JPH04368787A - Two-piece connector using flexible wiring board - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate work of the reaction force of the contact pressure of flexible wiring boards to the outer wall of a housing when both connectors are connected, and make the contact pressure at a contact part nearly equal. CONSTITUTION:A receptacle connector consists of a receptacle housing 11, a plate spring member 40 and a flexible wiring board. A plug connector consists of a plug housing 51 having plug projections 53, 61 for pushing into a nearly U-shape space of the plate spring member 40 when it is fitted in the receptacle housing 11, and a flexible wiring board covering the plug projection 61 and is fitted to the plug housing 51. Pushing projection parts 41a, 42a extended in the longitudinal direction and projecting to the inside of the nearly U-shape space are provided in both side walls 41, 42 of the plate spring member 40, and in the plug projection 61, elastic members 85 are arranged at parts for facing to the pushing projections when the plug projection 61 is pushed into the nearly U-shape space.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a two-piece connector consisting of a receptacle connector and a plug connector, both of which have flexible wiring boards.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Such a two-piece connector is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-112082. An example of this two-piece connector is shown in FIG. 20, and this connector is composed of a receptacle connector 310 and a plug connector 320 that can be fitted together. The receptacle connector 310 includes a pair of left and right wiring boards that are integrally formed by a receptacle housing 311 having a receiving space 311a with a plug insertion opening 311b formed at the upper end, and flexible wiring boards 314 and 315 by insert molding. Arrangement members 312, 31
3. These wiring board arrangement members 312, 313 are inserted into the receiving space 311a as shown in the figure, and are fixedly attached by a holding member 317. Note that during this insertion, the coil spring 316 is inserted into the arrangement member 3.
12 and 313, and portions 314a and 315a of the flexible wiring boards 314 and 315 that come into contact with the coil spring 316 protrude inward.

On the other hand, the plug connector 320 has a fitting space 321a that receives the receptacle housing 311.
A pair of left and right wiring board mounting members 322, 3 made by integrally having a plug housing 321 having a plug housing 321 and flexible wiring boards 324, 325 by insert molding.
23. These wiring board installation members 322, 323
is inserted into the fitting space 321a protruding from the rear end side of the plug housing 321 as shown in the figure, and is fixed and attached by a holding member 327. In addition, during the above insert molding, exposed parts 324a, 325 are formed on parts of the flexible wiring boards 324, 325.
a is provided, and when attached to the plug housing 321, the exposed portions 324a, 325a are exposed to the fitting space 311a.

The receptacle connector 310 and the plug connector 320 are connected to a printed circuit board 301, respectively.
302 and each flexible wiring board 314,
Each conductive pattern layer 315 and 324, 325 is bonded to a corresponding conductive pattern layer on the printed circuit board. Therefore, in this state, the receptacle housing 311 is inserted into the fitting space 321a of the plug housing 321, and the protruding portions ( When both the connectors 310 and 320 are fitted and connected by inserting the plug protrusion, the printed circuit boards 301 and 302 can be electrically connected via the connectors 310 and 320.

[0005] This electrical connection is made using the protrusions (plug protrusions) of the wiring board mounting members 322 and 323 of the plug connector 320.
enters into the receiving space 311a, the exposed parts 324a, 325a of the flexible wiring boards 324, 325 touch the protruding parts 314a, 314a, 325a of the flexible wiring boards 314, 315.
315a. A coil spring 316 is provided in order to apply sufficient contact force during this contact to ensure a reliable electrical connection.
Sufficient contact force is applied by the elastic deformation force of 6.

[0006]

However, as shown in the figure, this coil spring 316 is not connected to the receptacle housing 3.
Since the receptacle housing 311 is placed in the grooves of the installation members 312 and 313 inserted into the receptacle housing 311, the reaction force of the contact force (elastic deformation force) acts on the outer wall of the receptacle housing 311. Therefore, there is a problem that the outer wall portion of the receptacle housing 311 may be bent or damaged by receiving this reaction force. In order to ensure electrical connection, it is sufficient to increase this contact force, but increasing the contact force increases the problem of such deflection and breakage. Note that when the outer wall portion bends, the contact force at this portion decreases, causing a problem that the electrical connection becomes unstable.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-2588,
A plate spring made of a plate material bent to have a substantially U-shaped cross section is disposed within the receiving space of the receptacle housing, and a flexible wiring board is disposed so as to fit into the substantially U-shaped space of the plate spring. A two-piece connector using a receptacle connector is disclosed. In this connector, when the plug connector and the receptacle connector are connected, the plug protrusion of the plug connector enters the approximately U-shaped space of the leaf spring, and is pressed and clamped by the spring force of the leaf spring, and the flexible wiring boards are held together. come into contact with In this case, the leaf spring does not come into contact with the outer wall of the receptacle housing, but applies contact force by its own elastic deformation force, so a reaction force acts on the outer wall of the receptacle housing as described above. No problem.

[0008] However, the above-mentioned leaf spring is made by bending and molding a single flat plate, and during this molding, if the part that applies the contact force is uneven or tilted, the flexible wiring may be damaged. There is a problem that variations occur in the contact force applied to the plate, and there is a risk that a partial contact failure may occur. The flexible wiring board uses FPC technology, TAB (T
It is made by forming a conductive wiring pattern layer (conductive pattern layer) using ape automated bonding technology or the like. In the abutting portion of the flexible wiring board in the connector, a plurality of conductive pattern layers are formed side by side at a predetermined pitch in the width direction, and the corresponding conductive pattern layers of the flexible wiring boards of both connectors abut each other, Electrical connections are now made. Therefore, if there are variations in the contact force applied by the leaf springs, there is a problem that some conductive pattern layers may cause connection failures.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a two-piece connector using flexible wiring boards, in which the reaction force of the contact force between the flexible wiring boards does not act on the outer wall of the housing, and the contact It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-piece connector having a structure in which the contact force at the parts is substantially uniform.

0010

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As a means for achieving the above object, the two-piece connector of the present invention is comprised of a receptacle connector and a plug connector that are fitted or butt-connected to each other. This receptacle connector is made by bending and forming a receptacle housing in which a receiving space with a plug insertion opening is formed, and an elastic plate material into a substantially U-shaped cross section, with an open end facing the plug insertion opening and a base. A leaf spring member is fixed to the receptacle housing and disposed within the receiving space, and the intermediate portion enters the approximately U-shaped space of the leaf spring member, and the left and right sides cover the left and right side walls of the leaf spring member. and a flexible wiring board for the receptacle, which is disposed to extend into the receiving space. On the other hand, a plug connector includes a plug housing having a plug protrusion that protrudes into a substantially U-shaped space of a leaf spring member through a plug insertion opening when mated or abutted with a receptacle housing, and a plug protrusion. and a flexible wiring board for the plug that is attached to the plug housing and covers the plug housing. Further, pressing convex portions are provided on both left and right side walls of the leaf spring member, extending in the longitudinal direction and projecting inward of the substantially U-shaped space. Further, an elastic member is disposed in a portion of the plug protrusion that faces the pressing convex portion when the plug protrusion is inserted into the substantially U-shaped space of the leaf spring member through the plug insertion opening.

[0011]

[Operation] When using a two-piece connector with the above configuration, the receptacle housing and the plug housing are fitted or abutted to connect both connectors. At this time, the plug protrusion of the plug connector is connected to the plug of the receptacle housing. Approximately U of the leaf spring member that enters the receiving space through the insertion opening and is disposed within this receiving space.
Enter the character space. At this time, the plug protrusion pushes apart the left and right side walls of the leaf spring member and enters the approximately U-shaped space, and the plug protrusion absorbs the elastic deformation force when the left and right side walls of the leaf spring member are spread left and right. It is held between the left and right walls. The flexible wiring board for the plug is attached to the plug protrusion so as to cover the plug protrusion, and the flexible wiring board for the receptacle is placed inside the approximately U-shaped space of the leaf spring member, so that When the plug protrusion enters into the substantially U-shaped space of the leaf spring member, both flexible wiring boards are held in contact with each other between both side surfaces of the plug protrusion and the left and right side walls of the leaf spring member.

As a result, the corresponding conductive patterns of both flexible wiring boards come into contact with each other and are electrically connected. In addition,
The left and right side walls of the leaf spring member are provided with pressing protrusions that extend laterally and project toward each other on a substantially U-shaped cross section, so that both flexible wiring boards are held between the pressing protrusions. , the elastic deformation force of the leaf spring member acts on this portion to apply contact force. In this case, when the plate spring member is bent and formed, if unevenness occurs in the pressing convex portion or if the pressing convex portion is formed obliquely, the contact force may become non-uniform. However, the plug projection of this plug connector has an elastic member made of rubber or the like in a portion facing the pressing projection, that is, a portion receiving the elastic force from the pressing projection. Therefore, even if there are irregularities or inclinations in the pressing convex portion, these are absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic member, and variations in the contact force at the contact portions of both flexible wiring boards are alleviated, and a predetermined contact force can be obtained.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The connector according to the present invention includes a receptacle connector 10 and a plug connector 50. The receptacle connector 10 has the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the plug connector 50 has the structure shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, and both connectors 10 and 50 are fitted together. In addition, in the following, connector 1
The longitudinal direction of 0.50 is referred to as the front-rear direction, and the width direction is referred to as the left-right direction.

First, the structure of the receptacle connector 10 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. This connector 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and includes a receptacle housing 11 molded from an insulating material such as resin. A receiving space 12 is formed within the receptacle housing 11 and has a plug insertion opening 12a at its upper end. The receptacle housing 11 has left and right side walls 11a, 11
b and front and rear side walls 11c and 11d, these side walls surround the receiving space 12, but the lower end thereof is open downward. However, a rib 11e extending back and forth is formed at the center of the opening at the lower end. In this receiving space 12,
The leaf spring member 40 and the flexible wiring board 30 are held and disposed by the holding member 20.

The plate spring member 40 is made by bending an elastic metal plate material so that the cross-sectional shape is approximately U-shaped as shown in FIG. This plate spring member 40 is
Left and right side walls 41, 42 and base portion 4 forming a substantially U-shaped cross section
3, these left and right side walls 41, 42 and a base part 43
A substantially U-shaped space 46 is formed which is surrounded by and is open upward. Note that the left and right side walls 41 and 42 are not simply planar, but have intermediate portions in the vertical direction protruding inward, respectively.
Pressing convex portions 41a and 42a extending in the lateral direction are formed, and upper end portions are bent outward into a cylindrical shape to form upper end cylindrical portions 41b and 42b.

Cut and raised portions 41c and 42c used for applying preload are provided at both front and rear ends of the upper cylindrical portions 41b and 42b. Note that the preload assignment will be described later. Furthermore, the left and right side walls 41, 42
The lower portions of each are cut at two locations (four locations in total) and bent downward to form surface mount legs 44. Furthermore, a plurality of through holes 45 are formed in the base portion 43 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible wiring board 30 has a circuit pattern of a conductive thin film, that is, conductive pattern layers 32a and 3 on a flexible insulating film 31.
2b is formed by known FPC technology, TAB technology, etc. Note that the receptacle connector 10 of this example
As a flexible wiring board 30 used for this purpose, only the insulating film 31 is cut and removed at the cut portion 31b in FIG.
A material in which b is exposed and the outer periphery is cut into a desired shape is used.

The leaf spring member 40 and flexible wiring board 30 are arranged within the receiving space 12,
These arrangements will be explained with reference to FIG. first,
As shown in FIG. 8(A), the flexible wiring board 30
The central portion covers the lower side of the rib 11e, the left and right sides protrude into the receiving space 12 in an M-shape, and the left and right ends extend outward from the lower ends of the left and right side walls 11a and 11b of the receptacle housing 11. will be established. In this arrangement, the flexible wiring board 30 may be directly pushed into the receiving space 12 as described above, but the flexible wiring board 30 may be preformed into the shape shown in FIG. 8(A). and easy to install.

On the other hand, the leaf spring member 40 is first mounted on the holding member 20. The holding member 20 has guide walls 25 extending upward on both left and right sides, and the guide walls 25 are fitted into the receiving space 12 of the receptacle housing 11, as shown in FIG. 8(B). It has become. On the upper surface of the holding member 20, as shown in FIG.
A plurality (three) of insertion guide pins 22 and a plurality (eight) of shorter holding guide pins 23 are provided to extend upward. Two attachment guide pins 21 are provided on the lower surface of the holding member 20 and extend downward. The leaf spring member 40 is attached with its base portion 43 resting on the upper surface of the holding member 40. At this time, the insertion guide pin 22 and the holding guide pin 23 are inserted into the through hole 45 formed in the base portion 43, thereby positioning the plate spring member 40 to be attached to the holding member 20.

After the leaf spring member 40 is mounted on the holding member 20 in this manner, the upper open part of the approximately U-shaped space 46 of the leaf spring member 40 faces the rib 11e from the lower side of the receptacle housing 11. Then, this leaf spring member 40 is inserted into the receiving space 12. At this time, the left and right side walls 41 and 42 of the leaf spring member 40 are pushed apart by the rib 11e, climb over the rib 11e, and enter the receiving space 12 as shown in FIG. 8(B). In addition, rib 11
e includes the insertion guide pin 22 and the holding guide pin 2.
A through hole corresponding to 3 is formed, and the flexible wiring board 3
0 also has through holes 3 corresponding to these guide pins 22 and 23.
1a (see FIG. 5) is formed. Therefore, as described above, the holding member 20 and the leaf spring member 40 are attached to the receiving space 1.
2, the insertion guide pin 22 and the holding guide pin 23 fit into the through hole of the rib 11e and the through hole 31a of the flexible wiring board 30.

On the other hand, a pair of preload applying guide protrusions 16 are formed at the front and rear ends of the receptacle housing 11 in the receiving space 12, respectively. These guide protrusions 16 have tapered surfaces 16a that slope outward and upward, and are formed at positions facing the cut and raised portions 41c and 42c of the leaf spring member 40 inserted into the receiving space 12 as described above. . Therefore, when the leaf spring member 40 is inserted into the receiving space 12, the cut and raised portions 41c, 42
The inner ends 41d and 42d of c contact the tapered surface 16a, and are inserted while being pushed apart along the tapered surface 16a. Therefore, when the leaf spring member 40 is completely inserted into the receiving space 12, as shown in FIG.
2 is pushed apart to some extent and becomes elastically deformed. In other words, the left and right side walls 41 and 42 are subjected to a preload that spreads outward.

[0022] Through this insertion, the final result is as shown in Fig. 8(C).
As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right side portions of the flexible wiring board 30 are sandwiched between the left and right guide walls 25 of the holding member 20 and the left and right side walls 11a, 11b of the receptacle housing 11, and the left and right side portions of the flexible wiring board 30 are sandwiched between the ribs 11e and the holding member 20. The center portion of the flexible wiring board 30 and the base portion 43 of the leaf spring member 40 are in a sandwiched state. At this time, the insertion guide pins 22 and the holding guide pins 23 fit into the through holes of the ribs 11e and the through holes 31a of the flexible wiring board 30, so that each member is accurately positioned. Note that the insertion guide pin 22 is longer than the holding guide pin 23,
When inserted into the through hole of the rib 11e as described above, the insertion guide pin 22 is moved upward from the rib 11e (from the plate spring member 4).
0) into the approximately U-shaped space 46). Further, the flexible wiring board 30 has a center portion approximately U of the leaf spring member 40.
It enters into the character-shaped space 46, and the left and right sides are the leaf spring members 4.
0, and the left and right side walls 4
1 and 42. At this time, the portions of the flexible wiring board 30 that come into contact with the pressing protrusions 41a and 42a of the leaf spring member 40 are
a, 42a to protrude inward.

As shown in FIG. 6(C), a pair of fixing pins 24 are formed at both the front and rear ends of the holding member 20 and project upwardly, and these fixing pins 24 are formed on the receptacle housing 11. It is designed to be inserted into the inserted insertion hole. Therefore, the holding member 20 has the ribs 11e of the insertion guide pin 22 and the holding guide pin 23.
The fixing pin 24 is firmly connected to the receptacle housing 11 by fitting into the through hole and fitting into the insertion hole of the fixing pin 24 .

The receptacle connector 10 having the above structure is attached to the printed circuit board 1 by surface mounting or the like, as shown by the chain line in FIG. During this installation, the installation guide pin 21 of the holding member 20 is attached to the printed circuit board 1.
The mounting position is determined by fitting into the insertion hole. and,
The conductive pattern layers 32a and 32b exposed at both left and right end portions of the flexible wiring board 30 are surface mount bonded to the corresponding conductive pattern layers of the printed circuit board 1 by reflow soldering. However, the conductive pattern layers 32a, 32b
Surface mount bonding does not provide sufficient bonding strength;
The attachment strength of the receptacle connector 10 to the printed circuit board 1 is insufficient. For this reason, the surface mounting legs 44 of the leaf spring member 40 are also reflow soldered to the printed circuit board 1 to ensure mounting strength. Furthermore, the front and rear side walls 11c of the receptacle housing 11,
Attachment grooves 18 are formed on the outer surface of each of the parts 11d,
An L-shaped mount member 35 is press-fitted into the mounting groove 18 . The lower leg portion 36 of this mount member 35 is also
Similar to the legs 44 of the leaf spring member 40, the receptacle connector 10 is joined to the printed circuit board 1 by reflow soldering.
It is designed to increase the mounting strength of the

Next, the structure of the plug connector 50 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. This connector 5
The plug housing 51 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and is molded from an insulating material such as resin. A fitting space 58 that opens upward is formed within the plug housing 51 . The plug housing 51 has left and right side walls 51a.
, 51b, front and rear side walls 51c, 51d, and a bottom wall 52, and these side walls and the bottom wall surround a fitting space 58. An insertion hole 52a extending back and forth is formed through the bottom wall 52. Furthermore, the insertion hole 5 in the bottom wall 52
A column 54 is provided extending upward from the front and rear ends of 2a, and a plug protrusion tip 53 is integrally provided across the upper ends of the column 54. A plurality of through holes 53a and 53b are formed in the plug protrusion tip 53.

Fitting space 58 of this plug housing 51
The flexible wiring board 70 is held and disposed by the holding member 60 so that the tip thereof contacts the tip end portion 53 of the plug protrusion. The flexible wiring board 70 is different in size from the flexible wiring board 30 used in the receptacle connector 10, but has the same structure. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of conductive pattern layers 72a and 72b are provided on a flexible insulating film 71, and the insulating film 7 is formed at a cut portion 71b in FIG.
1 is cut and removed, and this portion of the conductive pattern layer 72 is removed.
a and 72b are exposed and the outer periphery is cut to give the desired shape.

The holding member 60 has a plug protrusion base end 61 that stands up in the form of a flat plate, and this plug protrusion base end 61
The cross-sectional shape of is slightly smaller than the shape of the insertion hole 52a formed in the bottom wall portion 52 of the plug housing 51, so that the plug protrusion base end 61 can be fitted into the insertion hole 52a. A plurality of receiving holes 63 and a plurality of holding guide pins 64 are provided at the tip of the plug protrusion base end 61 . These are provided corresponding to the plurality of through holes 53a and 53b formed in the plug protrusion tip 53 of the plug housing 51. The plug protrusion base end 61 is inserted into the insertion hole 52
a into the fitting space 58 and its tip abuts the plug protrusion tip 61, the receiving hole 63 overlaps the through hole 53a, and the holding guide pin 64 overlaps the through hole 53b.
It is designed to be fitted inside. Plug protrusion base end 6
As shown in FIG. 12, a groove 62 is formed along the entire circumference in the intermediate portion of 1, and a ring-shaped elastic member 85 made of rubber or the like is disposed within this groove 62. In this example, the grooves 62 are formed all around the circumference, but the grooves may be formed only on both left and right sides, and an elastic member may be provided in each groove.

Furthermore, two mounting guide pins 65 are provided on the bottom surface of the holding member 60 to protrude downward, and through holes 67 are formed at the front and rear ends. Furthermore, two grooves 60a are formed on the bottom surface, and a mount member 80 is fixedly installed in these grooves 60a. As shown in FIG. 9, the mount member 80 has a press-fit arm 83 bent upward and a mount arm 82 extending laterally. In the groove portion 60a,
A press-fit hole 66 extending upward is formed, and the mount member 80 is attached to the groove 60a of the holding member 60 by press-fitting the press-fit arm 83 into the press-fit hole 66. Note that at this time, the protrusion 83a of the press-fit arm 83 is inserted into the press-fit hole 6.
6, and the mount member 80 is firmly fixed.

The plug protrusion base end 61 of the holding member 60
A flexible wiring board 70 is attached to cover. At this time, the flexible wiring board 70 has a plurality of through holes 71.
The holding guide pin 64 of the proximal end portion 61 of the plug protrusion is fitted into this through hole 71a, and the mounting position of both is determined. Note that the receiving hole 63 is the through hole 71.
overlaps with a. In this state, the plug protrusion base end 61 passes through the insertion hole 52a of the plug housing 51 and enters the fitting space 58.
inserted within. With this insertion, the plug protrusion base end 6
The tip of the plug projection 1 comes into contact with the plug protrusion tip 53, and the flexible wiring board 70 is held between the two. At this time, the holding guide pin 64 is fitted into the through hole 53b. Also,
The receiving hole 63 is located overlapping with the through hole 71a of the flexible wiring board 70 and the through hole 53a of the plug tip projection 53.

In this way, when the holding member 60 is inserted until the tip of the plug protrusion base end 61 comes into contact with the plug protrusion tip 53, the through hole 67 formed at the front and rear ends of the holding member 60 is inserted. A mounting pin protrusion 55 formed on the lower surface of the front and rear ends of the plug housing 51 is fitted. The fitting between the mounting pin protrusion 55 and the through hole 67 and the holding guide pin 64
By fitting into the through hole 53b, the holding member 60 is coupled and fixed to the plug housing 51 in the inserted state as described above. As a result, the conductive pattern layers 72a and 72b of the flexible wiring board 70 are exposed to the fitting space 58 on the left and right side surfaces of the plug protrusion base end 61. Further, the vicinity of the left and right ends of the flexible wiring board 70 are held fixed between the bottom wall part 52 of the plug housing 51 and the holding member 60.

The plug connector 50 having the above configuration is shown in FIG.
As shown by the chain line at 0, it is attached to the printed circuit board 2 by surface mounting or the like. During this attachment, the attachment guide pins 65 of the holding member 60 fit into the insertion holes of the printed circuit board 2 to determine the attachment position. Then, the conductive pattern layers 72a and 72b exposed at both left and right end portions of the flexible wiring board 70 are surface mount bonded to the corresponding conductive pattern layers of the printed circuit board 2 by reflow soldering. However, even in this case, the surface mount bonding of the conductive pattern layers 72a and 72b does not provide sufficient strength for attaching the plug connector 50 to the printed circuit board 2. Therefore, the mount arm 82 of the mount member 80 fixed to the bottom surface of the holding member 60 is also attached to the printed circuit board 2.
is reflow soldered. Furthermore, an L-shaped mount member 75 is press-fitted into a mounting groove 57 formed on the outer surface of the front and rear side walls 51c and 51d of the plug housing 51, and the leg portions 76 of this mount member 75 are also attached to the printed circuit board 2. The plug connector 50 is joined by reflow soldering to increase the mounting strength of the plug connector 50.

When the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 50 configured as described above are connected, the printed circuit boards 1 and 2 can be electrically connected through this two-piece connector. This connection involves fitting the receptacle housing 11 into the fitting space 58 of the plug housing 51 and fitting the plug connector 5 into the receiving space 12 of the receptacle housing 11.
This is done by inserting the plug protrusion 0 (the plug protrusion tip end 53 and the plug protrusion base end 61). As a result, as shown in FIG.
The left and right side walls 41 and 42 of the plate spring member 40 are pushed apart to enter the substantially U-shaped space, and the plug protrusion base end 61 is held between the left and right side walls 41 and 42 of the leaf spring member 40. Therefore, the substantially U-shaped space 46 between the left and right side walls 41 and 42 of the leaf spring member 40
Flexible wiring board 30 installed inside
and a flexible wiring board 70 attached to cover the plug protrusion base end 61 are sandwiched between both side surfaces of the plug protrusion base end 61 and the left and right side walls 41, 42 of the leaf spring member 40, and both wiring boards 30, 70 corresponding conductive pattern layers 32
a, 32b and 72a, 72b come into abutting contact.

These conductive pattern layers 32a, 32b, 7
2a and 72b are reflow soldered to the corresponding conductive pattern layers of the printed circuit boards 1 and 2, respectively, so that these conductive pattern layers 32
Both printed circuit boards 1 via a, 32b, 72a, 72b
, 2 electrical connections are made. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, a large number of conductive pattern layers 32a, 32b, 72a, 72b are formed on the flexible wiring boards 30, 70, and the intervals therebetween are quite narrow. Therefore, if the positioning is not performed accurately when connecting both connectors 10 and 50, the conductive pattern layer may shift and come into contact, resulting in poor contact, or it may come into contact with an adjacent conductive pattern layer that should not come into contact, causing an error. There is a risk of contact.

Therefore, in the two-piece connector of this example, the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 5
0 are fitted and coupled together as shown in FIG. and is configured to fit into the receiving hole 63 of the proximal end portion 61 of the plug protrusion. In this way, insert the insertion guide pin 22 into the through hole 53a.
By fitting into the receiving hole 63, the fitting portions of both the connectors 10 and 50 are accurately positioned, and the problems of poor contact and erroneous contact as described above can be prevented.

[0035] Note that these conductive pattern layers 32a, 32b
The abutting contact between and 72a and 72b is performed by being pressed by the pressing convex portions 41a and 42a of the leaf spring member 40, and the contact force at the time of this contact is due to the elastic deformation force of the left and right side walls 41 and 42 of the leaf spring member 40. It has gained. By the way, the elastic member 85 disposed in the groove 62 of the plug protrusion base end 61 faces the pressing protrusions 41a and 42a, as shown in the figure, and is separated from the left and right side walls 41 and 42 of the leaf spring member 40. The applied pressing force is received by the elastic member 85. For this reason, the pressing convex portion 41a
, 42a have unevenness or are tilted diagonally, since these are absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic member 85, both flexible wiring boards 30, 70 are removed from the pressing protrusions 41a, 42a. Variations in contact force acting on the contact portions are alleviated. Therefore, all the conductive pattern layers 32a, 32b, 72a, 72b in both flexible wiring boards 30, 70 that are in contact with each other are subjected to a substantially uniform contact force, and there is a possibility that a partial electrical connection failure may occur. do not have.

Furthermore, when assembling the receptacle connector 10, the left and right side walls 41, 42 of the leaf spring member 40 are pushed outward to some extent to a state where a preload is applied. Therefore, in order to connect both the connectors 10 and 50, the above-mentioned preload is not necessary as the insertion force required when inserting the plug protrusion into the approximately U-shaped space 46 of the leaf spring member 40, and the insertion force increases accordingly. becomes smaller. That is, by applying this preload in advance, the insertion force for fitting the connectors 10 and 50 together can be reduced. Further, by pushing outward in this manner, the upper ends of the left and right side walls 41, 42 of the leaf spring member 40 are separated to form an opening, and the intervals between the openings can be made equal. This makes it easier to insert the plug protrusion, and reduces the possibility that the plug protrusion makes partial contact during insertion.

In the above, receptacle connector 1
0 and the plug connector 50 are both connected to the printed circuit board 1,
The two-piece connector according to the present invention
As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, it can also be used to connect a printed circuit board and a flexible wiring board. This two-piece connector has a receptacle connector 10 having the same configuration as described above, and this receptacle connector 10 is attached to the printed circuit board 1. The configuration of this receptacle connector 10 has been described above.

On the other hand, the plug connector 150 has a plug housing 151, a holding member 160, and a flexible wiring board 170, and is similar to the plug connector 50 described above. However, this plug connector 150 is not attached to a printed circuit board, but is attached to a flexible wiring board 1.
70 extends outward and is electrically connected to other members (for example, other connectors, etc.) via this flexible wiring board 170. In order to press and hold the outwardly extending flexible wiring board 170, the upper end of the holding member 160 is held down on the plug housing 151, and the flexible wiring board 170 is held between the holding member 160 and the pressing member. 190 is attached.

The pressing member 190 has a locking arm 191 extending downward at its front and rear ends, and this locking arm 191 locks with a locking convex portion 152 provided on the front and rear side walls of the plug housing 151 to lock the plug. It is attached to the housing 51. Note that this locking is performed using the protrusion 192 of the locking arm 191.
This is done by entering the locking groove 153 formed in the locking convex portion 152. With the pressing member 190 attached to the plug housing 151 in this way, the pressing member 190
A flexible wiring board 170 is held between the holding member 160 and the holding member 160 . Therefore, even if the flexible wiring board 170 is pulled by an external force due to this clamping, this external force is prevented from acting on the flexible wiring board 170 inside the housing. That is, the pressing member 19
0 serves as a strain relief for the flexible wiring board 170.

Although an example of a connector having one row of plug protrusions has been described above, a two-piece connector can also be constructed by providing multiple rows of plug protrusions, as shown in FIG. Since this two-piece connector has the same basic configuration as the two-piece connector consisting of the receptacle connector 10 and plug connector 50 described above, the configuration will be briefly described.

The receptacle connector 210 has a receptacle housing 211 in which two receiving spaces 212 and 213 are formed, and plug insertion openings 212a and 213a are formed in both receiving spaces 212 and 213, respectively. There are ribs 211e, 21 extending back and forth.
1e is formed. These receiving spaces 212, 213
A leaf spring member 240 is disposed inside each of them. However, these two leaf spring members 240 are replaced by one holding member 22.
It is held by 0. The flexible wiring board 230 has a substantially U-shaped space 246 between both leaf spring members 240 as shown in the figure.
It can be installed by going inside. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, this flexible wiring board 230 has approximately U
Conductive pattern layers 232a, 232b and 233a, 23 are divided into left and right parts for each portion that enters the character-shaped space 246.
3b is formed. Furthermore, the insertion guide pin 222 and the holding guide pin (
Through-holes 231a and 231b are formed for inserting (not shown).

On the other hand, the plug connector 250 has a plug housing 251 in which a fitting space 258 is formed, and two plug protrusion tips 253 and 254 projecting into the fitting space 258 are formed. The holding member 260 is also 2
The plug protrusion base end portions 261 and 262 are respectively abutted against the plug protrusion tip portions 253 and 254 to form a plug protrusion. The flexible wiring board 270 has the same shape as that shown in FIG. 19, and is attached to cover the proximal ends 261 and 262 of both plug protrusions. Furthermore, elastic members 285 are attached to both plug protrusion base end portions 261 and 262, respectively.

The receptacle connector 210 and the plug connector 250 each have a mounting guide pin 22.
1,265, and the printed circuit board is attached. This attachment method is the same as described above. Thereafter, the plug protrusions of the plug connector 250 are inserted into the receiving spaces 212, 213 of the receptacle connector 210 to couple both connectors 210, 250, thereby electrically connecting both printed circuit boards. In this case as well, both flexible wiring boards 23 are
A contact force of the conductive pattern layer of 0.270 mm is applied, and this contact force is substantially uniformed by the elastic member 285.

[0044]

As explained above, in the present invention, the receptacle connector includes a plate spring member made by bending and forming an elastic plate material into a substantially U-shaped cross section, and disposed inside the receptacle housing; is the abbreviation U of this leaf spring member.
The plug connector has a flexible wiring board for a receptacle that extends into the letter-shaped space and is disposed so that its left and right sides cover the left and right side walls of the leaf spring member, while the plug connector has an approximately U shape of the leaf spring member. The plug housing has a plug protrusion that protrudes into the character-shaped space, a flexible wiring board for the plug that is attached to the plug housing so as to cover the plug protrusion, and the left and right side walls of the leaf spring member is provided with a pressing convex portion extending in the longitudinal direction and protruding inward of the approximately U-shaped space, and the plug protrusion is provided with a pressing convex portion that protrudes into the approximately U-shaped space of the leaf spring member through the plug insertion opening. An elastic member is disposed at a portion that faces the pressing convex portion when it is pressed.

Here, when the receptacle housing and the plug housing are fitted or abutted to connect both connectors, the plug protrusion of the plug connector enters the receiving space through the plug insertion opening of the receptacle housing, and the plug protrusion of the plug connector enters the receiving space through the plug insertion opening of the receptacle housing. It protrudes into the approximately U-shaped space of the leaf spring member disposed within the receiving space. At this time, the plug protrusion pushes apart the left and right side walls of the leaf spring member and enters into the approximately U-shaped space, and the plug protrusion absorbs the elastic deformation force when the left and right side walls of the leaf spring member are spread left and right. The flexible wiring boards are held in contact with each other and held between both side surfaces of the plug projection and the left and right walls of the leaf spring member. As a result, the corresponding conductive patterns of both flexible wiring boards come into contact with each other and are electrically connected. Note that the left and right side walls of the leaf spring member are provided with pressing protrusions that extend laterally and project toward each other on a substantially U-shaped cross section, so that the pressing protrusions cause both flexible wiring boards to The elastic deformation force of the plate spring member acts on this portion to apply a contact force. In this case, the plug protrusion of the plug connector has an elastic member made of rubber or the like in the part facing the pressing protrusion, that is, the part receiving the elastic force from the pressing protrusion. Even if there are irregularities or inclinations, these are absorbed by the elastic deformation of the elastic member, and variations in contact force at the contact portions of both flexible wiring boards are alleviated.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a receptacle connector constituting a two-piece connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view, a front view, and a side view showing a receptacle connector constituting the two-piece connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a receptacle connector constituting the two-piece connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view and a perspective view showing a leaf spring member used in the receptacle connector.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a flexible wiring board used in the receptacle connector.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the receptacle connector.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a portion of the receptacle connector.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the assembly of the receptacle connector.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a plug connector constituting the two-piece connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view, a front view, and a side view showing a plug connector constituting a two-piece connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing a plug connector constituting the two-piece connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a part of the plug connector.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the plug connector.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a state in which the receptacle connector and plug connector are connected.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a two-piece connector according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a side view and a front view of a two-piece connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a two-piece connector according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a two-piece connector according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a flexible wiring board used in the two-piece connector according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a conventional two-piece connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Receptacle connector 11 Receptacle housing 12 Receptive space 20 Holding member 22 Insertion guide pin 30 Flexible wiring board 40　Plate spring member 46 Roughly U-shaped space 50 Plug connector 51 Plug housing 53 Plug protrusion tip 58 Fitting space 60 Holding member 61 Base end of plug protrusion 70 Flexible wiring board 80 Mounting member

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A receptacle housing in which a receiving space having a plug insertion opening is formed, and a receptacle housing made by bending and molding an elastic plate material into a substantially U-shaped cross section, the receptacle housing having an open end portion facing the plug insertion opening. A plate spring member disposed within the receiving space, and the receiving space such that the intermediate portion enters the approximately U-shaped space of the plate spring member and the left and right side portions cover the left and right side walls of the plate spring member. a receptacle connector configured with a receptacle flexible wiring board extending inside the receptacle housing, and capable of fitting or mating with the receptacle housing, and when this fitting or mating is performed, the plug insertion opening A plug connector comprising a plug housing having a plug protrusion that protrudes into the substantially U-shaped space through the plug housing, and a plug flexible wiring board that covers the plug protrusion and is attached to the plug housing. The left and right side walls of the leaf spring member are provided with pressing protrusions that extend in the longitudinal direction and project inward of the substantially U-shaped space, and the plug protrusion passes through the plug insertion opening and into the substantially U-shaped space. A two-piece connector using a flexible wiring board, characterized in that it has an elastic member in a portion that faces the pressing convex portion when inserted into the U-shaped space.