JP5217604B2 - Electrical connector and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical connector used for connecting a flexible flat cable (FFC) and a flexible wiring board (FPC), and a manufacturing method thereof .

  Conventionally, a flexible flat cable (FFC) and a flexible wiring board (FPC) have been widely used as signal transmission media in various electronic devices and the like. An electric connector such as a plug connector is attached to a terminal portion of the signal transmission medium such as FFC or FPC, and the electric connector is fitted to an electric connector such as a receptacle connector mounted on a printed wiring board, for example. By being combined, the multipolar conductor portion exposed at the terminal portion of the signal transmission medium is connected to the electronic circuit.

  Such an electrical connector for connecting a signal transmission medium such as FFC has, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. That is, first, after mounting the protruding pieces 2a, 2a at the tip of the signal transmission medium 2 such as FFC in the recesses 1b, 1b provided at both ends of the planar portion 1a of the insulating housing 1, the housing cover body 1c is The projecting pieces 1d and 1d of the housing cover body 1c are further sandwiched so as to be aligned with the recesses 1b and 1b, and a conductive shell 3 as an exterior material is mounted thereon.

  However, in such a conventional electrical connector, the structure of the insulating housing 1 includes a planar portion 1a as a medium mounting portion, and a housing cover body that covers the planar portion 1a via the signal transmission medium 2. It is divided into 1c. For this reason, the number of parts of the insulating housing 1 increases, and the cost of parts and the management of parts tend to become complicated. In assembly, the signal transmission medium 2 is mounted and positioned on the planar portion 1a of the insulating housing 1, and the signal transmission medium 2 is held between the planar portion 1a and the housing cover body 1c. Further, the conductive shell 3 has to be sandwiched, the assembly process is complicated, the productivity is lowered, and the assembly cost tends to increase.

  In the electrical connector disclosed in the following cited document 2, the signal transmission medium such as FFC is fixed to the insulating housing, and the signal transmission medium is wound or bonded. For this reason, the number of assembly steps including the bonding step is increased. Further, there is a problem that the signal transmission medium 2 is liable to be displaced during bonding, and the positioning accuracy of the signal transmission medium is lowered or the assembly process is increased.

JP 2006-173051 A JP 2007-299683 A

Accordingly, the present invention provides an electrical connector and a method for manufacturing the same that can fix a terminal portion of a signal transmission medium such as an FFC efficiently and with high accuracy without bonding with a simple configuration. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a conductor portion exposed to a terminal portion of a signal transmission medium is connected to an electrical connector of a counterpart, an insulating housing for supporting the terminal portion of the signal transmission medium, and An electrical connector comprising a conductive shell mounted so as to cover the insulating housing, wherein the insulating housing is integrally formed with a medium insertion path into which a terminal portion of the signal transmission medium is inserted. A configuration in which a medium fixing piece that engages with the signal transmission medium inserted into the insulating housing through an insertion passage is provided is employed.

  In the invention of the present application, in the method of manufacturing an electrical connector in which a conductive shell is mounted so as to cover the insulating housing after the terminal portion of the signal transmission medium exposing the conductor portion is placed on the insulating housing, the signal transmission medium When the conductive shell is attached to the insulating housing through the medium insertion passage integrally provided in the insulating housing and the conductive shell is attached to the insulating housing, the medium fixing piece is inserted into the signal transmission medium. The signal transmission medium is fixed by engaging with the signal transmission medium.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, since the medium insertion passage for inserting the terminal portion of the signal transmission medium is integrally formed in the insulating housing, it is necessary to use an insulating housing having a conventional divided structure. And the number of parts is reduced accordingly. In addition, since the signal transmission medium is fixed by engaging the medium fixing piece with the signal transmission medium inserted into the insulating housing, there is no need for a conventional step of bonding the signal transmission medium and the insulating housing. Thus, the manufacturing efficiency is improved. In addition, since the signal transmission medium is not misaligned in the conventional bonding process, the positioning accuracy of the signal transmission medium is improved and the reliability of the electrical connection characteristics is improved.

  In addition, the medium fixing piece according to the present invention can be configured to engage with the signal transmission medium in at least a removal direction that is opposite to the insertion direction of the signal transmission medium. The signal transmission medium at that time is provided with a retaining portion that engages with the medium fixing piece in at least a removal direction that is opposite to the insertion direction of the signal transmission medium. The signal transmission medium may have a configuration formed by cutting out part of both edge portions. Furthermore, the medium fixing piece and the retaining portion can be configured to contact each other in the removal direction. Furthermore, the medium fixing piece may be configured such that a cross-sectional shape including a plane extending substantially parallel to the surface of the signal transmission medium includes a substantially L-shaped portion. .

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, the signal transmission medium inserted into the insulating housing is securely locked by the medium fixing piece, and the signal transmission medium can be prevented from coming off such as falling off. Is done.

  The conductive shell in the present invention is configured to be mounted on the insulating housing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the signal transmission medium, and the medium fixing piece is mounted in the mounting direction of the conductive shell. And a plate-like member extending integrally from the conductive shell.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, when the conductive shell is mounted, the medium fixing piece provided on the conductive shell does not shift the signal transmission medium inserted in the insulating housing.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is possible to comprise so that the front-end | tip part of the extending direction in the said medium fixing piece may be penetrated inside the said insulation housing.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, the medium fixing piece provided on the conductive shell is firmly fixed to the insulating housing, and the fixing action of the signal transmission medium to the terminal portion is improved.

  In addition, the medium fixing piece according to the present invention can be configured such that a part of the insulating housing protrudes into the medium insertion path.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, the signal transmission medium inserted into the insulating housing is securely locked by the medium fixing piece from the stage before the conductive shell is mounted. In the subsequent assembling process such as mounting, it is possible to prevent the signal transmission medium from falling off.

  Further, the conductive shell in the present invention can be composed of first and second conductive shells mounted so as to sandwich the insulating housing from both sides in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the signal transmission medium. It is. Further, the first and second conductive shells according to the present invention are provided with fitting locking means for holding the first and second conductive shells in a state immediately before and after mounting. It can be configured.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, the conductive shell made of two members is handled integrally, so that the efficiency of component management and assembly work is improved, and signal transmission is performed when the conductive shell is assembled. The positional deviation of the medium is also prevented.

  The conductive shell according to the present invention can be configured to be mounted so as to cover a conductor portion of a signal transmission medium supported by the insulating housing and a shield portion attached to the conductor portion.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, the shielding function of the signal transmitted by the signal transmission medium is further enhanced by the conductive shell.

  Further, the medium insertion passage in the present invention can be configured by a medium cover member provided in the insulating housing so as to be elastically displaceable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the signal transmission medium. At this time, the medium insertion passage may be formed to have a gap size slightly larger than the thickness of the signal transmission medium.

  According to the present invention, in the method of manufacturing an electrical connector, the terminal portion of the signal transmission medium from which the conductor portion is exposed is placed on the insulating housing, and then a conductive shell is mounted so as to cover the insulating housing. The terminal portion is inserted into the inside of the insulating housing through a medium insertion passage integrally provided in the insulating housing, and the conductive shell is held from the state immediately before mounting to the state after mounting to fix the medium. When the engagement between the piece and the signal transmission medium is maintained and the medium is mounted on the insulating housing, the medium fixing piece provided on the conductive shell is engaged with the signal transmission medium. A configuration in which fixing is performed is employed.

  According to the present invention having such a configuration, the insertion operation of the signal transmission medium can be performed satisfactorily without being obstructed by the medium insertion path, and the medium cover member can be pressed against the signal transmission medium after insertion. This makes it possible to fix the signal transmission medium satisfactorily.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the medium insertion passage for inserting the terminal portion of the signal transmission medium is integrally formed in the insulating housing. It is possible to reduce the number of parts while allowing the parts to be connected, and the signal transmission medium is fixed by engaging the medium fixing piece with the signal transmission medium inserted in the insulating housing. Since the manufacturing efficiency is improved by eliminating the step of bonding the insulating housing and the insulating housing, and further, the positional relationship of the signal transmission medium in the conventional bonding step is prevented and the electrical connection characteristics are improved. The terminal portion of a signal transmission medium such as FFC can be fixed efficiently and with high accuracy without being bonded with a simple configuration. Other reliability can be inexpensively and substantially improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a plug connector will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  That is, the electrical connector 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 is composed of a plug connector having an oblong and thin shape of a substantially rectangular plane, and extends in the longitudinal direction thereof. A terminal portion of a flexible flat cable (hereinafter simply referred to as “FFC”) 2 as a signal transmission medium is connected to an end edge portion on the rear end side (right end side in FIG. 2) of both the existing edge portions. Has been.

  The FFC 2 is substantially entirely covered with the shield 24 except for the terminal portion, and the terminal portion is inserted from the rear end side of the plug connector 1 toward the front end side. And in the front end part of the insertion direction in the terminal part of the said FFC2, many conductor parts 21 are arrange | positioned so that multi-polar form may be made, and these many conductor parts 21 are the front end side of the said plug connector 1 ( It is arranged so as to be exposed along the edge on the left end side in FIG. The front end edge portion (left end edge portion in FIG. 2) of the plug connector 1 is configured to be fitted in a face-to-face manner with respect to a receptacle connector (not shown) which is a mating electrical connector.

  At that time, at both ends of the plug connector 1 in the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2), there are provided lock portions 11 and 11 for holding or releasing the mating state with the other receptacle connector. When the connector 1 is fitted into the receptacle connector, the lock portions 11 are first pushed into the mating receptacle connector after the lock portions 11 are released. And after these both connectors are fitted, each said lock part 11 is switched to a lock action state, and, thereby, the said both connectors 1 and 2 are maintained in a fitting state. In such a fitting state, the conductor portion 21 exposed at the terminal portion of the FFC 2 directly contacts a contact (not shown) provided on the other receptacle connector, and these two members are in contact with each other. By doing so, electrical connection is made.

  Here, the plug connector 1 described above includes an insulating housing 12 into which the end portion of the FFC 2 is inserted. The insulating housing 12 is formed of an appropriate resin member, and a conductive shell 13 made of a thin metal plate is mounted so as to cover almost the entire insulating housing 12.

  The insulating housing 12 is integrally provided with a medium insertion passage 12a for receiving the terminal portion of the FFC 2. The medium insertion passage 12a is disposed so as to face the housing main body portion 12b having an FFC placement surface for supporting the terminal portion of the FFC 2 from the lower side in FIG. 2 and the FFC placement surface of the housing main body portion 12b. It consists of a narrow gap formed between the medium cover member 12c. That is, the medium cover member 12c is disposed so as to be close to the FFC placement surface of the housing main body 12b in a substantially parallel manner, and the rear of the medium insertion passage 12a formed between the two members. The terminal portion of the FFC 2 is inserted from the opening on the end side (the right end side in FIG. 2).

  The medium cover member 12c that forms the upper wall surface of the medium insertion passage 12a in the drawing includes a front fixing plate 12c1 composed of a pair of beam plate-like members extending substantially in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the insulating housing 12 described above. A rear flexible plate 12c2 is provided. Among them, the front fixing plate 12c1 is integrated with the housing main body 12b so as to span between the two longitudinal ends of the housing main body 12b at the front side in the insertion direction of the terminal portion of the FFC2. It is formed and arranged so as to form a front end side opening of the medium insertion passage 12a.

  On the other hand, the rear opening of the medium insertion passage 12a is formed by a rear flexible plate 12c2 of the medium cover member 12c. The rear flexible plate 12c2 is connected to the front ends of a plurality of support arm plates 12c3 extending substantially in parallel from the rear end edge portion of the front fixing plate 12c1 described above, and the plurality of support arm plates 12c3. Is elastically displaced in the vertical direction of FIG. 2 with the front fixing plate 12c1 as the center, so that the rear flexible plate 12c2 can also be elastically displaced in the same direction.

  At this time, the support arm plate 12c3 described above has a bent shape that is raised stepwise toward the rear side (the right side in FIG. 2), and is connected to the support arm plate 12c3. By disposing the flexible plate 12c2 in the upper position in the figure, the clearance dimension of the opening on the rear end side of the medium insertion passage 12a is slightly larger than that on the front side. More specifically, the clearance dimension of the opening on the rear end side of the medium insertion passage 12a is formed to have a clearance dimension that is slightly larger than the thickness of the FFC 2, thereby the FFC 2 with respect to the medium insertion passage 12a. Can be easily inserted.

  As described above, the end portion of the FFC 2 is inserted from the rear end side opening of the medium insertion passage 12a formed with the gap size slightly enlarged. The inside of the medium insertion passage 12a The end portion of the FFC 2 inserted into the front is protruded by a predetermined amount from the front end edge of the front fixing plate 12c1, that is, from the front end side opening of the medium insertion passage 12a toward the front (left side in FIG. 2) Be placed. At that time, a projecting edge portion 12d is formed at the foremost end portion of the housing main body portion 12b so as to form a step, and the end portion of the FFC 2 with respect to the rising wall surface 12d1 of the projecting edge portion 12d. The front end is abutted, and the front end position in the insertion direction of the FFC 2 is thereby regulated.

  On the other hand, the insulating portion of the terminal portion of the FFC 2 has retaining portions 22 and 22 for restricting the position of the terminal portion of the FFC 2 at both end edge portions in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the plug connector 1. Is formed. The retaining portions 22 and 22 in the present embodiment are formed so as to cut out part of both end edge portions of the terminal portion of the FFC 2 in a substantially U-shape on a plane. A part of the conductive shell 13 is engaged with the retaining portions 22 and 22, thereby fixing in the insertion direction of the FFC 2 or the withdrawal direction opposite to the FFC 2. .

  That is, the above-described conductive shell 13 is composed of first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b mounted along a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the FFC 2. Two conductive shells 13a and 13b are mounted so as to sandwich the insulating housing 12 from both sides in the illustrated vertical direction. Then, by attaching the conductive shell 13 to the insulating housing 12, the terminal portion of the FFC 2 described above is fixed.

  The point will be described. First, the first conductive shell 13a constituting the upper portion of the conductive shell 13 in the figure has the front end portion (left end portion in FIG. 2) on both side edge portions thereof. Front end fixing pieces 13a1 and 13a1 projecting in a claw shape toward the second conductive shell 13b side (the lower side in the figure) are provided. (See FIG. 3) Further, the central fixing pieces 13a2 and 13a2 are located on the second conductive shell 13b side at positions slightly away from the front end fixing pieces 13a1 and 13a1 (right side in FIG. 2). It is provided so as to project in a claw shape (downward in the figure). Further, the side edges of the rear end portion (right end portion in FIG. 2) of the first conductive shell 13a are similarly claw-shaped toward the second conductive shell 13b side (the lower side in the drawing). Rear end fixing pieces 13a3 and 13a3 are provided.

  Each of these front end fixing pieces 13a1, center fixing pieces 13a2 and rear end fixing pieces 13a3 is formed of a hook-like plate-like member extending along the mounting direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the conductive shell 13. The tip end portions of the front end fixing pieces 13a1 and 13a1 are fixed by being inserted into locking holes (not shown) provided in the front end portion of the insulating housing 12 described above. The rear end fixing pieces 13a3 and 13a3 described above are fitted and fixed to the rear end fixing pieces 13b1 and 13b1 formed so as to rise from the rear end portion of the second conductive shell 13b. It has become.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 in particular, the central fixing pieces 13a2 and 13a2 pass through the space portions on the inner side of the retaining portions 22 and 22 formed by cutting out the end portions of the FFC 2 described above. 2 and the distal end portions (lower end portions in FIG. 2) of the central fixing pieces 13a2 and 13a2 in the extending direction are positioned in the positioning holes 12f and 12f provided in the housing main body portion 12b of the insulating housing 12. It is designed to be inserted.

  At this time, the central fixing pieces 13a2 and 13a2 and the positioning holes 12f and 12f described above have a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape, that is, a cross-sectional shape including a plane extending substantially parallel to the surface of the end portion of the FFC 2. Each is formed so as to include a portion. Accordingly, each of the center fixing pieces 13a2 and each of the positioning holes 12f are formed so as to be in surface contact with each other in the insertion direction and the removal direction of the FFC 2, and are firmly engaged in the insertion direction and the removal direction of the FFC 2. The stopping power can be obtained. The center fixing piece 13a2 as the medium fixing piece may be configured to engage with the FFC 2 at least in the removal direction.

  On the other hand, as described above, the first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b are configured to sandwich the insulating housing 12 from both the upper and lower directions in the figure, and the bottom surface side of the insulating housing 12 (the lower surface side in FIG. 2). The first conductive shell 13a is attached to the second conductive shell 13b attached to the upper surface of the insulating housing 12 by pushing it in from the plane side (the upper surface side in FIG. 2). ing. Such a mounting state of the first conductive shell 13a and the second conductive shell 13b is provided in the first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b, as particularly shown in FIG. The fitting engagement means 13c is maintained.

  That is, the fitting locking means 13c is provided on both side edges in the longitudinal direction of the conductive shell 13, and is formed so as to protrude outward on both side surfaces of the second conductive shell 13b. The fitting projection 13b2 and the fitting hole 13a4 formed through both sides of the first conductive shell 13a. These fitting protrusions 13b2 and fitting holes 13a4 are formed so as to extend in an elongated shape along the insertion direction and the removal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 2) of the FFC 2 described above. Thus, the first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b are configured to be fitted together.

  More specifically, the fitting protrusion 13b2 and the fitting hole 13a4 have a final fitting locking position (in which the first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b are maintained in a state after being attached ( 6 (b)), the final fitting state is set, but the temporary fitting state is maintained at the temporary fitting locking position (see FIG. 6 (a)) immediately before that. It has become.

  That is, when the first conductive shell 13a is attached to the second conductive shell 13b from the upper side in the figure, first, the lower end edge of the first conductive shell 13a in the figure as shown in FIG. The portion is configured to abut against the inclined upper wall surface of the fitting projection 13b2 of the second conductive shell 13b. Then, the first conductive shell 13a is temporarily stopped at the position where they abut, that is, the temporary fitting locking position, and the first conductive shell 13a is pushed toward the final fitting locking position. It is necessary to apply an operation force that exceeds a predetermined level.

  As described above, the first conductive shell 13a is temporarily stopped at the temporary fitting locking position (see FIG. 6A), and thus the first conductive shell 13a is lifted slightly from the second conductive shell 13b. When the conductive shell 13a is temporarily held, the first conductive shell 13a and the second conductive shell 13b constituting the conductive shell 13 are in a stage before the terminal portion of the FFC 2 is inserted. Will be handled as one. If the first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b are maintained in the temporary holding state, the FFC 2 can be inserted without any trouble.

  When the operation of inserting the terminal portion of the FFC 2 is completed, a pressing operation force of a predetermined level or more is applied to the first conductive shell 13a at the temporary fitting locking position (see FIG. 6A). As a result, the first conductive shell 13a is pushed into the second conductive shell 13b and reaches the final fitting locking position (see FIG. 6B). At the final fitting locking position, the fitting hole 13a4 provided on the first conductive shell 13a side is fitted to the fitting protrusion 13b2 provided on the second conductive shell 13b side, Thereby, the fitting operation between the first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b is completed.

  Further, a pair of fitting guide means 13d for regulating the position when the first and second conductive shells 13a, 13b are mounted on both sides of the fitting locking means 13c having the above-described configuration. 13d is provided. Each of the fitting guide means 13d includes a guide protrusion 13d1 provided so as to protrude on both side surfaces of the second conductive shell 13b, as shown in FIG. It comprises guide holes 13d2 formed through both sides of the conductive shell 13a.

  Among them, the guide projection 13d1 is formed so as to project in a hook shape downward in the figure, and the guide hole 13d2 extends along the mounting direction (vertical direction in the figure) of the conductive shell 13 described above. It is formed so as to extend in an elongated shape. As described above, when the first conductive shell 13a is attached to the second conductive shell 13b, the second conductive shell 13b is inserted into the guide hole 13d2 of the first conductive shell 13a. The guide protrusion 13d1 is received in a loosely fitted state, whereby the first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b are aligned with each other at an appropriate fitting position. When the first conductive shell 13a is in the temporary fitting locking position, that is, when the fitting locking means 13c is shown in FIG. 6 (a), the lower end edge of the first conductive shell 13a is shown. However, when it is in contact with the inclined upper wall surface of the fitting protrusion 13b2 of the second conductive shell 13b, the fitting guide means 13d is in the state shown in FIG. The temporary holding state with the conductive shells 13a and 13b is maintained. Then, when the first conductive shell 13a is pushed into the second conductive shell 13b side to reach the final fitting locking position, and the fitting locking means 13c is in the state shown in FIG. The fitting guide means 13d is in the state shown in FIG.

  A plurality of ground contacts 13b3, 13b3,... Are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction on the bottom surface of the second conductive shell 13b. Each of the ground contacts 13b3 is formed so as to form a cantilever spring by cutting and raising the bottom surface of the second conductive shell 13b. The tip of the ground contact 13b3 is formed of the above-described FFC 2. It arrange | positions so that it may contact with respect to the ground connection board 23 from the lower surface side of illustration.

  The first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b constituting the conductive shell 13 are mounted so as to cover almost the whole of the insulating housing 12, but are held by the insulating housing 12. Further, the conductive shell 13 covers the portion from the conductor portion 21 of the terminal portion of the FFC 2 to the shield portion attached to the conductor portion 21.

  According to the plug connector 1 according to the present embodiment having such a configuration, a medium insertion passage 12a for inserting a terminal portion of an FFC (flexible flat cable) 2 as a signal transmission medium is integrally formed in the insulating housing 12. Therefore, it is not necessary to use an insulating housing having a divided structure as in the prior art, and the number of parts is reduced accordingly. Further, since the FFC 2 as a signal transmission medium inserted into the insulating housing 12 is engaged with the central fixing pieces 13a2 and 13a2 as the medium fixing pieces of the conductive shell 13, and thereby the FFC 2 is fixed. Such a process of adhering the signal transmission medium and the insulating housing becomes unnecessary, and the manufacturing efficiency is improved. In addition, since the signal transmission medium is not misaligned in the conventional bonding process, the positioning accuracy of the signal transmission medium is improved and the reliability of the electrical connection characteristics is improved.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the FFC (flexible flat cable) 2 inserted as a signal transmission medium in the insulating housing 12 is securely engaged by the central fixing pieces 13a2 and 13a2 provided as the medium fixing pieces on the conductive shell 13. Since the FFC 2 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the FFC 2 from falling off.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the first conductive shell 13a is in the temporary fitting locking position (see FIGS. 6A and 7A) with respect to the second conductive shell 13b. Since it is temporarily held, the first and second conductive shells 13a and 13b are integrally handled in the temporarily held state, thereby improving the efficiency of parts management and assembly work, The positional deviation of the FFC 2 when assembling the conductive shell 13 is prevented well.

  In addition, since the conductive shell 13 in this embodiment is mounted so as to cover the conductor portion 21 of the FFC 2 supported by the insulating housing 12 and the shield portion attached to the conductor portion 21, the conductive shell 13 is transmitted by the FFC 2. The signal shielding function is further enhanced by the conductive shell 13.

  The medium insertion path 12a in the present embodiment is formed by a medium cover member 12c provided so as to be elastically displaceable, and the rear end side opening of the medium insertion path 12a is slightly larger than the thickness of the FFC 2. Since it is formed so as to have a gap dimension, the insertion operation of the FFC 2 can be performed satisfactorily without being obstructed by the medium insertion passage 12a, and the medium cover member 12c can be pressed against the FFC 2 after the insertion. Since it is possible, the FFC 2 is fixed well.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment according to FIGS. 8 to 10 in which the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the first embodiment described above, the components are inserted into the insulating housing 12 through the medium insertion passage 12a. In addition, a configuration in which a medium fixing piece 12c4 provided in a part of the insulating housing 12 is engaged with the FFC (signal transmission medium) 2 is employed. That is, the medium fixing pieces 12c4 employed in the present embodiment are respectively disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the rear flexible plate 12c2 of the medium cover member 12c constituting a part of the insulating housing 12. Each of the medium fixing pieces 12c4 is formed so as to protrude in a step shape toward the inner side (the lower side in FIG. 10) of the medium insertion path 12a, and both sides of the medium insertion path 12a in the width direction. It is arranged to close the part.

  The front end portion of the FFC (signal transmission medium) 2 inserted into the medium insertion passage 12a as shown in FIG. 10 (a) is located at both ends in the width direction after the medium fixing pieces 12c4. As shown in FIG. 10B, the arrangement relationship is such that the guide inclined surface 12c5 formed at the end (the right end in FIG. 10) is in contact. On the other hand, the entire medium fixing piece 12c4 is configured to be displaced up and down together with the rear flexible plate 12c2 of the medium cover member 12c as described above. Therefore, as described above, when the terminal portion of the FFC (signal transmission medium) 2 comes into contact with the guide inclined surface 12c5 provided at the rear end of each medium fixing piece 12c4, the insertion force of the FFC2 causes The medium fixing piece 12c4 is displaced so as to ride on the upper surface side of the FFC 2 and is retracted upward in the drawing.

  Further, both medium fixing pieces 12c4 and 12c4 provided on the medium cover member 12c are provided at positions corresponding to the retaining portions 22 and 22 provided on the FFC (signal transmission medium) 2 side as described above. Yes. Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, when the insertion of the FFC 2 is completed, each of the medium fixing pieces 12c4 is fitted so as to fall into the hole of the retaining portion 22 of the FFC 2. Has been made. As a result, the front end surface (left end surface in FIG. 10) of each medium fixing piece 12c4 is configured to engage with the retaining portion 22 of the FFC 2 at least in the removal direction.

  Even in the second embodiment having such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. In particular, according to the present embodiment, the FFC (signals inserted in the insulating housing 12) The transmission medium) 2 is securely locked by the medium fixing piece 12c4 from the stage before the conductive shell 13 is mounted, and the FFC 2 is dropped in the subsequent assembly process such as mounting the conductive shell 13. Detachment is well prevented.

  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 the above-described embodiment, the retaining portion 22 formed in the FFC 2 as the signal transmission medium has a cutout shape, but the retaining portion of the signal transmission medium has a notch such as a hole. Other shapes are possible.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first conductive shell 13a and the second conductive shell 13b are configured separately, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first conductive shell 13a and the second conductive shell 13b are not limited thereto. The conductive shell 13b may be integrally formed. For mounting on the insulating housing 12, the second conductive shell 13b is mounted on the bottom surface side of the insulating housing 12, and the portion connecting the first conductive shell 13a and the second conductive shell 13b is bent. Thus, the first conductive shell 13a can be attached to the insulating housing 12. Further, the first conductive shell 13a and the second conductive shell 13b are bent in advance in a rectangular shape and the insulating housing 12 is inserted by being inserted in a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the signal transmission medium. It is also possible to do.

  Further, although the above-described embodiment employs a plug connector as an electrical connector, the present invention can be similarly applied to other electrical connectors such as a receptacle connector of the other party.

  In the above-described embodiment, a flexible flat cable (FFC) is used as a signal transmission medium. However, various signal transmission media such as a flexible wiring board (FPC) can be used in the same manner.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory front perspective view of a front side showing a state where a flexible flat cable (FFC) is inserted and connected to a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional explanatory view of the plug connector according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the entire structure of the plug connector according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is an external perspective explanatory view showing a state in which a flexible flat cable (FFC) is inserted and connected to the plug connector according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial plan view illustrating a main part of the plug connector according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. 4 is a partial cross-sectional explanation of the position corresponding to the line VI-VI in FIG. 4 showing the mounting state of the conductive shell constituting the plug connector according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. It is a figure, (a) is explanatory drawing which expanded and represented the temporary holding state just before mounting | wearing of the electroconductive shell 13, (b) is the same explanatory drawing showing the holding | maintenance state after mounting | wearing of the electroconductive shell. . FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional enlarged explanatory view of a plug connector relating to a portion corresponding to the line VII-VII in FIG. 4 adjacent to the cross-section shown in FIG. 6. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing showing the whole structure of the plug connector concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is an explanatory plan view showing the structure of an insulating housing used in a plug connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9 showing a process of connecting a signal transmission medium (FFC) to the plug connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. (A) is an explanatory view showing a state immediately before the signal transmission medium (FFC) is inserted into the plug connector, and (b) is a state in which the signal transmission medium (FFC) starts to be inserted into the plug connector. (C) is the explanatory view showing the state where insertion of the signal transmission medium (FFC) to the plug connector is completed. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a process of connecting a signal transmission medium (FFC) to a plug connector having a conventional structure.

Explanation of symbols

1 Plug connector (electrical connector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Lock part 12 Insulating housing 12a Medium insertion path 12b Housing main-body part 12c Medium cover member 12c1 Front fixing plate 12c2 Back flexible plate 12c3 Support arm plate 12c4 Medium fixing piece 12c5 Guide inclined surface 12d Projection edge 12f Positioning hole 13 Conductive shell 13a 1st conductive shell 13a1 front end fixing piece 13a2 center fixing piece 13a3 rear end fixing piece 13a4 fitting hole 13b second conductive shell 13b1 rear end fixing piece 13b2 fitting protrusion 13b3 ground contact 13c fitting locking Means 13d Fitting guide means 13d1 Guide protrusion 13d2 Guide hole 2 FFC (flexible flat cable; signal transmission medium)
21 Conductor 22 Detachment 23 Ground Connection Plate 24 Shield

Claims (13)

Connecting the conductor exposed at the terminal portion of the signal transmission medium to the other electrical connector,
In an electrical connector comprising an insulating housing that supports a terminal portion of the signal transmission medium, and a conductive shell mounted to cover the insulating housing,
The insulating housing is integrally formed with a medium insertion path into which a terminal portion of the signal transmission medium is inserted,
A medium fixing piece that engages with the signal transmission medium inserted into the insulating housing through the medium insertion path is provided on the conductive shell ,
The conductive shell is attached to the insulating housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the signal transmission medium,
The electrical connector , wherein the medium fixing piece is composed of a plate-like member that integrally extends from the conductive shell along the mounting direction of the conductive shell .   2. The medium fixing piece according to claim 1, wherein the medium fixing piece is configured to engage with the signal transmission medium in at least a removal direction that is opposite to the insertion direction of the signal transmission medium. Electrical connector. The extending direction of the distal end portion in the stationary medium piece electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to be inserted into the interior of the insulation housing.   The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the medium fixing piece is formed by projecting a part of the insulating housing into the medium insertion path. The signal transmission medium is provided with a retaining portion that engages with the medium fixing piece in at least a removal direction that is opposite to the insertion direction of the signal transmission medium,
2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion is formed so as to cut out part of both end edge portions of the signal transmission medium. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein the medium fixing piece and the retaining portion are configured to contact each other in the removal direction. The medium fixing piece, cross-sectional shape including a surface substantially parallel extending planes of the signal transmission medium, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed to include a substantially L-shaped portion Electrical connector.   The conductive shell is composed of first and second conductive shells mounted so as to sandwich the insulating housing from both sides in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the signal transmission medium. Item 1. The electrical connector according to Item 1. The first and second conductive shells are provided with fitting locking means for holding the first and second conductive shells in a state immediately before and after mounting. The electrical connector according to claim 8 .   The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the conductive shell is mounted so as to cover a conductor portion of a signal transmission medium supported by the insulating housing and a shield portion attached to the conductor portion. .   The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the medium insertion passage is formed by a medium cover member provided in the insulating housing so as to be elastically displaceable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface of the signal transmission medium. The electrical connector according to claim 11 , wherein the medium insertion passage is formed to have a gap size slightly larger than a thickness of the signal transmission medium. In the method of manufacturing an electrical connector in which a conductive shell is mounted so as to cover the insulating housing after the terminal portion of the signal transmission medium exposing the conductor portion is placed on the insulating housing
A terminal portion of the signal transmission medium is inserted into the insulating housing through a medium insertion passage integrally provided in the insulating housing;
A method of holding the engagement between the medium fixing piece and the signal transmission medium by holding the conductive shell from a state immediately before mounting to a state after mounting, and fixing the signal transmission medium ,
A medium fixing piece that engages with the signal transmission medium inserted into the insulating housing through the medium insertion passage is provided in the conductive shell,
A method of manufacturing an electrical connector, wherein the conductive shell is attached to the insulating housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the signal transmission medium .

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