JP5665585B2 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrical connector used in an electric device or an electronic device such as an in-vehicle, home appliance, or industrial device, and in particular, a click feeling can be obtained when completely fitted, and a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as “FPC”). And a two-piece (plug connector and socket connector) structure that prevents relaxation of the contact portion during high temperature use.

This type of electrical connector generally includes two connectors (a plug connector and a socket connector), and a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of contacts is attached to the block by a double-sided tape or an adhesive. The socket connector includes a plurality of contacts having contact portions connected to the contacts and a housing having a fitting port into which the fitting portion of the plug connector is inserted.
Below, patent document 1 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-31119) is mentioned as a prior art.
According to the summary of JP-A-2004-31119, the flat circuit body can be prevented from being damaged when the connector is fitted, and the flat circuit body can be easily and reliably inserted into the mating connector, thereby positioning the flat circuit body. For the purpose of providing a connector fitting / removing structure that can be performed accurately, the other connector 10 is provided with a leg 32b, and a gap is formed between the flat circuit body 55 and the circuit board 57. The leg 32b is used as a positioning projection, the flat circuit body 55 is provided with a locking hole that engages with the positioning projection 168, a guide groove for receiving the leg 32b is formed in one connector 40, and an opening of one connector 40 is formed. A guide portion 49a that receives the other connector 10 while sliding the other connector 10 is formed at the end of the portion 49, and an inclined portion 37a that slides along the guide portion 49a is formed at the end of the fitting portion 37 of the other connector 10. A connector fitting / removing structure is disclosed.

In the prior art and Patent Document 1, since the FPC is fixed to the plug connector block with a double-sided tape or an adhesive, the double-sided tape or the adhesive softens when used at a high temperature, resulting in a change in FPC contact force. There were problems such as the possibility of connection failure and the FPC being easily disconnected.
Further, it was not possible to confirm whether or not the plug connector could be completely fitted into the socket connector.
Furthermore, there is a demand for a structure that prevents the lock lever from being deformed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and in particular, a two-piece (plug) that provides a click feeling during complete fitting, uses an FPC, and prevents relaxation of the contact portion during high-temperature use. (Connector and socket connector) structure electrical connector.

An object of the present invention is an electrical connector in which a plug connector and a socket connector are detachably fitted as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug connector has an FPC having a plurality of contacts and a block to which the FPC is mounted. An electrical connector comprising a socket connector having a plurality of contacts connected to the contacts of the FPC and a housing having a fitting opening in which the contacts are arranged and held and into which a fitting portion of the plug connector is inserted. Is provided with a plurality of holes at predetermined positions, and the block is provided with a protruding portion that enters the hole at a position corresponding to the hole, and the FPC is held in the block by heat after the protruding portion is inserted into the hole. The plug connector and the socket connector are engaged with each other on both sides in the width direction. The Rukakarigo means is provided, the FPC is connected to the contact and contact of the FPC by inserting the fitting portion of the plug connector which is held by the holding means by the heat fitting opening of the socket connector, the housing A mounting hole is provided in the mounting hole, a locking member is temporarily mounted in the mounting hole, a recess is provided on both sides of the fitting portion of the block, and second engaging means are provided on both longitudinal sides of the locking member, This can be achieved by providing an electrical connector in which the second engaging means engages with the recess when the housing is completely attached to the housing .

The electrical connector according to claim 2 is the contact with the locking member to an electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the said the said contact FPC is connected by pressing the FPC direction.
The electrical connector according to claim 3, in electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two contacts are connected to the contacts of the FPC.
Furthermore, the electrical connector of Claim 4 is equipped with the reverse insertion prevention means of the said plug connector, The electrical connector of any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned.
Furthermore, in the electrical connector according to claim 5 , as the engaging means, locking portions protruding outward are provided on both sides in the width direction of the block, and insertion holes are provided on both sides in the width direction of the housing. A lock lever is mounted in the insertion hole, and an engagement portion that engages with the engagement portion is provided on the lock lever, and a connection portion that is connected to the substrate is provided, and the engagement portion of the lock lever and the engagement portion of the block The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plug connector and the socket connector are engaged by engaging each other .

As is clear from the above description, according to the electrical connector of the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
(1) The electrical connector in which the plug connector and the socket connector are detachably fitted as set forth in claim 1, and includes a FPC having a plurality of contacts and a block to which the FPC is mounted; An electrical connector comprising a socket connector having a plurality of contacts connected to the contacts of the FPC and a housing having a fitting port in which the contacts are arranged and held and into which a fitting portion of the plug connector is inserted. A plurality of holes are provided at predetermined positions, a protrusion is provided in the block at a position corresponding to the hole, and the FPC is held in the block by heat after the protrusion is inserted into the hole. The plug connector and the socket connector are engaged with each other on both sides in the width direction. It means provided, the FPC is connected to the contact and contact of the FPC by inserting the fitting portion of the plug connector which is held by the holding means by the heat fitting opening of the socket connector, mounting holes in the housing And temporarily mounting a lock member in the mounting hole, providing recesses on both sides of the fitting portion of the block, and providing second engagement means on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the lock member. Since the second engagement means engages with the recess when the plug connector and the socket connector are completely fitted to each other, the click feeling is obtained. It is obtained, rather greens may lead to connection failure because never FPC is outside even when used at 100 degrees or more of high temperature, double lock structure By order vibration the plug connector to availability and deviate from the socket connector.
(2) The electrical connector according to claim 2, the electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the said the said contact FPC is connected by pressing the contact to the FPC direction by the locking member Therefore, a click feeling is obtained when the plug connector and the socket connector are completely fitted, and even when used at a high temperature of 85 ° C. or higher, the FPC does not come off, so there is no connection failure. In addition, because of the double lock structure, the plug connector is not detached from the socket connector even by vibration, and the contact and the FPC can be reliably connected.
(3) Since the electrical connector according to claim 3 is the electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the two contacts are connected to the contacts of the FPC, the plug connector and the socket A click feeling is obtained when the connector is completely mated, and even when used at a high temperature of 100 ° C or higher, the FPC will not come off and will not lead to poor connection, and the double lock structure will vibrate. As a result, the plug connector is not detached from the socket connector, and the contact and the FPC can be reliably connected, and a stable connection leads to an improvement in long-term contact reliability.
(4) Since the electrical connector according to claim 4 includes the plug connector reverse insertion preventing means, the electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , When the plug connector and the socket connector are completely fitted, a click feeling is obtained, and even when used at a high temperature of 100 ° C. or higher, the FPC does not come off and does not lead to poor connection. The plug connector does not come off the socket connector due to vibration due to the heavy lock structure, and the contact and the FPC can be securely connected, leading to an improvement in long-term contact reliability with a stable connection, Reverse insertion can also be prevented.
(5) In the electrical connector according to claim 5 , as the engaging means, locking portions protruding outward are provided on both sides in the width direction of the block, and insertion holes are provided on both sides in the width direction of the housing. A lock lever is mounted in the insertion hole, and an engaging portion that engages with the engaging portion is provided on the lock lever, and a connecting portion that is connected to the substrate is provided, and the engaging portion of the lock lever and the block are engaged. 5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the plug connector and the socket connector are engaged with each other by engaging a portion. 5. When the socket connector is completely mated with the socket connector, a click feeling is obtained, and even when used at a high temperature of 100 degrees or more, the FPC will not come off, which may lead to poor connection. The simplification of the plug connector structure Hakare, since the lock lever is not exposed, it is possible to suppress the accidental deformation.

(A) It is the perspective view which looked at the plug connector and the socket connector in the state attached to the board | substrate without attaching the locking member from the fitting port upper direction. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector of the state which the plug connector and the socket connector with which the locking member was mounted | worn, and the state attached to the board | substrate was fitted from the fitting port upper direction. (C) It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector of the state which the plug connector and the socket connector with which the locking member was mounted | worn and attached to the board | substrate were seen from the other side upper side of a fitting port. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the plug connector from the upper part by the side of a fitting port. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the socket connector from the upper part by the side of a fitting port. (C) It is the perspective view which looked at the socket connector from the downward direction of the fitting port side. (A) It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the electrical connector of the state which two connectors fitted in a certain contact part. (B) It is sectional drawing which carried out the cross section of the electrical connector of the state which two connectors fitted in the engagement means part of the one side of a longitudinal direction. (C) It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the electrical connector of the state which two connectors fitted in the 2nd engagement means part of the lock member. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the block of the plug connector and FPC from the upper part of a fitting part before heat crimping. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the block and FPC of the plug connector before heat crimping from the other side lower side of a fitting part. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the lock lever which is an engaging means fixed to a block from the fitting part upper direction. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the lock lever which is an engaging means fixed to a block from the other side lower side of a fitting part. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the housing of the socket connector from the fitting port upper direction. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the housing of the socket connector from the opposite side lower side to the fitting port. (C) It is sectional drawing which cut the housing of the socket connector in the insertion hole part of a certain contact. (D) It is sectional drawing which cut the housing of the socket connector in the engagement hole part into which the protrusion piece of a certain locking member enters. (A) It is a perspective view of a contact. (B) It is a perspective view in the state where a contact contacted FPC. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the locking member from the upper part. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the locking member from the lower part. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the plug connector and socket connector of the state reversely inserted from the fitting direction upper direction. (B) It is sectional drawing of the state in which reverse insertion was prevented. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the plug connector and the socket connector in the state attached to the board | substrate without attaching the locking member from the fitting port upper direction. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector of the state which the plug connector and the socket connector with which the locking member was mounted | worn, and the state attached to the board | substrate was fitted from the fitting port upper direction. (C) It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector of the state which the plug connector and the socket connector with which the locking member was mounted | worn and attached to the board | substrate were seen from the other side upper side of a fitting port. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the plug connector from the upper part by the side of a fitting port. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the socket connector from the upper part by the side of a fitting port. (C) It is the perspective view which looked at the socket connector from the downward direction of the fitting port side. (A) It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the electrical connector of the state which two connectors fitted in a certain contact part. (B) It is sectional drawing which carried out the cross section of the electrical connector of the state which two connectors fitted in the engagement means part of the one side of a longitudinal direction. (C) It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the electrical connector of the state which two connectors fitted in the 2nd engagement means part of the lock member. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the block of the plug connector and FPC from the upper part of a fitting part before heat crimping. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the block and FPC of the plug connector before heat crimping from the other side lower side of a fitting part. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the lock lever which is an engaging means fixed to a block from the fitting part upper direction. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the lock lever which is an engaging means fixed to a block from the other side lower side of a fitting part. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the housing of the socket connector from the fitting port upper direction. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the housing of the socket connector from the opposite side lower side to the fitting port. (C) It is sectional drawing which cut the housing of the socket connector in the insertion hole part of a certain contact. (D) It is sectional drawing which cut the housing of the socket connector in the engagement hole part into which the protrusion piece of a certain locking member enters. (E) It is sectional drawing which cut the housing of the socket connector in the insertion hole part in which a certain lock lever enters. (A) It is the perspective view which looked at the locking member from the upper part. (B) It is the perspective view which looked at the locking member from the lower part.

A feature of the present invention is an electrical connector 10 in which a plug connector 20 and a socket connector 50 are detachably fitted, and includes a FPC 22 having a plurality of contacts 221 and a block 24 to which the FPC 22 is mounted. A socket connector 50 having a plurality of contacts 52 connected to the contacts 221 of the FPC 22 and a housing 54 having the fitting ports 12 in which the contacts 52 are arranged and held and into which the fitting portions 14 of the plug connector 20 are inserted. In the electrical connector 10 provided, the FPC 22 is provided with a plurality of holes 222 at predetermined positions, the block 24 is provided with a protrusion 241 that enters the hole 222 at a position corresponding to the hole 222, and the protrusion 241 is After inserting into the hole 222, the FPC 22 is moved to the block 24 by heat. The plug connector 20 is held by holding means, and the plug connector 20 and the socket connector 50 are provided with engaging means for engaging the respective connectors on both sides in the width direction, and the FPC 22 is held by the holding means by heat. The electrical connector 10 is characterized in that the contact 221 of the FPC 22 and the contact 52 are connected by inserting the fitting part 14 into the fitting port 12 of the socket connector 50.
That is, the plug connector 20 in which the FPC 22 is fixed to the block 24 by thermal caulking is inserted into the socket connector 50 so that the contact 221 of the FPC 22 and the contact 52 of the socket connector 50 are connected. It is.

An embodiment of the electrical connector 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a plug connector and a socket connector not attached to a lock member but attached to a board as viewed from above the fitting port, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the plug connector and the lock member. It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector of the state with which the socket connector of the state mounted and attached to the board | substrate was seen from the fitting port upper direction, (C) is attached to the board | substrate with the plug connector and the lock member mounted. It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector of the state which the socket connector of the state fitted from the other side upper side of a fitting port. 2A is a perspective view of the plug connector as viewed from above the fitting port side, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the socket connector as viewed from above the fitting port side, and FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the downward direction of the fitting port side. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector in a state where two connectors are fitted to each other at a certain contact portion, and FIG. 3B is a longitudinal view of the electrical connector in which the two connectors are fitted together. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the engagement means part of the one side of a direction, (C) is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the electrical connector of the state which two connectors fitted in the 2nd engagement means part of the lock member. is there. 4A is a perspective view of the plug connector block and the FPC before heat caulking as seen from above the fitting portion, and FIG. 4B is a fitting portion of the plug connector block and the FPC before heat caulking. It is the perspective view seen from the other side lower side. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a lock lever, which is an engaging means fixed to the block, as viewed from above the fitting portion. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the lock lever, which is an engaging means fixed to the block, as the fitting portion. It is the perspective view seen from the other side lower side. 6A is a perspective view of the housing of the socket connector as viewed from above the fitting port, FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the housing of the socket connector as viewed from the lower side opposite to the fitting port, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which cut the housing of the connector in the insertion hole part of a certain contact, (D) is sectional drawing which cut the housing of the socket connector in the engagement hole part in which the protrusion piece of a certain locking member enters. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the contact, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the contact with the FPC. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the lock member as viewed from above, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the lock member as viewed from below. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the plug connector and the socket connector in the reversely inserted state as seen from above in the fitting direction, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the reverse insertion is prevented.

The electrical connector 10 of the present invention mainly includes a plug connector 20 and a socket connector 50. The plug connector 20 includes at least an FPC 22 and a block 24, and the socket connector 50 includes at least a contact 52 and a housing 54. ing. In this embodiment, the plug connector 20 further includes a lock lever 26 as an engaging means, and the socket connector 50 includes a lock member 56 and a fixture 58.
Hereinafter, although each component will be described, the plug connector 20 will be described in order.

  First, the FPC 22 will be described. The FPC 22 has a contact 221 that mainly contacts the contact portion 521 of the contact 52 of the socket connector 50, a plurality of holes 222 at predetermined positions, and a pattern (not shown) that is connected to the contact 221. Yes. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, four contacts 221 are provided. The number of the contacts 221 is appropriately designed according to customer requirements and specifications. The hole 222 is a portion into which the projecting portion 241 of the block 24 enters and is held by heat holding means. The size, position, and shape of the hole 222 are appropriately designed in consideration of holding force, holding balance, workability, strength, and the like along the protruding portion 241. In this embodiment, three positions are provided from the tip and three positions are provided about 8.0 mm behind the tip. Examples of the holding means include heat caulking, heat welding, and ultrasonic waves. Two contacts 52 of the socket connector 50 are connected to the contact 221. By connecting two, the contact 52 and the FPC 22 are reliably connected, and the stable connection leads to improvement of long-term contact reliability.

  Next, the block 24 will be described. This block 24 is an electrically insulating plastic, and is manufactured by a known technique of injection molding. This material is appropriately selected in consideration of dimensional stability, workability, cost, etc. Generally, polybutylene terephthalate is used. (PBT), polyamide (66PA, 46PA), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polycarbonate (PC), and synthetic materials thereof. In this embodiment, the block 24 has a convex plate shape and a thickness of 0.6 to 0.7 mm in order to reduce the height of the plug connector 20.

  The block 24 has a main body 245 and a fitting portion 14 protruding from the main body 245. The main body portion 245 and the fitting portion 14 are formed with a concave holding portion 243 having a substantially convex shape so as to follow the shape of the FPC 22. The holding portion 243 is a portion into which the FPC 22 is inserted, and the shape and size of the holding portion 243 are substantially the same size as the FPC 22, but considering connection stability, holding strength, workability, etc. And design accordingly. The fitting portion 14 is a portion that enters the fitting port 12 of the socket connector 50. The shape and size of the fitting portion 14 only need to enter the fitting port 12, and the FPC 22 and the contact 52 can be connected. The design is made in consideration of the properties, strength, fitability, and the like.

  In the holding portion 243, a protrusion 241 having a corresponding size is provided at a position corresponding to the hole 222 of the FPC 22. The protruding portion 241 is a portion that is inserted into the hole 222 of the FPC 22 and is held by heat holding means. The size, position, and shape of the projecting portion 241 need only enter the hole 222, and are appropriately designed in consideration of holding force, holding balance, workability, strength, and the like. In the present embodiment, three places are provided in the fitting portion at the tip, and three places are provided in the main body portion 245 behind the tip about 9.0 mm. Examples of the holding means include heat caulking, heat welding, and ultrasonic waves.

  The block 24 is provided with recesses 242 on the side walls on both sides of the fitting portion 14. The concave portion 242 is a portion that engages with the second engagement means 561 of the lock member 56 for forming a double lock structure. The shape and size of the concave portion 242 need only be able to engage with the lock member 56, and are appropriately designed in consideration of holding strength, workability, and the like.

  In this embodiment, since the lock lever 26 is fixed by integral molding, it is not necessary as shown in FIG. 4, but when it is fixed by press-fitting or welding, insertion holes (not shown) are formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction. ) Is required. The shape and size of the insertion hole are appropriately designed in consideration of the holding force, workability, strength, etc. of the lock lever.

  At the end of the plug connector 20, the lock lever 26, which is an engagement means with the socket connector 50, will be described. The lock lever 26 is made of metal and is manufactured by a known press working. As the material of the lock lever 26, spring property, conductivity and the like are required, and examples thereof include brass, beryllium copper and phosphor bronze. In this embodiment, the lock lever 26 is held on the block 24 by integral molding.

  One end side of the lock lever 26 is folded in order to obtain elasticity, and an engaging portion 261 as an engaging means is provided at the tip of the non-folded side. The engaging portion 261 is a portion that engages with the locking portion 544 of the housing 54 of the socket connector 50. The plug connector and the socket connector are locked by the engagement portion 261 and the locking portion 544 engaging with each other. The shape and size of the engaging portion 261 may be designed as appropriate in consideration of the strength at the time of locking, workability, strength, etc., as long as both connectors can be reliably locked. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 261 is a hole, and the locking portion 544 is a protrusion.

  Next, the part of the socket connector 50 will be described. First, the contact 52 will be described. The contact 52 is made of metal and is manufactured by a known press working. The material of the contact 52 is required to be springy or conductive, and examples thereof include brass, beryllium copper, and phosphor bronze. In this embodiment, the contact 52 is held in the housing 54 by press fitting.

  The contact 52 has a substantially inverted U shape, and a contact portion 521 that contacts the contact 221 of the FPC 22 is provided on one end side. The contact portion 521 protrudes in a curved shape so as to be easily contacted. The shape and size of the contact portion 521 are only required to be connected to the FPC 22, and are appropriately designed in consideration of connection stability, spring property, workability, and the like.

  The contact 52 is provided with a connection portion 523 connected to the substrate 80 on the opposite side of the contact portion 521. In the present embodiment, the connection portion 523 is a surface surface mount type (SMT) as shown in FIG. 7A, but may be a dip type. The shape and size of the connection portion 523 are appropriately designed in consideration of the area occupied by the substrate, connectivity, strength, workability, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, a fixing portion 522 for fixing to the housing 54 is provided in the vicinity of the connecting portion 523, and is held in the housing 54 by press-fitting in this embodiment. The shape and size of the fixing portion 522 are appropriately designed in consideration of holding force, workability, strength, and the like. The fixing portion 522 is press-fitted in this embodiment, but may be hooked (lance), welded, or integrally formed.

  In the present embodiment, the contact 52 is provided with an extending portion 524 so as to face the contact portion 5221 in a direction opposite to the connection portion 523. The extension part 524 serves as a backup when connecting to the FPC 22.

  Next, the housing 54 will be described. The housing 54 is an electrically insulating plastic, and is manufactured by a known technique of injection molding. The material is appropriately selected in consideration of dimensional stability, workability, cost, etc. Generally, polybutylene terephthalate is used. (PBT), polyamide (66PA, 46PA), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polycarbonate (PC), and synthetic materials thereof. The housing 54 has a substantially box shape and is provided with a fitting port 12 into which the fitting portion 14 of the plug connector 20 is inserted.

  The housing 54 is provided with an insertion hole 541 into which the plurality of contacts 52 are inserted and held. The pitch in the longitudinal direction of the insertion holes 541 is designed so as to be along the contacts 221 of the FPC 22, and in this embodiment, the two contacts 52 are connected to the contacts 221 of the FPC 22, A total of eight contacts 52 are arranged. By connecting two, the contact 52 and the FPC 22 are reliably connected, and the stable connection leads to improvement of long-term contact reliability. The shape and size of the insertion hole 541 takes into consideration that the contact portion 521 of the contact 52 protrudes into the fitting port 12 and a stable connection with the FPC 22 is obtained, and that holding force, strength, workability, and the like are taken into consideration. And design accordingly.

  The housing 54 is provided with a mounting hole 542 into which the lock member 56 is inserted on the upper surface side (side on which the contact portion 521 of the contact 52 is disposed). The mounting hole 542 is a portion into which the lock member 56 having a double lock structure is inserted. The mounting hole 542 only needs to contain the lock member 56, and is designed as appropriate in consideration of the holding force, workability, strength, and the like of the lock member 56.

  The housing 54 is provided with locking portions 544 that engage with the engaging portions 261 of the lock lever 26 of the plug connector 20 on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The engaging portion 544 is a portion that engages with the engaging portion 261 of the lock lever 26 and locks the two connectors 20 and 50 together. The shape and size of the locking portion 544 may be designed as appropriate in consideration of the strength, workability, strength, and the like at the time of locking as long as the connectors 20 and 50 can be reliably locked to each other. In this embodiment, the locking portion 544 is a protrusion and the engagement portion 261 is a hole.

  The housing 54 is provided with mounting holes 543 for receiving the fixing tool 58 as a countermeasure against galling on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The mounting hole 543 only needs to be fitted with the fixture 58, and is appropriately designed in consideration of holding force, strength, workability, and the like. In this embodiment, it is fixed by press-fitting, but welding or integral molding may be used.

  Engagement holes 545 into which the protruding pieces 564 of the lock member 56 enter are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the mounting holes 542 of the housing 54. The engagement hole 545 is a part that guides (guides) and locks the lock member 56 when the protruding piece 564 is inserted. The engagement hole 545 may be formed by inserting the protruding piece 564, and the shape and size are appropriately designed in consideration of its role, guide property, holding force, strength, workability, and the like.

  Two protrusions 546 are provided in the engagement hole 545 of the housing 54. The protrusion 546 is a portion that is temporarily mounted or locked in a positional relationship with the lock member 56. The protrusion 546 only needs to be able to be temporarily attached or locked to the lock member 56, and the shape and size are appropriately designed in consideration of its role, holding force, strength, workability, and the like. Temporary mounting and locking are performed when the lock member 56 is described.

  Next, the lock member 56 will be described. The lock member 56 is an electrically insulating plastic, and is manufactured by a well-known injection molding method. The material is appropriately selected in consideration of dimensional stability, workability, cost, etc. Generally, polybutylene is used. Examples thereof include terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (66PA, 46PA), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polycarbonate (PC), and synthetic materials thereof. The lock member 56 is substantially U-shaped.

  The lock member 56 includes a main body 562 and projecting pieces 564 projecting on both sides thereof. A second engaging means 561 that engages with the concave portion 242 of the block 24 of the plug connector 20 is provided on an inner portion of the protruding piece 564. By engaging the second engagement means 561 with the recess 242 of the block 24, a second lock structure different from the lock between the lock lever 26 and the locking portion 544 of the housing 54 is obtained. . The second engaging means 561 only needs to be able to engage and lock the block 24, and is appropriately designed in consideration of holding strength, workability, and the like. In the present embodiment, since the counterpart side is concave, it has a protruding shape.

  The projecting piece 564 is a part for guiding and guiding the lock member 56 when the lock member 56 is inserted into the housing 54. The shape and size of the protruding piece 564 is appropriately designed in consideration of its role, guide property, holding force, strength, workability, and the like.

  The main body portion 562 is provided with pressing portions 563 along the pitch of the plurality of contacts 52. The pressing portion 563 is a portion that presses the contact 52, and enables the connection to the FPC 22 stably by pressing. In the present embodiment, the pressing portion 563 has a concave shape so as to be surely pressed.

  A protruding portion 565 protruding outward is provided at the tip of the protruding piece 564. The convex portion 565 is a portion that is locked with temporary mounting in a positional relationship with the convex 546 in the engagement hole 545 of the housing 54. That is, in the temporarily attached state, the convex portion 565 is on the convex portion 546 of the housing 54, and in the fully attached (locked) state, the convex portion 565 has the convex portion 546 of the housing 54. It is in a state of overcoming it. The shape and size of the convex portion 546 is appropriately designed in consideration of its role, holding force, strength, workability, and the like.

  Next, a description will be given of the fixing tool 58 as a countermeasure against galling. The fixture 58 is made of metal and is manufactured by a known press working. As the material of the fixture 58, strength, solderability, workability, and the like are required, and examples thereof include brass, beryllium copper, and phosphor bronze. The fixture 58 is substantially L-shaped, and a connection portion 582 to be soldered to the land 82 of the substrate 80 is provided on one end side. The shape and size of the connecting portion 582 are appropriately designed in consideration of fixing strength, workability, solderability, and the like. Fixing portions 581 for fixing to the mounting holes 543 of the housing 54 are provided on both sides of the width of the other side. The shape and size of the fixing portion 581 are appropriately designed in consideration of holding force, workability, and the like.

  Finally, the reverse insertion preventing means will be described with reference to FIG. When the plug connector 20 is inserted in reverse, the fitting portion 14 of the plug connector 20 hits the upper wall portion of the fitting port 14 of the socket connector 50 and cannot be inserted any more (the FPC 22 and the contact 52 do not contact). It has a structure.

Another electrical connector 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the plug connector and the socket connector not attached to the lock member but attached to the board as viewed from above the fitting port, and FIG. 10B shows the plug connector and the lock member. It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector of the state with which the socket connector of the state mounted and attached to the board | substrate was seen from the fitting port upper direction, (C) is attached to the board | substrate with the plug connector and the lock member mounted. It is the perspective view which looked at the electrical connector of the state which the socket connector of the state fitted from the other side upper side of a fitting port. 11A is a perspective view of the plug connector as viewed from above the fitting port side, FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the socket connector as viewed from above the fitting port side, and FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the downward direction of the fitting port side. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector in a state where two connectors are fitted to each other at a certain contact portion, and FIG. 12B is a longitudinal view of the electrical connector in which the two connectors are fitted together. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the engagement means part of the one side of a direction, (C) is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the electrical connector of the state which two connectors fitted in the 2nd engagement means part of the lock member. is there. FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the plug connector block and the FPC before heat caulking as seen from above the fitting portion, and FIG. 13B is a fitting portion of the plug connector block and the FPC before heat caulking. It is the perspective view seen from the other side lower side. 14A is a perspective view of a lock, which is an engagement means fixed to the block, as viewed from above the fitting portion, and FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the lock, which is an engagement means fixed to the block, opposite the fitting portion. It is the perspective view seen from the side lower side. 15A is a perspective view of the housing of the socket connector as viewed from above the fitting port, FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the housing of the socket connector as viewed from the lower side opposite to the fitting port, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which cut the housing of the connector in the insertion hole part of a certain contact, (D) is sectional drawing which cut the housing of the socket connector in the engagement hole part into which the protrusion piece of a certain locking member enters, E) is a cross-sectional view of the socket connector housing taken along an insertion hole portion into which a certain lock lever is inserted. FIG. 16A is a perspective view of the lock member as viewed from above, and FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the lock member as viewed from below.

The electrical connector 11 of the present invention mainly includes a plug connector 21 and a socket connector 51. The plug connector 21 has at least an FPC 22 and a block 25, and the socket connector 51 has at least a contact 52 and a housing 55. ing. In this embodiment, the socket connector 50 further includes a lock lever 60 and a lock member 56 which are engaging means. The difference from the above-described embodiment (electrical connector 10) is that the lock lever 60 is disposed not on the plug connector side but on the socket connector side, and the connection portion 603 to the board 80 is also provided on the lock lever 60. Is.
Hereinafter, although each component will be described, the plug connector 20 will be described in order.

  Since the structure of the FPC 22 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The difference is the pitch and size of the contacts 221.

  Next, the block 25 will be described. Since the material of the block 25 is the same, the description thereof is omitted. Here, only differences will be described. The block 25 is not mounted with the lock lever, and instead, locking portions 256 that engage with the lock lever 60 of the socket connector 51 are provided on both sides of the body portion 254 of the block 25 in the width direction. It has been. The shape and size of the locking portion 256 may be anything as long as it can be engaged with the engaging portion 601 of the lock lever 60, and is appropriately designed in consideration of the holding power, strength, workability, and the like of the connectors. In this embodiment, it has a substantially trapezoidal shape with an invitation in the fitting direction.

  Next, the part of the socket connector 51 will be described. Since the contact 52 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment (electrical connector 10), description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the housing 55 will be described. The material of the housing 55 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and the description is omitted. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the housing 55 has a substantially box shape and is provided with a fitting port 12 into which the fitting portion 14 of the plug connector 21 is inserted.

  The housing 55 is provided with an insertion hole 551 into which the plurality of contacts 52 are inserted and held. The pitch in the longitudinal direction of the insertion holes 551 is designed so as to be along the contact points 221 of the FPC 22. In this embodiment, the insertion holes 551 are arranged so that one contact 52 is connected to each contact point 221 of the FPC 22. ing. The shape and size of the insertion hole 551 is taken into consideration that the contact portion 521 of the contact 52 protrudes into the fitting port 12 and a stable connection with the FPC 22 is obtained, and the holding force, strength, workability, and the like are taken into consideration. And design accordingly.

  The housing 55 is provided with a mounting hole 552 into which the lock member 57 is inserted on the upper surface side (side on which the contact portion 521 of the contact 52 is disposed). The mounting hole 552 is a portion into which the lock member 57 having a double lock structure is inserted. The mounting hole 552 only needs to be inserted with the lock member 57, and is appropriately designed in consideration of the holding force, workability, strength, and the like of the lock member 57.

  The housing 55 is provided with insertion holes 557 into which the lock lever 60 is inserted by extending the upper surface wall in a substantially L shape on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The insertion hole 557 only has to be inserted into the lock lever 60 and cover the lock lever with a wall extending from the upper surface wall. The shape and size of the insertion hole 557 are different from those of the lock lever 60. Design appropriately considering the strength and workability. That is, the lock lever 60 is covered with the wall of the housing 55 to prevent the lock lever 60 from being accidentally deformed.

  The housing 55 is provided with mounting holes 553 for receiving the fixing portions 602 of the lock lever 60 on both sides in the longitudinal direction. The mounting hole 553 only needs to be fitted with the fixing portion 602, and is appropriately designed in consideration of holding force, strength, workability, and the like. In this embodiment, it is fixed by press-fitting, but welding or integral molding may be used.

  Engagement holes 555 into which the protruding pieces 574 of the lock member 57 enter are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the mounting holes 552 of the housing 55. The engagement hole 555 is a portion that guides (guides) and locks the locking member 57 when the protruding piece 567 enters. The engaging hole 555 may be formed by inserting the protruding piece 574, and the shape and size thereof are appropriately designed in consideration of the role, guide property, holding force, strength, workability, and the like.

  Two protrusions 556 are provided in the engagement hole 555 of the housing 55. The protrusion 556 is a portion that is temporarily mounted or locked in a positional relationship with the lock member 57. The protrusion 556 is only required to be temporarily attached or locked to the lock member 57, and the shape and size are appropriately designed in consideration of its role, holding force, strength, workability, and the like. Temporary mounting and locking are performed when the lock member 57 is described.

  Next, the lock member 57 will be described. Since the material of the lock member 57 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The lock member 57 is substantially U-shaped.

  The lock member 57 includes a main body 572 and projecting pieces 574 projecting on both sides thereof. A second engaging means 571 that engages with the concave portion 252 of the block 25 of the plug connector 21 is provided on an inner portion of the protruding piece 574. When the second engagement means 571 and the recess 252 of the block 25 are engaged, a second lock structure different from the lock between the lock lever 60 and the locking portion 256 of the block 25 is obtained. . The second engaging means 571 is only required to be able to engage with the block 25 and be locked, and is appropriately designed in consideration of holding strength, workability, and the like. In the present embodiment, since the counterpart side is concave, it has a protruding shape.

  The projecting piece 574 is a portion for guiding and guiding the lock member 57 when the lock member 57 is inserted into the housing 55. The shape and size of the protruding piece 574 is appropriately designed in consideration of its role, guide property, holding force, strength, workability, and the like.

  The main body 572 is provided with a pressing portion 573 that presses the plurality of contacts 52. The pressing portion 573 is a portion that presses the contact 52, and allows the connection to the FPC 22 stably by pressing. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 573 has a flat plate shape so that the pressing portion 573 can be surely pressed.

  A protruding portion 575 protruding outward is provided at the tip of the protruding piece 574. The convex portion 575 is a portion that is locked with temporary mounting in a positional relationship with the convex 556 in the engagement hole 555 of the housing 55. That is, in the temporarily mounted state, the convex portion 575 is on the convex portion 556 of the housing 55, and in the fully mounted (locked) state, the convex portion 575 has the convex portion 556 of the housing 55. It is in a state of overcoming it. The shape and size of the convex portion 575 is appropriately designed in consideration of its role, holding force, strength, workability, and the like.

  Finally, the lock lever 60 which is an engagement means with the plug connector 21 will be described. Since the material of the lock lever 60 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, the lock lever 60 is held in the housing 55 by press fitting. The lock lever 60 has a substantially U-shape that is folded back. An engagement portion 601 that engages with the engagement portion 256 of the block 25 is provided on one end side, and a plate thickness is provided on the other end side. A fixing portion 602 protruding in the vertical direction and a connection portion 603 protruding substantially L-shaped are provided on the opposite side.

  The engaging portion 601 that is an engaging means is a portion that engages with the locking portion 256 of the block 25 of the plug connector 21. The plug connector 21 and the socket connector 51 are locked by the engagement portion 601 and the locking portion 256 engaging with each other. The shape and size of the engaging portion 601 may be designed as appropriate in consideration of the strength at the time of locking, workability, strength, and the like as long as both connectors can be reliably locked. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 601 is a hole, and the locking portion 256 is a protrusion.

  The fixing portion 602 is a portion that is press-fitted into the mounting hole 553 of the housing 55, and the shape and size of the fixing portion 602 may be any as long as it can be fixed to the housing 55. Design appropriately in consideration of the properties and the like. In this embodiment, it is fixed by press-fitting, but it may be integrally molded, welded, or lanced (hooked).

  The connection portion 603 is a portion to be mounted on the substrate 80, and the connection portion 603 is of a surface surface mount type (SMT) in this embodiment, but may be a dip type. In the above embodiment (electrical connector 10), the fixing tool 58 is separately used. However, in this embodiment (electrical connector 11), the connecting portion 603 is provided integrally with the lock lever 60 to reduce the number of parts. The shape and size of the connection portion 603 is appropriately designed in consideration of fixing strength, workability, solderability, and the like.

  As an application example of the present invention, it is used in an electrical connector 10 used in an electric device or an electronic device such as an in-vehicle, home appliance, or industrial device. The present invention relates to a two-piece structure (a plug connector and a socket connector) that prevents relaxation of a contact portion during use.

10, 11 Electrical connector 12 Fitting port 14 Fitting portion 20, 21 Plug connector 22 FPC (flexible printed circuit board)
221 Contact 222 Hole 24, 25 Block 241, 251 Protruding part 242, 252 Recessed part 243, 253 Holding part 245, 254 Main part 256 Locking part 26, 60 Lock lever 261, 601 Engaging part 262, 602 Fixing part 603 Connection part 50, 51 Socket connector 52 Contact 521 Contact portion 522 Fixing portion 523 Connection portion 54, 55 Housing 541, 551 Insertion hole 542, 552 Mounting hole 543, 553 Mounting hole 544, 554 Locking portion 545, 555 Engagement hole 546, 556 Convex 557 Insertion hole 56, 57 Lock member 561, 571 Second engaging means 562, 572 Main body 563, 573 Pressing part 564, 574 Protruding piece 565, 575 Protruding part 58 Fixing tool 581 Fixing part 582 Connection part 80 Substrate 82 Land

Claims (5)

An electrical connector in which a plug connector and a socket connector are detachably fitted,
A plug connector having a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) having a plurality of contacts and a block to which the flexible printed circuit board is mounted;
An electrical connector comprising: a socket connector having a plurality of contacts connected to the contacts of the flexible printed circuit board; and a housing having a fitting port in which the contacts are arranged and held and a fitting portion of the plug connector is inserted.
The flexible printed circuit board is provided with a plurality of holes at predetermined positions, the block is provided with a protruding part that enters the hole at a position corresponding to the hole, and the flexible printed circuit board is inserted into the hole after the protruding part is inserted into the hole. Is held by the heat holding means in the block,
The plug connector and the socket connector are provided with engaging means for engaging each connector on both sides in the width direction,
The contact of the flexible printed circuit board and the contact are connected by inserting the fitting portion of the plug connector held by the holding means by heat into the fitting port of the socket connector ,
A mounting hole is provided in the housing and a lock member is temporarily mounted in the mounting hole.
Concave portions are provided on both sides of the fitting portion of the block, and second engagement means are provided on both longitudinal sides of the lock member,
The electrical connector , wherein the second engaging means engages with the recess when the lock member is completely attached to the housing . The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the contact and the flexible printed circuit board are connected by pressing the contact with the lock member toward the flexible printed circuit board. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein two contacts are connected to the contact points of the flexible printed circuit board. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for preventing reverse insertion of the plug connector. As the engaging means,
On both sides in the width direction of the block, provided with locking portions protruding outward,
The housing is provided with insertion holes on both sides in the width direction, and a lock lever is attached to the insertion hole,
The lock lever is provided with an engagement portion that engages with the locking portion and a connection portion that is connected to the substrate,
Either one of the locking lever the plug connector and the socket connector and are described 4 of claims 1, wherein the engaging the locking portion by engaging the engagement portion of said block of 1 The electrical connector according to item .

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