JP2006147312A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector not generating breakage even if a thickness of a base plate of an overvoltage protection device is reduced, capable of easily and surely connecting an overvoltage protection device. <P>SOLUTION: The breakage is not generated even if the thickness of the base plate 51 is reduced, the thickness of the base plate can be reduced comparing with hard material, and error of the position where respective terminals 20 or ground plates 40 contact the over voltage protection device can be absorbed by bending deformation because the base plate 51 of the over voltage protection device 50 is formed by using a member having elasticity in thickness direction. Further, since the respective terminals 20 and engaging parts of ground plates 40 are made to engage with notched parts formed on the base plate 51 and a first and second conduction parts 52, 53, the base plate 51 can be easily and correctly positioned against the respective terminals 20 and ground plates 40, and the respective terminals 20 and ground plates 40 and the base plate 51 can be surely fixed in a width direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector for connecting, for example, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC).

  Conventionally, this type of connector includes a connector main body in which one end of an object to be connected such as FPC or FFC can be inserted at a predetermined position, and a plurality of terminals arranged in the connector main body at intervals in the width direction. It is known that each terminal is brought into contact with a connection object inserted into the connector body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  By the way, with the increase in the amount of information transmitted in recent years, the speed and integration of various electric devices have progressed. As a result, the insulating walls of electronic components such as ICs have become thinner, and the electronic components have been destroyed by overvoltage such as static electricity (ESD). There is a problem. In addition, due to the digitalization of signals and the increased number of wiring devices such as connectors, it is necessary to install a large number of protective devices to protect electronic components from overvoltages. It is the present situation that the space for mounting is reduced.

  Therefore, it is effective to eliminate an installation space for the protection device on the circuit board by attaching an overvoltage protection device to the connector. That is, as the overvoltage protection device formed in this way, there is a device in which a plurality of through holes for inserting each terminal of the connector are provided on a substrate attached to the bottom surface of the connector, and each terminal is soldered to the through hole. It is known (see, for example, FIG. 10 of Patent Document 2).

In this overvoltage protection device, when an overvoltage occurs in a circuit connected to each terminal, the signal line terminal and the ground terminal are made conductive by the variable resistor, and the overvoltage is discharged to the outside through the ground terminal. ing.
JP 2002-252049 A Special Table 2000-516031

  However, in the overvoltage protection device, since the substrate is formed of a hard member such as a glass plate or a ceramic plate, the mechanical strength is reduced when the thickness of the substrate is reduced, and the substrate is easily damaged when attached to the connector. There is a drawback. For this reason, there has been a problem that the thickness dimension of the substrate is increased and the overall size of the connector is increased. Moreover, since the board | substrate which consists of a glass plate or a ceramic board does not have elasticity or flexibility, it cannot press-contact, deform | transforming into the terminal of a connector. For this reason, the complicated connection operation | work which inserts a terminal in the hole of a board | substrate and solders is required, and there also existed a problem that productivity fell.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to connect the overvoltage protection device easily and reliably without causing damage even if the substrate of the overvoltage protection device is formed thin. It is to provide a connector that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first conductive portion formed on a substrate, a plurality of second conductive portions formed on the substrate with a predetermined gap from the first conductive portion, When an overvoltage is generated between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion, the first embodiment includes an overvoltage protection device including a variable resistor that lowers the electrical resistance and electrically connects the first conductive portion and each second conductive portion. In the connector in which the conductive portion is connected to the ground member and each second conductive portion is connected to the plurality of signal line terminals, the substrate of the overvoltage protection device is formed of a member having flexibility in the thickness direction, The substrate and each conductive portion are provided with notches for engaging the engaging portions provided on the terminals and the ground member, respectively.

  As a result, since the substrate of the overvoltage protection device is formed by a member having flexibility in the thickness direction, even if the substrate is formed thin, it is not damaged, and is formed thinner than a hard material. In addition, the error in the contact position between the terminal or ground member and the overvoltage protection device is absorbed by bending deformation of the substrate. In addition, since the engaging portions of the terminals and the ground member are engaged with the notches of the substrate and the conductive portions, respectively, the substrate is positioned by the engagement of the notches and the engaging portions, and The portion can be connected to the engaging portion along the inner periphery of the notch, and each terminal, the ground member, and the substrate are fixed in the width direction.

  According to the connector of the present invention, there is no damage even if the substrate of the overvoltage protection device is formed thin, so that the overvoltage protection device can be easily and reliably mounted, and the substrate of the overvoltage protection device is rigid. Since it can be formed thinner than the material, downsizing can be achieved. In this case, an error in the contact position between the overvoltage protection device and the terminal or the ground member can be absorbed, so that contact failure and mounting failure can be reliably prevented. In addition, the engagement between the notch and the engaging portion enables easy and reliable positioning of the substrate with respect to each terminal and ground member, and each conductive portion is engaged along the inner periphery of the notch. Since it can connect with a part, a connection area can be enlarged. Furthermore, since each terminal and ground member and the substrate can be securely fixed in the width direction, the stress applied to the connection portion can be reduced, and the connection reliability can be improved.

  1 to 11 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a connector, FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof, FIG. 3 is a front view of an overvoltage protection device, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the substrate, FIG. 6 is a front view of the substrate, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the main part of the terminal and the overvoltage protection device, FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the main part, and FIG. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are side cross-sectional views of the connector.

  This connector includes a connector main body 10 into which one end of a flexible circuit A as a connection object can be inserted, a plurality of terminals 20 arranged at equal intervals in the width direction within the connector main body 10, and the flexible circuit A as each terminal. And a pair of ground plates 40 connected to the ground electrode of the circuit board B, and an overvoltage protection device 50 that electrically connects each terminal 20 and each ground plate 40 when an overvoltage occurs. ing.

  The flexible circuit A is a so-called flexible printed circuit (FPC), and a plurality of electrical contacts (not shown) are provided at intervals in the width direction on the upper surface on the tip side. In addition, as a connection target object, a flexible flat cable (FFC) etc. may be sufficient.

  The connector main body 10 is made of a synthetic resin molded product, and is formed in a box shape having an open front side. That is, the connector main body 10 includes an upper surface portion 11, a bottom surface portion 12, and a side surface portion 13, and the flexible circuit A is inserted from the front opening. The connector body 10 is provided with a plurality of terminal holes 10a at equal intervals in the width direction, and the terminals 20 are held in the terminal holes 10a, respectively. A pair of long holes 13 a for holding each ground plate 40 is provided on both sides in the width direction of the connector body 10, and each long hole 13 a is formed so as to penetrate in the vertical direction of the connector body 10. Each side surface portion 13 of the connector main body 10 is provided with a notch portion 13b for engaging the pressing member 30, and each notch portion 13b is formed to extend in the front-rear direction of the connector main body 10.

  Each terminal 20 is made of a conductive metal plate and is held in each terminal hole 10 a of the connector body 10. Each terminal 20 has an elastic piece portion 21 and a fixing piece portion 22 that extend in a bifurcated manner with a space therebetween in the vertical direction, and the fixing piece portion 22 is fixed to the bottom surface portion 12 of the connector main body 10. Further, the rear end side of each terminal 20 is exposed on the back side of the connector main body 10, and a board connecting portion 23 connected to the circuit board B is provided on the lower end side thereof. Further, an engagement portion 24 that engages the overvoltage protection device 50 side is provided on the rear end side of each terminal 20, and the rear end surface 24 a of the engagement portion 24 and the rear end surface 20 a of the terminal 20 are located rearward. A step 24b is formed.

  The pressing member 30 is made of a synthetic resin molded product, and has a pair of widthwise operation portions 31 disposed outside the connector body 10, a pressing piece 32 disposed in the connector body 10, and both side portions of the connector body 10. It is comprised from the left-right paired arm part 33 located. A concave portion 34 through which the flexible circuit A can be inserted is provided between the operation portions 31, and the pressing piece 32 extends from the concave portion 34 to the connector body 10 side. The pressing piece 32 is formed so that the thickness dimension gradually decreases toward the distal end side, and is inserted between the fixed piece portion 22 of each terminal 20 and the flexible circuit A. Each arm portion 33 extends rearward from the operation portion 31, and is inserted into each notch portion 13b of the connector body 10 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Further, a locking portion 33a that locks to the front end portion of the notch portion 13b is provided at the tip of each arm portion 33 so as to protrude in the width direction.

  Each ground plate 40 is made of a metal plate bent in a substantially L shape, and one end thereof is inserted into the elongated hole 13a of the connector body 10 from below. A ground connection portion 41 extending laterally from the bottom surface side of the connector main body 10 is provided on the other end side of each ground plate 40, and the ground connection portion 41 is connected to the circuit board B. Further, the rear end side of each ground plate 40 is exposed on the back side of the connector main body 10, and the rear end surface 40 a is aligned in the front-rear direction on the rear end surface 20 a of each terminal 20 and the back side of the connector main body 10. Has been placed. Furthermore, an engagement portion 42 that engages with the overvoltage protection device 50 is provided on the rear end side of each ground plate 40, and between the rear end surface 42 a of the engagement portion 42 and the rear end surface 40 a of the ground plate 40. A step 42b located rearward is formed.

  The overvoltage protection device 50 includes a horizontally long substrate 51, a first conductive portion 52 formed on one surface of the substrate 51, and a plurality of second conductive portions formed on one surface of the substrate 51. 53, a variable resistor 54 interposed between the first conductive portion 52 and the second conductive portion 53, and a covering member 55 covering the variable resistor 54.

  The substrate 51 is formed of a film-like member having flexibility in the thickness direction, and a transparent synthetic resin having a thickness of 75 microns or less is used as the film-like member. On the lower end side of the substrate 51, a notch 51 a for engaging the engaging portion 24 of each terminal 20 and the engaging portion 42 of each ground plate 40 is provided, and each notch 51 a is connected to each conductive portion 52, 53. It is arranged at the corresponding position. Moreover, the adhesive tape 56 formed in the same external shape as the board | substrate 51 is affixed on the other surface of the board | substrate 51, and the adhesive tape 56 consists of a well-known double-sided adhesive tape.

  The first conductive portion 52 is made of a metal film having a thickness of 3 microns or more formed on one surface of the substrate 51, and the upper end side is elongated from both ends in the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the substrate 51 as shown in FIG. It is formed continuously so as to extend in the direction. Further, the first conductive portion 52 is provided with a notch 52 a corresponding to the notch 51 a of the substrate 51.

  Each of the second conductive portions 53 is made of a metal film having a thickness of 3 microns or more formed on one surface of the substrate 51, like the first conductive portion 52, and as shown in FIG. Are provided at a lower end side excluding a distance in the width direction. Further, a gap forming portion 53a adjacent to the first conductive portion 52 is provided on the upper end side of each second conductive portion 53, and a gap of 40 microns or less is formed between the first conductive portion 52 and the gap forming portion 53a. A gap 53b is formed. In this case, the gap 53 b of each second conductive portion 53 is arranged on a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 51. Further, the second conductive portion 53 is provided with a notch portion 53 c corresponding to the notch portion 51 a of the substrate 51.

  The variable resistor 54 is formed of a well-known material using, for example, a non-linear resistance material, and has a high electric resistance when no overvoltage occurs. When the overvoltage occurs, the variable resistor 54 is activated and immediately becomes a material having a low electric resistance. It has a changing nature. Note that other types of materials may be used as long as they have similar properties. The variable resistor 54 is formed in a straight line extending along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 51 so as to cover the gap 53b of each second conductive portion 53, and the gap forming portion 53a of each second conductive portion 53 as shown in FIG. In addition, the gap 53 b is filled so as to extend over the first conductive portion 52. The variable resistor 54 is formed in a straight line so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 51 by applying or printing a liquid raw material on the substrate 51 and curing it.

  The covering member 55 is made of an insulating member such as urethane, and is formed in a straight line extending along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 51 so as to cover the variable resistor 54.

  The overvoltage protection device 50 is disposed on the back side of the connector main body 10, and the other surface side of the substrate 51 is attached to the rear end surface 20 a of each terminal 20 and the rear end surface 40 a of each ground plate 40 with an adhesive tape 56. At that time, the engaging portions 42 of the respective ground plates 40 are engaged with the notches 51 a and 52 a corresponding to both end sides of the first conductive portion 52, and the respective ground plates 40 are respectively electrically conductive by the conductive resin 57. It is connected to both ends of the part 52. Further, the notch portions 51 a and 53 c corresponding to the respective second conductive portions 53 are engaged with the engaging portions 24 of the respective terminals 20, and the respective terminals 20 are connected to the respective second conductive portions 53 by the conductive resin 57. Is done. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the steps 24 b and 42 b of the engaging portions 24 and 42 are formed to have dimensions substantially equal to the thickness t of the substrate 51 including the respective conductive portions 53 and 54. The rear end surfaces 24a, 42a of the respective engaging portions 24, 42 are positioned on substantially the same plane as the respective conductive portions 52, 53 on the substrate 51 in a state where the rear end surfaces 24a, 42a are engaged with the notches 51a, 52a, 53c. Yes. Further, one surface side of the substrate 51 and each conductive resin 57 are covered with an insulating coating 58 such as urethane.

  In the connector configured as described above, each terminal 20 is mounted on the circuit board B by soldering the board connection part 23 of each terminal 20 and the ground connection part 41 of each ground plate 40 to the circuit board B. The When the flexible circuit A is connected to the connector, the flexible circuit A is inserted into the connector body 10 with the pressing member 30 pulled forward as shown in FIG. 10, and the pressing member 30 as shown in FIG. Is moved toward the rear of the connector body 10, the pressing piece 32 is press-fitted between the flexible circuit A and the fixed piece portion 22, and the flexible circuit A and the elastic piece portion 22 of each terminal 20 are pressed against each other to be electrically connected. Connected.

  Further, in the connector, when an overvoltage such as static electricity is generated on the flexible circuit A side, the overvoltage protection device 50 conducts between the terminal 20 of the signal line where the overvoltage is generated and each ground plate 40, and the circuit board B side is electrically connected. The circuit is protected from overvoltage. That is, when an overvoltage occurs in any signal line of the flexible circuit A, the variable resistor 54 immediately changes to a low electrical resistance material. As a result, the terminal 20 and each ground plate 40 are electrically connected via the variable resistor 54, and an overvoltage is discharged to the ground side via each ground plate 40. The characteristic of the variable resistor 54 depends on the size of the gap 53b.

  Thus, according to the connector of the present embodiment, since the substrate 51 of the overvoltage protection device 50 is formed by a member having flexibility in the thickness direction, no damage occurs even if the substrate 51 is formed thin. The overvoltage protection device 50 can be easily and reliably attached. In this case, even if the substrate 51 is bent in the thickness direction, the substrate 51 is not damaged. Therefore, the substrate 51 can be formed thinner than a hard material, and the size can be reduced. Further, since the error of the contact position with each terminal 20 or each ground plate 40 can be absorbed by bending deformation of the substrate 51, contact failure and mounting failure can be reliably prevented.

  In addition, the terminals 20 and the engaging portions 24 and 42 of the ground plates 40 are engaged with the substrate 51 and the cutout portions 51a, 52a and 53c of the first and second conductive portions 52 and 53, respectively. The positioning with respect to each terminal 20 and each ground plate 40 can be performed easily and reliably. In this case, since each conductive part 52 and 53 can be connected with the engaging parts 24 and 42 along the inner periphery of the notch parts 52a and 53c, a connection area can be enlarged. Furthermore, since each terminal 20, each ground plate 40, and the board | substrate 51 can be fixed reliably in the width direction, the stress added to the conductive resin 57 can be made small, and the connection reliability can be improved. it can.

  Further, when the engaging portions 24, 42 are engaged with the notches 51 a, 52 a, 53 c of the terminals 20 and the ground members 40, the rear end surfaces 24 a, 42 a of the engaging portions 24, 42 are on the substrate 51. Since the conductive portions 52 and 53 are located on substantially the same plane, the conductive resin 57 can be formed on a connection surface without unevenness, and a good connection state can always be obtained. In this case, since the conductive resin 57 can be formed while holding the connection surface horizontally upward, it is possible to reliably prevent the uncured conductive resin 57 from flowing, and positioning in the connection work. It is possible to improve accuracy, improve work efficiency, and improve connection quality.

  Further, since each conductive portion 52, 53 and each ground plate 40 and each terminal 20 are connected by the conductive resin 8, a complicated connection work such as soldering is not required, thereby improving productivity. Can be planned.

  In addition, since the substrate 51 and each conductive resin 57 are covered with the insulating coating 58, the overvoltage protection device 50 can be reliably protected from damage due to contact with an external article or an electrical short circuit.

  Furthermore, since each of the conductive portions 52 and 53 is formed integrally with one surface of the substrate 51 by a metal thin film, the gap 53b between the first and second conductive portions 52 and 53 is formed with high precision by etching or the like. Therefore, the size of the gap 53b that affects the characteristics of the variable resistor 54 can always be set accurately.

  Further, since the substrate 51 is formed transparently, the variable resistor 54 in the gap 4b can be seen from the outside from the other surface side of the substrate 51. For example, the liquid material of the variable resistor 54 is improperly applied. In such a case, it is possible to perform non-destructive inspection for the formation failure of the variable resistor.

  Furthermore, since the gaps 53b of the second conductive portions 53 are arranged in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 51, when applying the liquid material of the variable resistor 54, the gaps 53b are linear along the arrangement direction of the gaps 53b. Drawing application becomes possible, and in the case of printing, the liquid drainage of the raw material becomes good. Therefore, the variable resistor 54 can always be formed with high accuracy.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although what pressed the flexible circuit A to each terminal 20 with the press member 30 was shown, other things, such as a thing of the structure which press-fits a connection target directly, without using a press member. The connector which consists of a structure may be sufficient.

The front side perspective view of the connector which shows one Embodiment of this invention Rear perspective view of the connector Front view of overvoltage protection device Side cross-sectional view of overvoltage protection device Exploded perspective view of overvoltage protection device Front view of board Perspective view of main parts of terminal and overvoltage protection device Side sectional view of the main part of the terminal and overvoltage protection device Perspective view of main parts of ground plate and overvoltage protection device Side sectional view of connector Side sectional view of connector

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Connector main body, 20 ... Terminal, 24 ... Engagement part, 40 ... Ground plate, 42 ... Engagement part, 50 ... Overvoltage protection apparatus, 51 ... Board | substrate, 52 ... 1st electroconductive part, 53 ... 2nd electroconductive part, 53b ... Gap, 54 ... Variable resistor, 57 ... Conductive resin, 58 ... Coating, A ... Flexible circuit, B ... Circuit board.

Claims (4)

A first conductive part formed on the substrate, a plurality of second conductive parts formed on the substrate with a predetermined gap from the first conductive part, and between the first conductive part and the second conductive part And an overvoltage protection device comprising a variable resistor that conducts between the first conductive portion and each second conductive portion when an overvoltage occurs, and the first conductive portion is connected to a ground member. In the connector where each of the two conductive portions is connected to a plurality of signal line terminals,
While forming the substrate of the overvoltage protection device by a member having flexibility in the thickness direction,
The board and each conductive part are provided with the notch part which each engages with the engaging part provided in each terminal and the ground member. The connector characterized by the above-mentioned. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portions of the terminals and the ground member are formed so as to be located on substantially the same plane as the conductive portion on the substrate. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each conductive portion is connected to each terminal and a ground member by a conductive resin. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the substrate and the conductive resin are covered with an insulating member.

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