JP2007194017A - Connector for fpc/ffc - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid an easy release from a close state of an actuator even in a pulling-around work of an FPC/FFC without false connection even with one with a narrow electrode pitch for a connector for the FPC/FFC. <P>SOLUTION: The connector is provided with a housing and an actuator supported at either side of the housing in free rotation. The housing is provided with a regulating plate integrally molded with each side part and taking on nearly a lateral U-shaped side face with a notch open forward. At insertion of the FPC/FFC, its width direction guiding is carried out by an interval of the regulating plates at either side of the housing, and further, a stroking limit of the FPC/FFC at its insertion is so structured that a tip end face at either end part side of the FPC/FFC coincides with the nearly lateral U-shaped notch of the regulating plate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector for a flexible circuit board (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC).

 FPC / FFC (hereinafter, simply referred to as “FPC”) connectors tend to be applied to connection with FPCs having a narrow-pitch electrode space (for example, 0.3 mm), particularly in response to downsizing of electronic devices. When the electrode space of the FPC becomes narrow, it becomes difficult to align the connector contact with the contact of the connector, and the pitch of the electrode of the FPC and the contact of the connector is shifted, and there is a high possibility that an accident such as poor contact occurs. In such a case, the reliability of the product is impaired.

  Further, for the purpose of routing the FPC, the FPC directly contacts the cover (actuator) of the connector that fixes the FPC so that the actuator can be easily opened, whereby the FPC is unfixed.

  And the structure of the connector for FPC which considered the improvement of this point is proposed (patent document 1).

  An outline of the structure of the connector described in Patent Document 1 is as follows.

  FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged view of the FPC connector shown in FIG. The tip of the FPC is placed on the insertion guide 10S surface and inserted into the insertion opening 10T. Next, the actuator 20 supported and rotated by the rotating shaft 21 is closed. Thereby, the electrode of the FPC and the contact 30 are contact-connected and the FPC is fixed.

  The connector structure of FIG. 1 further includes a holding metal fitting 60 as a feature. The holding metal 60 forms an FPC insertion space 60S between the soldering leg 61 soldered to the dummy pad DP of the board on which the connector is mounted and the insertion guide surface 10S. When the FPC is inserted, there is a tilt preventing portion 62 having a guide surface 62a for guiding in the width direction and a guide surface 62b for guiding in the vertical direction.

Even when the FPC is drawn upward in the state in which the actuator 20 is closed, the FPC hits the actuator 20 directly and the actuator 20 is easily opened by the tilt preventing portion 62 of the holding metal fitting 60. Is solved.
JP 2003-45527 A

  However, the connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the soldering leg 61 of the holding metal fitting 60 is soldered to the dummy electrode DP formed on the substrate. Accordingly, it is obvious that the holding metal fitting 60 is manufactured independently from the connector housing formed of an insulator and is assembled later.

  Therefore, in addition to the manufacturing errors of the housing and the holding metal 60, manufacturing errors when the housing and the holding metal 60 are assembled together are inevitable. For this reason, when a narrower pitch is required for the electrode space of the FPC, it is easily expected that it will be difficult to compensate for reliable connection between the electrode of the FPC and the contact 30.

  On the other hand, there is a problem that when the FPC is inserted, the front end of the FPC is hidden under the actuator 20 and it is difficult to check the abutting state.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an FPC / FFC connector having a structure that can eliminate such inconvenience.

  A first aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object is an FPC / FFC connector having a housing formed of insulating resin and an actuator rotatably supported on both sides of the housing, The housing includes a restriction plate formed integrally with each of both sides thereof, having a notch opened forward and having a substantially U-shaped side surface, and when the FPC / FFC is inserted, The FPC / FFC is guided in the width direction at the interval between the restricting plates on both sides of the housing, and the abutment limit of the FPC / FFC when the FPC / FFC is further inserted is determined. The front end surfaces on both ends are configured so as to coincide with the state of abutting against the substantially U-shaped notch of the restriction plate.

  In the first aspect, a reinforcing bracket is further provided on each outer side of the restricting plates on both sides of the housing, and the rotation support portion of the actuator is rotatably supported by the reinforcing bracket. Features.

  Further, the reinforcing metal fitting may be configured to have a substantially U-shaped side surface having a notch opened forward corresponding to the restriction plate.

  Furthermore, the reinforcing metal fitting is fixed to the actuator with a gap between the corresponding restricting plates, and is inserted into the gap when the actuator is closed on both sides of the actuator. You may comprise so that it may have a latching board part which prevents easy opening.

  As shown in the above feature of the present invention, the connector housing and the restricting plates on both sides of the connector housing are integrally formed. As a result, there is no assembly error in the distance between the restricting plates on both sides. Therefore, the error in the width direction when inserting the FPC / FFC can be reduced, and there is no possibility of causing a deviation from the electrode pitch of the FPC / FFC when the connector contact pitch is narrow.

  Further, the FPC / FFC abutting limit when the FPC / FFC is inserted is made to coincide with the state where the front end surface of the FPC / FFC is abutted against the substantially U-shaped notch of the restriction plate. Therefore, the abutting limit when inserting the FPC / FFC can be easily confirmed visually.

  Further, since the upward U-shaped pulling force in the routing of the FPC / FFC can be received by the substantially U-shaped notch of the restriction plate, the FPC / FFC can touch the actuator and the actuator can be easily opened. It is possible to prevent this.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are for the purpose of understanding the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing the housing of the connector for FPC / FFC of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. The housing has a housing base portion 1, restriction plates 2-1 and 2-2 on both sides thereof, and a plurality of contact accommodating portions 3 for accommodating a plurality of contact pins, which are integrally made of insulating resin. Molded.

  As a feature, each of the regulation plates 2-1 and 2-2 on both sides has a notch 2a opened forward and has a substantially U-shaped side surface.

  Each of the plurality of contact accommodating portions 3 is formed with a groove 3a for accommodating a contact. Further, the plurality of contact accommodating portions 3 are arranged in parallel with a predetermined interval 3b. In this structure, another contact is accommodated in the predetermined interval 3b.

  4 is a view showing a state in which the actuator 5 and a plurality of contact pins 6-1, 6-i, 6-n, 7-1, 7-i, 7-n are incorporated in the housing shown in FIG. is there.

  Although the actuator 5 is shown in an open state, the rotating shaft 5 a extending from both side ends thereof is supported by the reinforcing metal fitting 8. The reinforcing metal fitting 8 is fixed to the housing base portion 1 by inserting a protrusion into a recessed hole portion 1 a (see FIG. 3) formed in the housing base portion 1. Further, the side surface shape of the reinforcing metal fitting 8 has a substantially U-shape with a notch 8a opened forward, similarly to the restriction plates 2-1, 2-2.

  Each of the plurality of contact pins 6-1, 6-i, 6-n is accommodated such that the spring portion at the tip protrudes into the corresponding groove 3 a of the plurality of contact accommodation portions 3. The rear ends of the contact pins 6-1, 6-i and 6-n extend below the housing base 1. Therefore, it is hidden in FIG.

  On the other hand, each of the plurality of contact pins 7-1, 7-i, 7-n is accommodated in a space 3 b formed by arranging a plurality of contact accommodating portions 3 in parallel. Similar to the contact pins 6-1, 6-i, 6-n, the distal end portion has a spring portion, is accommodated so as to protrude, and is positioned below the actuator 5. The rear ends of the contact pins 7-1, 7-i, 7-n extend in the direction opposite to the housing base 1. Therefore, in FIG. 4, the rear end portions of the plurality of contact pins 7-1, 7-i, 7-n are visible.

  The rear end portions of the plurality of contact pins 6-1, 6-i, 6-n, 7-1, 7-i, 7-n are arranged on the board when the connector is mounted on the board (not shown). Fixed connection by pattern and soldering.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a form of the connector in a state where the actuator 5 is closed in the connector structure of FIG. At both ends of the actuator 5, there are latching plate portions 5b.

  The latch plate portion 5b is inserted in a state of being sandwiched between the regulating plates 2-1 and 2-2 and the reinforcing bracket 8 when the actuator 5 is closed. This provides a frictional resistance that prevents the actuator 5 from opening easily.

  6 is a diagram showing a state before the FPC is inserted into the assembled connector of FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG.

  The width W of the front end portion of the FPC 9 to be inserted needs to be a size corresponding to the distance between the regulation plates 2-1 and 2-2 on both side portions of the housing. When inserting the FPC 9, it is only necessary to insert the FPC 9 with care only by positioning the front end of the FPC 9 within the interval between the regulating plates 2-1 and 2-2 while the actuator 5 is open.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the actuator 5 is opened with the FPC 9 inserted into the connector. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG.

  When the front end portion of the FPC 9 having a width W corresponding to the interval between the restriction plates 2-1 and 2-2 is inserted into the interval between the restriction plates 2-1 and 2-2, the front end shoulder portion 9a of the FPC 9 exceeding the width W is inserted. However, it strikes at least the end face of the notch 2a of the regulating plates 2-1, 2-2. As a result, further insertion of the FPC 9 is restricted.

  At this time, the operator can visually observe a state in which the front end shoulder portion 9a of the FPC 9 abuts against at least the end surface of the notch portion 2a of the restriction plates 2-1, 2-2. As a result, the insertion depth of the FPC 9 can be reliably confirmed.

  8 and 9, the insertion depth of the FPC 9 is confirmed, and then the actuator 5 is closed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the actuator 5 is closed with the FPC 9 inserted into the connector. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG.

  In this state, when the FPC 9 is drawn, the upward pulling force of the front end shoulder 9a of the FPC 9 is restricted by the restriction plates 2-1 and 2-2. As a result, it is possible to prevent the FPC 9 from directly hitting the actuator 5 and opening it.

  As can be easily understood from the structure described in the above embodiment, the FPC / FFC connector according to the present invention is not erroneously connected to an FPC / FFC having a narrow electrode pitch, and further, the FPC / FFC is routed. Since the closed state of the actuator is not easily released even during work, it is possible to provide a highly reliable connector, which greatly contributes to the industry.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of an FPC connector shown in FIG. 3 of Patent Document 1. It is a figure which shows the housing of the connector for FPC / FFC of this invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the state which incorporated the actuator and the some contact pin in the housing shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a form of the connector in a state where the actuator is closed in the connector structure of FIG. 4. It is a figure which shows the state before inserting FPC in the assembled connector of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the part enclosed by (circle) of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which has opened the actuator in the state which inserted FPC in the connector. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 8. It is a figure which shows the state by which the actuator was closed in the state which inserted FPC in the connector. It is an enlarged view of the part enclosed by (circle) of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Housing base 1
1a Recessed hole portion 2-1, 2-2 Restriction plate 2a Notch 3 of restriction plate
3 Contact accommodating portion 3a Contact accommodating portion groove 3b Contact accommodating portion interval 5 Actuator 5a Rotating shaft 5b Latching plate portions 6 ₁ , 6 _i , 6 _n , 7 ₁ , 7 _i , 7 _n contact 8 Reinforcing bracket 9 FPC
9a FPC tip shoulder

Claims (4)

A housing formed of insulating resin;
An actuator rotatably supported on both sides of the housing;
The housing includes a regulating plate that is integrally molded on each of both side portions thereof, has a notch that opens forward, and has a substantially U-shaped side surface;
When the FPC / FFC is inserted, the FPC / FFC is guided in the width direction at the interval between the restriction plates on both sides of the housing, and the FPC / FFC is further inserted when the FPC / FFC is inserted. The contact limit coincides with the state in which the front end surfaces of both end portions of the FPC / FFC are in contact with the substantially U-shaped notch of the restriction plate
An FPC / FFC connector characterized by being configured as described above. In claim 1,
Reinforcing metal fittings are provided on the outer sides of the restriction plates on both sides of the housing,
The FPC / FFC connector, wherein the rotation support portion of the actuator is rotatably supported by the reinforcing metal fitting. In claim 2,
The FPC / FFC connector, wherein the reinforcing metal fitting has a notch opened forward and corresponding to the restriction plate, and has a substantially U-shaped side surface. In claim 2 or 3,
The reinforcing bracket is fixed to the actuator with a gap between the corresponding restricting plates,
The FPC / FFC connector further includes a latch plate portion inserted into the gap when the actuator is closed on both sides of the actuator to prevent easy opening of the actuator.

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