JP2595644Y2 - Clip-type relay connector - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a relay connector used for connecting terminals arranged at an end of a flexible printed circuit board or the like to another electric or electronic device such as a tester.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As small and lightweight electric and electronic devices, flexible printed circuit boards which occupy little space and have a high degree of design freedom have been frequently used. The flexible substrate is obtained by, for example, printing a predetermined circuit pattern on the surface of a soft resin sheet and applying a coating as necessary. The flexible printed circuit board is, for example, an insulating sheet P _{s having} a certain thickness as shown in FIG.
The circuit is printed in a predetermined pattern on the surface of. Terminal T ₁ through T _n of the circuit patterns are arranged at a constant pitch on the end portion P _e of the flexible printed circuit board P. This flexible printed circuit board P is used in a state where it is connected to another electric or electronic device. In order to perform normal operation in the connected state, it is necessary to inspect whether the conductive state of the flexible printed circuit board and the connected electronic components is good, and whether the circuit pattern is free from defects such as disconnection or short circuit. Will be needed.

Inspection of the continuity state is generally performed in a state where individual terminals arranged at the end of the printed circuit board are connected to terminals of a tester. At this time, the terminals T _{1 to} T _n of the flexible printed circuit board P are connected to the wiring section of the connection board B via the relay connector C in order to facilitate the circuit connection and separation, in order to quickly inspect a large number of printed circuit boards. Connected. In the relay connector C, an insulating holding member 3 is swingably mounted on an insulating base 1 on which the end P _e of the flexible printed circuit board P is mounted, about an axis 2. The holding member 3 is provided with a plurality of probes 4 ₁ to 4 at the same pitch as the terminals T _{1 to} T _n so as to contact the terminals T _{1 to} T _n of the flexible printed circuit board P placed at a predetermined position on the base ₁ . 4 _n is provided at the tip. The holding member 3 is provided with a spring 5 so that the distal end thereof faces the base 1 in a no-load state.
5 is energized.

When connecting the flexible printed circuit board P, the distal end side of the holding member 3 is separated from the base 1 against the resilience of the springs 5 and 5. Between the tip side and the base 1 spaced apart clamping member 3 insert the end portion P _e of the flexible printed circuit board P, when releasing the force that in addition to the clamping member 3, the clamping member 3, the base 1 in a state of sandwiching the end portion P _e of the flexible printed circuit board P during, closed by repulsive force of the spring 5, 5. As a result, the terminal T ₁
Each of through T _n probe 4 ₁ to 4 _n abuts the terminal T ₁ through T _n are connected to the tester.

[0005]

Fixing the flexible printed circuit board P in a state in which [devised solving problems you try Terminals T ₁ through T _n to the probe 4 ₁ to 4 _n is in contact force spring 5,5 resilience and individual a weak force combined resilience of the probe 4 spring built in the ₁ to 4 _n. Therefore, when a slight external force to the flexible printed circuit board P is applied, shift flexible printed board P from a predetermined position, easily disconnected terminal T ₁ through T _n from the probe 4 ₁ to 4 _n. As a result, the connection between the flexible printed board P and the connection board T of the tester is not properly connected.

Further, flexible printed boards P having various widths are used. However, FIG.
Relay connector of the structure shown in C is in the form of positioning by placing the ends P _e of the flexible printed circuit board P to the housing recess 6 of the base 1. Therefore, the accommodation recess 6
In the case of the flexible printed circuit board P having a width that does not match the width of the recess, the flexible printed board P easily shifts in the width direction with respect to the accommodating recess 6, and positioning becomes difficult. As a result, the terminal T ₁ through T _n and the probe 4 ₁ to 4 _n also will not be properly connected. The present invention has been devised in order to solve such a problem, and even a flexible printed circuit board having various widths is accurately positioned on a base and placed between a terminal and a probe. An object of the present invention is to provide a relay connector capable of obtaining a proper connection.

[0007]

In order to achieve the object, a first clip-type relay connector according to the present invention has a base having locking projections formed on both sides of a front end thereof, A holding member, which is swingably mounted on the base via a pivot, has a plurality of probes incorporated at the same pitch as the terminals of the flexible printed circuit board, and left and right guides detachably attached to the locking projections. The left and right guides each have a tongue projecting toward the center of the base from a side surface of an upper wall having a bottom surface in contact with the surface of the base, and the side surfaces of the upper walls of the left and right guides are The distance between the facing surfaces is set to match the width of the flexible printed circuit board, and the tongue is
A gap into which both side edges of the front end of the flexible printed board are inserted is formed between the flexible printed board and the surface of the base.

The second clip-type relay connector according to the present invention is provided with a base having upright portions formed at both left and right corners on the front side, and is mounted on the base so as to be swingable via a pivot, so that flexible printing is possible. A holding member in which a plurality of probes are incorporated at the same pitch as the terminals of the board; and left and right sliders slidably inserted into the through holes of the upright portion. A tongue protrudes from the contact portion where the bottom surface abuts toward the center of the base, and the tongue has a gap between the front side edge of the flexible printed circuit board and the surface of the base. The side surface of the contact portion is formed between the opposed surfaces by adjusting the insertion amount of the left and right sliders so as to match the width of the flexible printed circuit board.

[0009]

Embodiment 1 As shown in FIG. 2, a relay connector of this embodiment is a base 1
The mounting of the holding member 20 on the pivot 10 about the pivot 11 is the same as that of the conventional relay connector, but the guides 30 and 40 are detachably attached to both sides of the base 10. With the guides 30 and 40, the front-end gap corresponding to the width of the flexible printed circuit board P is regulated. Base 10 is provided with a bearing protuberance 12 _R, 12 _L of the pivot 11 is pierced on each side. Bearing ridge 12
_R and 12 _L have a semi-cylindrical body extending in the width direction of the base 10. The body portion of the semi-cylindrical, contact the ends P _e the tip of the flexible printed circuit board P, the tip of the flexible printed board P is positioned.

On the depth side of the bearing ridges 12 _R , 12 _L , springs 21, 21... Are interposed between the mounted holding member 20 and the base 10.
The recesses 13, 13,... Into which the ends of 1, 21,. A similar concave portion (not shown) is formed at a corresponding position of the holding member 20. Spring 21,2
.. Act on the holding member 20 to rotate it about the pivot 11 in the counterclockwise direction. A groove 14 extending in the width direction of the base 10 is formed in the base 10 on the front side of the bearing ridges 12 _R and 12 _L as necessary. The groove 14 is a space for accommodating the step S provided on the lower surface of the front end portion of the flexible printed circuit board P, thereby restricting the movement of the flexible printed circuit board P in the longitudinal direction.

The grooves 14 are formed corresponding to the flexible printed circuit board P having the steps S, and do not restrict the present invention. That is, for a normal flexible printed circuit board having an end portion having an equal thickness, the base 10 having a flat surface at least on the front side can be used. In addition, the flexible printed circuit board P
The bearing ridges 12 _R , 12 _L
It is also possible to form a step dedicated to positioning on the surface of the base 10 without using the step. On the tip side surface of the base 10,
Locking projection 1 to which guides 30 and 40 are respectively attached
5 _R and 15 _L are provided. Locking projections 15 _R , 15
_L is a horizontal portion 16 extending parallel to the frontage direction of the base 10.
_The locking walls 17 _R and 17 _L are vertically raised from _R and 16 _L. The horizontal portions 16 _R and 16 _L
It is formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the internal spaces 31 and 41 of the 40 (see FIG. 4).

The holding member 20 mounted on the base 10 has a flat connection substrate 23 fixed to a frame 22. Via each terminal on the connection substrate 23, each terminal T _1-
T _n is connected to the tester. The shaft hole 2 is provided in the frame 22.
When the pivot 11 is inserted through the shaft holes of the bearing ridges 12 _R and 12 _L through the shaft hole 24, the holding member 20 is attached to the base 10 so as to be swingable. You. A plurality of probes 25 _{1 to} 25 _n are embedded in the frame 22 at the same pitch as the terminals T _{1 to} T _n . Individual probes 25 _i, as shown in FIG. 5, a spring 26 _i to the rear
The contactors 27 _i accommodated in the sleeve 28 _i with, and protrudes the tip of the contact piece 27 _i from the sleeve 28 _i downward. On the rear end side of the sleeve 28 _i , connection terminals 29 _i connected to the respective conductors on the connection substrate 23 are provided. Contacts to the terminal T _i of the flexible printed circuit board P 2
When 7 _i is pressed, the contact 27 _i is moved to the spring 26 _i
Drawn into the sleeve 28 _i against the resilient, spring 26
It is conducted to the connection terminal 29 _i via _i .

The guides 30 and 40 fitted to the locking projections 15 _R and 15 _L formed on the end face of the base 10 on the front end side.
, As shown in, respectively, in FIG. 4 (a) and (b), a bottom wall 32 and 42, the side walls 33, 43 and the upper wall 34 and 44, the locking projection 15 _R, 15 _L horizontal portion 16 _R of, Internal spaces 31, 41 corresponding to a rectangular cross section of 16 _L are formed. On the side surfaces of the upper walls 34, 44, tongue pieces 35, 45 projecting toward the center of the base 10 are formed. Engaging portions 37 and 47 are formed at the distal ends of the bottom walls 32 and 42 via grooves 36 and 46, respectively. The bottom walls 32 and 42 are provided with flexibility by the grooves 36 and 46. Upper wall 3
A step 38 is provided on the surface of the surface 4 facing the internal space 31. The step portion 38, guide 30 is attached so as not to fall out from the base 10 in the width direction, meshes with the engaging wall 17 _L which is one step higher from the horizontal portion 16 _L of the locking projection 15 _L. A similar step (not shown) is also formed on the upper wall 44 of the guide 40.

The width of the bottom walls 32, 42 and the side walls 33, 43 is determined by the width of the locking projections 15 protruding from the end face on the front end side of the base 10.
_R, 15 _L are equal is set to the distance to the right and left end faces of the. Thus, the locking projection 15 _R, 15 _L to the guide 3
When 0 and 40 are fitted, as shown in FIG.
The end faces 0, 40 and the left and right end faces of the locking projections 15 _R , 15 _L are flush with each other. At this time, the side surfaces of the bottom walls 32 and 42 and the side walls 33 and 43 are in contact with both side surfaces on the distal end side of the base 10. Further, after the engagement portions 37 and 47 are slightly elastically deformed,
So as to wrap the locking projection 15 _R, 15 _L into the internal space 31 and 41, contacts the depth side surface of the locking projection 15 _R, 15 _L. As a result, the guide 30, 40 is fit retaining against the locking projection 15 _R, 15 _L.

The width W of the upper wall 34 and 44 is set to a width in consideration of the width W ₁ of the flexible printed circuit board P.
That is, from the right locking projection _15R to the left locking projection _15L.
When the distance to the W _2, in the state of mounting the guide 30 and 40 to the locking protrusion 15 _R, 15 _L as shown in FIG. 3, the opposing surface distance between the upper wall 34, 44 of the guide 30, 40 d becomes W ₂ -2W. FIG. 3 shows the holding member 20.
FIG. Flexible printed circuit board P
The end P _e to be disposed on a position well base 10, since it is should I equal to the distance d between the width W ₁ and the facing surface of the flexible printed circuit board P, the flexible printed circuit board P of the width W ₁ , Guides 30 and 40 having a width of W = (W ₂ −W ₁ ) / 2 are used.

The bottom surfaces of the tongue pieces 35 and 45 are
It is located slightly above the bottom surface. Therefore, when the guides 30 and 40 are attached to 15 _R and 15 _L , the bottom surfaces of the upper walls 34 and 44 come into contact with the surface of the base 10 and the tongue 3
A small gap G between the bottom surface of the base 45 and the surface of the base 10
Is formed. In the flexible printed circuit board P, both side edges of the front end are inserted into the gap G, and both end surfaces are the upper walls 34 and 4.
It is regulated in four aspects. Therefore, the bottom surfaces of the tongue pieces 35 and 45 function as floating suppression parts for the both side edges of the front end of the inserted flexible printed circuit board P. The upper wall 34 and 44, the locking projection 15 _R, 15 _L to the guide 3
In a state where 0 and 40 are attached, the tongue pieces 35 and 45 extend to the depth side. Therefore, the side surfaces of the upper walls 34 and 44 facing the center of the base 10 have a sufficient length for guiding the leading end of the flexible printed circuit board P.

When the flexible printed circuit board P is inserted into the relay connector of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminals T _{1 to} T _n and the probes 25 _{1 to} 25 _n can be connected. Further, by using the guides 30 and 40 having the upper walls 34 and 44 having a width W [= (W ₂ −W ₁ ) / 2] corresponding to the width W ₁ of the flexible printed circuit board P,
The flexible printed circuit board P can be positioned in a state where the center line of the flexible printed circuit board P coincides with the center line in the depth direction of the flexible printed circuit board P. At this time, the end portion P _e of the flexible printed circuit board P, since the both widthwise end faces inside the side surface of the upper wall 34, 44 is restricted in position, the terminal T ₁ through T _n with respect to the probe 25 ₁ to 25 _n Can be connected properly. Moreover, although Ri floating end P _e suppressed end P _e is the bottom surface of the upper wall 34 and 44, the flexible printed circuit board since the stepped portion S is each other fit into the groove 14 of the base 10, which is inserted P does not fall off.

Embodiment 2 In the embodiment 1, a plurality of pairs of guides 30 and 40 are prepared, and the guides 30 and 40 selected according to the width W ₁ of the target flexible printed circuit board P are locked. 15 _R ,
By attaching to 15 _L , the distance d between the facing surfaces is adjusted. However, the distance d between the facing surfaces can be adjusted by a slider movable in the frontage direction of the base 10 in addition to the guides 30 and 40 that can be attached and detached.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, sliders 50 _R and 50 _L are provided at both ends on the near side of the base 10. Upstanding portion 51 on the front side corners of the base 10 _R, 51 _L are formed, the slider 50 _R, 50 through holes 52 for inserting the _{L R,} 52 _L are formed in the upright portion 51 _R, 51 _L I have. Slider 50
_R and 50 _L are contact portions 53 that come into contact with the surface of the base 10.
And _R, 53 _L, and a spaced apart the tongue 54 _R, 54 _L gap G from the surface of the base 10.

In the longitudinal direction of the sliders 50 _R , 50 _L , a plurality of engagement holes 55 _{R 1} , 55 _{R 2} , 55 _{R 3} , 55 _{L 1} , 55 _{L 2} ,
55 _L3 or engagement recess is formed. The engagement holes 55 _R1 ,
_{55 R2, 55 R3, 55 L1} , 55 L2, 55 L3 or in a positional relationship corresponding to the engagement recesses, through-holes 52 _R, standing part 51 of the 52 _L defining _R, 51 _L inner surface the engaging projections 56 _R of , 56
_L is formed. The locking projection 56 _R, 56 _L is upright portion 51 is provided _R, 51 upper wall 57 of _{L R,} 57 _L, slightly elastic restoring force is applied. The sliders 50 _R and 50 _L have the tongue pieces 54 _R and 54 _L on the base 10.
It is preferable to have an elastic moment so that the elastic moment can be pressed against the surface.

[0020] In the relay connector of the present embodiment, the slider 50 _R 8, 50 by spaced with respect to the center direction of the base 10 _L, and the inter-facing surface that is formed in the side surface of the contact portion 53 _R, 53 _L The distance d is adjusted. At this time, the left and right sliders 50 _R and 50 _L
5 _R1, 55 _R2, 55 _R3 and 55 _L1, 55 _L2, 55 locking projections 56 on one of _{L3 R,} 56 by mating _L, and the standing portion 51 equal distances towards the center of the base 10 _R ,
It can be protruded from 51 _L. Therefore, the flexible printed circuit board P whose leading end is inserted at the distance d between the facing surfaces is centered in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Further, since both ends of the flexible printed circuit board P are inserted into the gap G, the flexible printed circuit board P is also prevented from floating from the base 10. As a result, an appropriate contact state between the terminals T _{1 to} T _n and the probes 25 _{1 to} 25 _n is guaranteed.
The sliders 50 _R , 50 projecting from the upright portions 51 _R , 51 _L according to the width W ₁ of the flexible printed circuit board P.
By adjusting the length of _L, the same can be used for flexible printed boards having different widths. Incidentally, the slider 50 _R, 50 to _L easily view the length of projection, standing portion 51 _R, 51 may be Memoru an appropriate scale portion projecting from the _L side.

[0021] In Figure 8, the slider 50 _R and 50 _L side to form a engaging hole 55 _R1 to 55 _R3 and 55 _L1 to 55 _L3, upright portion 51 _R and the engaging projection 56 in 51 _L side _R and 56 _L Is formed. However, without being bound thereto, the locking projection provided on the slider 50 _R, 50 _L side, the standing part 51
_R, provided engaging hole or engagement recess 51 _L side, by selecting a similar fit together, it is possible to restrict the movement of the slider 50 _R, 50 _L relates frontage direction of the base 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, through the upper wall 57 _R-hole 61
Forming a _R, pin receiving recess 62 formed in the slider 50 _R
Those in which pins 63 _{R1 to} 63 _R3 are fitted into _{R1 to} 62 _R3 are also used. Pins 63 _{R1 to} 63 _R3 are springs 64 _R1 to 64 _R3
Are urged upward. Figure 9 shows a state in which selected pins accommodating recess 62 _R2, the distal end portion of the pin 63 _R2 is fitted into the through holes 61 _R. When the slider 50 is moved to _R by replacing between opposed surfaces distance d from this state, push down the front end portion of the pin 63 _R2 through the through hole 61 _R, engagement between the through holes 61 _R and pin receiving recess 62 _R2 Cancel. Then, the slider 50 _R is moved in the frontage direction, to face the pins 63 _R1 or 63 _R3 in the through-holes 61 _R.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, a flexible printed circuit board having a large number of terminals is sandwiched between a base and a holding member in a precise positional relationship, and the flexible printed circuit board is interposed between the base and the holding member. The upper terminal is properly connected to a tester or the like. Since this proper conduction state can be obtained simply by inserting the leading end of the flexible printed board into the relay connector, the inspection work of the flexible printed board can be performed easily and quickly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 A conventional relay connector

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the relay connector used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a main part of the relay connector without a holding member.

FIG. 4 Left and right guides

FIG. 5 Probe embedded in a holding member

FIG. 6 shows a state in which a flexible printed circuit board is sandwiched.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of the relay connector used in the second embodiment of the present invention, in which a holding member is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of the same.

FIG. 9 shows an example in which the movement amount of a slider is regulated by a pin.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: base 11: Axis 15 _R, 15 _L: locking protrusion 20: clamping member 25 ₁ to 25 _n: Probe 30, 40: guide
34 and 44: the upper wall 35 and 45: the tongue 50 _R, 50 _L: slider 5
1 _R , 51 _L : Standing portion 53 _R , 53 _L : Contact portion 54 _R , 54 _L : Tongue piece
57 _R , 57 _L : Upper wall P: Flexible printed circuit board T _{1 to} T _n : Terminal
d: distance between facing surfaces G: gap

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-43578 (JP, A) JP-A-56-57271 (JP, A) JP-A-3-52683 (JP, U) JP-A-60-156675 (JP (U, JP) 63-81971 (JP, U) JP 4-29423 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H01R 11/22 G01R 31/04 H01R 23/68 H01R 31/06

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A base having locking projections formed on both side surfaces of a front end portion, and a base mounted on the base so as to be swingable via a pivot.
A holding member in which a plurality of probes are incorporated at the same pitch as the terminals of the flexible printed circuit board; and left and right guides removably attached to the locking projections. A tongue protrudes from the side surface of the upper wall where the bottom surface abuts in the center direction of the base, and the side surfaces of the upper walls of the left and right guides have a distance between opposing surfaces corresponding to the width of the flexible printed circuit board. The clip-type relay connector, wherein the tongue piece is formed between the front surface of the base and a gap into which both side edges of the front end of the flexible printed circuit board are inserted. 2. A base having upright portions formed at both left and right corners on the near side, and mounted on the base so as to be swingable via a pivot, and a plurality of probes are incorporated at the same pitch as the terminals of the flexible printed circuit board. Left and right sliders slidably inserted into the through-holes of the upright portion, and the left and right sliders are respectively separated from the abutment portions where the bottom surface abuts on the surface of the base. A tongue protrudes in the center direction of the flexible printed circuit board, and the tongue forms a gap between the front edge of the flexible printed circuit board and the surface of the base, and the side surface of the contact portion is A clip-type relay connector, wherein a distance between opposed surfaces corresponding to a width of the flexible printed circuit board is set by adjusting insertion amounts of the left and right sliders.