WO2022172105A1

WO2022172105A1 - Connector

Info

Publication number: WO2022172105A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/050452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Naoya Inoue; Junichi Asanuma
Original assignee: Molex, Llc
Priority date: 2021-02-09
Filing date: 2022-01-20
Publication date: 2022-08-18
Also published as: JP2022122144A

Abstract

In the connector, an actuator has a supported part and can move between the open position and the closed position around the supported part. The multiple terminals have an actuator support part which supports the supported part on the upper part thereof. A fixing fitting has a stopper part and the actuator includes a first stopper surface. When the actuator is in the open position, the first stopper surface is separated from the stopper part in the swinging direction of the actuator. Moreover, when the actuator is in the closed position, the first stopper surface faces the stopper part and restricts movement of the actuator beyond the closed position.

Description

CONNECTOR

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021- 019250 filed on February 09, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a connector for connecting a flexible substrate and a circuit substrate.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] A connector for connecting a flexible substrate (in the position perpendicular to the circuit substrate) to a circuit substrate is utilized. Examples of such connectors are illustrated in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below.

[0004] The connector of Patent Document 1 has an operation member 2 for ensuring contact pressure between the flexible substrate and the terminal. The operation member 2 is rotatable in the open position and the closed position. When the operation member 2 is in the open position, the flexible substrate is allowed to be inserted. When the operation member 2 is in the closed position, the contact part of the terminal is pushed toward the flexible substrate. The connector of Patent Document 2 has a movable member 50 which prevents the inserted flexible substrate from coming off. The movable member 50 has a locking part 55c that is caught by a recess formed at the edge of the flexible substrate. The movable member 50 is also rotatable between the open position and the closed position.

[0005] Prior Art Documents : Patent Documents : Patent Document 1 JP 2002-260793 A and Patent Document 2 JP 2018-32572 A. SUMMARY

[0006] In Patent Document 1, the movable range of the operation member 2 is defined by an insulator 1 formed of resin. When the operation member 2 is in the closed position, movement beyond the closed position is regulated by striking the insulator 1. In this structure, although the movable range of the operation member 2 is defined by the insulator 1, for example, when a large force acts on the operation member 2, it is possible to transform the insulator 1 and move the operation member 2 beyond the closed position.

[0007] Moreover, in the connector of Patent Document 2, a shaft 53 is formed on the right end and the left end of the movable member 50. The shaft 53 is supported so as to be rotatable by a fixing fitting 20. In this structure, because the shaft 53 which rotatably supports the movable member 50 is formed only at the end of the movable member 50, the support strength of the movable member 50 may potentially be lacking.

[0008] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector which can improve strength compared to the structure of Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0009] (1) The connector proposed in the present disclosure is a connector for inserting a mating connection from the upper side and connecting the mating connection to a circuit substrate disposed on the lower side. The connector includes: multiple terminals which have a contact part in contact with the mating connection and are aligned in the lateral direction; a fixing fitting having a fixing part for fixing to the circuit substrate; a housing holding the multiple terminals and the fixed fitting; and an actuator which has a pressing part disposed in front of the contact part and is capable of moving between an open position (allowing the mating connection to be inserted into the connector) and a closed position (in which the pressing part presses one of either the mating connection (inserted into the connector) or the contact part against the other thereof). The actuator has a supported part and is swingable between the open position and the closed position around the supported part. The multiple terminals have a support part on the upper part thereof which supports the supported part such that the actuator is swingable. The fixing fitting includes a stopper part. The actuator has a first stopper surface. When the actuator is in the open position, the first stopper surface is separated from the stopper part in the swinging direction of the actuator; in contrast, when the actuator is in the closed position, the first stopper surface faces the stopper part and restricts movement of the actuator beyond the closed position. This connector makes it possible to increase the strength of the connector.

[0010] (2) In the connector of (1), a recess may be formed in the actuator, wherein the first stopper surface may be a portion of the inner surface of the recess.

This structure makes it possible to reduce the size of the connector.

[0011] (3) In the connector of (1), when the actuator is in the closed position, the actuator may face the upper side of the first stopper surface, such that, when the actuator is in the closed position, the pressing part may have an upward facing surface and the first stopper surface may be recessed with respect to the surface of the pressing part.

This structure makes it possible to reduce the size of the connector in the vertical direction.

[0012] (4) In the connector of any of (1) to (3), the supported part may be positioned on the rear side of the support part, such that, the actuator may have a second stopper surface and, when the actuator is in the closed position, the stopper part may have a front surface which faces the second stopper part and restricts rearward movement of the actuator.

[0013] (5) In the connector of any of (1) to (4), the housing may have an engagement protrusion which engages with the flexible substrate inserted into the connector and restricts the upward movement of the flexible substrate. When the actuator is in the closed position, the stopper part may be positioned above the first stopper surface. The housing may have a housing lower part positioned below the actuator. According to this structure, because the stopper part of the fixing fitting is positioned above the first stopper surface of the actuator, and therefore, when the flexible substrate is pulled upward, the flexible substrate and the housing can be prevented from being removed from the fixing fitting.

[0014] (6) In the connector of (5), the actuator may have a contact surface. When the actuator is in the closed position, the distance between the contact surface and the housing lower part in the vertical direction may be less than the distance between the other part of the actuator and the housing lower part in the vertical direction with at least a portion of the contact surface capable of being positioned below the stopper part. This allows the force generated by the actuator to be reduced when the flexible substrate is pulled upward.

[0015] Moreover, another example of the connector proposed in the present disclosure is a connector for inserting a mating connection from the upper side and connecting the mating connection to a circuit substrate disposed on the lower side. The connector includes: multiple terminals which have a contact part in contact with the mating connection and are aligned in the lateral direction; a fixing fitting having a fixing part for fixing to the circuit substrate; a housing having an engagement protrusion which holds the multiple terminals and the fixed fitting, engages with the mating connection inserted into the connector, and restricts the upward movement of the mating connection; and an actuator which is capable of moving between an open position (allowing the mating connection to be inserted into the connector) and a closed position (in which the pressing part presses one of either the mating connection (inserted into the connector) or the contact part against the other thereof). The housing has a housing lower part positioned below the actuator, the actuator has a first stopper surface, and the fixing fitting has a stopper part; and when the actuator is in the closed position, the stopper part is positioned above the actuator. According to this connector, when the mating connection is pulled upward, the mating connection and the housing can be prevented from being removed from the fixing fitting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. l is a perspective view of a connector proposed in the present disclosure. [0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1. In this figure, an actuator is removed from other members of the connector.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1. In this figure, an actuator, housing, terminal, and fixing fitting are disassembled. [0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector illustrated in Fig. 1 and illustrates the opposite side (rear side) of FIG. 3. In this figure, an actuator, housing, terminal, and fixing fitting are disassembled.

[0020] FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of the connector taken along line V-V illustrated in FIG. 1. In this figure, the actuator is disposed in the open position. [0021] FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view of the connector taken along the same cut section as FIG. 5A. In this figure, the actuator is disposed in the closed position. [0022] FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view of the connector taken along line VI- VI illustrated in FIG. 1. In this figure, the actuator is disposed in the open position. [0023] FIG. 6B is a cross sectional view of the connector taken along the same cut section as FIG. 6A. In this figure, the actuator is disposed in the closed position. [0024] FIG. 7 is a front view of a flexible substrate inserted into the connector.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a modified example of the fixing fitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The connector proposed in the present disclosure will be described below. Hereinafter, in FIG. 1 and the like, the XI direction and X2 direction illustrated are respectively referred to as the right direction and left direction, the Y 1 direction and Y2 direction are respectively referred to as the forward direction and rearward direction, and the Z1 direction and Z2 direction are respectively referred to as the upward direction and downward direction. While these directions are used to describe the relative positional relationships of various parts of the connector, they do not limit the orientation of the connector when attached to another device. [0027] The mating connection connected to the connector proposed in the present disclosure is, for example, a printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit, a flexible flat cable, etc. The mating connector 80 may be any type of member, for example, a rigid circuit substrate may be used. Note that, in the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the flexible substrate 80 is connected to the connector as an example of a mating connection.

[0028] The connector l is a connector for electrically connecting a circuit substrate 90 (see FIG. 5A) and the flexible substrate 80 (see FIG. 7). When the connector 1 is used, the connector 1 is disposed on the upper side of the circuit substrate 90, while the flexible substrate 80 is inserted from the upper side of a connector 1 (see FIG. 5B).

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 3, it may have: multiple terminals 10A/10B aligned in the lateral direction; and two fixing fittings 20 disposed respectively to the right and left of multiple terminals 10A/10B. Moreover, the connector 1 may have: terminals 10A/10B; a housing 30 holding the fixation fitting 20; and an actuator 40.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the connector 1 includes two types of terminals 10A/10B. The terminals 10A/10B are alternately disposed in the lateral direction. Hereinafter, in the description common to two types of terminals 10A/10B, the reference numeral 10 is used for the terminals. The terminals 10 may be formed by the stamping of a metal plate (e.g., a copper plate).

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the terminal 10A has a substrate connection 11a at the lower part thereof. The substrate connection 11a extends rearward from the lower edge of the terminal 10A and is positioned below the lower edge of the housing 30 (see FIG. 5 A). The terminal 10B has a substrate connection lib at the lower part thereof. The substrate connection lib extends forward from the lower edge of the terminal 10B and is positioned below the lower edge of the housing 30. When the connector 1 is disposed on the circuit substrate 90, the substrate connections lla/llb are connected to the circuit substrate 90. The substrate connections lla/llb are, for example, soldered to the circuit substrate 90. [0032] As illustrated in FIG. 5 A, the terminal 10 has a terminal base 12 held by a housing lower part 31 at the lower part thereof. The same number of terminal grooves 31a which are aligned in the lateral direction are formed in the housing lower part 31. The multiple terminals 10 are respectively inserted into the multiple terminal grooves 31a.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 5 A, the terminal 10 has elastic parts 13/14 extending upward from the terminal base 12. The terminal 10 may have two elastic parts 13/14. The elastic part 13 may extend upward from the rearmost portion of the terminal base

12. The elastic part 14 may extend upward from the position in front of the elastic part

13. Each elastic part 13/14 is elastically transformable in the anteroposterior direction.

[0034] The terminal 10 may have contact parts 13a/14a for contacting the flexible substrate 80. Specifically, the contact parts 13a/14a are respectively formed on the upper side of the elastic parts 13/14. The contact parts 13a/14a protrude forward from the upper side of elastic parts 13/14. The terminal part of the circuit pattern formed in the flexible substrate 80 is exposed on the rear surface of the flexible substrate 80, wherein the contact parts 13 a/ 14a contact this terminal part. A pressing part 41 of the actuator 40 described later is disposed in front of the contact parts 13a/14a. The flexible substrate 80 can be inserted between the pressing part 41 and the contact parts 13a/14a (see FIG. 5B). The contact part 14a is positioned below the contact part 13a. These two contact parts 13a/14a contact a common terminal part of the flexible substrate 80. The number of elastic parts included in the terminal 10 may be one, not two. Moreover, the parts of the elastic parts 13/14 which extend upward may bend.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 5 A, the terminal 10 has an extension 15 extending upward from the terminal base 12. The extension 15 may, for example, be formed in the frontmost part of the terminal base 12. The extension 15 may have an actuator support part 15a at the top thereof. The actuator support part 15a supports a below- described supported part 41a of the actuator 40. The supported part 41a may be disposed on the rear side of the actuator support part 15a. The supported part 41a rotates in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction in response to the swinging of the actuator 40. The actuator support part 15a has a hook shape, wherein the supported part 41a is supported inside the actuator support part 15a.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 5 A, the housing lower part 31 may have a terminal holding hole 31b. The extension 15 is inserted into the terminal holding hole 31b. A base 15b of the extension 15 is held inside the terminal holding hole 3 lb. For example, a claw part is formed in the base 15b and may be caught by the inner surface of the terminal holding hole 31b.

[0037] The fixing structure of the terminal 10 to the housing 30 is not limited to the example of the connector 1. For example, the claw part may be formed at the edge of the terminal base 12. In addition, the terminal base 12 may be fixed to the inner side of the terminal groove 3 la by this claw part. As yet another example, the terminal base 12 may be fixed to the housing 30 by insert molding. That is, in the step of molding the housing 30, a molten resin, which is a material of the housing 30, may be supplied to the space in the mold, with the terminal base 12 disposed in the space in the mold.

[0038] The shape of the terminal 10 is not limited to the example of the connector 1. For example, the terminal 10 may have two contact parts which face each other in the anteroposterior direction. In this case, the flexible substrate 80 may be inserted between the two contact parts. In this case, the pressing part 41 of the actuator 40 may be disposed so as to push one contact part toward the other contact part.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the housing 30 may have a housing lower part 31, a rear wall 32, and left and right side walls 33. The housing 30 is formed of resin. The terminal groove 3 la in which the abovementioned terminal base 12 is disposed, as well as the terminal holding hole 3 lb in which the base 15b of the extension 15 is disposed, is formed in the housing lower part 31.

[0040] The rear wall 32 and the side wall 33 extend upward from the housing lower part 31. The actuator support part 15a and the contact parts 13 a/ 14a of the terminal 10 are disposed inside the rear wall 32 and left and right side walls 33. [0041] The housing 30 does not have a front wall facing the rear wall 32 and is open forward and upward. The actuator 40 is disposed between the left and right side walls 33 and in front of the rear wall 32. The housing 30 engages with the engaged part 81 (see FIG. 7) of the flexible substrate 80 to form an engagement protrusion 34 which restricts the upward movement (coming off) of the flexible substrate 80. This engagement protrusion 34 will be described in detail later.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 5 A, the actuator 40 has a pressing part 41 positioned in front of contact parts 13 a/ 14a of the terminal 10. The actuator 40 has a supported part 41a supported by the actuator support part 15a of the terminal 10. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the actuator 40 may have multiple insertion holes 41b aligned in the lateral direction. An extension 15 of the multiple terminals 10 is inserted into the multiple insertion holes 41b. The supported part 41a is formed inside the insertion hole 41b.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 5 A, at least a portion of the supported part 41a is disposed inside the actuator support part 15a. The actuator 40 is swingable about the supported part 41a. The supported part 41a may have a circular cross section. Moreover, the actuator 40 may have a reinforcing part 41d which extends in the radial direction from the supported part 41a and has a cross section larger than the supported part 41a. This structure makes it possible to increase the strength of the supported part 41a.

[0044] In the example of the present disclosure, the cross section of the below- mentioned hook shaped support part 15a is larger than the circular cross section of the supported part 41a of the actuator 40. Therefore, the position of the supported part 41a may be moved within the range of the hook shaped support part 15a. The shape of the supported part 41a need not be circular as illustrated in FIG. 5 A. The supported part 41a may be an elongated circle in one direction. Moreover, according to the shape of the supported part 41a, the position of the swing center Cl of the actuator 40 may move depending on the position in the swinging direction of the actuator 40.

[0045] Unlike the connector 1, the actuator support 15a may be formed on only some terminals 10. For example, the actuator support part 15a may be formed on only one terminal 10A (or 10B) of two types of terminals 10A/10B. As yet another example, the actuator support part 15a of the multiple terminals 10 (for example, two adjacent terminals 10) may be inserted into one insertion hole 41b.

[0046] The actuator 40 is swingable about the supported part 41a between the open position (position of the actuator 40 illustrated in FIG. 5A) and the closed position (position of the actuator 40 illustrated in FIG. 5B). When the actuator 40 is in the open position, the flexible substrate 80 is allowed to be inserted into the connector 1. Specifically, the flexible substrate 80 is allowed to be inserted between the actuator 40 and the contact parts 13a/14a. When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the pressing part 41 of the actuator 40 pushes the flexible substrate 80 (inserted into the connector 1) toward the contact parts 13a/14a (see FIG. 5B). Thus, the contact pressure between the flexible substrate 80 and the contact parts 13a/14a can be ensured. The pressing part 41 has a pressing surface 41e (see FIG. 5B) which contacts the flexible substrate 80 when the actuator 40 is in the closed position.

[0047] As described above, the terminal 10 has two contact parts facing each other in the anteroposterior direction, with the flexible substrate 80 capable of being inserted between the two contact parts. In this case, the pressing part 41 may push one contact part toward the flexible substrate. In still another instance, the terminal 10 may have a contact part which faces the rear wall 32 of the housing 30. In addition, the flexible substrate 80 may be capable of being inserted between the rear wall 32 and the contact part. In this case, the pressing part 41 may push the contact part toward the flexible substrate.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the actuator 40 may further have an operated part 42. The operated part 42 is formed on the side opposite the pressing part 41 via the supported part 41a. When the actuator 40 is in the open position, the operated part 42 is positioned above the supported part 41a. When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the operated part 42 is positioned in front of the supported part 41a (see FIG. 5B). The operated part 42 may have a protrusion 42a on the upper surface thereof (surface facing upward when the actuator 40 is in the open position). This allows an operator operating the actuator 40 to move the actuator 40 smoothly. [0049] As illustrated in FIG. 6 A, the fixing fitting 20 may have: substrate fixing parts 21 a/2 lb; a fitting base 22; an extension 24 extending upward from the fitting base 22; and a stopper part 23 formed at the top of the extension 24. Similar to the terminal 10, the fixing fitting 20 may be formed by stamping from a metal plate.

[0050] The substrate fixing parts 21 a/2 lb are formed at the lower edge of the fitting base 22 and fixed to the circuit substrate 90 when the connector 1 is used. The substrate fixing parts 21 a/2 lb are, for example, soldered to the circuit substrate 90. The fixing fitting 20 may have two substrate fixing parts 21 a/2 lb separated in the anteroposterior direction. This makes it possible to increase the fixing strength of the fixing fitting 20 to the circuit substrate 90. The two substrate fixing parts 21 a/2 lb may be respectively formed, for example, at the lower edge of the frontmost part of the fitting base 22 and the lower edge of the rearmost part thereof. The substrate fixing parts 21 a/2 lb may be parts bent rightward or leftward to the fitting base 22. Alternatively, each of them may be the lower edge itself of the fitting base 22, or alternatively, may be a part which extends forward or backward from the lower edge.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the housing lower part 31 has a fitting holding hole 3 Id on the right and left thereof. The fixing fitting 20 is inserted into the fitting holding hole 3 Id. The fitting base 22 is fixed inside the fixing holding hole 3 Id. For example, the claw part may be formed at the edge of the fitting base 22. The claw part may be caught by the inner surface of the fitting holding hole 3 Id.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the fixing fitting 20 may be inserted from the lower side of the housing 30 into the fitting holding hole 3 Id. The housing lower part 31 may have a wall 31e formed along the upper edge of the fitting base 22. This allows the wall portion 31e to be regulated the upward movement of the fixing fitting 20 to the housing 30.

[0053] Moreover, in the example of the connector 1, a reinforcing part 34a (see FIG. 6 A) is formed on the upper part of the housing 30. The reinforcing part 34a is positioned above the extension 24 of the fixing fitting 20. This reinforcing part 34a also restricts the upward movement of the fixing fitting 20 to the housing 30. The reinforcing part 34a will be described in detail later.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 6 A, the actuator 40 may have a first stopper surface 43 a. When the actuator 40 is in the open position, the first stopper surface 43a is separated from the lower surface 23 a of the stopper part 23 of the fixing fitting 20 in the swinging direction of the actuator 40 (clockwise direction centered on the supported part 41a in the example of the figure). Moreover, when the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the first stopper surface 43a faces the lower surface 23a of the stopper part 23 of the fixed fitting 20 (see FIG. 6B). When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the first stopper surface 43a approaches or abuts the lower surface 23a of the stopper part 23. The first stopper surface 43a may be substantially parallel to the lower surface 23a of the stopper part 23. The first stopper surface 43a strikes the lower surface 23a of the stopper part 23 to restrict movement of the actuator 40 (counterclockwise movement in FIG. 6B) beyond the closed position.

[0055] This structure allows the movement of the actuator 40 beyond the closed position to be suppressed by the stopper part 23. Because the stopper part 23 is a location formed in a member (fixing fitting 20) formed of metal, for example, movement of the actuator 40 beyond the closed position can be effectively suppressed compared to the case in which the stopper part 23 is a portion of the housing 30.

[0056] When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the first stopper surface 43a does not need to be in contact with the lower surface 23 a of the stopper part 23. A slight gap may be formed therebetween. In addition, when the actuator 40 in the closed position is further moved from the open position toward the closed position (in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6B), the first stopper surface 43a may strike the lower surface 23a of the stopper part 23.

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, when the actuator 40 is in the open position, the first stopper surface 43 a is positioned below the supported part 41a of the actuator 40 and faces the rear side. The first stopper surface 43a may be directed diagonally rearward. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the first stopper surface 43a is positioned behind the supported part 41a and faces upward. When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the lower surface 23a of the stopper part 23 is positioned above the first stopper surface 43a. When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the first stopper surface 43a may, for example, be straight up. Alternatively, when the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the first stopper surface 43a may be directed diagonally upward and forward, while the first stopper surface 43a may be directed diagonally upward and rearward.

[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the center of the supported part 41a of the actuator 40 is positioned in front of the stopper part 23, with the position of the center of the supported part 41a capable of being higher than the lower surface 23a of the stopper part 23. The actuator support part 15a of the terminal 10 is positioned on the front side of the supported part 41a and has a hook shape (see FIG. 5B). Consequently, when the supported part 41a is moved diagonally forward and downward, the supported part 41a is pushed toward the inside of the corner portion 15d on the lower side of the actuator support part 15a. Therefore, the supported part 41a can be prevented from being removed from the actuator support part 15a.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the actuator 40 has a second stopper surface 43b. When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23 restricts the rearward movement of the actuator 40 facing the second stopper surface 43b. According to this structure, when the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the supported part 41a can be prevented from being removed from the actuator support part 15a of the terminal 10.

[0060] When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the height of the second stopper surface 43b may be generally the same as that of the supported part 41a. More specifically, the lower end of the second stopper surface 43b may be positioned below the center of the supported part 41a, while the upper end of the second stopper surface 43b may be positioned above the center of the supported part 41a. As a result, when the stopper part 23 strikes the second stopper surface 43b, the occurrence of a moment in the actuator 40 can be suppressed. [0061] When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, a gap may be formed between the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23 and the second stopper surface 43b. This gap may be smaller than the depth of the actuator support 15a. In so doing, even when the actuator 40 moves in the anteroposterior direction due to the gap between the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23 and the second stopper surface 43b, the supported part 41a can be reliably prevented from being removed from the actuator support part 15a.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the actuator 40 further has a third stopper surface 43c. When the actuator 40 is in the open position, the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23 restricts the rearward movement of the actuator 40 facing the third stopper surface 43c. According to this structure, when the actuator 40 is in the open position, the supported part 41a can be prevented from being removed from the actuator support part 15a.

[0063] When the actuator 40 is in the open position, the height of a portion of the third stopper surface 43 c may be generally the same as that of the supported part 41a. More specifically, the lower end of the third stopper surface 43c may be positioned below the center of the supported part 41a, while the upper end of the third stopper surface 43c may be positioned above the center of the supported part 41a. As a result, when the stopper part 23 strikes the third stopper surface 43c, the occurrence of a moment in the actuator 40 can be suppressed.

[0064] When the actuator 40 is in the open position, a gap may be formed between the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23 and the third stopper surface 43c. In this case, the gap may be smaller than the depth of the actuator support part 15a. In so doing, even when the actuator 40 moves in the anteroposterior direction due to the gap between the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23 and the third stopper surface 43 c, the supported part 41a can be reliably prevented from being removed from the actuator support part 15 a.

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the stopper surfaces 43a/43b/43c are formed on both the right and left ends of the actuator 40. The stopper surfaces 43a/43b/43c are connected to the side 40a of the actuator 40. The three stopper surfaces 43a/43b/43c are also connected to each other. In other words, the second stopper surface 43b is connected to the edge of the first stopper surface 43 a, while the third stopper surface 43c is connected to the edge of the second stopper surface 43b.

[0066] The pressing part 41 may have a guide surface 41c (see FIG. 4). As illustrated in FIG. 5 A, when the actuator 40 is in the open position, the guide surface 41c is tilted forward. In this way, the flexible substrate 80 can be smoothly inserted between the actuator 40 and the elastic parts 13/14 of the terminal 10.

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the actuator 40 has a recess F at the right end and the left end thereof. The first stopper surface 43 a may be a portion of the inner surface of this recess F. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the connector 1.

[0068] As described above, when the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the first stopper surface 43a faces upward (see FIG. 6B). When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the guide surface 41c faces upward (see FIG. 5B). The first stopper surface 43a may be recessed with respect to the guide surface 41 c. In other words, when the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the position of the first stopper surface 43a may be lower than the position of the guide surface 41c of the pressing part 41. This structure can lower the position of the lower surface 23a of the stopper part 23, consequently reduce the size of the fixing fitting 20 in the vertical direction, and reduce the height of the connector 1.

[0069] The second stopper surface 43b may also be a portion of the inner surface of the recess F. As illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 6B, when the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the position of the second stopper surface 43b is lower than the position of the guide surface 41c of the pressing part 41. This structure can lower the position of the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23 of the fixing fitting 20, consequently reduce the size of the fixing fitting 20 in the vertical direction, and reduce the height of the connector 1. [0070] The third stopper surface 43c may also be a portion of the inner surface of the recess F. As described above, the third stopper surface 43c faces the rear side when the actuator 40 is in the open position (see FIG. 6A). When the actuator 40 is in the open position, the guide surface 41c of the pressing part 41 also faces rearward (see FIG. 5A). Similar to the first stopper surface 43a, the third stopper surface 43c may be recessed with respect to the guide surface 41c. In other words, when the actuator 40 is in the open position, the position of the third stopper surface 43 c may be positioned in front of the position of the guide surface 41c. This structure can increase the protrusion width in front of the stopper part 23 without increasing the size of the connector 1 in the anteroposterior direction.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the housing 30 may have an engagement protrusion 34. The engagement protrusions 34 may be formed at the right and left ends of the top of the rear wall 32. In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the flexible substrate 80 has: the engaged part 81 which protrudes to the right on the right edge; and the engaged part 81 which protrudes to the left on the left edge. When the flexible substrate 80 is inserted into the connector 1, the engaged part 81 of the flexible substrate 80 engages with the engagement protrusion 34. Specifically, the engaged part 81 of the flexible substrate 80 is disposed below the engagement protrusion 34, such that upward movement of the engaged part 81 is regulated by the engagement protrusion 34. In the flexible substrate 80, a recess may be formed at the left and right edges, as the engaged part 81. The engagement protrusion 34 may fit into this recess.

[0072] The flexible substrate 80 inserted into the connector 1 is disposed on the rear side of the actuator 40. Therefore, when the actuator 40 is disposed in the closed position, the flexible substrate 80 is pushed rearward by the pressing part 41 of the actuator 40. As a result, the actuator 40 can prevent the disengagement of the engaged part 81 and the engagement protrusion 34.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the actuator 40 is positioned above the housing lower part 31. When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, while the operated part 42 is positioned in front of the front surface of the housing lower part 31, the pressing part 41 and the supported part 41a of the actuator 40 are positioned above the housing lower part 31. As described above, when the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the stopper part 23 is positioned above the first stopper surface 43a. According to this structure, when the flexible substrate 80 is pulled upward, the flexible substrate 80 and the housing 30 can be effectively prevented from being removed from the fixing fitting 20

[0074] When the flexible substrate 80 is pulled upward, the following force acts on each location. Because the engaged part 81 of the flexible substrate 80 engages with the engagement protrusion 34, when the flexible substrate 80 is pulled upward, the housing 30 is also pulled upward. Because the actuator 40 is disposed above the housing lower part 31, the force which pushes the actuator 40 upward acts on the actuator 40 from the housing lower part 31. However, because the stopper part 23 is positioned above the first stopper surface 43 a of the actuator 40, upward movement of the actuator 40 is regulated. That is, the force which pulls the flexible substrate 80 upward is transmitted to the fixing fitting 20 via the housing 30 and the actuator 40. As a result, the flexible substrate 80 and the housing 30 can be effectively prevented from being removed from the fixing fitting 20.

[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the actuator 40 may have a contact surface 44a. When the actuator 40 is in the closed position, the distance between the contact surface 44a and the housing lower part 31 in the vertical direction is less than the distance between the other part of the actuator 40 and the housing lower part 31 in the vertical direction. Consequently, when the housing 30 is pulled upward, the contact surface 44a strikes the housing lower part 31. The contact surface 44a is, for example, the lower end surface of the protrusion 44 protruding downward. As another example, a protrusion protruding upward in the housing lower part 31 may be formed. In this case, the contact surface 44a may be a part struck by the protrusion of the housing lower part 31. In this case, the actuator 40 does not need to have the protrusion 44 including the contact surface 44a.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the position of the contact surface 44a in the anteroposterior direction may be the same as the position of the supported part 41a (see FIG. 5B) in the anteroposterior direction or be behind the position of the supported part 41a. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6B, the contact surface 44a is positioned behind the center of the supported part 41a. Alternatively, the contact surface 44a may be positioned below the center of the supported part 41a. In other words, when the connector 1 is viewed in a plan view, the center of the supported part 41a and the contact surface 44a may overlap. With such a contact surface 44a, when the flexible substrate 80 is pulled upward, the actuator 40 in the closed position can be prevented from moving toward the open position.

[0077] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the contact surface 44a may be positioned below the stopper part 23. Specifically, in a plan view of the connector 1, the contact surface 44a and the stopper part 23 may at least partially overlap. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6B, the contact surface 44a is positioned below the front of the stopper part 23. According to this positional relationship between the contact surface 44a and the stopper part 23, when the flexible substrate 80 is pulled upward and the housing lower part 31 pushes the contact surface 44a upward, the first stopper surface 43 a of the actuator 40 strikes the stopper part 23, allowing it to suppress the occurrence of a moment in the actuator 40. As a result, the arrangement (rotational position) of the actuator 40 can be maintained, while the flexible substrate 80 can be effectively prevented from coming off.

[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the actuator 40 may have a protrusion 40b on the left and right sides 40a thereof. In contrast, the side wall 33 of the housing 30 may have a groove 33a on the inner surface thereof. Thus, when the actuator 40 is in the open position, the protrusion 40b may be disposed on the groove 33a. This can prevent the actuator 40 in the open position from moving to the closed position. When the force exceeding the friction between the slope formed at the edge of the protrusion portion 40b and the slope formed at the edge of the groove part 33a acts on the actuator 40, the actuator 40 can move from the open position toward the closed position.

[0079] As described above, the housing 30 has an engagement protrusion 34 which engages with the flexible substrate 80. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the engagement protrusion 34 protrudes forward from the upper part of the rear wall 32. The engagement protrusion 34 may also be connected to the side wall 33. A reinforcing part 34a may be formed between the engagement protrusion 34 and the side wall 33. The reinforcing part 34a may be connected to the engagement protrusion 34, the rear wall 32, and the side wall 33. While the reinforcing part 34a protrudes forward from the rear wall 32, similar to the engagement protrusion 34, the protruding width thereof is smaller than that of the engagement protrusion 34. Such a reinforcing part 34a can increase the strength of the engagement protrusion 34. As a result, when the flexible substrate 80 is pulled upward, the engagement protrusion 34 can be suppressed from being transformed.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the fixing fitting 20 has an extension 24 extending upward from the rear of the fitting base 22. The stopper part 23 may be formed in the uppermost part of the extension 24. The stopper part 23 may protrude forward from the extension 24. The center of the stopper part 23 in the anteroposterior direction is shifted forward with respect to the center of the extension 24 in the anteroposterior direction, such that the recess 25a is formed behind the stopper part 23 (above the extension 24). The reinforcing part 34a is positioned on this recess 25a.

[0081] In this way, the center of the stopper part 23 in the anteroposterior direction is shifted forward with respect to the center of the extension 24 in the anteroposterior direction and positioned near the center of the connector 1 in the anteroposterior direction. In contrast, the stopper surfaces 43a/43b/43c of the actuator 40 are recessed with respect to the guide surface 41c (see FIG. 4) of the actuator 40, as described above. This can ensure the protruding amount of the stopper part 23 while suppressing an increase in the size of the connector 1, allowing the reinforcing part 34a to ensure the strength of the engagement protrusion 34.

[0082] An example of the assembly procedure of the connector 1 will be described. First, the multiple terminals 10 are respectively inserted into the multiple terminal grooves 31 a of the housing lower part 31. In addition, the base 15b of the extension 15 of the terminal 10 is fixed to the inner side of the terminal holding hole 3 lb (see FIG. 5A). Next, the actuator 40 is disposed in the open position and the actuator support part 15a of the terminal 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 41b of the actuator 40. In addition, the supported part 41a is disposed inside the actuator support part 15a. Thereafter, the fixing fitting 20 is inserted into the fitting holding hole 3 Id (see FIG. 6A) formed in the housing lower part 31, while the fitting base 22 is fixed to the inner side of the fitting holding hole 3 Id. The stopper part 23 has a guide surface 23c (see FIG. 6 A) on the front surface thereof. The guide surface 23c extends upward and rearward from the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23. In the process of inserting the fixing fitting 20 into the fitting holding hole 3 Id, the guide surface 23c strikes the actuator 40 and pushes the actuator 40 forward. As a result, the supported part 41a of the actuator 40 fits inside the actuator support part 15a of the terminal 10 and the rearward movement of the actuator 40 is regulated by the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating an actuator 40A as a modified example of the actuator 40. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, when the actuator 40 is in the open position, there is a gap between the third stopper surface 43c of the actuator 40 (the slope 43d extending diagonally upward from the third stopper surface 43 c) and the guide surface 23 c of the fixing fitting 20. Therefore, when the actuator 40 is pushed from the upper side, it can be lowered. When the actuator 40 is lowered, force is generated by which the supported part 41a pushes the extension 15 of the terminal 10 forward. In contrast, the actuator 40 A illustrated in FIG. 8 has a reduced gap between the actuator 40 A and the guide surface 23 c. The height of the third stopper surface 43c corresponds to the height of the front surface 23b of the stopper part 23, with the slope 43d formed substantially parallel to the guide surface 23c. Consequently, when the actuator 40A is pushed from the upper side, the actuator support part 15c supports the supported part 40a of the actuator 40A, such that the guide surface 23c supports the slope 43d of the actuator 40 A, thereby making it possible to further effectively suppress the position of the actuator 40A from being lowered. As a result, generation of the force which the supported part 41a pushes the extension 15 of the terminal 10 forward can be prevented.

[0084] As described above, in the connector, an actuator 40/40A has a supported part 41a and can move between an open position and a closed position around the supported part 41a. The multiple terminals 10 have an actuator support part 15a which supports the supported part 41a on the upper part thereof such that the supported part 41a is swingable. A fixing fitting 20 has a stopper part 23 and the actuator 40/40A includes a first stopper surface 43a. When the actuators 40/40 A are in the open position, the first stopper surface 43a is separated from the stopper part 23 in the swinging direction of the actuators 40/40A (clockwise direction centered on the supported part 41a in FIG. 6A). Moreover, when the actuator 40/40A is in the closed position, the first atopper surface 43a faces the stopper part 23 and restricts movement of the actuator 40/40 A beyond the closed position. According to this structure, the actuator support part 15a formed in the multiple terminals 10 supports the supported part 41a of the actuators 40/40A and therefore can increase the strength of the actuators 40/40A. Moreover, the fixing fitting 20 restricts the movement of the actuators 40/40A beyond the closed position and therefore can more effectively prevent the unnecessary swing of the actuators 40/40A than the structure in which the housing restricts the swing of the actuator.

[0085] Moreover, in the connector 1, the housing 30 has an engagement protrusion 34 which engages with the flexible substrate 80 inserted into the connector 1 and restricts the upward movement of the flexible substrate 80. The housing 30 has a housing lower part 31 positioned below the actuator 40. The actuator 40/40A has a first stopper surface 43a, while the fixing fitting 20 has a stopper part 23. When the actuator 40/40 A is in the closed position, a stopper part 23 is positioned above the actuator 40/40A. According to this configuration, when the flexible substrate 80 is pulled upward, the flexible substrate 80 and the housing 30 can be prevented from being removed from the fixing fitting 20.

[0086] Note that the connector 1 is merely an example of the connector proposed in the present disclosure, with the connector proposed in the present disclosure capable of being modified in a variety of ways from the connector 1.

Claims

1. A connector for inserting a mating connection from the upper side and connecting the mating connection to a circuit substrate disposed on the lower side, the connector comprising: multiple terminals which have a contact part in contact with the mating connection and are aligned in the lateral direction; a fixing fitting having a fixing part for fixing to the circuit substrate; a housing holding the multiple terminals and the fixed fitting; and an actuator which has a pressing part disposed in front of the contact part and is capable of moving between an open position (allowing the mating connection to be inserted into the connector) and a closed position (in which the pressing part presses one of either the mating connection (inserted into the connector) or the contact part against the other thereof), wherein the actuator has a supported part and is swingable between the open position and the closed position around the supported part, wherein the multiple terminals have a support part on the upper part thereof which supports the supported part such that the actuator is swingable, and wherein the fixing fitting includes a stopper part, wherein the actuator has a first stopper surface, and wherein, when the actuator is in the open position, the first stopper surface is separated from the stopper part in the swinging direction of the actuator, and wherein, when the actuator is in the closed position, the first stopper surface faces the stopper part and restricts movement of the actuator beyond the closed position.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a recess is formed in the actuator, and wherein the first stopper surface is a portion of the inner surface of the recess.

3. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein, when the actuator is in the closed position, the actuator faces the upper side of the first stopper surface, wherein, when the actuator is in the closed position, the pressing part has the upward facing surface, and wherein the first stopper surface is recessed with respect to the surface of the pressing part.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the supported part is disposed on the rear side of the support part, wherein the actuator has a second stopper surface, and wherein, when the actuator is in the closed position, the stopper part has a front surface which faces the second stopper part and restricts rearward movement of the actuator.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an engagement protrusion which engages with the flexible substrate inserted into the connector and restricts the upward movement of the flexible substrate, wherein, when the actuator is in the closed position, the stopper part is positioned above the first stopper surface, and wherein the housing has a housing lower part positioned below the actuator.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the actuator has a contact surface, wherein, when the actuator is in the closed position, the distance between the contact surface and the housing lower part in the vertical direction is less than the distance between the other part of the actuator and the housing lower part in the vertical direction, and wherein at least a portion of the contact surface is positioned below the stopper part.