Electrical connectors with flat conductors and electrical connector assemblies

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrical connector with a flat conductor and an electrical connector assembly that can ensure the locking function of the connectors and avoid the flat conductor from becoming large in the thickness direction. The electrical connector (1) with a flat conductor is used to fit and connect the front end portion of a strip-shaped flat conductor (C) extending in the front-rear direction to a mating electrical connector (2). It has the flat conductor and a housing (10) for housing the front end portion of the flat conductor. The housing (10) has a locking part (11E) for locking the mating electrical connector (2) and a receiving space (10D) for receiving a mating terminal (30) provided on the mating electrical connector (2). The locking part (11E) is located at a position different from the receiving space (10D) when viewed in the thickness direction of the flat conductor (C), and at least a portion of it overlaps with the receiving space (10D) in the thickness direction of the flat conductor (C).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector with a flat conductor, and an electrical connector assembly having the electrical connector with the flat conductor and a mating electrical connector. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector for fitting and connecting the front end portion of a strip-shaped flat conductor extending in a front-rear direction to a mating connector. The connector of Patent Document 1 has a flat conductor (flexible conductor) and a housing (slider) that houses and holds the front end portion of the flat conductor. This connector fits and connects from the rear to a mating connector (connector body) mounted on a circuit board. The mating connector has a plurality of terminals (pins) arranged along the width direction of the flat conductor and a mating housing that holds these terminals. In the mating state, the mating portion of the connector is inserted into the receiving space of the mating housing, thereby connecting the circuit portion of the flat conductor to the terminals of the mating connector.

[0003] The upper surface of the connector housing is provided with a locking arm capable of elastically deforming in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the flat conductor. Additionally, the upper surface of the mating connector housing is provided with a locking protrusion. In the mating state, the locking arm of the connector engages with the locking protrusion of the mating connector, thereby preventing accidental detachment of the connectors.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-017361

[0005] Typically, electrical connectors with flat conductors are required to be so-called thin, that is, miniaturized in the thickness direction of the flat conductor. However, in Patent Document 1, the locking arm of the connector is located above the receiving space of the mating terminal for receiving the mating connector, and the engaging protrusion of the mating connector is located on the upper surface of the mating housing, that is, above the terminal. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, due to the presence of locking arms and engaging protrusions for ensuring the locking function of the connectors, the connector and mating connector are correspondingly larger in the vertical direction. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this situation, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector and an electrical connector assembly with flat conductors that can ensure the locking function of the connectors to each other and avoid the flat conductors from becoming large in the thickness direction.

[0007] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned problem is solved by the electrical connector with flat conductor of the first invention and the electrical connector assembly of the second invention.

[0008] <First Invention>

[0009] The first invention is an electrical connector with a flat conductor for fitting and connecting the front end portion of a strip-shaped flat conductor extending in the front-rear direction to a matching electrical connector. It has the flat conductor and a housing that houses the front end portion of the flat conductor.

[0010] In the first invention, the electrical connector with a flat conductor is characterized in that the housing has a locking part capable of locking the mating electrical connector and a receiving space for receiving a mating terminal provided on the mating electrical connector, the locking part being located at a position different from the receiving space when viewed along the thickness direction of the flat conductor, and at least a portion of it being arranged overlapping the receiving space in the thickness direction of the flat conductor.

[0011] In the first invention, in the housing of an electrical connector with a flat conductor, the locking portion is located at a position different from the receiving space of the housing when viewed along the thickness direction of the flat conductor, and at least a portion overlaps with the receiving space in the thickness direction of the flat conductor. Therefore, compared to the case where the locking portion is located above the receiving space in the housing, the overlapping of the locking portion with the receiving space in the thickness direction of the flat conductor results in a smaller electrical connector with a housing containing a flat conductor in the thickness direction of the flat conductor.

[0012] In the first invention, the locking part may also have a locking arm that extends along the front-back direction and is elastically deformable in the thickness direction of the flat conductor, and a locking part that can lock the matching electrical connector.

[0013] In the first invention, the locking portion may also have a plurality of locking arms arranged at intervals in the width direction. By having a plurality of locking arms in this way, receiving spaces can be formed between adjacent locking arms, resulting in an increase in the number of flat conductor circuit portions and thus the number of mating terminals of the mating connector without increasing the width direction of the connector. Furthermore, by making each locking arm thinner, the locking arms are more easily elastically deformable.

[0014] <Second Invention>

[0015] The electrical connector assembly of the second invention is characterized by having an electrical connector with a flat conductor as in the first invention and a matching electrical connector for fitting and connecting the electrical connector with the flat conductor.

[0016] In this invention, as described above, in the housing of an electrical connector with a flat conductor, the locking portion is located at a position different from the receiving space of the housing when viewed along the thickness direction of the flat conductor, and at least a portion overlaps with the receiving space in the thickness direction of the flat conductor. Therefore, compared to the case where the locking portion is located above the receiving space in the housing, the overlapping of the locking portion with the receiving space in the thickness direction of the flat conductor results in a smaller housing in the thickness direction of the flat conductor. As a result, the locking function of the connectors can be ensured, and the electrical connector with the flat conductor and the connector assembly are prevented from becoming larger in the thickness direction of the flat conductor. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear side, showing the state before the connector is engaged.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the electrical connector assembly viewed from the rear side, showing the state after the connectors are engaged.

[0019] Figure 3 It is Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the components of an electrical connector assembly with flat conductors.

[0020] Figure 4 (A) is a top view of a flat conductor. Figure 4 (B) is a bottom view of a flat conductor.

[0021] Figure 5 It is Figure 1 The diagram shows an electrical connector assembly with a flat conductor, where (A) is a perspective view from the front and (B) is a front view.

[0022] Figure 6 It is Figure 5 The figure shows the retainer of an electrical connector with a flat conductor as a single unit, wherein (A) is a perspective view viewed from the front side and (B) is a front view viewed from the front.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing a flat conductor with a retainer installed, wherein (A) shows the state viewed from the top side and (B) shows the state viewed from the bottom side.

[0024] Figure 8 yes Figure 1A cross-sectional view of an electrical connector with flat conductors, perpendicular to the vertical direction, shows the cross-section at the location of the side arm of the housing and the side locking portion of the retainer.

[0025] Figure 9 (A) is Figure 1 Rear view of an electrical connector with a flat conductor, viewed from the rear. Figure 9 (B) is Figure 9 A magnified view of (A).

[0026] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the electrical connectors of the electrical connector assembly viewed from the rear side.

[0027] Figure 11 (A) is a three-dimensional view of the matching terminals viewed from the rear side. Figure 11 (B) is a perspective view of the fixed metal fittings viewed from the rear side.

[0028] Figure 12 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the electrical connector assembly with a plane perpendicular to the connector width direction, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view at the position of the mating terminal, (B) is a cross-sectional view at the position of the locking part of the housing and the protrusion of the retaining member, and (C) is a partial enlarged view of (B). Detailed Implementation

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to this embodiment. Figure 1 This shows the state before the connector is engaged. Figure 2 The state after the connector is engaged is shown. Figure 3 It is Figure 1 The electrical connector assembly is shown in an exploded perspective view of the components of the electrical connector with flat conductors. In this embodiment, the electrical connector assembly has an electrical connector 1 (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1") with flat conductors that can be plugged and detached in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) and a mating electrical connector (hereinafter referred to as "mating connector 2"). Connector 1 is engaged with mating connector 2, which is mounted on a circuit board (not shown), facing forward (X1 direction).

[0031] The connector 1 has: a flat conductor C extending in a front-rear direction, a housing 10 that houses the front end portion of the flat conductor C, and a retainer 20 mounted on the housing 10 in a manner that supports the front end portion of the flat conductor C from the rear. The housing 10 and the retainer 20 are made of an electrically insulating material such as resin.

[0032] Figure 4 (A) is a top view of the flat conductor C. Figure 4 (B) is a bottom view of the flat conductor C. The flat conductor C is formed as a strip extending in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) with the width direction of the connector (Y-axis direction) as the strip width direction. In the flat conductor C, multiple circuit portions C1 extending in the front-to-back direction are arranged along the strip width direction (Y-axis direction) of the flat conductor C. For example... Figure 4 As shown in (A), a circuit absence range S is formed in the central region of the flat conductor C in the aforementioned band width direction. That is, the plurality of circuit sections C1 are divided into two circuit section groups in the aforementioned band width direction, separated by the circuit absence range S. The circuit section C1 reaches the front end position (end position on the X1 side) of the flat conductor C. Figure 4 As shown in (A), the front end portion of the circuit section C1 is exposed on the upper surface of the flat conductor C, and this exposed portion constitutes a contact portion C1A for contacting the mating terminal 30 of the mating connector 2 (described later). On the lower surface of the front end portion of the flat conductor C, as shown... Figure 4 As shown in (B), a reinforcing plate C2 is attached to reinforce the front end.

[0033] Furthermore, within the aforementioned area S where the circuit portion in the width direction of the flat conductor C is absent and located rearward from the contact portion C1A, a through portion C3 is formed, extending along the thickness direction of the flat conductor C, i.e., the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The through portion C3 is formed as a quadrilateral hole, through which the main body of the flat conductor C and the reinforcing plate C2 pass (see reference). Figure 12 (C)). As described below, the through portion C3 allows the protrusion 21C of the retaining member 20 to be inserted from above, that is, from the upper surface side of the flat conductor C (see reference). Figure 7 (B) Figure 12 (C)).

[0034] In this embodiment, such as Figure 4As shown in (A) and (B), the through-hole C3 is formed at a position slightly towards the Y2 side from the center of the flat conductor C in the aforementioned band width direction (Y-axis direction). In this way, the through-hole C3 is located at a position offset from the center position in the aforementioned band width direction, thereby preventing the retainer 20 from being mistakenly installed from the lower surface side of the flat conductor C. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the through-hole C3 is located at a position having a range that overlaps with the locking portion 11E of the housing 10 (described later) in the connector width direction.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, the housing 10 has a generally cuboid shape with the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) as its long side. In the approximately front half (the part on the X1 side), it has a fitting portion 10A that fits into the mating housing 40 described later, and in the approximately rear half (the part on the X2 side), it has a retainer mounting portion 10B for mounting the retainer 20 from the rear. Furthermore, within the interior space of the housing 10, two partition walls 10C extending along the connector width direction are provided at the midpoint of the fitting portion 10A in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) (see reference). Figure 8 The internal space is divided in the front-to-back direction by a partition wall 10C. Specifically, the internal space is divided into two front receiving spaces 10D formed in front of the partition wall 10C, and a rear receiving space 10E formed in rear of the partition wall 10C. The front receiving space 10D is a space for receiving the mating connector 2's (described later) insertion part 44 from the front when the connector is engaged. The front receiving space 10D is located at a position corresponding to the two circuit parts of the flat conductor C described above in the connector width direction. The rear receiving space 10E is a storage space for receiving and storing the retaining member 20 from the rear.

[0036] Additionally, within the interior space of the housing 10, a space is formed extending and expanding in the front-rear direction along the inner surface (upper surface) of the lower wall (the front lower wall 12 and the rear lower wall 17 described later) of the housing 10 to serve as a flat conductor insertion space 10F (see reference). Figure 12 (A) and (B)). The flat conductor insertion space 10F will accommodate the front end portion of the flat conductor C inserted from the rear (see reference). Figure 12 (A) and (B)). With the front end portion of the flat conductor C housed in the flat conductor insertion space 10F, the upper surface of the lower wall of the housing 10 is in contact with or close to the lower surface of the flat conductor C, and can support the lower surface of the flat conductor C.

[0037] On the upper wall of the housing 10 (the front upper wall 11 and the rear upper wall 16, described later), such as Figure 5As shown in (A) and (B), a locking part receiving space 10G is formed in the central region of the connector width direction (the region corresponding to the area where the circuit portion of the flat conductor C does not exist) and in the entire region in the front-rear direction for receiving the locking part 11E (described later). The locking part receiving space 10G has a front receiving space 10G-1 and a rear receiving space 10G-2. The front receiving space 10G-1 is recessed into the approximate central position of the housing 10 in the vertical direction within the front-rear direction of the front upper wall 11 (described later) and extends throughout the entire region of the front upper wall 11 in the front-rear direction. The rear receiving space 10G-2 extends through the rear upper wall 16 in the vertical direction within the front-rear direction of the rear upper wall 16 (described later) and extends throughout the entire region of the rear upper wall 16 in the front-rear direction. Figure 5 As shown in (A) and (B), the lower inner wall of the front storage space 10G-1, or in other words, the upper surface of the front upper wall 11, is located in the same position as the approximate center of the receiving space 10D in the vertical direction.

[0038] The mating portion 10A has: a front upper wall 11 and a front lower wall 12 that extend along the connector width direction and are opposed in the vertical direction as mating walls; a pair of front side walls 13 that extend in the vertical direction at both ends in the connector width direction and connect the front upper wall 11 and the front lower wall 12; and a plurality of partitions 14 that extend in the vertical direction and connect the front upper wall 11 and the front lower wall 12.

[0039] On the front upper wall 11, at both ends and two locations in the middle region along the width direction of the connector, protrusions 11A to 11D are formed that project from the upper surface of the front upper wall 11 and extend in the front-rear direction. Specifically, as shown... Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, protrusions 11A to 11D are provided sequentially from the Y1 side to the Y2 side, with a first protrusion 11A, a second protrusion 11B, a third protrusion 11C, and a fourth protrusion 11D spaced at intervals. The first protrusion 11A and the fourth protrusion 11D are located at the two ends of the front upper wall 11 in the connector width direction, while the second protrusion 11B and the third protrusion 11C are located in the middle region of the front upper wall 11 in the connector width direction. In this embodiment, protrusions 11A to 11D are formed such that their width increases in the order of the third protrusion 11C, the second protrusion 11B, the first protrusion 11A, and the fourth protrusion 11D. A front receiving space 10G-1, as described previously, is formed between the second protrusion 11B and the third protrusion 11C.

[0040] Additionally, a cantilever-beam-shaped locking portion 11E is formed at the center of the connector width direction of the front upper wall 11, extending rearward from the front end of the upper surface of the front upper wall 11 to the rear end of the housing 10. The locking portion 11E has a locking arm portion 11E-1 and a locking protrusion portion 11E-2. The locking arm portion 11E-1 extends in the front-rear direction at a distance from the upper surface of the front upper wall 11 and is elastically deformable in the up-down direction. The locking protrusion portion 11E-2, acting as a locking engagement portion, protrudes upward at the center of the locking arm portion 11E-1 in the front-rear direction. The locking portion 11E can be locked by engaging the locking protrusion portion 11E-2 with the locking hole portion 41F of the mating connector 2 (described later). Furthermore, the rear end (free end) of the locking arm portion 11E-1 serves as an operating portion 11E-1A for receiving an upward pressing operation (lock release operation) to release the locked state with the mating connector 2.

[0041] In this embodiment, the portion of the locking arm 11E-1, excluding the operating portion 11E-1A, is housed within the front storage space 10G-1 of the locking portion storage space 10G, while the operating portion 11E-1A is housed within the rear storage space 10G-2 of the locking portion storage space 10G. That is, the locking portion 11E is located at a position where it overlaps with the front receiving space 10D and the rear receiving space 10E (hereinafter, as needed, collectively referred to as "receiving spaces 10D, 10E") of the housing 10 in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the locking protrusion 11E-2 is located at a position that protrudes upwards beyond the front storage space 10G-1.

[0042] The locking part 11E is located at a position different from that of the receiving spaces 10D and 10E when viewed in the vertical direction, and the lower part of the locking arm 11E-1 overlaps with the receiving spaces 10D and 10E in the vertical direction (see reference). Figure 5 (A) and (B)). Therefore, compared with the conventional case where the locking part is located in the part of the housing above the receiving space, in this embodiment the locking part overlaps with the receiving spaces 10D and 10E, and accordingly, the housing 10 and the connector 1 can be made smaller in the vertical direction, thus achieving a thinner profile.

[0043] like Figure 5 As shown in (A) and (B), an upper protrusion 11F is formed on the upper surface of the front upper wall 11 at a position outside and close to the second protrusion 11B in the connector width direction, and at a position outside and close to the third protrusion 11C in the connector width direction. The upper protrusion 11F protrudes from the upper surface of the front upper wall 11 at the rear end side and extends in the front-rear direction. In the connector mating state, the upper protrusion 11F bites into the inner surface (lower surface) of the mating upper wall 41 of the mating connector 2.

[0044] On the lower surface of the front lower wall 12, at the same position as the upper protrusion 11F of the front upper wall 11 when viewed in the vertical direction, a lower protrusion 12A with the same shape as the upper protrusion 11F is formed (see reference). Figure 5 (B)

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown in (A) and (B), the partition 14 is formed such that within the two front receiving spaces 10D, that is, within the front receiving spaces 10D located on both sides of the front receiving space 10G-1 in the connector width direction, they are arranged at equal intervals in the connector width direction (see also). Figure 8 These partitions 14 are used to divide the front receiving spaces 10D in the connector width direction.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the retainer mounting portion 10B has: a rear upper wall 16 and a rear lower wall 17 extending along the connector width direction and facing each other in the vertical direction; and a pair of rear side walls 18 extending vertically at both ends in the connector width direction and connecting the rear upper wall 16 and the rear lower wall 17. The retainer mounting portion 10B is formed to be larger than the mating portion 10A in the connector width direction, and the rear side walls 18 are located on the outer side in the connector width direction than the front side walls 13.

[0047] On the rear upper wall 16, at a central position in the connector width direction and on both sides of the operating portion 11E-1A of the locking portion 11E, a limiting wall 16A protruding from the upper surface of the rear upper wall 16 is formed. The limiting wall 16A is located at a position that can abut against the operating portion 11E-1A in the connector width direction, limiting excessive elastic deformation of the locking portion 11E in the connector width direction. On the rear upper wall 16, at a side end position in the connector width direction, a rear upper groove 16B is formed that is recessed from the lower surface of the rear upper wall 16 and extends in the front-rear direction. The rear upper groove 16B opens rearward, allowing the upper part of the support wall portion 22 of the retainer 20 (described later) to enter from the rear.

[0048] On the rear lower wall 17, a groove-shaped limiting recess 17A is formed within the area S where the circuit portion does not exist in the connector width direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The limiting recess 17A is located in the connector width direction corresponding to the protrusion 21C of the retainer 20 (described later), and opens rearward to allow the protruding top 21C-1 of the protrusion 21C of the retainer 20 to enter from the rear (see reference). Figure 9(B)). The two sides of the inner surface of the limiting recess 17A located in the connector width direction (the surfaces perpendicular to the connector width direction) serve as limiting surfaces 17A-1 that can limit the movement of the protruding top 21C-1 and thus retain the member 20 in the connector width direction. In addition, a rear lower groove 17B is formed in the rear lower wall 17 at the same position as the rear upper groove 16B when viewed in the vertical direction. The rear lower groove 17B is recessed from the upper surface of the rear lower wall 17 and extends in the front-rear direction, and opens to the rear, allowing the lower part of the support wall 22 of the retainer 20 (described later) to enter from the rear.

[0049] like Figure 8 As shown, a lateral arm 18A is formed on the rear sidewall 18, extending forward along the inner surface of the rear end portion of the rear sidewall 18. The lateral arm 18A is formed in the shape of a cantilever beam with the front end being the free end, and can elastically deform in the connector width direction. A lateral locking protrusion 18A-1 protruding inward in the connector width direction is formed at the front end of the lateral locking protrusion 18A-1. The lateral locking protrusion 18A-1 can use its front end face (a flat surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction) to lock from the rear to the laterally locked portion 22A of the retainer 20, preventing the retainer 20 from accidentally falling off.

[0050] In this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, at the boundary position in the front-rear direction between the mating portion 10A and the retainer mounting portion 10B, a drip-proof wall 10H is formed that protrudes from the upper surface of the housing 10, extending outward from the limiting wall 16A in the connector width direction. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the drip-proof wall 10H is positioned to block the gap formed between the front upper wall 11 of connector 1 and the mating upper wall 41 of mating connector 2 when the connectors are engaged. The drip-proof wall 10H blocks the gap in this way, thereby preventing water droplets generated by condensation on the outside of the connector from seeping into the interior of the mating connector 2.

[0051] In this embodiment, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, a rearwardly opening recess 10I is formed further rearward than the anti-drip wall 10H. Therefore, when manufacturing the housing 10, after the housing 10 is formed by placing the molding die (not shown) from the rear, the anti-drip wall 10H can be formed simply by pulling the molding die rearward. That is, it is not necessary to prepare multiple molding dies for forming the anti-drip wall 10H, and the molding die can be of a simple shape.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, the retainer 20 has: a central plate portion 21 extending with the connector width direction as the long side direction and with a size that is almost the same as the width dimension of the flat conductor C, and support wall portions 22 formed at both ends of the central plate portion 21 in the connector width direction.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, in the central region of the central plate portion 21 in the connector width direction, specifically at a position where there is no range S corresponding to the circuit portion of the flat conductor, a notch portion 21A is formed at the front end (see also [reference]). Figure 6 (A)). The notch 21A opens forward, thereby preventing interference between the retainer 20 and the housing 10 when the retainer 20 is installed in the housing 10 (see reference). Figure 8 In the central region of the central plate portion 21 in the connector width direction and behind the notch portion 21A, an upper recess 21B is formed, which is recessed from the upper surface of the central plate portion 21 and opens forward. The upper recess 21B is formed in the connector width direction with a smaller size than the notch portion 21A. When the retainer 20 is installed on the housing 10, the upper recess 21B is located below the operating portion 11E-1A of the locking portion 11E of the housing 10 (see reference). Figure 12 (B) Thus, the operating part 11E-1A and the locking part 11E can be elastically displaced downwards to a sufficiently large extent.

[0054] Furthermore, the central plate portion 21, located behind the notch portion 21A, has a generally quadrangular prism-shaped protrusion 21C that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the central plate portion 21, within the area S where the circuit portion in the connector width direction is absent. The protrusion 21C corresponds to the through portion C3 of the flat conductor C and the limiting recess 17A of the housing 10 in the connector width direction, and is located slightly Y1 from the center position (see also...). Figure 6 (B) The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 21C, perpendicular to the vertical direction, is a quadrilateral slightly smaller than the through portion C3 of the flat conductor C. The protrusion 21C can be inserted through the through portion C3 from the top. The vertical dimension of the protrusion 21C is larger than the thickness of the flat conductor C, such as... Figure 7 As shown in (B), the protruding top 21C-1 of the protrusion 21C inserted into the through portion C3 protrudes downwards from the through portion C3 (see also [reference]). Figure 9 (A), (B) and Figure 12 (B) and (C)). Furthermore, the protrusion 21C is slightly smaller than the limiting recess 17A of the housing 10 in the connector width direction. When the retainer 20 is mounted on the housing 10, the protruding top 21C-1 of the protrusion 21C can enter the limiting recess 17A from the rear (see reference). Figure 9 (A) and (B)).

[0055] Assemble connector 1 as follows. First, insert the protrusion 21C of retainer 20 from above into the through portion C3 of the front end of flat conductor C, so that the protruding top 21C-1 of protrusion 21C protrudes downward beyond the through portion C3. Next, while maintaining the state of protrusion 21C inserted into the through portion C3 ( Figure 7 In the case shown in (A) and (B), the front end portion of the flat conductor C and the retainer 20 are mounted to the housing 10 from the rear. As a result, the front end portion of the flat conductor C is inserted into the flat conductor insertion space 10F of the housing 10 from the rear, and the contact portion C1A of the flat conductor C reaches the position of the front receiving space 10D of the housing 10 (see reference). Figure 8 and Figure 12 (A)).

[0056] Furthermore, during the installation of the retainer 20, the front end of the lateral locking portion 22A of the retainer 20 abuts against the lateral locking protrusion 18A-1 of the side arm 18A, causing the side arm 18A to elastically deform outward in the connector width direction, thereby allowing further insertion of the retainer 20. If the lateral locking portion 22A passes through the position of the lateral locking protrusion 18A-1, the side arm 18A returns to its free state, and the lateral locking protrusion 18A-1 is positioned to lock the lateral locking portion 22A from the rear (see reference). Figure 8 This prevents the retainer 20 from accidentally falling off. Additionally, the protruding top 21C-1 of the protrusion 21C of the retainer 20 enters the limiting recess 17A of the housing 10 from the rear (see reference). Figure 9 (B) and Figure 12 (C)).

[0057] With the retainer 20 installed in the housing 10, the protrusion 21C of the retainer 20 is locked from the rear to the front edge C3A of the through portion C3 of the flat conductor C (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 7 (B) and Figure 12 (C) thereby restricting the rearward movement of the flat conductor C and preventing accidental detachment of the flat conductor C. Furthermore, the protruding top 21C-1 of the protrusion 21C is housed within the limiting recess 17A of the housing 10, and the limiting surface 17A-1 of the limiting recess 17A restricts the movement of the protruding top 21C-1 in the connector width direction, thereby positioning the retainer 20 and the flat conductor C in the connector width direction. In this way, the retainer 20 is mounted on the housing 10, thus completing the assembly of the connector 1.

[0058] In this embodiment, the protrusion 21C of the retainer 20 is inserted into the through portion C3 of the flat conductor, and the protrusion 21C is locked at the front edge C3A of the through portion C3. This restricts the rearward movement of the flat conductor C and prevents the flat conductor C from accidentally falling off the housing 10. Here, the through portion C3 of the flat conductor C and the protrusion 21C of the retainer 20 are located in the area S where the circuit portion does not exist. In other words, they are located within the range between the outermost circuit portion C1 in the width direction (connector width direction) of the flat conductor C. By effectively utilizing the area S where the circuit portion of the flat conductor C does not exist, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism to prevent the flat conductor C from falling off at both ends in the width direction, or in other words, at a position outside the outermost circuit portion C1 in the width direction, as is the case in the past. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flat conductor C from accidentally falling off the housing 10 and to avoid the connector 1 from becoming too large in the width direction.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, where the circuit section does not have a range S, the through portion C3 of the flat conductor C is located at a position having a range that overlaps with the locking portion 11E of the housing 10 in the aforementioned band width direction. Compared to the case where the through portion C3 and the locking portion 11E are located at different positions in the connector width direction, this point also prevents the connector 1 from becoming larger in the aforementioned band width direction.

[0060] like Figure 10 As shown, the mating connector 2 has: a plurality of mating terminals 30 arranged along the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) corresponding to a plurality of contact portions C1A of the flat conductor C of the connector 1; a mating housing 40 for pressing and holding the plurality of mating terminals 30; and a fixing metal fitting 50 pressed and held in the mating housing 40 outside the arrangement range of the mating terminals 30 in the connector width direction.

[0061] like Figure 11 As shown in (A), the mating terminal 30 is formed by punching a metal plate component along its thickness direction, resulting in a flat plate shape that maintains a flat surface. The mating terminals 30 are arranged with their thickness direction aligned with the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) and the connector width direction serving as the terminal arrangement direction. In this embodiment, the mating terminal 30 has two mating terminal groups arranged in the connector width direction corresponding to the two front receiving spaces 10D of the connector 1.

[0062] like Figure 11 As shown in (A), the matching terminal 30 has: a base 31 that is generally flat on four sides, a long arm 32 and a short arm 33 that extend rearward from the rear end edge (the end edge that extends in the vertical direction on the X2 side) of the base 31, a leg 34 that extends downward from the lower edge of the front end of the base 31, and a connecting portion 35 that extends forward from the lower end of the leg 34.

[0063] The base 31 has a press-in protrusion 31A protruding from the upper edge of the base 31 at the middle position and the rear position in the front-rear direction. The mating terminal 30 is pressed into the mating terminal holding groove 40B-1 of the mating housing 40 (described later) from the front, and the press-in protrusion 31A bites into the inner surface of the mating terminal holding groove 40B-1, thereby holding the mating terminal 30 in the mating housing 40 (see reference). Figure 12 (A)).

[0064] The long arm portion 32 extends rearward from the upper rear end edge of the base portion 31 and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction. At the rear end of the long arm portion 32, a rear mating contact portion 32A is formed downward in a generally triangular shape, which contacts the contact portion C1A of the flat conductor C from above with contact pressure. The rear mating contact portion 32A protrudes in the vertical direction to almost the same height as the front mating contact portion 33A of the short arm portion 33 (described later).

[0065] The short arm portion 33 is located below the long arm portion 32, extending rearward from the rear end edge of the middle portion of the base 31 in the vertical direction, and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction. At the rear end of the short arm portion 33, a front mating contact portion 33A is formed in a generally triangular shape, protruding downward, and contacts the contact portion C1A of the flat conductor C from above with contact pressure. The short arm portion 33 is slightly shorter than the long arm portion 32, and the front end of the short arm portion 33 is located in front (X1 side) than the front end of the long arm portion 32. That is, the front mating contact portion 33A of the short arm portion 33 is located in front than the rear mating contact portion 32A of the long arm portion 32.

[0066] like Figure 11 (A) and Figure 12 As shown in (A), the rear mating contact portion 32A and the front mating contact portion 33A are located at almost the same height and are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the rear mating contact portion 32A and the front mating contact portion 33A protrude beyond the lower surface of the embedded portion 44 of the mating housing 40 (described later), and are located within the mating-side receiving space 40C (described later), enabling them to contact the contact portion C1A of the flat conductor C. In this embodiment, two-point contact with the contact portion C1A is possible, thereby ensuring a good contact condition with the contact portion C1A.

[0067] Leg 34 extends straight downward from the lower edge of base 31. With the mating connector 2 mounted on the circuit board (not shown), the connection portion 35 is at the same height as the corresponding circuit portion (not shown) formed on the mounting surface of the circuit board, and can be soldered to the corresponding circuit portion.

[0068] like Figure 10As shown, the matching housing 40 is formed into a roughly cuboid shape with the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) as its long side, as... Figure 12 As shown in (A), the rear half has a mating fitting portion 40A that fits into the housing 10 of the connector 1, and the front half has a mating terminal retaining portion 40B that presses in and retains the mating terminal 30.

[0069] The mating fitting portion 40A includes: a mating upper wall 41 and a mating lower wall 42 extending along the connector width direction and facing each other in the vertical direction; a pair of mating side walls 43 extending vertically at both ends in the connector width direction and connecting the mating upper wall 41 and the mating lower wall 42; and an insert portion 44 extending forward from the rear end face of the mating terminal holding portion 40B within the internal space of the mating fitting portion 40A. The space enclosed by the mating upper wall 41, the mating lower wall 42, and the mating side walls 43 and opening rearward is formed as a mating side receiving space 40C for receiving the mating portion 10A of the connector 1.

[0070] The mating upper wall 41 has mating protrusions 41A to 41C formed at three locations in the connector width direction, protruding from the lower surface of the mating upper wall 41 and extending in the front-rear direction. Specifically, as shown... Figure 10 As shown, the matching protrusions 41A to 41C are arranged sequentially from the Y1 side toward the Y2 side, with a first matching protrusion 41A, a second matching protrusion 41B, and a third matching protrusion 41C spaced apart. The second matching protrusion 41B is narrower than the first matching protrusion 41A and the third matching protrusion 41C.

[0071] The second matching protrusion 41B has: a main protrusion 41B-1 with a vertical dimension that is almost the same as that of the first matching protrusion 41A and the second matching protrusion 41B, and two secondary protrusions 41B-2 protruding downward from both ends of the main protrusion 41B-1 in the connector width direction.

[0072] The first mating protrusion 41A is located in the space corresponding to the first protrusion 11A and the second protrusion 11B of connector 1 in the connector width direction. The main protrusion 41B-1 of the second mating protrusion 41B is located in the space corresponding to the second protrusion 11B and the third protrusion 11C in the connector width direction. The two auxiliary protrusions 41B-2 of the second mating protrusion 41B are located in the spaces corresponding to the locking arm 11E-1 and the second protrusion 11B of connector 1, and the spaces corresponding to the locking arm 11E-1 and the third protrusion 11C in the connector width direction, respectively. The third mating protrusion 41C is located in the space corresponding to the locking arm 11E-1, the third protrusion 11C, and the fourth protrusion 11D of connector 1 in the connector width direction.

[0073] Additionally, at the rear end of the upper mating wall 41, at the center position in the connector width direction, i.e., between the two secondary protrusions 41B-2, a locking hole 41F is formed that penetrates the upper mating wall 41 in the vertical direction. The locking hole 41F engages with the locking protrusion 11E-2 of the connector 1 as described below, thereby preventing the connector 1 from falling off (see reference). Figure 12 (B)

[0074] like Figure 10 As shown, a metal fitting retaining groove 43A with openings to the front and down and extending in the front-back direction is formed on the mating sidewall 43. The metal fitting retaining groove 43A is formed as a slit that extends in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the connector.

[0075] The insert portion 44 has a plurality of insert strips 44A arranged along the width direction of the connector within the respective arrangement range of the two mating terminal groups described above. The insert strips 44A are located between the mating terminals 30 and extend rearward from the rear surface of the mating terminal holding portion 40B. When the mating terminals 30 are held in the mating housing 40, the rear mating contact portion 32A and the front mating contact portion 33A of the mating terminals 30 are located at positions that protrude downward from the lower surface of the insert strips 44A.

[0076] like Figure 12 As shown in (A), the mating terminal holding portion 40B has a mating terminal holding groove 40B-1 for pressing and holding the mating terminal 30, which is formed to extend through the mating terminal holding portion 40B in the front-back direction. The mating terminal holding groove 40B-1 is formed as a slit that extends at a right angle to the connector width direction and is arranged along the connector width direction.

[0077] like Figure 11 As shown in (B), the fixing metal fitting 50 is made by bending a metal plate component in the thickness direction. The fixing metal fitting 50 has: a retaining plate portion 51 having a plate surface perpendicular to the connector width direction and extending in the front-rear direction; and a fixing portion 52 located at the middle position in the front-rear direction of the retaining plate portion 51, bent at a right angle at the lower edge of the retaining plate portion 51 and extending outward in the connector width direction. The retaining plate portion 51 has two pressing protrusions 51A protruding from the upper edge of the front end portion. The fixing metal fitting 50 is pressed into the metal fitting retaining groove portion 43A of the mating housing 40 from the rear, and the pressing protrusions 51A bite into the inner surface of the metal fitting retaining groove portion 43A, thereby fixing the metal fitting 50 to the mating housing 40. The lower surface of the fixing portion 52 is brazed to a corresponding portion (not shown) formed as a solder pad on the mounting surface of the circuit board, thereby fixing the fixing portion 52 to the aforementioned corresponding portion.

[0078] Assemble the mating connector 2 as follows: First, press the base 31 of the mating terminal 30 into the mating terminal retaining groove 40B-1 of the mating housing 40 from the front. Then, press the retaining plate 51 of the fixing metal fitting 50 into the metal fitting retaining groove 43A of the mating housing 40 from the rear. As a result, the mating terminal 30 and the fixing metal fitting 50 are held in the mating housing 40, and the assembly of the mating connector 2 is complete. The order in which the mating terminal 30 and the fixing metal fitting 50 are installed (pressed into) the mating housing 40 is not limited to the above order; either can be performed first, or they can be performed simultaneously.

[0079] Connector 1 and mating connector 2 are fitted together as follows. First, the connecting part 35 of the mating terminal 30 of mating connector 2 is soldered to the corresponding circuit part of the circuit board (not shown), and the fixing part 52 of the fixing metal fitting 50 is soldered to the corresponding part of the circuit board, thereby mounting mating connector 2 on the circuit board.

[0080] Next, as Figure 1 As shown, after the connector 1 is positioned behind the mating connector 2, the connector 1 is moved forward so that the mating part 10A of the connector 1 is mated to the mating part 40A of the mating connector 2 from the rear.

[0081] During connector engagement, the engagement portion 10A enters the mating-side receiving space 40C from the rear, and the locking protrusion 11E-2 of the locking arm 11E-1 abuts against the rear end of the mating upper wall 41 of the mating housing 40 and elastically displaces downward, allowing the connector 1 to advance further. Additionally, during connector engagement, the protrusions 11A-11D of the connector 1 enter the corresponding spaces in the mating connector 2 from the rear, and the mating protrusions 41A-41C of the mating connector 2 enter the corresponding spaces in the connector 1 from the front. As a result, the protrusions 11A-11D are restricted from offset in the connector width direction by the mating protrusions 41A-41C, and the connector 1 is smoothly guided forward.

[0082] As connector 1 advances further, if the locking protrusion 11E-2 reaches the locking hole 41F of the mating upper wall 41, the locking arm 11E-1 returns to its free state, and the locking protrusion 11E-2 enters the locking hole 41F from below. As a result, as... Figure 12 As shown in (A), the locking protrusion 11E-2 can be locked to the inner surface of the locking hole 41F in a rearward direction, thus preventing the mating connector 2 from accidentally falling off.

[0083] Furthermore, during connector mating, each insert strip 44A of the insert portion 44 of the mating housing 40, and the long arm portion 32 and short arm portion 33 of the mating terminal 30 disposed on the insert strip portion 44A, enter the corresponding front receiving space 10D in the connector 1 from the front; in other words, each front receiving space 10D separated by multiple partitions 14. As a result, the long arm portion 32 and short arm portion 33, in an upward elastically deformed state, make contact with the contact portion C1A of the flat conductor C through the rear mating contact portion 32A and the front mating contact portion 33A with contact pressure (see reference). Figure 12 (A)). As a result, the flat conductor C is electrically connected to the mating terminal 30.

[0084] exist Figure 12 In (A), the illustration shows a state in which each arm 32, 33 has no elastic deformation and each matching contact 32A, 33A overlaps with the contact C1A of the flat conductor C. However, the actual state is as follows: as described, each arm 32, 33 has elastic deformation, and each matching contact 32A, 33A contacts the contact C1A of the flat conductor C from its protruding top.

[0085] In addition, the upper protrusion 11F of the front upper wall 11 and the lower protrusion 12A of the front lower wall 12 of connector 1 respectively bite into the lower surface of the matching upper wall 41 and the upper surface of the matching lower wall 42, which helps to position the two connectors 1 and 2 in the connector width direction and the vertical direction.

[0086] In this embodiment, the locking portion 11E of connector 1 has a single locking arm 11E-1, but alternatively, the locking portion may have multiple locking arms arranged at intervals in the connector width direction. By providing multiple locking arms in this way, a front receiving space can be formed in the housing between adjacent locking arms. As a result, the number of flat conductor circuit portions can be increased without increasing the connector width, thereby increasing the number of mating terminals of the mating connector. Furthermore, by making each locking arm thinner, the locking arms are more easily elastically deformable.

[0087] In this embodiment, the locking part 11E is provided at a position where it overlaps with the receiving spaces 10D and 10E of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction. However, it is also possible that the locking part does not overlap with the receiving space in the front-rear direction and is provided further back than the receiving space. When the locking part is provided further back than the receiving space, as long as the locking part is configured to overlap with the receiving space in the vertical direction, the connector can also be made thinner accordingly.

[0088] In this embodiment, the locking part 11E that overlaps with the receiving spaces 10D and 10E in the vertical direction is a portion of the locking arm 11E-1, specifically the lower part. However, alternatively, the entire locking arm can overlap with the receiving space in the vertical direction, and furthermore, the entire locking part can overlap with the receiving space in the vertical direction. In this way, the overlap range between the locking part and the receiving space increases, and correspondingly, the effect of thinning the connector is improved.

[0089] In this embodiment, the flat conductor C is not divided in the connector width direction and is formed entirely of a single flat conductor. However, it is also possible that the flat conductor is divided in the connector width direction to form multiple unit flat conductors. In this case, the multiple unit flat conductors are adjacent to each other with a gap in the connector width direction, and the range of this gap can be the range where the circuit section is not present. When there is a range where the circuit section is not present between the unit flat conductors, a locking part can be formed in the housing within the range where the circuit section is not present in the connector width direction. In addition, the side edges (edges extending in the front-back direction) of two adjacent unit flat conductors arranged with a gap in the range where the circuit section is not present can be formed as through-holes, with openings facing each other in the connector width direction, so that the protrusion of the retainer enters the through-hole in the vertical direction. As a result, the protrusion can be locked from the rear to the front edge of each notch, which can restrict the rearward movement of each unit flat conductor and prevent accidental detachment.

[0090] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0091] 1... Connector (electrical connector with flat conductor); 2... Matching connector (matching electrical connector); 10... Housing; 10D... Receiving space; 10E... Rear receiving space (storage space); 11E... Locking part; 11E-1... Locking arm; 11E-2... Locking protrusion (locking locking part); 17... Lower rear wall; 17A... Restricting recess (recess); 20... Retaining member; 21C... Protrusion; 21C-1... Protruding top; C... Flat conductor; C1... Circuit part; C3... Through part.

Claims

1. An electrical connector with a flat conductor for fitting and connecting the front end portion of a strip-shaped flat conductor extending in a front-rear direction to a mating electrical connector. This electrical connector with a flat conductor has: The flat conductor; A housing that accommodates the front end portion of the flat conductor; and A retainer is mounted to the housing in a manner capable of supporting the front end portion of the flat conductor. Its features are, The housing has: a locking part that can elastically deform in the thickness direction of the flat conductor and lock the mating electrical connector; a receiving space for receiving a mating terminal provided on the mating electrical connector; and a retaining member mounting part that can install the retaining member in an embedded state by receiving the retaining member. The locking part is located at a position different from the receiving space when viewed along the thickness direction of the flat conductor, and at least a portion of it is arranged to overlap with the receiving space in the thickness direction of the flat conductor, located at a position having a range that overlaps with the retainer mounting part in the front-rear direction. The retainer is a component disposed within the range including the locking portion in the width direction of the flat conductor, and forms a space capable of receiving a portion of the locking portion in the thickness direction of the flat conductor.

2. The electrical connector with a flat conductor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking part has a locking arm that extends along the front-back direction and is elastically deformable in the thickness direction of the flat conductor, and a locking part that can lock the mating electrical connector.

3. The electrical connector with a flat conductor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The locking part has a plurality of locking arms arranged at intervals in the width direction of the band.

4. An electrical connector assembly, characterized in that, An electrical connector having a flat conductor as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, and a matching electrical connector for fitting the electrical connector having a flat conductor.

Images