 48 folded back from the first piece part 47; and a slot S for inserting the connection member 2 between both the piece parts 47 and 48 is partitioned. The contact part 49 of the second contact 15 is pressed by energizing a tip 2a of the connection member 2 by a tilting surface 57 of a partitioning wall 56 of the fixed housing 4 in addition to elastic repulsive force by expansion of the slot S. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector used to connect a flat connection member such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC).
[0002]
[Prior art]
A connecting member such as an FPC inserted from the front through an opening of the housing is inserted between the slots of the contact with a predetermined insertion force, and a contact pressure of the contact portion (contact portion) is obtained by an elastic repulsive force due to the expansion of the slot. , Non-ZIF (non-zero insert force) type electrical connectors.
On the other hand, after inserting the connecting member into the housing with no insertion force, by closing the cover, the connecting member is pressed against the contact portion of each contact to secure a contact pressure (contact pressure).・ Force) type electrical connectors are available. Among them, there is a so-called W-ZIF (double zero insert force) type electrical connector in which the contact portions of the first and second contacts press-fit into the housing from the rear are shifted back and forth with respect to each other. For example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-252049 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the electric connector of Patent Document 1, the second contact is press-fitted into the housing from the front, and the contact portion of the second contact is rearward of the contact portion of the first contact of the ZIF type. (Non-ZIF type) by arranging it on the (insertion side of the connection member).
The second contact press-fitted from the front of the housing includes a first piece extending rearward along a bottom wall of the holding hole of the housing from a main body disposed in front of the housing, and a tip of the first piece. A second piece is provided which is folded forward in a U-shape from the front.
[0005]
To reduce the size of the electrical connector, the first piece of the second contact is set to contact the bottom wall of the holding hole of the housing in a state where the connecting member is not inserted. , The so-called coplanarity (coplanarity) of the plurality of contact portions is not achieved.
On the other hand, the FPC as a connection member is basically flexible by its name, but has some hardness (rigidity) to prevent buckling or the like when inserted into the housing. Insertion is easier and workability is better. For this reason, an FPC having some rigidity may be used.
[0006]
In the case where the height of the contact portion varies as described above or when a rigid FPC or the like is used, there is a possibility that the contact portion of some of the second contacts and the connection member may not be in good contact.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a small electric connector capable of obtaining a reliable connection even when the height of a contact portion of a contact varies or when a relatively rigid FPC is used. The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insulating fixed housing in which a flat connection member can be inserted along a predetermined insertion direction, and first and second positions supported by the fixed housing. A movable housing, and first and second contacts alternately and laterally held by the fixed housing, wherein the contact portion of the second contact is more than the contact portion of the first contact. The movable housing is arranged on the insertion direction side, and the movable housing forms a gap between the first housing and the contact portion of the first contact in a state where the movable member is in the first position, the second housing being capable of fitting the connection member with no insertion force. The connection member can be pressed against the contact portion of the first contact in the position, and the second contact extends from the main portion in parallel with the predetermined insertion direction to the fixing hole of the housing. Solid pressed A beam and an elastic beam extending from the main body portion into the housing hole of the housing, the elastic beam having a contact portion and extending substantially along an opposing wall of the housing hole of the housing; A second piece which is folded back from the tip of the first piece to define a slot which can be fitted to the connecting member with a predetermined insertion force between the first piece and the contact portion of the first piece; The housing includes biasing means capable of biasing the contact member to the contact portion by biasing the connection member inserted into the slot of the second contact at a position separated from the slot. is there.
[0008]
In the present invention, the connection member inserted into the housing is inserted with a predetermined insertion force into the slot of the second contact of the non-ZIF type after passing through the contact portion of the first contact of the ZIF type. Next, the movable housing is operated to the second position to secure the contact pressure of the first contact.
The connecting member can be pressed against the contact portion of the second contact by the urging means of the fixed housing, in addition to the elastic repulsive force due to the expansion of the slot of the second contact. Even when the height of the connection member varies, or when, for example, a relatively rigid FPC is used as the connection member, the connection member can be reliably brought into contact with the contact portions of all the second contacts. In addition, since the first piece of the elastic beam of the second contact extends along the opposing wall of the housing hole, the height of the electrical connector can be made as low as possible, and the height can be reduced.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a partition wall extending from a wall of the fixed housing opposite to the opposite wall to the opposite wall side to partition a side portion of the housing hole is provided. In the case where the biasing means is constituted by the inclined surface provided, the tip of the inserted connection member is urged toward the first piece to attach the connection member to the contact portion of the first piece. By increasing the force, a reliable contact pressure (contact pressure) with respect to the contact portion can be obtained.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, when the starting point of the inclined surface is located closer to the predetermined insertion direction than the slot of the second contact, the inclined surface is not affected by the inclined surface. The connecting member can be inserted into the slot at a time, and there is no possibility that a problem occurs in the insertion.
According to a fourth aspect, in the first, second or third aspect, the first contact is mounted on the fixed housing along a direction opposite to the predetermined insertion direction, and the second contact is mounted on the fixed housing. When the first and second contacts have leads at positions facing each other across the fixed housing, the first and second contacts are mounted on a circuit board on which the electrical connector is to be mounted. The area can be remarkably reduced, and downsizing can be achieved in combination with the above-described reduction in height.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an electric connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the electric connector. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric connector 1 includes a fixed housing 4 made of an insulating synthetic resin that partitions an insertion space 3 into which a connecting member 2 such as an FPC (see FIG. 6) is inserted and withdrawn from the front. Have.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 6, the front half of the fixed housing 4 can be opened upward through the opening 6 of the upper plate 5 of the fixed housing 4. Referring to FIG. 1, a cover 7 as a movable housing rotatable around a rotation axis C is provided on the fixed housing 4, and the cover 7 is made of an insulating synthetic resin molded product. The opening 6 is opened and closed by pivoting between a first position shown in FIG. 6 and a second position shown in FIG.
[0013]
With reference to FIG. 1, the cover 7 is reinforced by reinforcing wires 8, 9 having a round cross section, for example, as reinforcing members. Part of the reinforcing wires 8 and 9 are inserted and buried when the cover 7 is molded with resin.
One reinforcing wire 8 is bent in a crank shape at each of a pair of side portions 7a of the cover 7, and a pair of end portions of the reinforcing wire 8 protrudes from the pair of side portions 7a of the cover 7 to thereby rotate the rotation support shaft 10. Make up. Each rotation support shaft 10 extends to both sides along the rotation axis C of the cover 7. Each rotation support shaft 10 is rotatably supported by a metal reinforcing plate 12 fixed to a corresponding side plate 11 of the fixed housing 4.
[0014]
A pair of end portions of the other reinforcing wire 9 are exposed from a pair of side portions 7 a of the cover 7, and the exposed portions constitute a pair of locking engagement portions 13. Each locking engagement portion 13 engages with the reinforcing plate 12 to lock the cover 7 in a closed state.
Opposite side plates 11 of the fixed housing 4 define both sides of the insertion space 3. In the fixed housing 4, a plurality of first and second contacts 14, 15 are alternately arranged side by side and held.
[0015]
Referring to FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2, the reinforcing plate 12 is engaged with the main body 16 and is inserted into the fixing hole 17 of the housing 3 from the front side and locked. A fixing piece 18 fixed via the projection, a first extension piece 19 extending upward from the main body 16, and a second extension extending obliquely upward from the front end of the main body 16 A piece 20 and a third extending piece 21 extending downward from the main body 16 and having a hook shape are included.
[0016]
The first extension piece 19 has a rotation support portion 22 formed of a concave groove for rotatably supporting the rotation support shaft 10. The removal restricting portion 23 formed of, for example, a protrusion of the fixed housing 4 prevents the rotation support shaft 10 from being removed from the rotation support portion 22.
The second extension piece 20 includes a lock portion 24 having an arc surface. The cover 7 can be locked in the closed state by engaging the locking engagement portion 13 with the lock portion 24 in the closed state of the cover 7. The third extension piece 21 has a fixing portion 26 that is soldered to the surface 25a of the circuit board 25.
[0017]
Next, with reference to FIG. 4 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2, the first contact 14 is formed of a sheet metal and is mounted from the rear of the fixed housing 4. The first contact 14 includes a main body 27, a fixing piece 29 extending forward from an upper portion of the main body 27, and fixed to a fixing hole 28 of the fixed housing 4 via a locking projection. An elastic piece 30 extending from the lower part into the front insertion space 3 and a lead part 31 extending from the lower end of the main body 27 and soldered to the surface 25 a of the circuit board 25 at the rear of the fixed housing 4. Including.
[0018]
Referring to FIG. 4 again, elastic piece 30 is accommodated from the rear in accommodation groove 33 formed on the upper surface of lower plate 32 of fixed housing 4. The rear end of the elastic piece 30 is cantilevered by the main body 27. At the front end 34 of the elastic piece 30, a contact portion 35 formed of an upwardly projecting chevron for ensuring a contact pressure on the connection member 2 is formed. The contact portion 35 of the elastic piece 30 has advanced from the accommodation groove 33 into the insertion space 3.
[0019]
The front end 36 of the fixed piece 29 is exposed to the front of the upper plate 5 of the fixed housing 4, and extends on a cam 37 provided on the rear edge 7 b of the cover 7 in the closed posture. The cam portion 37 has a substantially rectangular cross section, and is provided with a relief portion 38 formed of a through hole adjacent to the cam portion 37. The escape portion 38 is for avoiding interference with the front end 36 of the fixing piece 29 when the cover 7 is opened from the closed state.
By closing the cover 7 after the connection member 2 is inserted into the insertion space 3 with no insertion force, the connection member 2 is pressed against the contact portion 35 of the first contact 14 to secure the contact pressure. That is, the first contact 14 is for a ZIF (zero insert force) type.
[0020]
Specifically, one surface of the cam portion 37 is a pressure receiving portion 39 which is received by the front end 36 of the fixed piece portion 29 in the closed state of the cover 7, and an opposing surface (back surface) of the pressure receiving portion 39 is applied. The pressure section 40 is provided. When the cover 7 is closed, the pressurizing portion 40 is located on the contact portion 35 of the first contact 14, and the pressure receiving portion 39 is received by the front end 36 of the fixing piece 29 while the connecting member 2 is being pressed. Is applied to the contact portion 35 of the first contact 20.
[0021]
The cam portion 37 has, as a surface adjacent to the pressing portion 40, an open facing surface 70 that faces the contact portion 35 of the first contact 14 in the open state of the cover 7 shown in FIG. In the open state of the cover 7, a sufficient gap 80 equal to or greater than the thickness of the free state of the connecting member 2 is provided between the facing surface 70 at the time of opening and the contact portion 35 so that the connecting member 2 can be inserted with no insertion force. Is provided. On the other hand, when the cover 7 is closed, referring to FIG. 4, the connection member 2 is applied to the contact portion 35 between the pressing portion 40 and the contact portion 35 with a thickness less than the thickness of the connection member 2 in the free state. The gap is pressurizable.
[0022]
Next, with reference to FIG. 5 which is a cross-sectional view along the line VV in FIG. 2, the second contact 15 is formed of a sheet metal and is mounted on the fixed housing 4 from the front. The second contact 15 includes a main body 41 and a fixed beam 43 that extends rearward from the main body 41 in parallel with the insertion direction X of the connecting member 2 and is fixed to a fixing hole 42 of the fixed housing 4 via a locking projection. An elastic beam 45 extending from the main body 41 into the accommodation hole 44 of the fixed housing 4; and a lead portion extending below the main body 41 and soldered to the front surface 25a of the circuit board 25 at the front of the fixed housing 4. 46.
[0023]
The second contact 15 inserts the connection member 2 inserted into the insertion space 3 with a predetermined insertion force between the slots S with the cover 7 opened, and makes contact with the contact member, which will be described later, by an elastic repulsion force due to the expansion of the slot S. This is for so-called Non-ZIF (non-zero insert force) for obtaining the contact pressure of the portion 49 (contact portion).
The elastic beam 45 connects the connecting member 2 between the first piece 47 extending parallel to the fixed beam 43 and the first piece 47 that is folded back from the tip 47 a of the first piece 47. A second piece 48 that defines a slot S for insertion.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting member 2 inserted into the slot S is resiliently repelled to the contact portion 49 of the first piece 47 at the distal end 48 a of the second piece 48. A pressing portion 50 composed of a chevron for pressurizing by force is provided.
The second piece 48 is bent substantially from the tip 47a of the first piece 47 and extends substantially perpendicularly to the first piece 47 toward the upper plate 5 of the fixed housing 4; An inclined portion 52 bent forward from the substantially orthogonal portion 51 toward the contact portion 49 is provided. The pressing portion 50 is provided at the tip of the inclined portion 52.
[0025]
In a state where the connecting member 2 is not inserted into the slot S, as shown in FIG. 5, a minute gap is formed between the first piece portion 47 and the receiving surface 32 a of the lower plate portion 32 as an opposing wall. 53 are provided. The gap amount d is set to, for example, 0.02 to 0.1 mm, preferably 0.04 to 0.06 mm.
That is, the elastic beam 45 can be elastically bent and deformed with the base end 47b of the first piece 47 connected to the main body 41 as a fulcrum in a movable range corresponding to the gap amount d. Further, the base end portion 47b of the first piece portion 47, which serves as a fulcrum of bending of the elastic beam 45, is separated from the corresponding edge portion 32b of the receiving surface 32a of the lower plate portion 32 by a predetermined amount L, and a space is provided therebetween. 54 are provided, whereby the elastic beam 45 is easily bent and deformed.
[0026]
The accommodation hole 44 of the fixed housing 4 accommodates at least a portion 55 forming the slot S of the elastic beam 45. With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 and 8, a partition wall 56 extending from the upper plate portion 5 to the lower plate portion 32 of the fixed housing 4 and partitioning between the adjacent receiving holes 44 is provided.
The partition wall 56 has an inclined surface 57 for urging the tip 2 a of the connecting member 2 to be inserted toward the first piece 47 of the elastic beam 45. The inclined surface 57 is inclined so that its height decreases as it goes backward (in the insertion direction X of the connecting member 2), that is, approaches the first piece 47.
[0027]
Referring to FIG. 8, a fixing hole 28 for fixing piece 29 of first contact 14 is provided in partition wall 56. Further, the partition wall 56 is provided with a stopper 58 that intersects the end of the inclined surface 57. The stopper portion 58 positions the insertion position of the connection member 2 by contacting the distal end portion 2a of the connection member 2 inserted as shown in FIG.
When connecting the connection member 2 to the electrical connector 1, the connection member 2 is inserted into the insertion space 3 of the fixed housing 4 with the cover 7 opened as shown in FIG. At this time, the distal end portion 2a of the connection member 2 smoothly passes through the contact portion 35 of the first contact 14 for ZIF, and further elastically fits the slot S of the second contact 15 for non-ZIF on the far side. After being expanded, it passes through the contact portion 49, and then, as shown in FIG. 7, is urged by the inclined surface 57 of the partition wall 56 toward the first piece portion 47 of the second contact 15, and The connection member 2 is positioned at the regular insertion position. Next, when the cover 7 is closed, the connection between the connection member 2 and the contact portion 35 of the first contact 14 is achieved by the function of the pressurizing portion 40 described above.
[0028]
According to the present embodiment, in addition to the elastic repulsion force due to the expansion of the slot S of the second contact 15, the inclined portion 57 of the partition wall 56 of the fixed housing 4 causes the distal end portion 2 a of the connecting member 2 to be elastic beam. By urging the connection member 2 toward the contact portion 49 of the second contact 15 by urging the connection member 2 toward the first piece portion 49, a reliable contact pressure (contact pressure) against the contact portion 49 is increased. And reliability can be improved.
[0029]
Therefore, even when the height of the contact portion 49 of the second contact 15 varies, or when, for example, a relatively rigid FPC is used as the connection member 2, the connection member 2 is connected to all of the second contacts 15. The contact portion 49 of the contact 15 can be reliably contacted.
In addition, the first piece 47 of the elastic beam 45 of the second contact 15 is substantially along the lower plate 32 as the opposing wall of the housing hole 44, so that the height of the electrical connector 1 is reduced as much as possible. Eversion can be achieved.
[0030]
Furthermore, since the starting point 57a of the inclined surface 57 for urging the connection member 2 toward the contact portion 49 is located closer to the predetermined insertion direction X than the slot S of the second contact 15, the inclined surface 57 The connection member 2 can be inserted into the slot S without being affected, and there is no possibility of causing a problem in insertion.
Also, since the first and second contacts 14 and 15 are mounted on the fixed housing 4 from opposite directions, and the respective lead portions 31 and 46 are arranged at positions facing each other with the fixed housing 4 interposed therebetween. The mounting area on the circuit board 25 can be remarkably reduced, and the miniaturization of the electrical connector 1 can be achieved in combination with the reduction in height described above.
[0031]
Further, since the first piece 47 of the elastic beam 45 of the second contact 15 for Non-ZIF can be elastically moved by a small gap d, the connecting member 2 can be brought into contact with all the second contacts 15. The portion 49 can be reliably contacted.
In addition, if the gap amount d is small, the height of the electrical connector 1 is hardly affected and the miniaturization is not impaired. In particular, the gap amount d is preferably 0.02 to 0.1 mm, more preferably. By setting the thickness to 0.04 to 0.06 mm, both miniaturization of the electrical connector 1 and connection to the contact portion 49 can be reliably achieved.
[0032]
Further, since the elastic beam 45 of the second contact 15 is easily bent and deformed by providing the space 54, the first piece 47 can be more reliably moved by the gap amount d. .
However, a configuration in which the gap 53 between the first piece portion 47 of the elastic beam 45 of the second contact 15 and the lower plate portion 32 is not provided is also possible.
Note that the connecting member 2 is urged at the position where the inclined surface 57 of the partition wall 56 is behind the contact portion 49 of the second contact 15 (on the back side in the insertion direction X of the connecting member 2). Alternatively, the connection member 2 may be urged toward the first piece 47 at a position forward of the contact portion 49 of the second contact 15.
[0033]
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present invention provides an FFC (flexible flat cable) or a PCB (printed circuit board) instead of an FPC (flexible printed circuit). Also, the present invention can be applied to the case of connecting a connecting member such as. Further, the present invention can be applied to a vertical electrical connector in which the connecting member is inserted not from the lateral direction but from above.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a cover of an electric connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is closed.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the electrical connector with a cover closed.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2; For the reinforcing plate, hatching indicating a cross section is omitted.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. For the first contact, hatching indicating a cross section is omitted.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 2; For the second contact, hatching representing a cross section is omitted.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector, showing one process of inserting the connection member with the cover opened.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector, showing a state in which the cover is closed after the connection member is inserted and the connection is completed.
FIG. 8 is a partially broken schematic perspective view of a main part of a housing.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric connector 2 Connection member 2a Tip part 3 Insertion space X Predetermined insertion direction 4 Fixed housing 5 Upper plate part (wall opposite to opposing wall)
6 Opening 7 Cover (movable housing)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Rotation support shaft C Rotation axis 12 Reinforcement plate 14 First contact 15 Second contact 22 Rotation support part 24 Lock part 25 Circuit board 25a Surface 29 Fixed piece part 30 Elastic piece part 31 Lead part 32 Lower plate part (Opposite wall)
32a receiving surface 32b edge 34 front end 35 contact part 37 cam part 38 relief part 39 pressure receiving part 40 pressure receiving part 41 main part 42 fixed hole 43 fixed beam 44 accommodation hole 45 fixed beam 46 lead part 47 first piece 47a tip Portion 47b Base end portion 48 Second piece portion 48a Tip end portion S Slot 49 Contact portion 50 Pressing portion 51 Substantially orthogonal portion 52 Inclined portion 53 Gap 54 Empty space 55 Slot forming portion 56 Partition wall 57 Inclined surface Force means)
57a Starting point 58 Stopper part 70 Opposed surface 80 when opened Gap (connecting member can be fitted with no insertion force)

Claims (4)

An insulative fixed housing into which a flat connection member can be inserted in a predetermined insertion direction; a movable housing supported by the fixed housing and movable to first and second positions; And first and second contacts held at
A contact portion of the second contact is disposed on the predetermined insertion direction side with respect to a contact portion of the first contact;
The movable housing forms a gap between the movable housing and the contact portion of the first contact in a state where the movable member is located at the first position, and the movable housing has a connection member which can be fitted with no insertion force. Can be applied to the contact portion of the first contact,
The second contact includes a main body, a fixed beam extending from the main body in parallel with the predetermined insertion direction and being pressed into a fixing hole of the housing, and an elastic beam extending from the main body into the housing hole of the housing. ,
The elastic beam has a contact portion and extends substantially along the opposing wall of the housing hole of the housing, and a first portion folded from a tip end of the first portion to contact the first portion. A second piece that defines a slot that can be fitted to the connecting member with a predetermined insertion force between
The fixed housing includes a biasing means capable of biasing the contact member to the contact portion by biasing the connection member inserted into the slot of the second contact at a position separated from the slot. Electrical connector. 2. The urging means according to claim 1, further comprising a partition wall extending from the opposite wall of the fixed housing to the opposite wall to partition the side of the receiving hole, and the inclined surface provided on the partition wall. An electrical connector characterized by comprising: 3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the starting point of the inclined surface is located on the predetermined insertion direction side of the slot. The first contact is mounted on the fixed housing along a direction opposite to the predetermined insertion direction, and the second contact is mounted on the fixed housing along the predetermined insertion direction. Is attached,
The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the first and second contacts have leads at positions facing each other across the fixed housing.

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