CN221508537U - Connector for flat connection object - Google Patents

Abstract

The present utility model relates to a connector for flat connection objects. The connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts held by the insulative housing, an upper conductive shell and a lower conductive shell secured to the insulative housing. The lower conductive housing includes a pair of locking portions, each of which is constantly spring biased to a locking position and has a pushed portion. The upper conductive housing includes a pair of unlocking portions, each unlocking portion including an actuating portion positioned above the pushed portion. The locking portion is biased away from the locking position by pressing the actuating portion to release the lock on the flat connection object. Each unlocking portion further comprises a tactile indication portion. In the absence of the visual indication, the user can confirm whether the finger has accurately positioned the pressing position for releasing the lock on the flat connection object by the tactile indication portion.

Description

Connector for flat connection object

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to a connector for a flat connection object such as a flexible flat cable (Flexible Flat Cable, FFC), a flexible printed circuit (Flexible Flat Circuit, FPC), or the like, and more particularly, to a connector in which locking of the flat connection object can be released by pressing an actuating portion formed in a metal housing.

Background

Japanese patent laid-open No. 2018-097979A (patent document 1) discloses a connector for a flat wiring member (e.g., a flexible flat cable or a flexible printed circuit). The connector of patent document 1 has an actuator that can be pivotally operated, and locking and unlocking of the flat wire member are achieved by pivotally operating this actuator. However, such an actuator has a certain thickness, so that such a connector is disadvantageous for realizing a slim connector. Further, such a connector requires a space for operating the actuator, and is not suitable for being installed in a place where the space is narrow.

U.S. patent publication No. 2022/0149565A1 (patent document 2) discloses an easy-to-lock connector with a push-to-unlock structure. Patent document 2 is a prior application filed by the applicant. In patent document 2, the push unlocking structure is integrated to the metal housing of the connector. There is no need to increase the number of parts of the connector in order to provide the push unlocking function. However, when the connector of patent document 2 is applied to a fine-sized connector of a narrow pitch, the pressing portion may be made to have an area of 2.2x1.6mm ² or less. At this time, since the rib already occupies a part of the pressing portion, it is difficult to ensure a sufficient area for providing a visual indication on the pressing portion. Even in the case where the pressing portion or other portion of the connector provides a visual indication, such as in the case of insufficient light or in the case where the pressing portion cannot be seen from directly above the connector, such visual indication may sometimes be difficult to recognize or cannot be seen. Furthermore, the size of such a press portion is very small, resulting in that such a visual indication is already completely covered by the finger before the user moves the finger tip exactly over the press portion. When the visual indication has been fully covered by the finger and the user's finger tip has not been positioned accurately over the pressing portion, the user cannot visually confirm whether the finger tip has been positioned accurately over the pressing portion. At this time, the user can press at different positions repeatedly only until the correct pressing position is pressed.

To remedy the lack of visual indication, it is desirable to be able to provide indications other than visual indications, such as tactile indications, on the connector in a simple, reliable and low cost manner.

Disclosure of utility model

An object of the present utility model is to provide a connector for a flat connection object, which can release a lock on the flat connection object by pressing an actuating portion.

Another object of the present utility model is to provide a connector for flat connection objects, which can indicate a pressing position for releasing a lock on the flat connection object in a tactilely perceptible manner.

According to an aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a connector for a flat connection object including a pair of notches formed respectively at opposite side edges of the flat connection object and adjacent to an insertion end thereof, and a plurality of electrode portions formed at the insertion end of the flat connection object, the connector comprising: an insulating housing having an opening into which the flat connection object is inserted; a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, each contact having a contact portion extending into the opening and to be in contact with one of the plurality of electrode portions and a connection terminal portion opposing the contact portion and protruding from the insulating housing; an upper conductive housing and a lower conductive housing, the upper conductive housing and the lower conductive housing being secured to the insulating housing; wherein the lower conductive housing includes a lower housing body portion and a pair of locking portions respectively located at both ends of the lower housing body portion, each locking portion is constantly elastically biased to a locking position, each locking portion has a pushed portion, a first extending portion and a stopper tab, the first extending portion extends from the pushed portion into the opening, the stopper tab is formed at a distal end of the first extending portion such that when the flat connection object is inserted into the opening, the stopper tab of the pair of locking portions is engaged with the pair of recesses to prevent the flat connection object from coming off the connector, the upper conductive housing includes an upper housing body portion and a pair of unlocking portions respectively located at both ends of the upper housing body portion, each unlocking portion includes an elastic arm and an actuating portion formed at a distal end of the elastic arm and positioned above the pushed portion, by pressing the actuating portion, the pushed portion is pushed downward such that the locking portion is biased to leave the locking position to release the flat connection object, each unlocking portion further includes an unlocking portion positioned above the flat connection object, and the tactile indication portion is located above the tactile surface of the tactile indication of the contact object (tactile indication of the upper surface of the tactile connection object 25).

According to the connector of the present utility model, the tactile indication portion is integrally formed with the actuation portion.

According to the connector of the present utility model, the tactile indication portion is formed separately from the upper conductive housing and is fixed to the actuating portion by an adhesive, a bonding agent or a solder.

According to the connector of the present utility model, the upper surface of the tactile indication portion is formed with a grain.

According to the connector of the present utility model, the upper surface of the tactile indication part is formed with a pattern (pattern) or a character (character) of protruding or recessed.

According to the connector of the present utility model, the upper surface of the tactile indication portion is formed with a printed pattern or character.

According to the connector of the present utility model, the upper surface of the tactile indication is colored.

According to the connector of the present utility model, each of the locking portions further includes a U-shaped bent portion and a second extending portion extending from the lower housing body portion, the pushed portion being connected to the second extending portion through the U-shaped bent portion.

According to the connector of the present utility model, the actuating portion is formed with the protrusion portion protruding toward the pushed portion.

According to the connector of the present utility model, the front edge of the stopper tab is inclined toward the insertion direction of the flat connection object, when the flat connection object is inserted into the opening, the insertion end of the flat connection object abuts against the front edge of the stopper tab, and further movement of the flat connection object toward the insertion direction causes the stopper tab to be biased downward, so that the locking portion is biased away from the locking position.

The connector of the present utility model provides a simple, reliable and easy-to-use way that allows a user to quickly lock and release a flat connection object while assisting the user in determining the operating position of the unlocking portion using the tactile indication.

The technical features and other objects and advantages of the present utility model will be best understood by those skilled in the art to which the present utility model pertains from a review of the specification and drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of a connector for flat connection of objects according to an embodiment of the present utility model, in which a portion of an upper conductive housing is not shown.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view schematically showing a state in which a flat connection object has been inserted into a connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lower conductive housing.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view schematically showing engagement of the flat connection object by the locking portion.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the upper conductive housing.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the upper conductive housing.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram partially showing the upper and lower conductive housings.

Description of the reference numerals

10 Connector

12 Upper conductive shell

120 Upper housing body part

122 Unlocking part

1221 Tactile indicator

1222 Actuating part

1223 Spring arm

12220 Projecting portions

124 Fixing portion

126A holding part

126B holding part

14 Lower conductive shell

140 Lower housing body part

142 Locking part

1421 Stop tab

1422 First extension

1423 Pressed portion

1424U-bend

1425 Second extension

144 Fixing portion

146A holding part

146B holding part

146C holding part

148 Snap-fit portion

16 Insulating housing

162 Opening(s)

18 Contact element

182 Contact portion

184 Connecting terminal portions

20 Flat connection object

22 Electrode portion

24 Recess

H, height difference.

Detailed Description

A connector for flat connection objects (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "connector") according to an embodiment of the present utility model will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same elements or elements having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals. The figures are not drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present utility model. Fig. 2 is another perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present utility model. To further illustrate the internal details of the connector, a portion of the upper conductive housing is not shown in fig. 2. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present utility model. A connector for flat connection objects is denoted as a whole by reference numeral 10. With reference to fig. 1 to 3, constituent elements of a connector 10 of an embodiment of the present utility model are schematically described. The connector 10 includes an insulative housing 16, an upper conductive housing 12, a lower conductive housing 14 (shown in fig. 2 and 3), and a plurality of contacts 18 (shown in fig. 2 and 3).

The insulating housing 16 is made of an insulating synthetic resin or a polymer material. The insulating housing 16 is formed with an opening 162 into which the flat connection object 20 (shown in fig. 4) is inserted. Each of the upper conductive housing 12 and the lower conductive housing 14 is made of a metal or alloy material. The upper and lower conductive housings 12, 14 are secured to the insulating housing 16 such that a portion of the insulating housing is covered by the upper and lower conductive housings 12, 14. A plurality of contacts 18 are held by the insulating housing 16. Each contact 18 is made of copper or copper alloy. Each contact 18 has a contact portion 182 and a connection terminal portion 184 opposite the contact portion 182. The contact portion 182 extends into the opening 162 and connects to the terminal portion 184 to extend from the insulated housing 16. The connection terminal portions 184 may be soldered to pads formed on a printed circuit board (not shown) by Surface Mount Technology (SMT).

According to the embodiment of the present utility model, the connector 10 can automatically lock the inserted flat connection object 20, preventing the flat connection object 20 from being separated from the connector 10. By pressing the pair of unlocking portions 122 integrally formed with the upper conductive housing 12, the lock on the flat connection object 20 is released, allowing the flat connection object 20 to be pulled out from the connector 10.

In order to indicate a pressing position for releasing the lock on the flat connection object 20, a tactile indication portion 1221 is provided on each unlocking portion 122. Thus, the user can confirm the pressed position with the finger.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a state in which the flat connection object 20 has been inserted into the connector 10. The flat connection object 20 may be a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) or a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC), but is not limited thereto.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lower conductive housing. Referring to fig. 5, details of the lower conductive housing 14 are described.

The lower conductive housing 14 is manufactured by punching and bending a metal sheet. The lower conductive housing 14 is a one-piece metal member, but is not limited thereto. The lower conductive housing 14 may be constructed from multiple pieces.

The lower conductive housing 14 includes a lower housing body 140 and a pair of locking portions 142 at both ends of the lower housing body 140. Each of the locking portions 142 moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. Each locking portion 142 is constantly resiliently biased to the locked position. The lock portion 142 includes a stopper tab 1421, a first extension portion 1422, a pressed portion 1423, a U-bend portion 1424, and a second extension portion 1425. The second extension portion 1425 extends outward from the side edge of the lower casing body 140. The pushed portion 1423 is connected to the second extension 1425 by a U-shaped bend 1424 such that the pushed portion 1423 is positioned proximate to or in contact with the upper conductive housing 12. The first extension 1422 extends from the pushed portion 1423 into the opening 162 of the insulating housing 16. Stop tab 1421 is formed at the distal end of first extension 1422 such that, when flat connection object 20 is inserted into opening 162 of insulating housing 16, stop tab 1421 engages with a notch (shown in fig. 6) formed at the side edge of flat connection object 20, preventing flat connection object 20 from being pulled out or detached from connector 10.

The stopper tab 1421 is configured not to obstruct insertion of the flat connection object 20. Specifically, the front edge of the stopper tab 1421 is inclined in the insertion direction of the flat connection object 20. During insertion of the flat connection object 20 into the opening 162 of the insulating housing 16, the insertion end of the flat connection object 20 abuts against the front edge of the stop tab 1421, and further movement of the flat connection object 20 in the insertion direction causes the stop tab 1421 to be biased downward, so that the locking portion is biased from the locking position to the unlocking position. Therefore, the stopper tab 1421 does not obstruct the insertion of the flat connection object 20. The flat connection object 20 can be locked by simply inserting the flat connection object 20 into the opening 162 of the insulating housing 16 without additional manipulation of other members.

In order to fix the lower conductive housing 14 to the insulator 16, a plurality of holding portions 146A, 146B, 146C are formed at the front edge of the lower conductive housing 14, and a plurality of engaging portions 148 are formed at the rear edge of the lower conductive housing 14. Each holding portion has barbs. Each of the retaining portions is inserted into a corresponding retaining hole formed in the insulating housing 16 in an interference fit. Each of the snap-in portions 148 is snapped into engagement with a corresponding post formed on the rear side of the insulating housing 16. In this way, the lower conductive housing 14 is secured to the insulator 16.

The lower conductive housing 14 also has two securing portions 144. The fixing portion 144 will be fixed to the printed circuit board by soldering. Optionally, the lower conductive housing 14 is grounded.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view schematically showing engagement of the flat connection object 20 by the lock portion 142. Referring to fig. 6, the structure of the flat connection object 20 and the connection relationship between the flat connection object 20 and the lock portion 142 will be described.

The flat connection object 20 includes a pair of recesses 24 and a plurality of electrode portions 22 formed at the insertion end of the flat connection object 20. The pair of notches 24 are formed at opposite side edges of the flat connection object 20, respectively, adjacent to the insertion end. When the flat connection object 20 is inserted into the opening 162 of the insulating housing 16, the contact portions 182 of the plurality of contacts 18 are electrically contacted with the plurality of electrode portions 22, respectively. On the other hand, the stopper projections 1421 of the pair of locking portions 142 engage with the pair of recesses 24, thereby preventing the flat connection object 20 from being pulled out or separated from the connector 10.

When the pressed portion 1423 is pressed downward, the stopper tab 1421 is disengaged from the notch 24. At this time, the lock on the flat connection object 20 has been released, allowing the flat connection object 20 to be pulled out or detached from the connector 10.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the upper conductive housing. Fig. 8 is a side view of the upper conductive housing. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram partially showing the upper and lower conductive housings. Referring to fig. 7, 8 and 9, details of the upper conductive housing 12 and the connection relationship between the upper conductive housing 12 and the lower conductive housing 14 are described.

Similar to the lower conductive housing 14, the upper conductive housing 12 is also manufactured by stamping and bending a metal sheet. According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the upper conductive housing 12 is a one-piece metal member, but is not limited thereto. The upper conductive housing 12 may be constructed from multiple pieces.

The upper conductive housing 12 includes an upper housing body 120 and a pair of unlocking portions 122 located at both ends of the upper housing body 120. Each unlocking portion 122 includes a resilient arm 1223 and an actuating portion 1222 formed at a distal end of the resilient arm 1223. The actuation portion 1222 is positioned above the pushed portion 1423 of the lock 142. The actuation portion 1222 is formed with a protrusion 12220 protruding toward the pressed portion 1423. By pressing the actuation portion 1222 of the unlocking portion 122, the pressed portion 1423 of the locking portion 142 is pressed downward, so that the locking portion 142 is biased to leave the locking position, and the lock on the flat connection object 20 is released. In a state where the actuation portion 1222 is not pressed, the protrusion 12220 may be brought into contact with or close to the pressed portion 1423 of the lock portion 142.

Each unlocking portion 122 further includes a tactile indication portion 1221 positioned above the actuation portion 1222 to indicate a pressing position for releasing the lock on the flat connection object 20. As shown in fig. 8, the upper surface of the tactile indication portion 1221 is set higher than the upper surface of the upper case body portion 120. The height difference h between the upper surface of the tactile indication portion 1221 and the upper surface of the upper case body portion 120 is sufficient to cause tactile perceivable unevenness. In general, irregularities caused by height differences of several hundred micrometers are perceptible to the skin of a user's finger. Therefore, the user can confirm the pressing position for releasing the lock on the flat connection object with the finger, and then accurately position the finger at the pressing position and apply the pressing force. In this way, the user can quickly unlock the flat connection object, avoiding the user from applying a pressing force at the wrong position.

In order to fix the upper conductive shell 12 to the insulator 16, a plurality of holding portions 126A, 126B are formed at both ends and the leading edge of the lower conductive shell 14. Each holding portion has barbs. Each of the retaining portions is inserted into a corresponding retaining hole formed in the insulating housing 16 in an interference fit. In this way, the upper conductive housing 12 is secured to the insulator 16.

The upper conductive housing 12 also has two securing portions 124. The fixing portion 124 will be fixed to the printed circuit board by soldering. Optionally, the upper conductive housing 12 is grounded via the fixing portion 124.

In the present embodiment, the tactile indication 1221 is integrally formed with the actuation portion 1222. However, in a variation of the present utility model, the tactile indicator may be an additional member formed separately from the upper conductive housing. Such additional members may be secured to the actuator by adhesive, adhesive or solder.

The tactile indicator may be made larger in area than the area of the actuator. The tactile indicator may be formed in a rectangular shape having an aspect ratio of 3:2 to 1:1. Thereby, it can be ensured that the tactile indication portion has an area sufficient for setting the visual indication.

In order to further enhance the tactile recognition or visual recognition of the tactile indication, a pattern (pattern) or a character (character) may be formed on the upper surface of the tactile indication or may be formed to be convex or concave by punching or embossing. Or a printed pattern or character is formed on the upper surface of the tactile indication portion by a printing technique. Printing techniques include, for example, relief printing, intaglio printing, lithographic printing, screen printing, pad printing, transfer printing, ink jet printing, and the like. The upper surface of the tactile indicator may be colored if desired.

While the utility model has been described and illustrated with reference to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model. Therefore, the present utility model is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather, the utility model is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A connector for a flat connection object, the flat connection object including a pair of recesses formed respectively at opposite side edges of the flat connection object and adjacent to an insertion end thereof, and a plurality of electrode portions formed at the insertion end of the flat connection object, the connector comprising:

an insulating housing having an opening into which the flat connection object is inserted;

A plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, each contact having a contact portion extending into the opening and to be in contact with one of the plurality of electrode portions and a connection terminal portion opposing the contact portion and protruding from the insulating housing;

an upper conductive housing and a lower conductive housing, the upper conductive housing and the lower conductive housing being secured to the insulating housing;

Wherein the lower conductive housing comprises a lower housing body portion and a pair of locking portions respectively located at both ends of the lower housing body portion, each locking portion is constantly elastically biased to a locking position, each locking portion has a pushed portion, a first extending portion extending from the pushed portion into the opening, and a stopper tab formed at a distal end of the first extending portion so that when the flat connection object is inserted into the opening, the stopper tab of the pair of locking portions is engaged with the pair of recesses to prevent the flat connection object from being detached from the connector,

The upper conductive housing comprises an upper housing body part and a pair of unlocking parts respectively positioned at two ends of the upper housing body part, each unlocking part comprises an elastic arm and an actuating part which is formed at the distal end of the elastic arm and positioned above the pushed part, the pushed part is pushed downwards by pressing the actuating part, so that the locking part is biased to leave the locking position to release the locking of the flat connection object,

Each unlocking portion further includes a tactile indication portion positioned above the actuating portion, an upper surface of the tactile indication portion being higher than an upper surface of the upper housing body portion, such that irregularities caused by the tactile indication portion are tactilely perceptible to indicate a pressing position for releasing the lock on the flat connection object.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the tactile indicator is integrally formed with the actuator.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the tactile indicator is formed separately from the upper conductive housing and is secured to the actuator by an adhesive, a bonding agent, or solder.

4. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper surface of the tactile indication is textured.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper surface of the tactile indication is formed with a convex or concave pattern or character.

6. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper surface of the tactile indication is formed with a printed pattern or character.

7. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper surface of the tactile indicator is coloured.

8. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each locking portion further comprises a U-shaped bent portion and a second extension portion extending from the lower housing body portion, the pushed portion being connected to the second extension portion through the U-shaped bent portion.

9. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuating portion is formed with a projection projecting toward the pushed portion.

10. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the front edge of the stopper tab is inclined toward the insertion direction of the flat connection object, the insertion end of the flat connection object abutting against the front edge of the stopper tab when the flat connection object is inserted into the opening, further movement of the flat connection object toward the insertion direction causing the stopper tab to be biased downward so that the locking portion is biased away from the locking position.