JPS6247350B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a bendable flexible connector.

Conventionally, when electrically connecting two boards disposed at an angle or between a housing and a movable panel that can be opened, each A connector (relay terminal board) is provided near the joint between the board or the housing and the movable opening panel, and these are electrically connected using conductive wires, or as in the idea shown in Publication No. 10274/1983, The electric wires connected to the movable panel from the panel fixing part are separated, and a pair can be rotated on the same axis as the movable panel's rotation axis while maintaining electrical contact as the movable panel rotates. It is conceivable to use one connected to the electric wire connection terminal of

However, the former method requires individual connectors, which is undesirable in terms of cost, space, and effort for connecting conductor wires. In addition, the latter method becomes complicated when there are a large number of wires, not only increasing the cost but also requiring a considerable amount of space.Furthermore, since electrical contact is made at the movable point, the electrical resistance is large, making it unsuitable for handling weak currents. be.

In addition, both the former and the latter require a separate connector or hinge to maintain a fixed relationship between the board and the board or the case and the movable panel.

In view of the above, the present invention is a connector for electrically connecting two boards disposed at an angle, which can reliably maintain both boards at a predetermined angle, and can reduce cost and space. Furthermore, it was devised for the purpose of obtaining a connector with reliable electrical connection.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows:
The upper surfaces of the left and right housings that face each other form abutting inclined surfaces that form a desired angle, and a connector housing is formed by integrally forming both housings with a hinge, and a bendable conductor portion and its A first flexible connector characterized in that the contact portions provided at both ends are connected to a terminal integrally formed of the same material, and both contact portions of the terminal are mounted in left and right housings, respectively. According to the present invention, abutting inclined surfaces forming a desired angle are formed on the upper surfaces of the two opposing left and right housings, and both housings are integrally formed with a hinge, and one of the housings is formed at the upper end of the inclined surfaces. A connector housing in which a protruding piece is provided on one housing and a fitting portion for the protruding piece is provided on the other housing, a bendable conductor portion and contact portions provided at both ends of the connector housing are integrally made of the same material. A second invention of a flexible connector is characterized in that the contact portions of the terminals are mounted in the left and right housings, respectively, and on the upper surfaces of the two opposing left and right housings, A connector housing is formed by alternately forming a plurality of butting inclined surfaces and conductor part insertion grooves that together form a desired angle, and a connector housing is formed by integrally forming both housings with a hinge, and a bendable conductor part is provided at both ends thereof. and a terminal integrally formed of the same material, and the conductor part of the terminal is fitted into the conductor part fitting groove, and both contact parts are mounted in the left and right housings, respectively. The third invention relates to a flexible connector.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on the illustrated embodiment. FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention, and in the same figure, 1 and 2 face each other on the left and right with a predetermined interval, respectively. The housing is made of polyamide resin, for example, and has opposing surfaces 1a and 2a.
are connected by a hinge 3, and both housings 1 and 2
is configured to be freely rotatable around this hinge 3.

Reference numeral 4 indicates a fitting portion protruding from the upper surface of the left housing 1 and having a square hole 4a bored therein, and 5 a fitting portion protruding from the upper surface of the right housing 2 at a position corresponding to the fitting portion 4. It is a protruding piece that can be freely fitted into the square hole 4a of the part 4, and the fitting part 4 and the protruding piece 5 face toward the center.
It forms mating inclined surfaces 6 and 7 that are inclined downward at 45 degrees, and are connected by a hinge 3 at their lower ends. Further, in the illustrated example, four pairs of the fitting portions 4 and the protruding pieces 5 are formed in the longitudinal direction of the housings 1 and 2.

Then, attach one housing 1 or 2 to the hinge 3
When rotated around , both the inclined surfaces 6, 6 and 7, 7 come into contact, and the protruding pieces 5, 5 contact the fitting parts 4,
The left and right housings are fixed by fitting into the square holes 4a, 4a of No.4. Note that the hinge 3 has inclined surfaces 6 and 7 as shown in FIG.
The distance between the two housings 1 and 2 is set larger than that between the housings 1 and 2 so that the housings 1 and 2 are in close contact with each other.
As shown in the figure, it is desirable to have a space S above this.

8 and 8 are formed in the housing 1 and 9 and 9 are formed in the housing 2, respectively, between the walls having the inclined surfaces 6 and 7, and between these walls and the front and rear walls of the housings 1 and 2. It is a rectangular terminal insertion hole and is symmetrical about the hinge 3. Below the terminal insertion holes 8, 8 and 9, 9 are stopper portions 8a, 8a and 9a, 9a against which the insertion ends of contact portions 17, 17 of terminals 20 (described later) abut, respectively.
are formed, and pin insertion holes 8b, 8b and 9b, 9b are opened downward from the pin insertion holes 8b, and locking windows 8c, 8c and 9c are opened outward from the terminal insertion holes 8 and 9. , 9c are drilled respectively.

10 and 10 are in the housing 1 on the opposite surface of the housing 2, and 11 and 11 are in the housing 2 and on the opposite surface of the housing 1, so that they are aligned in the same position as the terminal insertion holes 8 and 9, respectively. The grooves are drilled so that the grooves 10, 10 and 1
1, 11 are formed so as to communicate with the terminal insertion holes 8, 8 and 9, 9 through upper openings 12, 12 and 13, 13 which face outward and are continuous, and these openings 12, The lower wall portions 14, 14 and 15, 15 of 12 and 13, 13 are formed into a smooth circular shape facing upward.

The groove portions 10, 10 and 11, 11 allow contact portions 17, 17 of a terminal 20, which will be described later, to be inserted into the terminal insertion holes 8, 8 and 9, 9, respectively.
When the continuous conductor portion 16 is stretched between both housings 1 and 2, the adjacent conductor portions 16 and 16 do not come into contact with each other, and the housing 1 or 2
This is for storing the conductor portion 16 in the groove portions 10 and 11 when the conductor portion 16 is rotated.

20 is a terminal, and the pair of left and right contact parts 17, 17 are connected by a bendable conductor part 16 integrally formed with the contact parts 17, 17 from the same material, and this conductor part 16 connects the electrodes of both substrates B, B. Pin A,
When the housing 1 or 2 is rotated around the hinge 3, this conductor part 16 is easily bent to prevent this rotation. I try not to interfere.

Further, the contact portions 17, 17 are provided with plate springs 17a, 17a on both sides thereof, and a locking portion 17b is formed on the outside so that the pin A comes into elastic contact with the plate springs when the pin A is inserted therein. The above locking window 8c or 9c
It is configured so that it is engaged with and cannot be pulled out.
Note that 18 and 19 are separator clamping parts formed on the lower surfaces of the housings 1 and 2, and are removably clamped with the separator C attached to support the pins A and A on the substrates B and B. 2 and the boards B and B are connected.

4 to 6 show other embodiments of the present invention (the same appended numbers indicate the same parts as in the previous embodiment), in which two housings 1' and 2' are connected to their opposing surfaces 1' a, 2'a are rotatably connected via a hinge 3, and on the upper surface of the left housing 1',
The fitting part 4, so that its upper end is at the same height as the upper surface,
4 is formed, and projecting pieces 5, 5 are provided on the upper surface of the right housing 2' at positions corresponding to the fitting parts 4, 4.

In addition, the housing 1' has terminal insertion holes 8, 8.
However, terminal insertion holes 9', 9' are formed in the housing 2' at the same positions as in the previous embodiment, and both terminals 8,
9' is continuous upwardly by grooves 10, 10 and 11, 11 and continuous openings 12', 12' and 13', 13', and below openings 12', 12' and 13', 13'. wall portions 14', 14' and 15';
15' is formed to match the shape of the conductor part 16',
Further, locking holes 21, 21 are formed in the lower surface of the housing 2' integrally with the terminal insertion holes 9', 9'.

16' is a conductor part of the terminal 20', which is formed into a wave shape so that it can be bent only in the direction of wave formation;
One end thereof is connected to the contact part 17', and the other end is bent downward at right angles to form an insertion part 16'a. b, and further this insertion part 16'a
A male contact portion 16'c is formed continuously with the contact portion 16'c.

Further, leaf springs 17'a, 1 are provided on both sides of the contact portion 17'.
7'a, and a locking portion 17'b is formed on the outside. In the figure, reference numerals 22, 22 are board clamping legs projecting downward from both sides of the housing 2'.

Next, the method of using the present invention will be explained.
First, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3,
Terminal insertion holes 8 facing each other in the housings 1 and 2
and every 9, the conductor portion 16 of the terminal 20 is inserted into the groove portion 10,
11, and insert the contact parts 17, 17 at both ends from above, respectively, to connect the locking windows 8c, 9c and the locking part 17.
b, 17b are engaged with each other and cannot be pulled out to form a connector.

Then, insert the pins A, A protruding from the substrate B through the separator C into the pin insertion holes 8b, 8b and 9b, 9b below the housings 1 and 2, respectively, and bring the side surfaces of the pins A, A into contact. They are brought into elastic contact with the plate springs 17a, 17a of the parts 17, 17 and electrically connected, and the separators C, C are held and fixed by the separator holding parts 18, 19, respectively.

In this state, one of the housings 1 or 2 is rotated around the hinge 3 to bring the inclined surfaces 6 and 7 into contact, and the protruding pieces 5, 5 are fitted into the fitting parts 4, 4, It fixes both.

Further, at this time, since the conductor portion 16 of the terminal 20 is easily bent, this rotation is not hindered, and the conductor portion 16 is housed in the groove portions 10 and 11.

In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a contact portion 17' connected to one end of the conductor portion 16' is provided in the terminal insertion hole 8 of the housing 1', and a contact portion 17' is provided in the terminal insertion hole 8 of the housing 2'. The insertion portions 16'a at the other ends of the conductor portions 16' are inserted into the holes 9', and the locking windows 8 are closed.
a and the locking part 17'b, and the locking hole 21 and the locking part 1
6'b are engaged with each other to form a connector that cannot be pulled out.

The housing 2' on the right side clamps and fixes the board B between the board clamping legs 22, and also inserts the male contact parts 16'c, 16'c into the through holes of the board B. Insert them respectively and connect them to the printed part of the board B by soldering or the like.

In addition, in the left housing 1', the pins A and A are connected to the contact portion 1 as in the above embodiment.
7' and 17', and the separator C is held and fixed by the separator holding parts 18.

In this state, one of the housings 1' or 2' is rotated around the hinge 3 in the same way as in the previous embodiment, and the inclined surfaces 6, 6 and 7, 7 are joined together, and the fitting parts 4, Fit the protruding pieces 5, 5 into 4,
It fixes both.

Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, according to the first invention, it is possible to accurately maintain a desired angle between the boards with a single connector, for example, without requiring a separate hinge while the board is attached to the connector. Not only is it possible to do this, but electrical connections between boards are simple.
Moreover, the number of parts can be reduced. Therefore, the cost of the connector is low and it takes up less space.
Moreover, there is no need for electrical connection.

Furthermore, even when both housings are rotated, the conductor part of the terminal bends to freely adapt to the magnitude of the rotation of both housings, and the contact area of the terminal is not affected in any way. There are various effects such as being able to always ensure stability of electrical contact.

Further, according to the second invention, in addition to the above-mentioned effects of the first invention, both housings can be reliably connected by fitting the protruding piece into the fitting portion, and the substrates can be connected at a desired angle. This has the effect of making it more reliable to maintain the In addition, since it is possible to prevent lateral movement (displacement) between both housings, it is possible to prevent twisting between the boards, and also to prevent the hinge from being severed due to this twisting. No need to worry.

Furthermore, according to the third invention, in addition to the effects of the first invention, the conductor part of the terminal never comes into contact with the conductor part of other adjacent terminals, and furthermore, the housing can be rotated. At this time, since the conductor portion is housed in the groove, rotation of the housing is not hindered, and the connection by the terminal is also stabilized.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention.
6 to 6 respectively show other embodiments, FIGS. 1A and 4B are perspective views of the housing, FIGS. 1B and 4B are perspective views of the terminal, respectively, Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the state in which it is attached to a bridge board, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which it is bent and fixed. be. 1, 1', 2, 2'... Housing, 3... Hinge, 4... Fitting portion, 5... Projecting piece, 6, 7... Inclined surface, 8, 9... Terminal insertion hole, 10, 11... Groove portion, 16, 16'... Conductor portion, 17, 17'... Contact portion, 20... Terminal, A... Pin, B... Board.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A connector housing in which the upper surfaces of two left and right housings facing each other are formed with abutting inclined surfaces forming a desired angle, and both housings are integrally formed with a hinge; It is characterized in that it is connected to a terminal in which a bendable conductor part and contact parts provided at both ends thereof are integrally formed from the same material, and both contact parts of the terminal are installed in the left and right housings, respectively. flexible connector. 2. On the upper surfaces of the two opposing left and right housings, abutting inclined surfaces forming a desired angle are formed, and both housings are integrally formed with a hinge, and furthermore, one housing is attached to the upper end of the inclined surface. A connector housing is provided with a protruding piece and a fitting portion of the protruding piece is provided on the other housing, and a bendable conductor portion and contact portions provided at both ends thereof are integrally formed from the same material. 1. A flexible connector characterized by having a terminal formed of a metal wire, and both contact portions of the terminal being mounted in left and right housings, respectively. 3 A connector housing formed by alternately forming a plurality of butting inclined surfaces and conductor part insertion grooves that form a desired angle on the upper surfaces of two opposing left and right housings, and integrally forming both housings with a hinge. and a terminal in which a bendable conductor part and contact parts provided at both ends of the terminal are integrally formed from the same material, and the conductor part of the terminal is fitted into the conductor part insertion groove to form both contact parts. A flexible connector characterized by the fact that these are installed inside the left and right housings, respectively.