WO2012066377A1 - Flexible printed circuit board connector - Google Patents

Flexible printed circuit board connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012066377A1
WO2012066377A1 PCT/IB2010/003160 IB2010003160W WO2012066377A1 WO 2012066377 A1 WO2012066377 A1 WO 2012066377A1 IB 2010003160 W IB2010003160 W IB 2010003160W WO 2012066377 A1 WO2012066377 A1 WO 2012066377A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
circuit board
terminal
arm
flexible circuit
electrode
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2010/003160
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Masahiro Koga
Original Assignee
Fci
Fci Connectors Singapore Pte Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fci, Fci Connectors Singapore Pte Ltd filed Critical Fci
Priority to PCT/IB2010/003160 priority Critical patent/WO2012066377A1/en
Priority to KR1020137015634A priority patent/KR20130116893A/en
Priority to JP2013539351A priority patent/JP2014500588A/en
Priority to CN201080070174.5A priority patent/CN103210545B/en
Publication of WO2012066377A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012066377A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/77—Coupling devices for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H01R12/771—Details
    • H01R12/774—Retainers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/82—Coupling devices connected with low or zero insertion force
    • H01R12/85—Coupling devices connected with low or zero insertion force contact pressure producing means, contacts activated after insertion of printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/88—Coupling devices connected with low or zero insertion force contact pressure producing means, contacts activated after insertion of printed circuits or like structures acting manually by rotating or pivoting connector housing parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a connector which makes an electrical connection, in particular, a connector which makes an electrical connection with a flexible circuit board and the like.
  • the present invention provides a first terminal including: a first upper arm, a first lower arm positioned opposite to the upper arm; a first coupling portion coupling a base edge of the first upper arm and the first lower arm; and a first base arm coupled with the first lower arm at a second coupling portion which is positioned between the front edge of the first lower arm and the first coupling portion, wherein the first base arm extends from the second coupling portion beyond the front edge of the first upper and the first lower arms, a first electrode which is contacted to a first conductor on one surface of a flexible circuit board is formed in the first upper and the first lower arms, a second electrode which is connected to a circuit board is formed in the first base arm, the first upper, the first lower and the first base arms are on the same plane, and the first base arm is spaced from the first lower arm, thereby forming a first space between the first base arm and the first lower arm.
  • the present invention provides a second terminal including: a second upper arm; a second lower arm positioned opposite to the second upper arm; a coupling portion coupling a base edge of the second upper arm and the second lower arm; a second base arm coupled with the second lower arm at the base edge of the second lower arm and extending in a direction opposite to the second lower arm; and a loading portion which extends in a direction opposite to that of the second upper arm from the coupling portion, wherein a third electrode which is contacted to a conductor on one surface of a flexible circuit board is formed in the second upper and the second lower arms, a fourth electrode which is connected to a circuit board is formed in the second base arm, and the second upper, the second lower and the second base arms are on the same plane .
  • the present invention provides a connector to be connected to an end portion of a planar flexible circuit board including: an insulating housing having an insertion opening formed therein in which the flexible circuit board is to be inserted; a plurality of first terminals according to claim 1, which are aligned in the insulating housing; a plurality of second terminals according to claim 2, which are aligned in the insulating housing; an actuator mounted on the insulating housing and pivotable relative to the insulating housing; wherein the first and the second upper arms are positioned on a top surface of the insertion opening and the first and the second lower arms are positioned on a bottom surface of the insertion opening, the actuator is provided with a first cam which acts on the first terminal, and a second cam which acts on the second terminal, when the actuator is pivoted, the first cam makes the first electrode of the first terminal contact a first conductor of the flexible circuit board, thereby elastically deforming the first lower arm of the first terminal toward the first base arm of the first terminal, and the second cam makes the third electrode of
  • a second space is formed between the second lower arm of the second terminal and the bottom surface of the insertion opening, and the second lower arm of the second terminal is elastically deformed toward the bottom surface of the insertion opening when the third electrode of the second terminal contacts a second conductor of the flexible circuit board.
  • the first cam which acts of the first terminal and the second cam which acts on the second terminal are formed in a base edge of the actuator and when the flexible circuit board is inserted in the insertion opening, the first and the second upper arms are positioned on the top surface of the insertion opening and the first and the second lower arms are positioned on a bottom surface of the insertion opening, and by pivoting the actuator, the first cam makes the first electrode of the first terminal contact to a first conductor of the flexible circuit board, thereby elastically deforming the first lower arm of the first terminal toward the first base arm of the first terminal.
  • a second space is formed between the second lower arm of the second terminal and the bottom surface of the insertion opening and by pivoting the actuator, the third electrode of the second terminal contacts the second conductor of the flexible circuit board, thereby elastically deforming the second lower arm of the second terminal toward the bottom surface of the insertion opening.
  • the first cam acts on a first loading portion of the first upper arm which is positioned between the first electrode and the first coupling portion of the first terminal
  • the second cam acts on a second loading portion which extends in a direction opposite to that of the second upper arm from the coupling portion of the second terminal
  • the first cam makes the first electrode of the first terminal contact the corresponding conductor of the flexible circuit board by pushing down the first loading portion of the first terminal
  • the second cam makes the third electrode of the second terminal contact the corresponding conductor of the flexible circuit board by lifting up the second loading portion of the second terminal when the actuator is pivoted.
  • fixing tabs are provided on both ends of the connecter in the direction of alignment of the first and the second terminals, the fixing tabs being provided with a stopper at a position corresponding to the pivoting axis of the actuator, and the stopper prevents the actuator from disengaging in the insertion direction of the flexible circuit board.
  • the fixing tabs are provided with an engaging projection, wherein the engaging projection engages with a notch formed in the flexible circuit board, and prevents the flexible circuit board from disengaging from the connector.
  • the connector of the present invention makes stable electrical connection possible by equalizing the contact force of each terminal for contacting with the flexible circuit board.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first terminal of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second terminal of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connector device of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross section along line A-A, which is the position of the first terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state before insertion of a flexible circuit board.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section along line B-B, which is the position of the second terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state before insertion of a flexible circuit board.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross section along line A-A, which is the position of the first terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state where insertion of a flexible circuit board has been completed.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cross section along line B-B, which is the position of the second terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state where insertion of a flexible circuit board has been completed.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a cross section along line A-A, which is the position of the first terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state where connection of a flexible circuit board has been completed.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a cross section along line B-B, which is the position of the second terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state where connection of a flexible circuit board has been completed.
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross section along line C-C, which is the position of the fixing tabs of the connector shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fixing tab of an embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
  • FIGS. 1 to 11 are diagrams showing a connector device of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the connector device of the present invention includes two different shaped connectors.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of a side surface of a first terminal 4 used in the connector device of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a side surface of a second terminal 5 used in the connector device of the present invention.
  • the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are formed by an electrically conductive metal sheet of a prescribed thickness being punched out in the thickness direction by press working or the like.
  • the first terminal 4 includes a first upper arm 41, a first lower arm 42 positioned opposite to the upper arm 41, a first coupling portion 44 coupling a base edge of the first upper arm 41 and a base edge of the first lower arm 42, and a first base arm 43 coupled with the first lower arm 42 at a second coupling portion 45 which is positioned between a front edge of the first lower arm 42 and the first coupling portion 44.
  • the first base arm 43 extends from the second coupling portion 45 beyond the front edge of the first upper arm 41 and the first lower arm 42.
  • a first electrode 46 which is to be contacted to a first conductor of a flexible circuit board 30 is formed in the first upper arm 41 and the first lower arm 42.
  • a second electrode 47 which is to be contacted to a circuit board is formed in the first base arm 43.
  • the first base arm 43 is spaced from the first lower arm 42, thereby forming a first space 40 between the first base arm 43 and the first lower arm 42.
  • the second terminal 5 includes a second upper arm 51, a second lower arm 52 positioned opposite to that the second upper arm 51 , a coupling portion 54 coupling a base edge of the second upper arm 51 and the second lower arm, a second base arm 53 coupled with the second lower arm 52 at the base edge of the second lower arm 52 and extending in a direction opposite to the second lower arm 52, and a loading portion which extends in a direction opposite to the second upper arm 51 from the coupling portion 54.
  • a third electrode 56 which is to be contacted to a second conductor of the flexible circuit board 30 is formed in the second upper arm 51 and the second lower arm 52.
  • a fourth electrode 57 which is to be connected to the circuit board is formed in the second base arm 53.
  • the connector device 1 to be connected to an end portion of the planar flexible circuit board 30 includes an insulating housing 2 formed from a resin molding and a resin actuator 3 mounted on the insulating housing.
  • An insertion opening 10 for insertion of the flexible circuit board 30 is formed in the insulating housing 2.
  • Terminal grooves for insertion of the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are formed in the insertion opening 10.
  • the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are alternately arranged in the width direction of the insulating housing 2 so that the terminal grooves correspond to the conductor array direction of the flexible circuit board 30.
  • the first electrode 46 of the first terminal 4 and the third electrode 56 of the second terminal 5 project a little from the terminal grooves into the insertion opening 10.
  • the first terminal 4 is fixed to the insulating housing 2 by press-fitting a press-fitting projection 49 in the terminal groove and hooking a hook 48 onto the lower wall of the insertion opening 10.
  • the second terminal 5 is fixed to the insulating housing 2 by press-fitting a press-fitting projection 59 in the terminal groove. Also, a space 20 is formed between the second lower arm 52 and the bottom surface of the insertion opening 10.
  • an abutting section 16 against which the inserted flexible circuit board 30 abuts is further formed in the insertion opening 10.
  • this abutting section 16 (refer to Figure 7), only a fixed length of the flexible circuit board 30 can be inserted.
  • An actuator 3 is provided in the connector device 1. In the base edge of the actuator there is provided a pivoting axis along the alignment direction of the first and second terminals of the connector.
  • the actuator 3 is mounted to the insulating housing 2 so as to be pivotable to the insulating housing 2 about the pivoting axis.
  • a first cam 12 in a position corresponding to the first terminal 4 and a second cam 14 in a position corresponding to the second terminal 5 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 5).
  • the first cam 12 acts on the first load section which is positioned between the first electrode 46 and the first coupling portion 44 of the first terminal 4, thus deflecting the first upper arm 41 towards the flexible circuit board 30 and making the first electrode 46 of the first terminal 4 to contact the first conductor of the flexible circuit board 30 (refer to FIG. 8).
  • the second cam 14 acts on the second loading portion which extends in a direction opposite to that of the second upper arm 51 from the coupling portion 54 of the second terminal 5, thus deflecting the second upper arm 51 towards the flexible circuit board 30 and making the third electrode 56 of the second terminal 5 to contact the second conductor of the flexible circuit board 30 (refer to FIG. 9).
  • the first cam 12 is positioned above the first loading portion of the first terminal 4 and the second cam 14 is positioned below the second loading portion of the second terminal 5.
  • the actuator 3 is thereby supported in the vertical direction by the first and second loading portions. Therefore, the actuator 3 is prevented from disengaging from the insulating housing 2 in the vertical direction.
  • a fixing tab 6 is provided on both ends of the connecter in the direction of alignment of the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 of the connector 1.
  • the fixing tab 6 is formed by a metal sheet of a prescribed thickness being punched out in the thickness direction by press working or the like.
  • a stopper 62 is formed on the fixing tab 6.
  • the stopper 62 is formed so as to become approximately perpendicular to the punched out surface of the fixing tab 6.
  • the stopper 62 extends approximately parallel with the pivoting axis of the actuator 3.
  • the stopper 62 and the pivoting axis of the actuator 3 are aligned at almost the same height in the vertical direction.
  • the actuator 3 is thereby prevented from disengaging from the insulating housing 2 in the insertion direction of the flexible circuit board 30.
  • the fixing tab 6 is also provided with an engaging projection 64.
  • the engaging projection 64 engages with a notch 32 formed in the flexible circuit board 30 to thereby prevent the flexible circuit board 30 from disengaging from the connector (refer to FIG. 10).
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing cross sections along lines A- A and B-B of FIG. 3 before coupling of the fiexible circuit board 30 to the connector device 1.
  • FIG. 4 shows the cross section of the connector device 1 at a position corresponding to the first terminal 4.
  • FIG. 5 shows the cross section of the connector device 1 at a position corresponding to the second terminal 5.
  • the actuator 3 is in the release position.
  • the first cam 12 and the second cam 14 do not operate on the loading portions of the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 respectively, and it is thus possible to insert the flexible circuit board 30 into the insertion opening 10.
  • the front edge of the flexible circuit board 30 is inserted into the insertion opening 10.
  • the first upper arm 41 and the second upper arm 51 are arranged on the upper surface of the flexible circuit board 30 and the first lower arm 42 and the second lower arm 52 are arranged on the lower surface of the flexible circuit board 30.
  • the front edge thereof contacts the engagement projection 64 of the fixing tab 6.
  • the fixing tab 6 elastically deforms so that the engagement projection 64 rides on the flexible circuit board 30.
  • the notch 32 of the flexible circuit board 30 reaches the engagement portion 64.
  • the actuator 3 is made to pivot toward the lock position of the actuator 3 in a direction following the arrows in FIGS. 8 and 9.
  • the first cam 12 pushes down the first loading portion positioned between the first electrode 46 of the first upper arm 41 and the first coupling portion 44 of the first terminal 4, thus making the first electrode 46 of the first terminal 4 contact the first conductor of the flexible circuit board 30.
  • the second cam 14 lifts up the second loading portion extending in a direction opposite to the second upper arm 51 from the coupling portion 54 of the second portion 5, thus making the third electrode 56 of the second terminal 5 contact the second conductor of the flexible circuit board 30 (refer to FIGS 8 and 9).
  • the first electrode 46 of the first upper arm 41 causes the flexible circuit board 30 to contact the second electrode 47 of the first lower arm 42 and presses the first lower arm 42 in a downward direction. Since the first space is formed between the first lower arm 42 and the first base arm 43, the first lower arm 43 elastically deforms toward the first base arm 43. By this action, a contact force Fl of the first electrode 46 of the first upper arm 41 contacting with the flexible circuit board 30 and a contact force F2 of the second electrode 47 of the first lower arm 42 contacting with the flexible circuit board 30 become equal (refer to FIG. 8).
  • the third electrode 56 of the second upper arm 51 causes the flexible circuit board 30 to contact the fourth electrode 57 electrode of the second lower arm 52 and presses the second lower arm 52 in a downward direction. Since the space 20 is formed between the second lower arm 52 and the lower wall of the insertion opening 10, the second lower arm 53 elastically deforms toward the bottom surface of the insertion opening 10. By this action, a contact force F4 of the third electrode 56 of the second upper arm 51 contacting with the flexible circuit board 30 and a contact force F5 of the fourth electrode 57 of the second lower arm 52 contacting with the flexible circuit board 30 become equal (refer to FIG. 9).
  • a downward direction force F3 loaded on the first loading portion of the first terminal 4 is generated.
  • F6 loaded on the second loading portion of the second terminal 5 is generated.
  • F3 and F6 are proportional and thus become equal.
  • the downward direction force Fl is generated to thus contact the first upper arm 41 with the flexible circuit board 30.
  • the first upper arm 41 contacts with the flexible circuit board 30 and is pushed down to thus generate the reactive force F2.
  • the downward direction force F4 is generated to thus contact the second upper arm 51 with the flexible circuit board 30.

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector for connecting to a flexible circuit board. The connector includes a housing having an opening in which the flexible circuit board can be inserted; an actuator pivotally mounted to the housing and a plurality of first and second terminals. The actuator has a first cam acting on the first terminal, and a second cam acting on the second terminal. When the flexible circuit board is inserted into the opening and when the actuator is pivoted, the first cam makes the first terminal contacting a first conductor of the flexible circuit board, and the second cam makes second terminal contacting a second conductor of the flexible circuit board. The connector of the present invention makes stable electrical connection possible by equalizing the contact force of each of the first and second terminals contacting with the flexible circuit board.

Description

FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTOR
Technical Field The present invention relates to a connector which makes an electrical connection, in particular, a connector which makes an electrical connection with a flexible circuit board and the like.
Background Art
Recently, there is a need to decrease the size of connectors which make electrical connections and increase the density of electrodes in the connectors. In particular, there is a strong need due to the decrease in size and increase in density of modern electronic devices. Moreover, there is a necessity to maintain a reliable electrical connection even when mobile phones randomly vibrate.
Conventional connectors, such as those disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2008-269984, United States Patent No. 7,766,694 and PCT International Publication No. WO 2007/125679, connect a flexible circuit board by pivoting an actuator and these connectors all have two shaped terminals. However, since a difference occurs in the contact force of the first shaped terminal for contacting with the flexible circuit board and the contact force of the second shaped terminal for contacting with the flexible circuit board in any of these connectors, electrical connection of the flexible circuit board becomes unstable by vibration.
Also, variation occurs in the contact force of each terminal for contacting the flexible circuit board due to variation in electrode height by dimension tolerance. However, since the lower contact section is fixed in any of these connectors, it is impossible to correct the difference in contact force generated by the terminal. As a result, electrical connectivity of flexible circuit boards thus becomes unstable. Summary of the invention
In order to overcome the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides a first terminal including: a first upper arm, a first lower arm positioned opposite to the upper arm; a first coupling portion coupling a base edge of the first upper arm and the first lower arm; and a first base arm coupled with the first lower arm at a second coupling portion which is positioned between the front edge of the first lower arm and the first coupling portion, wherein the first base arm extends from the second coupling portion beyond the front edge of the first upper and the first lower arms, a first electrode which is contacted to a first conductor on one surface of a flexible circuit board is formed in the first upper and the first lower arms, a second electrode which is connected to a circuit board is formed in the first base arm, the first upper, the first lower and the first base arms are on the same plane, and the first base arm is spaced from the first lower arm, thereby forming a first space between the first base arm and the first lower arm.
Also, the present invention provides a second terminal including: a second upper arm; a second lower arm positioned opposite to the second upper arm; a coupling portion coupling a base edge of the second upper arm and the second lower arm; a second base arm coupled with the second lower arm at the base edge of the second lower arm and extending in a direction opposite to the second lower arm; and a loading portion which extends in a direction opposite to that of the second upper arm from the coupling portion, wherein a third electrode which is contacted to a conductor on one surface of a flexible circuit board is formed in the second upper and the second lower arms, a fourth electrode which is connected to a circuit board is formed in the second base arm, and the second upper, the second lower and the second base arms are on the same plane .
Moreover, the present invention provides a connector to be connected to an end portion of a planar flexible circuit board including: an insulating housing having an insertion opening formed therein in which the flexible circuit board is to be inserted; a plurality of first terminals according to claim 1, which are aligned in the insulating housing; a plurality of second terminals according to claim 2, which are aligned in the insulating housing; an actuator mounted on the insulating housing and pivotable relative to the insulating housing; wherein the first and the second upper arms are positioned on a top surface of the insertion opening and the first and the second lower arms are positioned on a bottom surface of the insertion opening, the actuator is provided with a first cam which acts on the first terminal, and a second cam which acts on the second terminal, when the actuator is pivoted, the first cam makes the first electrode of the first terminal contact a first conductor of the flexible circuit board, thereby elastically deforming the first lower arm of the first terminal toward the first base arm of the first terminal, and the second cam makes the third electrode of the second terminal contact a second conductor of the flexible circuit board.
In the connector of the present invention, a second space is formed between the second lower arm of the second terminal and the bottom surface of the insertion opening, and the second lower arm of the second terminal is elastically deformed toward the bottom surface of the insertion opening when the third electrode of the second terminal contacts a second conductor of the flexible circuit board.
The first cam which acts of the first terminal and the second cam which acts on the second terminal are formed in a base edge of the actuator and when the flexible circuit board is inserted in the insertion opening, the first and the second upper arms are positioned on the top surface of the insertion opening and the first and the second lower arms are positioned on a bottom surface of the insertion opening, and by pivoting the actuator, the first cam makes the first electrode of the first terminal contact to a first conductor of the flexible circuit board, thereby elastically deforming the first lower arm of the first terminal toward the first base arm of the first terminal. A second space is formed between the second lower arm of the second terminal and the bottom surface of the insertion opening and by pivoting the actuator, the third electrode of the second terminal contacts the second conductor of the flexible circuit board, thereby elastically deforming the second lower arm of the second terminal toward the bottom surface of the insertion opening.
In the connector of the present invention, the first cam acts on a first loading portion of the first upper arm which is positioned between the first electrode and the first coupling portion of the first terminal, the second cam acts on a second loading portion which extends in a direction opposite to that of the second upper arm from the coupling portion of the second terminal, the first cam makes the first electrode of the first terminal contact the corresponding conductor of the flexible circuit board by pushing down the first loading portion of the first terminal, and the second cam makes the third electrode of the second terminal contact the corresponding conductor of the flexible circuit board by lifting up the second loading portion of the second terminal when the actuator is pivoted.
In the connector of the present invention, fixing tabs are provided on both ends of the connecter in the direction of alignment of the first and the second terminals, the fixing tabs being provided with a stopper at a position corresponding to the pivoting axis of the actuator, and the stopper prevents the actuator from disengaging in the insertion direction of the flexible circuit board. Also, the fixing tabs are provided with an engaging projection, wherein the engaging projection engages with a notch formed in the flexible circuit board, and prevents the flexible circuit board from disengaging from the connector.
The connector of the present invention makes stable electrical connection possible by equalizing the contact force of each terminal for contacting with the flexible circuit board.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first terminal of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second terminal of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connector device of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross section along line A-A, which is the position of the first terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state before insertion of a flexible circuit board. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cross section along line B-B, which is the position of the second terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state before insertion of a flexible circuit board.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a cross section along line A-A, which is the position of the first terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state where insertion of a flexible circuit board has been completed.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cross section along line B-B, which is the position of the second terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state where insertion of a flexible circuit board has been completed.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a cross section along line A-A, which is the position of the first terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state where connection of a flexible circuit board has been completed.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a cross section along line B-B, which is the position of the second terminal of the connector shown in FIG. 3. The diagram shows the state where connection of a flexible circuit board has been completed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cross section along line C-C, which is the position of the fixing tabs of the connector shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fixing tab of an embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 11 are diagrams showing a connector device of an embodiment of the present invention. The connector device of the present invention includes two different shaped connectors. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of a side surface of a first terminal 4 used in the connector device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a side surface of a second terminal 5 used in the connector device of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are formed by an electrically conductive metal sheet of a prescribed thickness being punched out in the thickness direction by press working or the like.
The first terminal 4 includes a first upper arm 41, a first lower arm 42 positioned opposite to the upper arm 41, a first coupling portion 44 coupling a base edge of the first upper arm 41 and a base edge of the first lower arm 42, and a first base arm 43 coupled with the first lower arm 42 at a second coupling portion 45 which is positioned between a front edge of the first lower arm 42 and the first coupling portion 44. The first base arm 43 extends from the second coupling portion 45 beyond the front edge of the first upper arm 41 and the first lower arm 42. A first electrode 46 which is to be contacted to a first conductor of a flexible circuit board 30 is formed in the first upper arm 41 and the first lower arm 42. A second electrode 47 which is to be contacted to a circuit board is formed in the first base arm 43. The first base arm 43 is spaced from the first lower arm 42, thereby forming a first space 40 between the first base arm 43 and the first lower arm 42.
The second terminal 5 includes a second upper arm 51, a second lower arm 52 positioned opposite to that the second upper arm 51 , a coupling portion 54 coupling a base edge of the second upper arm 51 and the second lower arm, a second base arm 53 coupled with the second lower arm 52 at the base edge of the second lower arm 52 and extending in a direction opposite to the second lower arm 52, and a loading portion which extends in a direction opposite to the second upper arm 51 from the coupling portion 54. A third electrode 56 which is to be contacted to a second conductor of the flexible circuit board 30 is formed in the second upper arm 51 and the second lower arm 52. A fourth electrode 57 which is to be connected to the circuit board is formed in the second base arm 53. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external appearance of a connector device 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the connector device 1 to be connected to an end portion of the planar flexible circuit board 30 includes an insulating housing 2 formed from a resin molding and a resin actuator 3 mounted on the insulating housing. An insertion opening 10 for insertion of the flexible circuit board 30 is formed in the insulating housing 2. Terminal grooves for insertion of the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are formed in the insertion opening 10. The first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 are alternately arranged in the width direction of the insulating housing 2 so that the terminal grooves correspond to the conductor array direction of the flexible circuit board 30. The first electrode 46 of the first terminal 4 and the third electrode 56 of the second terminal 5 project a little from the terminal grooves into the insertion opening 10.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first terminal 4 is fixed to the insulating housing 2 by press-fitting a press-fitting projection 49 in the terminal groove and hooking a hook 48 onto the lower wall of the insertion opening 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the second terminal 5 is fixed to the insulating housing 2 by press-fitting a press-fitting projection 59 in the terminal groove. Also, a space 20 is formed between the second lower arm 52 and the bottom surface of the insertion opening 10.
As shown in FIG. 5, an abutting section 16 against which the inserted flexible circuit board 30 abuts is further formed in the insertion opening 10. By the flexible circuit board 30 abutting this abutting section 16 (refer to Figure 7), only a fixed length of the flexible circuit board 30 can be inserted.
An actuator 3 is provided in the connector device 1. In the base edge of the actuator there is provided a pivoting axis along the alignment direction of the first and second terminals of the connector. The actuator 3 is mounted to the insulating housing 2 so as to be pivotable to the insulating housing 2 about the pivoting axis.
Moreover, in the base edge of the actuator 3 there is provided a first cam 12 in a position corresponding to the first terminal 4 and a second cam 14 in a position corresponding to the second terminal 5 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 5). When the actuator 3 is pivoted, the first cam 12 acts on the first load section which is positioned between the first electrode 46 and the first coupling portion 44 of the first terminal 4, thus deflecting the first upper arm 41 towards the flexible circuit board 30 and making the first electrode 46 of the first terminal 4 to contact the first conductor of the flexible circuit board 30 (refer to FIG. 8). Simultaneously, the second cam 14 acts on the second loading portion which extends in a direction opposite to that of the second upper arm 51 from the coupling portion 54 of the second terminal 5, thus deflecting the second upper arm 51 towards the flexible circuit board 30 and making the third electrode 56 of the second terminal 5 to contact the second conductor of the flexible circuit board 30 (refer to FIG. 9).
In the present embodiment, the first cam 12 is positioned above the first loading portion of the first terminal 4 and the second cam 14 is positioned below the second loading portion of the second terminal 5. The actuator 3 is thereby supported in the vertical direction by the first and second loading portions. Therefore, the actuator 3 is prevented from disengaging from the insulating housing 2 in the vertical direction.
As shown in FIG. 1 and 10, a fixing tab 6 is provided on both ends of the connecter in the direction of alignment of the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 of the connector 1. In the present embodiment, the fixing tab 6 is formed by a metal sheet of a prescribed thickness being punched out in the thickness direction by press working or the like.
As shown in FIG. 11, a stopper 62 is formed on the fixing tab 6. In the present embodiment, the stopper 62 is formed so as to become approximately perpendicular to the punched out surface of the fixing tab 6. The stopper 62 extends approximately parallel with the pivoting axis of the actuator 3. The stopper 62 and the pivoting axis of the actuator 3 are aligned at almost the same height in the vertical direction. The actuator 3 is thereby prevented from disengaging from the insulating housing 2 in the insertion direction of the flexible circuit board 30. The fixing tab 6 is also provided with an engaging projection 64. The engaging projection 64 engages with a notch 32 formed in the flexible circuit board 30 to thereby prevent the flexible circuit board 30 from disengaging from the connector (refer to FIG. 10). Next, the operation and actions thereof when connecting the connector device 1 of the aforementioned constitution of the present invention to the flexible circuit board 30 are explained. FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing cross sections along lines A- A and B-B of FIG. 3 before coupling of the fiexible circuit board 30 to the connector device 1. FIG. 4 shows the cross section of the connector device 1 at a position corresponding to the first terminal 4. FIG. 5 shows the cross section of the connector device 1 at a position corresponding to the second terminal 5.
In FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuator 3 is in the release position. In this state, the first cam 12 and the second cam 14 do not operate on the loading portions of the first terminal 4 and the second terminal 5 respectively, and it is thus possible to insert the flexible circuit board 30 into the insertion opening 10.
In the state where the actuator 3 is in the release position, the front edge of the flexible circuit board 30 is inserted into the insertion opening 10. When the flexible circuit board 30 is inserted into the insertion opening 10, the first upper arm 41 and the second upper arm 51 are arranged on the upper surface of the flexible circuit board 30 and the first lower arm 42 and the second lower arm 52 are arranged on the lower surface of the flexible circuit board 30. When only a fixed length of the flexible circuit board 30 is inserted, the front edge thereof contacts the engagement projection 64 of the fixing tab 6. When the flexible circuit board 30 is further inserted after this, the fixing tab 6 elastically deforms so that the engagement projection 64 rides on the flexible circuit board 30. When the flexible circuit board is further inserted, the notch 32 of the flexible circuit board 30 reaches the engagement portion 64. When the notch 32 reaches the engagement portion 64, the fixing tab 6 is restored to its original state to thus allow the engagement portion 64 to engage with the notch 32 (refer to FIG. 10). As a result, disengagement of the flexible circuit board 30 from the connector 1 is prevented. When the front edge of the flexible circuit board 30 touches the abutting section 16, further insertion of the flexible circuit board 30 becomes impossible. The length of the flexible circuit board 30 inserted into the insertion opening 10 is determined dependent on the position of the abutting section 16. In this state, the step of inserting the flexible circuit board 30 is complete (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7).
Next, the actuator 3 is made to pivot toward the lock position of the actuator 3 in a direction following the arrows in FIGS. 8 and 9. As a result, the first cam 12 pushes down the first loading portion positioned between the first electrode 46 of the first upper arm 41 and the first coupling portion 44 of the first terminal 4, thus making the first electrode 46 of the first terminal 4 contact the first conductor of the flexible circuit board 30. Simultaneously, the second cam 14 lifts up the second loading portion extending in a direction opposite to the second upper arm 51 from the coupling portion 54 of the second portion 5, thus making the third electrode 56 of the second terminal 5 contact the second conductor of the flexible circuit board 30 (refer to FIGS 8 and 9).
Moreover, when the first cam 12 pushes down the first upper arm 41 of the first terminal 4, the first electrode 46 of the first upper arm 41 causes the flexible circuit board 30 to contact the second electrode 47 of the first lower arm 42 and presses the first lower arm 42 in a downward direction. Since the first space is formed between the first lower arm 42 and the first base arm 43, the first lower arm 43 elastically deforms toward the first base arm 43. By this action, a contact force Fl of the first electrode 46 of the first upper arm 41 contacting with the flexible circuit board 30 and a contact force F2 of the second electrode 47 of the first lower arm 42 contacting with the flexible circuit board 30 become equal (refer to FIG. 8).
Similarly, when the second cam 14 lifts up the second loading portion which causes the second upper arm 51 of the second terminal 5 to move down, the third electrode 56 of the second upper arm 51 causes the flexible circuit board 30 to contact the fourth electrode 57 electrode of the second lower arm 52 and presses the second lower arm 52 in a downward direction. Since the space 20 is formed between the second lower arm 52 and the lower wall of the insertion opening 10, the second lower arm 53 elastically deforms toward the bottom surface of the insertion opening 10. By this action, a contact force F4 of the third electrode 56 of the second upper arm 51 contacting with the flexible circuit board 30 and a contact force F5 of the fourth electrode 57 of the second lower arm 52 contacting with the flexible circuit board 30 become equal (refer to FIG. 9).
A downward direction force F3 loaded on the first loading portion of the first terminal 4 is generated. As a reactive force thereof, F6 loaded on the second loading portion of the second terminal 5 is generated. F3 and F6 are proportional and thus become equal. By pushing down the first loading portion of the first terminal 4 by the force F3, the downward direction force Fl is generated to thus contact the first upper arm 41 with the flexible circuit board 30. Moreover, by the downward direction force Fl, the first upper arm 41 contacts with the flexible circuit board 30 and is pushed down to thus generate the reactive force F2. By lifting up the second loading portion of the second terminal 5 by the force F6, the downward direction force F4 is generated to thus contact the second upper arm 51 with the flexible circuit board 30. Moreover, by the downward direction force F4, the second upper arm 51 contacts with the flexible circuit board 30 and is pushed down to thus generate the reactive force F5. It is designed so that Fl and F4 become almost equal forces and thus the forces of the first electrode 46 and the third electrode 56 contacting the flexible circuit board 30 both become equal. As a result, a stable connection state can be realized.
Also, it is possible to absorb variation of height in the tolerance range of the first electrode 46 and the third electrode 56 due to the first lower arm 42 of the first terminal 4 and the second lower arm 52 of the second terminal 5 being elastically deformable. As a result, it is possible for each terminal to uniformly contact the flexible circuit board 30 to thus improve reliability in the electrical connection of the connector.

Claims

Claims
1. A first terminal comprising:
a first upper arm;
a first lower arm positioned opposite to the upper arm;
a first coupling portion coupling a base edge of the first upper arm and the first lower arm; and
a first base arm coupled with the first lower arm at a second coupling portion which is positioned between the front edge of the first lower arm and the first coupling portion; wherein
the first base arm extends from the second coupling portion beyond the front edge of the first upper and the first lower arms,
a first electrode which is to be contacted to a first conductor on one surface of a flexible circuit board is formed in the first upper and the first lower arms, a second electrode which is to be connected to a circuit board is formed in the first base arm, the first upper, the first lower and the first base arms are on the same plane and the first base arm is spaced from the first lower arm, thereby forming a first space is formed between the first base arm and the first lower arm.
2. A second terminal comprising:
a second upper arm;
a second lower arm positioned opposite to that the second upper arm;
a coupling portion coupling a base edge of the second upper arm and the second lower arm;
a second base arm coupled with the second lower arm at the base edge of the second lower arm and extending in a direction opposite to the second lower arm; and
a second loading portion which extends in a direction opposite to that of the second upper arm from the coupling portion, wherein
a third electrode which is to be contacted to a second conductor on one surface of a flexible circuit board is formed in the second upper and the second lower arms, a fourth electrode which is to be connected to a circuit board is formed in the second base arm, and the second upper, the second lower and the second base arms are on the same plane.
3. A connector to be connected to an end portion of a planar flexible circuit board, the connector comprising:
an insulating housing having an insertion opening formed therein in which the flexible circuit board is to be inserted;
a plurality of first terminals according to claim 1, which are aligned in the insulating housing;
a plurality of second terminals according to claim 2, which are aligned in the insulating housing;
an actuator mounted on the insulating housing and pivotable relative to the insulating housing; wherein
the first and the second upper arms are positioned on a top surface of the insertion opening and the first and the second lower arms are positioned on a bottom surface of the insertion opening,
the actuator is provided with a first cam which acts on the first terminal, and a second cam which acts on the second terminal,
when the actuator is pivoted, the first cam makes the first electrode of the first terminal contact te a first conductor of the flexible circuit board, thereby elastically deforming the first lower arm of the first terminal toward the first base arm of the first terminal,
the second cam makes the third electrode of the second terminal contact te a second conductor of the flexible circuit board.
4. A connector according to claim 3, wherein a second space is formed between the second lower arm of the second terminal and the bottom surface of the insertion opening, and the second lower arm of the second terminal is elastically deformed toward the bottom surface of the insertion opening when the third electrode of the second terminal contact to a second conductor of the flexible circuit board.
5. A connector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first cam acts on a first loading portion of the first upper arm which is positioned between the first electrode and the first coupling portion of the first terminal, the second cam acts on the second loading portion,
the first cam makes the first electrode of the first terminal contact to the first conductor of the flexible circuit board by pushing down the first loading portion of the first terminal, and the second cam makes the third electrode of the second terminal contact te the second conductor of the flexible circuit board by lifting up the second loading portion of the second terminal when the actuator is pivoted.
6. A connector according to claim 3, wherein fixing tabs are provided on both ends of the connecter in the direction of an alignment of the first and the second terminals, the fixing tab is provided with a stopper at the position corresponding to a pivoting axis of the actuator, and the stopper prevents the actuator from disengaging in the insertion direction of the flexible circuit board.
7. A connector according to claim 6, wherein the fixing tab is provided with an engaging projection, the engaging projection engages with a notch formed in the flexible circuit board, and prevents the flexible circuit board from disengaging from the connector.
PCT/IB2010/003160 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Flexible printed circuit board connector WO2012066377A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2010/003160 WO2012066377A1 (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Flexible printed circuit board connector
KR1020137015634A KR20130116893A (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Flexible printed circuit board connector
JP2013539351A JP2014500588A (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Flexible circuit board connector
CN201080070174.5A CN103210545B (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Connector for flexible printed circuit board

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2010/003160 WO2012066377A1 (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Flexible printed circuit board connector

Publications (1)

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WO2012066377A1 true WO2012066377A1 (en) 2012-05-24

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WO (1) WO2012066377A1 (en)

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JP2020123534A (en) * 2019-01-31 2020-08-13 株式会社東芝 Substrate connector

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CN103210545B (en) 2015-10-07
JP2014500588A (en) 2014-01-09
KR20130116893A (en) 2013-10-24

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