connector

Abstract

This invention provides a connector comprising a core, a first terminal group, a second terminal group, and a cover. The core includes an insertion portion, a connecting portion, and a plurality of bearing portions, forming a receiving space and a working area through the insertion portion, the connecting portion, and the plurality of bearing portions. The receiving space is used to accommodate an external flexible printed circuit board, and the connecting portions are used to stop the flexible printed circuit board in the working area. The first terminal group includes a plurality of first electrodes, and the second terminal group includes a plurality of second electrodes. The cover exposes or closes the receiving space and the working area through a plurality of pivot portions. The plurality of first electrodes can be pre-embedded in the insertion portion, or the plurality of second electrodes can be pre-embedded in the connecting portion. Furthermore, the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are staggered in a narrow-pitch manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of connectors, and more particularly to a connector. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, wire-to-board connectors provide multiple front / back electrodes to connect flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs).

[0003] As connectors are used in increasingly diverse applications, such as automotive, the required number of front-end and rear-end electrodes is also growing. (See also: [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a wire-to-board connector in the prior art. Figure 1 In this design, the number of electrodes 22, 22' in the wire-to-board connector 2 exceeds 10, and electrode grooves 24 are formed between the electrodes 22 and 22' to accommodate them. Because the electrode grooves 24 have considerable thickness, the overall length of the wire-to-board connector 2 increases significantly when the electrodes 22, 22' are positioned within them. Longer wire-to-board connectors 2 are fragile and easily damaged, which is detrimental to assembly and use.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention proposes a connector that can solve problems that cannot be solved by conventional methods. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The first objective of this invention is to provide a connector that eliminates the lack of traditional connectors where electrode slots are required for each electrode to transmit electrical signals independently.

[0006] The second objective of this invention is to achieve a narrow-pitch (or extremely narrow-pitch) electrode by interleaving the front-end and rear-end electrodes and pre-embedding the front-end and / or rear-end electrodes into the core using a molding method (e.g., insert molding).

[0007] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a connector capable of connecting a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of wires to a circuit board body. The connector includes a core, a first terminal group, a second terminal group, and a cover. The core includes an insertion portion, a connecting portion, and a plurality of bearing portions. The insertion portion, the connecting portion, and the plurality of bearing portions form a receiving space and a working area. The plurality of bearing portions are located on both sides of the insertion portion and the connecting portion. The receiving space is used to house the flexible printed circuit board, and the flexible printed circuit board stops at the connecting portion, thereby positioning the plurality of wires in the working area. The first terminal group includes a plurality of first electrodes. The plurality of first electrodes respectively provide a first contact end and a first connecting end. The plurality of first connecting ends are capable of connecting to the circuit board body. The second terminal group includes a plurality of second electrodes. The plurality of second electrodes respectively provide a second contact end and a second connecting end. The plurality of second connecting ends are capable of connecting to the circuit board body. The cover forms a plurality of pivot portions. Multiple rotating shafts are provided corresponding to multiple bearing shafts. After the multiple rotating shafts couple with the multiple bearing shafts, the cover can be rotated by the multiple rotating shafts on these bearing shafts to expose or close the accommodating space and the functional area. In the molding process of the core, multiple first electrodes can be pre-embedded in the insertion portion, or multiple second electrodes can be pre-embedded in the connecting portion. Furthermore, the multiple first electrodes and multiple second electrodes are staggered, with a narrow gap between each first electrode and each second electrode, and multiple first contact ends and multiple second contact ends are positioned in the functional area to contact multiple wires.

[0008] Preferably, a plurality of first positioning holes are formed near the first connecting end to position the plurality of first connecting ends.

[0009] Preferably, a plurality of second positioning holes are formed near the second connecting end to position the plurality of second connecting ends.

[0010] Preferably, it further includes a third terminal group and a plurality of bearing portions forming a plurality of fixing grooves, wherein the third terminal group has a plurality of third electrodes disposed in the plurality of fixing grooves for fixing the glue core to the circuit board body.

[0011] Preferably, the plurality of first contact ends of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second contact ends of the plurality of second electrodes are alternately arranged in the working region.

[0012] Preferably, the plurality of first contact ends and the plurality of second contact ends are suspended in the action area.

[0013] Preferably, the first protruding point of the plurality of first contact ends is at a first height distance from the plurality of first connecting ends.

[0014] Preferably, the plurality of second contact terminals are harpoon-shaped, so that when the cover closes the accommodating space and the functional area, the flexible printed circuit board is held in the accommodating space and the functional area.

[0015] Preferably, the leading edge of the insertion portion forms multiple chamfers to guide the flexible printed circuit board into the receiving space.

[0016] In a connector as described above, a plurality of bearing portions are replaced by a plurality of elastic retaining portions, each having a locking portion, an operating portion, and an elastic portion. The operating portion protrudes from the cover, and the elastic portion is connected to the operating portion. By pressing the operating portion, the elastic portion and the locking portion are driven to hold the flexible printed circuit board in the receiving space. Furthermore, a plurality of pivot portions of the cover are replaced by a plurality of channels, which are provided corresponding to the plurality of elastic retaining portions, allowing the operating portion to pass through the plurality of channels and protrude from the cover. The cover does not expose the functional area.

[0017] Compared to traditional connectors, this invention proposes a connector that provides multiple electrodes with a narrow-pitch staggered arrangement, which allows for a significant reduction in the overall size of the connector while maintaining good electrical signal transmission quality. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a wire-to-board connector in the prior art.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3(a) illustrates the present invention. Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the rubber core.

[0021] Figure 3(b) illustrates the present invention. Figure 2 A top view of the rubber core.

[0022] Figure 3(c) illustrates the present invention. Figure 2 Front view of the rubber core.

[0023] Figure 3(d) illustrates the present invention. Figure 2 Rear view of the rubber core.

[0024] Figure 4(a) illustrates the present invention. Figure 2 A perspective view of the first terminal group and the second terminal group.

[0025] Figure 4(b) illustrates the present invention. Figure 2 A top view of the rubber core.

[0026] Figure 5 To illustrate the present invention Figure 2 A top view of the bonding of the rubber core and the first electrode.

[0027] Symbol explanation:

[0028] 2… Wire-to-board connector

[0029] 22, 22'... electrodes

[0030] 24…Electrode slots

[0031] 4... Flexible Printed Circuit Boards

[0032] 42...head end

[0033] 10... Connector

[0034] 12...core

[0035] 122... Insertion section

[0036] 1224...First positioning hole

[0037] 124...Connecting part

[0038] 1242...First through hole

[0039] 1244...Second positioning hole

[0040] 126... Bearing section

[0041] 1262...fixed slot

[0042] 14...First terminal group

[0043] 142...First Electrode

[0044] 1422...First contact end

[0045] 1424...First connection end

[0046] 1426...First convex point

[0047] 16...Second terminal group

[0048] 162...Second Electrode

[0049] 1622...Second contact end

[0050] 1624...Second connection end

[0051] 1626...Second convex point

[0052] 18... Cover

[0053] 182...Hinge section

[0054] 20...Third terminal group

[0055] 202...Third electrode

[0056] 26... Chamfer

[0057] SP...accommodation space

[0058] WA... scope

[0059] H...First Height

[0060] d...narrow spacing Detailed Implementation

[0061] To fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the following specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0062] In this invention, the terms "a" or "an" are used to describe the units, elements, and components described herein. This is used merely for ease of explanation and to provide a general meaning regarding the scope of the invention. Therefore, unless it is clearly intended otherwise, this description should be understood to include one, at least one, and the singular also includes the plural.

[0063] In this invention, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," "containing," or any other similar terms are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, an element, structure, article of manufacture, or device containing a plurality of elements is not limited to those listed herein, but may include other elements not expressly listed but which are typically inherent to that element, structure, article of manufacture, or device. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term "or" is inclusive, not exclusive.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The diagram illustrates that connector 10 can connect a flexible printed circuit board 4 with a plurality of wires (not shown) to a circuit board body (not shown). The wires are covered by the flexible printed circuit board 4, and are exposed on the lower surface of the head end 42 of the flexible printed circuit board 4.

[0065] The connector 10 includes a core 12, a first terminal group 14, a second terminal group 16, and a cover 18.

[0066] You can refer to this as well. Figures 3(a) to 3(d) This is to illustrate the present invention. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the rubber core is shown. Figure 3(a) illustrates the invention. Figure 2 A perspective view of the rubber core; Figure 3(b) is an illustration of the present invention. Figure 2 Figure 3(c) is a top view of the rubber core; Figure 3(c) is an illustration of the present invention. Figure 2 A front view of the rubber core; and Figure 3(d) is an illustration of the present invention. Figure 2Rear view of the rubber core.

[0067] The core 12 includes an insertion portion 122, a connecting portion 124, and a plurality of bearing portions 126. Here, the number of bearing portions 126 is illustrated by two as an example. Furthermore, the insertion portion 122, the connecting portion 124, and the bearing portions 126 can be integrally formed; for example, the core 12 can be formed by injection molding.

[0068] The insertion portion 122, the connecting portion 124, and the bearing portion 126 form an accommodating space SP and an operating area WA, with the bearing portion 126 located on both sides (or wings) of the insertion portion 122 and the connecting portion 124. Figure 2 In this design, the height of the insertion portion 122 is lower than the height of the connecting portion 124 and the bearing portion 126, forming a C-shaped receiving space SP. The receiving space SP also provides an open-shaped functional area WA. The receiving space SP is used to house the flexible printed circuit board 4. When the flexible printed circuit board 4 enters the receiving space SP through the insertion portion 122, it is restricted within the receiving space SP by the stop of the connecting portion 124. This design allows the wires to be positioned within the functional area WA, enabling… Figure 2 The electrodes of the first terminal group 14 and the second terminal group 16 can be disposed in the active area WA and electrically connected to the wires that are limited in the active area WA, as will be described later.

[0069] You can refer to this as well. Figures 4(a) to 4(b) This is to illustrate the present invention. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first terminal group and the second terminal group. Figure 4(a) illustrates the invention. Figure 2 A perspective view of the first terminal group, the second terminal group, and the third terminal group; and Figure 4(b) is an illustration of the present invention. Figure 2 Top view of the first terminal group, the second terminal group and the third terminal group.

[0070] The first terminal group 14 includes a plurality of first electrodes 142, and each first electrode 142 is provided with a first contact end 1422 and a first connection end 1424, which are respectively formed at two free ends of the first electrode 142. The first connection end 1424 can connect the circuit board body and the wires of the first contact end 1422 can connect the flexible printed circuit board 4. In this embodiment, the first electrode 142 is in the shape of a single electrode, and the first contact end 1422 and the first connection end 1424 are separated by a first height H. Furthermore, the first protrusion 1426 of the first contact end 1422 can be used to contact the wires.

[0071] The second terminal group 16 includes a plurality of second electrodes 162, and each second electrode 162 is provided with a second contact end 1622 and a second connection end 1624, which are respectively formed at two free ends of the second electrode 162. The second connection end 1624 can connect the circuit board body and the wires of the flexible printed circuit board 4 can be connected to the second contact end 1622. In this embodiment, the second contact end 1622 is harpoon-shaped, which can hold the flexible printed circuit board 4 in the accommodating space SP and the active area WA when the cover 18 closes the accommodating space SP and the active area WA; and the second protrusion 1626 of the second contact end 1622 can be used to connect wires.

[0072] The aforementioned first contact terminal 1422 and second contact terminal 1622 can be adjusted in height or designed in a structurally flexible manner to improve the yield of electrical contacts. Furthermore, the first contact terminal 1422 and second contact terminal 1622 are primarily located in the functional area WA. Therefore, the open functional area WA can also tolerate the deformation caused by the first contact terminal 1422 and second contact terminal 1622 acting on the flexible printed circuit board 4.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it should be noted that the first contact end 1422 of the first electrode 142 and the second contact end 1622 of the second electrode 162 are staggered in the working area WA, and there is a narrow gap d between each first electrode 142 and each second electrode 162, that is, from the center of the first electrode 142 to the center of the second electrode 162, for example less than or equal to 0.4 mm.

[0074] It is worth noting that, in this embodiment, the first electrode 142 is pre-embedded in the insertion portion 122, and referenced together. Figure 5 To illustrate the present invention Figure 2 A top view of the bonding between the rubber core and the first electrode. Figure 5In the molding process of the core 12 into the insertion portion 122, the first terminal group 14 is directly fixed to the insertion portion 122 using a process such as metal injection molding, so that multiple first electrodes 142 are arranged in a manner such as equal spacing. Since the first terminal group 14 is pre-embedded in the insertion portion 122, the first contact ends 1422 of the first electrodes 142 are stably and spaced apart in the working area WA. Furthermore, the connecting portion 124 may have a pre-drilled first through hole 1242 (refer to FIG. 3(d)) to allow the second electrode 162 to be inserted. It is worth noting that the position of the first through hole 1242 corresponds to the first contact ends 1422 of the two first electrodes 142, so that when the second electrode 162 is inserted into the first through hole 1242, the second contact end 1622 of the second electrode 162 can be precisely positioned between, for example, the two first electrodes 142. Furthermore, the first contact end 1422 of the first electrode 142 and the second contact end 1622 of the second electrode 162 in the functional area WA will be suspended in the functional area WA, and can be electrically connected to the wires of the flexible printed circuit board 4.

[0075] In another embodiment, the aforementioned second electrode 162 may also be pre-embedded in the connecting portion 124. That is, during the molding of the connecting portion 124 of the core 12, the second electrode 162 is directly fixed to the connecting portion 124 using a process such as metal injection molding, allowing multiple second electrodes 162 to be arranged in a manner such as equal spacing. Since the second electrode 162 is pre-embedded in the connecting portion 124, the second contact end 1622 of the second electrode 162 will be stably and spaced apart in the working area WA. Furthermore, the insertion portion 122 may have a pre-formed second through hole (not shown) for the insertion of the first electrode 142. It is worth noting that the second through hole may be formed between the second contact ends 1622 of the second electrodes 162, so that when the first electrode 142 is inserted into the second through hole, the first contact end 1422 of the first electrode 142 can be precisely positioned, for example, between two second electrodes 162 or on one side of a second electrode 162. Furthermore, the second contact end 1622 of the second electrode 162 in the working area WA and the first contact end 1422 of the first electrode 142 will be suspended in the working area WA, and can be electrically connected to the wires of the flexible printed circuit board 4.

[0076] In another embodiment, in addition to the first terminal group 14 and the second terminal group 16, a third terminal group 20 is provided, and the third terminal group 20 has a plurality of third electrodes 202 (e.g., two). In order to make the third electrodes 202 more securely fixed to the bearing portion 126, in this embodiment, referring to FIG3(a), the bearing portion 126 further includes forming a plurality of fixing grooves 1262. By setting the third electrodes 202 in the fixing grooves 1262, when one end of the third electrodes 202 is set on the circuit board body, for example by soldering, the core 12 can be fixed to the circuit board body.

[0077] Back Figure 2 The cover 18 forms a plurality of pivot portions 182. Here, pivot portions 182 are formed on both sides of the cover 18 to correspond to bearing portions 126. After the pivot portions 182 couple (or snap, insert, etc.) the bearing portions 126, the cover 18 can rotate by means of the pivot portions 182 to expose or close the accommodating space SP and the functional area WA.

[0078] In another embodiment, the structure of the cover 18 and the bearing portion 126 can also be replaced with another type, which can also achieve the purpose of fixing the flexible printed circuit board 4 in the accommodating space SP. For example, the cover 18 can be combined with the adhesive core 12 without selectively exposing or closing the accommodating space SP and the functional area WA, that is, the cover 18 does not need to be opened or closed. In this embodiment, in order to fix or lock the flexible printed circuit board 4 in the accommodating space SP and the functional area WA, notches can be formed on both sides of the head end 42 of the flexible printed circuit board 4 (not shown). Also refer to the elastic anti-retraction part designed in another patent publication number M412491U of the applicant. This invention Figure 2 The bearing portion 126 can be replaced by a plurality of elastic anti-retraction portions (not shown). Each elastic anti-retraction portion has a locking portion, an operating portion, and an elastic portion. The operating portion protrudes from the cover. The elastic portion connects to the operating portion. By pressing the operating portion, the elastic portion and the locking portion are driven, thereby locking the flexible printed circuit board 4 into the receiving space SP. This allows the notches on both sides of the flexible printed circuit board to interact with the locking portion, achieving the purpose of preventing retraction and fixing it in the receiving space SP. In this embodiment, the present invention... Figure 2 The pivot portion 182 of the cover 18 can be replaced by a plurality of channels, which are provided with corresponding elastic anti-reverse portions, allowing the operating portion to pass through the channels and protrude from the cover. In this case, the cover 18 does not expose the operating area WA.

[0079] In addition to the main structures mentioned above, other structures are also included, which are described below:

[0080] Referring also to Figure 3(a), the leading edge of the insertion part 122 forms multiple bevel angles 26, which can guide the flexible printed circuit board 4 into the receiving space SP.

[0081] Referring also to FIG3(c), a plurality of first positioning holes 1224 are formed near the first connecting end 1424 to position the first connecting end 1424. Since the first positioning holes 1224 are close to the circuit board body, it can be understood from FIG4(a) that the first connecting end 1424 can be bent to conform to the position of the first positioning holes 1224, thereby making closer contact with the circuit board body.

[0082] Similarly, referring to Figure 3(d), a plurality of second positioning holes 1244 are formed near the second connecting end 1624 to position the second connecting end 1624. The reason is the same as above and will not be repeated here.

[0083] The present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope. It should be noted that all variations and substitutions equivalent to the embodiments should be considered within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A connector characterized by comprising: A connector for connecting a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of conductive lines to a circuit board body, the connector comprising: a core having an insertion portion, a connecting portion, and a plurality of shaft receiving portions, the insertion portion, the connecting portion, and the plurality of shaft receiving portions forming a receiving space and an active area, the plurality of shaft receiving portions being located on both sides of the insertion portion and the connecting portion, wherein the receiving space is configured to receive the flexible printed circuit board, and the flexible printed circuit board is stopped at the connecting portion, so that the plurality of conductive lines are located in the active area; a first terminal set having a plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of first electrodes respectively providing first contact ends and first connecting ends, the plurality of first connecting ends being configured to connect the circuit board body; a second terminal set having a plurality of second electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes respectively providing second contact ends and second connecting ends, the plurality of second connecting ends being configured to connect the circuit board body; and a cover body having a plurality of rotating shaft portions corresponding to the plurality of shaft receiving portions, so that after the plurality of rotating shaft portions are coupled to the plurality of shaft receiving portions, the cover body is selectively exposed or closed by rotating the plurality of rotating shaft portions in the plurality of shaft receiving portions to open or close the receiving space and the active area; wherein in a molding process of the core, the plurality of first electrodes are pre-buried in the insertion portion or the plurality of second electrodes are pre-buried in the connecting portion, the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are staggered, each of the plurality of first electrodes and each of the plurality of second electrodes are spaced apart by a narrow spacing, and the plurality of first contact ends and the plurality of second contact ends are located in the active area to contact the plurality of conductive lines; wherein the insertion portion adjacent to the first connecting ends forms a plurality of first positioning holes to position the plurality of first connecting ends; the active area has an opening to tolerate a deformation amount generated by the first contact ends and the second contact ends acting on the flexible printed circuit board. wherein the connecting portion adjacent to the second connecting ends forms a plurality of second positioning holes to position the plurality of second connecting ends.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein further comprising a third terminal set and the plurality of shaft receiving portions forming a plurality of fixing grooves, the third terminal set having a plurality of third electrodes disposed in the plurality of fixing grooves to fix the core to the circuit board body.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein wherein the plurality of first contact ends of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second contact ends of the plurality of second electrodes are staggered in the active area.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein wherein the plurality of first contact ends and the plurality of second contact ends are suspended in the active area.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein, wherein a first protruding point of the plurality of first contact ends and the plurality of first connecting ends are spaced apart by a first height.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein wherein the plurality of second contact ends are fishhook-shaped to hold the flexible printed circuit board in the receiving space and the active area when the cover body closes the receiving space and the active area.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein wherein a leading edge of the insertion portion forms a plurality of guide angles to guide the flexible printed circuit board into the receiving space.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein ​ 9. The connector of claim 1, wherein Wherein the plurality of shaft portions are replaced by a plurality of elastic retaining portions, the plurality of elastic retaining portions respectively have a locking portion, an operating portion and an elastic portion, the operating portion protrudes from the cover body, the elastic portion is connected to the operating portion, by pressing the operating portion to drive the elastic portion and the locking portion, the flexible printed circuit board is clamped in the accommodating space, and the plurality of shaft portions of the cover body are replaced by a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels are arranged corresponding to the plurality of elastic retaining portions, so that the operating portion protrudes from the cover body through the plurality of channels, and the cover body does not expose the action area.

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