JP2530913Y2 - Flexible printed wiring board connectors - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flexible printed wiring board connector structure for connecting circuit conductors of a flexible printed wiring board used for wiring of automobiles, office automation equipment and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A flexible printed wiring board of this type is formed by forming a circuit pattern with a circuit conductor made of rolled copper foil or electrolytic copper foil on an insulating film such as polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate, and further forming a circuit pattern thereon as described above. It has a structure in which insulating films are laminated.

Therefore, such a flexible printed wiring board has flexibility, and since circuit conductors are patterned on a film, wiring can be easily performed, and it is often used particularly for connection between complicated circuits and devices. Have been. As shown in FIG. 12, a connector for connecting the flexible printed wiring board generally includes a male connector 103 connected to each circuit conductor 102 of one flexible printed wiring board 101, and a male connector 103 A male connector housing 104 for accommodating and holding the group 103, and each circuit conductor 102 of the other flexible printed wiring board 101
Connectors 105 respectively connected to the female connector 105, and a female connector housing 10 for accommodating and holding the female connectors 105 group.
6 and the male connector housing 10
4 and the female connector housing 106 are connected to each other, so that each male connector 103 and each female connector 105 are connected to each other in a fitting manner, and each circuit conductor 102 of both flexible printed wiring boards 101 is connected to each other. It was a connection method.

[0004] Other connectors of this type of connection system include:
JP-B-60-51789, JP-A-63-7386.
No. 1, JP-A-63-73862, and the like have structures disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-73862.

[0005]

However, according to the above conventional connection method, the male connector 103 is connected to the female connector 10.
5, two types of male and female connectors 10
3,105 are required and each connector 1
Also, it is necessary to form the structures 03 and 105 in such a manner that they can be fitted and detached, resulting in a complicated structure and a complicated manufacturing process, resulting in a disadvantage that the manufacturing is troublesome.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a connector structure for a flexible printed wiring board which improves productivity by simplifying and unifying the structure of a connector.

[0007]

A first technical means for achieving the above object is to provide a circuit conductor of a flexible printed wiring board connected to an electric connector held in one connector housing and the other, In a connector structure for a flexible printed wiring board for connecting a circuit conductor of a flexible printed wiring board connected to an electrical connector held by a connector housing to each other by coupling the two connector housings, The connector is an electrical connector having the same shape with a folded portion in which one end of an elongated metal piece having elasticity is folded in a bulging shape along the longitudinal direction, and is folded back with the main body side of the electrical connector. The folded part was elastically connected to the circuit conductor of the flexible printed wiring board interposed between the parts, and connected the two connector housings. Lies in both the folded portion of the corresponding electrical connectors, which are pressed against each other.

According to the second technical means, the circuit conductor of the flexible printed wiring board connected to the electrical connector held in one connector housing and the electrical connector held in the other connector housing In the flexible printed wiring board connector structure for connecting the circuit conductors of the flexible printed wiring board connected to each other by connecting the two connector housings, each of the electrical connectors of the two connector housings has an elongated shape having elasticity. Both ends of the metal piece are electrically connected to each other in the same shape, each having a folded portion formed by folding back along the longitudinal direction, and each circuit conductor of both flexible printed wiring boards is elastically attached to one of the folded portions of the electrical connector. When the two connector housings are connected to each other, the other folded portions of the corresponding electrical connectors are connected to each other. Lies in the fact that formed by welding.

[0009]

According to the present invention, since the electrical connectors held in the respective connector housings are formed in the same shape and are unified, the manufacturing process is unified, and the productivity is improved.

The electric connector has a simple structure in which an end of an elongated metal piece having elasticity is folded back in the longitudinal direction, and this also improves productivity.

Further, in the first invention, a flexible printed wiring board is interposed between the main body side of the electric connector and the folded portion, and the folded portion is elastically connected to the circuit conductor of the flexible printed wiring board, so that the two connector housings are connected to each other. Since the two folded portions are pressed against each other by the connection, the detachment of the flexible printed wiring board is effectively prevented, the contact pressure can be properly secured, and the reliability of the contact portion is improved.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIGS. 1 to 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a flexible printed wiring board, as in the conventional case, an insulating film 2 made of polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate. A circuit pattern is formed by a circuit conductor 3 made of copper foil thereon, and an insulating film 2 is further laminated thereon.

A connector 5 includes a pair of connector housings 6 and 7 formed of a flexible resin material, and electrical connectors 8 held by the connector housings 6 and 7, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 6 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing body 10 and a lid 12 that closes an opening 10 a formed on one side of the housing body 10. I have.

The other side and the upper side of the other side of the housing main body 10 are open, and guide projections 13 parallel to the bottom 10c are provided on the inner surfaces of both side walls 10b facing each other. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of holding ridges 14 having a substantially T-shaped cross section and extending in the same direction as the guide ridges 13 are provided on the bottom 10c at predetermined intervals between the side walls 10b. In addition, a holding groove 15 for holding the electrical connector 8 in an upward retaining shape is formed by the pair of holding ridges 14 facing each other.

A partition wall 16 extends downward from the other end of the ceiling 10d of the housing body 10, and an insertion opening into which the flexible printed wiring board 1 is inserted by a gap between the lower end of the partition 16 and the bottom 10c. 17. Further, an engaging projection 18 is provided on the upper surface of the ceiling 10d on the partition wall 16 side, and an engaging hole 19a corresponding to the engaging projection 18 is provided on the other side edge of the bottom 10c. A joint piece 19 is provided in a protruding manner.

The lid 12 is provided with a pair of engagement pieces 20 each having a projection 20a, and the projection 20a is fitted into and engaged with the inner surface of the side wall 10b of the corresponding housing body 10. Each of the concave portions 21 is formed.

The other corresponding connector housing 7
Also includes a housing body 23 configured in the same manner, and a lid (not shown) that closes an opening 23 a formed on one side of the housing body 23. Guide grooves 24 into which the guide ridges 13 of the connector housing 6 are fitted are formed on the outer surfaces of the opposed side walls 23b of the housing main body 23, respectively. Further, as described above, a plurality of holding projections 25 are formed on the bottom portion 23c, and the partition wall 26 and the bottom
An insertion port 27 is formed between the holes 3c, and an engagement protrusion 28 is provided on the ceiling 23d, and an engagement piece 29 having an engagement hole 29a is provided on the bottom 23c.

Further, the lid body is provided with a pair of engagement pieces having a projection, and engagement recesses 30 are formed on the inner surface sides of both side walls 23b of the housing main body 23, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electrical connector 8 is formed of a metal piece such as brass having an elongated shape and having elasticity, and one end portion is formed by folding back along the longitudinal direction. The folded portion 8a is formed. In addition, electrical connector 8
A rectangular locking hole 8c is formed in the middle portion of the main body 8b in the longitudinal direction.
Are formed by punching, and a pair of engaging pieces 8d is provided on each side edge of the main body 8b so as to protrude.

The electrical connector 8 is fitted into the holding groove 15 of each of the housing bodies 10 and 23 from the side of the engaging piece 19, and protrudes into the holding hole 8c into the holding hole 8c by elastic deformation. The engaging portion 31 is set in the fitted state, and each of the engaging pieces 8d is engaged with the holding ridge 14. Here, the movement of the electrical connector 8 in the longitudinal direction and the upward direction of the holding groove 15 is restricted. In this state, it is fixed and held by the housing bodies 10 and 23.

In this embodiment, the same number of electrical connectors 8 corresponding to the number of circuit conductors 3 of the flexible printed wiring board 1 are fixedly held.

The first embodiment of the first invention is configured as described above, and the insulating film 2 on one side at the end of each flexible printed wiring board 1 is removed over a predetermined range to expose each circuit conductor 3. The connector film 6 is inserted into the connector housings 6, 7 through the insertion openings 17, 27 through the openings 17, 27, and the electrical connector 8.
Between the main body 8b and the folded portion 8a. This body 8b
The folded portion 8a is elastically deformed in a direction to slightly widen the interval by insertion between the folded portion 8a and the folded portion 8a, and the folded portion 8a of each electrical connector 8 is elastically contacted with the circuit conductor 3 of the flexible printed wiring board 1 respectively. Contacted (see FIG. 1).

Thereafter, when the lid 12 is fitted into the opening 10a, the projections 20a of the engaging pieces 20 are
Thus, the flexible printed wiring board 1 is sandwiched between the housing bodies 10 and 23 and the lid 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, one of the connector housings 7 is turned upside down, and as shown by the arrows, the guide ridges 13 and the guide grooves 24 of the two housing bodies 10, 23 are fitted to each other. If it goes, each folded part 8a of both electrical connectors 8 will be in contact,
The two folded portions 8a are pressed against each other, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2, a pressure contact state is obtained in which the two folded portions 8a are elastically deformed in a compressed manner. At this time, a state is obtained in which the engaging projections 18, 28 are engaged in the respective engaging holes 19a, 29a of the respective engaging pieces 19, 29, and here, the connected state of the two connector housings 6, 7 is obtained. And each circuit conductor 3 of both flexible printed wiring boards 1 is mutually connected through each electric connector 8.

As described above, since the electrical connectors 8 used for the respective connector housings 6 and 7 are connected by pressing each other, the electrical connectors 8 having the same shape can be used. The connection 8 can be unified, the manufacturing process of the electrical connection 8 can be unified, and the productivity can be improved. Further, the electric connector 8 has a simple structure in which the elongated metal piece having elasticity is folded back along the longitudinal direction of the end, so that the structure can be simplified, and productivity can be improved from this point, and productivity can be improved. As a result, production costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since the two folded portions 8a of the electrical connector 8 are pressed against each other by the connection of the two connector housings 6 and 7, and are elastically deformed in a compressed manner, the contact pressure between the circuit conductor 3 of the flexible printed wiring board 1 and the folded portion 8a is increased. And the contact pressure between the two folded portions 8a can be secured well, and the circuit conductor 3
The reliability of the contact portion between the folded portions 8a and between the folded portions 8a is improved. Also, detachment of the flexible printed wiring board 1 can be effectively prevented by the press contact.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the electric connector 8, which has a structure in which a serration-shaped retaining portion 8e is formed at an edge serving as a folded portion 8a. Thus, the careless removal of the flexible printed wiring board 1 is effectively prevented.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show a first embodiment of the second invention. The electric connector 51 is made of an elongated metal piece having elasticity as described above, and is formed by folding both ends along the longitudinal direction. Provided with folded portions 51a and 51b, respectively,
As described above, the main body 51c has a locking hole 51d,
1e is provided.

Each of the connector housings 52 and 53 has a housing main body 54 formed of a flexible resin material into a rectangular tube shape.
7, an engagement piece 60 having an engagement projection 58, an engagement projection 59, and an engagement hole 60a are provided, and the electric connector 51 is fixedly held by the holding projection 5 and the engagement projection 58. Further, the circuit conductor 3 of the flexible printed wiring board 1 inserted through one opening 54a is in elastic contact with one of the folded portions 51a of the electric connector 51. One connector housing 53 is turned upside down, and the other opening 54b side is connected to each other as shown in FIG. At this time, the two folded portions 51b are pressed against each other and are elastically deformed in a compressed manner. In addition, each of the engagement protrusions 59 is engaged with the engagement piece 60 in a retaining shape.

In the present embodiment, as in the above description, the electrical connector 51 can be made simpler and the structure can be simplified, and the productivity can be improved.

A cover for closing the opening 54a and holding the flexible printed wiring board 1 in a sandwiched state may be provided as appropriate.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the second invention, in which a pressure contact piece 62a is provided on a lid 62 for closing the one opening 54a, and the flexible printed wiring board 1 is pressed toward the folded portion 51a. It is configured to be. Also lid 6
2 has a flexible printed wiring board 1 and a fitting hole 6 for fitting therethrough.
2b is formed. According to this embodiment, good contact pressure between the circuit conductor 3 and the folded portion 51a can be ensured, and the reliability of the contact portion can be improved.

As described above, a saw-shaped retaining portion may be formed at the end of the folded portion 51a.

[0033]

According to the connector structure for a flexible printed wiring board of the present invention, the electrical connectors held in each connector housing are unified with the same shape, so that the electrical connectors can be unified, and the electrical connection is made here. The production process of the child is unified and productivity is improved. In addition, the electrical connector has a simple structure in which the end of an elongated metal piece having elasticity is folded back in the longitudinal direction, so that the structure can be simplified, and in this respect, productivity is improved and production cost is reduced. I can do it.

Further, in the first invention, the two folded portions are pressed against each other by connecting the two connector housings, so that the detachment of the flexible printed wiring board can be prevented, and the contact pressure can be sufficiently ensured. Reliability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the same connection state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one connector housing.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an original form of an electric connector.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electric connector.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a prototype of an electric connector according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an electric connector according to the second invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the connected state.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible printed wiring board 3 Circuit conductor 5 Connector 6 Connector housing 7 Connector housing 8 Electric connector 8a Folded part 8b Main body 51 Electric connector 51a Folded part 51b Folded part 52 Connector housing 53 Connector housing

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A circuit of a flexible printed wiring board connected to an electrical connector held on one connector housing and a circuit of a flexible printed wiring board connected to an electrical connector held on the other connector housing. In the connector structure for a flexible printed wiring board for connecting a conductor to each other by connecting the two connector housings, each of the electrical connectors of the two connector housings has one end of an elastic elongated metal piece extending in the longitudinal direction. It is an electrical connector having the same shape with a folded portion formed in a bulging shape, and the folded portion elastically contacts the circuit conductor of the flexible printed wiring board interposed between the main body side of the electrical connector and the folded portion. When both connector housings are connected, the two folded portions of the corresponding electrical connector must be pressed against each other. The flexible printed circuit board connector structure according to claim. 2. A circuit of a flexible printed wiring board connected to an electrical connector held in one connector housing and a circuit of a flexible printed wiring board connected to an electrical connector held in another connector housing. In the connector structure for a flexible printed wiring board for connecting a conductor to each other by connecting the two connector housings, each of the electrical connectors of the two connector housings has both ends of an elongated metal piece having elasticity along the longitudinal direction. It is an electrical connector of the same shape provided with a folded portion formed by folding, and each circuit conductor of both flexible printed wiring boards is elastically contacted with one folded portion of the electrical connector, and both connector housings are connected to each other. In this case, the other folded portions of the corresponding electrical connectors are pressed against each other. The flexible printed circuit board connector structure.