JP2005268188A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector with a simple constitution in which coming off prevention locking of FPC is carried out by one operation which fits and inserts the FPC having a convex part in both side width direction of the tip, and in which a sure fitting sense can be obtained. <P>SOLUTION: The connector comprises a convex part receiving space 7 into which, a bent FPC convex part 3 is locked when an FPC 1 having the FPC convex part 3 protruding to both sides at tip part is inserted up to an insertion normal position; and a locking spring 6 contacting a face of the FPC convex part 3 when the FPC 1 is locked into the connector 2, and bending the convex part toward the convex part receiving space 7 by a pushing force when the FPC 1 is inserted up to the insertion normal position. The locking spring alone is made to perform an insertion operation for fitting and a locking operation at the insertion normal position by one operation. A resistant feeling is generated when the FPC convex part 3 touches the locking spring 6, and the resistant feeling is lightened when the FPC convex part 3 is inserted into the convex part receiving space 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、先端両側の幅方向に突出する凸部を有するフレキシブル・プリント基板（以下、ＦＰＣという）を挿入し、係止するコネクタの技術分野に属する。   The present invention belongs to the technical field of connectors for inserting and locking a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as FPC) having convex portions protruding in the width direction on both sides of the tip.

従来、ＦＰＣやフレキシブル・フラット・ケーブル（ＦＦＣ）とプリント配線基板（以下、ＰＣＢという）とを接続するコネクタには種々のものが使われているが、この種のコネクタは、大別すると以下の２つに分類できる。
第１の例はスライダタイプのもので、先端部の両側にそれぞれ凸部が形成されたＦＰＣをハウジングに挿入するに当たっては、ハウジングからスライダを仮係止位置まで引き出しておいて、ＦＰＣをハウジングの所定位置まで挿入し、凸部をハウジングのロック爪に係けた後、スライダをハウジングに押し込んで、スライダの押えアームでロック爪を押さえてロック外れを防止してハウジングに係止させる。 Conventionally, various connectors for connecting an FPC or a flexible flat cable (FFC) and a printed wiring board (hereinafter referred to as a PCB) have been used. There are two types.
The first example is a slider type, and when inserting FPCs having projections on both sides of the tip part into the housing, the slider is pulled out from the housing to the temporary locking position, and the FPC is inserted into the housing. After inserting the protrusion to a predetermined position and engaging the protrusion with the lock claw of the housing, the slider is pushed into the housing, and the lock claw is pressed with the presser arm of the slider to prevent the lock from being released and locked to the housing.

この操作により、ＦＰＣの凸部とハウジングのロック爪が係合し、ＦＰＣがハウジングに固定され抜け止めされる。またＦＰＣの先端部両側が固定されるので、ＦＰＣがこじられてもＦＰＣは回転しない。この結果、ＦＰＣとコンタクトとの接続が外れず、コネクタの接続信頼性が向上している。   By this operation, the convex portion of the FPC and the locking claw of the housing are engaged, and the FPC is fixed to the housing and is prevented from coming off. In addition, since both sides of the front end of the FPC are fixed, the FPC does not rotate even if the FPC is twisted. As a result, the connection between the FPC and the contact is not disconnected, and the connection reliability of the connector is improved.

前記第１の例において、ＦＰＣをハウジングに挿入しコネクタに係止するまでの手順は、はじめに、ハウジングからスライダを所定の位置まで引き出し、次にハウジングにＦＰＣを挿入し、その後スライダをハウジングに押し込んで係止するという３つの操作で実現している。また、ＦＰＣの凸部を係止するロック機構はロック爪の他、ロックを完全にするための押えアームが設けられている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。   In the first example, the procedure for inserting the FPC into the housing and locking it to the connector is as follows. First, the slider is pulled out from the housing to a predetermined position, then the FPC is inserted into the housing, and then the slider is pushed into the housing. This is realized by three operations of locking with. Moreover, the lock mechanism which latches the convex part of FPC is provided with the presser arm for perfecting a lock | rock other than a lock claw (for example, refer patent document 1).

第２の例はカバータイプのもので、開口部に複数のコンタクトが所定ピッチで並列して収容されているハウジングと、前記開口部を開閉するように設けられ、前記コンタクトの接触上部に配されるフレキシブル基板（ＦＰＣ）を前記接触部に押圧する加圧部とを備えたコネクタにおいて、前記コンタクトの並列方向における前記ハウジングの両端部に取り付けられ、ＦＰＣに半田付けされる補強金具に、前記コンタクトの接触部上に配された前記ＦＰＣを弾性的に押圧して支持する弾性支持片が設けられている。前記弾性支持片は、前記ハウジングの前記開口部の基板挿入口側において、前記補強金具に肩持ち構造に連結支持され、への字形に形成されている。   The second example is a cover type, and is provided with a housing in which a plurality of contacts are accommodated in parallel at a predetermined pitch in the opening, and provided to open and close the opening, and is arranged on the contact upper part of the contact And a pressurizing part that presses the flexible board (FPC) against the contact part, and the contact is attached to the reinforcing metal fitting that is attached to both ends of the housing in the parallel direction of the contact and is soldered to the FPC. An elastic support piece that elastically presses and supports the FPC disposed on the contact portion is provided. The elastic support piece is connected to and supported by the reinforcing bracket in a shoulder-supported structure on the substrate insertion opening side of the opening of the housing, and is formed in a U shape.

コネクタのコンタクトの接触部上に挿入配置されたＦＰＣを弾性的に保持して位置ずれ及び抜け出しを防止でき、かつ、加圧部材による加圧接続状態においては前記ＦＰＣの保持力を高めることができるコネクタを提供している。   The FPC inserted and arranged on the contact portion of the connector contact can be elastically held to prevent displacement and slippage, and the holding force of the FPC can be increased in the pressure connection state by the pressure member. A connector is provided.

前記第２の例において、ＦＰＣをコネクタの開口部から挿入し、加圧部材を使ってＦＰＣをコネクタに係止するまでの手順は、はじめに、コネクタの開口部からＦＰＣを係止位置まで挿入し、次に加圧部材を下方へ回動してＦＰＣを押圧することによりＦＰＣを係止するという２つの操作で実現している。さらに、これらの操作をより確実に実施するため、やや複雑な構造ながらも、前記弾性支持片を補強金具で連結支持している。なお、ＦＰＣを正しい係止位置に挿入できたか否かを確認する手段は持っていない（例えば、特許文献２参照）。
特開平８−１８０９４０ 特開２００３−１００３７０ In the second example, the procedure until the FPC is inserted from the connector opening and the FPC is locked to the connector using the pressure member is first inserted from the connector opening to the locking position. Then, it is realized by two operations of locking the FPC by rotating the pressure member downward and pressing the FPC. Furthermore, in order to carry out these operations more reliably, the elastic support pieces are connected and supported by reinforcing metal fittings, although the structure is somewhat complicated. Note that there is no means for confirming whether or not the FPC has been inserted into the correct locking position (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-8-180940 JP2003-100370

しかしながら、上記背景技術で述べた２つの例での対策では、ＦＰＣをコネクタに嵌合挿入し、コネクタに係止するためには多段階の操作を必要としている。第１の例では、ＦＰＣをハウジングに挿入するためスライダを引き出し（第１段階）、ＦＰＣを前記ハウジングの所定位置まで挿入し（第２段階）、スライダをハウジングの所定位置まで押し込んで係止する（第３段階）、以上３段階の操作が必要である。第２の例では、まずＦＰＣをコネクタの係止位置まで挿入し（第１段階）、加圧部材を下方へ回動してＦＰＣを押圧することによりＦＰＣを係止している（第２段階）。以上２段階の操作が必要である。   However, in the countermeasures in the two examples described in the background art above, a multi-step operation is required to fit and insert the FPC into the connector and lock it to the connector. In the first example, the slider is pulled out to insert the FPC into the housing (first stage), the FPC is inserted into the predetermined position of the housing (second stage), and the slider is pushed into the predetermined position of the housing and locked. (Third stage) The above three-stage operation is necessary. In the second example, the FPC is first inserted to the locking position of the connector (first stage), and the FPC is locked by rotating the pressure member downward and pressing the FPC (second stage). ). The above two-stage operation is necessary.

また、上記の嵌合挿入、係止の操作を確実に実施するため嵌合挿入用及び係止用の部品が複数となっており、これらは軽薄短小化を難しくし、かつ低コスト化の妨げとなるという共通した問題点がある。   Moreover, in order to carry out the above-described fitting insertion and locking operations with certainty, there are a plurality of fitting insertion and locking parts, which make it difficult to reduce the thickness and reduce the cost. There is a common problem of becoming.

第１の例では接続にスライダを必要とし、係止のためにロック爪の他押えアームが用いられている。第２の例では、弾性支持片と、これにＦＰＣを押さえ付けて抜けないようにする係止用の加圧部材、加圧部材操作のための部品、加圧部材の操作を確実にするための補強材などを必要としている。   In the first example, a slider is required for connection, and a presser arm other than a lock claw is used for locking. In the second example, the elastic support piece, the pressurizing member for holding the FPC against the elastic support piece and preventing it from coming off, the parts for operating the pressurizing member, and the operation of the pressurizing member are ensured. Reinforcing materials are needed.

さらに、コネクタの軽薄短小化及び低コスト化に伴いＦＰＣとコネクタとを接続し係止する作業において、これを確実にかつ迅速に実施するためには、作業中のＦＰＣとコネクタの接続状況を逐次作業者が確実に認識できることが望ましい。
第１及び第２の実施例とも、ハウジング内に障害物などがあってＦＰＣ挿入時にこの障害物が挿入妨害をした場合、ＦＰＣが確実にハウジングの奥の正常位置まで挿入できたか否かを認識することは難しい。 Furthermore, in order to reliably and quickly implement the operation of connecting and locking the FPC and the connector as the connector becomes lighter, thinner, and lower in cost, the connection status between the FPC and the connector being worked on is sequentially determined. It is desirable that the worker can be surely recognized.
In both the first and second embodiments, if there is an obstacle in the housing and the obstacle obstructs the insertion when the FPC is inserted, the FPC recognizes whether or not the FPC can be surely inserted to the normal position at the back of the housing. Difficult to do.

本発明は、上記従来技術の問題点に鑑みて、ＦＰＣをコネクタに嵌合挿入し、係止する操作において、操作回数及び関連部品点数の最小化並びに嵌合正常位置での係止操作が確実に実施できたか否かを操作者が容易に分かるようにし、ＦＰＣとコネクタとの接続、係止操作を迅速、確実に実施できるようにすることを課題とするものである。   In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, the present invention ensures minimization of the number of operations and the number of related parts and the locking operation at the normal position of fitting in the operation of fitting, inserting and locking the FPC into the connector. It is an object of the present invention to make it easy for the operator to know whether or not the operation has been successfully performed, and to enable quick and reliable operations for connecting and locking the FPC and the connector.

本発明は上記の課題を解決するため、以下の構成を有する。
本発明の第１の構成は、先端両側幅方向に突出する凸部を有するＦＰＣを嵌合正常位置まで挿入したときに、凸部が押し曲げられて凸部が係止される凸部受け入れ空間と、ＦＰＣが嵌合挿入されると凸部の面に当接し、ＦＰＣが嵌合正常位置まで押し込まれたとき、その当接反力により凸部を前記凸部受け入れ空間へ押し曲げるロックばねとを有することを特徴とするコネクタである。 In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration.
The first configuration of the present invention is a convex portion receiving space in which a convex portion is pushed and bent and the convex portion is locked when an FPC having a convex portion protruding in the width direction on both ends of the tip is inserted to the fitting normal position. And a lock spring that abuts against the surface of the convex portion when the FPC is fitted and inserted, and pushes and bends the convex portion into the convex portion receiving space by the abutting reaction force when the FPC is pushed to a normal fitting position. It is a connector characterized by having.

本発明の第２の構成は、前記第１の構成において、ロックばねを設ける箇所が外部に対して開口となっていることを特徴とするコネクタである。   A second configuration of the present invention is the connector according to the first configuration, wherein a portion where the lock spring is provided is an opening to the outside.

以上のように、本発明では先端両側幅方向に突出する凸部を有するＦＰＣを嵌合正常位置まで挿入したときに、凸部が押し曲げられて、ＦＰＣが係止される凸部受け入れ空間と、ＦＰＣがコネクタに嵌合挿入されると凸部の面に当接し、嵌合正常位置まで押し込まれたとき、押圧力により凸部を前記凸部受け入れ空間へ押し曲げるロックばねとを有している。   As described above, according to the present invention, when an FPC having a protrusion projecting in the width direction on both ends of the tip is inserted to the fitting normal position, the protrusion is pushed and bent, and the protrusion receiving space in which the FPC is locked is obtained. A lock spring that abuts against the surface of the convex portion when the FPC is fitted and inserted into the connector, and pushes and bends the convex portion into the convex portion receiving space by pressing force when the FPC is pushed to the normal fitting position. Yes.

これにより嵌合挿入、係止の操作は、コネクタにＦＰＣを挿入するだけの１操作のみで完了するという効果と、嵌合正常位置での係止をロックばね１つで実施できることによる部品点数の最小化という効果、及びＦＰＣをコネクタに嵌合挿入するとまずＦＰＣの凸部の面とロックばねとが当接するため、操作者に当接の感触が伝達され、それが嵌合正常位置に達するまで続き、ＦＰＣの凸部が嵌合正常位置まで押し込まれた瞬間、今まで続いていた抵抗感覚が急激に減少するため、嵌合正常位置での係止が確立したことを操作者は瞬時に認識できる。   As a result, the mating insertion and locking operations can be completed with only one operation for inserting the FPC into the connector, and the number of parts can be reduced by the fact that the locking at the normal mating position can be performed with one lock spring. The effect of minimization, and when the FPC is fitted and inserted into the connector, the surface of the convex part of the FPC and the lock spring first come into contact with each other, so that the contact feeling is transmitted to the operator until it reaches the normal fitting position. Then, the moment the FPC convex part is pushed to the normal fitting position, the resistance sensation that has continued so far rapidly decreases, so the operator instantly recognizes that the locking at the normal fitting position has been established. it can.

以上により嵌合挿入から係止までの一連の操作が最少操作回数、最少部品数及び操作者の正常嵌合を容易に確認できることにより、操作が迅速確実に実施できＦＰＣとコネクタ間の接続に関し高い信頼性が得られるとともに、最少の部品点数により低コスト化と軽薄短小化を実現できるという効果がある。   As described above, the series of operations from fitting insertion to locking can easily confirm the minimum number of operations, the minimum number of parts, and the normal fitting of the operator, so that the operation can be performed quickly and reliably, and the connection between the FPC and the connector is high. In addition to being able to obtain reliability, there is an effect that the cost can be reduced and the thickness can be reduced with the minimum number of parts.

本発明実施の最良の形態は、ハウジングとして、ＦＰＣの凸部を含めた幅と厚さに対応するスリット状の開口部を有し、幅は開口部の幅に応じ且つ強度の維持のできる範囲の幅とし、厚さは、ＦＰＣの凸部がロックばねによって上方或いは下方に押し曲げられたときにその先端が凸部受け入れ空間から突出しない範囲の薄い寸法の直方体がよい。   In the best mode of the present invention, the housing has a slit-like opening corresponding to the width and thickness including the convex part of the FPC, and the width corresponds to the width of the opening and the strength can be maintained. The width and thickness of the rectangular parallelepiped are preferably small in a range in which the tip of the FPC does not protrude from the convex receiving space when the convex of the FPC is pushed upward or downward by a lock spring.

突起受け入れ空間は、ハウジングを上下方向に貫通する孔とするのが最も単純である。
ロックばねの取り付けは、ハウジングに単に押し込むだけで固定されるようハウジング外側上下に溝を設けておき、ロックばね自体は、保持部分はＵ字形とし、このＵ字形の部分で、上下の溝の底を噛むことにより保持固定され、Ｕ字のいずれか一端を、ＦＰＣの凸部面への当接点とするのがよい。 In the simplest case, the protrusion receiving space is a hole penetrating the housing in the vertical direction.
To install the lock spring, a groove is provided on the upper and lower sides of the housing so that it can be fixed simply by pushing it into the housing. The lock spring itself has a U-shaped holding part, and this U-shaped part is the bottom of the upper and lower grooves. It is preferable that one end of the U-shape be a contact point with the convex surface of the FPC.

本発明を適用したコネクタは、コネクタの両サイドにロックばねを有し、ＦＰＣの先端両側幅方向に突出する凸部を、前記ロックばねのそれぞれが押し下げる構造のものであるが、図１は、本発明を適用したコネクタの片側の構造と該コネクタに挿入されるＦＰＣの片側の構造を示す斜視図である。
図２は、図１に示すコネクタのＡ−Ａ断面図及びその他三面図で、ＦＰＣがコネクタに嵌合挿入される前の状態を示している。
図３は、図１に示すコネクタのＡ−Ａ断面図及びその他三面図で、ＦＰＣがコネクタの嵌合正常位置まで挿入され、係止した状態を示している。 A connector to which the present invention is applied has a structure in which lock springs are provided on both sides of the connector, and each of the lock springs pushes down a protruding portion protruding in the width direction on both ends of the FPC. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the one side of the connector to which this invention is applied, and the structure of the one side of FPC inserted in this connector.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the connector shown in FIG. 1 and other three views, showing a state before the FPC is fitted and inserted into the connector.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the connector shown in FIG.

図１を用いてＦＰＣ１及びコネクタ２の概略の構造を説明する。ＦＰＣ１は、先端両側幅方向に突出するＦＰＣ凸部３を有する。コネクタ２は前面にＦＰＣ１を挿入するＦＰＣ挿入口４と、コネクタの左右両側中央辺りに開口部５を設け、開口部５にＦＰＣ凸部３を押し曲げるロックばね６及びロックばね凸曲部８と、嵌合正常位置までＦＰＣ１を挿入したときに、ロックばね６の押圧力（ＦＰＣ凸部３の挿入による反力）によりＦＰＣ凸部３を押し曲げ、かつＦＰＣ凸部３を係止する凸部受け入れ空間７を有している。   A schematic structure of the FPC 1 and the connector 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The FPC 1 has an FPC protrusion 3 that protrudes in the width direction on both ends of the tip. The connector 2 has an FPC insertion port 4 for inserting the FPC 1 on the front surface, an opening 5 provided in the middle of the left and right sides of the connector, and a lock spring 6 and a lock spring convex bending portion 8 that push and bend the FPC protrusion 3 in the opening 5 When the FPC 1 is inserted to the normal fitting position, the FPC convex portion 3 is pushed and bent by the pressing force of the lock spring 6 (reaction force due to the insertion of the FPC convex portion 3) and the FPC convex portion 3 is locked. It has a receiving space 7.

図２は、ＦＰＣ１がコネクタ２に嵌合される前の状態を示した図１のコネクタ２のＡ−Ａ断面図（図の（ｃ））、上面図（同（ａ））、左側面図（同（ｂ））及びＦＰＣ１の平面図（同（ｄ））及び断面図（同（ｅ））である。
ロックばね６の片端はコネクタ２に固定されている。ロックばね６のもう一端には逆三角形をしたロックばね凸曲部８が設けられている。
なお、ロックばね凸曲部８の形状は逆三角形でなく、多角形でも曲線でも同一機能が得られるものであれば良い。 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the connector 2 in FIG. 1 (figure (c)), a top view (figure (a)), and a left side view showing the state before the FPC 1 is fitted into the connector 2. FIG. (B) and a plan view (D) of the FPC 1 and a cross-sectional view (E).
One end of the lock spring 6 is fixed to the connector 2. On the other end of the lock spring 6, a lock spring convex bent portion 8 having an inverted triangle is provided.
It should be noted that the shape of the lock spring convex curved portion 8 is not an inverted triangle, but may be a polygon or a curve as long as the same function can be obtained.

次に、図３を用いてＦＰＣ１が嵌合正常位置で係止するまでの手順を説明する。図３は、図２におけるＦＰＣ１をコネクタ２へ挿入した図である。
本図に示すとおり、図面右側のＦＰＣ挿入口４から挿入されたＦＰＣ凸部３は、最初に逆三角形のロックばね凸曲部８の斜辺中間部付近に当接する。このときロックばね凸曲部８に当接したことが感触として操作者の手に伝わる。そのまま挿入を継続すると、ＦＰＣ凸部３がロックばね凸曲部８の先端下まで入り込み押圧力が最大となる。そのままさらに続けて奥まで押し込むと押圧力が急激に低下する場所に達する。この場所が嵌合正常位置であり、ＦＰＣ凸部３が凸部受け入れ空間７に押し込まれ、正常に係止したことを示す。急激な押圧力低下の感触は操作者の手にはっきりと伝達されるので、嵌合が正常に行われたことを確実に認識でき、これにより操作ミスをなくすことができるので、ＦＰＣとコネクタの接続に関し高い信頼性が得られる。 Next, a procedure until the FPC 1 is locked at the normal fitting position will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the FPC 1 in FIG.
As shown in this figure, the FPC convex portion 3 inserted from the FPC insertion port 4 on the right side of the drawing first comes into contact with the vicinity of the hypotenuse intermediate portion of the inverted triangular lock spring convex curved portion 8. At this time, the contact with the convex portion 8 of the lock spring is transmitted to the operator's hand as a feel. If the insertion is continued as it is, the FPC convex part 3 enters under the tip of the lock spring convex curved part 8, and the pressing force becomes maximum. If you continue to push it in as it is, you will reach a place where the pressing force drops abruptly. This place is a normal fitting position, and indicates that the FPC convex portion 3 is pushed into the convex portion receiving space 7 and is normally locked. The feeling of sudden pressure drop is clearly transmitted to the operator's hand, so that it is possible to reliably recognize that the fitting has been performed normally, thereby eliminating operational mistakes. High reliability for connection is obtained.

本発明コネクタの実施例と挿入前ＦＰＣ片側半分の斜視図である。It is the perspective view of the Example of this invention connector, and the FPC one side half before insertion. 図１のＡ−Ａ断面図（嵌合前）、上面図、左側面図及びＦＰＣの平面図と断面図である。It is AA sectional drawing (before fitting) of FIG. 1, a top view, a left view, and the top view and sectional drawing of FPC. コネクタにＦＰＣを挿入した状態のＡ−Ａ断面図、上面図、両側面図である。It is AA sectional drawing, the top view, and both side view of the state which inserted FPC in the connector.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ ＦＰＣ
２ コネクタ
３ ＦＰＣ凸部
４ ＦＰＣ挿入口
５ 開口部
６ ロックばね
７ 凸部受け入れ空間
８ ロックばね凸曲部 1 FPC
2 Connector 3 FPC convex part 4 FPC insertion slot 5 Opening part 6 Lock spring 7 Convex part receiving space 8 Lock spring convex curved part

Claims (2)

ＦＰＣを接続するコネクタであって、先端両側幅方向に突出する凸部を有するＦＰＣを嵌合正常位置まで挿入したときに、凸部が押し曲げられて凸部が係止される凸部受け入れ空間と、ＦＰＣが嵌合挿入されると凸部の面に当接し、ＦＰＣが嵌合正常位置まで押し込まれたとき、その当接反力により凸部を前記凸部受け入れ空間へ押し曲げるロックばねとを有することを特徴とするコネクタ。   A convex portion receiving space that is a connector for connecting an FPC and has a convex portion that is pushed and bent to lock the convex portion when an FPC having a convex portion that protrudes in the width direction on both sides of the tip is inserted to a normal fitting position. And a lock spring that abuts against the surface of the convex portion when the FPC is fitted and inserted, and pushes and bends the convex portion into the convex portion receiving space by the abutting reaction force when the FPC is pushed to a normal fitting position. A connector comprising: ロックばねを設ける箇所が開口となっていることを特徴とする請求項１記載のコネクタ。









The connector according to claim 1, wherein a portion where the lock spring is provided is an opening.

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