JP3378986B2 - Flexible printed circuit connector - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to ZIF (Zero).
Insertion Force Connecto
r) connector, in particular, flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector of this kind has been known as a one-touch rotary type F connector.
It is used in a PC and is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-17528 as an example.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 .

Such a conventional flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector 11 has a base insulator 13 having a first half portion into which a flexible printed circuit (FPC) 12 (see FIG. 2) is inserted.
It is composed of a plurality of contacts 15 fixedly held on the latter half of the insulator 13, and an operator (slider) 17 which is rotatably engaged with the contacts 15 between a closed position and an open position.

By the way, a pair of holding portions for holding the slider 17 are formed on both sides of the base insulator 13. Considering the ease of assembly, the pair of holding portions of the base insulator 13 act as movable side elastic members.

[0005]

However, in the conventional example, when the contact 15 has a large number of cores,
If the reaction force of the contact 15 against the slider 17 is large when the connector is fitted, the holding portion of the base insulator 13 is movable, so the slider 17 is pushed out by receiving the reaction force in the direction opposite to the fitting direction. , The connector may come out of the fitted state and come off.

Therefore, the present invention was created in order to improve such conventional drawbacks, and the first technical problem is to fit the connector even when the number of contacts is increased. In this case, it is necessary to obtain a connector for a flexible printed circuit which does not come off the slider and is easy to assemble.

[0007]

In order to solve the problems of the present invention, the following five means are adopted.

(1) A plurality of contacts are fixedly held
Base for receiving a flexible printed circuit
Insulator and each contact in closed position and open
The flexible print for rotatably engaging to and from a position.
Sliding to keep the circuit pressed
Connector for flexible printed circuit with
The slider has an elastic arm portion.
The metal plate provided is integrally formed by mold-in.
Is, the end portion of the slider, the other end one end fixed outer
Elasticity that extends to the side and has an engaging protrusion formed inside the other end
Is provided with the arm portion, and the outside of the arm portion
Has a guide groove for pressing the arm portion.
Holddown of the holddown,
An arm retainer having a dowel guided in the guide groove is provided,
The arm portion and the
An insertion groove for inserting the hold-down, and the insertion
In order to rotatably support the slider near the groove,
And a support portion that pivotally engages the engaging protrusion of the arm portion,
The hold down to press the arm.
By the above, the engaging convex portion is engaged and held by the supporting portion,
By inserting the arm retainer into the insertion groove,
And the space for spring displacement of the arm is lost.
Flexible printed circuit connector characterized by
Ta.

(2) A plurality of contacts are fixedly held.
Base for receiving a flexible printed circuit
Insulator and each contact in closed position and open
The flexible print for rotatably engaging to and from a position.
Sliding to keep the circuit pressed
Connector for flexible printed circuit with
The slider has an elastic arm portion.
The metal plate provided is integrally formed by mold-in.
Is, the end portion of the slider, the other end one end fixed outer
The arm portion extending to the side is provided, and inside the other end
While the first engagement protrusion is formed, the first engagement protrusion is formed on the first engagement protrusion.
The second engaging convex portion is flush with the end portion so that they face each other.
Is formed apart from the one end and presses the arm portion.
A holddown for
Is a side edge portion of the insulator, which is provided with an arm presser.
Insert the arm portion and the hold down into
For inserting the slider and rotating the slider near the insertion groove.
The first engaging projection and the slider for supporting the rollably.
And a first support recess for pivotally engaging the second engagement projection and
A supporting portion having beauty a second support recess in and out is formed, prior to
By inserting the arm presser into the insertion groove,
The space for spring displacement of the arm is lost.
Connector for flexible printed circuit.

(3) A plurality of contacts are fixedly held
Base for receiving a flexible printed circuit
Insulator and each contact in closed position and open
The flexible print for rotatably engaging to and from a position.
Sliding to keep the circuit pressed
Connector for flexible printed circuit with
The slider is a pair of elastic arms.
A metal plate with a frame is integrated by mold-in
Made at both ends of the slider, the other end fixed
The end extends outward, and the engaging protrusion is formed inside the other end.
Each of the arm portions is provided, and each of the arm portions is
It is equipped with a pair of holddowns for pressing
Hold down, an arm portion pressing, the insulation
The arms and the holes are provided on both side edges of the vibrator.
And a pair of insertion grooves for inserting the
To rotatably support the slider near the groove
A pair of support parts that pivotally engage the engaging projections of the respective arm parts
Are formed, and each arm is formed by each hold down.
By pressing the parts,
The respective arm retainers,
By inserting into each insertion groove,
Flexi characterized by loss of displacement space
Bull printed circuit connector.

(4) A plurality of contacts are fixedly held.
Base for receiving a flexible printed circuit
Insulator and each contact in closed position and open
The flexible print for rotatably engaging to and from a position.
Sliding to keep the circuit pressed
Connector for flexible printed circuit with
The slider is a pair of elastic arms.
A metal plate with a frame is integrated by mold-in
Made at both ends of the slider, the other end fixed
Each of the arm portions whose ends extend outward is provided, and the other end
A first engaging protrusion is formed inside the
The second engaging protrusions are formed on both ends of the protrusion so as to face each other.
It formed spaced apart from the end on the same plane as, the respective ah
A pair of holddowns for pressing each
Each of the hold downs includes an arm presser,
On both side edges of the insulator, the arms and the front
A pair of insertion grooves for inserting each holddown
And rotatably support the slider near each of the insertion grooves.
A first engagement protrusion and a second engagement of the slider for holding
First support recess and second support for pivotally engaging the protrusions, respectively
A pair of support portions having a recess in and out is formed, each
By inserting the arm presser into each of the insertion grooves,
The space for spring displacement of each arm is lost.
Features Flexible printed circuit connection
Ta.

[0012]

[0013]

When the connector is fitted, the first engaging projection formed inside the arm portion of the slider is engaged and supported by the first supporting recess of the support portion of the base insulator.

Further, the second engaging convex portion formed on the end portion of the slider is the supporting portion of the base insulator, that is, the second engaging convex portion.
It is engaged with and supported by the support recess.

On the other hand, the hold down arm retainer is
It has a dowel and acts as an arm pressing member.
That is, the dowel for pressing the arm portion is guided by the guide groove formed on the outer side of the arm portion and press-fitted into the insertion groove of the base insulator. As a result, the arm portion biased outward is pressed into the insertion groove. The first engagement protrusion and the second engagement protrusion of the slider sandwich the support portion of the base insulator.

The slider is rotatably supported or pivotally engaged by the support portion of the base insulator. as a result,
Even if the slider 17 receives a reaction force of the contact in the opposite direction to the fitting direction, the connector fitting state is maintained.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A flexible printed circuit connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.

The flexible printed circuit connector 21 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of contacts 22 (only one is shown in the drawing) inserted in the insertion direction from the rear to the front (white arrows) in the latter half portion. ) Is fixedly held and the flexible printed circuit (FP
C) a base insulator 23 for receiving 12,
A flexible printed circuit (FPC) 1 that rotatably engages contacts 22 between a closed position and an open position.
And a slider 27 for holding the two in a pressed state.

The contact 22 has a pivotal support portion 22-1 and a contact portion 22-2 whose tip is bifurcated. Contact part 2
2-2 is a flexible printed circuit (FPC)
It is for making contact with the conductor pattern on the lower surface (signal side) of 12.

The slider 27 has a substantially U shape for exposing arm portions 25a and 25b which will be described later from both left and right end surfaces (sections).
Shape part and flexible printed circuit (FPC)
In this embodiment, a metal plate composed of a substantially rectangular portion having an exposed lower surface 28 for making contact with the conductor pattern on the upper surface (ground side) of 12 is molded in. Slider 27
Includes a mold-in molded body, a semicircular arc-shaped recess 27-1 for pivotally supporting the pivotal support portion 22-1 of the contact 22 on the rear side thereof, and a slider 27 at the center of the front side portion thereof.
When it is mass-produced, it has a connection part with another mold, that is, a carrier part 27-2. More specifically, the slider 27 has metal arms 25a and 25b from both ends thereof.
However, it is molded so that it is exposed. Arm 25a,
The exposed one end of 25b is an elastic member that is fixed at the front end portions of the left and right ends of the slider 27 and extends toward the rear end portion so that the other end urges outward. The arm portions 25a and 25b have dowel guide grooves 25-1a and 25-1.
b is formed.

The flexible printed circuit connector 21 of the present invention further comprises a pair of arm portion pressing members (holddowns) 29a and 29b for pressing the arm portions 25a and 25b, respectively. The arm portion pressing members 29a and 29b are the main body portion 29-1a having a substantially Ω shape,
29-1b and press-fitting portion 29-2 extending from the main body portion
a, 29-2b and arm pressing members 29-3a, 29-3b extending from the press-fitting portion. Dowels (small protrusions) 29A and 29B guided by the dowel guide grooves 25-1a and 25-1b are formed inside the press-fitting portions 29-2a and 29-2b of the arm pressing members 29a and 29b, respectively. , Facilitates the assembly of the connector.

Arm portions 25a and 25b and an arm portion pressing member 29 are provided at both front edge portions of the base insulator 23.
A pair of insertion grooves 31 into which a and 29b are respectively inserted
a and 31b, and a pair of support portions 33a and 33b formed near these insertion grooves 31a and 31b for rotatably supporting, that is, pivotally engaging the slider 27. The support portions 33a and 33b are a pair of protruding wall portions formed so as to protrude from both front edge portions along both ends, that is, in the front direction. The insertion grooves 31a and 31b are
It is formed between the outer sides of the protruding wall portions of the support portions 33a and 33b and the outer walls of both front edge portions, respectively. Supports 33a, 3
3b is a first support recess 33-1a, 33- formed on the outside of the protruding wall so as to be adjacent to the insertion grooves 31a, 31b.
1b and a second support recess 33 formed inside the protruding wall portion
-2a and 33-2b, respectively.

A pair of first engaging protrusions 35a and 35b are formed inside at the tips of the pair of arm portions 25a and 25b extending from the front end portions of the left and right ends of the slider 27. On the other hand, at the rear end portions of the left and right ends of the slider 27,
Second engaging protrusions 37a and 37b are formed at positions corresponding to the pair of engaging protrusions 35a and 35b, respectively.

The first engaging convex portions 35a, 3 of the pair of arm portions
5b is the first support recess 33 of the base insulator 23.
-1a and 33-1b are engaged and supported respectively, while the second engaging protrusions 37a and 37b are provided on the base insulator 2
The third supporting recesses 33-2a and 33-2b are engaged and supported. As a result, the first engagement protrusions 35a and 35b of the slider 27 and the second support recesses 33-2a and 33-2b.
And the support portions 33a, 33 of the base insulator 23.
The slider 27 is rotatably engaged with and held by the base insulator 23 by acting so as to sandwich b.

When assembling the flexible printed circuit connector of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slider 27 is incorporated in the base insulator 23 along the direction of the arrow. At this time, the elasticity of the arm portions 25a and 25b of the slider 27 is utilized to insert the slider 27 into the insertion grooves 31a and 31b of the base insulator 23.

Next, referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7,
Hold-downs 29a and 29b dowels 29A, 29b
While holding B in the dowel guide grooves 25-1a and 25-1b, the holddowns 29a and 29b are press-fitted between the arm portions 25a and 25b of the slider 27 and the outer walls of both front side edges of the base insulator 23. Thus, by utilizing the holddowns 29a and 29b, the spring displacement space of the slider 27 is lost and the slider 27 is prevented from coming off the base insulator 23 until one of the components is destroyed.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method of inserting and operating the flexible printed circuit (FPC) 12 in the connector of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 2, the holddowns 29a and 29b are omitted. First,
The flexible printed circuit (FPC) 12 is inserted after the slider 27 is rotated clockwise by 90 degrees around the supporting portions 33a and 33b so that the slider 27 is in the vertical direction to the release position. After that, the slider 27
Is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise to the horizontal, original or closed position.

By the way, the flexible printed circuit connector of the present invention has a structure in which it is easy to take a ground even if it is compatible with EMI. The upper surface (ground side) of the flexible printed circuit (FPC) 12
Through the exposed lower surface 28 of the metal plate of the slider 27 that is in contact with the conductive pattern of the arm 27 of the slider 27.
Holddowns 29a and 29 from 5a and 25b
Conducted with b. In other words, the exposed portion of the metal plate of the slider 27 (the exposed lower surface 28 and the arm portion 25a,
25b) and the holddowns 29a and 29b act as a ground plate.

Moreover, as shown in FIG.
a and 25b are biased outwardly due to their elasticity and are biased towards the holddowns 29a and 29b. Therefore, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the arm portions 25a and 2a
5b is configured to surely conduct with hold downs 29a and 29b.

[0030]

According to the flexible printed circuit connector of the present invention, the slider end portion and the arm portion sandwich the support portion of the insulator and pivotally engage with each other. Therefore, even if the number of contacts is large, there is an effect that the slider does not come off when the connector is fitted, and a robust flexible printed circuit connector in consideration of assemblability can be obtained.
As a result, a compact and thin connector for flexible printed circuit can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a flexible printed circuit connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a connector fitted state of a base insulator 23 and a slider 27 in the flexible printed circuit connector according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a connector fitting state of the flexible printed circuit connector according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a base insulator 23 and a plan view of a slider 27 according to the connector for a flexible printed circuit according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a base insulator 23 accommodating a slider 27 and a plan view of holddowns 29a and 29b in the flexible printed circuit connector according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector fitting state of the flexible printed circuit connector according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a connector fitting state of the flexible printed circuit connector according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a base insulator 13 and a plan view of a slider 17 according to a conventional example of a connector for a flexible printed circuit.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector fitting state according to the flexible printed circuit connector of FIG.

10 is a plan view showing a connector mating state of the flexible printed circuit connector of FIG. 9. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Flexible Printed Circuit Connector 12 Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) 13 Base Insulator 15 Multiple Contacts 17 Slider 21 Flexible Printed Circuit Connector 22 Multiple Contacts 22-1 Pivot 22-2 Contact 23 Base Insulators 25-1a, 25 -1b A pair of dowel guide grooves 27 A slider 27-1 A semi-circular recess 27-2 A carrier portion 28 An exposed lower surface 29a, 29b of a metal plate inside the slider 27 An arm portion pressing member (hold down) 29A, 29B A pair of dowels 29- 1a, 29-1b Main body parts 29-2a, 29-2b of approximately Ω shape Press-fitting parts 29-3a, 29-3b Arm part pressers 31a, 31b Pair of insertion grooves 33a, 33b Pair of support parts 33-1a, 33- 1b First support recess 3 -2a, 33-2b second support recess 35a, 35b a pair of first engaging portions 37a, 37b second engaging portion

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 12/28 H01R 12/18 H01R 13/631

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A flexible structure in which a plurality of contacts are fixedly held.
Base ins to receive the Sible Print Circuit
And a closed position and an open position for each contact.
Rotatably engaged between said flexible printed circuit
And a slider to keep the kit pressed
It is a flexible printed circuit connector equipped with
Thus, the slider has a metal plate with an elastic arm.
The rate is integrally formed by mold-in , and one end is fixed to the end of the slider and the other end is outward.
The arm that extends and has an engaging protrusion formed inside the other end.
And a guide groove is formed on the outside of the arm.
Is provided with a holddown for pressing the arm portion,
The holddown includes a dowel guided in the guide groove.
An arm retainer having is provided, and the arm portion and the
An insertion groove for inserting the hold-down, and the insertion
In order to rotatably support the slider near the groove,
And a support portion that pivotally engages the engaging protrusion of the arm portion,
It is, to press the arm portion in the holddown
The engaging protrusion is engaged with and held by the support, and the arm retainer is inserted into the insertion groove.
And the space for spring displacement of the arm is lost.
Flexible printed circuit connector characterized by
Ta. 2. A flexible structure in which a plurality of contacts are fixedly held.
Base ins to receive the Sible Print Circuit
And a closed position and an open position for each contact.
Rotatably engaged between said flexible printed circuit
And a slider to keep the kit pressed
It is a flexible printed circuit connector equipped with
Thus, the slider has a metal plate with an elastic arm.
The rate is integrally formed by mold-in , and one end is fixed to the end of the slider and the other end is outward.
The extended arm portion is provided, and the first arm is provided inside the other end.
Engagement protrusions are formed, while the first engagement protrusions are
The second engaging projection is flush with the end so that they face each other.
A holddown for pressing the arm portion , which is formed apart from the one end ,
The holddown includes an arm portion retainer, and a side edge portion of the insulator includes the arm portion and the arm portion.
An insertion groove for inserting the hold-down, and the insertion
In order to rotatably support the slider near the groove,
The first engaging protrusion and the second engaging protrusion of the slider are respectively
Holds a first support recess and a second support recess that are pivotally supported inside and outside
Is formed, and the arm retainer is inserted into the insertion groove.
And the space for spring displacement of the arm is lost.
Flexible printed circuit connector characterized by
Ta. 3. A flexible structure in which a plurality of contacts are fixedly held.
Base ins to receive the Sible Print Circuit
And a closed position and an open position for each contact.
Rotatably engaged between said flexible printed circuit
And a slider to keep the kit pressed
It is a flexible printed circuit connector equipped with
The slider has a pair of elastic arm portions.
A metal plate is integrally formed by mold-in , one end is fixed to both ends of the slider, and the other end is outside.
Each of which has an engaging protrusion formed inside the other end.
A pair of holes provided with arm portions for pressing the respective arm portions, respectively.
Each hold down is equipped with a
And the arm portions are provided on both side edges of the insulator.
A pair of insertion grooves for inserting the respective holddowns
And rotatably support the slider near each of the insertion grooves.
Pivotally engage the engaging protrusions of each arm to hold
A pair of support parts are formed, and each arm part is pressed by each hold down.
Engages the engaging protrusions with the supporting portions, respectively.
To hold it so that each arm retainer is inserted into each insertion groove.
Space for spring displacement of each arm is lost.
Flexible printed circuit
Nectar. 4. A flexible structure in which a plurality of contacts are fixedly held.
Base ins to receive the Sible Print Circuit
And a closed position and an open position for each contact.
Rotatably engaged between said flexible printed circuit
And a slider to keep the kit pressed
It is a flexible printed circuit connector equipped with
The slider has a pair of elastic arm portions.
A metal plate is integrally formed by mold-in , one end is fixed to both ends of the slider, and the other end is outside.
Is provided with each of the arms extending to the inside of the other end
While the first engagement protrusion is formed, the first engagement protrusion is formed on the first engagement protrusion.
The second engaging protrusions are flush with the both ends so that they face each other.
A pair of holes formed above the one end and spaced apart from each other to press the respective arm portions.
Each hold down is equipped with a
A front end of the insulator and the front and rear arms of the insulator.
A pair of insertion grooves for inserting each holddown
And rotatably support the slider near each of the insertion grooves.
A first engagement protrusion and a second engagement of the slider for holding
First support recess and second support for pivotally engaging the protrusions, respectively
A pair of support parts having recesses inside and outside are formed, and each arm presser is inserted into each insertion groove.
Space for spring displacement of each arm is lost.
Flexible printed circuit
Nectar.