JP4070988B2 - Flat flexible cable connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a flat flexible cable (including FPC, FFC, etc., hereinafter simply referred to as FPC) that is effective as a technique for connecting to other equipment such as a printed circuit board. The present invention relates to a cable connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the following method is known as a method of connecting the FPC and the printed circuit board. A method in which a connecting connector of an FPC is connected to a plug connector, a receptacle connector is mounted on a printed circuit board, and the plug connector and the receptacle connector are fitted (connected) to each other. For example, see JP-A-8-203626.
[0003]
As another method, a method is known in which a connector is mounted on a printed circuit board, and a conductor exposed at a connection end portion of the FPC is electrically connected so as to be pressed against a contact of the connector on the printed circuit board. .
[0004]
The connection method using the plug connector and the receptacle connector requires a plug connector for connecting the FPC, which increases the manufacturing cost and makes it difficult to reduce the size of the receptacle connector mounted on the printed circuit board. There was a problem that there was a limit to making it smaller.
[0005]
Further, the method in which the conductive portion of the FPC is directly pressed against the contact of the connector mounted on the printed circuit board has the following problems. When the printed circuit board or the connector itself is warped, the connection end of the FPC is lifted from the contact, so that it is difficult to ensure a reliable connection at all the poles. This problem is particularly noticeable when the number of poles is large.
[0006]
In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-111401 proposes a connection technique devised so that the occupation area can be reduced on equipment such as a printed circuit board, the reliability of connection can be ensured, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. ing.
[0007]
This employs the following concept. By forming a slit in the connection end portion of the FPC, the exposed conductor portion of the FPC is bent to one side of the connection end portion to form a pair of connection pieces. A backup material (reinforcing material) is mounted between the two connection pieces to hold both connection pieces from the inside, and the backup material is fixed to the FPC with a tape to constitute a connector on the FPC side. And the other connector which has a fitting part which inserts the connection piece of this connector is provided in the printed circuit board side, and both are electrically connected.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Thus, even in the improved existing technology, there are problems to be further solved in the following points.
First, it relates to miniaturization and thinning necessary to make the occupied area as small as possible. In a state where the connector on the FPC side is inserted into the mating connector and coupled, a locking means for preventing the removal is usually required. However, this locking means is a great hindrance when the connector is reduced in size and thickness.
[0009]
For example, as described in Japanese Patent No. 3079463, the ratio of the lock metal parts provided on both sides of the connector is large, and there is a problem that it is difficult to further reduce the size and thickness. Further, as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-91071, the reinforcing metal fittings of the receptacle connector mounted on the circuit board have the same problems as the lock metal fittings. In particular, when both a lock metal fitting and a reinforcing metal fitting are provided, such a problem becomes remarkable.
[0010]
Secondly, when a lock fitting is provided on a connector whose terminal pitch is reduced due to miniaturization and thinning, there is a risk of contact drop or short-circuit between electrodes within the movable range of the lock fitting. This is particularly likely to occur when the lock fitting is displaced in the terminal pitch direction.
[0011]
Thirdly, in the conventional connector, an impact or a twisting force when the plug connector is coupled to the receptacle connector is easily transmitted directly to the soldering portion of the reinforcing metal fitting. As a result, solder cracks or peeling may occur.
[0012]
The object of the present invention is to reduce the occupation area on equipment such as a printed circuit board as much as possible, improve the manufacturability and reduce the manufacturing cost, and devise the movable direction of the lock piece. Therefore, it is intended to provide a flat flexible cable connector technology that prevents the risk of contact dropout and short-circuit between electrodes, and that also has an impact mitigation function for reinforcing metal fittings.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The flat flexible cable connector according to the present invention includes a plug connector provided in the flat flexible cable and a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board. The plug connector includes a connection piece formed by processing a portion where a flat flexible cable and a metal shell plate are bonded together. The receptacle connector includes a housing in which a receiving portion for receiving a connection piece is formed, a terminal that is disposed in the receiving portion and contacts the connection piece, and a reinforcing bracket that is attached to both ends of the housing and fixes the housing to the circuit board. With. The reinforcing metal fitting is provided with a lock piece that engages with the connection piece and maintains the contact state between the connection piece and the terminal.
[0014]
According to the present invention, since the lock piece is provided on the reinforcing metal fitting, the number of parts can be reduced and the receptacle connector can be reduced in size and thinned by combining the reinforcing metal fitting and the lock metal fitting. Thereby, the occupied area can be reduced as much as possible on the equipment such as the printed circuit board, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by improving the manufacturability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a technology for a flat flexible cable connector to which an impact mitigating function for a reinforcing metal fitting is added.
[0015]
The connecting piece includes two connecting pieces facing each other and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the flat flexible cable, and the conductor exposed portion of the flat flexible cable is located on the opposing surface of each connecting piece. It is desirable. By positioning the conductor exposed portion on the opposing surface (inner side) of both connection pieces, both support pieces are located on the outer side. As a result, since there is no shell plate between the two exposed pieces, the distance between the exposed pieces (connector width) can be made as small as possible. Therefore, from this point, the overall structure can be easily reduced.
[0016]
The lock piece is preferably configured to be displaceable in the length direction of the flat flexible cable by the elasticity of the lock piece itself. By displacing the lock piece in the length direction of the flat flexible cable, that is, by devising the movable direction of the lock piece so as to be displaced in the direction perpendicular to the pitch direction of the terminal, contact drop and short circuit Risk can be prevented.
[0017]
It is desirable that the connection piece is provided with a recess, and the lock piece is provided with a projection that fits into the connection piece. If it does in this way, a lock function can be demonstrated by uneven | corrugated fitting, and it can be set as a simple structure.
[0018]
The connecting piece is cut and raised from the flat flexible cable, and an exposed piece in which a conductor exposed portion is formed on the opposing surface of each connecting piece, and is cut and raised from the shell plate to support the surface opposite to the conductor exposed portion. It is desirable that a recess is provided on the outer surface of the support piece. By forming the support piece from the laminate material of the flat flexible cable and the shell plate, the entire structure can be easily reduced in size and thickness while ensuring the necessary strength. Since the concave portion into which the convex portion is fitted is provided in the support piece made of metal, it exhibits durability against wear caused by the concave-convex fitting.
[0019]
It is desirable that the exposed piece and the supporting piece are bonded together with an adhesive, and the tip of the supporting piece protrudes toward the receptacle connector rather than the tip of the exposed piece. Thus, by making the support piece protrude longer than the exposed piece, the tip of the exposed piece can be protected by the tip of the support piece.
[0020]
The terminal is preferably provided with a raised portion that contacts the conductor exposed portion, and the raised portion and the convex portion of the lock piece are set at a position relatively displaced in the insertion direction of the connecting piece with respect to the receiving portion. . By setting in this way, the positional relationship between the raised portion and the convex portion is shifted in the insertion direction of the connecting piece. Accordingly, the timing at which the raised portion of the terminal comes into contact with the exposed piece and the timing at which the convex portion comes into contact with the support piece are shifted. As a result, it is possible to reduce the resistance when the connection piece is inserted into the receiving portion and the resistance when the connector is pulled out. That is, it is possible to improve operability while exhibiting a reliable connection function and lock function.
[0021]
The reinforcing metal fitting has a body portion curved in an inverted U shape having a positioning function with respect to the receptacle connector of the plug connector, the lock piece extends from one of two opposed pieces of the body portion, and the other piece from the housing. It is desirable to have a configuration that protrudes and is soldered to the circuit board. In this case, the other piece is soldered to the circuit board, and the lock piece extends from the free one piece, so that a portion that is easily elastically deformed is formed in the inverted U-shaped main body. The inverted U-shaped main body functions to alleviate the impact from the lock piece and prevent the soldered portion from cracking or peeling.
[0022]
The end of the support piece is provided with an end protrusion that protrudes more toward the receptacle connector than the end of the exposed piece, and this end protrusion is set so as to come into contact with the lock piece when connected to the connector. It is desirable that As described above, when the end protrusion at the tip of the support piece is protruded to the receptacle connector side from the tip of the exposed piece, the support piece and the lock piece are first contacted when the connector is coupled, and the grounded lock piece and It can be electrically connected. Therefore, this relationship can be used for durability improvement by contact between metals and for countermeasures against static electricity of the connector.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a plug connector provided on a flat flexible cable. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the plug connector, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the receptacle connector. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector. In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a connector for connecting an FPC and a printed circuit board is shown.
[0024]
In these figures, 1 is an FPC and 2 is a printed circuit board. A simple plug connector 10 is formed in the FPC 1. A receptacle connector 20 to which the plug connector 10 is connected is mounted on the printed circuit board 2. The plug connector 10 and the receptacle connector 20 constitute the flat flexible cable connector CN according to the present invention (see FIGS. 7 and 8).
[0025]
The plug connector 10 includes a connection piece 11 formed by processing a portion where the FPC 1 and the metal shell plate 3 are bonded together (see FIGS. 3 and 7). The connection piece 11 is a portion inserted into the receiving portion 21 of the mating connector (receptacle connector) 20 and has a function for electrical connection.
[0026]
The connection piece 11 is cut and raised from the FPC 1 and has an exposed piece 12 having a conductor exposed portion 12a formed on one side thereof, and a support piece 13 that is cut and raised from the shell plate 3 and supports a surface opposite to the one side of the exposed piece 11. It consists of and. The FPC 1 and the shell plate 3 are bonded together with an adhesive (not shown). Therefore, the exposed piece 12 and the support piece 13 are also bonded and integrated through the adhesive. In consideration of the heat resistance of the connector, for example, a thermosetting adhesive is used as the adhesive.
[0027]
Although the height of the connection piece 11 depends on the thickness and size of the FPC 1, it is set to about 1 mm in this embodiment. As can be understood from FIG. 7, the thickness of the FPC 1 is considerably thin and excellent in flexibility. Therefore, it is difficult to make it independent even if only the exposed piece 12 from the FPC 1 is cut and raised. For this purpose, the shell plate 3 is provided with a support piece 13 for supporting the exposed piece 12. Accordingly, the support piece 13 has a reinforcing function for giving rigidity to the FPC 1.
[0028]
Two connecting pieces 11 of the plug connector 10 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the FPC 1. Therefore, the plug connector 10 includes two connection pieces 11 and 11 that face each other. And conductor exposed parts 12a and 12a are located in the surface where both connection pieces 11 and 11 oppose. As shown in FIG. 7, the conductor exposed portion 12a is obtained by removing a portion of the insulating coating 1a covering one side of the FPC 1 to expose the conductor 1b. Of course, the conductor exposed portion 12a can be formed in advance when the FPC 1 is manufactured, so it is preferable to adopt this method in consideration of manufacturability.
[0029]
On the surface of the support piece 13 to be bonded to the exposed piece 12, an inclined surface 13 b for forming the tapered surface 12 b by inclining the tip portion of the exposed piece 12 toward the support piece 13 is formed. Further, the protruding dimension of the support piece 13 is set to be longer than the protruding dimension of the exposed piece 12. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the slope 13b is formed by a part of a V-shaped groove, and is formed so that the tip of the exposed piece 12 fits into the groove. Thus, the tip of the exposed piece 12 is designed not to protrude from the tip of the support piece 13.
[0030]
On both sides of the support piece 13 (corresponding to the width direction of the FPC), end projections 13c and 13c are formed by projecting only both sides in the insertion direction into the receptacle connector 20. The end protrusions 13c and 13c also exhibit an insertion guide function of the plug connector 10 with respect to the receptacle connector 20 in addition to an anti-static function described later.
[0031]
In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an extended region 1 c that is widened in the width direction is formed in the middle of the FPC 1 in the length direction (near the end). This is because the wiring density related to the number of conductors of the FPC 1 is high, so that the interval between the conductors 1b and the width of the conductor 1b itself can be increased. As a result, connection reliability and manufacturability are improved.
[0032]
The receptacle connector 20 mounted on the circuit board 2 includes a housing 22 in which a receiving portion 21 that receives the connection piece 11 is formed, a terminal 23 that is disposed in the receiving portion 21 and contacts the connection piece 11, and both ends of the housing 22. And a reinforcing metal fitting 24 for fixing the housing 22 to the circuit board 2. The reinforcing bracket 24 is provided with a lock piece 25 that engages with the connection piece 11 and maintains the contact state between the connection piece 11 and the terminal 23.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 22 has a substantially rectangular plane and is formed with a height of about 1 mm. A partition 22 a is provided in the central portion of the housing 22, and groove-shaped receiving portions 21 and 21 are formed on both sides of the partition 22. A large number of terminals 23 are arranged (arranged in two rows) along the receiving portions 21 and 21, and contact pieces 23 b of the terminals 23 are arranged in an upright state in the receiving portions 21 and 21. .
[0034]
The fixing portion 23 c of each terminal 23 is fitted in the terminal mounting groove of the housing 22. Each terminal 23 is provided with a solder tail 23d extending downward from a portion of the fixing portion 23c, and is soldered to the circuit board 2.
[0035]
Grooves 21 a and 21 a for mounting the reinforcing metal fittings 24 with the lock pieces 25 are formed on both ends of the housing 22. The groove portions 21 a and 21 a form one groove-like portion continuous with the receiving portions 21 and 21. Therefore, the groove-like portion as a whole is formed in a planar rectangular frame shape.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 10 (a), 10 (b), and 10 (c), the reinforcing metal fitting 24 has a main body 24 a that is curved in an inverted U shape. The main body 24a also serves as a positioning function of the plug connector 10 with respect to the receptacle connector 20. The positioning function of the main body 24a is set so as to mainly position the plug connector 10 in the length direction (corresponding to the width direction of the FPC 1).
[0037]
The lock piece 25 extends from one of the two opposing pieces 24b of the main body 24a, and the other piece 24c protrudes from the housing and is soldered to the circuit board 2. The other piece 24c is longer than the one piece 24b, and its end is formed as a solder tail 24d.
[0038]
The lock piece 25 is configured to be displaceable in the length direction of the FPC 1 by the elasticity of the lock piece 25 itself. In this way, by devising the displacement direction (movable direction) of the lock piece 25, consideration is given to prevent the risk of contact dropout and short-circuit between the electrodes due to positional shift at the time of locking (connector coupling). The length direction of the FPC 1 that is the displacement direction of the lock piece 25 corresponds to the direction orthogonal to the arrangement pitch direction of the terminals 23.
[0039]
By making the displacement direction of the lock piece 25 perpendicular to the arrangement pitch direction of the terminals 23, it is possible to prevent the contact state between the terminal 23 and the connection piece 11 from being affected when the lock piece 25 is operated. Because it can. Consider the case where the displacement direction of the lock piece 25 is the arrangement pitch direction of the terminals 23.
[0040]
When the lock piece 25 is actuated (displaced), a force acts to move the plug connector 10 in the width direction of the FPC 1. This is because the force is in the pitch direction of the terminals 23 and is a force that shifts the normal contact state between the terminals 23 and the connection pieces 11 in the direction of short-circuiting the electrodes.
[0041]
The connection piece 11 of the plug connector 10 is provided with a recess (circular hole) 13h, and the lock piece 25 is provided with a projection 25a that fits into the recess 13h of the connection piece 11. Thereby, the lock mechanism of the connection piece 11 is comprised. Thus, it is set as the simple structure which exhibits a lock function by uneven | corrugated fitting.
[0042]
The recess 13 h is provided on the outer surface of the support piece 11. The concave portion 13h into which the convex portion 25a is fitted is provided in the support piece 13 made of metal so that durability against wear due to the concave-convex fitting can be exhibited.
[0043]
In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the exposed piece 12 and the support piece 13 are bonded together by an adhesive, and the end protrusions 13c and 13c at the tip of the support piece 13 are more receptacle connectors 20 than the tip of the exposed piece 12. Protrudes to the side. By projecting the end protrusions 13c, 13c of the support piece 13 toward the receptacle connector 20 rather than the tip of the exposed piece 12, the support piece 13 and the lock piece 25 can be brought into contact with each other at the time of connector connection. This relationship can be used for durability improvement by contact between metals and for countermeasures against static electricity of the connector.
[0044]
The terminal 23 is provided with a raised portion 23a that contacts the conductor exposed portion 12a. The raised portion 23 a and the convex portion 25 a of the lock piece 25 are set at positions relatively displaced in the insertion direction of the connection piece 11 with respect to the receiving portion 21. By setting in this way, the positional relationship between the raised portion 23a and the convex portion 25a is shifted in the insertion direction of the connecting piece 11.
[0045]
Therefore, the timing at which the raised portion 23 a of the terminal 23 contacts the exposed piece 12 is shifted from the timing at which the convex portion 25 a contacts the support piece 13. As a result, it is possible to reduce the resistance when the connection piece 11 is inserted into the receiving portion 21 and the resistance when the connection piece 11 is pulled out. That is, it is possible to improve operability while exhibiting a reliable connection function and lock function.
[0046]
According to this embodiment, since the lock piece 25 is provided in the reinforcing metal fitting 24, the reinforcing metal fitting 24 and the lock metal fitting are combined into one, so that the number of parts can be reduced, and the receptacle connector 20 can be made smaller and thinner. Can do. As a result, the occupation area on the equipment such as the printed circuit board 2 can be reduced as much as possible, and the manufacturability can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Furthermore, a technology for a flat flexible cable connector to which an impact mitigating function for the reinforcing metal fitting 24 is added can be obtained. The impact mitigating function of the reinforcing metal fitting 24 is very effectively exhibited because it is caused by the synergistic action of the elasticity of the main body portion 24a having a U-shaped cross section and the elasticity of the lock piece 25 extending therefrom.
[0047]
The connection piece 11 to the receptacle connector 20 is formed by processing a portion where the FPC 1 and the shell plate 3 are bonded together, and the exposed piece 12 and the support piece 13 are integrated with an adhesive. Therefore, the plug connector 10 is made of a so-called two-layer laminate material (FPC and shell plate 3). As a result, it is possible to achieve a reduction in size and thickness as compared with a conventional connector configured by assembling a plurality of separate parts.
[0048]
Further, by projecting the end protrusions 13c, 13c at the front end of the support piece 13 from the front end of the exposed piece 12, the front end of the support piece 13 first contacts the receptacle connector 20. Can be used. That is, by adopting a circuit configuration in which the shell plate 3 on which the support piece 13 is formed is grounded, it is possible to take a countermeasure against electrostatic treatment against charging of the FPC 1 and the printed circuit board 2.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the occupation area on equipment such as a printed circuit board can be reduced as much as possible, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by improving the manufacturability. By devising, it is possible to provide a flat flexible cable connector technology that prevents the risk of contact dropout and short-circuiting between electrodes, and also adds an impact mitigation function to the reinforcing bracket.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the receptacle connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a flat flexible cable connector comprising a plug connector and a receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a flat flexible cable connector in which a plug connector and a receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention are coupled.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line ZZ in FIG.
10A and 10B show a reinforcing metal fitting with a lock piece according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 10A is a front view, FIG. 10B is a plan view, and FIG. 10C is a side view.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Flat flexible cable (FPC)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a Insulation coating 1b Conductor 1c Expansion area 2 Printed circuit board 3 Shell plate 3a Compact part 10 Plug connector 11 Connection piece 12 Exposed piece 12a Conductor exposed part 12b Tapered surface 13 Support piece 13b Slope 13c End protrusion 20 Receptacle connector Side connector)
21 receiving portion 21a groove portion 22 housing 22a partition 23 terminal 23a raised portion 23b contact piece 23c fixing portion 23d solder tail 24 reinforcing bracket 24a main body portion 24b one piece 24c other piece 24d solder tail 25 lock piece 25a convex portion CN flat flexible Cable connector

Claims (6)

Including a plug connector provided on a flat flexible cable and a receptacle connector mounted on a circuit board;
The plug connector includes a connection piece formed by processing a portion where a flat flexible cable and a metal shell plate are bonded together,
The receptacle connector includes a housing in which a receiving portion for receiving the connection piece is formed, a terminal disposed in the receiving portion and in contact with the connection piece, and mounted on both ends of the housing to attach the housing to the circuit board. It is equipped with a reinforcing bracket for fixing,
Wherein the reinforcing bracket is engaged with the locking piece for retaining the contact state between the connection piece the terminals provided we are in the connecting piece,
This lock piece is configured to be displaceable in the length direction of the flat flexible cable by the elasticity of the lock piece itself,
The connection piece is provided with a recess, and the lock piece is provided with a protrusion that fits into the recess,
The connection piece is cut and raised from the flat flexible cable, the exposed piece having the conductor exposed portion formed on the opposing surface of each connection piece, and cut and raised from the shell plate on the opposite side of the exposed portion. A flat flexible cable connector , comprising: a support piece for supporting a surface; and the recess provided on an outer surface of the support piece .   The connecting piece includes two connecting pieces facing each other and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the flat flexible cable, and the conductor exposed portion of the flat flexible cable is located on the opposing surface of each connecting piece. The flat flexible cable connector according to claim 1. The flat mold according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the exposed piece and the support piece are bonded together with an adhesive, and the tip of the support piece projects partially or entirely toward the receptacle connector than the tip of the exposed piece. Flexible cable connector. The terminal is provided with a raised portion that comes into contact with the exposed conductor portion, and the raised portion and the convex portion of the lock piece are set at a position that is relatively displaced in the insertion direction of the connecting piece with respect to the receiving portion. The flat flexible cable connector according to claim 1 . The reinforcing metal fitting has a body portion curved in an inverted U shape having a positioning function with respect to the receptacle connector of the plug connector, the lock piece extends from one of two opposed pieces of the body portion, and the other piece is a housing. The flat flexible cable connector according to claim 1 , wherein the connector is flat and soldered to the circuit board. The end of the support piece is provided with an end protrusion that protrudes more toward the receptacle connector than the end of the exposed piece, and this end protrusion comes into contact with the lock piece when connected to the connector. The flat flexible cable connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein

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