Ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector

Abstract

The present invention provides an ultra-thin, easy-lock, easy-unlock connector capable of connecting a printed circuit board (PCB) to a flexible flat cable having a notch. The connector comprises a terminal, a housing, an insulator, and multiple locking elements. The housing includes multiple springs corresponding to the locking elements. Each locking element includes a hook arm and a hook portion. When a first external force generated by the flexible flat cable causes the hook arm to rotate in a first direction until the notch aligns with the hook portion, the elastic force of each spring causes the hook arm to rotate in a second direction, allowing the hook to engage the notch. Furthermore, when a second external force generated by the flexible flat cable causes the hook arm to rotate in the first direction, allowing the notch to slide out of the hook portion, thereby unlocking the connector.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to an ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector. [Background Technology]

[0002] Traditional automatic latching connectors cannot effectively reduce thickness due to the design of the automatic latching structure, and thus cannot be effectively used in some applications that require thinness, such as thin laptop bodies.

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides an ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector to solve the problems caused by traditional connectors or problems that cannot be solved. [Summary of the invention]

[0004] A first object of the present invention is to provide an ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector capable of connecting a printed circuit board and a flexible flat cable to achieve the purpose of automatic locking and manual unlocking.

[0005] A second object of the present invention is to achieve the purpose of automatically locking and unlocking the flexible flat cable through the interaction between the spring of the first body and the locking member according to the above-mentioned ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector.

[0006] A third object of the present invention is to fix the housing, the locking member and the insulator in the accommodating space by interfering with each other through a plurality of latching portions according to the above-mentioned ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector.

[0007] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide the ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector with a locking member that provides a sliding surface, an active surface, a fixing surface, and a sliding surface so that the user can directly lock and unlock the connector through a flexible flat cable.

[0008] A fifth object of the present invention is that according to the above-mentioned ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector, the elastic piece can be formed on the inner wall of the first body or extended from the surface.

[0009] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides an ultra-thin, easy-lock, easy-unlock connector capable of connecting a printed circuit board (PCB) to a flexible flat cable having a notch. The ultra-thin, easy-lock, easy-unlock connector comprises a terminal, a housing, an insulator, and a plurality of locking elements. The terminal is capable of connecting the PCB to the flexible flat cable. The housing comprises a first body and a plurality of spring clips. The first body forms a housing. The insulator is disposed within the housing. The insulator comprises a second body, a plurality of locking slots, a plurality of rotating protrusions, and an operating window. The plurality of rotating protrusions are formed in the plurality of locking slots, and the operating window is formed in the second body. Each locking element comprises a third body, a hole, a hook arm, and a hook portion. Each locking slot is provided in the third body. The hole, hook arm, and hook portion are formed in the third body. A hole is provided corresponding to each rotating protrusion. The hook arm is disposed between the hook portion and the hole and corresponding to each spring clip. The hook portion is subjected to a first external force generated by the flexible flat cable, causing the hook arm to rotate in a first direction by a certain angle through each rotating protrusion; the hook portion is subjected to the elastic force of each spring piece, causing the hook arm to rotate in a second direction through each rotating protrusion, allowing the hook portion to engage with the notch; and the hook portion is subjected to a second external force generated by the flexible flat cable, causing the hook arm to rotate in the first direction through each rotating protrusion, allowing the notch to slide out of the hook portion.

[0010] Compared with traditional connectors, the ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector proposed in the present invention can realize a thin connector by combining an integrally formed shell and a locking piece with an insulator, and the connector has the functions of automatic locking and automatic unlocking.

[0011] The specific technology adopted by the present invention will be further described through the following embodiments and accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 FIG1 is a perspective schematic diagram of an ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2a This invention is described Figure 1 A top view of the shell.

[0014] Figure 2b This invention is described Figure 2a AA' cross-sectional view of the shell.

[0015] Figure 2c It is a front view illustrating the housing of the present invention 2b.

[0016] Figure 3a This invention is described Figure 1 Top view of the insulator.

[0017] Figure 3b This invention is described Figure 1 Bottom view of the insulator.

[0018] Figure 4a It is a top view illustrating the locking member of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4b It is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating the locking member of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram illustrating the combination of the insulator and the locking member of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6a This invention is described Figure 1 Side view of the ultra-thin easy lock, easy unlock connector.

[0022] Figure 6b This invention is described Figure 6a BB' cross-section.

[0023] Figure 7 This invention Figure 2a Another embodiment of the housing is shown in FIG.

[0024] Figure 8a It is a top view illustrating another insulator of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8b This invention is described Figure 8a Bottom view of the insulator.

[0026] Figure 9a 1 is a top view illustrating another locking member of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9b This invention is described Figure 9a Enlarged diagram of the locking fixture

[0028] Figure 10a FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10b This invention is described Figure 10a C-C' cross-sectional view.

[0029] Description of main component symbols:

[0030] 2 flexible flat cables

[0031] 22 Gap

[0032] 4. Printed Circuit Board

[0033] 10, 10' Ultra-thin Easy-Lock Easy-Unlock Connector

[0034] 12, 12' shell

[0035] 122 terminal

[0036] 124, 124' shrapnel

[0037] 125 first fastener

[0038] 1242 Fixed part

[0039] 1244 extension

[0040] 1246 Contact Department

[0041] 126 Third fastener

[0042] 128 Blocks

[0043] 1210 fixings

[0044] 14, 14' insulator

[0045] 142 Second Body

[0046] 144 Lock slot

[0047] 146 Rotating bump

[0048] 148 Action Window

[0049] 16, 16' locking hardware

[0050] 162 The Third Body

[0051] 164 holes

[0052] 166 Hook Arm

[0053] 168 hook part

[0054] 1682 Slide into the surface

[0055] 1684 active surface

[0056] 1686 fixed surface

[0057] 1688 Sliding Surface

[0058] 18 terminals

[0059] IP socket

[0060] F1's first external force

[0061] F2 Second external force

[0062] θ angle [Specific implementation method]

[0063] In order to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail with reference to the following specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Throughout the present invention, the terms "a" or "an" are used to describe units, elements, and components described herein. This is for convenience only and to provide a general understanding of the scope of the present invention. Therefore, unless otherwise apparent, such descriptions should be understood to include one, at least one, and the singular also includes the plural.

[0065] Throughout this disclosure, the terms "comprise," "include," "have," "contain," or any similar terms are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a component, structure, article, or device comprising multiple elements is not limited to only those elements listed herein but may include additional elements not expressly listed but customarily inherent to such component, structure, article, or device. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 1 , is a schematic diagram of the implementation of the ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector of the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector 10 is capable of connecting a flexible flat cable 2 and a printed circuit board 4 .

[0067] exist Figure 1 In the figure, the ultra-thin easy lock and easy unlock connector 10 is shown to include a housing 12 and an insulator 14. In subsequent figures, the ultra-thin easy lock and easy unlock connector 10 will also include terminals 18 and locking members 16 in addition to the housing 12 and the insulator 14.

[0068] For reference Figures 2a to 2c , is to illustrate the present invention Figure 1 Detailed schematic diagram of the shell. Figure 2a This invention is described Figure 1 A top view of the shell; Figure 2b This invention is described Figure 2a AA' cross-sectional view of the shell; and, Figure 2c It is a front view illustrating the housing of the present invention 2b.

[0069] The housing 12 includes a first body 122 and a plurality of springs 124. The first body 122 forms a receiving space SP for the insulator 14 to be disposed. The flexible flat cable 2 is made of Figure 2a Insert or remove the IP from the socket b.

[0070] In this embodiment, the number of the spring pieces 124 is two, and in other embodiments, the number is not limited. Here, one is used as an example, and the other has the same function and description, which will not be repeated here. The spring piece 124 is formed on the inner wall of the first body 122. Here, the spring piece 124 also includes a fixing portion 1242, an extending portion 1244 and a contact portion 1246. Figure 6b As shown. Figure 6b It can be understood that the spring 124 is an integrally formed metal sheet, and the extension 1244 is located between the fixing portion 1242 and the contact portion 1246. Due to the extension 1244, the fixing portion 1242 and the contact portion 1246 are no longer coaxial. Here, the fixing portion 1242 is fixed to the inner wall of the first body 122, causing the contact portion 1246 to deform when compressed. When the compression is released, the contact portion 1246 releases the elastic force accumulated due to the deformation.

[0071] In another embodiment, the housing 12 further includes a first latch 125, a third latch 126, a stopper 128, and a fixing member 1210. Here, the first latch 125, the third latch 126, the stopper 128, and the fixing member 1210 are two in number and are symmetrically arranged. In other embodiments, the number is not limited. The number of the first latch 125 and the third latch 126 corresponds to the number of the second latch 1412 and the fourth latch 1414 of the insulator 14 described later.

[0072] For reference Figures 3a to 3b , is to illustrate the present invention Figure 1 Detailed schematic diagram of the insulator. Figure 3a This invention is described Figure 1 A top view of an insulator; and Figure 3b This invention is described Figure 1 Bottom view of the insulator.

[0073] The insulator 14 includes a second body 142, a locking groove 144, a rotating protrusion 146, and an operating window 148. The number of the locking groove 144 and the rotating protrusion 146 is two for illustration.

[0074] The rotating protrusion 146 is formed in the locking groove 144. Here, the rotating protrusion 146 is described as a cylinder. The action window 148 is broken into the second body 142, especially the position where the terminal 18 and the flexible flat cable 2 interact.

[0075] For reference Figures 4a to 4b , is a detailed schematic diagram illustrating the locking element of the ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector of the present invention. Figure 4a is a top view illustrating the locking member of the present invention; and, Figure 4b It is an enlarged schematic diagram illustrating the locking member of the present invention.

[0076] The locking member 16 includes a third body 162, a hole 164, a hook arm 166, and a hook portion 168. The number of the locking members 16 is two as an example.

[0077] The third body 162 is provided with a locking slot 144. A hole 164, a hook arm 166, and a hook portion 168 are formed in the third body 162. The hole 164 corresponds to the rotating protrusion 146. The hook arm 166 is disposed between the hook portion 168 and the hole 164 and corresponds to the spring 124. Here, the locking member 16 may directly or indirectly contact the contact portion 1246 of the spring 124.

[0078] The hook portion 168 further defines a sliding surface 1682, an operating surface 1684, a fixed surface 1686, and a sliding surface 1688. The operating surface 1684 connects the sliding surface 1682 and one end of the sliding surface 1688. The other end of the sliding surface 1688 connects to the fixed surface 1686. The fixed surface 1686 and the sliding surface 1688 have different slopes, preventing the flexible flat cable 2 from falling out when it is locked in the locking member 16. However, when an external force is applied, the flexible flat cable 2 moves from the fixed surface 1686 toward the sliding surface 1688, ultimately releasing the locking member 16.

[0079] For reference Figure 5 , is a schematic diagram illustrating the combination of the insulator and the locking member of the present invention, and is also referred to Figure 6a and 6b , is to illustrate the present invention Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector. Figure 6a This invention is described Figure 1 A side view of the ultra-thin easy lock, easy unlock connector; and Figure 6b This invention is described Figure 6aThe hook portion 168 is subjected to a first external force F1 generated by the flexible flat cable 2. Specifically, when the flexible flat cable 2 is inserted through the insertion port IP into the insulator 14, it first contacts the sliding surface 1682, causing the hook arm 166 to rotate by an angle θ in a first direction (e.g., toward both sides of the drawing) via the rotating protrusion 146. After the active surface 1684 enters the notch 22 of the flexible flat cable 2, the hook portion 168 is subjected to the elastic force of the spring 124, causing the hook arm 166 to rotate in a second direction (e.g., an actuation direction opposite to the first direction) via the rotating protrusion 146, causing the hook portion 168 to engage the notch 22, ultimately locking the flexible flat cable 2 in the accommodation space SP. Then, the hook portion 168 is subjected to a second external force F2 generated by the flexible flat cable 2, causing the hook arm 166 to rotate in the first direction via the rotating protrusion 146, causing the notch 22 to slide out of the hook portion 168 (from the fixing surface 1686, through the sliding surface 1688, and out through the operating surface 1684), thereby allowing the flexible flat cable 2 to exit the accommodation space SP. In one embodiment, the aforementioned angle θ is within a range of less than 10 degrees.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 7 , is the present invention Figure 2a Another embodiment of the housing. Figure 7 In the embodiment, the housing 12 ′ also includes the first body 122 , the first latch 125 , the third latch 126 , the stopper 128 and the fixing member 1210 of the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is the spring 124 ′.

[0081] The first body 122 , the first locking component 125 , the third locking component 126 , the blocking component 128 and the fixing component 1210 are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0082] The spring element 124' is formed on the surface of the first body 122. The spring element 124' is shaped like an S. The spring element 124' also includes a fixed portion 1242, an extension portion 1244, and a contact portion 1246. The fixed portion 1242 is disposed on the surface of the first body 122, and the extension portion 1244 connects the fixed portion 1242 and the contact portion 1246. The contact portion 1246 extends from the surface in a direction (in this example, perpendicular to the paper surface) to act on the hook arm 166.

[0083] Please refer to Figure 8a and 8b , is the present invention Figure 3a and 3b Another embodiment of the insulator is shown in FIG. Figure 8a is a top view illustrating another insulator of the present invention; and Figure 8b This invention is described Figure 8a Bottom view of the insulator. Figure 8a and 8bThe insulator 14' is based on Figure 7 The structure of the insulator 14' is adaptively adjusted, and the description of the second body 142, locking groove 144, rotating protrusion 146, terminal groove 1410, second latch 1412, fourth latch 1414, etc. is the same as the description and actuation of the insulator 14, which will not be repeated here.

[0084] Please refer to Figure 9a and 9b , is the present invention Figure 4a and 4b Another implementation diagram of the locking device. Figure 9a is a top view illustrating another locking member of the present invention; and, Figure 9b This invention is described Figure 9a An enlarged diagram of the locking fixture. Figure 9a and 9b The locking member 16' is based on Figure 7 The structure of the locking member 16' is adaptively adjusted, and the description of the third body 162, hole 164, hook arm 166, hook portion 168, sliding surface 1682, active surface 1684, fixed surface 1686 and sliding surface 1688 of the locking member 16' is the same as the description and actuation of the insulator 14, which will not be repeated here.

[0085] refer to Figure 10a and 10b , is a schematic structural diagram illustrating an ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10a is a side view illustrating an ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10b This invention is described Figure 10a The C-C' cross-sectional view. Figure 10a and 10b The hook portion 168 is also subjected to the first external force F1 and the second external force F2 generated by the flexible flat cable 2 . The main difference is that the spring piece 124 originally located on the inner wall of the first body 122 is replaced by a spring piece 124 ′ on the surface of the first body 122 .

[0086] Although the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed as described above, they are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the relevant art may make slight changes to the shapes, structures, features, methods, and quantities described in the claims of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the claims attached to this specification.

Claims

1. An ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector for connecting a printed circuit board to a flexible flat cable with a notch, characterized in that: The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector includes: a terminal for connecting the printed circuit board and the flexible flat cable; The housing comprises a first body and a plurality of spring pieces, wherein the first body forms an accommodating space; an insulator disposed in the accommodating space, the insulator comprising a second body, a plurality of locking grooves, a plurality of rotating protrusions, and an action window, the plurality of rotating protrusions being formed in the plurality of locking grooves, and the action window being broken and provided in the second body; as well as A plurality of locking members, each having a third body, a hole, a hook arm, and a hook portion, wherein the third body is provided with each of the locking slots, the hole, the hook arm, and the hook portion are formed on the third body, the hole is provided corresponding to each of the rotating protrusions, and the hook arm is provided between the hook portion and the hole and corresponding to each of the spring pieces; The hook portion is subjected to a first external force generated by the flexible flat cable, causing the hook arm to rotate by an angle in a first direction via each of the rotating protrusions; the hook portion is subjected to an elastic force of each of the elastic pieces, causing the hook arm to rotate in a second direction via each of the rotating protrusions, allowing the hook portion to engage with the notch; and the hook portion is subjected to a second external force generated by the flexible flat cable, causing the hook arm to rotate in the first direction via each of the rotating protrusions, allowing the notch to slide out of the hook portion; The plane on which the rotation direction of the hook arm is located is parallel to the planes on which the first external force and the second external force generated by the flexible flat cable are located.

2. The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first body further includes a plurality of first fasteners and a plurality of third fasteners, and the insulator further includes a plurality of second fasteners and a plurality of fourth fasteners. Each of the first fasteners is configured and fastened to each of the second fasteners, and each of the third fasteners is configured and fastened to each of the fourth fasteners, so that the shell fixes the insulator.

3. The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first body includes a plurality of stoppers to stop the insulator in the accommodating space.

4. The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a plurality of welding parts respectively formed on the side surfaces of the first body, and the plurality of welding parts are provided for being arranged on the printed circuit board.

5. The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second body further includes an action window and a terminal slot, wherein the action window bears the deformation of the terminal and the terminal slot is provided with the terminal.

6. The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hook portion further forms a sliding surface, an action surface, a fixed surface and a sliding surface. The action surface connects the sliding surface and one end of the sliding surface, and the other end of the sliding surface is connected to the fixed surface.

7. The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The fixed surface and the sliding surface have different slopes.

8. The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the elastic pieces is formed on the inner wall of the first body and further includes a fixing portion, an extending portion and a contact portion. The extending portion connects the fixing portion and the contact portion, and the contact portion acts on the hook arm.

9. The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the spring pieces is formed on the surface of the first body, and the shape of each of the spring pieces is S-shaped. Each of the spring pieces also includes a fixing portion, an extending portion and a contact portion. The fixing portion is arranged on the surface of the first body, the extending portion connects the fixing portion and the contact portion, and the contact portion extends from the surface in one direction to act on the hook arm.

10. The ultra-thin easy-lock and easy-unlock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The range of the angle is less than 10 degrees.

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