JP2007265851A - Connector for cable - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector for a cable in which the variation amount of relative angles between a first arm and a second arm can be made large when an actuator is changed in posture between a first position and a second position, and a flat cable can be inserted easily and connected certainly with improved reliability, and the interval between the first arm and the second arm can be made short and a height can be made low. <P>SOLUTION: The terminal is provided with the first arm and the second arm extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable, and a connecting part of a long and narrow belt shape to connect the first arm and the second arm. A prescribed range including a connecting point with the connecting part in the first arm or the second arm and the connecting part are formed narrower than surrounding portions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cable connector.

  Conventionally, a cable connector has been used to connect a flat flexible cable called a flexible printed circuit (FPC), a flexible flat cable (FFC) or the like. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a conventional cable connector.

  As shown in the figure, the cable connector includes a housing 301 made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, a plurality of terminals 302 made of a conductive material such as metal, and held by the housing 301, and a synthetic resin or the like. The actuator 303 is made of an insulating material and is attached so that its posture can be changed. The cable connector is mounted on a substrate 304 such as a circuit board, and a flat cable 305 inserted from the insertion port of the housing 301 is connected thereto. Further, the terminal 302 has a substantially H-shaped shape, and an upper part 306 extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable 305 at the upper part, a lower part 307 extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable 305 at the lower part, and An elongate strip-shaped connecting spring portion 308 that connects between the upper portion 306 and the lower portion 307 is provided.

When the actuator 303 is in the open position as shown in the drawing, the distance between the tip portions of the upper portion 306 and the lower portion 307 of the terminal 302 is increased, and the flat cable 305 can be inserted into and removed from the insertion port of the housing 301. It has become. Further, when the posture of the actuator 303 is changed from the open position to the closed position in a state where the flat cable 305 inserted from the insertion port enters between the top ends of the upper portion 306 and the lower portion 307, an elliptical shape is obtained. Since the rotation shaft 309 rotates and widens the distance between the rear end portions of the upper portion 306 and the lower portion 307 of the terminal 302, the interval between the front end portions of the upper portion 306 and the lower portion 307 is narrowed, and the flat cable 305 is sandwiched. A conductive wire (not shown) of the flat cable 305 is electrically connected to the terminal 302. In this case, the connecting spring portion 308 is elastically deformed, whereby the upper portion 306 rotates counterclockwise around the connecting portion with the connecting spring portion 308, and the front end portion of the upper portion 306 moves downward to move the lower portion 307. The flat cable 305 is sandwiched in cooperation with the front end of the cable.
Japanese Patent No. 3484659

  However, in the conventional cable connector, the connecting spring portion 308 is elastically deformed so that the front end portion of the upper portion 306 moves up and down. Therefore, the distance that the front end portion of the upper portion 306 moves up and down is short. turn into. This is because the length of the connecting spring portion 308 is short, and if the connecting spring portion 308 is deformed within a range where it is not plastically deformed, the amount of deformation at both end portions is insufficient, and the upper portion 306 can be rotated in a wide range. This is because it cannot be done. Therefore, if the flat cable 305 is sufficiently sandwiched when the actuator 303 is in the closed position, the distance between the front end portions of the upper part 306 and the lower part 307 is not widened even when the actuator 303 is in the open position. 305 cannot be inserted smoothly. Further, when the flat cable 305 can be smoothly inserted when the actuator 303 is in the open position, the distance between the front end portions of the upper portion 306 and the lower portion 307 is not reduced even when the actuator 303 is in the closed position. There was a problem that the flat cable 305 could not be pinched securely. In addition, if the connecting spring portion 308 is provided closer to the actuator 303, the vertical movement width of the opening portion is increased. However, in a connector that requires downsizing, even if the connecting spring portion 308 is provided closer to the actuator 303, It was difficult to increase the vertical movement width effectively.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional cable connector, and includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable, and the first arm portion and the second arm portion. And a predetermined range including a connection point with the connecting portion in the first arm portion or the second arm portion of the terminal and the connecting portion is wider than the surrounding portion. By forming it narrowly, it is possible to increase the amount of change in the relative angle between the first arm and the second arm when the posture of the actuator is changed between the first position and the second position. The flat cable can be easily inserted and can be securely connected, the reliability can be improved, the distance between the first arm and the second arm can be shortened, and the back The object is to provide a cable connector that can be lowered. .

  Therefore, in the cable connector of the present invention, a housing including an insertion port for inserting a flat cable, a terminal loaded in the housing and electrically connected to the conductive wire of the flat cable, For a cable having an actuator that is attached to a housing in such a manner that the posture can be changed between a first position where the flat cable can be inserted and a second position where the conductive wires and terminals of the inserted flat cable are electrically connected. The connector includes a first arm part and a second arm part extending in an insertion direction of the flat cable, and an elongated strip-like connection for connecting the first arm part and the second arm part. A predetermined range including a connection point with the connecting portion in the first arm portion or the second arm portion and the connecting portion are formed narrower than the surrounding portion.

  In another cable connector of the present invention, the length of the connecting portion is substantially equal to the length of the predetermined range.

  In still another cable connector according to the present invention, the connecting portion is further connected to the longitudinal center of the predetermined range.

  In still another cable connector according to the present invention, the connecting portion may have a longitudinal axis inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the predetermined range.

  In still another cable connector of the present invention, when the posture of the actuator is changed between the first position and the second position, the relative angle between the first arm part and the second arm part changes. .

  In still another cable connector of the present invention, the relative angle between the first arm portion and the second arm portion is changed by elastically deforming the connecting portion and the predetermined range.

  In still another cable connector of the present invention, the second arm portion is disposed closer to the insertion port than a connection point with the connection portion, and a contact portion that contacts the conductive wire, and the connection An actuating lever portion that is disposed on the side opposite to the insertion port from the connection point to receive the force from the actuator, and when the actuator changes its posture from the first position to the second position, the actuating lever portion is The contact portion is moved in a direction away from one arm portion, and the contact portion is moved and inclined in a direction approaching the first arm portion.

  In yet another cable connector of the present invention, the connector further includes an auxiliary fitting for mounting the connector which is loaded into the housing and fixed to the board, and the auxiliary mounting bracket is located on both sides of the actuator. A bearing groove for rotatably accommodating a shaft portion to be rotated.

  In still another cable connector according to the present invention, the bearing groove positions the shaft portion in cooperation with a positioning protrusion formed on a side portion of the housing.

  In still another cable connector according to the present invention, the terminal further includes a first terminal in which the board connection portion is positioned at the insertion port side end of the housing, and the board connection portion is the end opposite to the insertion port side of the housing. A second terminal located at a position.

  According to the present invention, the terminal includes the first arm portion and the second arm portion extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable, and the elongated belt-like connecting portion that connects the first arm portion and the second arm portion. The predetermined range including the connection point with the connecting portion in the first arm portion or the second arm portion of the terminal and the connecting portion are formed narrower than the surrounding portions. Thereby, when the attitude of the actuator is changed between the first position and the second position, the amount of change in the relative angle between the first arm part and the second arm part can be increased. It can be easily inserted and can be securely connected, reliability can be improved, the distance between the first arm and the second arm can be shortened, and the height can be lowered. it can.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 is a perspective view when the actuator of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention is in the open position, FIG. 2 is a front view when the actuator of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention is in the open position, FIG. 3 is a side view when the actuator of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention is in the open position, and FIG. 4 is a rear view when the actuator of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention is in the open position. 5 is a cross-sectional view when the actuator of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention is in the open position, a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view when the actuator of FIG. 2 is in the open position, a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2, and FIG. It is C-C in cross-sectional view taken in there 4 in sectional view of the actuator of the cable connector is in the open position.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a connector as a cable connector in the present embodiment, which is mounted on a surface of a circuit board or the like (not shown) and is a flat cable 71 described later called a flexible circuit board or a flexible flat cable. Used to electrically connect. The flat cable 71 is, for example, a flat flexible cable called FPC, FFC or the like, but may be of any type as long as it is a flat cable provided with a conductive wire. In the present embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as upper, lower, left, right, front, rear, etc. used for explaining the configuration and operation of each part of the connector 10 are not absolute but relative. This is appropriate when the connector 10 is in the posture shown in the figure, but when the posture of the connector 10 is changed, it should be interpreted according to the change in the posture.

  Here, the connector 10 is integrally formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin and a housing 31 and is integrally formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and is attached to the housing 31 so that its posture can be changed. Actuator 11. That is, the actuator 11 is attached to the housing 31 so that its posture changes to an open position as a first position and a closed position as a second position.

  The housing 31 includes a lower portion 32, an upper portion 35, left and right side portions 36, and a flat cable from the front (left obliquely downward in FIG. 1) formed between the lower portion 32, the upper portion 35 and the side portion 36. The insertion port 33 is an opening for inserting an end of 71, and the insertion port 33 is formed with a plurality of terminal receiving grooves into which metal terminals are loaded. In the present embodiment, the terminal includes a first terminal 41 and a second terminal 51, and the terminal receiving groove is a first terminal receiving groove 34a in which the first terminal 41 is loaded and a second terminal 51 in which the first terminal 41 is loaded. It consists of a two-terminal receiving groove 34b. A total of 15 first terminal receiving grooves 34a and second terminal receiving grooves 34b are formed with a pitch of about 0.3 mm, for example. The pitch and number of the terminal receiving grooves can be changed as appropriate. The first terminal receiving grooves 34a and the second terminal receiving grooves 34b are alternately arranged so as to be adjacent to each other. Note that the first terminals 41 and the second terminals 51 do not necessarily have to be loaded in all the first terminal receiving grooves 34a and the second terminal receiving grooves 34b, and correspond to the arrangement of the conductive wires provided in the flat cable 71. The first terminal 41 and the second terminal 51 can be omitted as appropriate.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a nail housing recess 36b extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable 71 is formed in the side portion 36 of the housing 31, and a metal connector is formed in the nail housing recess 36b. A nail 61 as a mounting auxiliary metal fitting is accommodated. The nail 61 is preferably formed by punching or bending a metal plate. The nail 61 protrudes forward from the main body portion 62 and the main body portion 62. An upper beam portion 63 and a lower beam portion 64 extending in the insertion direction, an upper projecting portion 65 connected to the upper end of the main body portion 62 and extending in the horizontal direction, and a connection portion 64 b at the lower end of the lower beam portion 64. And a lower protrusion 66 extending in the horizontal direction.

  The nail 61 is inserted and loaded from the back side (right side in FIG. 7) of the housing 31 into the left and right nail receiving recesses 36b. In this case, the distal end portion 64a of the lower beam portion 64 is press-fitted into the interior of the nail accommodating recess 36b, and the protrusion 64c projecting downward from the lower end of the distal end portion 64a bites the floor surface of the nail accommodating recess 36b. As a result, the coupling state of the lower beam portion 64 and the housing 31 is strengthened. The lower protrusion 66 is fixed on the surface of the substrate by soldering or the like. The upper protruding portion 65 is located on the upper surface of the side portion 36 of the housing 31 and restricts the upward movement of the housing 31. Thereby, the attachment to the board | substrate of the connector 10 becomes firm, and it prevents that the connector 10 detaches | leaves from a board | substrate.

  The upper beam portion 63 and the lower beam portion 64 are connected at their rear ends by a main body portion 62 to form a substantially U-shaped bearing groove 62a that opens forward, and the inside of the bearing groove 62a. The first shaft portion 17a as the shaft portion located on both sides of the actuator 11 is accommodated in the housing. The first shaft portion 17a has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. Further, the positioning protrusion 36a formed on the side portion 36 of the housing 31 enters the bearing groove 62a from the front, and restricts the first shaft portion 17a from moving to the front of the bearing groove 62a. Thereby, the 1st axial part 17a rotates in the state positioned by the rear end in the bearing groove 62a. Therefore, the actuator 11 can change its posture without leaving the housing 31. That is, the nail 61 also functions as a support and retaining member for the actuator 11.

  The actuator 11 is formed in a main body 15 which is a substantially square plate member, a plurality of terminal receiving holes 12 formed in the main body 15, and the terminal receiving hole 12. And a second shaft portion 17b as a shaft portion. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the terminal receiving hole 12 accommodates the operating lever portion 44 b of the upper arm portion 44 of the first terminal 41 and the operating lever portion 54 b of the upper arm portion 54 of the second terminal 51. The second shaft portion 17b engages with the operating lever portion 44b and the operating lever portion 54b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first terminal 41 has a substantially H-shape, and the lower arm 43 and the second arm serving as a first arm extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable 71. An upper arm portion 44 as an arm portion, and an elongated belt-like connecting portion 45 that connects the lower arm portion 43 and the upper arm portion 44 are provided. The connecting portion 45 is connected to a position between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lower arm portion 43 and is connected to a position between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the upper arm portion 44. The upper arm portion 44 is disposed above the lower arm portion 43. Further, a connection range portion 46 as a predetermined range including a connection point with the connecting portion 45 in the lower arm portion 43 is formed to have a width substantially equal to the connecting portion 45.

  Here, the lower arm portion 43 has a tail as a board connection portion that protrudes downward at the tip (left end in FIG. 5) and is connected to a connection pad formed on the surface of the board by soldering or the like. The part 42 is connected. Further, a cable support portion 43a formed so as to protrude upward is provided between the tip and the connection range portion 46, and is connected to the rear end (right end in FIG. 5) of the connection range portion 46, and the second shaft portion. The bearing part 43b which supports 17b from the downward direction is provided, Furthermore, the rear-end protrusion part 43c extended backward from the rear end of this bearing part 43b is provided. A protrusion 43d that protrudes upward is formed at the upper end of the rear end protrusion 43c.

  Then, the first terminal 41 is inserted and loaded into the first terminal receiving groove 34a from the front side of the housing 31 (left side in FIG. 5). In this case, the substantially linear lower end portion of the lower arm portion 43 is in contact with the floor surface of the first terminal receiving groove 34a, and the rear end protruding portion 43c is fitted into the innermost hole portion of the first terminal receiving groove 34a. ) And the projection 43d bites into the ceiling surface of the hole, and the projection 42a of the tail portion 42 bites into the lower end of the front end surface of the lower portion 32 of the housing 31, whereby the first terminal 41 is fixed to the housing 31. Is done.

  The upper arm portion 44 functions as a contact piece that is electrically connected to the conductive wire of the flat cable 71, and a contact portion 44a protruding downward is formed in the vicinity of the tip. Further, the upper arm portion 44 extends rearward from the connection point with the connecting portion 45 and enters the terminal accommodating hole 12 of the actuator 11 to restrict the upward movement of the second shaft portion 17b. 44b.

  The second shaft portion 17b has a substantially elliptical cross section, is located between the bearing portion 43b and the operating lever portion 44b, functions as a cam by rotating, and pushes the operating lever portion 44b upward. It is supposed to be raised. When the operation lever portion 44b is pushed upward, the connecting portion 45 and the connection range portion 46 are elastically deformed, and the entire upper arm portion 44 is rotated so that the upper arm portion 44 and the lower arm portion 43 are relative to each other. An angle changes and the front-end | tip of the upper arm part 44 moves below. As a result, the contact portion 44 a moves so as to approach the cable support portion 43 a and is pressed against the conductive wire of the flat cable 71.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the actuator 11 is in the open position, the second shaft portion 17b has an angle close to the horizontal. In other words, the major axis of the cross section of the second shaft portion 17b that is substantially elliptical has an angle close to the horizontal. Therefore, the operation lever portion 44b is not pushed upward, and the tip of the upper arm portion 44 does not move downward. Therefore, since the space | interval of the contact part 44a and the cable support part 43a is sufficiently wide, the edge part of the flat cable 71 inserted from the insertion port 33 does not receive contact pressure from the contact part 44a and the cable support part 43a. Alternatively, the ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) structure is substantially realized because it is inserted with only a slight contact pressure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the second terminal 51 has a substantially H-shape, and a lower arm portion 53 and a second arm portion serving as a first arm portion extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable 71. The upper arm part 54 as an arm part and the elongate strip | belt-shaped connection part 55 which connects the said lower arm part 53 and the upper arm part 54 are provided. The connecting portion 55 is connected to a position between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lower arm portion 53 and is connected to a position between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the upper arm portion 54. The upper arm portion 54 is disposed above the lower arm portion 53. Further, a connection range portion 56 as a predetermined range including a connection point with the connecting portion 55 in the lower arm portion 53 is formed to have a width substantially equal to the connecting portion 55.

  Here, the lower arm portion 53 protrudes forward from the front end (leftmost end in FIG. 6) toward the front, and is positioned near the front end and rearward of the front end protrusion 53c and protrudes upward. The cable support 53a is connected to the rear end (the right end in FIG. 6) of the connection range portion 56, and includes a bearing portion 53b that supports the second shaft portion 17b from below. Further, a tail part 52 as a board connection part is connected to the rear end of the bearing part 53b, which protrudes downward and is connected to a connection pad formed on the surface of the board by soldering or the like. A protrusion 53d that protrudes upward is formed at the upper end of the tip protrusion 53c.

  Then, the second terminal 51 is inserted and loaded into the second terminal receiving groove 34b from the back side (the right side in FIG. 6) of the housing 31. In this case, the substantially linear lower end portion of the lower arm portion 53 comes into contact with the floor surface of the second terminal receiving groove 34b, and the tip protruding portion 53c is fitted into the most advanced hole portion of the second terminal receiving groove 34b. The second terminal 51 is fixed to the housing 31 by 53d biting into the ceiling surface of the hole and the protrusion 52a of the tail portion 52 biting into the lower end of the rear end surface of the lower portion 32 of the housing 31.

  The upper arm portion 54 functions as a contact piece that is electrically connected to the conductive wire of the flat cable 71, and a contact portion 54 a that protrudes downward is formed in the vicinity of the tip of the upper arm portion 54. Further, the upper arm portion 54 extends rearward from the connection point with the connecting portion 55 and enters the terminal accommodating hole 12 of the actuator 11 to restrict the upward movement of the second shaft portion 17b. 54b.

  The second shaft portion 17b has a substantially elliptical cross section, is positioned between the bearing portion 53b and the operating lever portion 54b, functions as a cam by rotating, and pushes the operating lever portion 54b upward. It is supposed to be raised. When the operating lever portion 54b is pushed upward, the connecting portion 55 and the connection range portion 56 are elastically deformed, and the entire upper arm portion 54 is rotated so that the upper arm portion 54 and the lower arm portion 53 are relative to each other. An angle changes and the front-end | tip of the upper arm part 54 moves below. Accordingly, the contact portion 54a moves so as to approach the cable support portion 53a and is pressed against the conductive wire of the flat cable 71.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the actuator 11 is in the open position, the second shaft portion 17 b is at an angle close to the horizontal, so the operating lever portion 54 b is not pushed upward, The tip of the upper arm portion 54 has not moved downward. Therefore, since the space | interval of the contact part 54a and the cable support part 53a is sufficiently wide, the edge part of the flat cable 71 inserted from the insertion port 33 does not receive contact pressure from the contact part 54a and the cable support part 53a. Alternatively, the ZIF structure is substantially realized because it is inserted with only a slight contact pressure.

  Next, the configuration of the first terminal 41 and the second terminal 51 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 8 is a side view of the first terminal of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the second terminal of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The first terminal 41 in the present embodiment is preferably formed by punching a metal plate. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the connection range portion 46 as a predetermined range including the connection point with the connecting portion 45 in the lower arm portion 43 and the connecting portion 45 are formed to be narrower than the surrounding portions. Has been. Note that it is desirable that the connection range portion 46 has a narrow width at both ends via a tapered portion. Since the narrow portion is less rigid than the other portions, it functions as a spring member that elastically deforms when the operating lever portion 44b is pushed upward by the rotation of the second shaft portion 17b, and the upper arm The entire portion 44 is allowed to rotate and the relative angle between the upper arm portion 44 and the lower arm portion 43 is allowed to change. And by making the connection range part 46 and the connection part 45 into a narrow part, when the attitude | position of an actuator is changed between an open position and a closed position, the range which elastically deforms is widened, and this range Since the distance from one end to the other can be increased, the length of the portion functioning as a spring member, that is, the spring length can be increased. Therefore, in the portion that functions as a spring member, even if the deformation amount per unit length is small, the overall deformation amount becomes large. Become. Accordingly, the combined portion of the connection range portion 46 and the connecting portion 45, which are portions that function as spring members, can be greatly elastically deformed without being plastically deformed, so the lower arm portion 43 and the upper arm portion 44. The amount of change in the relative angle between and can be increased.

  As a result of performing stress analysis on the first terminal 41, the inventor of the present invention finds that the lower arm portion 43 and the upper arm when the length of the connecting portion 45 and the length of the connection range portion 46 are equal at the required contact pressure. It has been found that the amount of change in the relative angle with the portion 44 can be maximized. The connection point of the connection range portion 46 with the connecting portion 45 is preferably located at the center in the longitudinal direction of the connection range portion 46, but in the case where it is located at the end of the narrow portion of the connection range portion 46. Even if it exists, it turned out that the variation | change_quantity of the relative angle of the lower arm part 43 and the upper arm part 44 does not become so small. That is, the connection point of the connection range portion 46 with the connecting portion 45 may be any part of the connection range portion 46, but is most preferably located at the center of the connection range portion 46.

  In addition, as an example only, a portion where the connecting portion 45 and the upper arm portion 44 are connected and a portion where the connecting portion 45 and the connection range portion 46 are connected are formed with a tapered portion or an arc-shaped portion, The connecting portion 45 and the connection range portion 46 are preferably formed with straight portions that are straight on both sides and parallel to each other. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the straight line portion in the connection range portion 46 is formed on both the left and right sides of the connection point with the connecting portion 45. In addition, the straight portion in the connecting portion 45 and the straight portion in the connection range portion 46 have the same width, and the length of the straight portion in the connecting portion 45 is larger than the width dimension. In the straight line portion, the length dimension is set to be equal to or greater than the width dimension. In addition, the characteristic as a spring member of the connection part 45 and the connection range part 46 can be adjusted by adjusting the length dimension of a linear part.

  Then, when the operating lever portion 44b is pushed upward by the rotation of the second shaft portion 17b, the connecting portion 45 and the connection range portion 46 formed narrower than the surrounding portion are elastically deformed, Since the connecting portion 45 is curved and the connection range portion 46 is also curved, the lower end of the connection range portion 46 is slightly raised.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the connecting portion 45 is connected such that the longitudinal axis thereof is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connection range portion 46, and as it goes above the connecting portion 45, Tilt to come out. This is because even if the distance between the lower arm portion 43 and the upper arm portion 44 is constant, the length of the connecting portion 45 can be increased by inclining the connecting portion 45, and the narrow width that functions as a spring member. It is because the part of can be lengthened. Note that the direction of the inclination can be changed as appropriate. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the connecting portion 45 is inclined forward from the connection range portion 46, but can be inclined backward. Moreover, the angle of inclination can also be set arbitrarily.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the connection range portion 46 is formed on the lower arm portion 43 is shown, but the connection range portion 46 can also be formed on the upper arm portion 44. In this case as well, as in the case where the connection range portion 46 is formed on the lower arm portion 43, the combined portion of the connection range portion 46 and the connecting portion 45, which is a portion that functions as a spring member, is greatly elastically deformed. Therefore, the amount of change in the relative angle between the lower arm portion 43 and the upper arm portion 44 can be increased. Further, the connection range portion 46 can be formed on both the lower arm portion 43 and the upper arm portion 44.

  Similarly to the first terminal 41, the second terminal 51 is preferably formed by punching a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 9, the connection range portion 56 and the connection portion 55 as a predetermined range including a connection point with the connection portion 55 in the lower arm portion 53 are formed so as to be narrower than the surrounding portions. Has been. In addition, as for the connection range part 56, it is desirable to make the both ends narrow through a taber part. Therefore, the combined portion of the connection range portion 56 and the connecting portion 55, which are portions that function as spring members, can be greatly elastically deformed without plastic deformation, so the lower arm portion 53 and the upper arm portion 54 The amount of change in the relative angle between and can be increased.

  The inventor of the present invention performs the stress analysis on the second terminal 51 similarly to the first terminal 41, and as a result, when the length of the connecting portion 55 is equal to the length of the connection range portion 56, the lower arm portion 53. It has been found that the amount of change in the relative angle between the upper arm portion 54 and the upper arm portion 54 can be maximized. Further, the connection point of the connection range portion 56 with the connecting portion 55 may be any part of the connection range portion 56, but is most preferably located at the center of the connection range portion 56.

  In addition, as an example only, a portion where the connecting portion 55 and the upper arm portion 54 are connected and a portion where the connecting portion 55 and the connection range portion 56 are connected are formed with a tapered portion or an arc-shaped portion, The connecting portion 55 and the connection range portion 56 are preferably formed with straight portions that are straight on both sides and parallel to each other. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the straight line portions in the connection range portion 56 are formed on both the left and right sides of the connection point with the connecting portion 55. The straight portion in the connecting portion 55 and the straight portion in the connection range portion 56 have the same width, and the length of the straight portion in the connecting portion 55 is larger than the width dimension, In the straight line portion, the length dimension is set to be equal to or greater than the width dimension. In addition, the characteristic as a spring member of the connection part 55 and the connection range part 56 can be adjusted by adjusting the length dimension of a linear part.

  When the operating lever portion 54b is pushed upward by the rotation of the second shaft portion 17b, the connecting portion 55 and the connection range portion 56 are elastically deformed, the connecting portion 55 is curved, and the connection range portion 56 is also Since it is curved, the lower end of the connection range portion 56 is slightly raised.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the connecting portion 55 is connected so that the longitudinal axis thereof is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connection range portion 56, and as it goes above the connecting portion 55, Tilt to come out. Similarly to the first terminal 41, even if the distance between the lower arm portion 53 and the upper arm portion 54 is constant, the length of the connecting portion 55 can be increased by inclining the connecting portion 55. This is because the narrow portion that functions as a spring member can be lengthened. Note that the direction of the inclination can be changed as appropriate. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the connecting portion 55 is inclined backward from the connection range portion 56, but can be inclined forward. Moreover, the angle of inclination can also be set arbitrarily.

  Further, similarly to the first terminal 41, the connection range portion 56 can be formed on the upper arm portion 54, or can be formed on both the lower arm portion 53 and the upper arm portion 54.

  As described above, in the first terminal 41 and the second terminal 51, the connection range portion 46, the connection range portion 56, the connection portion 45, and the connection portion 55 are formed to be narrower than the surrounding portions. Therefore, when the posture of the actuator 11 is changed between the open position and the closed position, the amount of change in the relative angle between the lower arm part 43 and the lower arm part 53 and the upper arm part 44 and the upper arm part 54 is increased. Can do. Thereby, since the space | interval of the contact part 44a and the contact part 54a, the cable support part 43a, and the cable support part 53a when the actuator 11 exists in an open position can be enlarged, the flat cable 71 can be inserted easily. Can do. Moreover, since the movement amount with respect to the cable support part 43a and the cable support part 53a of the contact part 44a and the contact part 54a can be enlarged, the flat cable 71 can be connected reliably and reliability can be improved. it can. Further, even if the distance between the lower arm portion 43 and the lower arm portion 53 and the upper arm portion 44 and the upper arm portion 54 is shortened, the length of the portion that functions as a spring member can be increased. The distance between the lower arm part 53 and the upper arm part 44 and the upper arm part 54 can be shortened, and the back of the connector 10 can be lowered.

  By the way, in the 2nd terminal 51, the position of the contact part 54a regarding the insertion direction of the flat cable 71 and the cable support part 53a is the vicinity of the front-end surface in the lower part 32 of the housing 31, as FIG. 6 shows. On the other hand, in the first terminal 41, the positions of the contact portion 44a and the cable support portion 43a in the insertion direction of the flat cable 71 are rearward from the front end surface in the lower portion 32 of the housing 31, as shown in FIG. is seperated. This is because the conductive path length from the contact portion 44a to the tail portion 42 is made substantially equal to the conductive path length from the contact portion 54a to the tail portion 52, and the electric resistances at the first terminal 41 and the second terminal 51 are made equal. It is. This also prevents the occurrence of crosstalk between adjacent conductive lines because the positions where the adjacent conductive lines of the flat cable 71 are electrically connected to the first terminal 41 and the second terminal 51 are separated from each other. Can do.

  The positional relationship between the contact portion 44a and the cable support portion 43a in the insertion direction of the flat cable 71 is preferably the same, that is, it is desirable that the contact portion 44a and the cable support portion 43a be opposed to each other. The positional relationship between the contact part 54a and the cable support part 53a is also the same. Furthermore, the position of the contact part 44a and the cable support part 43a regarding the insertion direction of the flat cable 71, and the position of the contact part 54a and the cable support part 53a are not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. It can be changed as appropriate.

  Furthermore, the bearing portion 43b of the first terminal 41 includes a protruding portion that protrudes upward in the vicinity of the front end thereof. The protruding portion restricts the movement of the second shaft portion 17b to the front to some extent. The bearing portion 53b of the second terminal 51 includes a protruding portion that protrudes upward in the vicinity of the rear end thereof. The protruding portion restricts the movement of the second shaft portion 17b to the rear to some extent.

  Next, the operation of connecting the flat cable 71 to the connector 10 will be described.

  10 is a perspective view when the actuator of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention is in the closed position, FIG. 11 is a front view when the actuator of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention is in the closed position, 12 is a cross-sectional view when the actuator of the cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention is in the closed position, a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a cable connector in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view when the actuator is in a closed position, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 11.

  Here, the flat cable 71 has a plurality of foil-like conductive wires having conductivity on an insulating layer exhibiting electrical insulation, for example, 15 pieces, for example, a predetermined pitch, for example, about 0.1 mm. 3 [mm] are arranged in parallel. The upper side of the conductive wire is covered with another insulating layer. And in the edge part inserted in the insertion port 33 of the connector 10 in the flat cable 71, the upper surface of the said conductive wire is exposed over the predetermined length range. In the examples shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the conductive wire is exposed on the upper surface of the flat cable 71.

  When connecting the flat cable 71 to the connector 10, first, the lengthwise end of the flat cable 71 is inserted into the insertion port 33 of the housing 31. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the actuator 11 is in the open position in advance. Then, the operator moves the end portion of the flat cable 71 in the length direction toward the insertion port 33 of the housing 31. Thereby, the end portion in the length direction of the flat cable 71 can be inserted into the insertion port 33. The flat cable 71 is moved so that the exposed surface of the conductive wire faces upward.

  And the front-end | tip of the flat cable 71 is accommodated in the 2nd terminal receiving groove 34b between the upper arm part 44 and the lower arm part 43 of the 1st terminal 41 accommodated in the 1st terminal receiving groove 34a. The second terminal 51 is inserted between the upper arm portion 54 and the lower arm portion 53. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the front end of the flat cable 71 is brought into contact with the connecting portion 55 of the second terminal 51, thereby positioning the flat cable 71 in the length direction. Is completed.

  Subsequently, the operator operates the actuator 11 with a finger or the like to bring the actuator 11 in the open position as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 into a closed position as shown in FIGS. In this case, in FIGS. 5 to 7, the actuator 11 can be brought into the closed position by changing the posture in the clockwise direction.

  As a result, the main body portion 15 of the actuator 11 rotates and becomes substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the flat cable 71 as shown in FIGS. Further, the second shaft portion 17b rotates and becomes an angle close to vertical as shown in FIG. That is, the major axis of the cross section of the second shaft portion 17b having a substantially elliptical shape is an angle close to vertical.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the second shaft portion 17b widens the distance between the bearing portion 43b and the operating lever portion 44b and pushes up the operating lever portion 44b. The portion 46 is elastically deformed, the entire upper arm portion 44 is rotated, the relative angle between the upper arm portion 44 and the lower arm portion 43 is changed, and the tip of the upper arm portion 44 is moved downward. Then, the contact portion 44 a moves so as to approach the cable support portion 43 a and is pressed against the conductive wire of the flat cable 71. Therefore, the conductive wire exposed on the upper surface of the flat cable 71 contacts the contact portion 44a to form an electrical connection portion, and the conductive wire is electrically connected to the first terminal 41, and the tail portion. Conduction is made with conductive traces on the substrate through connection pads on the surface of the substrate to which 42 is connected.

  The upper arm portion 44 has a certain degree of springiness and is elastically deformed by being pressed against the flat cable 71, so that the connection between the conductive wire and the contact portion 44a is maintained well. Further, since the cable support portion 43a of the lower arm portion 43 is in a position facing the contact portion 44a, the flat cable 71 is reliably supported by the cable support portion 43a, and the connection between the conductive wire and the contact portion 44a is ensured. Maintained.

  Similarly, for the second terminal 51, as shown in FIG. 13, the second shaft portion 17b widens the gap between the bearing portion 53b and the operating lever portion 54b, and moves the operating lever portion 54b upward. Push up. Therefore, the connecting portion 55 and the connection range portion 56 are elastically deformed, the entire upper arm portion 54 is rotated, the relative angle between the upper arm portion 54 and the lower arm portion 53 is changed, and the tip of the upper arm portion 54 is lowered. Move to. Then, the contact portion 54 a moves so as to approach the cable support portion 53 a and is pressed against the conductive wire of the flat cable 71. Therefore, the conductive wire exposed on the upper surface of the flat cable 71 contacts the contact portion 54a to form an electrical connection portion, and the conductive wire is electrically connected to the second terminal 51, and the tail portion. Conductive with conductive traces on the substrate through connection pads on the surface of the substrate to which 52 is connected.

  The upper arm portion 54 has a certain degree of springiness and is elastically deformed by being pressed against the flat cable 71, so that the connection between the conductive wire and the contact portion 54a is maintained well. In addition, since the cable support portion 53a of the lower arm portion 53 is in a position facing the contact portion 54a, the flat cable 71 is reliably supported by the cable support portion 53a, and the connection between the conductive wire and the contact portion 54a is ensured. Maintained.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the first terminal 41 connects the lower arm portion 43 and the upper arm portion 44 extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable 71, and the lower arm portion 43 and the upper arm portion 44. The connection range part 46 and the connection part 45 are formed narrower than the surrounding part. Similarly, the second terminal 51 has a lower arm portion 53 and an upper arm portion 54 that extend in the insertion direction of the flat cable 71, and an elongated strip-like connection that connects the lower arm portion 53 and the upper arm portion 54. The connection range part 56 and the connection part 55 are formed narrower than the surrounding part.

  Thereby, the part which combined the connection range part 46 and the connection part 45 which is a part which functions as a spring member, and the part which match | combined the connection range part 56 and the connection part 55 are greatly elastically deformed without plastic deformation. Since the actuator 11 can be deformed, the relative angle between the lower arm portion 43 and the upper arm portion 44 and the relative relationship between the lower arm portion 53 and the upper arm portion 54 when the posture of the actuator 11 is changed between the open position and the closed position. The amount of change in target angle can be increased. Therefore, the flat cable 71 can be easily inserted, and the flat cable 71 can be reliably connected, and the reliability can be improved. And even if it shortens the space | interval of the lower arm part 43 and the lower arm part 53, and the upper arm part 44 and the upper arm part 54, since the length of the part which functions as a spring member can be lengthened, the lower arm part 43 and The distance between the lower arm part 53 and the upper arm part 44 and the upper arm part 54 can be shortened, and the back of the connector 10 can be lowered.

  Further, it is desirable that the length of the connecting portion 45 and the length of the connection range portion 46 are substantially equal, and the length of the connecting portion 55 and the length of the connection range portion 56 are substantially equal. Thereby, the relative angle between the lower arm 43 and the upper arm 44 and the amount of change in the relative angle between the lower arm 53 and the upper arm 54 can be maximized.

  Further, the connecting portion 45 is connected such that the longitudinal axis thereof is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connection range portion 46, and the connecting portion 55 is connected to the longitudinal axis of the connection range portion 56 in the longitudinal direction. It is desirable to be connected so as to be inclined with respect to. Thereby, even if the distance of the lower arm part 43 and the upper arm part 44 and the distance of the lower arm part 53 and the upper arm part 54 are constant, the length of the connection part 45 and the connection part 55 can be lengthened.

  Further, the connector 10 has a nail 61 that is loaded in the housing 31 and fixed to the board, and the nail 61 rotatably receives the first shaft portion 17a located on both sides of the actuator 11 and a bearing groove 62a. Is provided. In this case, the nail 61 not only prevents the connector 10 from being detached from the board, but also functions as a support and retaining member for the actuator 11. Thereby, even when the flat cable 71 connected to the connector 10 is drawn and receives external force in each direction, the connector 10 is detached from the board, the actuator 11 is detached from the housing 31, or the actuator 11 is There is no change in posture, and the connection of the flat cable 71 is reliably maintained.

  Further, the bearing groove 62 a positions the first shaft portion 17 a in cooperation with a positioning protrusion 36 a formed on the side portion 36 of the housing 31. Thereby, the actuator 11 can change its posture without being detached from the housing 31.

  Further, the tail portion 42 of the first terminal 41 is located at the end of the housing 31 on the insertion port 33 side, and the tail portion 52 of the second terminal 51 is located at the end of the housing 31 on the side opposite to the insertion port 33. Thereby, even when the pitch between the adjacent first terminal 41 and the second terminal 51 is narrow, the interval between the connection pads formed on the surface of the substrate corresponding to the tail portion 42, and the tail portion Corresponding to 52, the interval between the connection pads formed on the surface of the substrate can be widened. Therefore, the connection pads can be easily manufactured, and the tail portion 42 and the tail portion 52 can be easily connected to the connection pads by soldering or the like, without causing a short circuit between adjacent connection pads. be able to.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a perspective view when the actuator of the connector for cables in an embodiment of the invention exists in an open position. It is a front view when the actuator of the connector for cables in an embodiment of the invention exists in an open position. It is a side view when the actuator of the connector for cables in an embodiment of the invention exists in an open position. It is a rear view when the actuator of the cable connector in an embodiment of the present invention exists in an open position. It is sectional drawing when the actuator of the connector for cables in embodiment of this invention exists in an open position, and is AA arrow sectional drawing in FIG. It is sectional drawing when the actuator of the connector for cables in embodiment of this invention exists in an open position, and is BB arrow sectional drawing in FIG. It is sectional drawing when the actuator of the connector for cables in embodiment of this invention exists in an open position, and is CC sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a side view of the 1st terminal of the connector for cables in an embodiment of the invention. It is a side view of the 2nd terminal of the connector for cables in an embodiment of the invention. It is a perspective view when the actuator of the connector for cables in an embodiment of the invention exists in a closed position. It is a front view when the actuator of the connector for cables in an embodiment of the invention exists in a closed position. It is sectional drawing when the actuator of the connector for cables in embodiment of this invention exists in a closed position, and is DD sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is sectional drawing when the actuator of the cable connector in embodiment of this invention exists in a closed position, and is EE arrow sectional drawing in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the conventional cable connector.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Connector 11, 303 Actuator 12 Terminal accommodating hole 15, 62 Main-body part 17a 1st axial part 17b 2nd axial part 31, 301 Housing 32,307 Lower part 33 Insertion port 34a 1st terminal receiving groove 34b 2nd terminal receiving groove 35, 306 Upper part 36 Side part 36a Positioning protrusion 36b Nail receiving recess 41 First terminal 42, 52 Tail part 42a, 43d, 52a, 53d, 64c Projection 43, 53 Lower arm part 43a, 53a Cable support part 43b, 53b Bearing part 43c Rear End protrusions 44, 54 Upper arm part 44a, 54a Contact part 44b, 54b Actuation lever part 45, 55 Connection part 46, 56 Connection range part 51 Second terminal 53c Tip protrusion 61 Nail 62a Bearing groove 63 Upper beam part 64 Lower side Beam part 64a Tip part 64b Connection part 65 Upper protrusion part 66 Lower protrusion part 71, 305 Flat cable 302 Terminal 304 Substrate 308 Connection spring 309 Rotating shaft

Claims (10)

(A) a housing (31) having an insertion port (33) for inserting a flat cable (71);
(B) terminals (41, 51) loaded in the housing (31) and electrically connected to the conductive wires of the flat cable (71);
(C) Between the first position where the flat cable (71) can be inserted and the second position where the conductive wires and terminals (41, 51) of the inserted flat cable (71) are electrically connected. A cable connector (10) having an actuator (11) attached to the housing (31) in such a manner that the posture can be changed;
(D) The terminal (41, 51) includes a first arm portion (43, 53) and a second arm portion (44, 54) extending in the insertion direction of the flat cable (71), and the first An elongated strip-shaped connecting portion (45, 55) connecting the one arm portion (43, 53) and the second arm portion (44, 54);
(E) A predetermined range (46, 56) including a connection point with the connection portion (45, 55) in the first arm portion (43, 53) or the second arm portion (44, 54) and the connection portion (45). 55) is formed to be narrower than its peripheral portion. (10) A cable connector (10). The cable connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the length of the connecting portion (45, 55) is substantially equal to the length of the predetermined range (46, 56). The cable connector (10) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion (45, 55) is connected to the longitudinal center of the predetermined range (46, 56). The cable connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion (45, 55) has a longitudinal axis inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the predetermined range (46, 56). When the posture of the actuator (11) is changed between the first position and the second position, the relative angle between the first arm part (43, 53) and the second arm part (44, 54) changes. Item 10. The cable connector (10) according to item 1. The relative angle between the first arm part (43, 53) and the second arm part (44, 54) is that the connecting part (45, 55) and the predetermined range (46, 56) are elastically deformed. The cable connector (10) according to claim 5, which varies depending on: (A) The second arm portion (44, 54) is disposed closer to the insertion port (33) than a connection point with the connecting portion (45, 55), and contacts the contact portion (44a, 44a, 54a) and an operating lever portion (44b, 54b) disposed on the side opposite to the insertion port (33) from the connection point with the connecting portion (45, 55) and receiving a force from the actuator (11). ,
(B) When the posture of the actuator (11) is changed from the first position to the second position, the operating lever portion (44b, 54b) is moved in a direction away from the first arm portion (43, 53), The cable connector (10) according to claim 5, wherein the contact portion (44a, 54a) is moved and inclined in a direction approaching the first arm portion (43, 53). (A) It further has a connector mounting auxiliary metal fitting (61) which is loaded into the housing (31) and fixed to the board,
(B) The cable according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary fitting (61) for mounting the connector includes a bearing groove (62a) that rotatably accommodates the shaft portion (17a) located on both sides of the actuator (11). Connector (10). The cable bearing according to claim 8, wherein the bearing groove (62a) positions the shaft portion (17a) in cooperation with a positioning protrusion (36a) formed on a side portion (36) of the housing (31). Connector (10). In the terminals (41, 51), the board connection part (42) is located at the insertion port (33) side end of the housing (31), and the board connection part (52) is the housing. The cable connector (10) according to claim 1, comprising a second terminal (51) located at an end of the anti-insertion port (33) side of (31).

Images