JP5157651B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector configured to fix a connection object by moving a connection operation means (actuator).

  In general, electrical connectors are widely used in various electrical devices to electrically connect various connection objects such as flexible printed circuit (FPC) wiring boards and flexible flat cables (FFC). It has been. For example, in the electrical connector described in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 25, the connection object 1 made of FPC, FFC, or the like is inserted into the inside from the opening on the front end side of the insulating housing (insulator) 2. Thereafter, the actuator (pressure member) 3 as the connection operation means is rotated so as to be tilted toward the connection operation position on the front side. The conductive contact 4 is displaced so as to come into pressure contact with the connection object (FPC, FFC) 1 by the pressing force of the actuator (pressure member) 3 rotated to the connection operation position. The object 1 is fixed.

  At this time, in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the connection object (FPC, FFC) 1 from being fixed in an incompletely inserted state, the detection protrusion 3 a is provided on the actuator (pressure member) 3. Is provided. The detection projection 3a of the actuator 3 is arranged so as to face the arm spring 5a of the lock arm 5 from above, and when the connection object 1 is incompletely inserted, the arm spring The rotation operation of the actuator 3 is prohibited by setting the detection projection 3a of the actuator 3 so as not to enter the gap between the plate 5a and the side plates 6 and 6. . If such a configuration according to Patent Document 1 is adopted, incomplete insertion of the connection object 1 when the connection object 1 is inserted into the electrical connector is prevented in advance.

  However, in the electrical connector described in Patent Document 1 having the above-described configuration, as described above, the connection object (FPC, FFC) 1 is inserted and the arm spring portion 5a is displaced, thereby the actuator (pressure member). Therefore, when the connection object 1 is not inserted, the rotation operation of the actuator 3 is not prohibited. Therefore, in a non-inserted state where the connection object 1 is not inserted, the actuator 3 may be rotated by touching the actuator 3 by mistake, and so-called empty closing operation may be performed. Then, when the actuator 3 is rotated to the connection operation position by such an empty closing operation, the actuator 3 is brought into the locked state, and thus the operation of causing the actuator 3 to the original connection release position again is very difficult. This may be time consuming and may affect the overall productivity of the electrical connector.

  Further, when the connection object (FPC, FFC) 1 is not inserted, there is no connection object 1 to which the conductive contact 4 should come into contact. Therefore, the rotation operation of the actuator (connection operation means) 3 described above ( The displacement amount of the conductive contact 4 is increased by the empty closing operation, and as a result, the conductive contact 4 may be plastically deformed. Such plastic deformation of the conductive contact 4 becomes prominent particularly when the electrical connector is downsized.

  Furthermore, when the connection object (FPC, FFC) 1 is inserted into a general electrical connector, the connection object 1 may be connected in a state of being displaced in the lateral width direction, or the actuator (connection operation means) 3 There is a risk of falling off during the fixing operation performed by rotating the. In this regard, the electrical connector according to Patent Document 1 described above is configured so that the protruding portion on the front end side of the arm protrusion 5 b provided on the lock arm 5 is in contact with the connection object 1. It is also conceivable that a guide function for the object 1, that is, a function for preventing misalignment, and a function for temporarily holding the connection object 1 until the fixing operation is completed can be obtained. However, the arm protrusion 5b of the lock arm 5 in the same document 1 extends so as to project in a cantilevered manner from the rear end side toward the front end side, and thus the front end edge that abuts on the connection object 30. The structure is large and flexible. As a result, the function of positioning the connection object 1 and the temporary holding function until the fixing operation is completed cannot be sufficiently obtained.

JP 2000-30784 A

Accordingly, the present invention provides an electrical connector with a simple configuration that can prevent so-called empty closing operation in the connection operation means to improve productivity and avoid plastic deformation of the conductive contact. It is a first object to provide
The present invention also provides an electrical connector which can perform a positioning function when inserting an object to be connected or a temporary holding function until the fixing operation is completed with a simple configuration. The purpose of 2.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the connection operation means at the connection release position is moved to the connection operation position, thereby fixing the connection object inserted into the inside of the insulating housing. In the connector, the connection operation means is provided with an empty close prevention means for prohibiting a movement operation of the connection operation means when the connection object is not inserted.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, the so-called empty closing operation, which is a movement operation of the connection operating means when the connection object is not inserted, is satisfactorily prevented by the empty closing preventing means. It is possible to satisfactorily prevent a decrease in productivity due to empty closing of the means and plastic deformation of the conductive contact.

  Further, the empty close prevention means in the present invention can be configured to allow a movement operation of the connection operation means when the connection object is inserted.

  According to the present invention employing such a configuration, the moving operation of the connection operation means after the connection object is inserted is reliably performed.

  Further, the empty close prevention means in the present invention may be arranged on a locus of a movement operation of the connection operation means and at a position where the connection operation means interferes when the connection object is not inserted. It is.

  According to the present invention employing such a configuration, the empty closing operation, which is a movement operation of the connection operation means when the connection target is not inserted, can be performed by a simple configuration in which the empty closing prevention means interferes with the connection operation means. It is designed to be well prevented.

  Further, the empty close prevention means in the present invention is arranged so as to be in contact with the connection object inserted into the inside of the insulating housing, so that the connection operation means and the connection operation means are not connected in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object. It can be configured to elastically displace to a position where interference occurs.

  According to the present invention adopting such a configuration, since the empty close prevention means is displaced in a non-interference state with the connection operation means in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object, the insertion of the connection object The moving operation of the connecting operation means is surely performed later.

  In addition, the empty close prevention means according to the present invention can be configured to be fitted to the connection operation means to lock the connection operation means when the connection object is not inserted.

  According to the present invention adopting such a configuration, an empty closing operation which is a movement operation of the connection operation means when the connection object is not inserted is achieved by a simple configuration in which the empty closing prevention means is fitted to the connection operation means. Has been successfully prevented.

  In addition, the empty close prevention means according to the present invention is arranged so as to be in contact with the connection object inserted in the insulating housing, so that the connection is interlocked with the insertion of the connection object. It can be configured to elastically displace to a position where it is not fitted with the operating means.

  According to the present invention adopting such a configuration, the empty close prevention means is displaced in a non-fitted state with the connection operation means in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object. The movement operation of the connection operation means after insertion is reliably performed.

  Further, the empty closing preventing means according to the present invention includes a support beam extending in the insertion direction of the connection object, and an oscillating beam continuously provided so as to fold back one end side of the support beam with respect to the support beam. It is possible to have a configuration comprising

  According to the present invention employing such a configuration, the support beam and the swinging beam constituting the empty closing prevention means are integrally formed, and the empty closing prevention means can be manufactured efficiently. Is called.

  Further, the oscillating beam according to the present invention has a folded portion on the front end side facing the connection object, and extends in a cantilevered manner from the folded portion provided on the front end side toward the rear end side. A configuration having a shape is possible.

  According to the present invention employing such a configuration, the root portion on the front end side of the cantilever structure that constitutes the turning portion of the swing beam that contacts the connection object is compared to the rear end portion that can swing. Therefore, the insertion of the connection object is performed by inserting the connection object against the front end side folded portion having the high rigidity of the rocking beam. The temporary holding action until the positioning action or the fixing operation at the time is completed is favorably performed.

  Further, the empty close prevention means according to the present invention may be configured to include an operation holding portion that engages with the connection operation means in a direction opposite to the movement operation direction of the connection operation means. is there.

  According to the present invention adopting such a configuration, the connection operation means does not fall down in the direction opposite to the movement operation direction due to the locking action of the operation holding portion with respect to the connection operation means, and the insertion of the connection object A situation in which the connection operation means is held at an easy-to-operate position during work, so that the connection operation means can be smoothly moved and the connection operation means is disengaged in the direction opposite to the operation direction. Is to be avoided.

  As described above, the electrical connector according to the present invention is provided with the empty closing prevention means for prohibiting the movement operation of the connection operation means when the connection object is not inserted, and when the connection object is not inserted by the empty closing prevention means. In order to prevent the so-called empty closing operation of the connection operation means in the above, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent a decrease in productivity due to the empty closing of the connection operation means, plastic deformation of the conductive contact, etc. Since the temporary holding is performed well, the reliability of the electrical connector can be greatly improved at low cost.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the connection operation means (actuator 15) arranged on the connector rear end side (the right end side in FIGS. 2 and 3) The present invention is applied to an electrical connector 10 of a type that is turned so as to be tilted toward the front end side of the connector to be inserted (the left end side in FIGS. 2 and 3), and is a hollow frame extending in an elongated shape An insulating housing 11 made of a body-like member is provided, and first and second conductive contacts 12 and 13 formed of a metal member having an appropriate shape are provided inside the insulating housing 11. The housing 11 is arranged in a multipolar shape at an appropriate interval along the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the housing 11. The first and second conductive contacts 12 and 13 are configured to have different shapes, and are used for either signal transmission or shielding, and are mounted on a printed wiring board (not shown). Used in the state.

  On the front end side of the connector of the insulating housing 11 (the left end side in FIGS. 2 and 3), there is a connection object 14 made of a flexible printed circuit (FPC) wiring board, a flexible flat cable (FFC), or the like. An object insertion port 11a to be inserted is provided, and a component mounting port 11b of an actuator 15 serving as connection operation means described later is provided on the connector rear end side (the right end side in FIGS. 2 and 3) on the opposite side. Is provided.

  Each of the first and second conductive contacts 12 and 13 described above is respectively connected to the front side (the left side in the figure) and the rear side from the component attachment port 11b on the connector rear end side and the object insertion port 11a on the connector front end side. A signal transmission conductive path (signal line) formed on either of the front and back surfaces of the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14; The first and second conductive contacts 12 and 13 are arranged at positions corresponding to either one or the other of the shield conductive paths (shield wires), respectively. These first and second conductive contacts 12 and 13 are movable beams composed of a pair of elongated beam members extending along the insertion direction of the connection object 14 described above (the right direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). 12a and 13a and fixed beams 12b and 13b, respectively.

  The movable beams 12a and 13a and the fixed beams 12b and 13b are arranged so as to face each other at an appropriate interval in the upper and lower directions in the inner space of the insulating housing 11 described above. Among them, the fixed beams 12b and 13b are fixed inside the insulating housing 11 so as to be substantially immobile. Further, these beams 12a, 12b and 13a, 13b are integrally connected by connecting post portions 12c, 13c each having a narrow plate-like shape extending in a substantially vertical direction in the drawing at a substantially central portion in the extending direction. Accordingly, the movable beams 12a and 13a are configured to have elasticity and flexibility with respect to the fixed beams 12b and 13b.

  That is, each of the movable beams 12a and 13a is configured to be swingable about the connecting support column portions 12c and 13c, and is displaced in the vertical direction on the plane of the paper surface of FIGS. It has been made into a configuration. Then, a signal transmission or shielding conductive path formed on the upper surface side of the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 is formed on the connector front end side portion (the left end side portion in the figure) of the movable beams 12a and 13a. Terminal contact convex portions 12a1 and 13a1 connected to any one of (not shown) are provided so as to form a downward protruding shape in the figure.

  On the other hand, the fixed beams 12b and 13b are arranged so as to extend along the inner wall surface of the bottom of the insulating housing 11, but the front side of the connector (the left side in the figure) of each of the fixed beams 12b and 13b. A terminal contact convex portion 12b1, connected to either a signal transmission path or a shield conductive path (not shown) formed on the lower surface side of the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 described above, at the tip portion. 13b1 is provided so as to form an upward protruding shape in the figure. These terminal contact convex portions 12b1 and 13b1 are arranged so as to face the positions immediately below the terminal contact convex portions 12a1 and 13a1 on the movable beam 12a and 13a side described above, and these terminal contact convex portions 12a1 and 12b1. , 13a1 and 13b1 are configured such that the above-described connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 is sandwiched between them.

  Note that the terminal contact convex portions 12a1 and 13a1 of the movable beams 12a and 13a and the terminal contact convex portions 12b1 and 13b1 of the fixed beams 12b and 13b are positioned at the connector front side (the left side in the drawing) or the connector rear side. It is also possible to displace them on the side (right side in the figure). In addition, the fixed beam 12b is basically fixed so as to be stationary, but the tip portion can be elastically displaced for the purpose of facilitating the insertion of the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 described above. Can be formed. In the present embodiment, the front end portion of the fixed beam 12 b in the first conductive connector 12 described above is formed so as to slightly float from the bottom wall surface of the insulating housing 11.

  Further, a printed wiring (not shown) is provided on the connector rear end side portion (the right end side portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) and the connector front end side portion (the left end side portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) in the fixed beams 12b and 13b. Connection terminal portions 12b2 and 13b2 are formed to be soldered to conductive paths formed on the substrate.

  Furthermore, concave portions of actuated portions 12a2 and 13a2 are provided on the connector rear end side portions (the right end side portions in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the movable beams 12a and 13a, respectively. The actuated portions 12a2 and 13a2 are in contact with a pressing cam portion 15a of an actuator 15 as a connecting operation means mounted on the rear end portion of the insulating housing 11 so as to enter the concave shape from the lower side in the figure. The actuator 15 is supported by the contact arrangement relationship so as to be rotatable.

  The actuator (connection operating means) 15 is configured by a substantially plate-like member extending in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) at the rear end portion of the insulating housing 11 described above. When an appropriate rotation operation force is applied to the opening / closing operation portion 15b constituting the free end portion (the upper end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3), the operator is in an almost upright state as shown in FIG. It is configured to be rotated between a “connection release position” and a “connection operation position” in a state where it is tilted almost horizontally toward the front side as shown in FIG.

  Here, as described above, the operator opens and closes the opening / closing operation portion 15b of the actuator (connection operation means) 15 from the “connection release position” (see FIG. 1) to the “connection operation position” (see FIG. 9). When the rotation operation is performed so as to be pushed down, the rotation radius of the pressing cam portion 15a described above changes in a direction of increasing between the fixed beams 12b and 13b and the movable beams 12a and 13a. Yes. Then, according to the change in the diameter of the pressing cam portion 15a, the operated portions 12a2 and 13a2 provided on the rear end sides of the movable beams 12a and 13a are displaced so as to be lifted upward in the drawing, and accordingly the operated The terminal contact convex portions 12a1 and 13a1 provided on the side opposite to the portions 12a2 and 13a2 (connector front end side) are pushed downward.

  When the actuator (connection operation means) 15 has completely rotated to the “connection operation position” that is the final rotation position (see FIG. 9), the terminal contact convex portions 12a1, 13a1 in the movable beams 12a, 13a described above. And the terminal contact convex portions 12b1 and 13b1 in the fixed beams 12b and 13b are in the narrowest state, and the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 inserted therebetween is sandwiched. At that time, any one of the terminal contact convex portions 12a1 and 13a1 and the terminal contact convex portions 12b1 and 13b1 is pressed against the signal transmission and shield conductive paths (not shown) formed on the connection object 14. Thus, an electrical connection is made by this.

  Further, on both side portions in the longitudinal direction (lateral width direction) of the actuator (connection operation means) 15 described above, a rotation locking member 15 c formed in a block shape forms a part of the actuator 15. Has been placed. That is, the rotation locking member 15c is configured to rotate integrally in accordance with the rotation operation of the actuator 15 described above, and when the actuator 15 is in the “connection release position” (see FIG. 1). The actuator 15 is arranged so as to extend substantially horizontally over a predetermined length at a position slightly above the rotation center position of the actuator 15 in the figure.

  On the other hand, an empty closing prevention means 16 made of a metal bent beam-like member is arranged at a position immediately below the rotation locking member 15c provided in such an actuator (connection operation means) 15. This empty closing prevention means 16 is disposed along the bottom wall surface of the insulating housing 11 and extends in the insertion direction (right direction in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 described above. It is attached to exist. As described above, the disposition position of the empty closing prevention means 16 is the position immediately below the rotation locking member 15c provided as a part of the actuator 15, that is, the rotation locking member 15c of the actuator 15 to be rotated. The position is set so as to interfere with the empty closing prevention means 16.

  Accordingly, when the above-described connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 is not inserted, the actuator (connection operation means) 15 is rotated so as to be tilted from the “connection release position” to the “connection operation position”. When operated, the rotation locking member 15c provided on the actuator 15 comes into contact with the empty close prevention means 16 from above, and further interference of the actuator 15 causes the rotation of the actuator 15 further. The operation is prohibited.

  Next, the structure of the above-described empty closing prevention means 16 will be described more specifically. The empty closing prevention means 16 is configured to fold back a support beam 16a extending along the insertion direction of the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 and one end side (front end side) of the support beam 16a in the extending direction. And the oscillating beam 16b provided continuously. Among them, the support beam 16a is fixed along the inner wall surface on both sides in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 11 described above. At the front end side portion (the left end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) where the support beam 16a faces toward the connection object 14 side, the oscillating beam 16b folded back so as to form a substantially U-shape is obtained. The front end is connected. The oscillating beam 16b extends from the front end side folded portion of the oscillating beam 16b so as to be cantilevered toward the connector rear end side (the right end side in FIGS. 2 and 3) in the opposite direction. doing.

  The oscillating beam 16b having such a shape is arranged so as to extend inward in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 11 with respect to the support beam 16a. Centering on the folded portion of the insulating housing 11, the insulating housing 11 can be elastically displaced in the horizontal width direction (longitudinal direction). Folded portions at the front end portion (left end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the oscillating beam 16b are arranged on both sides in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the object insertion port 11a of the insulating housing 11, respectively. In the direction of gradually separating from the support beam 16a from the front end side folded portion toward the connector rear end side (right end side in FIGS. 2 and 3), that is, inward in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 11 It arrange | positions so that it may incline toward the side. And it is made the arrangement | positioning relationship by which the insertion direction front-end edge part of the connection target object (FPC or FFC) 14 mentioned above is contact | abutted with respect to the extension direction middle part of the rocking | fluctuating beam 16b extended in inclination. Yes.

  Further, the portion from the midway portion in the extending direction of the oscillating beam 16b to the rear end side portion (the right end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) is again outward in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 11. The rear end portion of the swinging beam 16b (the right end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) gradually approaches the support beam 16a. It is arranged to go.

  As described above, the oscillating beam 16b is in a position immediately below the rotation locking member 15c of the actuator (connection operation means) 15 in the non-inserted state of the connection target (FPC or FFC) 14, that is, the rotation locking. When the actuator 15 is rotated from the “connection release position” to the “connection operation position” as described above, the rotation locking member of the actuator 15 is arranged on the rotation locus of the member 15c. 15c is in a positional relationship where it contacts and interferes with the rear end portion of the oscillating beam 16b from above. As described above, in the present embodiment, in a non-inserted state of the connection target (FPC or FFC) 14, a part of the actuator 15 is maintained in a positional relationship that interferes with the rocking beam 16b of the idle closing prevention means 16, Thereby, the rotation operation of the actuator 15 is prohibited.

  On the other hand, the front end side portion (the left end side portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) provided with the turning portion of the swing beam 16b constituting the empty closing prevention means 16 is the interior of the insulating housing 11 as described above. The connecting object (FPC or FFC) 14 inserted in the direction of insertion is brought into contact with the front end portion in the insertion direction. More specifically, when the connection object 14 is inserted into the inside of the insulating housing 11, both side corners of the front edge of the connection object 14 in the insertion direction are the front end side portions of the oscillating beam 16 b ( It arrange | positions so that it may contact | abut to the inner surface of a folding | turning part. Due to the contact relationship between them, the connection object 14 is subjected to a guiding action, that is, a positioning action, by the swing beam 16b of the idle closing preventing means 16, and along the inner surface of the swing beam 16b. The connection object 14 is inserted while maintaining a normal position without lateral displacement.

  Further, as described above, the rocking beam 16b of the idle closing preventing means 16 extends so as to incline inward in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 11 toward the rear end side of the connector. Yes. Therefore, when the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 is inserted into the inside of the insulating housing 11, the swing beam 16 b of the above-mentioned empty closing prevention means 16 is located on the insertion front end side of the connection object 14. It is made into the structure displaced so that it may be pressed by a corner | angular part and may be spread outward. In this way, the rocking beam 16b rocks outward in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 11 in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object 14, so that the rocking beam 16b. As shown in FIG. 8, the rear end portion of the rear end portion is displaced until it comes into contact with the support beam 16a. When the connection object 14 is inserted to the final back side position (see FIGS. 6 to 8), the rear end side portion of the rocking beam 16b is connected to the actuator (connection operation means) 15 described above. It is configured to be elastically displaced to an outer position where it is in a non-interfering state with the rotation locking member 15c.

  Here, the oscillating beam 16b in the present embodiment is formed so as to extend from the front end side to the rear end side with a span length as large as possible, thereby the front end side of the oscillating beam 16b. A small displacement generated in the portion is enlarged to a large displacement on the rear end side. This configuration is for surely performing the operation of displacing the rocking beam 16b to the outer position where it does not interfere with the rotation locking member 15c of the actuator (connection operating means) 15 described above.

  That is, in the state after the above-described connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 is inserted, the swing beam 16b of the empty close prevention means 16 is swung to the outermost position, whereby the actuator (connection The operation means 15 is configured to be retracted to a position outside the rotation locus of the rotation locking member 15c provided in the operation means 15, that is, a position where non-interference occurs. In this way, the actuator 15 and the idling prevention means 16 are switched so as to be in a non-interfering state with each other, and as a result, a state in which the turning operation of the actuator 15 is allowed is maintained. Yes.

  According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 has a simple configuration in which the swing beam 16b of the empty close prevention unit 16 interferes with the actuator 15 as the connection operation unit. The rotation operation of the actuator 15 at the time of non-insertion is prevented well. Therefore, in the case where an idle closing operation is performed by mistakenly touching the actuator 15 before the connection object 14 is inserted as in the conventional case, the actuator 15 is caused to be brought back to the original disconnection position again. Operations are omitted. Further, by preventing such an empty closing operation of the actuator 15, the occurrence of plastic deformation in the conductive contacts 12 and 13 is also avoided.

  At this time, in this embodiment, the rocking beam 16b of the empty closing prevention means 16 is in a non-interference state with the actuator (connection operation means) 15 in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14. Therefore, the rotation operation of the actuator 15 after the connection object 14 is inserted is reliably performed.

  Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the support beam 16a and the rocking beam 16b constituting the empty closing prevention means 16 are integrally formed, the empty closing prevention means 16 is efficiently manufactured. It is like that. Further, the root portion on the front end side constituting the folded portion of the oscillating beam 16b with which the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 comes into contact is higher than the rear end portion extending in a cantilever manner. Since it is made into the part which has rigidity, insertion will be performed while the connection target object 14 contact | abuts with respect to the highly rigid front-end side folding | turning part in the rocking | fluctuation beam 16b, Thereby, the said connection target object 14 is inserted while being positioned satisfactorily without causing lateral displacement or the like.

  Further, the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 is maintained in a temporary holding state by contacting the front end side folded portion of the oscillating beam 16b at the time of insertion, and by the temporary holding action of the oscillating beam 16b. The connection object 14 is configured so that a series of operations from the start of insertion until the fixing operation by the rotation of the actuator (connection operation means) 15 is completed is performed extremely stably.

[Second Embodiment]
Further, the empty close prevention means 26 in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 in which the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment described above is fixed to the insulating housing 11. The support beam 26a is provided, and the swinging beam 26b is folded back from the front end side portion of the support beam 26a. Among them, the oscillating beam 26b extends from the folded portion on the front end side to the rear end side of the connector, but the front end portion in the extending direction is bent in an approximately L-shape toward the inner side. Thus, an engagement hook portion 26c made of a flat plate member is formed.

  On the other hand, a locking recess 15d is formed in the rear end side corner near the rotation center of the actuator (connection operation means) 15 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above so as to form a notch. It has been. Then, the engagement hook portion 26c of the rocking beam 26b described above is engaged with the locking recess 15d of the actuator (connection operation means) 15 so that they are in an interference state. The rotation operation of the actuator 15 when the object (FPC or FFC) 14 is not inserted is prohibited.

  In addition, the swing beam 26b of the idle closing prevention means 26 is displaced in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14, that is, the connection object 14 is the same as in the first embodiment. When inserted, the engaging hook portion 26c of the oscillating beam 26b is oscillated so as to be swung so as to be pushed outward on both sides. (Connection operation means) 15 is configured to be retracted from a locking recess 15d provided in 15 to a position disengaged outward. In this way, the actuator 15 and the idle closing prevention means 26 are switched so as to be in a non-fitted state, so that a state in which the subsequent rotation operation of the actuator 15 is allowed is maintained. Yes.

  In the second embodiment as described above, it is possible to obtain an operation and an effect for preventing the empty closing operation similar to that in the first embodiment described above. Reference numeral 15e in the present embodiment denotes a deformation restricting member provided in the actuator 15, and the swinging beam of the empty closing prevention means 26 when the connection object (FPC or FFC) 14 is not inserted. It arrange | positions with respect to 26b so that it may adjoin or lightly contact from an upper side. By providing such a deformation restricting member 15e, the above-described unnecessary deformation of the rocking beam 26b is prevented, and the engagement hook portion 26c of the rocking beam 26b is disengaged from the locking recess 15d of the actuator 15. The fitting state is reliably maintained.

[Third Embodiment]
On the other hand, in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 to 19, the actuator 35 as the connection operation means arranged on the connector rear end side (the right end side in FIGS. 16 and 17) is directed toward the rear side. The present invention is applied to a type of electrical connector 30 that is rotated so as to be tilted, and the actuator (connection operation means) 15 in the electrical connector 10 according to the first embodiment described above is substantially upright. In contrast, the electrical connector 30 according to the present embodiment is used as a connection operation means, while being configured to rotate from the “connection release position” to the “connection operation position” so as to fall forward. The actuator 35 is configured to be rotated from the “connection release position” in a substantially upright state to the “connection operation position” so as to fall toward the rear side on the opposite side. That.

  Since the other configurations are basically similar to each other, in the description relating to the third embodiment, each member constituting the first embodiment described above is given. The detailed description will be omitted by replacing the tens place “1” in each reference numeral with “3”, and a description of the fundamentally different configuration will be given below.

  First, on both side portions of the actuator (connection operation means) 35 in the longitudinal direction (horizontal width direction), a rotation locking member 35 c formed in a block shape is disposed so as to form a part of the actuator 35. ing. The rotation locking member 35c has a shape projecting so as to form a step shape outwardly on both sides in the longitudinal direction (lateral width direction) at a position near the rotation center of the actuator 35 described above.

  On the other hand, corresponding to the rotation locking member 35 c provided in such an actuator (connection operation means) 35, an empty closing prevention means 36 made of a metal bent beam-like member is provided on the bottom wall surface of the insulating housing 31. It is arranged along. Hereinafter, the structure of the empty closing prevention means 36 will be specifically described.

  That is, the empty close prevention means 36 includes a support beam 36a extending along the insertion direction of a connection object (FPC or FFC) (not shown), and one end side in the extending direction of the support beam 36a ( A rocking beam 36b is provided integrally so as to be folded back at the front end side. Of these, the support beam 36 a is fixed along the inner wall surface on both sides in the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 31. At the front end side portion (the left end portion in FIGS. 2 and 3) where the support beam 36a faces toward the connection object 14 side, the oscillating beam 36b which is folded back so as to form a substantially U-shape is obtained. The front end is connected. The oscillating beam 36b extends from the front end side folded portion of the oscillating beam 36b so as to be cantilevered toward the connector rear end side (the right end side in FIGS. 16 and 17) in the opposite direction. doing.

  The oscillating beam 36b having such a shape is disposed so as to extend inward in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 31 with respect to the support beam 36a. The insulating housing 31 is configured to be elastically displaceable in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) around the folded portion. Folded portions in the front end portion (left end portion in FIGS. 16 and 17) of the oscillating beam 36b are disposed on both sides in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the object insertion port 31a of the insulating housing 31, respectively. A direction gradually separating from the support beam 36a from the front end side folded portion toward the connector rear end side (right end side in FIGS. 16 and 17), that is, inward in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 31 It arrange | positions so that it may incline toward the side. And the arrangement | positioning relationship which the front-end part of the insertion direction of the connection target object (FPC or FFC) mentioned above contact | abuts with respect to the extension direction middle part of the rocking | fluctuating beam 36b which inclines and extends is made.

  Further, the portion from the midway portion in the extending direction of the swing beam 36b to the rear end side portion (the right end portion in FIGS. 16 and 17) is again outward in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 31. The swing beam 36b is bent so as to extend obliquely, and the rear end side portion (the right end portion in FIGS. 16 and 17) of the swing beam 36b is in the region behind the support beam 36a. And are arranged so as to extend at substantially the same position in the lateral width direction.

  A hook engaging portion 36c formed in a bifurcated shape is formed at the front end portion (rear end portion) of the swinging beam 36b in the extending direction. The hook engaging portion 36c of the swing beam 36b sandwiches the rotation locking member 35c of the actuator (connection operation means) 35 from above and below in the non-inserted state of the connection object (FPC or FFC) described above. It is configured. That is, the hook engaging portion 36c of the swing beam 36b and the rotation locking member 35c of the actuator 35 are configured to be fitted to each other, and the connection object (FPC or FFC) is not inserted. In FIG. 4, the actuator 35 is configured so that a part of the actuator 35 is maintained in a positional relationship to be fitted to the hook engaging portion 36c of the empty closing preventing means 36, and thereby the rotation operation of the actuator 35 is prohibited.

  On the other hand, the front end side portion (the left end side portion in FIGS. 16 and 17) provided with the turning portion of the swing beam 36b constituting the empty closing prevention means 36 is the interior of the insulating housing 31 as described above. The front end portion in the insertion direction of the connection object (FPC or FFC) to be inserted toward is placed in a contact relationship. More specifically, when the connection object is inserted into the inside of the insulating housing 31, both side corners of the front end edge of the connection object in the insertion direction are the front end side portions (folded portions) of the rocking beam 36 b described above. ) Is disposed so as to contact the inner surface. Due to the contact relationship between the two, the object to be connected is subjected to a guiding action, that is, a positioning action by the rocking beam 36b of the empty closing preventing means 36, and is connected along the inner surface of the rocking beam 36b. The target object is inserted while maintaining a normal position without lateral displacement.

  Further, as the connection object (FPC or FFC) is inserted into the inside of the insulating housing 31 in this way, the swing beam 36b of the above-described empty closing prevention means 36 is pushed outward toward both sides. Thus, the rear end portion of the oscillating beam 36b is directed outwardly on both sides in the lateral width direction (longitudinal direction) of the insulating housing 31 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Displaced. In a state where the connection object is inserted to the final back side position, the hook engaging portion 36c provided at the rear end side portion of the rocking beam 36b is rotated by the actuator (connection operation means) 35 described above. It is configured to be maintained in an elastically displaced state so as not to be fitted to the dynamic locking member 35c.

  As described above, the swing beam 36b of the empty close prevention means 36 in this embodiment is swung to the outermost position in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object (FPC or FFC) described above, and the final insertion of the connection object is performed. In the state, the hook engaging portion 36c of the rocking beam 36b is retracted to the outer position where it is not fitted to the rotation locking member 35c provided in the actuator (connection operation means) 35. Has been made. In this manner, the actuator 35 and the empty closing prevention means 36 are switched so as to be in a non-fitted state, and as a result, a state in which the rotation operation of the actuator 35 is allowed is maintained.

  Also in the present embodiment having such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Further, the empty close prevention means 46 in the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 in which the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the third embodiment described above is fixed to the insulating housing 41. The support beam 46a and the swing beam 46b turned back from the front end side portion of the support beam 46a are provided. Among them, the oscillating beam 46b extends from the folded portion on the front end side to the rear end side of the connector, but the front end portion in the extending direction is bent in an approximately L-shape toward the inner side. Thus, an engagement hook portion 46c made of a flat plate member is formed.

  On the other hand, a locking recess 45d is formed in the rear end side corner near the rotation center of the actuator (connection operation means) 45 having the same configuration as that of the third embodiment described above so as to form a notch. It has been. The engagement hook portion 46c of the swing beam 46b described above is engaged with the engagement recess 45d of the actuator (connection operation means) 45, and as a result, the connection is omitted in the drawing. The rotation operation of the actuator 45 when the object (FPC or FFC) is not inserted is prohibited.

  Further, the swinging beam 46b of the empty closing prevention means 46 is connected to both sides outside in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object in the state where the connection object (FPC or FFC) similar to that of the third embodiment is inserted. The engagement hook portion 46c of the swing beam 46b is moved outwardly from a locking recess 45d provided in the actuator (connection operation means) 45. It is made the structure which retracts to the position which remove | deviates. Then, the actuator 45 and the idle closing preventing means 46 are switched so as to be in a non-fitted state, and a state in which the subsequent rotation operation of the actuator 45 is allowed is maintained.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to obtain the action and effect for preventing the empty closing operation similar to the first embodiment described above.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Further, in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 which is a modified embodiment related to the first embodiment described above, an operation holding projecting upward at a portion near the rear end of the support beam 16b. A portion 16c is provided. The operation holding portion 16c has its upper end bent at a substantially right angle toward the inward side so that the upper position of the rotation locking member 15c of the actuator (connection operation means) 15 extends substantially horizontally. Is arranged. That is, the operation holding portion 16c provided in the empty close prevention means 16 in the present embodiment is arranged on the locus of the backward tilting direction opposite to the rotational operation direction of the actuator 15, thereby It arrange | positions so that engagement with the actuator 15 is possible, and the fall on the opposite side to the rotation operation direction of the said actuator 15 is prevented.

  Further, the operation holding portion 16c described above extends toward the rear side, and the extension portion is bent in a stepped manner downward in the figure, so that the solder connection is performed on the printed wiring board (not shown). The hold down 16d is formed. If it does in this way, the retainability of the whole connector will be improved. Such a hold-down can be formed so as to extend outward on both sides in the connector longitudinal direction.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) wiring board and a flexible flat cable (FFC) are used as the connection object fixed to the electrical connector. The present invention can be similarly applied to the case where a signal transmission medium or the like is used.

  Further, the connection operation means in each of the above-described embodiments is composed of an actuator that is rotated, but the present invention can be similarly applied to an electrical connector having a connection operation means that is slid. Is possible. Similarly, the present invention relates to an electrical connector in which the connection operation means (actuator) is disposed at the front end side portion, or an electrical connector in which the connection operation means (actuator) is disposed between the front end side portion and the rear end side portion. The rotation direction or slide direction of the connection operation means (actuator) at that time may be either the front side or the rear side.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a metal beam-like member is employed as an empty closing prevention means. However, an electrical operation or action of a rotation made by a resin member or a connection operation means is used. Even the means forbidden / allowed by the above can be similarly adopted.

  Moreover, although the electrical connector according to the above-described embodiment uses the first and second conductive contacts having different shapes, the same applies even if the same shape of conductive contacts is used. Is possible.

  The present invention can be widely applied to a wide variety of electrical connectors used in various electrical devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is an external appearance perspective explanatory drawing showing the whole structure in case the electrical connector concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention exists in a connection cancellation | release state. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional explanatory view showing an internal structure at a specific position of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1. It is longitudinal cross-sectional explanatory drawing in the position adjacent to the specific position of the electrical connector shown by FIG. It is a perspective explanatory view from the front side which expanded and represented the internal structure in the longitudinal direction one end part at the time of removing an insulation housing from the electrical connector shown by FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing an enlarged internal structure at the other longitudinal end portion of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 1. It is an external appearance perspective explanatory view showing the state where the connection subject (FPC or FFC) was inserted in the electric connector concerning one embodiment of the present invention shown in Drawings 1-5. FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view from the front side showing an enlarged internal structure at one end in the longitudinal direction when the insulating housing is removed in a state where the connection object (FPC or FFC) is inserted into the electrical connector shown in FIG. 6. is there. FIG. 7 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing an enlarged internal structure at one end in the longitudinal direction in a state where a connection object (FPC or FFC) is inserted into the electrical connector shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an external perspective explanatory view when the actuator (connection operation means) of the electrical connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing which expanded and represented the internal structure of the longitudinal direction one end part of the electrical connector concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is perspective explanatory drawing from the back side which expanded and represented the internal structure in the longitudinal direction one end part at the time of removing the insulation housing of the electrical connector shown by FIG. It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing which expanded and represented the internal structure in the longitudinal direction other end part of the state which inserted the connection target object (FPC or FFC) in the electrical connector shown by FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory perspective view from the back side showing an enlarged internal structure at one end in the longitudinal direction in a state where a connection object (FPC or FFC) is inserted into the electrical connector shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. It is an external appearance perspective explanatory drawing showing the whole structure in case the electrical connector concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention exists in a connection release state. It is an external appearance perspective explanatory view at the time of setting it as a connection action state by rotating the actuator (connection operation means) of the electrical connector concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. It is longitudinal cross-sectional explanatory drawing showing the internal structure in the specific position of the electrical connector shown by FIG. It is longitudinal cross-sectional explanatory drawing in the position adjacent to the specific position of the electrical connector shown by FIG. FIG. 18 is an explanatory perspective view from the front side showing an enlarged internal structure at one end in the longitudinal direction when the insulating housing is removed from the electrical connector shown in FIGS. 14 to 17. FIG. 19 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating an enlarged internal structure of the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector illustrated in FIG. 18. It is perspective explanatory drawing from the front side which expanded and represented the internal structure in the longitudinal direction one end part at the time of removing an insulation housing from the electrical connector in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is perspective explanatory drawing from the back side which expanded and represented the internal structure in the longitudinal direction one end part of the electrical connector shown by FIG. FIG. 21 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing an enlarged internal structure at the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 20. It is a perspective explanatory view from the front side which expanded and represented the internal structure in the longitudinal direction one end part at the time of removing the insulation housing from the electrical connector in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 24 is a perspective explanatory view from the back side showing an enlarged internal structure at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 23. It is external appearance perspective explanatory drawing showing the state which inserts a connection target object (FPC or FFC) in a general electrical connector.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electrical connector 11 Insulation housing 11a Object insertion port 11b Component attachment port 12, 13 1st and 2nd conductive contact 14 Connection object (FPC or FFC)
15 Actuator (connection operation means)
12a, 13a Movable beam 12a1, 13a1 Terminal contact convex part 12a2, 13a2 Actuated part 12b, 13b Fixed beam 12b1, 13b1 Terminal contact convex part 12b2, 13b2 Connection terminal part 12c, 13c Connection support part 15a Press cam part 15b Opening / closing operation part 15c Rotation locking member 15d Locking recess 15e Deformation restricting member 16 Empty closing prevention means 16a Support beam 16b Oscillating beam 16c Operation holding part 16d Hold down 26 Empty closing prevention means 26a Support beam 26b Oscillating beam 26c Engagement hook part 30 Electrical connector 31 Insulating housing 35 Actuator (connection operation means)
35c Rotation locking member 36 Empty closing prevention means 36a Support beam 36b Oscillating beam 36c Hook engaging part 46 Empty closing preventing means 46a Support beam 46b Oscillating beam 46c Engaging hook part 45 Actuator (connection operation means)
45d Locking recess

Claims (6)

In the electrical connector configured to fix the connection object inserted inside the insulating housing by moving the connection operation means in the connection release position to the connection operation position,
The connection operation means is provided with an empty close prevention means that prohibits the movement operation of the connection operation means when the connection object is not inserted and permits the movement operation of the connection operation means when the connection object is inserted. It is,
The empty closing prevention means includes a support beam extending in the insertion direction of the connection object, and a swinging beam continuously provided so as to fold back one end side of the support beam with respect to the support beam,
The oscillating beam has a folded portion on the front end side facing the connection object, and has a shape extending in a cantilevered manner from the folded portion provided on the front end side toward the rear end side. An electrical connector characterized by being.   2. The empty closing prevention means is disposed on a trajectory of a movement operation of the connection operation means, and is disposed at a position that interferes with the connection operation means when the connection object is not inserted. Electrical connector as described. The empty closing prevention means is disposed so as to be in contact with the connection object inserted into the insulating housing, and thus does not interfere with the connection operation means in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object. The electrical connector according to claim 2 , wherein the electrical connector is configured to be elastically displaced to a position.   2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the empty closing prevention unit is configured to engage with the connection operation unit when the connection object is not inserted and to lock the connection operation unit. . The empty closing prevention means is disposed so as to come into contact with the connection object inserted into the insulating housing, and is thus non-fitted with the connection operation means in conjunction with the insertion of the connection object. The electrical connector according to claim 4 , wherein the electrical connector is configured to be elastically displaced to a certain position. 3. The operation holding portion that engages with the connection operation means in a direction opposite to the movement operation direction of the connection operation means is provided in the empty close prevention means. 4. The electrical connector according to 4 .

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