KR20210030707A - Connector for flexible cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector for a flexible cable with increased allowable current and improved reliability for electrical connections. The connector for a flexible cable, in which the flexible cable is inserted in a first direction, comprises: a housing extending in a second direction intersecting a first direction; a first power terminal fixed on the housing; a plurality of signal terminals arranged in the second direction; an actuator including a pressing unit rotating about a rotation axis to apply pressure on a flexible cable; and a metal fitting disposed at both ends of the housing, wherein the first power supply terminal includes: a first extension unit extending in the second direction; a first connection unit extending from the first extension unit in a third direction opposite to the second direction; a second extension unit facing an upper surface of the first extension unit and extending in the second direction; a second connection unit extending from the second extension unit in the third direction; and a first connection unit connecting the first extension unit and the second extension unit.

Description

Connector for flexible cable{CONNECTOR FOR FLEXIBLE CABLE}

The present invention relates to a connector for a flexible cable. Specifically, the present invention relates to a connector for a flexible cable including a power terminal.

A flexible cable is a flat-shaped cable and can include a flexible printed cable (FPC) type and a flexible flat cable (FFC) type. The flexible cable has the flexibility to be bent freely, and the electric wires are arranged in an equilibrium inside so that it can be connected to the counterpart terminal in a wide width. Such a flexible cable may be electrically connected to an electronic component or circuit through a connector for a flexible cable.

The connector for a flexible cable may include a housing formed of an insulating material, a plurality of metal terminals disposed in the housing, and an actuator that pressurizes a flexible cable inserted into the housing and connects it to the metal terminal. The metal terminal may be attached to a circuit board by soldering and formed to electrically connect the flexible cable and the circuit board.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a connector for a flexible cable with increased permissible current and improved stability for electrical connection.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments of the technical idea of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem is a connector for a flexible cable into which a flexible cable is inserted in a first direction, and extends in a second direction crossing the first direction. Both ends of the housing and the actuator including a first power terminal fixed on the housing, a plurality of signal terminals arranged in a second direction, and a pressing part that applies pressure on the flexible cable by rotating around a rotation axis And a metal fitting disposed in, and the first power terminal includes a first extension portion extending in a second direction, a first connection portion extending in a third direction opposite to the first direction from the first extension portion, and a first power supply terminal. 1 A second extension portion facing the upper surface of the extension portion and extending in a second direction, a second connection portion extending in a third direction from the second extension portion, and a first connection portion connecting the first extension portion and the second extension portion. Includes.

Details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, there are at least the following effects.

In the connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments, since both the first connection portion and the second connection portion of the connector power terminal are connected to the flexible cable, the total allowable current is increased, so that heat generation problems due to application of a high current can be reduced.

In addition, in the connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments, since the flexible cable may be accommodated between the elastically deformed first and second connection parts, stability for electrical connection may be structurally improved.

The effects according to the present invention are not limited by the contents exemplified above, and more various effects are included in the present specification.

1 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the connector power terminal of FIG. 1.
3 is an exemplary perspective view of a connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA′ of FIG. 3.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 3.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C' of FIG. 3.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D' of FIG. 3.
8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible cable entering a connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and a method of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various forms different from each other, and only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to the possessor, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

When one component is referred to as "connected to" or "coupled to" with another component, it is possible to directly connect or couple with another component, or interpose another component in the middle. Includes all cases. On the other hand, when one component is referred to as "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" with another component, it indicates that no other component is interposed therebetween. "And/or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited items.

That a component is referred to as "on" or "on" of another component includes both the case where the other component is interposed not only above the other component but also in the middle. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as "directly on" or "directly on" of another component, it indicates that no other component is interposed therebetween.

Spatially relative terms "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. It can be used to easily describe the correlation between components and other components. Spatially relative terms should be understood as terms including different directions of the device during use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the drawings. For example, if an element shown in the figure is turned over, a component described as "below" or "beneath" of another element may be placed "above" another element. . Accordingly, the exemplary term “below” may include both directions below and above. Components may be oriented in other directions, and thus spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to the orientation.

The terms used in the present specification are for describing exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form also includes the plural form unless specifically stated in the phrase. As used in the specification, "comprises" and/or "comprising" refers to the presence of one or more other components, steps, actions and/or elements in which the recited component, step, operation and/or element Or does not preclude additions.

Although the first, second, etc. are used to describe various constituent elements, of course, these constituent elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first constituent element mentioned below may be a second constituent element within the technical idea of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used with meanings that can be commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined specifically.

Hereinafter, a connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

For reference, FIGS. 1 to 8 are schematic diagrams for explaining a connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments. Accordingly, the volume, length, and ratio of each of the components included in the connector for a flexible cable are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

In addition, in this specification, the front end of a flexible cable connector means the end of the flexible cable connector arrange|positioned on the side which accommodates a flexible cable (for example, 20 in FIG. Conversely, the rear end of the flexible cable connector means the end of the flexible cable connector disposed on the side opposite to the front end of the flexible cable connector.

1 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the connector power terminal of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a connector for a flexible cable includes a housing 100, an actuator 200, a connector power terminal 300, a connector signal terminal 400, and a metal fitting 500. The housing 100 may accommodate a flexible cable (eg, 20 in FIG. 8 ). For example, a flexible cable may be inserted into the housing 100 in the first direction X. In addition, the housing 100 may have a shape extending in a second direction Y crossing the first direction X.

The housing 100 may include a power terminal unit 111 and a signal terminal unit 122.

The power terminal part 111 may be a part of the housing 100 in which the connector power terminal 300 is disposed. Specifically, the connector power terminal 300 may be inserted into the power terminal portion 111 of the housing 100. In addition, the power terminal part 111 may be a part of the housing 100 in which the power terminal of the flexible cable is disposed. Accordingly, the power terminal of the flexible cable and the connector power terminal 300 may be in contact with the power terminal part 111.

The signal terminal part 122 may be a part of the housing 100 in which the connector signal terminal 400 is disposed. Specifically, the connector signal terminal 400 may be inserted into the signal terminal portion 122 of the housing 100. In addition, the signal terminal portion 12 may be a portion of the housing 100 in which the signal terminal of the flexible cable is disposed. Accordingly, the signal terminal of the flexible cable and the connector signal terminal 400 may be in contact with the signal terminal portion 122.

A plurality of signal terminal units 122 may be disposed on the housing 100. For example, as shown, the plurality of signal terminal portions 122 may be arranged side by side along the second direction Y in the center of the housing 100. The power terminal 111 may be disposed adjacent to both sides of the signal terminal 122 in the second direction Y.

The metal fitting 500 may include a body part 510, a first cover part 520, and a second cover part 530. In addition, the metal fittings 500 may be disposed at both ends of the housing 100 in the second direction Y.

The body portion 510 may have a shape extending in the first direction (X). The first cover part 520 may have a shape extending from the top of the body part 510 in the first direction (X), and the second cover part 530 is in the second direction from the bottom of the body part 510 ( It may be a shape extending to Y).

The actuator 200 may include a pressing part 230 and a rotation protrusion 240. In addition, the actuator 200 may be disposed on the housing 100 to cover the upper surface of the housing 100. In this case, a flexible cable inserted into the housing 100 in the first direction X may be interposed between the housing 100 and the actuator 200. Accordingly, the actuator 200 may apply pressure on the flexible cable.

Specifically, the rotation protrusion 240 of the actuator 200 may form a rotation axis extending along the second direction Y, and the pressing part 230 may rotate around this rotation axis. That is, the actuator 200 may apply pressure on the flexible cable through the rotating pressing unit 230.

In some embodiments, the actuator 200 may further include a ring portion 250 and a support shaft 210. Like the rotation protrusion 240, the ring part 250 and the support shaft 210 may form a rotation shaft extending along the second direction Y.

The connector power terminal 300 may be disposed on the power terminal portion 111 of the housing 100, as described above. Specifically, the connector power terminal 300 may be inserted into the power terminal portion 111 of the housing 100. In FIG. 1, it is illustrated that the four connector power terminals 300 are respectively disposed on the power terminal portions 111 of the housing 100, but this is only exemplary. That is, the arrangement and number of the connector power terminals 300 may be varied as necessary.

In some embodiments, the connector power terminal 300 may include first and second power terminals 300a and 300b and third and fourth power terminals 300c and 300d. The first and second power terminals 300a and 300b may be disposed on one side of the plurality of connector signal terminals 400. The third and fourth power terminals 300c and 300d may be disposed on the other side of the plurality of connector signal terminals 400. The second power terminal 300b may be disposed between, for example, the first power terminal 300a and the plurality of signal terminals 400, and the third power terminal 300c is, for example, a plurality of signals. It may be disposed between the terminals 400 and the fourth power terminal 300d.

In some embodiments, the connector signal terminal 400 may include a first signal terminal 400a and a second signal terminal 400b alternately arranged along the second direction Y. The first signal terminal 400a and the second signal terminal 400b will be described later in more detail in the description of FIGS. 5 and 6.

1 and 2, the connector power terminal 300 includes first and second extension parts 310 and 350, first and second connection parts 330 and 370, and first and second connection parts 320, respectively. 340 and a mounting unit 312 may be included.

The first extension part 310 may have a shape extending in the second direction (Y). The second extension part 350 faces an upper surface of the first extension part 310 and may have a shape extending in the second direction Y. The first connection part 330 is disposed on one side of the first extension part 310 to connect the second extension part 350 and the first extension part 310. The first connection part 330 may be bent from the first extension part 310 to extend in the fourth direction Z.

The second connection part 370 may face the first connection part 330. For example, the second connection part 370 may be disposed on the other side of the first extension part 310. The second connection part 370 may be bent from the first extension part 310 to extend in the fourth direction Z. In some embodiments, the second connection part 370 may connect the fixing part 360 and the first extension part 310 to be described later.

The first connection part 320 may extend from the first extension part 310 in a third direction (-X) opposite to the first direction (X). For example, the rear end of the first connection part 320 may be connected to the first extension part 310. In some embodiments, the first connection part 320 may include an elastic part 322 and a contact protrusion 324.

The elastic part 322 may have a structure extending in a third direction (-X) from the first extension part 310. That is, the rear end of the elastic part 322 may be connected to the first extension part 310. On the other hand, a part of the front end of the elastic part 322 may be connected to the contact protrusion 324.

The contact protrusion 324 may protrude from the upper surface of the elastic portion 322 in the fourth direction Z, for example.

The second connection part 340 may extend in a third direction (-X) from the second extension part 350. The second connection part 340 may be spaced apart from the first connection part 320 in the fourth direction Z and face the upper surface of the first connection part 320. In some embodiments, the second connection part 340 may include first and second support parts 342 and 344, a bent part 346, and a groove 343.

The first support part 342 may have a structure extending in the third direction (-X) from the second extension part 350. The first support part 342 may have a structure facing the elastic part 322.

The second support part 344 may have a structure extending in the third direction (-X) from the second extension part 350. The second support part 344 may have a structure facing the elastic part 322. In addition, the second support part 344 may be spaced apart from the first support part 342 in the second direction Y.

The bent portion 346 may be formed by bending from the front end of the first and second support portions 344. In some embodiments, the bent portion 346 may have a structure facing the contact protrusion 324 of the first connection portion 320.

The groove 343 may be formed between the first support part 342 and the second support part 344. For example, the groove 343 may be defined in a region surrounded by the first support portion 342, the second support portion 344, the second extension portion 350, and the bent portion 346. The front end of the groove 343 may be defined by the bent portion 346, and the rear end of the groove 343 may be defined by the second extension portion 350. One side of the groove 343 may be defined by the first support part 342, and the other side of the groove 343 may be defined by the second support part 344. In addition, the grooves 343 may have a structure that is spaced apart from the first connection part 320 to face each other.

In some embodiments, the connector power terminal 300 may further include a fixing part 360. The fixing part 360 may extend in a third direction (-X) from an upper portion of the second connection part 370.

In some embodiments, the fixing part 360 may include a first rotation support part 362. The first rotation support part 362 may rotate the actuator 200 by supporting the ring part 250 of the actuator 200 to be described later.

The mounting part 312 may have a shape extending in the first direction X from the first extension part 310. The mounting part 312 may fix the connector power terminal 300 on a circuit board (not shown) on which a connector for a flexible cable is disposed. For example, the mounting part 312 may be fixed to the circuit board by soldering or the like. Accordingly, the connector power terminal 300 may be electrically connected to the circuit board to input and output electrical signals.

3 is a connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments of the inventive concept. For convenience of description, portions overlapping with those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will be briefly described or omitted.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA′ of FIG. 3. For reference, A-A' of FIG. 3 is to cut the central portion of the connector power terminal 300.

3 and 4, the housing 100 may include an accommodation space 120 that is a space capable of accommodating a flexible cable. For example, the housing 100 may include a base portion 110, a wall portion 112, and a cover portion 130. The cover part 130 may face the upper surface of the base part 110, and the wall part 112 may connect the rear end of the base part 110 and the rear end of the cover part 130. In this case, the accommodation space 120 may be defined between the base portion 110 and the cover portion 130. In some embodiments, the wall portion 112 may define a limit to which the flexible cable is accommodated.

In some embodiments, the first and second connection portions 320 and 340 of the connector power terminal 300 are disposed adjacent to the base portion 110 of the housing 100 and the cover portion 130 of the housing 100, respectively. Can be. For example, the first connection part 320 may extend from the rear end of the base part 110 in a third direction (-X), and the second connection part 340 may extend from the rear end of the cover part 130 in a third direction ( -X) can be extended.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 3. For reference, B-B' is to cut the fixing part 360 of the connector power terminal 300.

3 and 5, the fixing part 360 of the connector power terminal 300 may include a first rotation support part 362. The first rotation support part 362 may be disposed at the front end of the fixing part 360. First rotation support (362)

The connector power terminal 300 may be inserted into the housing 100. In this case, the hook portion 250 of the actuator 200 and the connector power terminal fixing portion 360 may be engaged with each other. Specifically, the first rotation support part 362 of the power terminal may wrap a part of the lower surface of the ring part 250 of the actuator 200. The actuator 200 may rotate around the ring part 250, for example. Accordingly, during the rotational movement of the actuator 200, the rotation support 363 may structurally support the ring 250.

As shown, the first rotation support 362 may have a shape in which the front end of the ring 250 is rolled up. However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that the first rotation support part 362 may have various shapes capable of supporting the actuator 200.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C' of FIG. 3. For reference, C-C' is to cut the first signal terminal 400a.

3 and 6, the first signal terminal 400a may include a third connection part 410 and a fourth connection part 420.

The third connection part 410 may extend in the third direction (-X) from the rear end of the housing 100. The fourth connection part 420 may extend in a third direction (-X) from the rear end of the housing 100 on the third connection part 410. In addition, the fourth connection part 420 may include a concave part 430 having a concave shape. The concave portion 430 may be disposed at the front end of the fourth connection portion 420, but is not limited thereto.

The concave portion 430 in the first signal terminal 400a may surround a part of the upper surface of the support shaft 210. The actuator 200 may rotate around the support shaft 210, for example. Accordingly, the concave portion 430 may structurally support the support shaft 210 on the upper surface of the support shaft 210 when the actuator 200 rotates.

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D' of FIG. 3. For reference, D-D' is to cut the second signal terminal 400b.

3 and 7, the second signal terminal 400b may include a fifth connection part 440 and a sixth connection part 450.

The fifth connection part 440 may extend in the third direction (-X) from the rear end of the housing 100. The sixth connection part 450 may extend from the rear end of the housing 100 on the fifth connection part 440 in a third direction (-X). In addition, the sixth connection part 450 may include a second rotation support part 460 having an annular shape. The second rotation support part 460 may have a shape in which a front end of the sixth connection part 450 of the second signal terminal is rolled up. The second rotation support part 460 may be disposed at the front end of the fourth connection part 420, but is not limited thereto.

As shown, the second rotation support part 460 may wrap a part of the lower surface of the ring part 250 of the actuator 200. The actuator 200 may rotate around the support shaft 210, for example. Accordingly, the second rotation support part 460 may structurally support the support shaft 210 on the lower surface of the support shaft 210 when the actuator 200 rotates.

8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible cable entering a connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments. For convenience of description, portions overlapping with those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 will be briefly described or omitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, the flexible cable 20 may include a plurality of flexible wires. For example, the flexible cable 20 may include a plurality of wires 22 and 24 fixed to the insulating part 22.

The flexible cable 20 may enter the accommodation space 120 of the housing 100 in the first direction X, for example.

As shown, the dotted line shows the second connection part 340 of the connector power terminal 300 before the flexible cable 20 enters the accommodation space 120.

The first connection part 320 may include a first contact part 320c in contact with the flexible cable 20.

The second connection part 340 may include a second contact part 346c in contact with the flexible cable 20.

In addition, the first contact portion 320c and the second contact portion 346c of the connector power terminal 300 may correspond to a structure facing each other around the accommodation space 120.

In the connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments, the first connection part 320 and the second connection part 340 of the connector power terminal 300 are both in contact with the flexible cable 20, thereby increasing the total allowable current to apply a high current. The heat generation problem according to the can be reduced.

In addition, in the connector for a flexible cable according to some embodiments, since the flexible cable can be accommodated between the elastically deformed first connection part 320 and the second connection part 340, the stability for electrical connection is structurally improved. I can make it.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be manufactured in various different forms, and those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. It will be understood that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative and non-limiting in all respects.

100: housing
200: actuator
300: connector power terminal
400: connector signal terminal
500: metal fitting

Claims (8)

A connector for a flexible cable into which a flexible cable is inserted in the first direction,
A housing extending in a second direction crossing the first direction;
A first power terminal fixed on the housing;
A plurality of signal terminals arranged in the second direction;
An actuator including a pressing unit that rotates about a rotation axis to apply pressure on the flexible cable; And
Including metal fittings disposed at both ends of the housing,
The first power terminal,
A first extension part extending in the second direction,
A first connection part extending from the first extension part in a third direction opposite to the first direction,
A second extension portion facing an upper surface of the first extension portion and extending in the second direction,
A second connection part extending in the third direction from the second extension part,
A connector for a flexible cable comprising a first connection part connecting the first extension part and the second extension part. The method of claim 1,
The first power terminal further comprises a mounting portion extending in the first direction from the first extension portion. The method of claim 1,
The first power terminal,
A second connection portion facing the first connection portion,
Flexible cable connector further comprising a fixing portion extending in the third direction from the second connection portion. The method of claim 3,
The first connection portion is bent and extended from one end of the first extension portion,
The second connection part is a flexible cable connector that is bent and extended from the other end of the first extension part. The method of claim 1,
The second connection portion is spaced apart from each other in the second direction and a connector for a flexible cable including first and second support portions respectively extending in the third direction. The method of claim 5,
The second connection portion, a flexible cable connector including a bent portion connecting the front end of the first support portion and the front end of the second support portion. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a second power terminal arranged along the second direction from the first power terminal,
The second power terminal is a flexible cable connector having the same shape as the first power terminal. The method of claim 3,
The first power terminal further includes a rotation support part protruding from an upper surface of the fixing part,
A connector for a flexible cable, wherein the rotation shaft of the actuator rotates while being supported by the rotation support part.

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