NL2015465B1

NL2015465B1 - Plug connector.

Info

Publication number: NL2015465B1
Application number: NL2015465A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Ozeki Kosuke; Aoki Hideki
Original assignee: Dai-Ichi Seiko Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-02
Filing date: 2015-09-18
Publication date: 2016-09-30
Also published as: TW201618385A; KR101735944B1; TWI556511B; CN105490066A; JP2016072194A; CN105490066B; DE102015116451A1; JP6015971B2; KR20160040086A; NL2015465A

Abstract

Reliably maintaining electrical connection to a counter connector is made possible with a simple configuration with a reduced number of parts. A conductive shell 11 including a medium housing space into which a terminal portion of a plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS is to be inserted is provided integrally with a fitting lock portion 11i to be engaged with a portion of a counter connector 20 during insertion and fitting into the counter connector 20 to maintain the state of insertion and fitting and a lock release portion 11n to be operated to release the state of engagement of the fitting lock portion 11i with the counter connector 20. This configuration requires no insulating base (insulating housing) or the like to improve productivity and allows for reliably maintaining electrical connection by the fitting lock portion even with application of an unexpected external force or during use in an unexpected environment.

Description

PLUG CONNECTOR

Technical Field [0001]

The present invention relates to plug connectors, with a terminal portion of a plate-like signal transmission medium fitted thereto in a manner protruding from a conductive shell, configured to be inserted into a counter connector.

Background Art [0002]

In various types of electrical equipment, it is generally often the case that a terminal portion of one of a variety of plate-like signal transmission media formed to have an elongated plate shape, such as flexible printed circuits (FPCs) and flexible flat cables (FFCs), is coupled to a plug connector, and the plug connector with the plate-like signal transmission medium coupled thereto is inserted and fitted into a counter connector, e.g., a receptacle connector mounted on a printed circuit board to provide electrical connection.

[0003]

In this case, generally, the plug connector has a structure in which the both sides of an insulating base (insulating housing) are covered with a conductive shell, while in the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium, connection terminals (contacts) with a signal line or a ground line (shield line) exposed are formed to be multipolar electrode portions, and the multipolar electrode portions are arranged to protrude from the conductive shell, so that during fitting of the electrical connectors to each other, the multipolar electrode portions of the plug connector are to come into contact with the contact members of the receptacle connector (counter connector).

[0004]

In assembling of a plug connector having such a struacture as mentioned above, the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium is first fitted to the insulating base (insulating housing) into a coupled state, and the insulating base with the plate-like signal transmission medium coupled thereto is fitted to the lower half portion of the conductive shell, following which the upper half portion of the conductive shell is assembled from above in a covering manner to thereby cause a harness to be produced.

It is noted that since the plate-like signal transmission medium in this state is likely to have backlash with respect to the conductive shell or the insulating base, securing means such as a tape is often used to ensure a fixed state of the plate-like signal transmission medium.

[0005]

On the other hand, the applicant has proposed a connector device requiring no insulating base (insulating housing), such as disclosed in Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2011-187367. A connector device having such a structure can be kept free from having an insulating base or the like to advantageously result in a significant improvement in the productivity of a plug connector. Such a plug connector according to Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2011-187367, however, requires an operation lever to be rotationally operated to ensure a fitting retention to the counter connector. That is, the operation lever, which is provided rotatably on the plug connector, is configured to be rotationally operated during fitting to a receptacle connector (counter connector) so that the electrical connectors are locked to each other, whereby the electrical connection is prevented from being unstably maintained even with application of an unexpected external force or during use in an unexpected environment, for example. This, however, leaves the fitting workability to be made more efficient in that the operation lever is required to be rotationally operated.

Citation List Patent Literature [0006]

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2011-187367

Summary of the Invention Technical Problem [0007]

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a plug connector with which electrical connection to a counter connector can be maintained reliably and efficiently with a simple configuration with a reduced number of parts.

Solution to the Problem [0008]

In order to achieve the foregoing object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a plug connector, with a terminal portion of a plate-like signal transmission medium fitted thereto in a manner protruding from a conductive shell, configured to be inserted and fitted into a counter connector, in which the conductive shell is formed to include a medium housing space into which the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium is to be inserted, and the conductive shell is provided integrally with a fitting lock portion to be engaged with a portion of the counter connector during insertion and fitting into the counter connector to maintain the state of insertion and fitting and a lock release portion to be operated to release the state of engagement of the fitting lock portion with the counter connector.

[0009]

In accordance with the invention according to claim 1, no insulating base (insulating housing) or the like is required to result in a productivity improvement, and since the fitting lock portion is thus configured to be engaged with a portion of the counter connector during insertion and fitting into the counter connector, the state of insertion and fitting can be maintained stably without such a conventional arrangement of rotationally operating an operating lever, allowing for reliably maintaining electrical connection by the fitting lock portion even with application of an unexpected external force or during unexpected use and, at the same time, the fitting workability can be made more efficient.

[0010]

Also, in the invention according to claim 2, the conductive shell is preferably provided integrally with an insertion guide portion for restricting the direction of insertion into the counter connector.

[0011]

In accordance with the invention according to claim 2, insertion into the counter connector can be performed stably with the insertion guide portion.

[0012]

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the conductive shell is preferably formed of a folded body of a single conductive metal plate.

[0013]

In accordance with the invention according to claim 3, the number of parts of the conductive shell can be reduced to result in a further productivity improvement.

[0014]

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 4, it is preferred that the conductive shell is formed by folding back in an overlapping manner so as to pinch the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium, the insertion guide portion is formed in the folded-back portion of the conductive shell, and a lock portion arm and a lock release arm are provided in a cantilevered and extending manner in a free-end edge portion of the conductive shell opposite to the folded-back portion and, on the tip end sides of the cantilevered extending portions of the lock portion arm and the lock release arm, the fitting lock portion and the lock release portion are provided, respectively, in an elastically displaceable manner.

[0015]

Also, in the invention according to claim 5, the conductive shell is preferably provided integrally with a lock stopper and a lock release stopper for restricting the fitting lock portion and the lock release portion not to be displaced excessively.

[0016]

In accordance with the inventions according to claims 4 and 5, the fitting lock portion and the lock release portion can be prevented from being elastically displaced excessively.

[0017]

Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the lock stopper preferably includes a release restricting portion for restricting the lock portion arm not to be displaced excessively by the lock release portion and a forced disconnection restricting portion for restricting the lock portion arm not to be displaced erroneously when the counter connector is trying to be disconnected with the fitting lock portion being in an engaged state.

[0018]

In accordance with the configuration according to claim 6, upon a lock release operation, the release restricting portion of the lock stopper can restrict the fitting lock portion and the lock portion arm not to be displaced excessively, and the forced disconnection restricting portion can prevent the fitting lock portion and the lock portion arm from being displaced erroneously when the counter connector is trying to be disconnected erroneously regardless of the engagement of the fitting lock portion with the counter connector.

[0019]

Moreover, in the invention according to claim 7, the conductive shell is preferably provided integrally with a first position restricting piece and a second position restricting piece to be engaged, respectively, with a hole portion and a notched portion formed in the plate-like signal transmission medium to restrict the position of insertion of the plate-like signal transmission medium.

[0020]

Additionally, in the invention according to claim 8, the first position restricting piece and the second position restricting piece are preferably arranged in parallel in the direction of insertion of the plate-like signal transmission medium.

[0021]

In accordance with the configurations according to claims 7 and 8, the plate-like signal transmission medium, which is inserted into the conductive shell, can be maintained stably with the locking operation of the first and second position restricting pieces.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention [0022]

As described heretofore, the present invention is arranged such that a conductive shell including a medium housing space into which a terminal portion of a plate-like signal transmission medium is to be inserted is provided integrally with a fitting lock portion to be engaged with a portion of a counter connector during insertion and fitting into the counter connector to maintain the state of insertion and fitting and a lock release portion to be operated to release the state of engagement of the fitting lock portion with the counter connector, whereby no insulating base (insulating housing) or the like is required to result in a productivity improvement and reliably maintaining electrical connection by the fitting lock portion can be achieved even with application of an unexpected external force or during use in an unexpected environment. This arrangement allows electrical connection to a counter connector to be maintained reliably with a simple configuration with a reduced number of parts and thereby the productivity and reliability of electrical connectors to be improved significantly at low cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0023]

Fig. 1 is an external perspective illustration drawing, from front and obliquely upward direction, a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, into which a plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) is trying to be inserted.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective illustration showing, from front and downward direction, the plug connector in the state of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan illustration of the plug connector shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional illustration along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an external perspective illustration showing, from rear and obliquely upward direction, a state transition from the state of Fig. 1 to a state where the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) is inserted into the plug connector.

Fig. 6 is an external perspective illustration showing, from front and obliquely downward direction, the plug connector in the state of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an external perspective illustration showing, from rear and obliquely upward direction, a state transition from the state of Fig. 5 to a state where the conductive shell is closed vertically.

Fig. 8 is an external perspective illustration showing, from front and obliquely downward direction, the plug connector in the state of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional illustration of the plug connector shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional illustration of the plug connector shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 11 is an external perspective illustration showing, from front and obliquely upward direction, a state where the plug connector shown in Figs. 7 to 10 is arranged in a manner opposed to a receptacle connector serving as a counter connector.

Fig. 12 is a plan illustration of the plug connector shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional illustration along the line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an external perspective illustration showing, from front and obliquely upward direction, an electrical connector device with the plug connector in the state of Fig. 11 being inserted into the receptacle connector serving as a counter connector.

Fig. 15 is a plan illustration of the electrical connector device shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a transverse cross-sectional illustration along the line XVI-XVI in Fig. 15.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention [0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Electrical Connector Device] [0025] A terminal portion of a plate-like signal transmission medium PS, such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC), is coupled to a plug connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 to 10, and the plug connector 10 with the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium PS thus coupled thereto is inserted approximately horizontally into a receptacle connector 20 serving as a counter connector, as shown in Figs. 11 to 16, to be in a fitted state where an electrical connector device is provided.

[0026]

The receptacle connector 20 serving as a counter connector is used in a state mounted on and connected by soldering to a wiring pattern that is formed on a printed circuit board not shown and, via the electrical connector device including the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 20, the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS is to be connected electrically to the printed circuit board.

[0027]

In the following description, the direction in which the surface of the printed circuit board extends is defined as “horizontal direction,” while the direction perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board is defined as “height direction.” In the plug connector 10, the end edge portion on the leading end side in the direction of insertion during fitting into the receptacle connector 20 is defined as “front end edge portion,” while the end edge portion on the opposite side into which the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium PS is inserted and coupled is defined as “rear end edge portion.” In the receptacle connector 20, the end edge portion on the side into which the plug connector 10 is fitted and inserted is defined as “front end edge portion,” while the end edge portion on the opposite side is defined as “rear end edge portion.” Further, the direction in which the plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 20 extend in an elongated manner is referred to as “connector longitudinal direction.” [0028]

Furthermore, the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS, which extends rearward from the rear end edge portion of the plug connector 10, is composed of a plate-like member coupled with the “plate width direction” corresponding to the “connector longitudinal direction” and extending in an elongated manner in the direction orthogonal to the “plate width direction,” and multiple signal lines and ground lines (shield lines) are arranged adjacent to each other in a multipolar manner along the “plate width direction.” [0029] [Plug Connector]

The plug connector 10 according to the present invention, which forms an electrical connector on one side of the thus configured electrical connector device, does not have an insulating base (insulating housing) made of insulating material such as synthetic resin that common electrical connectors include, but has a configuration in which the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS is inserted and fixed in a medium housing space formed inside a conductive shell 11 for blocking electromagnetic wave noises and the like.

[0030]

In this case, the conductive shell 11 is formed of a folded body formed through an appropriate process of folding a single conductive metal plate and also formed of an integrated structure including an upper shell body 11a and a lower shell body 1 lb configured to vertically sandwich the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS therebetween. The detailed structure of the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb will hereinafter be described.

[0031]

On the other hand, in the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS, multiple signal lines and ground lines are arranged in a multipolar manner along the plate width direction, as mentioned above, inside a flexible insulating coating member. The insulating coating member in this embodiment has a structure in which an insulating cover film is used that is stuck on the signal lines and the ground lines to form a lower layer and a shield tape is further layered on the insulating cover film to form an upper layer.

[0032]

The thus configured insulating coating member is in a state peeled off in a certain area on the leading end edge side to be inserted into the medium housing space of the plug connector 10, and a multipolar electrode portion is thus formed. That is, in the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium PS, multiple ground lines are exposed to the upper surface side, while multiple signal lines are exposed to the lower surface side, and the exposed portions of the signal lines and the ground lines form a multipolar electrode portion composed of multiple connection terminal portions (contact portions) PS 1. It is noted that the insulating coating member is adhered to the area (unexposed portion) excluding these connection terminal portions PS1.

[0033]

The terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS thus having the multiple connection terminal portions PS 1 is inserted and fixed into the conductive shell 11 and, in this state where the plate-like signal transmission medium PS is fixed, the connection terminal portions (multipolar electrode portion) PS1 are arranged in a manner protruding forward from the front end edge of the conductive shell 11, as shown particularly in Fig. 6, to be inserted into the receptacle connector 20 serving as a counter connector so that electrical connection is provided.

[0034]

In both end edge portions of the thus configured plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS in the plate width direction, positioning hole portions PS2 are provided, respectively, in both outer portions of the connection terminal portions (multipolar electrode portion) PS1 and, in portions slightly to the rear of the positioning hole portions PS2, positioning notched portions PS3 are provided, respectively. The positioning hole portions PS2 are formed as rectangular holes having a planar rectangular shape formed to run through the insulating coating member of the plate-like signal transmission medium PS and, as will be described hereinafter, a first position restricting piece 1 lr formed in the conductive shell 11 of the plug connector 10 is configured to be inserted through, in a digging manner, and thereby engaged with each positioning hole portion PS2 of the plate-like signal transmission medium PS.

[0035]

The positioning notched portions PS3, which are arranged in parallel at positions slightly distant rearward in the direction of insertion of the plug connector 10 from the positioning hole portions PS2, are formed as notched portions notched into a planar approximately rectangular shape toward the connector center in the both side edge portions in the width direction of the plate-like signal transmission medium PS. As will be described hereinafter, a second position restricting piece 11s formed in the conductive shell 11 of the plug connector 10 is provided correspondingly to each positioning notched portion PS3 and is configured to be inserted through the notched space of the positioning notched portion PS3 in the plate-like signal transmission medium PS to be engaged with an end edge portion forming the notched space of the positioning notched portion PS3.

[0036]

Since the first position restricting piece 1 lr and the second position restricting piece 11s provided on the plug connector 10 are thus configured to be engaged, respectively, with each positioning hole portion PS2 and each positioning notched portion PS3 provided in the plate-like signal transmission medium PS, the entire platelike signal transmission medium PS is to be held at a predetermined position that is defined in advance.

[0037] [Conductive Shell]

As mentioned above, the conductive shell 11 is formed of a conductive layered body including an upper shell body 11a and a lower shell body 1 lb each composed of a metal plate-like member and configured to vertically sandwich the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS therebetween. The front end edge portions of the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb are linked integrally via a pair of insertion guide portions 1 lc, 1 lc each composed of a strip-like member arranged on both side portions in the connector longitudinal direction. The insertion guide portions 1 lc, 1 lc extend between the upper shell body 1 la and the lower shell body 1 lb in a bent manner folded back into a 90-degree-rotated “U” shape or an approximately “C” shape in a side view.

[0038]

On the other hand, correspondingly to the insertion guide portions 1 lc, 1 lc thus provided in the folded-back portions of the conductive shell 11, guide receiving portions not shown are formed to provide inclined surfaces in the front end edge portions of the receptacle connector 20 serving as a counter connector. During insertion and fitting of the plug connector 10 into the receptacle connector 20, the insertion guide portions 1 lc, 1 lc are configured to come into contact with the guide receiving portions, so that the direction of insertion of the plug connector 10 is to be restricted to a preliminarily defined direction and guided.

[0039]

As mentioned above, the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb are coupled integrally via the pair of insertion guide portions 1 lc, 1 lc and, in the area where the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb are opposed to each other, a medium housing space into which the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS is to be inserted is formed.

[0040]

Now, the upper shell body 1 la and the lower shell body 1 lb are configured to be opened and closed centering on the insertion guide portions 1 lc, 1 lc. More specifically, the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb are configured to swing between an opened state as an initial state where the insertion guide portions 1 lc, 1 lc and the free-end edge portions on the opposite side are separated away vertically from each other and a closed state where they are in proximity to each other. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS is then configured to be inserted from the connection terminal portions PS 1 into the medium housing space between the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb in the opened state as an initial state of the conductive shell 11.

[0041]

On the other hand, between the insertion guide portions 1 lc, 1 lc, which are arranged in the both side portions in the front end portion of the conductive shell 11 as mentioned above, a horizontally-long opening portion through which the connection terminal portions PS1 of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS run is formed to extend in an elongated manner along the connector longitudinal direction. Correspondingly to the horizontally-long opening portion thus provided in the front end edge portion of the conductive shell 11, in an opposed portion on the opposite side, that is, in a portion on the rear end side of the medium housing space, an insertion opening portion into which the entire plate-like signal transmission medium PS in the plate width direction including the positioning hole portions PS2 and the positioning notched portions PS3 of the plate-like signal transmission medium PS can be inserted is formed to extend in an elongated manner in the connector longitudinal direction.

[0042]

Through the insertion opening portion on the rear side of the conductive shell 11, the connection terminal portions PS1 of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS are configured to be inserted into the medium housing space and further thrust forward so as to protrude forward through the horizontally-long opening portion. That is, the horizontally-long opening portion provided in the conductive shell 11 is formed in the front end portion where the insertion of the plate-like signal transmission medium PS into the medium housing space is completed, and the plate-like signal transmission medium PS inserted through the medium housing space of the conductive shell 11 is configured such that the terminal portion including the positioning hole portions PS2 and the positioning notched portions PS3 is housed within medium housing space and the connection terminal portions PS1 are exposed externally through the horizontally-long opening portion.

[0043]

Also, in both end edge portions of the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb of the conductive shell 11 in the connector longitudinal direction, means for fixing the shell bodies 11a, 1 lb to each other is provided. More specifically, a pair of upper fixing side plates lid, lie are provided, respectively, in the both end edge portions of the upper shell body 11a with a predetermined space therebetween in the connector anteroposterior direction, while a pair of lower fixing side plates 1 If, 1 lg are provided, respectively, in the both end edge portions of the lower shell body 1 lb at positions corresponding to the respective upper fixing side plates 1 ld, 1 le. The upper and lower fixing side plates 1 Id to 1 lg are formed of plate-like pieces formed by bending the end edge portions of the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb in the connector longitudinal direction, respectively downward and upward at approximately a right angle.

[0044]

When each insertion guide portion 1 lc is bent into a 90-degree-rotated “U” shape or an approximately “C” shape in a side view so that the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb are layered as mentioned above and thereby the conductive shell 11 is brought into a closed state, the upper fixing side plates 1 ld, 1 le are layered on the inside of the lower fixing side plates 1 If, 1 lg. In this case, engagement protrusions provided on the upper fixing side plate lid and the lower fixing side plate 1 lg are fitted into engagement holes provided in the upper fixing side plate lie and the lower fixing side plate Ilf, whereby the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb are fixed firmly to each other and, in this closed state, such a medium housing space as mentioned above is formed between the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb fixed to each other.

[0045]

Further, in a connector rear end edge portion of the lower shell body 1 lb, that is, in a portion opposite to each insertion guide portion 1 lc that are folded-back portions of the conductive shell 11, a pair of lock portion arms 1 lh, 1 lh each composed of a strip-like member extend from both side portions in the connector longitudinal direction toward the connector front in a cantilevered manner. The lock portion arms 1 lh, 1 lh are formed of an elongated strip-like member and, in each free-end portion on the tip end side extending to the vicinity of the insertion guide portion 1 lc, a fitting lock portion 1 li is provided integrally. The fitting lock portion 1 li is formed by stamping out the same metal plate material as the conductive shell 11 together with the lock portion arm 1 lh supporting the fitting lock portion 1 li.

[0046]

In this case, each fitting lock portion 1 li is bent at approximately a right angle in the free-end portion on the connector front end side (leading end side) of the lock portion arm 1 lh and formed in a manner projecting outward in the connector longitudinal direction. Each fitting lock portion 1 li is formed in an approximately triangular shape in a side view having an inclined guide side portion continuously widened from front side toward rear side and a linear holding side portion running approximately linearly downward from the top of the inclined guide side portion. When the plug connector is inserted and fitted into the receptacle connector 20 serving as a counter connector, the inclined guide side portion of the fitting lock portion lli comes into contact with a locking portion (not shown) provided on the receptacle connector 20 and the entire fitting lock portion 1 li returns to its original position after being elastically displaced against the elasticity of the lock portion arm 1 lh, so that the linear holding side portion of the fitting lock portion 1 li is engaged with the locking portion (not shown) provided on the receptacle connector 20, whereby the state of fitting of the connectors 10, 20 to each other is to be maintained.

[0047]

In this case, as shown particularly in Fig. 6, the conductive shell 11 is provided integrally with a lock stopper 1 lj for limiting the amount of elastic displacement of each fitting lock portion 1 li. The lock stopper 1 lj is provided at an intermediate position in the direction in which the lock portion arm 1 lh supporting the fitting lock portion 1 li extends and is formed of a plate-like member protruding downward from the lower end edge portion of the lock portion arm 1 lh. On the other hand, correspondingly to the lock stopper 11 j, in the both end edge portions of the lower shell body 1 lb in the connector longitudinal direction, a stopper receiving portion 1 lk formed in a notched manner to have a planar approximately rectangular shape is provided and the lock stopper 1 lj is arranged and housed in the interior space of the stopper receiving portion Ilk.

[0048]

That is, the lock stopper 1 lj, which is configured to restrict the fitting lock portion 1 li not to be displaced excessively or erroneously with its position restricting operation when housed in the stopper receiving portion 1 lk, can exhibit a restricting operation for the fitting lock portion 1 li in two directions: connector longitudinal direction and its orthogonal direction. That is, when the lock portion arm 1 lh is trying to be forced excessively toward the connector center by a lock release portion 1 In to be described hereinafter, the lock stopper 1 lj comes into contact with the stopper receiving portion 1 lk toward the connector center and thus a positional restriction is provided in this direction. Also, when the fitting lock portion 1 li is in an engaged state and the plug connector 10 is trying to be forcibly disconnected from the receptacle connector 20 serving as a counter connector, the lock stopper 1 lj comes into contact with the stopper receiving portion 1 lk toward the connector front and thus a positional restriction is provided in this direction.

[0049]

The lock stopper 1 lj in this embodiment is thus configured to include a release restricting portion for restricting the lock portion arm 1 lh not to be displaced excessively during lock releasing and a forced disconnection restricting portion for restricting the lock portion arm 1 lh not to be displaced erroneously when the receptacle connector 20 is forcibly disconnected in a locked state.

[0050]

On the other hand, from the connector rear end edge portion of the upper shell body 11a, that is, from the both side portions in the connector longitudinal direction on the opposite side of each insertion guide portion 1 lc that is a folded-back portion of the conductive shell 11, a pair of release portion arms 1 lm, 1 lm each composed of a striplike member extend in a cantilevered manner toward the connector front. Each release portion arm 1 lm is formed of an elongated strip-like member and arranged to be displaced elastically in the connector longitudinal direction. In a free-end portion on the tip end side extending to approximately the central portion of the release portion arm 1 lm in the connector anteroposterior direction, a lock release operating portion 1 In is provided integrally. The lock release operating portion 1 In, which forms a “lock release portion” according to the present invention together with the release portion arm 11m supporting the lock release operating portion 1 In, is formed integrally by stamping out the same metal plate material as the conductive shell 11.

[0051]

In this case, the lock release operating portion 1 In is arranged in a manner opposed to the lock portion arm 1 lh on the outside in the connector longitudinal direction and, from the lock release operating portion 1 In, a tip end edge portion of a release operation plate 1 lp protruding toward the connector center is arranged in proximity to an intermediate portion of the lock portion arm 1 lh on the outside in the connector longitudinal direction.

[0052]

When a pair of lock release operating portions 1 In, 1 In on both sides in the connector longitudinal direction is held between, for example, a thumb and a forefinger of an operator and forced toward the connector center to come close to each other, the tip end portion of the release operation plate 1 lp of the lock release operating portion 1 In forces the intermediate portion of the lock portion arm 1 lh toward the connector center. According to the elastic displacement of the lock portion arm 1 lh at the time, the fitting lock portion 1 li is then moved toward the connector center and thereby released from the locking portion (not shown) of the receptacle connector 20 to result in a lock release state. In this lock release state, the plug connector 10 can be disconnected from the receptacle connector 20.

[0053]

On the other hand, corresponding to each of the thus configured lock release operating portions 1 In, a lock release stopper 1 lq for limiting the amount of elastic displacement of the lock release operating portion lln is provided integrally with the conductive shell 11. As shown particularly in Fig. 5, the lock release stopper 1 lq is provided also as the upper fixing side plate 1 le, formed of a plate-like member formed in a manner bent downward at approximately a right angle from the both end edge portions of the upper shell body 1 la in the connector longitudinal direction and arranged in a relationship to be opposed to the lock release operating portion 1 In on the inside in the connector longitudinal direction.

[0054] A positional relationship is then achieved in which the lock release operating portion 1 In comes into contact with the lock release stopper 1 lq when the lock release operating portion 1 In is forced toward the connector center as mentioned above, and before the amount of forcing of the lock release operating portion 1 In becomes excessive, whereby the lock release operating portion 1 In is restricted not to be elastically displaced excessively during forcing operations.

[0055]

Further, the upper shell body 1 la of the conductive shell 11 is formed integrally with a first position restricting piece 1 lr and a second position restricting piece 1 Is at positions corresponding to each positioning hole portion PS2 and each positioning notched portion PS3 of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS inserted into the plug connector 10 as mentioned above. The first position restricting piece 1 lr and the second position restricting piece 11s are each formed by cutting and raising a portion of the upper shell body 11a downward, that is, toward the connector interior at approximately a right angle and is configured to be engaged with each positioning hole portion PS2 and each positioning notched portion PS3 provided in the plate-like signal transmission medium PS when the conductive shell 11 is closed, so that the entire plate-like signal transmission medium PS is to be held at a predetermined position that is defined in advance.

[0056]

Furthermore, the upper shell body 1 la of the conductive shell 11 is formed with multiple (five) ground contacts lit. The ground contacts 1 It are formed through a cutting and raising process on the upper shell body 1 la to protrude in a cantilevered manner toward the lower medium housing space. The ground contacts 1 It are arranged in a relationship to come into contact with the ground terminals of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS and configured to provide ground connection when the plate-like signal transmission medium PS is inserted to its final position.

[0057] [Receptacle Connector]

On the other hand, the receptacle connector 20, which forms a counter connector, the other one in the electrical connector device, has an insulating housing 21 formed of insulating material such as synthetic resin and includes a conductive shell 22 covering the outer surface of the insulating housing 21 to block external electromagnetic wave noises and the like, as shown particularly in Figs. 11 to 16.

[0058]

On the insulating housing 21, multiple conductive contacts 23 are arranged at appropriate pitch intervals in a multipolar manner along the connector longitudinal direction. The conductive contacts 23 are each formed by bending a beam-shaped elastic metal material and arranged within a groove-like portion provided in the insulating housing 21 in a manner extending in the anteroposterior direction. Adjacent ones of the conductive contacts 23 are formed in approximately the same shape.

[0059]

On the other hand, in a rear end side portion of each conductive contact 23, a connective leg portion 23a formed in a bent manner is provided in a downward stepwise manner and joined by soldering and connected electrically to a signal transmission printed wiring pattern (electrically-conducting path) that is formed on a printed circuit board not shown. The joining by soldering in this case is performed on all the portions in the direction of multipolar arrangement at one time.

[0060]

Also, in a front end side portion of each conductive contact 23 described above, a contact portion not shown is provided and arranged in a relationship to be brought into elastic upward contact with each connection terminal of the connection terminal portions PS1 of the plug connector 10 fitted in the receptacle connector 20 and, with this structure, a signal transmission circuit is formed from the contact portion via the connective leg portion to the printed circuit board.

[0061]

Further, in an upper surface portion of the conductive shell 22, multiple ground contacts 22a are provided in parallel in the connector longitudinal direction. The ground contacts 22a are each formed in a manner folded back from a front end edge portion of the conductive shell 22 toward the connector interior (downward) and configured to come into elastic contact with the upper surface portion of the upper shell body 1 la of the plug connector 10 fitted in the receptacle connector 20.

[0062]

Also, in both end portions of the conductive shell 22 in the connector longitudinal direction, a pair of hold-downs 22b, 22b are provided, and a board connecting portion extending approximately horizontally from the lower end edge of each hold-down 22b outward in the connector longitudinal direction is joined by soldering and connected electrically to a grounding printed wiring pattern (electrically-conducting path) that is formed on the printed circuit board, whereby a ground circuit is formed from the conductive shell 22 to the printed circuit board and the entire receptacle connector 20 is fixed.

[0063]

In the plug connector 10 according to this embodiment, the terminal portion of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS is first inserted into the medium housing space through the insertion opening portion on the rear end side of the conductive shell 11 with the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb being in an opened state (see Figs. 5 and 6). Next, the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body lib of the conductive shell 11 are brought into a closed state (see Figs. 7 to 10), whereby the first position restricting pieces 1 lr and the second position restricting pieces 11s provided on the plug connector 10 are engaged with the positioning hole portions PS2 and the positioning notched portions PS3 in the plate-like signal transmission medium PS, so that the entire plate-like signal transmission medium PS is held at a predetermined position that is defined in advance. In this case, since the positioning hole portions PS2 and the positioning notched portions PS3 provided in the plate-like signal transmission medium PS are arranged in parallel in the direction of insertion of the plate-like signal transmission medium PS, the plate-like signal transmission medium PS inserted in the conductive shell 11 is held stably with the locking operation of the positioning hole portions PS2 and the positioning notched portions PS3.

[0064]

The plug connector 10 thus coupled with the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS as mentioned above is inserted into the receptacle connector 20 serving as a counter connector (see Figs. 11 to 16). In the plug connector 10 according to this embodiment, no insulating base (insulating housing) or the like is thus required to result in a productivity improvement due to, for example, reduction in the number of parts.

[0065]

The inserting operation of the plug connector 10 into the receptacle connector 20 is performed stably with the restrictive guiding operation in the direction of insertion by the insertion guide portions 1 lc. Since the fitting lock portions 1 li are then engaged with a portion of the receptacle connector 20 during insertion and fitting into the receptacle connector 20, the state of insertion and fitting can be maintained stably without a conventional arrangement of rotationally operating an operating lever. Electrical connections in the electrical connector device can then be maintained reliably by the fitting lock portions even with application of an unexpected external force on the electrical connector device or during use in an unexpected environment and, at the same time, the fitting workability can be made more efficient.

[0066]

On the other hand, in the plug connector 10 according to this embodiment, since the entire conductive shell 11 is formed of a folded body of a single conductive metal plate, the conductive shell 11 itself undergoes reduction in the number of parts, resulting in a further productivity improvement.

[0067]

Further, in this embodiment, the lock stoppers 1 lj and the lock release stoppers 1 lq prevent the fitting lock portions lli and the lock release operating portions 1 In from being elastically displaced excessively. More specifically, the lock release operating portions 1 In, when forced toward the connector center, first come into contact with the lock release stoppers 1 lq in this direction, and the release restricting portions of the lock stoppers 1 lj come into contact with the stopper receiving portions 1 lk toward the connector center. The fitting lock portions 1 li and the lock portion arms 1 lh are thus restricted not to be displaced excessively when a lock release operation is performed.

[0068]

Also, when the fitting lock portions 1 li are in an engaged state and the plug connector 10 is trying to be forcibly disconnected from the receptacle connector (counter connector) 20, the disconnection restricting portions of the lock stoppers 1 lj come into contact with the stopper receiving portions 1 lk toward the connector front and thus a positional restriction is provided in this direction, whereby the fitting lock portions 1 li and the lock portion arms 1 lh are restricted not to be displaced excessively during so-called forced disconnections.

[0069]

Moreover, since the conductive shell 11 employed in this embodiment is entirely formed integrally including the upper shell body 11a and the lower shell body 1 lb, it is possible to employ an intermediate step in which multiple conductive shells 11, 11, ... are linked serially with, for example, a carrier, whereby all the conductive shells 11 can be manufactured very efficiently at one time.

[0070]

The present invention made by the inventor has heretofore been described specifically based on the embodiment, which, as a matter of course, is not intended to be restrictive, but may be modified variously without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0071]

For example, the positioning notched portions PS3 provided in the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS, which have a notched shape recessed inward in the plate width direction in the above-described embodiment, may have a shape extending outward in the plate width direction, or have a columnar shape protruding in the plate width direction or a recessed hole shape.

[0072]

Also, the ground terminals, which are formed on one side of the plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS in the above-described embodiment, may naturally be arranged on the outside of the signal terminals or arranged in another relationship. Alternatively, the ground terminals may not be used to only include the signal terminals.

[0073]

Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment is provided by applying the present invention to a horizontally-fitting type plug connector, the present invention may be applied to a vertically-fitting type plug connector as well.

Industrial Applicability [0074]

The above-described embodiment can thus be applied widely to a number of different electrical connectors used in various types of electrical equipment.

Reference Signs List [0075] 10 Plug connector 11 Conductive shell 11a Upper shell body 1 lb Lower shell body 1 lc Insertion guide portion (Shell coupling portion) 1 ld, 1 le Upper fixing side plates

Ilf, 1 lg Lower fixing side plates 1 lh Lock portion arm 1 li Fitting lock portion 1 lj Lock stopper 1 lk Stopper receiving portion 1 lm Release portion arm (Lock release portion) 1 In Lock release operating portion (Lock release portion) lip Release operation plate llq Lock release stopper 1 lr First position restricting piece 11s Second position restricting piece lit Ground contact 20 Receptacle connector (Counter connector) 21 Insulating housing 22 Conductive shell 22a Ground contact 22b Hold-down 23 Conductive contact 23a Connective leg portion PS Plate-like signal transmission medium (FPC, FFC) PS 1 Connection terminal portion (Multipolar electrode portion) PS2 Positioning hole portion PS3 Positioning notched portion

Claims

A plug connector (10), to which a connector portion of a plate-like signal transmission medium (PS) is attached in a manner that it protrudes from a conductive sheath (11) configured to be plugged in and fit into a counter connector (20) characterized in that the conductive casing (11) is formed such that it comprises a space for accommodating a medium into which the connecting part of the plate-like signal transmission medium (PS) is to be inserted, and the conductive casing (11) as a whole is provided with a locking part (11 l) for engaging a part of the counter-connection piece (20) during the insertion and fitting into the counter-connection piece (20), in order to maintain the insertion and fitting state, and an unlocking part ( 1 ln) to be operated to cancel the engagement state of the locking part (1 ll) on the counter-connection piece (20).

Plug connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive casing (11) as a whole is provided with a plug-in guide part (11c) for limiting the plug-in direction in the counter-connector (20).

Plug connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive casing (11) is formed from a folded body of a single conductive metal plate.

Plug connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive sheath (11) is formed by folding it back in an overlapping manner in order to clamp the connecting part of the plate-like signal transmission medium (PS), the insertion guide part (1) 1c) is formed in the folded back portion of the conductive sheath (11), and a locking arm (1 lh) and an unlocking arm (1 lm) are provided in a unilaterally clamped and extending manner in an edge portion at the free end of the conductive sheath (11) opposite the folded-back part and, on the fronts of the parts clamped on one side, of the locking arm (1 lh) and the unlocking arm (1 lm), respectively the locking part (lli) and the unlocking part (1 ln) be provided in an elastically displaceable manner.

Plug connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive casing (11) as a whole is provided with a locking plug (l1) and an unlocking plug (1 lq) to ensure that the locking part (1 l1) and the unlocking part (lln) cannot be moved excessively.

Plug connector (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking plug (1 lj) comprises an unlocking limiting part to ensure that the locking arm (1 lh) is not excessively displaced by the unlocking part (1 ln) and a limiting part for forced release to ensure that the locking arm (1 lh) is not moved by mistake when attempting to disengage the counter connector (20) while the locking member (1 ll) is in an engaged state.

Plug connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive casing (11) as a whole is provided with a first position-limiting piece (1 lr) and a second position-limiting piece (lis) for engaging, respectively, in a plate-like signal transmission medium (PS) formed hole portion and notch portion to limit the insertion position of the plate-like signal transmission medium (PS).

Plug connector (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first position-limiting piece (1 lr) and the second position-limiting piece (lis) are arranged in parallel in the insertion direction of the plate-like signal transmission medium (PS).