JP4872891B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector to which a flexible printed circuit (FPC) is connected.

  Conventionally, as a connector (FPC connector) to which an FPC is connected, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a housing 3 ′ into which the FPC 2 is inserted, and a conductor on the surface of the FPC held at a predetermined interval by the housing 3 ′. A plurality of first contacts 4 'having a first contact portion 4a' elastically contacting a pattern (not shown) and a plurality of second contacts 5 'having a second contact portion 5a', and each contact 4 ', 5 'Are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the housing 3' in the housing 3 ', and a lever for press-contacting the conductor pattern of the FPC and the contact portions 4a', 5a 'of the corresponding contacts 4', 5 ' A connector 1 'having an (actuator) 6' has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Incidentally, ', the lever 6' connector 1 having the structure shown in FIG. 9 cam portion pivot shaft which projects in the longitudinal direction of the both ends are formed in the 'lever 6 while being mounted on the bearing portion of' housing 3 (Not shown) pivot portions 4b 'and 5b' formed by extending from a portion of the first contact 4 'and the second contact 5' disposed at the back in the insertion direction of the FPC 2 of the housing 3 '. lever 6 'is pivotally supported, the lever 6' by engaging by rotatable to Ri pivot Jikukai, lever 6 'is housing 3' first prescribed pressing the FPC2 against The undulation can be freely performed between the position and the second specified position that is not pressed. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, when the lever 6 ′ is raised, the inner edge of the groove 6e ′ formed in the lever 6 ′ to engage the second pivot 5b ′ is the second pivot. The rotation of the lever 6 ′ is restricted by contacting a part of 5 b ′, and the rotation range of the lever 6 ′ cannot be obtained sufficiently, and the insertion workability of the FPC 2 may be deteriorated.

  On the other hand, a connector 1 ″ as shown in FIG. 11 has been proposed as a connector with an enlarged lever rotation range. The connector 1 ″ shown in FIG. 11 is a synthetic resin housing into which the FPC 2 is inserted. A plurality of first contacts 4 ″ having a first contact portion (not shown) elastically contacting a conductor pattern (not shown) on the surface of the FPC 2 and a second contact portion (not shown). A plurality of second contacts 5 "are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing 3" in the housing 3 ", and the end of the lever 6" has a housing in the first contact 4 "and the second contact 5". A first pivot portion 4b "and a second pivot portion 5b" that extend from a portion disposed at the back of the housing 3 "in the insertion direction of the FPC to 3" and pivotally support the lever 6 "are inserted. First Through hole 6b "and the second through hole 6e" it is penetrated.

Here, the first pivot part 4b ″ and the second pivot part 5b ″ are arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction of the housing 3 ″, and the first contact part is located closer to the housing 3 ″ than the first pivot part 4b ″. The second contact portion 5a "is spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the insertion direction of the FPC 2 into the housing 3" from the second pivot portion 5b ". Are arranged. Further, a first cam portion (not shown) and a second cam portion (not shown) are formed between the end edge of the lever 6 ″ and the first through hole 6b ″ and the second through hole 6e ″. The pivot shafts protruding from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lever 6 ″ are placed on the bearing portion, and the pivot portions 4b ″ and 5b ″ are engaged with the cam portion, so that the lever 6 ″ moves relative to the housing 3 ″. The lever 6 ″ is pivotably supported, and can be raised and lowered between a first specified position where the lever 6 ″ presses the FPC 2 against the housing 3 ″ and a second specified position where the lever 6 ″ does not press. Here, since the lever 6 ″ is raised to the second specified position and the second pivotal support portion 5b ″ is inserted into the second through hole 6e ″, the lever 6 ″ is compared with the connector 1 ′ described above. The rotation range is sufficiently obtained.
JP 2001-110483 A

  However, in the connector 1 ″ having the configuration shown in FIG. 11, when the connector 1 ″ can be vibrated before or during insertion of the FPC 2, the lever 6 ″ falls to the first specified position (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 11). In this case, it is necessary to raise the lever 6 ″ to the second specified position again, which may require troublesome insertion work. Further, vibration may be applied to the connector 1 ″ when the FPC 2 is not inserted at the proper position, and the lever 6 ″ may fall down when the FPC 2 is not inserted at the proper position.

  The invention of the present application has been made in view of the above-mentioned reasons, and its purpose is to prevent the lever from falling down due to vibration applied before or during insertion of the flexible printed wiring board into the housing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of improving the workability of the insertion work and securely inserting a flexible printed wiring board to a proper position.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing in which a flexible printed wiring board is inserted, a plurality of contacts having contact portions that elastically contact a conductive pattern exposed on a surface of the flexible printed wiring board inserted into the housing, and a housing. A lever that can be raised and lowered with respect to the housing between a first prescribed position that presses the inserted flexible printed wiring board toward the contact portion side and a second prescribed position that does not press the flexible printed wiring board; A plurality of cam portions formed at end portions on the side to be worn and two pivot shafts protruding from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lever, which are parallel to the cam portions of the lever, and the pivot shaft is a housing The flexible printed wiring board is inserted into the housing at the contact while being mounted on the bearing portion arranged in the shaft so as to be rotatable around the pivot shaft. The pivot part that elastically deforms in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the flexible printed wiring board formed extending from the portion disposed in the back in the direction is pivotally supported by engaging the cam part, some of the pivot shaft in contact with the bearing portion together when provided for engaging protrusions on the bearing portion provided engagement recesses, raised the lever from the first predetermined position to a second defined position, a flexible printed In the insertion direction of the wiring board, the engaging concave portion and the engaging convex portion are engaged with each other in a state where both end portions of the lever facing the peripheral wall of the housing are in contact with the peripheral wall of the housing, and the engaging concave portion is engaged. The lever is temporarily held by the housing due to the resistance generated when the joint convex part is overcome, and the pivot shaft rotates around the pivot shaft when the lever is lowered from the second prescribed position to the first prescribed position. The engaging recess is engaged Pivot shaft rides over the convex portion, characterized in that the contact with the convex portion for engagement.

  According to the present invention, the engagement concave portion is provided on one of the bearing portion and the pivot shaft and the engagement convex portion is provided on the other, and the lever is raised from the first prescribed position to the second prescribed position. Therefore, the engaging recess and the engaging protrusion can be temporarily held in the state where the lever is raised and lowered in the second specified position, so that the slight amount before or during insertion of the flexible printed circuit board can be obtained. The lever can be prevented from falling down due to vibration, and the trouble of inserting the flexible printed wiring board can be saved. Further, it is possible to prevent the connector from being vibrated in a state where the flexible printed wiring board is not inserted at the proper position, and the lever from falling to a position where the flexible printed wiring board is pressed against the contact portion side.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lever can be temporarily held in the state where it is raised to the second specified position, and the lever is prevented from falling down due to vibration before or during insertion of the flexible printed wiring board into the housing. In addition, there is an effect that the labor of inserting the flexible printed wiring board can be saved.

  Hereinafter, the connector 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. 1 thru | or FIG.

The connector 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of conductive contacts having a synthetic resin housing 3 into which the FPC 2 is inserted, and contact portions 4a and 5a that elastically contact a conductor pattern (not shown) exposed on the surface of the FPC 2. 4 and 5 and a first specified position where the FPC 2 inserted into the housing 3 with respect to the housing 3 is pressed toward the first contact portion 4a and the second contact portion 5a and a second specified position where the FPC 2 is not pressed. And a lever 6 pivotally supported so as to be freely raised and lowered. Here, the lever 6, the contact with the pivot shaft 6a protruding longitudinal ends, 6a are placed on the shaft receiving portion 3c, 3c of the reinforcing brace 30, 30 described later disposed in the housing 3 4 and 5 are pivotally supported by engaging cam portions 6c and 6f (described later) provided on the lever 6, and the lever 6 is pivoted when the lever 6 is raised from the first prescribed position to the second prescribed position. It rotates around the support shafts 6a, 6a. Hereinafter, the contact 4 having the first contact portion 4a positioned on the near side in the insertion direction of the FPC 2 into the housing 3 in the state of being disposed in the housing 3 is referred to as the first contact 4 and the first contact portion 4a. The contact 5 having the second contact portion 5 a located on the side will be described as the second contact 5. A plurality of conductor patterns (not shown) are arranged at equal intervals on the surface of the FPC 2.

  The housing 3 is formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and an FPC receiving portion 3 a that receives the FPC 2 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the housing 3.

  In the following description, the left-right direction in FIGS.

  An upper opening 3b is formed in the upper wall 3g of the housing 3 by cutting out approximately half from the front of the housing 3, and the above-described lever 6 is disposed in the upper opening 3b.

  Also, in the housing 3, a plurality of first holes 3 e for inserting the first contacts 4 from the rear to the front and the second contacts 5 to be inserted into the housing 3 from the front to the rear. The plurality of second holes 3 f are alternately provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the housing 3. Accordingly, the first contact 4 is inserted into the first hole 3e, and the second contact 5 is inserted into the second hole 3f, whereby the first contact 4 and the second contact 5 are in the longitudinal direction of the housing 3. Are arranged alternately.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the metal first contact 4 includes a base portion 4 f fitted between the upper wall 3 g and the lower wall 3 h of the housing 3, and a lower wall 3 h of the housing 3 from the base portion 4 f. A contact piece 4g having a first contact portion 4a formed at the leading end thereof, and a first cam portion of a lever 6 which will be described later, extending from the base portion 4f to the upper opening 3b along the upper wall 3g of the housing 3. And a pivot piece 4h formed with a first pivot part 4b having a U-shaped cross section that engages with 6c. That is, the contact piece 4g is disposed on the lower side of the FPC receiving portion 3a, and the pivot piece 4h is disposed on the upper side of the FPC receiving portion 3a. The first contact 4 is provided with a protruding portion 41f on the upper edge of the base portion 4f, and is fixed to the housing 3 by biting the protruding portion 41f into the upper wall 3g of the housing 3 in the first hole 3e. Has been. Further, the first contact 4 is formed with a stopper 4c protruding downward from the lower edge of the base 4f, and restricts the amount of insertion of the first contact 4 into the housing 3. Here, a part of the stopper 4c protrudes from the lower surface of the housing 3, and the part also serves as an external connection terminal part for surface mounting.

  Here, the contact piece 4g is formed so as to be elastically deformable. When the FPC 2 is inserted, the contact piece 4g is elastically deformed downward and an upward biasing force is applied. On the other hand, the pivot piece 4h is formed such that the first pivot part 4b at the tip can be elastically displaced in the vertical direction, and projects toward the upper opening 3b. Here, the first pivot part 4b is arranged at a predetermined distance behind the first contact part 4a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the metal second contact 5 includes a base portion 5f fitted between the upper wall 3g and the lower wall 3h of the housing 3, and the base portion 5f to the lower wall 3h of the housing 3. A contact piece 5g having a second contact portion 5a formed at a substantially central portion thereof, and a second cam portion of a lever 6 which will be described later, extending from the base portion 5f to the upper opening 3b along the upper wall 3g of the housing 3. And a pivot piece 5h formed with a second pivot portion 5b that engages with 6f and pivotally supports the lever 6. That is, the contact piece 5g is disposed on the lower side of the FPC receiving portion 3a, and the pivot piece 5h is disposed on the upper side of the FPC receiving portion 3a. The second contact 5 is provided with a protrusion 51f on the upper edge of the base 5f, and is fixed to the housing 3 by contacting the protrusion 51f with the upper wall 3g of the housing 3 in the second hole 3f. . The contact piece 5g is formed with a second contact portion 5a at a substantially central portion and a stopper 5c protruding downward from the lower edge to restrict the amount of insertion of the second contact 5 into the housing 3. is doing. Here, a part of the stopper 5c protrudes from the lower surface of the housing 3, and the part also serves as an external connection terminal part for surface mounting.

  The distal end of the pivot piece 5h has a root portion 5i thicker than the root portion 4i of the first pivot portion 4b, and the second cam described later when the lever 6 is in the second prescribed position where it does not press the FPC 2. A second pivot portion 5b that engages with the portion 6f is provided. Accordingly, the second pivotal support portion 5b is less likely to be elastically deformed in the vertical direction than the first pivotal support portion 4b because the root portion 5i is thick. A convex part 5e is provided at the tip of the second pivotal support part 5b of the second contact 5, and the second pivotal part 5b in which the convex part is inserted into a second through hole 6e described later is the second through hole 6e. The lever 6 can be locked at a position where the FPC 2 is not pressed by the role of locking so as not to come off. Further, an engaging surface 5d that engages a second cam portion 6f described later when the lever 6 is in a position that does not press the FPC 2 below the tip portion of the second pivotal support portion 5b, that is, the lower portion of the convex portion 5e. Is formed. Further, a step-shaped contact surface 5j that contacts a later-described second cam portion 6f when the lever 6 is positioned to press the FPC 2 is formed behind the engagement surface 5d. Further, the second pivotal support portion 5b is disposed at a predetermined distance ahead of the second contact portion 5a.

  Thus, in a state where the first contact 4 and the second contact 5 are disposed in the housing 3, the first pivotal support portions 4 b and the second pivotal support portions 5 b are alternately arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the housing 3. That is, the first contact portion 4a is disposed at a predetermined distance forward from the first pivot portion 4b, and the second contact portion 5a is disposed at a predetermined distance rearward from the second pivot portion 5b. Will be. That is, in the insertion direction of the FPC 2 into the housing 3, the first contact portion 4a is disposed on the front side, and the second contact portion 5a is disposed on the back side. In a state where the FPC 2 is inserted into the housing 3, the plurality of first contact portions 4 a and second contact portions 5 a arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the housing 3 are exposed on the surface of the FPC 2 and the insertion direction of the FPC 2 And a plurality of conductor patterns arranged in the orthogonal direction.

  The lever 6 is made of synthetic resin, is disposed in the upper opening 3 b of the housing 3, and the pivot shafts 6 a and 6 a protruding from both end faces in the longitudinal direction rotate as the lever 6 rotates. . Here, a first cam portion 6c and a second cam portion 6f, which will be described later, formed on the lever 6 are arranged coaxially with the pivot shafts 6a and 6a. Reinforcing metal fittings 30 and 30 for reinforcing the side walls 3i and 3i are disposed inside the side walls 3i and 3i in the longitudinal direction of the housing 3, and are formed at both ends of the lever 6 in the longitudinal direction. The pivot shafts 6a and 6a are mounted on bearing portions 3c and 3c formed in steps on the upper end edges of the reinforcing metal fittings 30 and 30, respectively.

  Further, the lever 6 is provided with a plurality of first through holes 6b at positions corresponding to the first pivot portions 4b of the first contacts 4 along the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a first cam portion 6 c that rotates as the lever 6 rotates is formed between the end edge of the lever 6 and the first through hole 6 b. Here, the lever 6 is rotatably supported by the first pivotal support portion 4b by the first pivotal support portion 4b engaging with the first cam portion 6c.

The lever 6 is provided with a plurality of second through holes 6e at positions corresponding to the second pivotal support portions 5b provided in the second contact 5 along the longitudinal direction. Here, the thickness of the peripheral portion of the second through hole 6e of the lever 6 is formed to be thicker than the other portions of the lever 6, and constitutes an FPC pressing portion 6h that presses the FPC 2 toward the contact portions 4a and 5a. is doing. Further, the above-described second cam portion 6f that rotates as the lever 6 rotates is formed between the end edge of the lever 6 and the second through hole 6e. Here, when the FPC pressing part 6h presses the FPC 2, the second pivotal support part 5b is in contact with the abutment surface 5j above the second cam part 6f to lock the lever 6, and the FPC pressing part 6h When the FPC 2 is not pressed, the lever 6 is rotatably supported by the second pivotal support portion 5b by engaging with the second cam portion 6f while being inserted into the second through hole 6e. Further, the FPC pressing portion 6h is formed a surface of the lever 6 on the outer surface of the opposite side, with the surface Ryakutaira rows FPC2 when raised to the second prescribed location does not press the lever 6 FPC2 inclined slope 6d is formed.

  Thus, the lever 6 is engaged with the first cam portion 6c by the first pivot portion 4b of the first contact 4 and the pivot shafts 6a and 6a are placed on the bearing portions 3c and 3c, so that the housing 3 is mounted. On the other hand, it is supported up and down freely.

  When the FPC 2 is inserted into the housing 3 and the lever 6 is rotated to a position to press the FPC 2, the FPC pressing portion 6h of the lever 6 presses the FPC 2, and the conductor pattern of the FPC 2, the first contact portion 4a and the second contact portion 4a. The contact portion 5a comes into contact with an appropriate contact pressure and is electrically connected. That is, the FPC 2 is sandwiched between the FPC pressing portion 6h of the lever 6 and the first contact portion 4a and the second contact portion 5a, and the contact piece 4g is elastically deformed downward by the thickness of the FPC 2, Appropriate contact pressure can be obtained by the elasticity.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2, the pivot shaft 6a of the lever 6 is provided with a recess 61a for engagement in a part of the portion of the housing 3 that contacts the bearing portion 3c. Engaging convex portions 31c are provided. The engaging recess 61a is formed to engage with the engaging protrusion 31c in a state where the lever 6 is in contact with the peripheral walls 3m, 3m of the housing 3 and is opened. As shown in FIG. 3, when the engaging convex portion 31c is engaged with the engaging concave portion 61a, resistance is generated when the engaging concave portion 31c gets over the engaging convex portion 61a, so that the lever 6 is engaged with the engaging concave portion 61a. The joint convex portion 31c is temporarily held in an engaged state.

  Here, the state when the lever 6 is rotated with respect to the housing 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8A to 8D show a state when the lever 6 is rotated with respect to the housing 3, the left side is an overall cross-sectional view, and the right side is an enlarged side view of the main part. . Here, FIG. 8A shows a state when the angle A obtained by rotating the lever 6 from the first specified position toward the second specified position is 140 °, and FIG. 8B shows A = 135. °, (c) shows the state when A = 130 °, and (d) shows the state when A = 120 °.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, when the lever 6 is rotated from the first specified position toward the second specified position, the pivot shaft 6a is rotated. The engaging recess 61a provided on the engaging portion approaches the engaging convex portion 31c provided on the bearing portion 3c. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the lever 6 is raised from the first specified position by an angle A = 140 °, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the lever 6 abut against the peripheral walls 3m and 3m of the housing 3. The engaging concave portion 61a and the engaging convex portion 31c are engaged with each other, and the lever 6 is temporarily held.

  Thus, the lever 6 is prevented from falling from the second specified position to the first specified position by a slight vibration before or during the insertion of the FPC 2, so that the operation of raising the lever 6 to the second specified position again is performed. This eliminates the need for insertion work. Further, since it is possible to prevent the lever 6 from falling toward the first specified position when the FPC 2 is not inserted at the regular position, it is possible to save the trouble of insertion work.

It is a partially broken side view of the connector of this embodiment, (a) shows a state where the lever is raised to the second specified position, (b) shows a state where the lever is tilted to the second specified position. . It is a principal part side view same as the above, (a) is a lever, (b) is a reinforcement metal fitting. It is a principal part side view same as the above. It is a perspective view same as the above. (A) shows a state in which the same lever is raised to the second prescribed position, the upper part is a top view, the lower part is a front view, and (b) shows the state in which the lever is lowered to the first prescribed position, The upper stage is a top view and the lower stage is a front view. It is a partially broken side view same as the above. It is a partially broken side view same as the above. It is sectional drawing when a lever same as the above rotates from the 1st specified position. A prior art example is shown, (a) is a perspective view of a state where the lever is raised to a second specified position, and (b) is a perspective view of a state where the lever is tilted to the first specified position. It is sectional drawing same as the above. Another prior art example is shown, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a sectional view of the main part.

Explanation of symbols

1 Connector 2 Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPC)
3 Housing 3c Bearing 4 Contact (first contact)
4a Contact part (first contact part)
4b Pivot (first pivot)
5 Contact (second contact)
5a Contact part (second contact part)
5b Pivot (2nd Pivot)
6 Lever 6a Pivot shaft 30 Reinforcing bracket 31c Engaging protrusion 61a Engaging recess

Claims (1)

A housing in which a flexible printed wiring board is inserted, a plurality of contacts having contact portions elastically contacting a conductive pattern exposed on a surface of the flexible printed wiring board inserted in the housing, and a flexible printed wiring board inserted in the housing And a lever that can be raised and lowered with respect to the housing between a first prescribed position that presses the contact portion toward the contact portion side and a second prescribed position that does not press the contact portion side, and the lever is an end portion on the side pivotally attached to the housing A bearing portion having a plurality of cam portions formed on the lever and two pivot shafts projecting from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lever, which are parallel to the cam portions of the lever, and the pivot shaft is disposed in the housing It is mounted so that it can rotate around the pivot shaft and is located at the back of the contact in the insertion direction of the flexible printed wiring board with respect to the housing. Pivotal support for extending therefrom elastically in the insertion direction and the vertical direction of the flexible printed circuit board formed by deformation of been sites be one that is pivotally supported by engaging with the cam portion, for engaging the bearing portion the bearing portion together when providing a convex portion engaging recess provided in a part of the abutting pivot shaft, cause the lever from the first predetermined position to a second defined position, in the insertion direction of the flexible printed circuit board When the engaging concave portion and the engaging convex portion are engaged with each other with both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the lever facing the peripheral wall of the housing being in contact with the peripheral wall of the housing, and the engaging concave portion gets over the engaging convex portion When the lever is temporarily held by the housing due to the resistance generated in the housing, and the lever is lowered from the second prescribed position toward the first prescribed position, the pivot shaft rotates around the pivot shaft, and the engaging recess is Overcoming the convex for engagement Connector, characterized in that the support shaft abuts the convexity engagement.

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