KR20040086820A - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An electrical connector is provided to lock a cover in a closed state with a simple construction and easily connect a flexible cable to a board. CONSTITUTION: An electrical connector(1) includes a housing(2), a plurality of connecting parts(5,6), a cover(4), and a locking part. The housing has an opening(26) through which a flexible cable is inserted. The connecting parts are housed in the housing and electrically connected to the flexible cable inserted through the opening. The cover is rotatively attacked to the housing to open/close the opening of the housing. The locking part locks the cover such that the cover is not rotated from a closed state to an open state. The cover has an accommodation part opposite to the connecting parts and is rotated from the closed state to the open state to lift the connecting parts to form a space for inserting the flexible cable.

Description

Electrical connector {ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR}

The present invention relates to an electrical connector used for connecting a flat flexible cable such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC) to a wiring board.

An electrical connector is known, comprising a housing having an opening for inserting a flat flexible cable, wherein a plurality of connections held in the housing are press-contacted to the flat flexible cable inserted from the opening to achieve electrical connection to the flat flexible cable. have.

In this type of electrical connector, the cover, which is rotatably installed with respect to the housing, is rotated and opened to form an insertion space for inserting the flat flexible cable in the press contact position of the plurality of contact portions, and the flat flexible cable is inserted into this insertion space without insertion. There is something that can be inserted. Such an electrical connector is of a so-called ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) type. When the cover is closed after insertion of the flat flexible cable, a plurality of connections are pressed against the flat flexible cable to achieve electrical connection.

Such an electrical connector is such that, for example, a force acts in the direction of closing the cover while the cover is closed, so that the cover is not easily opened. However, when an external force (vibration or the like) is applied to the electrical connector during manufacture, transportation, or use during use, there is a possibility that the attached flat flexible cable that the cover is opened, may come off or the cover may be broken.

Thus, an electrical connector has been proposed in which the engaging portion provided on the cover is engaged with a predetermined position (for example, a metal reinforcing tab) of the electrical connector by sliding the cover to a predetermined locking position in the closed state, and the cover can be locked in the closed state. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-252067).

However, in the electrical connector as described above, a mechanism for locking the cover in a closed state with a simpler configuration has been desired because a component for the locking mechanism or an extension reinforcement tab must be installed near the opening in which the cover is installed.

In addition, in the electrical connector as described above, the cover is slidable in the closed state regardless of whether the flat flexible cable is inserted into the insertion space. When the cover is opened to insert the flat flexible cable into the insertion space, the cover is opened. Since the cover must be opened while being careful not to slide to the locked position, it is difficult to install a flat flexible cable. With the recent miniaturization of electrical equipment (mobile phones, digital video cameras, analog video cameras, etc.), miniaturization and thinning of electrical connectors are desired, but the above-mentioned problems are particularly remarkable in small (thin) electrical connectors.

The present invention has been made on the basis of this background, and an object thereof is to provide an electrical connector capable of locking the cover in a closed state with a simpler configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector that is easy to install a flat flexible cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the electrical connector by one Embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 (c), in which FIG. 2 (a) is a state in which the cover is closed without inserting the flat flexible cable, and FIG. 2 (b) is the cover from the state of FIG. 2 (a). The state of opening is shown, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1 (c), in which FIG. 3 (a) is a state in which a flat flexible cable is inserted with the cover open, and FIG. 3 (b) is from the state of FIG. 3 (a). 3 (c) shows a state in which the cover is slid backwards, with the cover closed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1C, in which FIG. 4A shows the cover closed without inserting the flat flexible cable, and FIG. 4B shows the cover from the state of FIG. 4A. The state of opening is shown, respectively.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of Fig. 1 (c), Fig. 5 (a) is a state in which a flat flexible cable is inserted with the cover open, and Fig. 5 (b) is from the state of Fig. 5 (a). 5 (c) shows a state in which the cover is slid rearward, respectively.

6 is a perspective view showing an appearance configuration of an electrical connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a plan view of the electrical connector of FIG.

(Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing)

One … Electrical connector 2. housing

3…. Reinforcing tab 4. cover

5…. . First connecting portion 6.. Second connection

7. Flat flexible cable 8. Wiring board

21. Top plate 22. Bottom plate

23. Left and right plate portions 24. Interior space

25…. Press-fitting hole 26. Opening

27. Insertion space 28. Indentation hole

31. Press-fitting part 32. Subject

33. Fixing part 34. Jamming

35. Guide hole 41. Pivot

42. Metal plate 43,47... Interlock

44. . Recess 45. Receptacle

48. Regulator 51,61. Fixed piece

52,62... Elastic deformation parts 53,63. Movable piece

54,64... Lead part 55,65. Indent

56,66. Contact 57... stopper

58,68. Contact surface 67. Contact

The present invention relates to an electrical connector (1,101) mounted on a wiring board (8) and used to electrically connect a flat flexible cable (7) to the wiring board. The electrical connector is pressed against the flat flexible cable held by the housing 2 having an opening 26 for inserting the flat flexible cable and held in the housing and inserted from the opening and electrically connected to the flat flexible cable. A plurality of connected portions 5 and 6 to be connected, a cover 4 rotatably installed with respect to the housing to open and close the opening, and a locking portion 572 that locks the cover so that the cover does not rotate from a closed state to an open state. It includes. The cover has a receiving portion 45 facing the plurality of contact portions, and is rotated from a closed state to an open state to lift the plurality of connecting portions from the receiving portion in a direction opposite to the pressing direction to insert the flat flexible cable. The insertion space 27 may be formed. Further, the locking portion is provided in at least one of the connecting portions 5 of the plurality of connecting portions, and engages with the containing portion in a state in which the cover slides to a predetermined locking position along the cable insertion direction D to restrict the containing portion. do.

Note that alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components and the like in the embodiments described later, but this does not mean that the present invention should be construed as being limited to the above embodiments. Hereinafter, it is the same in this matter.

According to the present invention, the cover can be locked in a closed state by restricting the receiving portion by sliding the cover to engage the locking portion and the receiving portion of the cover by simply providing the locking portion at least one of the connecting portions. Thus, the cover can be locked in a closed state with a simpler configuration.

One or more of the connecting portions 5 of the plurality of connecting portions 5 and 6 have a locking direction (cable insertion) of the cover 4 when the flat flexible cable 7 is not inserted into the insertion space 27. Direction, the displacement of the accommodation portion 45 accompanying sliding in the direction, and when the flat flexible cable is inserted into the insertion space and the cover is closed by a predetermined amount according to the thickness of the flat flexible cable It is preferable to further provide a stopper 571 which allows the plurality of connecting portions to be lifted in the opposite direction to the pressing contact direction so as to retract from the receiving portion and to slide the cover in the locking direction.

According to this configuration, since the cover is restricted to the stopper and is not slidable in the locking direction in the state where the flat flexible cable is not inserted into the insertion space, the cover can be kept in the closed state. Therefore, when the flat flexible cable is inserted into the insertion space, the insertion space can be formed simply by opening the cover, so that the flat flexible cable can be easily installed.

In addition, the cover cannot be locked because the cover cannot slide in the locking direction when the flat flexible cable is not inserted into the insertion space. However, in this state, the cover is kept closed by restricting the housing portion to a plurality of connecting portions facing the housing portion. Therefore, since the cover can be easily prevented from being opened and closed, the cover can be prevented from being damaged by being opened during manufacture or transportation of the electrical connector.

The locking portion 572 and the stopper 571 may be provided in the protruding portion 57 provided in one or more of the connecting portions 5 of the plurality of connecting portions.

In this case, when the flat flexible cable 7 is not inserted into the insertion space 27, the accommodating portion 45 is provided with the protrusion 57 by sliding in the locking direction of the cover 4. The space 46 formed between the protrusion and the flat flexible cable with the sliding in the locking direction of the cover when the flat flexible cable is inserted into the insertion space while being restricted to the stopper 571 It is preferable to enter in and to be restrict | limited to the said locking part 572 of the said projection part.

The cover 4 is engaged with a predetermined position 36,37 of the electrical connector 1,101 as the cover slides in the lock direction in the closed state, and an engaging portion for restricting the rotation of the cover in the closed state ( 43,47) is preferably provided. This configuration allows the cover to be locked more securely by engaging the cover and the predetermined position of the electrical connector.

The electrical connector of the present invention preferably further includes a reinforcing tab 3 press-fitted into the housing 2 and for reinforcing the coupling of the electrical connector 1, 101 to the wiring board 8. In this case, the engaging portions 43 and 47 may be engaged with the reinforcing tabs to restrict rotation of the cover 4 in the open state.

The reinforcing tab is, for example, the end face of the wiring board side is in contact with the wiring board, and soldering is performed on the contact portion, so that the periphery of the contact portion is covered with a solder fillet, and the fixing of the electrical connector to the wiring board is reinforced. . In this way, the engagement of the cover with the reinforcing tab reinforced with the fixing to the wiring board is regulated so that the displacement of the cover into the open state can be restrained so that the engaging portion can be stably regulated, and the cover can be more reliably prevented from opening. Can be.

The electrical connector of the invention preferably further comprises a sliding restricting portion for restricting the sliding of the cover 4 from the locking position in the unlocking direction (the direction opposite to the cable insertion direction).

According to this structure, it can be set as the structure which cannot slide in a unlocking direction, unless a cover is manually displaced by the restriction | limiting of a sliding control part. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover from inadvertently sliding in the unlocking direction due to vibration or the like during use of the electrical connector, and the cover is opened to prevent the flat flexible cable from falling off.

Further, not only the opening and closing of the cover can be locked at the locking position, but also the sliding of the cover can be regulated by the sliding restricting part, thereby making it easier to recognize the completion of the mounting scan of the cable.

The electrical connector of the present invention may further include a reinforcing tab 3 press-fitted into the housing 2 to reinforce the coupling of the electrical connector 101 to the wiring board 8. In this case, it is preferable that the sliding restricting portion 48 restricts the sliding of the cover by engaging the cover 4 with the reinforcing tab. As a result, the displacement of the cover can be stably regulated by engaging the reinforcing tab reinforced with the fixing to the wiring board and the sliding restricting portion, so that the cover can be more surely prevented from being opened.

The locking portion 572 may be provided at a predetermined first connecting portion 5 of the plurality of connecting portions 5 and 6. In this case, the electrical connector is provided in a second connecting portion 6 different from the first connecting portion among the plurality of connecting portions, and the locking direction in the state where the flat flexible cable 7 is inserted into the insertion space 27. It is preferable to further include a lock position regulating portion 661 for regulating the cover 4 which is slid in such a manner as to not slide beyond the lock position.

Further, the first connecting portion 5 is press-fitted in the locking direction of the cover 4 with respect to the housing 2, and the second connecting portion 6 press-fits in the unlocking direction of the cover with respect to the housing. You may be.

In this case, the 1st connection part 5 and the said 2nd connection part 6 are alternately arranged along one direction (direction orthogonal to a cable insertion direction), and the 1st connection part 5 with respect to the wiring board 8 of the said 1st connection part It is preferable to set it as the structure which the 1st fixing part 54 and the 2nd fixing part 64 with respect to the wiring board of a 2nd connection part are arranged in a zigzag form along the said one direction. As a result, even when the spacing (pitch) of the first connection portion and the second connection portion is narrow, sufficient space for soldering each fixing portion to the wiring board can be ensured, so that the solder fillets formed around each of the fixing portions interfere with each other and short-circuit occurs. The mounting density can be increased while preventing occurrence.

The above, or another object, feature, and effect in the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the electrical connector 1 by one Embodiment of this invention, FIG. 1 (a) is a top view, FIG. 1 (b) is a front view, FIG. 1 (c) is a rear view. 1 (d) shows a right side view, respectively. However, in FIG.1 (a)-(c), the intermediate part of the left-right direction of the electrical connector 1 is abbreviate | omitted and shown.

The electrical connector 1 is, for example, a connector used for relatively small electrical equipment such as a mobile phone, a digital video camera, an analog video camera, and has a length of about 13 mm in the left and right directions and a length of about 5 mm in the front and rear directions. Is about 1mm. The electrical connector 1 includes, for example, a synthetic resin housing 2 having an inner space 24 partitioned by an upper plate portion 21, a lower plate portion 22, and left and right plate portions 23. The electrical connector 1 includes a wiring board on which the electrical connector 1 is mounted and an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) inserted into the inner space 24 from the front of the housing 2 along the insertion direction D. It is for electrically connecting flat flexible cables.

The left and right plate portions 23 of the housing 2 are formed with press-fitting holes 25 extending from the front end to the back-end portions, respectively, so that each press-fitting hole 25 is used to reinforce the fixing of the wiring board of the electrical connector 1. The reinforcement tab 3 is pushed in from the front. Each of the reinforcing tabs 3 is produced by, for example, punching and bending a metal plate. The reinforcing tabs 3 are press-fitted portions 31 press-fitted into the push-in holes 25 and the side plate portions of the housing 2 in an installed state. It has the main-body part 32 which protrudes from 23 forward.

The lower edge of the main body portion 32 constitutes a fixing portion 33 to the wiring board, and the entire circumference of the fixing portion 33 is soldered by soldering to the contact portion between the fixing portion 33 and the wiring board. Covered with a fillet, the fixing to the wiring board of the electrical connector 1 is reinforced. In addition, at the lower edge of the press-fitting opening 31, for example, a locking projection 34 for hanging the press-fitting section 31 pressurized from the front into the press-fitting opening 25 is formed.

For example, since the length of the front-back direction of the upper board part 21 is formed in about half of the length of the front-back direction of the lower board part 22, the housing 2 has a front half [one pair of reinforcement] of the upper side of the housing 2, for example. The portion sandwiched by the main body 32 of the tab 3 constitutes an opening 26 for inserting the flat flexible cable into the inner space 24. The opening 26 is opened and closed by, for example, a synthetic resin cover 4 which is rotatable about a metal pivot 41 extending coaxially along the left and right directions. In the cover 4, for example, a metal plate 42 for reinforcing the cover 4 is embedded.

Each of the pivot shafts 41 protrudes from the rear ends of the left and right ends of the cover 4 in the lateral direction, so that the pivot shafts 41 are upper rear side of the main body 32 of the corresponding reinforcing tab 3. The cover 4 is rotatably provided with respect to the reinforcing tab 3 by being inserted into the guide hole 35 formed in the guide hole 35. The guide hole 35 extends in the front-rear direction, and is a notch part which is open to the rear so that the rotation shaft 41 can follow the guide hole 35 and the cover 4 can slide in the front-back direction.

For example, the engaging portion 43 is formed to protrude from the lower portion in the front-rear direction central portion of the left and right end surfaces of the cover 4. In addition, at the front end of the main body 32 of each reinforcing tab 3, for example, a protrusion 36 is formed to be bent so as to project substantially trapezoidally (for example, about 0.15 mm) on the opening 26 side. It is. After the cover 4 is opened and the flat flexible cable is inserted into the housing 2 through the opening 26, the engaging portions 43 of the cover 4 are closed when the cover 4 is closed and slides backward. Slides below the protruding portion 36 of the corresponding reinforcing tab 3. Further, in the state where the cover 4 is slid to the rearmost side, for example, the engaging portion 43 is viewed in a plane and above and below the protruding portion 36 over the entire length of the front and rear direction (for example, about 0.4 mm). They overlap each other.

According to the above configuration, in the state in which the cover 4 is slid to the rearmost side, the engaging portion 43 is regulated from above by the protrusions 36 of the respective reinforcing tabs 3 so that the cover 4 is opened. Can be reliably prevented. In particular, since the reinforcing tab 3 is firmly fixed to the wiring board by soldering, the engaging portion 43 of the cover 4 can be stably regulated, and the cover 4 can be reliably prevented from opening. Can be.

However, for example, the opening of the cover 4 can be regulated by the configuration in which the convex portion formed on one of the cover 4 and the reinforcing tab 3 and the concave portion formed on the other are engaged with each other.

In addition, the engaging portion 43 of the cover 4 is not limited to being engaged with the reinforcing tab 3, but may be configured to engage another portion of the electrical connector 1 (for example, the housing 2).

The housing 2 is provided with a plurality of connections 5 and 6 (for example, 35 in total) for press-contacting a flat flexible cable inserted into the insertion space 27 to achieve electrical connection between the flat flexible cable and the wiring board. It is held to face the opening 26. Each connection part 5 and 6 is produced by the punching of a metal plate, for example. The plurality of connecting portions 5, 6 are arranged in parallel with equal intervals (for example, about 0.3 mm pitch) in the horizontal direction, for example, as viewed in a plane (see FIG. 1 (a)).

In this embodiment, the some connection part 5 and 6 is the 1st connection part 5 press-fitted from the front with respect to the housing 2, and the 2nd connection part 6 press-fitted from the rear with respect to the housing 2, for example. Two types of are included, and these 1st and 2nd connection parts 5 and 6 are alternately arrange | positioned along the left-right direction.

However, the press-in direction with respect to the housing | casing 2 of the 1st connection part 5 and the 2nd connection part 6 is not limited to the above-mentioned direction, The 1st connection part 5 press-fits to the housing 2 from behind. The second connecting portion 6 may be pressurized with respect to the housing 2 from the front. Moreover, the structure which the 1st connection part 5 and the 2nd connection part 6 press-fit from the same direction (front or back) may be sufficient.

2 and 3 are cross-sectional views taken along the line A-A of Fig. 1C. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken along the line B-B in Fig. 1C.

With reference to FIGS. 2-5, each contact part (the 1st connection part 5 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the 2nd connection part 6 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) has its front end (moving piece parts 53 and 63). Of the front end portion of the housing 2 protrudes toward the front side (the cover 4 side) of the upper plate portion 21 of the housing 2. The rear end edge of the cover 4 is located at a position corresponding to the front end of each of the connecting parts 5 and 6, and a recess for preventing the cover 4 from interfering with the front end of each of the connecting parts 5 and 6 during its opening and closing. 44 is formed.

In the recessed part 44, for example, the accommodating part 45 which has a cam shape of substantially elliptical cross section is formed, and in the state which closed the cover 4, the accommodating part 45 has the long axis of the elliptical cross section in the front-back direction. It is intended to be extended. In the state where the cover 4 is closed without inserting the flat flexible cable 7 into the housing 2 (Figs. 2 (a) and 4 (a)), the lower surface of the front end of each connection part 5, 6 corresponds. It is opposed to the upper surface of the accommodating part 45 to be non-contacted, and in this state, a stress does not act on each connection part 5 and 6. However, the shape of the accommodating part 45 is not limited to what is substantially elliptical in cross section, and may have another cam shape.

When the cover 4 is opened from the state shown in Figs. 2 (a) and 4 (a), the connecting portions 5, 6 are pulled up by the rotating receiving portion 45, thereby An insertion space 27 having a height equal to or greater than the thickness of the flat flexible cable 7 is formed at the contact position (see Figs. 2 (b) and 4 (b)). Through this insertion space 27, the flat flexible cable 7 can be inserted inward of the connection part 5,6. Such an electrical connector 1 can insert the flat flexible cable 7 into an uninserted input. It is of so-called ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) type.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the operation state of the 1st connection part 5 accompanying opening / closing of the cover 4 and insertion of the balanced flexible cable 7 is demonstrated. Fig. 2 (a) shows the state in which the cover 4 is closed without inserting the flat flexible cable 7, and Fig. 2 (b) shows the state in which the cover 4 is opened from the state of Fig. 2 (a). Doing. 3A is a state in which the flat flexible cable 7 is inserted while the cover 4 is opened, and FIG. 3B is a state in which the cover 4 is closed from the state of FIG. 3A. 3 (c) shows a state in which the cover 4 is slid rearward, respectively.

The first connecting portion 5 protrudes upward from the rear end of the fixing piece portion 51 and the rear end of the fixing piece portion 51, for example, extending in the front-rear direction of the bottom of the inner space 24 of the housing 2. It is provided with the elastic deformation part 52 of the shape curved to the side, and the movable piece part 53 provided in connection with the elastic deformation part 52, and extended to the front of the upper plate part 21. As shown in FIG. A lead portion 54 protruding downward (the wiring substrate 8 side) is formed at the front end of the fixed piece portion 51, and the land on the mounting surface of the lead portion 54 and the wiring substrate 8 is formed. By soldering to the contact portion of (), the periphery of the contact portion is covered with a solder fillet. As a result, the first connecting portion 5 is fixed to the wiring board 8, and the first connecting portion 5 is electrically connected to the wiring board 8.

In addition, the rear end portion of the fixing piece 51 is formed with a press-fitting part 55 protruding backward, so that the press-fitting part 55 is press-fitted from the front into the press-fitting hole 28 formed in the housing 2 so that the first connecting part ( 5) is fixed to the housing 2. At the upper edge of the press-fitting part 55, for example, a locking projection 551 is formed to hook the press-fitting part 55 pushed into the press-fitting hole 28 from the front to the press-fitting hole 28, for example.

From the center part of the movable piece part 53, the contact part 56 (so-called upper contact type) which presses upwards with respect to the flat flexible cable 7 inserted in the insertion space 27 protrudes downward, for example. . In addition, a pressurizing portion 511 is formed at the center of the fixed piece portion 51 to protrude upward at a position slightly ahead of the position opposite to the contact portion 66. Further, the tip portion (accommodation) of the movable piece portion 53 is provided. Rear part of the part 45] for restricting the accommodating part 45 such that the cover 4 cannot be slid backward in a state where the flat flexible cable 7 is not inserted (the state of FIG. 2 (a)). The stopper 57 is formed to protrude downward.

As shown in Fig. 2 (a), in the state where the cover 4 is closed without inserting the flat flexible cable 7 into the housing 2, the contact surface 58 is moved even if the cover 4 is slid backwards. The accommodating part 45 which slides along is restrict | limited by the front surface (sliding control part 571) of the stopper 57, and cannot slide back. When the cover 4 is opened from the state shown in Fig. 2A, the accommodating portion 45 rotates with the rotation of the cover 4 (see Fig. 2B). Since the accommodating part 45 has a cam shape of approximately elliptical cross section, the front end of the movable piece 53 is pulled up along with the rotation of the accommodating part 45, so that between the movable piece 53 and the stationary piece 51 (contact portion) Between the 56 and the press part 51, the insertion space 27 of the height equivalent to or more than the thickness of the flat flexible cable 7 is formed.

As shown in Fig. 2 (b), in the state where the cover 4 is opened as far as possible, the end face of the front end of the movable piece 53 and the longitudinal direction in the cross section (in the long axis direction of the elliptical cross section) of the accommodating portion 45 (contact surface ( 58)] is substantially orthogonal, and the force acting on the receiving portion 45 from the contact surface 58 of the movable piece portion 53 pressed downward is the direction in which the receiving portion 45 rotates (the cover 4 is rotated). Direction of closing]. Therefore, when the cover 4 is opened as far as possible, the cover 4 is held in the state shown in Fig. 2B.

After that, as shown in FIG. 3A, the flat flexible cable 7 is inserted into the insertion space 27 from the front of the electrical connector 1, and the cover 4 is rotated forward to move the movable piece portion ( The force acts in the direction to rotate the accommodating part 45 from the contact surface 58 by the pressing force acting on 53, and the cover 4 is closed (refer FIG. 3 (b)). In this state, the tip of the contact portion 56 of the movable piece portion 53 is pressed against the flat flexible cable 7 from above. At the same time, the pressing section 51 presses the flat flexible cable 7 upward at a position slightly near the press contact position, so that the flat flexible cable 7 is firmly fitted to the first connecting section 5, and the electric The connection is achieved.

In the state shown in FIG.3 (b), since the contact part 56 is press-contacted with respect to the flat flexible cable 7, the movable piece part 53 is pulled up by the thickness of the flat flexible cable 7. As shown in FIG. As a result, a space 46 of a sufficient height is formed between the stopper 57 and the upper surface of the flat flexible cable 7 so that the accommodation portion 45 can pass therethrough, and the cover 4 is removed from the state shown in FIG. ), The retracted portion 45 is positioned in the space 46 formed below the stopper 57 (see Fig. 3 (c)).

In the state shown in FIG. 3 (c), even when the cover 4 is opened, the rear edge of the cover 4 is in contact with the upper surface of the flat flexible cable 7, and the upper surface of the receiving portion 45 is the stopper 57. Is in contact with the lower surface (rotation restricting surface 572), the housing portion 45 cannot be rotated and the cover 4 cannot be opened.

According to this embodiment, by providing the stopper 57 to the first connecting portion 5, the cover 4 is slid to engage the stopper 57 with the receiving portion 45 of the cover 4 to accommodate the receiving portion 45. ), The cover 4 can be locked in a closed state. Thus, the cover 4 can be locked in a closed state with a simpler configuration.

In addition, in the state where the flat flexible cable 7 is not inserted into the housing 2 (states of FIGS. 2A and 2B), the receiving portion 45 is restricted to the stopper 57 so as to cover the cover 4. Since the cover 4 is not slidable backwards, the cover 4 can be kept open and closed. Therefore, when the flat flexible cable 7 is inserted into the housing 2, the insertion space 27 can be formed only by opening the cover 4, so that the flat flexible cable 7 is easy to install.

In the state where the flat flexible cable 7 is not inserted into the insertion space 27, the cover 4 cannot slide, so that the cover 4 cannot be locked. However, in this state, the said cover part 45 is restrict | limited to the some connection part 5 and 6 which opposes the accommodating part 45, and the cover 4 is maintained in the closed state. Therefore, since the cover 4 can be easily prevented from opening and closing, it is possible to prevent the cover 4 from being inadvertently opened and broken during the manufacture or transportation of the electrical connector 1.

In this embodiment, although the structure with which the sliding control surface 571 and the rotation control surface 572 were comprised in the same member (stopper 57) was demonstrated, the structure provided with each other may be sufficient.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the operation state of the 2nd connection part 6 accompanying opening / closing of the cover 4 and insertion of the flat flexible cable 7 is demonstrated. Fig. 4 (a) shows the state in which the cover 4 is closed without inserting the flat flexible cable 7, and Fig. 4 (b) shows the state in which the cover 4 is opened from the state of Fig. 4 (a). Doing. 5A is a state in which the flat flexible cable 7 is inserted while the cover 4 is opened, and FIG. 5B is a state in which the cover 4 is closed from the state of FIG. 5A. 5 (c) shows a state in which the cover 4 is slid rearward, respectively.

The second connecting portion 6 is disposed, for example, at the rear end of the inner space 24 of the housing 2, and has a substantially rectangular press-fit portion 65 whose height is approximately equal to the height of the inner space 24. The upper plate part through the elastic deformation part 62 from the front end of the upper end of the press-fitting part 65 and the fixed piece part 61 which extends forward along the bottom of the internal space 24 from the lower front end of the press-fit part 65. The movable piece part 63 extended to the front of 21 is provided. The second connecting portion 6 is inserted into the inner space 24 from the rear of the housing 2 so that the press-fitting portion 65 is press-fitted into the housing 2, and the second connecting portion 6 is fixed to the housing 2. . At the bottom edge of the press-fitting part 65, for example, a locking projection 651 for hanging the press-fitting part 65 of the second connecting part 6 pushed into the inner space 24 from the rear side to the inner surface of the housing 2 is provided. Formed.

A lead portion 64 protruding downward (wiring substrate 8 side) is formed below the rear end of the press-fit portion 65 so that the lead portion 64 and the contact portion of the land on the mounting surface of the wiring substrate 8 are formed. By soldering to the periphery of the contact portion, the solder fillet is covered. As a result, the second connecting portion 6 is fixed to the wiring board 8, and the second connecting portion 6 is electrically connected to the wiring board 8.

In this embodiment, the lead portion 54 of the first connecting portion 5 protrudes downward from the front end portion of the housing 2, and the lead portion 64 of the second connecting portion 6 is located after the housing 2. Since it protrudes from an end part, when the said electrical connector 1 is viewed from below, the lead parts 54 and 64 of each connection part 5 and 6 are arranged in a zigzag form along the left-right direction (FIG. 1 (b) and (c). This ensures sufficient space for soldering each lead portion 54 and 64 to the wiring board 8 even when the distance (pitch) between the first connection portion 5 and the second connection portion 6 is narrow. The mounting density can be increased while preventing the solder fillet formed around the portions 54 and 64 from interfering with each other.

The tip portion of the movable piece 63 is, for example, a contact portion 66 extending in a substantially vertical direction and pressed against the flat flexible cable 7 inserted in the insertion space 27 from above (so-called upper contact type). And a contact portion 67 which protrudes forward from the upper end of the contact portion 66 and whose lower surface constitutes a contact surface 68 in contact with the accommodation portion 45. Moreover, the press part 611 which protrudes upward is formed in the front end part of the fixed piece part 61 at the position slightly ahead of the position which opposes the contact part 66. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the cover 4 is opened from the state in which the cover 4 is closed without inserting the flat flexible cable 7 into the housing 2, the cover 4 is accompanied by rotation of the cover 4. The housing 45 rotates (see FIG. 4 (b)). Since the accommodating part 45 has a cam shape of approximately elliptical cross section, the front end of the movable piece 63 is pulled up along with the rotation of the accommodating part 45, so that the movable part 63 and the fixed piece part 61 are in contact with each other (contact part). Between the 66 and the press part 611, the insertion space 27 of the height equivalent to or more than the thickness of the flat flexible cable 7 is formed.

As shown in Fig. 4 (b), in the state where the cover 4 is opened as far as possible, the end face of the front end of the movable piece portion 63 and the longitudinal direction in the cross section (in the long axis direction of the elliptical cross section) of the accommodating portion 45 (contact surface ( 68)] is substantially orthogonal, and the force acting on the accommodating portion 45 from the contact surface 68 of the movable piece portion 63 pressed downward is the direction in which the accommodating portion 45 rotates. Direction of closure]. Therefore, when the cover 4 is opened as far as possible, the cover 4 is held in the state shown in Fig. 4B.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5A, the flat flexible cable 7 is inserted into the insertion space 27 from the front of the electrical connector 1, and the cover 4 is rotated forward to move the movable piece portion ( The force acts in the direction to rotate the accommodating part 45 from the contact surface 68 by the pressing force acting on 63, and the cover 4 is closed (refer FIG. 5 (b)). In this state, the tip of the contact portion 66 of the movable piece 63 is pressed against the flat flexible cable 7 from above. At the same time, the pressing portion 611 presses the flat flexible cable 7 upward at a position slightly near the press contact position, so that the flat flexible cable 7 is firmly fitted to the second connecting portion 6 and held therebetween. Electrical connection is achieved.

When the cover 4 is slid rearward from the state shown in FIG. 5 (b) (see FIG. 5 (c)), the receiving portion 45 contacts the front surface of the contact portion 66 (sliding restraint surface 661). The cover 4 can no longer be slid backwards. At this time, the stopper 57 is located above the accommodating portion 45 in the first connecting portion 5.

On the other hand, when removing the flat flexible cable 7 connected to the said electrical connector 1, the cover 4 may be displaced in the form opposite to the said form. That is, after the cover 4 is displaced forward to make the cover 4 openable and open, the cover 4 is opened and the first and second connecting portions 5 and 6 are pulled up to connect the connecting portions 5, 5 and 6. When the pressure contact with the flat flexible cable 7 of 6) is released and the flat flexible cable 7 is pulled forward, the flat flexible cable 7 can be detached from the electrical connector 1.

6 is a perspective view showing an appearance configuration of an electrical connector 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a plan view of the electrical connector 101. However, in FIG. 7, the middle part of the left-right direction of the electrical connector 101 is abbreviate | omitted and shown.

The electrical connector 101 is, for example, for electrically connecting a flat flexible cable 7 such as an FPC to the wiring board 8 similarly to the electrical connector 1 according to the first embodiment. 7) can be inserted into the insertion space (27) without insertion. It is of the so-called ZIF type. The only difference between the electrical connector 101 and the electrical connector 1 according to the first embodiment is the configuration of the engagement positions of the cover 4 and the reinforcing tab 3, and therefore, the other components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted.

In the lower part of the left and right end surfaces of the cover 4, the engaging part 47 protrudes laterally, for example from the center part to the front end. Further, at the front end of the main body 32 of each reinforcing tab 3, for example, a protrusion 37 formed by bending so as to protrude substantially toward the V-shape (for example, about 0.13 mm) toward the opening 26 is formed. Formed. After opening the cover 4 and inserting the flat flexible cable 7 into the housing 2 through the opening 26, the cover 4 is closed and pushed back to the rear (insertion direction D) of the cover 4. Each engaging portion 47 slides below the projection 37 of the corresponding reinforcing tab 3. In the state where the cover 4 is pushed to the most rear side (locking position), for example, the rear end portion (eg, about 0.3 mm) of the engaging portion 47 is viewed from the top and the top and bottom portions of each other. It is intended to overlap.

According to the above configuration, since the engaging portion 47 is restricted by the protrusions 37 of the respective reinforcing tabs 3 in the state where the cover 4 is pushed to the rearmost side, the cover 4 is opened. It can be reliably prevented. In particular, since the reinforcing tab 3 is firmly fixed to the wiring board 8 by soldering, the engaging portion 47 of the cover 4 can be stably regulated, and the cover 4 is opened. It can be reliably prevented.

In the upper part of the front-back direction center part of the left and right end surfaces of the cover 4, the planar part of a substantially triangular shape 48 is formed to protrude sideways, for example from a planar view. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the state where the cover 4 is at the frontmost side, the restricting portion 48 is in contact with the surface immediately before the protruding portion 37 of the reinforcing tab 3. have. When the cover 4 is pushed back from this state, the protrusion part 37 is pressed outward by the restricting part 48, and the reinforcement tab 3 elastically deforms. Further, when the cover 4 is further pushed back, the restricting portion 48 moves over the protruding portion 37 and moves to the rear side of the protruding portion 37. In this state, the reinforcing tab 3 is returned to its original state, and the projection 37 is caught by the restricting portion 48 so that sliding to the front side (unlocking direction) of the cover 4 is restricted. If it is not displaced by an external force, it cannot be slid to the front side.

Like the electrical connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the electrical connector 101 can open the cover 4 when the cover 4 is located at the very front side, but the cover 4 is the innermost (locked). Position, the cover 4 cannot be opened. As described above, in the state where the cover 4 is pushed into the innermost position, the cover 4 cannot be slid directly to the front side unless the cover 4 is displaced by an external force, so that the cover 4 is not covered by vibration or the like during use of the electrical connector 101. (4) inadvertently slides to the front side, and the cover 4 can be opened and it can prevent that the flat flexible cable 7 falls.

In particular, by engaging the reinforcing tab securely fixed to the wiring board 8, it is possible to stably regulate the sliding of the cover 4 to the front side, thereby more reliably preventing the cover 4 from opening. Can be.

In addition, not only the opening and closing of the cover 4 can be locked at the locked position, but also the sliding part of the cover 4 can be regulated by the restricting portion 48, thereby enhancing the feeling of completion of the cable mounting operation.

However, by engaging the engaging portion 47 protruding from the cover 4 and the protruding portion 37 of the reinforcing tab 3, the restriction of the opening of the cover 4 or the restricting portion protruding from the cover 4 ( 48 is not limited to the configuration that restricts sliding of the cover 4 by engaging the protrusion 37 of the reinforcing tab 3, and is formed on one of the cover 4 and the reinforcing tab 3, for example. The structure which restricts opening and closing of the cover 4 by engagement of a convex part and the recessed part formed in the other side may be sufficient.

In addition, the engaging portion 47 or the restricting portion 48 of the cover 4 is not limited to being engaged with the reinforcing tab 3, but also fits another portion of the electrical connector 1 (eg, the housing 2). The physical structure may be sufficient.

This invention is not limited to the content of the above embodiment, A various change is possible within the range of a claim.

For example, a stopper 57 for preventing the cover 4 from sliding in a state where the flat flexible cable 7 is not inserted into the insertion space 27, and the stopper 57 and the cover 4 are accommodated. The locking mechanism for preventing the cover 4 from being opened in the locked position by the engagement of the portion 45 is not limited to the configuration provided in the first connecting portion 5, and at least one of the stopper and the locking mechanism is connected to the second connecting portion. The configuration may be provided.

Moreover, all of the some connection part may have the structure similar to the 1st connection part 5.

The 1st connection part 5 and the 2nd connection part 6 are not limited to the thing of the so-called upper contact type which press-contacts upwards with respect to the flat flexible cable 7, but are press-contacted from below with respect to the flat flexible cable 7 May be a so-called bottom contact type.

Although the above embodiment has been described using FPC as an example of the flat flexible cable 7, the electrical connector 1,101 according to the present invention is applicable to the installation of another flat flexible cable such as, for example, a flexible flat cable (FFC). .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, these are merely specific examples used to clarify the technical contents of the present invention, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these specific embodiments. And the scope is defined only by the appended claims.

This application corresponds to Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-100744 filed with the Japan Patent Office on April 3, 2003, and the entire disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

The electrical connector of the present invention can lock the cover in a closed state with a simpler configuration, and also provides an electrical connector that is easy to install a flat flexible cable.

Claims (11)

An electrical connector mounted on a wiring board and used to electrically connect a flat flexible cable to the wiring board, A housing having an opening for inserting the flat flexible cable; A plurality of connecting portions held in the housing and pressed against the flat flexible cable inserted from the opening and electrically connected to the flat flexible cable; A cover provided rotatably with respect to said housing for opening and closing said opening, said cover having a receiving portion opposed to said plurality of contact portions, and being rotated from a closed state to an open state so that said plurality of connecting portions at said receiving portion are opposite to the pressing direction; A cover capable of lifting to form an insertion space for inserting the flat flexible cable; And One or more of the plurality of connecting portions, the cover engaging with the receiving portion in a state in which the cover is slid to a predetermined locking position along the cable insertion direction, thereby regulating the receiving portion, and the cover from the closed state to the open state. An electrical connector comprising a locking portion to prevent rotation. 2. The displacement of the accommodating portion accompanying the sliding in the locking direction of the cover when the flat flexible cable is not inserted into the insertion space, wherein the accommodating portion is provided in at least one of the plurality of connecting portions. On the other hand, when the flat flexible cable is inserted into the insertion space and the cover is closed, the plurality of connection portions are lifted in a direction opposite to the pressing direction by a predetermined amount according to the thickness of the flat flexible cable. And a stopper for retracting from the portion to allow the cover to slide in the locking direction. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the locking portion and the stopper are provided on a protrusion provided in one or more of the plurality of connection portions. The said receiving part is restrict | limited to the said stopper provided in the said projection part with sliding in the locking direction of the said cover, when the said flexible flexible cable is not inserted in the said insertion space, When the flat flexible cable is inserted, it enters into a space formed between the protrusion and the flat flexible cable with sliding in the locking direction of the cover, and is restricted to the locking portion provided in the protrusion. Electrical connector. The cover of claim 1, further comprising an engaging portion provided in the cover, the engaging portion engaging the predetermined position of the electrical connector as the cover slides in the lock direction in the closed state and regulating the rotation of the cover in the closed state. Electrical connector, characterized in that. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a reinforcing tab press-fitted into said housing, said reinforcing tab for reinforcing engagement of said electrical connector to said wiring board, wherein said engaging portion engages said reinforcing tab to pivot to said open state. Electrical connector, characterized in that to regulate. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sliding restricting portion for restricting the sliding of the cover in the unlocking direction from the locking position. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a reinforcing tab press-fitted into the housing, the reinforcing tab for reinforcing engagement of the electrical connector to the wiring board, wherein the sliding restricting portion is engaged by the cover and the reinforcing tab. Electrical connector, characterized in that to regulate the sliding of. The said lock part is provided in the predetermined 1st connection part of the said some connection part, It is provided in the 2nd connection part different from the said 1st connection part of the said some connection part, and the said cover which slides in the locking direction in the state which inserted the said flat flexible cable in the said insertion space so that it may not slide beyond the said locking position. And a lock position regulating portion for regulating. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first connecting portion is press-fitted in the locking direction of the cover with respect to the housing, And the second connecting portion is press-fitted in the unlocking direction of the cover with respect to the housing. The said 1st connection part and the said 2nd connection part are alternately arrange | positioned along a predetermined direction, The first connecting portion has a first fixing portion for bonding with the wiring board, The second connecting portion has a second fixing portion for bonding with the wiring board, And the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are arranged in a zigzag direction along the predetermined direction.