JP4184881B2

JP4184881B2 - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: JP4184881B2
Application number: JP2003195018A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 真介半田
Original assignee: JST Mfg Co Ltd
Current assignee: JST Mfg Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-07-10
Filing date: 2003-07-10
Publication date: 2008-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-10
Also published as: TWI237424B; KR100999053B1; TW200511662A; JP2005032509A; CN1321482C; KR20050008428A; CN1577994A

Description

【０００１】
【技術分野】
本発明は、例えばＦＰＣ（フレキシブル・プリッテッド・サーキット）等の平形で薄手の接続部材を接続するために用いる電気コネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【背景技術】
従来、開口部を有する合成樹脂製のハウジングと、このハウジングの開口部に臨むように配列されるコンクタトと、上記ハウジングの開口部を回動により開閉する合成樹脂製のカバーと、カバーを閉じ姿勢にロックするロック手段とを備えるものがある。
この種のコネクタにおいて、ハウジングの前半部に設けたカバーを開放した状態でハウジングの前方から接続部材を無挿入力（ＺＩＦ：Zero Insert Force)で挿入した後、カバーを閉じて接続部材を固定する電気コネクタがある。
【０００３】
一方、ハウジングの挿入口からハウジング内に挿入される接続部材の厚み以下の距離で、コンクタトの相対向する固定片部と弾性片部の接触部を対向させ、ハウジングの後部に設けられる操作レバーの外部操作により、弾性片部の接触部を「てこ」の原理で持ち上げて接触部間の距離を拡げ、無挿入力で接続部材を挿入するようにした電気コネクタが提供されている（例えば、特許文献１）。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開平１０−１５４５５６号公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前者のカバー開閉方式の電気コネクタは、製造ラインにおいて、ロボットハンドの保持部に空気吸引により吸着されて回路基板上に搬送され、自動実装される場合がある。この場合、搬送に空気吸引を用いるために、カバーを閉じ姿勢にロックしておく必要がある。
通例、基板への自動実装が完了した電気コネクタにＦＰＣを接続する作業は、手動で行われている。爪でカバーの先端部を持ち上げてロックを解除し、カバーを開放させた後、指先に保持したＦＰＣを挿入し、次いでカバーを閉じて閉じ姿勢にロックする。
【０００６】
ところが、一旦、開放させたカバーがＦＰＣの挿入前に閉じ方向へ回動し、半閉じ状態（ロックはされていない状態）になってしまう場合があり、その場合、再び、カバーを開放する作業が必要となり、作業が煩雑になっていた。
一方、特許文献１の操作レバーの外部操作でコンタクトの固定片部と弾性片部との間の間隔を拡げる方式では、下記の不具合がある。すなわち、コンタクトに「てこ」のための延設ビームを設けることからコンタクトの構造が複雑となり、しかも、別途に外部操作用のレバーを設ける必要もあり、全体としての構造が複雑になり、大型化する。
【０００７】
本発明は上記課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、小型で接続部材を接続するときの作業性の良い電気コネクタを提供することを目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため、本発明は複数のコンタクトを保持する絶縁性のハウジングと、このハウジングに支軸を介して回動自在に支持されるカバーと、このカバーに設けられ、所定の挿入方向に沿ってハウジング内の所定の挿入位置に挿入される接続部材をコンタクトの接触部に加圧するための加圧部と、カバーを閉じ姿勢にロックするためのロック手段と、このロック手段によるロックが解除された半閉じ姿勢のカバーをハウジング内に挿入される接続部材の挿入動作に連動して開放させるための連動手段とを備え、上記連動手段はカバーの基端部に設けられる駆動部を含み、この駆動部は、カバーが半閉じ姿勢にある状態で接続部材の挿入側端により押されることにより、半閉じ姿勢のカバーを直立姿勢に開放させるように機能する、カバーの端面を含み、上記カバーが直立姿勢に開放されたときに、上記カバーの上記端面が上記接続部材の挿入方向と平行になることにより、上記カバーの上記端面と上記コンタクトの上記接触部との間に、接続部材が無挿入力で挿入されるようにしてあることを特徴とするものである。
本発明では、仮にカバーが半閉じ姿勢になっていたとしても、接続部材を挿入すると、自動的にカバーを起立させて開放させることができる。したがって、接続部材を所定の挿入位置までスムーズに挿入でき、その後は、カバーを閉じてロックを達成すれば良い。したがって、カバーの開放作業において、全数が厳密に開放されていなくても良くなり、作業を格段に簡素化することができる。しかも、接続部材の挿入動作にカバーの開放動作を連動させるので、外部に操作レバーを設けるような場合と比較して、構造を格段に簡素化することができる。
【０００９】
また、上記連動手段はカバーの基端部に設けられる駆動部を含み、この駆動部は、カバーが半閉じ姿勢にある状態で接続部材の挿入側端により押されることにより、半閉じ姿勢のカバーを開放させるので、カバーの基端部の形状変更のみで良く、構造が非常に簡単である。
また、上記駆動部は半閉じ姿勢のカバーの端面に設けられるので、カバーを安定して開放させることができ、また、接続部材にかかる負担も少なくすることができる。
【００１０】
本発明は、好ましくは、上記ハウジングの前部に接続部材を挿入するための挿入口を区画する四角環状の枠が設けられると共に、ハウジングの後部に上記カバーが設けられ、上記枠の内面は接続部材の挿入を案内する傾斜面を含む。この場合、いわゆるバックロックタイプの電気コネタクに好適に適用することができる。特に、接続部材を挿入口内にスムーズに挿入することができ、しかも、カバーの駆動部を押すことで反力を受ける挿入口内の接続部材を枠によりしっかりと保持することができ、その結果、確実に半閉じ姿勢のカバーを開放させることができる。
【００１１】
本発明は、好ましくは、上記コンタクトは、ハウジングの対応する固定孔に圧入される主体部と、主体部から延び上下に相対向する固定片部および弾性片部とを含み、この弾性片部に上記接続部材に接触するための接触部が設けられ、上記加圧部は閉じ姿勢のカバーの下面に設けられ、カバーの閉じ姿勢でコンタクトの固定片部と交互の横並びに配置される。この場合、加圧部をコンタクトの固定片部の下方に配置する場合と比較して、電気コネクタの高さを格段に低くすることができる。
【００１２】
本発明は、好ましくは、上記カバーは相隣接する加圧部間をこれら加圧部間のコンタクトの固定片部の下方で接続する軸部を含み、カバーの閉じ姿勢で軸部と対応するコンタクトの弾性片部の接触部との間に接続部材の厚み以上の隙間が設けられる。この場合、万一、カバーが不用意な力を受けたときに、これをコンタクトの固定片部で受けることができ、カバーのハウジングへの連結強度を高くすることができる。
【００１３】
【発明を実施するための最良の形態】
本発明の好ましい実施形態を添付図面を参照しつつ説明する。
図１は本発明の一実施の形態の電気コネクタにおいてカバーが開放された状態を後方からみた概略斜視図であり、図２はカバーを完全に閉じた状態の電気コネクタを斜め後方から見た概略斜視図であり、図３は電気コネクタを斜め前方から見た概略斜視図である。図４は電気コネクタの平面図であり、図５は電気コネクタの正面図である。
【００１４】
図１を参照して、本電気コネクタ１は、複数のコンタクト２を横並びに保持する絶縁性のハウジング３と、このハウジング３に断面丸形の支軸４を介して回動自在に支持される絶縁性のカバー５とを備える。図１および以下の図において、矢符Ｘはハウジング３の前方を表す。
図３、図４および図５を参照して、ハウジング３の前部には四角環状の枠６が形成され、枠６はＦＰＣ等の接続部材７（図１０Ａ参照）を挿入するための挿入口８を区画する。図５および図７に示すように、枠６の内面は接続部材７の挿入方向に向かって挿入口８の幅が狭くなるように傾斜面６ｂに形成され、接続部材７の挿入を案内できるようになっている。図１に示すように、ハウジング３は枠６よりも後方に開口部９を設けており、この開口部９が図１および図２に示すようにカバー５の回動に伴って開閉される。
【００１５】
ハウジング３は枠６の図３に示す下枠６ａに連なる底壁１０（図１および図７参照）を有し、図１に示すように、この底壁１０および後述する区画板２５には、ハウジング３の後方から挿入される複数のコンタクト２が横並びに保持されている。また、ハウジング３は底壁１０を挟んだ両側に一対の側壁１２，１３を備えており、これら一対の側壁１２，１３は開口部９の側部を区画する。各側壁１２，１３に前方に開放するように設けられた固定孔１４（図３参照）に、それぞれ金属製の補強板１５の一部が圧入され固定されている。
【００１６】
図６を参照して、補強板１５は、ハウジング３の前方に突出する主体部１６と、主体部１６から延び上記の固定孔１４に圧入される挿入部１７とを備える。主体部１６の下部には、基板表面に半田付けにより固定される固定部１８と、カバー５の支軸４を側壁１２，１３（図６では側壁１３のみを示す）の前端部と共同して回動自在に支持するための支持部１９とが設けられている。
図７を参照して、コンタクト２は、ハウジング３の固定孔２０に圧入され固定される係止突起（図示せず）付きの固定部２１と、この固定部２１の前方に延設される弾性片部２２と、固定部２１の後端から鉤型に屈曲して前方へ延びる固定片部２３と、固定部２１の後端下部から後方へ延設されるリード部２４とを備える。
【００１７】
固定片部２３は、ハウジング３の固定孔２０の上部を区画する区画板２５によって受けられている。ハウジング３の開口部９は、接続部材７が挿入口８を通してコンタクト２の固定片部２３と弾性片部２２との間に挿入されることを許容するように形成されている。
弾性片部２２は、ハウジング３の底壁１０の上面に形成された収容溝２７に大部分が収容され、後端部を基端として弾性的に撓むことができるようになっている。弾性片部２２の前端には、上向きの山形突起からなる接触部２８が形成され、収容溝２７から突出している。
【００１８】
図８Ａを参照して、カバー５は略矩形の板状をしており、相対向する第１および第２の端縁２９，３０を有している。カバー５の第１の端縁２９の相対向する左右の側部からは上記した一対の丸形の支軸４がそれぞれ突出している。
また、カバー５の第２の端縁３０の相対向する左右の側部からは一対の突部３１がそれぞれ突出している。図１および図２を参照しして、各突部３１には、ハウジング３の対応する側壁１２，１３の後端に形成される例えば溝からなるロック部３２に係合可能な例えば突起からなる係合部３３がそれぞれ形成されている。図２に示すように、係合部３３がロック部３２に係合することで、カバー５はその表面５ａが水平となる閉じ姿勢にロックされる。
【００１９】
図７および図８Ａを参照して、カバー５の第１の端縁２９には、各固定片部２３の前端３４をそれぞれ挿通させる透孔３５が形成されている。各透孔３５の第１の端縁２９側にはそれぞれ軸部３６が形成されている。各軸部３６は断面Ｄ型をなすように、その周面の一部に平坦面３６ａを設けている。
図１、図７および図８Ｂを参照して、カバー５の裏面５ｂには、カバー５の閉じ状態で対応するコンタクト２の固定片部２２を収容するための固定片部収容溝３７が形成されている。また、図１、図８Ｂおよび図８Ｃを参照して、カバー５の裏面５ｂは、第１の端縁２９側の両側部に抜け止め用突起４２をそれぞれ設けている。カバー５の閉じ姿勢で、抜け止め用突起４２が接続部材７の両側縁に形成される凹溝（図示せず）に係合して接続部材７の抜脱を防止する。
【００２０】
また、図１、図７および図８Ｃを参照して、カバー５の裏面５ｂには、固定片部収容溝３７を挟んだ両側において第１の端縁２９から所定距離までの部分に加圧部３８が形成されている。加圧部３８はカバー５の閉じ姿勢において、コンタクト２の固定片部２３と交互の横並びに配置される。
上記の軸部３６は相隣接する加圧部３８，３８間をコンタクト２の固定片部２３の下方で接続する。各軸部３６は対応するコンタクト２の弾性片部２２の接触部２８上に位置するが、カバー５の閉じ姿勢で各軸部３６と対応するコンタクト２の弾性片部２２の接触部２８との間に接続部材７の厚み以上の隙間が設けられるようになっている。
【００２１】
各コンタクト２を挟んだ両側に位置する加圧部３８がカバー５の閉じ姿勢において、接続部部材７をコンタクト２の弾性片部２２側へ押圧し、接圧（接触圧力）を確保するようにしている。
カバー５の第１の端縁２９の端面３９は、表面５ａに対して垂直な面で構成されており、この端面３９は、その一部として、上記の軸部３６の平坦面３６ａを含んでいる。また、端面３９は、閉じ姿勢ないし半閉じ姿勢のカバー５において、軸部３６よりも接触部２８側に接近する駆動部４０を設けている。駆動部４０は、接続部材７の挿入動作に半閉じ姿勢のカバー５を開放させる動作を連動させる連動手段として機能する。
【００２２】
カバー５の表面５ａと上記端面３９との間には、面取り部４１が形成されている。図９に示すように、カバー５が完全に開放された状態、すなわち、起立姿勢を超えて、反対側に少し傾く姿勢では、面取り部４１が挿入口８側に向かって開くように傾斜し、接続部材７を当該面取り部４１と弾性片部２２の接触部２８との間にスムーズに案内して挿入できるようになっている。
次いで、上記駆動部４０の働きについて、説明する。図１０Ａを参照して、カバー５がロックされていない半閉じ姿勢にある。このときに、図１０Ｂに示すように、挿入口８を通して、接続部材７が挿入された場合、接続部材７の挿入側端７ａがカバー５の基端側の端面３９の駆動部４０を押すことで、カバー５を開放させる方向にモーメントを働かせ、図１０Ｃに示すように、カバー５を起立状態に開放させることができる。
【００２３】
図１０Ｃのようにカバー５が起立することで、上記駆動部４０を含むカバー５の端面３９が接続部材７の挿入方向（すなわちハウジング３の前後方向）に平行になり、端面３９とコンタクト２の弾性片部２２の接触部２８との間に接続部材７を無挿入力でスムーズに挿入することができる。
図１１Ａに示すように、接続部材７の挿入側端７ａが区画板２５の端面に当接する正規の挿入位置まで接続部材７を挿入した後、図１１Ｂに示すように、カバー５を閉じ方向に回動させ、図１１Ｃに示すように、カバー５を完全に閉じて閉じ姿勢にロックする。これにより、加圧部３８が接続部材７をコンタクトの弾性片部２２の接触部２８に加圧し、確実な接圧が得られる。
【００２４】
以上のように、本実施の形態によれば、仮に、図１０Ａに示すようにカバー５が半閉じ姿勢になっていたとしても、接続部材７を挿入すると、自動的にカバー５を起立させて開放させることができる。したがって、接続部材７を所定の挿入位置までスムーズに挿入でき、その後は、カバー５を閉じてロックを達成すれば良い。
したがって、製造ラインにおいて、基板への自動実装が完了した電気コネクタ１に対して接続部材７を装着するべく、爪でカバー５の第２の端縁３０を持ち上げてロックを外しつつ、多数の電気コネクタ１のカバー５を開放する作業を実施するときに、カバー５の全数が厳密に開放されていなくても良くなり、作業を格段に簡素化することができる。しかも、接続部材７の挿入動作にカバー５の開放動作を連動させるので、コンタクトに延設ビームを設け且つ外部に操作レバーを設ける従来の場合と比較して、構造を格段に簡素化することができる。
【００２５】
特に、接続部材７の挿入動作に半閉じ姿勢のカバー５を開放させる動作を連動させる連動手段として、カバー５に駆動部４０を設けるのみで良く、構造が非常に簡単である。
また、駆動部４０はカバー５の端面３９に設けられるので、カバー５を安定して開放させることができ、また、接続部材７にかかる負担も少なくすることができる。
【００２６】
また、ハウジング３の前部に挿入口８を区画する四角環状の枠６を設け、ハウジング３の後部にカバー５を設けるので、いわゆるバックロックタイプの電気コネタク１に好適に適用することができる。
特に、枠６の内面が接続部材７の挿入を案内する傾斜面６ｂを含むので、接続部材７を挿入口８内にスムーズに挿入することができるという利点がある。しかも、図１０Ｂに示すように、カバー５の駆動部４０を押すことで反力を受ける接続部材７を枠６によりしっかりと保持することができ、その結果、確実に半閉じ姿勢のカバー５を開放させることができる。
【００２７】
また、加圧部３８がカバー５の閉じ姿勢でコンタクト２の固定片部２３と交互の横並びに配置されるので、加圧部をコンタクトの固定片部の下方に配置する場合と比較して、電気コネクタ１の高さを格段に低くすることができる。
また、相隣接する加圧部３８間をコンタクト２の固定片部２３の下方で接続する軸部３６を設けてあるので、万一、カバー５が不用意な力を受けたときに、これをコンタクト２の固定片部２３で受けることができ、カバー５のハウジング３への連結強度を高くすることができる。
【００２８】
また、本発明は上記実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば、四角環状の枠６の上枠を廃止して、溝形状の枠を構成するようにしても良い。
また、ＦＰＣに代えてＦＦＣやＰＣＢ等の接続部材を接続する場合にも適用することができる。
また、上記の実施の形態では、カバー５を閉じ姿勢にロックする構造としての係合部３３およびロック部３２を、カバー５およびハウジング３にそれぞれ設けたが、これに代えて、或いはこれに付加して、係合部３３およびロック部３２をカバー５およびコンタクト２にそれぞれ設けることができる。また、係合部３３およびロック部３２をカバー５および金属製の補強板１５にそれぞれ設けることもできる。また、係合部３３およびロック部３２については、何れか一方を溝とし他方を突起とすれば良い。
【００２９】
その他、本発明を接続部材を横方向からでなく上方から挿入するような縦型の電気コネクタに適用すること等、本発明の特許請求の範囲で種々の変更を施すことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態の電気コネクタを斜め後方から見た概略斜視図であり、カバーが開放された状態を示している。
【図２】カバーを閉じた状態の電気コネクタを斜め後方から見た概略斜視図である。
【図３】カバーを閉じた状態の電気コネクタを斜め前方から見た概略斜視図である。
【図４】カバーを閉じた状態の電気コネクタの平面図である。
【図５】カバーを閉じた状態の電気コネクタの正面図である。
【図６】カバーを閉じた状態の電気コネクタの側面図である。
【図７】図５のVII −VII 線に沿う断面図である。
【図８】図８Ａはカバーの平面図であり、図８Ｂは図８Ａの８Ｂ−８Ｂ線に沿う断面図であり、図８Ｃは図８Ａの８Ｃ−８Ｃ線に沿う断面図である。
【図９】図９はカバーを完全に開いた状態の電気コネクタの断面図である。
【図１０】図１０Ａ、図１０Ｂおよび図１０Ｃは、カバーが半閉じ姿勢にある電気コネクタに対して接続部材を装着する場合の工程を順次に示す概略断面図である。
【図１１】図１１Ａ、図１１Ｂおよび図１１Ｃは、図１０Ｃに示すように自動的に起立開放されたカバーを閉じる工程を順次に示す概略断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１電気コネクタ
２コンタクト
３ハウジング
４支軸
５カバー
５ａ表面
５ｂ裏面
６枠
６ａ下枠
６ｂ傾斜面
７接続部材
７ａ挿入側端
８挿入口
９開口部
１０底壁
１２，１３側壁
１４固定孔
１５補強板
１９支持部
２０固定孔
２１固定部
２２弾性片部
２３固定片部
２４リード部
２５区画板
２７収容溝
２８接触部
２９第１の端縁
３０第２の端縁
３１突部
３２ロック部
３３係合部
３４前端
３５透孔
３６軸部
３６ａ平坦面
３７固定片部収容溝
３８加圧部
３９端面
４０駆動部
４１面取り部[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to an electric connector used for connecting a thin and thin connecting member such as an FPC (flexible printed circuit).
[0002]
[Background]
Conventionally, a synthetic resin housing having an opening, a contact that is arranged so as to face the opening of the housing, a synthetic resin cover that opens and closes the opening of the housing by rotation, and a posture in which the cover is closed There is a thing provided with the locking means which locks.
In this type of connector, after inserting the connecting member from the front of the housing with no insertion force (ZIF) with the cover provided in the front half of the housing open, the cover is closed and the connecting member is fixed. There are electrical connectors.
[0003]
On the other hand, the contact portion of the contact piece between the fixed piece and the elastic piece facing each other at a distance equal to or less than the thickness of the connecting member inserted into the housing from the insertion port of the housing is opposed to the operation lever provided at the rear of the housing. There has been provided an electrical connector in which a contact portion of an elastic piece is lifted by an external operation based on the principle of “lever” to increase the distance between the contact portions, and a connecting member is inserted without insertion force (for example, a patent) Reference 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-154556
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the production line, the former electrical connector of the cover opening / closing system is sometimes attracted to the holding part of the robot hand by air suction and transferred onto the circuit board and automatically mounted. In this case, in order to use air suction for conveyance, the cover needs to be closed and locked in a posture.
Usually, the operation of connecting the FPC to the electrical connector that has been automatically mounted on the board is manually performed. The tip of the cover is lifted with a nail to release the lock, the cover is opened, the FPC held on the fingertip is inserted, then the cover is closed and locked in a closed position.
[0006]
However, there is a case where the opened cover is rotated in the closing direction before the FPC is inserted, and may be in a semi-closed state (unlocked state). In this case, the operation of opening the cover again is performed. Was necessary and the work was complicated.
On the other hand, the method of expanding the distance between the fixed piece and the elastic piece of the contact by external operation of the operation lever of Patent Document 1 has the following problems. In other words, the contact structure is complicated because an extended beam for the lever is provided on the contact, and a separate lever for external operation is also required, which complicates the overall structure and increases the size. To do.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electrical connector that is small and has good workability when connecting a connection member.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an insulating housing that holds a plurality of contacts, a cover that is rotatably supported by the housing via a support shaft, and a predetermined insertion direction provided in the cover. A pressurizing part for pressurizing the contact member inserted into a predetermined insertion position in the housing to the contact part of the contact, a lock means for locking the cover in a closed position, and a lock by the lock means Interlocking means for opening the released semi-closed cover in conjunction with the insertion operation of the connecting member inserted into the housing, and the interlocking means includes a drive unit provided at the base end of the cover The drive unit functions to open the cover in the semi-closed posture to the upright posture by being pushed by the insertion side end of the connection member in a state where the cover is in the semi-closed posture. When the cover is opened to an upright posture including the end surface of the bar, the end surface of the cover is parallel to the insertion direction of the connecting member, whereby the end surface of the cover and the contact portion of the contact In this case, the connecting member is inserted with no insertion force .
In the present invention, even if the cover is in a semi-closed posture, when the connecting member is inserted, the cover can be automatically erected and opened. Therefore, the connecting member can be smoothly inserted to a predetermined insertion position, and thereafter, the cover may be closed to achieve locking. Therefore, in the opening operation of the cover, it is not necessary that all the members are strictly opened, and the operation can be greatly simplified. Moreover, since the opening operation of the cover is interlocked with the insertion operation of the connecting member, the structure can be greatly simplified as compared with a case where an operation lever is provided outside.
[0009]
Further , the interlocking means includes a drive unit provided at the base end portion of the cover, and the drive unit is pushed by the insertion side end of the connecting member in a state where the cover is in the semi-closed posture, so that the cover in the semi-closed posture is formed. Therefore , it is only necessary to change the shape of the base end portion of the cover, and the structure is very simple.
In addition , since the drive unit is provided on the end face of the cover in a semi-closed posture, the cover can be stably opened, and the burden on the connection member can be reduced.
[0010]
In the present invention, preferably, a square annular frame for defining an insertion port for inserting a connection member is provided at the front portion of the housing, the cover is provided at the rear portion of the housing, and an inner surface of the frame is connected. An inclined surface for guiding the insertion of the member is included. In this case, it can be suitably applied to a so-called back-lock type electrical connector. In particular, the connection member can be smoothly inserted into the insertion port, and the connection member in the insertion port that receives a reaction force by pressing the drive part of the cover can be firmly held by the frame, and as a result, The cover in the semi-closed posture can be opened.
[0011]
In the present invention, preferably, the contact includes a main part press-fitted into a corresponding fixing hole of the housing, and a fixed piece and an elastic piece that extend from the main part and face each other vertically. A contact portion for contacting the connection member is provided, and the pressurizing portion is provided on the lower surface of the cover in a closed posture, and is arranged side by side alternately with the fixed pieces of the contact in the closed posture of the cover. In this case, the height of the electrical connector can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where the pressurizing portion is disposed below the fixed piece portion of the contact.
[0012]
In the present invention, it is preferable that the cover includes a shaft portion that connects the pressure portions adjacent to each other below a fixed piece portion of the contact between the pressure portions, and the contact corresponding to the shaft portion in the closed position of the cover. A gap larger than the thickness of the connection member is provided between the contact portion of the elastic piece portion. In this case, in the unlikely event that the cover receives an inadvertent force, this can be received by the fixed piece of the contact, and the connection strength of the cover to the housing can be increased.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear when the cover is opened, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the electrical connector when the cover is completely closed as viewed obliquely from the rear. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector as viewed obliquely from the front. 4 is a plan view of the electrical connector, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the electrical connector.
[0014]
With reference to FIG. 1, the electrical connector 1 is rotatably supported by an insulating housing 3 that holds a plurality of contacts 2 side by side, and a support shaft 4 having a round cross section. And an insulating cover 5. In FIG. 1 and the following figures, the arrow X represents the front of the housing 3.
3, 4 and 5, a square annular frame 6 is formed at the front portion of the housing 3, and the frame 6 is an insertion slot for inserting a connection member 7 such as an FPC (see FIG. 10A). Divide 8. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the inner surface of the frame 6 is formed on the inclined surface 6 b so that the width of the insertion port 8 becomes narrower in the insertion direction of the connection member 7, so that the insertion of the connection member 7 can be guided. It has become. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 3 is provided with an opening 9 behind the frame 6, and the opening 9 is opened and closed as the cover 5 rotates as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0015]
The housing 3 has a bottom wall 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) connected to the lower frame 6a shown in FIG. 3 of the frame 6, and as shown in FIG. A plurality of contacts 2 inserted from the rear of the housing 3 are held side by side. Further, the housing 3 includes a pair of side walls 12 and 13 on both sides of the bottom wall 10, and the pair of side walls 12 and 13 define the side portion of the opening 9. A part of a metal reinforcing plate 15 is press-fitted and fixed in a fixing hole 14 (see FIG. 3) provided to open to the side walls 12 and 13 forward.
[0016]
Referring to FIG. 6, the reinforcing plate 15 includes a main body portion 16 that protrudes forward of the housing 3 and an insertion portion 17 that extends from the main body portion 16 and is press-fitted into the fixing hole 14. At the lower part of the main part 16, a fixing part 18 fixed to the surface of the substrate by soldering and the support shaft 4 of the cover 5 in cooperation with the front end parts of the side walls 12, 13 (only the side wall 13 is shown in FIG. 6). A support portion 19 for rotatably supporting is provided.
Referring to FIG. 7, the contact 2 includes a fixing portion 21 having a locking projection (not shown) that is press-fitted into the fixing hole 20 of the housing 3 and is elastic, and is extended in front of the fixing portion 21. A piece 22, a fixed piece 23 that is bent in a hook shape from the rear end of the fixed portion 21 and extends forward, and a lead portion 24 that extends rearward from the rear end lower portion of the fixed portion 21.
[0017]
The fixed piece portion 23 is received by a partition plate 25 that partitions the upper portion of the fixed hole 20 of the housing 3. The opening 9 of the housing 3 is formed to allow the connection member 7 to be inserted between the fixed piece 23 and the elastic piece 22 of the contact 2 through the insertion port 8.
Most of the elastic piece portion 22 is accommodated in an accommodation groove 27 formed on the upper surface of the bottom wall 10 of the housing 3 and can be elastically bent with a rear end portion as a base end. At the front end of the elastic piece portion 22, a contact portion 28 made of an upward chevron is formed and protrudes from the accommodation groove 27.
[0018]
Referring to FIG. 8A, the cover 5 has a substantially rectangular plate shape, and has first and second end edges 29 and 30 that face each other. The pair of round support shafts 4 protrude from the left and right side portions of the first edge 29 of the cover 5 which face each other.
In addition, a pair of protrusions 31 protrude from left and right side portions of the second end edge 30 of the cover 5 that face each other. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each protrusion 31 is made of, for example, a protrusion that can be engaged with a lock portion 32 made of, for example, a groove formed at the rear end of the corresponding side wall 12, 13 of the housing 3. Each of the engaging portions 33 is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, when the engaging portion 33 engages with the lock portion 32, the cover 5 is locked in a closed posture in which the surface 5a is horizontal.
[0019]
With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8A, the first end edge 29 of the cover 5 is formed with a through hole 35 through which the front end 34 of each fixed piece portion 23 is inserted. A shaft portion 36 is formed on the side of the first edge 29 of each through hole 35. Each shaft portion 36 is provided with a flat surface 36a on a part of its peripheral surface so as to form a D-shaped cross section.
With reference to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8 </ b> B, a fixed piece portion receiving groove 37 for receiving the fixed piece portion 22 of the corresponding contact 2 in the closed state of the cover 5 is formed on the back surface 5 b of the cover 5. ing. 1, 8B, and 8C, the back surface 5b of the cover 5 is provided with a retaining protrusion 42 on each side of the first edge 29 side. With the cover 5 in the closed position, the retaining protrusions 42 engage with concave grooves (not shown) formed on both side edges of the connection member 7 to prevent the connection member 7 from being pulled out.
[0020]
1, 7 and 8C, the back surface 5b of the cover 5 has a pressurizing portion at a portion from the first edge 29 to a predetermined distance on both sides of the fixed piece portion receiving groove 37. 38 is formed. The pressurizing unit 38 is arranged side by side alternately with the fixed piece 23 of the contact 2 in the closed posture of the cover 5.
The shaft portion 36 connects the pressurizing portions 38 and 38 adjacent to each other below the fixed piece portion 23 of the contact 2. Each shaft portion 36 is positioned on the contact portion 28 of the elastic piece portion 22 of the corresponding contact 2, but in the closed position of the cover 5, each shaft portion 36 and the contact portion 28 of the elastic piece portion 22 of the contact 2 corresponding to each shaft portion 36. A gap larger than the thickness of the connecting member 7 is provided between them.
[0021]
The pressure members 38 located on both sides of each contact 2 press the connecting member 7 toward the elastic piece 22 side of the contact 2 in the closed position of the cover 5 to ensure contact pressure (contact pressure). ing.
The end surface 39 of the first edge 29 of the cover 5 is configured as a surface perpendicular to the surface 5a, and the end surface 39 includes the flat surface 36a of the shaft portion 36 as a part thereof. Yes. Further, the end surface 39 is provided with a drive unit 40 that is closer to the contact unit 28 side than the shaft unit 36 in the cover 5 in the closed or semi-closed posture. The drive unit 40 functions as interlocking means that links the operation of opening the cover 5 in the semi-closed posture with the insertion operation of the connection member 7.
[0022]
A chamfered portion 41 is formed between the surface 5 a of the cover 5 and the end surface 39. As shown in FIG. 9, in a state where the cover 5 is completely opened, that is, in a posture slightly tilted to the opposite side beyond the standing posture, the chamfered portion 41 is inclined so as to open toward the insertion port 8, The connecting member 7 can be smoothly guided and inserted between the chamfered portion 41 and the contact portion 28 of the elastic piece portion 22.
Next, the operation of the drive unit 40 will be described. Referring to FIG. 10A, the cover 5 is in a semi-closed posture that is not locked. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the connection member 7 is inserted through the insertion port 8, the insertion side end 7 a of the connection member 7 pushes the drive unit 40 of the end surface 39 on the base end side of the cover 5. Thus, the moment can be applied in the direction in which the cover 5 is opened, and the cover 5 can be opened in the standing state as shown in FIG. 10C.
[0023]
10C, the end surface 39 of the cover 5 including the drive unit 40 is parallel to the insertion direction of the connecting member 7 (that is, the front-rear direction of the housing 3). The connecting member 7 can be smoothly inserted between the elastic piece 22 and the contact portion 28 with no insertion force.
As shown in FIG. 11A, after inserting the connecting member 7 to the proper insertion position where the insertion side end 7a of the connecting member 7 contacts the end face of the partition plate 25, the cover 5 is closed in the closing direction as shown in FIG. 11B. As shown in FIG. 11C, the cover 5 is completely closed and locked in the closed position. Thereby, the pressurization part 38 pressurizes the connection member 7 to the contact part 28 of the elastic piece part 22 of a contact, and a reliable contact pressure is obtained.
[0024]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the cover 5 is in a semi-closed position as shown in FIG. 10A, when the connection member 7 is inserted, the cover 5 is automatically raised. It can be opened. Therefore, the connecting member 7 can be smoothly inserted to a predetermined insertion position, and then the cover 5 is closed to achieve the lock.
Accordingly, in order to attach the connection member 7 to the electrical connector 1 that has been automatically mounted on the board in the production line, the second end 30 of the cover 5 is lifted with a nail to unlock the electrical connector 1, and a large number of electrical connectors 1 are mounted. When the operation of opening the cover 5 of the connector 1 is performed, the total number of the covers 5 may not be strictly opened, and the operation can be greatly simplified. In addition, since the opening operation of the cover 5 is linked to the insertion operation of the connecting member 7, the structure can be greatly simplified as compared with the conventional case in which the extending beam is provided on the contact and the operation lever is provided outside. it can.
[0025]
In particular, it is only necessary to provide the drive unit 40 on the cover 5 as an interlocking means for interlocking the operation of opening the cover 5 in the semi-closed posture with the insertion operation of the connecting member 7, and the structure is very simple.
Moreover, since the drive part 40 is provided in the end surface 39 of the cover 5, the cover 5 can be opened stably and the burden concerning the connection member 7 can also be reduced.
[0026]
In addition, since the rectangular annular frame 6 for defining the insertion port 8 is provided at the front portion of the housing 3 and the cover 5 is provided at the rear portion of the housing 3, it can be suitably applied to the so-called backlock type electrical connector 1.
In particular, since the inner surface of the frame 6 includes the inclined surface 6 b that guides the insertion of the connection member 7, there is an advantage that the connection member 7 can be smoothly inserted into the insertion port 8. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10B, the connection member 7 that receives the reaction force by pushing the drive unit 40 of the cover 5 can be firmly held by the frame 6, and as a result, the cover 5 in the semi-closed posture can be securely attached. It can be opened.
[0027]
In addition, since the pressurizing portion 38 is alternately arranged side by side with the fixed piece portion 23 of the contact 2 in the closing posture of the cover 5, compared with the case where the pressurizing portion is arranged below the fixed piece portion of the contact, The height of the electrical connector 1 can be significantly reduced.
Moreover, since the shaft part 36 which connects between the pressurizing parts 38 adjacent to each other below the fixed piece part 23 of the contact 2 is provided, if the cover 5 receives an inadvertent force, It can be received by the fixed piece portion 23 of the contact 2 and the connection strength of the cover 5 to the housing 3 can be increased.
[0028]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, the upper frame of the square annular frame 6 may be abolished to form a groove-shaped frame.
Further, the present invention can also be applied when connecting a connecting member such as FFC or PCB instead of the FPC.
Further, in the above embodiment, the engaging portion 33 and the locking portion 32 as a structure for locking the cover 5 in the closed position are provided in the cover 5 and the housing 3, respectively, but instead of or in addition to this. Thus, the engaging portion 33 and the lock portion 32 can be provided on the cover 5 and the contact 2, respectively. Further, the engaging portion 33 and the lock portion 32 can be provided on the cover 5 and the metal reinforcing plate 15, respectively. Further, any one of the engaging portion 33 and the lock portion 32 may be a groove and the other may be a protrusion.
[0029]
In addition, various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims of the present invention, such as applying the present invention to a vertical electrical connector in which the connecting member is inserted from above rather than from the lateral direction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed obliquely from the rear, showing a state where a cover is opened.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector with the cover closed as viewed obliquely from the rear.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector with the cover closed as viewed obliquely from the front.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the electrical connector with the cover closed.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the electrical connector with the cover closed.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the electrical connector with the cover closed.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.
8A is a plan view of the cover, FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8B-8B in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8C-8C in FIG. 8A.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector with the cover fully open.
FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are schematic cross-sectional views sequentially showing steps when a connecting member is attached to an electrical connector having a cover in a semi-closed posture.
11A, FIG. 11B, and FIG. 11C are schematic cross-sectional views sequentially showing a process of closing the cover that is automatically raised and opened as shown in FIG. 10C.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrical connector 2 Contact 3 Housing 4 Support shaft 5 Cover 5a Front surface 5b Back surface 6 Frame 6a Lower frame 6b Inclined surface 7 Connection member 7a Insertion side end 8 Insertion port 9 Opening part 10 Bottom wall 12, 13 Side wall 14 Fixing hole 15 Reinforcement plate DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Support part 20 Fixing hole 21 Fixing part 22 Elastic piece part 23 Fixed piece part 24 Lead part 25 Partition plate 27 Accommodating groove 28 Contact part 29 First edge 30 Second edge 31 Projection part 32 Lock part 33 Engagement Portion 34 front end 35 through-hole 36 shaft portion 36a flat surface 37 fixed piece portion accommodation groove 38 pressure portion 39 end surface 40 drive portion 41 chamfered portion

Claims

An insulating housing for holding a plurality of contacts;
A cover rotatably supported by the housing via a support shaft;
A pressurizing portion provided on the cover and configured to pressurize a contact member of the contact, which is inserted into a predetermined insertion position in the housing along a predetermined insertion direction;
Locking means for locking the cover in a closed position;
Interlocking means for opening the cover in a semi-closed posture unlocked by the locking means in conjunction with the insertion operation of the connecting member inserted into the housing ,
The interlocking unit includes a drive unit provided at the base end portion of the cover, and the drive unit is erected by the insertion side end of the connection member in a state where the cover is in the semi-closed posture, thereby erecting the cover in the semi-closed posture. Including the end face of the cover, which functions to open to posture,
When the cover is opened in an upright posture, the end surface of the cover is parallel to the insertion direction of the connection member, so that a connection member is provided between the end surface of the cover and the contact portion of the contact. An electrical connector characterized by being inserted with no insertion force .

Oite in claim 1, with a square annular frame defining an insertion opening for inserting the connecting member to the front of the housing is provided, the cover is provided at a rear portion of the housing, the inner surface of the frame connected An electrical connector comprising an inclined surface for guiding insertion of a member.

3. The contact according to claim 1, wherein the contact includes a main portion press-fitted into a corresponding fixing hole of the housing, and a fixed piece and an elastic piece that extend from the main portion and face each other vertically. A contact portion for contacting the connection member is provided,
The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing unit is provided on a lower surface of the cover in a closed posture, and is arranged side by side alternately with a fixed piece portion of the contact in the closed posture of the cover.

4. The cover according to claim 3, wherein the cover includes a shaft portion that connects adjacent pressure portions below the fixed piece of the contact between the pressure portions, and the elasticity of the contact corresponding to the shaft portion in the closed position of the cover. An electrical connector characterized in that a gap larger than the thickness of the connecting member is provided between the contact portion of one portion.