JP2000182697A - Connector for flexible printed circuit board - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector for a flexible printed circuit board capable of working well with an existing automatic wiring line easily and preventing an FPC mounted in an FPC connector from falling out therefrom. SOLUTION: A connector 10 for a flexible printed circuit board has a housing 15, and between the housing 15 and board 11, a latch means 30 is interposed to cause them 15 and 11 to be in mutual engagement when a slider 17 is moved horizontally and inserted into a board insert hole 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector used in a small electronic device such as a notebook personal computer and, more particularly, to a flexible printed wiring electrically connected to a board connecting terminal formed at one end of a flexible printed wiring board. The present invention relates to improvement of a board connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a main board such as a mother boat provided in a small electronic device such as a notebook computer has
2. Description of the Related Art A connector for a flexible printed wiring board (hereinafter, referred to as an FPC connector) is used as a device for electrically connecting board connection terminals of a flexible printed wiring board (hereinafter, simply referred to as an FPC).

An FPC 1 used in this conventional FPC connector has a plurality of wiring patterns 2 formed at a predetermined pitch on an upper surface thereof as shown in a main part top view of FIG. At each position, a contact pad 3 as a board connection terminal is formed for each wiring pattern 2.

On the other hand, as shown in a conceptual sectional view of FIG. 9, a conventional FPC connector 4 connected to the above-mentioned contact pad 3 of the FPC 1 has an FP horizontally inserted from a board insertion opening 5.
A housing 7 in which a plurality of contacts 6 connected to each of the contact pads 3 of C1 are juxtaposed (arranged along the vertical direction in the drawing), and the board insertion formed on the left side surface of the housing 7 And a slider 8 which is slidably inserted into the mouth 5.

When the slider 8 is fitted with the FPC 1 from the inside of the board insertion opening 5 and its tip is brought into contact with the positioning rib 7a of the housing 7, the slider 8 is slid and fitted horizontally in the direction of arrow A. The lower surface 1b of the FPC 1 is pushed upward by the pressing piece 8a, whereby each contact pad 3 formed on the FPC 1 is pressed against each corresponding contact 6, and the electrical contact between each contact pad 3 and each corresponding contact 7 is made. It is configured to establish a connection.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 9 denotes a metal shield member for preventing the influence of electromagnetic disturbance. The shield member 9 is disposed so as to surround the slider 8, and the slider 8 slides into the housing 7. It is configured to cover a part of the housing 7 when mounted.

[0007]

In the conventional FPC connector 4 described above, when electrically connecting each contact pad 3 of the FPC 1 and each corresponding contact 6, as shown in FIG. FP by the pressing piece 8a of
Press the lower surface 1b of C1 to make contact pads 3 of FPC1
When the FPC 1 is pulled in the direction of arrow B from the mounting position of the FPC 1 as shown in FIG.
There is a possibility that C1 may fall out of the FPC connector 4.

In order to prevent such a possibility as much as possible, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-283239, a recess for engaging with the FPC is formed in the slider, and the housing is formed in the slider with the housing. Providing engaging projections,
In some cases, when the FPC is pulled, the slider that engages with the housing prevents the FPC from coming off.

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-28323
According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-109, it is difficult to horizontally insert the slider into the board insertion opening of the housing because the projection is formed on the slider. The slider must be inserted while being rotated with respect to the substrate insertion opening.

On the other hand, recently, when the FPC is attached to the FPC connector, a line for automatically attaching the FPC to the FPC connector, that is, a so-called automated connection line is used. Kaihei 9
-283239, FP
A step of rotating the slider must be added to the step of pushing the FPC into the connector for C, which not only complicates the processing of the automated connection line itself, but also slows down the automatic connection processing. Since a mechanism for rotating the slider must be added to the automated connection line, there has been a problem that the mechanism of the automated connection line is further complicated.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention can easily cope with the current automatic connection line, and the FPC mounted in the FPC connector is an FPC.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector for a flexible printed wiring board which is prevented from dropping out of the connector.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a flexible printed wiring board having a board insertion opening for inserting a board connection terminal therein, and having the board of the flexible printed wiring board therein. At least a housing having contacts arranged side by side to be electrically connected to connection terminals, and a slider having a pressing piece that is horizontally slid into the board insertion opening and presses the board connection terminals of the flexible printed wiring board against the contacts. In the connector for a flexible printed wiring board, after the housing and the flexible printed wiring board are fitted with the flexible printed wiring board in the board insertion opening,
When the slider is moved horizontally and inserted into the board insertion port, a latch means for interlocking the housing and the flexible printed wiring board with each other is interposed.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a connector for a flexible printed wiring board according to the present invention will be described below in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a flexible printed wiring board connector 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as an FPC connector 10) according to the present invention and a flexible printed wiring board 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as an FP) mounted in the FPC connector 10.
8 and FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 2 which is an enlarged view of a main part of the FPC 11, a pair of engagement holes 12 forming one of the latch means 30 are formed on both sides 11a and 11b of the FPC 11.

The upper surface 11c of the FPC 11 has
A plurality of wiring patterns 2 are formed at a predetermined pitch in the same manner as in the related art, and a contact pad 3 which is a board connection terminal is formed for each wiring pattern 2 at a predetermined position on each end 2a side.

On the other hand, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the FPC connector 10 has a housing 15 in which contacts electrically connected to the respective contact pads 3 of the FPC 11 are arranged side by side. And a slider 17 which is slidably fitted in a horizontal direction into a substrate insertion opening 16 formed on the front surface.

The housing 15 is provided with slider lock means 19 comprising guide holes 18 on both sides thereof, and the guide holes 1 of the slider lock means 19 are formed.
A pair of guide members 20 formed on both sides of the slider 17 are configured to be fitted into the inside of the slider 8.

The guide member 20 is provided with a pair of projections 21 and 22. When one of the tall projections 21 is inserted into the guide hole 18, the slider 17 is moved to the corresponding guide hole. When the other short protrusion 22 is fitted into the guide hole 18 and is slidably supported along the same, the sliding movement of the slider 17 is locked. Further, a pressing piece 23 for pressing the FPC 11 inserted into the housing 15 is integrally formed at the center of the slider 17 as in the related art.

On the other hand, a slider 17 is provided in the housing 15.
As shown in FIG. 4 showing a state in which the latch means 30 is slidably mounted, a pair of latch claws 24 constituting the other side of the latch means 30 are integrally formed on both sides of the housing 15 along the board insertion opening 16. The pair of latch claws 24 is formed in the housing 15 at a position facing the pair of engagement holes 12 of the FPC 11 shown in FIG.

The pressing piece 23 of the slider 17 at a position facing the pair of latch claws 24 is
4 are formed (see also FIG. 3).

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 26 denotes a metal shield member similar to the conventional metal shield member for preventing the influence of electromagnetic disturbance. This shield member 26 is also provided so as to surround the slider 17, and the slider 17 is mounted on the housing. It is configured to cover a part of the housing 15 when slidably mounted in the housing 15.

Next, the operation of the FPC connector 10 will be described.

First, FP is connected to the FPC connector 10 described above.
To attach C11, as shown by arrow A in FIG.
The front end 11d of the FPC 11 is horizontally moved and fitted into the board insertion opening 16 of the PC connector 10.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5 which is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the FPC connector 10, the tip 11d of the FPC 11 is
The housing 1 extends along the upper surface of the pressing piece 23 of the slider 17.
5 moves into the substrate insertion opening 16.

When the FPC 11 is further moved in the direction of arrow A from the position of the FPC 11 shown in FIG. 5, both sides of the FPC 11 are moved by a pair of latch claws 24 forming the other side of the latch means 30, as shown in FIG. Move while being urged downward, and finally the positioning rib 1 of the housing 15.
It stops at the position where it came into contact with 5a.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the FPC 11 is inserted into the board insertion slot 16 and moved to a position where the movement of the FPC 11 stops, a pair of engagement holes 12 formed on both sides of the FPC 11 are formed. A part of the pair of latch claws 24 is inserted into the inside.

As described above, the front end 11d of the FPC 11 is inserted into the board insertion opening 16, and then the FPC 11 is moved horizontally to abut the front end 11d against the positioning rib 15a, as shown in FIG. When the slider 17 is moved horizontally in the direction of arrow A, the pressing piece 23 enters the substrate insertion opening 16 and pushes up the tip 11d of the FPC 11 upward.

As described above, the pressing piece 23 of the slider 17
Pushes the tip 11d of the FPC 11 upward,
Each contact pad 3 formed on C11 is pressed against each opposing contact 6 to establish electrical connection with each other.

As described above, the pressing piece 23 of the slider 17
Pushes the front end 11d of the FPC 11 upward, the pair of latch claws 24 are completely inserted into the pair of engagement holes 12 formed on both sides of the FPC 11 constituting the latch means 30, so that they cannot move with each other. Engage.

As described above, F constituting the latch means 30
If a pair of latch claws 24 formed on the housing 15 is engaged with the pair of engagement holes 12 of the PC 11, the F
Even when the PC 11 is pulled in the direction of the arrow B,
Since the pair of engagement holes 12 and the pair of latch claws 24 of the FPC 11 are engaged with each other to prevent them from falling off, the contact pad 3
And the electrical connection with the contact 6 opposite to the contact 6 is firmly maintained.

[0032]

As described above, according to the connector for a flexible printed circuit board of the present invention, the flexible printed circuit board is horizontally inserted into the board insertion port, and the slider is horizontally inserted into the board insertion port. Thereby, the flexible printed wiring board and the housing are engaged with each other via the latch means, so that the flexible printed wiring board is prevented from falling out of the housing as much as possible, and the substrate of the flexible printed wiring board is prevented. The electrical connection between the connection terminal and the corresponding contact can be firmly maintained, and the slider is horizontally inserted when the flexible printed wiring board and the housing are engaged with each other via the latch means. From
When applied to an automation line that automatically attaches a flexible printed wiring board to a connector for a flexible printed wiring board, that is, a so-called automated connection line, there is no need to modify the conventional automated connection line at all, and it is quick and inexpensive. Automated connection between the connector for flexible printing and the flexible printed circuit board.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual perspective view of a connector for a flexible printed wiring board according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged conceptual enlarged view of a flexible printed wiring board.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector for a flexible printed wiring board according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged conceptual cross-sectional view of a main part of the connector for a flexible printed wiring board, showing the operation of the connector for a flexible printed wiring board according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged conceptual cross-sectional view of a main part of the connector for a flexible printed wiring board, showing the operation of the connector for a flexible printed wiring board according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged conceptual sectional view of a main part of the connector for a flexible printed wiring board, showing an operation of the connector for a flexible printed wiring board according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged conceptual sectional view of an essential part of the connector for a flexible printed wiring board, showing the operation of the connector for a flexible printed wiring board according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary enlarged view of a flexible printed wiring board used for a conventional connector for a flexible printed wiring board.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual enlarged sectional view of a main part of a conventional connector for a flexible printed wiring board.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Board connection terminal (contact pad) 6 ... Contact 10 ... Connector for flexible printed wiring board 11 ... Flexible printed wiring board 12 ... Engagement hole 15 ... Housing 16 ... Board insertion port 17 ... Slider 23 ... Pressing piece 24 ... Latch claw 30 Latch means

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 24, 1998 (1998.12.
24)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All figures

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

FIG. 2

FIG. 4

FIG. 7

FIG. 3

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

FIG. 8

FIG. 9

Claims (2)

[Claims] A housing having a board insertion opening for inserting a board connection terminal of a flexible printed wiring board, and a contact for electrically connecting the board connection terminal to the board connection terminal of the flexible printed wiring board therein; A connector for a flexible printed wiring board comprising at least a slider having a pressing piece for horizontally slidingly fitting into the board insertion opening and pressing a board connection terminal of the flexible printed wiring board against the contact, wherein the housing and the flexible printed wiring are provided. With the substrate,
After the flexible printed wiring board is inserted into the board insertion slot, the slider is moved horizontally to be inserted into the board insertion slot, and the housing and the flexible printed wiring board are engaged with each other. A connector for a flexible printed circuit board, characterized in that means is interposed. 2. The latch device according to claim 1, wherein said latch means comprises an engagement hole formed in said flexible printed wiring board, and a latch claw formed in said housing at a position facing said engagement hole. The connector for a flexible printed wiring board according to item (1).