Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

The present invention discloses a connector and a connector assembly. The connector includes a housing, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The housing includes a first side plate, a bottom plate, a top plate, a tail plate, and a base. The housing is provided with a receiving cavity having an opening, and the base is disposed in the receiving cavity. The base is provided with a convex block near the opening. The first terminal includes a first elastic arm and a first contact portion. The second terminal is provided with a second contact portion. The flexible cable is installed in the connector through a pressing member. The flexible cable includes a plugging portion, a gold finger, and a through hole. The plugging portion passes through the opening and is installed on the base after being lifted by the first contact portion. The pressing member is inserted into or pulled out of the receiving cavity in the longitudinal direction, and the plugging portion is pressed against the first contact portion in the thickness direction. The convex block penetrates into the through hole, and the second contact portion is electrically connected to the gold finger in electrical contact. This connector enables the flexible cable to be pressed and contacted after being installed in place, solving the problem of scratching and damage of the gold finger caused by plugging and unplugging in the existing connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of connectors, and particularly relates to a connector and a connector assembly. Background Art

[0002] Wire-to-board connectors are widely used in fields such as electronic office equipment, power systems, industrial automation systems, battery management systems, and energy storage systems due to their good transmission performance, flexible assembly, and convenient installation. Common wire-to-board connectors on the market mainly include a female terminal connector connected to a cable or flexible cable, and a male terminal connector fixed to a circuit board.

[0003] In the female terminal connector, a flexible cable (including FFC and FPC) needs to be installed into the female housing using a crimp terminal. Then, the female terminal connector is inserted into the male terminal connector to achieve the transmission of current and / or signals. During the insertion and extraction process, the flexible cable is inserted into or extracted from the male terminal connector under a certain extrusion force, and then contacts and connects with the connection terminal. During the insertion and extraction process, it is inevitable to scratch and wear the gold fingers (metal strips or metal coatings for contact) of the flexible cable, and there is a risk of bringing foreign objects into the contact area, and these connectors cannot perform hot plugging and unplugging normally. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention provides a connector and a connector assembly, which enable the gold fingers of the flexible cable to be tightly contacted after being inserted and extracted in place, solving the problems of scratching and damage of the gold fingers caused by insertion and extraction in existing wire-to-board connectors, and the inability to perform hot plugging and unplugging.

[0005] The technical effects to be achieved by the present invention are realized through the following technical aspects:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a connector for connecting with a flexible cable, the connector comprising:

[0007] A housing including a pair of first side plates oppositely arranged in the lateral direction, a bottom plate and a top plate oppositely arranged in the thickness direction, a tail plate, and a base. The bottom plate, top plate, first side plates, and tail plate jointly surround a receiving cavity with an opening. The base is disposed in the receiving cavity, and a convex block is provided on the base near the opening;

[0008] A first terminal disposed in the base, the first terminal including a first elastic arm and a first contact portion provided on the first elastic arm; and

[0009] A second terminal disposed between the first terminals on both sides, the second terminal being provided with a second contact portion;

[0010] Wherein, the base is provided with a base surface, and the distances from the vertices of the bump, the first contact portion, and the second contact portion to the base surface are H1, H2, and H3 respectively, and there is a relational expression:

[0011] H2≥H1>H3;

[0012] The flexible cable is installed in the connector through a pressing member. The flexible cable includes a plugging portion, and a gold finger and a through hole provided on the plugging portion. The plugging portion passes through the opening and is lifted by the first contact portion and then installed on the base. The pressing member is inserted into or pulled out of the accommodating cavity in the longitudinal direction, and presses the plugging portion against the first contact portion in the thickness direction. The bump penetrates into the through hole, and the second contact portion is electrically connected to the gold finger in electrical contact.

[0013] In some embodiments, the base extends from the tail plate towards the opening; in the longitudinal direction, the base is provided with a first groove for installing a first terminal. The bump is provided at the end of the first groove. The first contact portion is adjacent to and connected to the bump, and the first contact portion protrudes towards the top plate or the bottom plate in a manner of elastically stretching in the first groove.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first terminal further includes a first fixing portion fixedly connected to the tail plate. The first elastic arm extends from the first fixing portion and is first bent once towards the base in the thickness direction, and then bent twice towards the top plate or the bottom plate. When the flexible cable is not squeezed in the thickness direction, the end of the first elastic arm abuts against the bottom of the bump.

[0015] In some embodiments, the base is further provided with a second groove for installing the second terminal, and the second groove is located between the first grooves;

[0016] The second terminal includes a second fixing portion and a second elastic arm extending from the second fixing portion and bent. The second contact portion is provided on the second elastic arm, and the second contact portion protrudes towards the top plate or the bottom plate in a manner of elastically stretching in the second groove.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present embodiment provides a connector assembly, including:

[0018] A connector, and

[0019] A mating connector, which is matingly connected to the connector, and a flexible cable is disposed in the mating connector;

[0020] Wherein, the plugging portion is provided with a reinforcing layer and a partial thinning structure opened on the reinforcing layer.

[0021] In some embodiments, the locally thinned structure is a groove, and the groove is a single or multiple independent troughs, or a continuous trough that runs through the insertion part in the transverse direction.

[0022] In some embodiments, in the flexible cable, part of the through hole is located at the forward end of the insertion part, and part is located in the locally thinned area.

[0023] In some embodiments, the mating connector includes:

[0024] A mating housing, including a mating bottom plate and a mating top plate that are oppositely arranged in the thickness direction, a pair of second side plates that are oppositely arranged in the transverse direction, and a partition; the side plates and the partition respectively form a receiving groove with the mating top plate or the mating bottom plate, and a pressing member is pre-installed in the receiving groove; the mating top plate and the mating bottom plate are respectively provided with a first limiting groove and a second limiting groove;

[0025] A first locking member, pre-installed in the first limiting groove, for connecting with the top plate; and

[0026] A second locking member, inserted and installed in the second limiting groove along the thickness direction, for limiting and installing the flexible cable in the mating housing.

[0027] In some embodiments, the mating connector further includes a panel, and the panel is provided with a slot communicating with the receiving groove, and the flexible cable is inserted into the receiving groove through the slot.

[0028] In some embodiments, the pressing member, the first locking member and the panel form an integral injection molded part, and the pressing member and the first locking member extend from the same side of the panel.

[0029] In some embodiments, the second side plate is provided with a limiting block protruding towards the receiving groove, and the limiting block is provided with a guiding part and a stopping part;

[0030] The pressing member is provided with a first clamping block and a second clamping block on the side wall, and a limiting groove between the first clamping block and the second clamping block; when the pressing member is pre-locked to the mating housing, the limiting block is snap-fitted into the limiting groove, and the first clamping block is limited to the stopping part.

[0031] In some embodiments, when the pressing member moves forward longitudinally and pushes the forward end of the flexible cable in the thickness direction to squeeze the second contact part, the second clamping block passes through the guiding part and is finally limited to the stopping part.

[0032] In some embodiments, the pressing member is provided with reinforcing ribs facing the mating top plate or the mating bottom plate, and the reinforcing ribs are connected to the panel and extend longitudinally;

[0033] The pressing member is provided with a slot longitudinally at a position adjacent to the first clamping block and the second clamping block;

[0034] The top plate is provided with a locking groove facing the accommodating cavity, and the first locking member moves synchronously with the pressing member and is inserted and fixed in the locking groove.

[0035] In summary, the present invention has at least the following advantages:

[0036] 1. For the connector provided by the present invention, during the process of inserting the insertion part of the flexible cable into the base through the opening, the insertion part is guided forward by the convex block and lifted by the first contact part with the maximum convex height; after reaching the predetermined position, the pressing member further inserts into the accommodating cavity and pushes the insertion part in the thickness direction to press the first contact part, the convex block penetrates and is connected to the through hole for limiting, and the gold finger abuts against the second contact part to achieve electrical contact connection. That is, after the flexible cable is installed in place, the gold finger contacts the second terminal, which can avoid the scratching and wear of the gold finger plating layer during the plugging and unplugging process and reduce the situation of introducing foreign objects to damage the gold finger.

[0037] 2. For the connector assembly provided by the present invention, the connector cooperates with the mating connector to be connected. The flexible cable has a locally thinned structure, which is beneficial to lifting in the thickness direction and finally being pressed by the pressing member when smoothly inserted into the accommodating cavity, improving the connection stability between the flexible cable and the second terminal and enhancing the transmission efficiency.

[0038] 3. For the connector assembly provided by the present invention, through the cooperation of the first terminal and the forward end of the flexible cable, when the pressing member is pulled out, the first contact part will bounce up the forward end in the thickness direction, separating the gold finger from the second contact part, meeting the requirement of hot plugging. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of the connector according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the flexible cable according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 4 is Figure 1 the schematic structural diagram after the connector in

[0043] Figure 5 isFigure 4 Enlarged schematic view of part B.

[0044] Figure 6 Connection schematic of the connector plugging into the mating connector in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Figure 1 。

[0045] Figure 7 Connection schematic of the connector plugging into the mating connector in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Figure 2 。

[0046] Figure 8 Structural schematic of the connector assembly before assembly in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 9 Structural schematic of the connector assembly after assembly in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 10 Schematic view of the insertion part of the flexible cable being lifted by the first contact part in Embodiment 2 of the invention.

[0049] Figure 11 Exploded view of the mating connector and the flexible cable in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 12 For Figure 8 Cross-sectional view of the mating connector and the flexible cable along line C-C in.

[0051] Figure 13 For Figure 9 Cross-sectional view of the mating connector and the flexible cable along line D-D in.

[0052] Figure 14 Schematic view of the hot plugging operation of the connector assembly in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 15 For Figure 14 Connection schematic of the second terminal corresponding to B in to the flexible cable.

[0054] Markings in the figure:

[0055] 100 - Connector;

[0056] 1 - Housing, 2 - First terminal, 3 - Second terminal, 4 - Fixed piece, 5 - Circuit board;

[0057] 10 - Accommodating cavity, 11 - First side plate, 12 - Bottom plate, 13 - Top plate, 14 - Tail plate, 15 - Base, 16 - Opening;

[0058] 111 - Fixed groove, 131 - Locking groove, 151 - Protrusion, 152 - First groove body, 153 - Second groove body,

[0059] 21 - First elastic arm, 22 - First contact part, 23 - First fixing part;

[0060] 31 - Second contact part, 32 - Second fixing part, 33 - Second elastic arm;

[0061] 200 - Mate connector;

[0062] 6 - Mate housing, 7 - First locking part, 8 - Second locking part;

[0063] 60 - Accommodating groove, 61 - Mate bottom plate, 62 - Mate top plate, 63 - Second side plate, 64 - Partition member, 65 - Panel;

[0064] 621 - First limiting groove, 622 - Guide groove, 611 - Second limiting groove, 631 - Limiting block, 632 - Guide part, 633 - Stopping part, 651 - Insertion slot;

[0065] 300 - Flexible cable;

[0066] 301 - Insertion part, 302 - Gold finger, 303 - Through hole, 304 - Reinforcing layer, 305 - Locally thinned structure, 306 - Forward end;

[0067] 400 - Pressing part;

[0068] 401 - First clamping block, 402 - Second clamping block, 403 - Limiting groove, 404 - Reinforcing rib, 405 - Slot;

[0069] 500 - Injection molded part;

[0070] X - Transverse direction, Y - Longitudinal direction, Z - Thickness direction. Detailed implementation mode

[0071] For the convenience of understanding the present invention, the present invention will be described more comprehensively below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0072] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there can also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0073] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the inventive product is customarily placed during use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0074] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The terms used in the specification of the present invention herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0075] Embodiment 1:

[0076] Reference Figures 1 - 7 , this embodiment provides a connector 100 for connecting with a flexible cable 300. The connector 100 includes a housing 1, a first terminal 2, and a second terminal 3. The first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 are installed in the housing 1. The housing 1 includes a pair of first side plates 11 oppositely arranged in the transverse direction X, a bottom plate 12 and a top plate 13 oppositely arranged in the thickness direction Z, as well as a tail plate 14 and a base 15. Among them, the bottom plate 12, the top plate 13, the tail plate 14, and the first side plates 11 on the left and right sides together surround to form a receiving cavity 10, and the receiving cavity 10 is provided with an opening 16. The opening 16 is oppositely arranged with the tail plate 14 in the longitudinal direction Y. The base 15 is arranged in the receiving cavity 10, and a convex block 151 is arranged on the base 15 near the opening 16.

[0077] The first terminal 2 is arranged in the base 15. The first terminal 2 includes a first elastic arm 21 and a first contact portion 22 arranged on the first elastic arm 21.

[0078] The second terminal 3 is arranged between the first terminals 2 on both sides. The second terminal 3 is provided with a second contact portion 31.

[0079] Among them, the base 15 is provided with a base surface 150, and the base surface 150 is a plane. The distances between the vertices of the convex block 151, the first contact portion 22, and the second contact portion 31 and the base surface 150 are H1, H2, and H3 respectively.

[0080] H1, H2, and H3 have the relationship: H2 ≥ H1 > H3.

[0081] H1: The distance between the vertex of the convex block and the base surface;

[0082] H2: The distance between the vertex (contact point) of the first contact part and the base surface;

[0083] H3: The distance between the vertex (contact point) of the second contact part and the base surface.

[0084] The flexible cable 300 is an FPC or FFC, and is installed in the connector 100 through the pressing member 400. As Figure 2 shown, the flexible cable 300 includes a plug-in part 301, a gold finger 302 and a through hole 303. The gold finger 302 is a metal coating arranged along the longitudinal direction Y, and the through hole 303 is an avoidance hole. The gold finger 302 and the through hole 303 are arranged on the plug-in part 301. The plug-in part 301 passes through the opening 16 and is lifted by the first contact part 22 and then installed on the base 15. The pressing member 400 is inserted into or pulled out of the accommodation cavity 10 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the pressing member 400 presses the plug-in part 301 against the first contact part 22 in the thickness direction Z. The convex block 151 penetrates into the through hole 303, and the second contact part 31 is electrically connected to the gold finger 302 in electrical contact.

[0085] Specifically, the flexible cable 300 is connected to the connector 100 through the plug-in part 301. After passing through the opening 16 and entering the accommodation cavity 10, it is guided by the convex block 151 with an obliquely upward arc surface structure to the first contact part 22 for lifting. The distance H2 between the vertex of the first contact part 22 and the base surface is greater than the distance H3 between the vertex of the second contact part 31 and the base surface, so that the front end of the plug-in part 301 is lifted as a whole, and the gold finger 302 does not contact the second contact part 31, that is, the gold finger 302 will not be scratched and worn by the second contact part 31 during the process of the flexible cable 300 being inserted into the accommodation cavity 10.

[0086] It can be understood that the relational expression "H2≥H1>H3" is the relational expression that the connector has when the plug-in part 301 does not press the first contact part 22.

[0087] After the flexible cable 300 is installed in place, the pressing member 400 is inserted into the accommodation cavity 10 from the opening 16, so that the plug-in part 301 is pressed against the first contact part 22 in the thickness direction Z. At this time, the distance H2 between the vertex of the first contact part and the base surface becomes smaller, and can reach H2≥H3.

[0088] The connector 100 of this embodiment is a board-end connector, and is installed on a rigid circuit board 5 through a fixing piece 4. Specifically, the housing 1 is provided with fixing grooves 111 on the first side plates 11 on both sides. The fixing piece 4 passes through the fixing grooves 111 and is fixed to the circuit board 5. The circuit board 5 is also called a PCB board.

[0089] As Figure 1 shown, the connector 100 is provided with a locking groove 131 on the top plate 13 facing the accommodation cavity 10 for locking and connecting with a mating connector.

[0090] The base 15 extends from the tail plate 14 towards the opening 16, but the end of the base 15 does not completely extend to the opening 16. It can be understood that one end of the base 15 is connected to the tail plate 14, and the other end extends towards the opening 16 but has a certain distance from the opening 16, which can ensure that the connection processes of the flexible cable with the first terminal and the second terminal are all carried out in the accommodation cavity 10.

[0091] Combined with reference Figure 4 and Figure 6 In the longitudinal direction Y, the base 15 is provided with a first groove 152 for installing the first terminal 2 and a second groove 153 for installing the second terminal 3. Among them, the bump 151 is arranged at the end of the first groove 152; the first contact portion 22 of the first terminal 2 is adjacent to and connected to the bump 151, and the first contact portion 22 protrudes towards the top plate 13 or the bottom plate 12 in a manner of elastically stretching in the first groove 152. In some embodiments, the projection of the vertex of the bump 151 on the base plane 150 and the projection of the vertex of the first contact portion 22 on the base plane 150 are on the same straight line.

[0092] The first terminal 2 includes a first fixing portion 23 fixedly connected to the tail plate 14, and a first elastic arm 21 extends from the first fixing portion 23 and is first bent once towards the base 15 in the thickness direction Z, and then bent twice towards the top plate 13 or the bottom plate 12. When the flexible cable 300 is not squeezed by the pressing member 400 in the thickness direction Z, the end of the first elastic arm 21 abuts against the bottom of the bump 151.

[0093] Combined with reference Figure 4 and Figure 7 The second groove 153 is located between the first grooves 152. In this embodiment, the base 15 is provided with three first grooves 152, two of which are close to the first side plate 11, and the other first groove 152 is arranged in the middle of the base 15 in the longitudinal direction Y. In other embodiments, the number and length of the first grooves 152 can be optimized according to the width of the flexible cable 300. For example, only two first grooves 152 close to the first side plate 11 can be provided, or more than 4 first grooves 152 can be provided. The second groove 153 is located between the two first grooves 152 on both sides, that is, the first grooves 152 separate or surround the second groove 153 in the transverse direction X.

[0094] The second terminal 3 includes a second contact portion 31, a second fixing portion 32, and a second elastic arm 33. The second elastic arm 33 extends from the second fixing portion 32 and is bent. The second contact portion 31 is disposed on the second elastic arm 33, and the second contact portion 31 protrudes toward the top plate 13 or the bottom plate 12 in a manner of elastically telescoping in the second groove body 153. In this embodiment, the second terminals 3 are arranged in two upper and lower rows; and the second terminals 3 have a double-elastic-arm and double-contact structure, that is, each second terminal 3 has two second elastic arms 33 and two second contact portions 31.

[0095] Further referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 When the insertion portion 301 of the flexible cable 300 is installed on the base 15 through the opening 16, the insertion portion 301 is guided forward by the bump 151 and lifted by the first contact portion 22 having the maximum height relative to the base surface 150. After the insertion portion 301 reaches the predetermined position, the pressing member 400 is further inserted into the receiving cavity 10 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the insertion portion 301 is pushed to press the first contact portion 22 in the thickness direction Z. The bump 151 of the base 15 penetrates and is connected to the through hole 303 for limiting, and the gold fingers 302 of the flexible cable 300 abut against the second contact portion 31 to achieve electrical contact connection.

[0096] For the connector provided in this embodiment, during the connection process with the flexible cable, it is necessary to install the flexible cable in place and push the pressing member forward longitudinally, and then the gold fingers contact the second terminal, which can avoid scratching and wear of the gold finger plating during the plugging and unplugging process and reduce the situation of introducing foreign objects to damage the gold fingers.

[0097] Embodiment 2:

[0098] Based on Figures 1 - 7 and referring to Figures 8 - 12 this embodiment provides a connector assembly, which includes the connector 100 of Embodiment 1 and a mating connector 200 that is matingly connected to the connector 100. The flexible cable 300 is installed in the mating connector 200 and is inserted into the connector 100 through the mating connector 200 to achieve electrical contact connection between the gold fingers 302 of the flexible cable 300 and the second contact portion 31 of the second terminal 3.

[0099] Further referring to Figure 3 in the flexible cable 300, the insertion portion 301 is provided with a reinforcing layer 304 and a locally thinned structure 305. The reinforcing layer 304 is in a plate-like or film-like structure and is used to enhance the structural strength of the insertion portion 301 and facilitate insertion into the receiving cavity 10 of the connector 100. In this embodiment, the reinforcing layer 304 is disposed on one surface of the flexible cable 300 facing the bottom plate 12 or the top plate 13, and the gold fingers 302 are disposed on one surface of the flexible cable 300 facing the base 15.

[0100] It should be noted that the partial thinning structure 305 is formed on the reinforcing layer 304, ensuring that while the insertion part 301 has structural strength, it also has good flexibility, facilitating the front end 306 of the insertion part 301 to be lifted by the first contact part 22 and reach the installation position during the insertion process.

[0101] Furthermore, the partial thinning structure 305 is a groove formed by recessing from the reinforcing layer 304 in the thickness direction Z. In some embodiments, the groove can be a single or multiple independent troughs, and the multiple independent troughs are not connected to each other; in other embodiments, the groove is a continuous trough that penetrates the insertion part 301 in the transverse direction X. Based on this continuous trough structure, during the process of inserting the insertion part 301 into the receiving cavity 10 and installing it on the base 15, it is more conducive to the whole being guided by the bump 151 and lifted by the first contact part 22, avoiding scratching and wear of the gold fingers.

[0102] The through hole 303 with an avoidance function is a strip-shaped hole or an oval hole opened along the longitudinal direction Y. Part of the through hole 303 is located at the front end 306, and part is located in the groove of the partial thinning structure 305.

[0103] As Figure 10 shown, after the front end 306 is guided by the bump 151 and lifted by the first contact part 22, the vertex of the bump 151 first penetrates into the through hole part located at the front end 306, and then penetrates into the through hole part located in the partial thinning structure 305. At this time, by pushing the pressing member 400, the front end 306 can be pressed against the first contact part 22, and the first elastic arm 21 undergoes elastic deformation. The end of the first elastic arm 21 that originally abutted against the bottom of the bump 151 will move towards the first trough 152, and the bump 151 completely penetrates into the through hole 303 for avoidance and limiting.

[0104] The mating connector 200 includes a mating housing 6, a first locking member 7, and a second locking member 8. Among them, the mating housing 6 includes a mating bottom plate 61 and a mating top plate 62 that are oppositely arranged in the thickness direction Z, a pair of second side plates 63 that are oppositely arranged in the transverse direction X, and a separator 64. Among them, the two second side plates 63 and the separator 64 on both sides and the upper mating top plate 62 surround to form a receiving groove 60, or the two second side plates 63 and the separator 64 on both sides and the lower mating bottom plate 61 surround to form a receiving groove 60. That is, two receiving grooves 60 are separated by the separator 64 in the cavity of the mating housing 6 for pre-installing the pressing member 400 and the flexible cable 300. The mating top plate 62 is provided with a first limiting groove 621, and the mating bottom plate is provided with a second limiting groove 611.

[0105] The first locking member 7 is pre-installed in the first limiting groove 621, and the first locking member 7 is used for mating connection with the top plate 13 of the connector 100.

[0106] The second locking member 8 is inserted and installed in the second limiting groove 611 along the thickness direction Z. The second locking member 8 is used to limit and install the flexible cable 300 in the mating housing 6.

[0107] Furthermore, the mating connector 200 further includes a panel 65. The panel 65 is provided with a slot 651 communicating with the receiving groove 60. The flexible cable 300 is inserted into the receiving groove 60 through the slot 651.

[0108] The pressing member 400, the first locking member 7, and the panel 65 can be of a split or integral structure. In some embodiments, the pressing member 400, the first locking member 7, and the panel 65 are of a split structure. The pressing member 400 and the first locking member 7 are first respectively inserted and installed in the receiving groove 60 and the first limiting groove 621. There is a preset pushing distance between the panel 65 and the mating housing 6. The flexible cable 300 is inserted into the receiving groove 60 through the slot 651 and is limited in the thickness direction by the second locking member 8. The flexible cable 300 is flatly pressed and connected to the separating member 64 by the pressing member 400, but the pressing member 400 can move forward relative to the flexible cable 300.

[0109] In some embodiments, the pressing member 400, the first locking member 7, and the panel 65 are of an integral structure. At this time, the pressing member 400, the first locking member 7, and the panel 65 form an integral injection molded part 500. In the injection molded part 500, the pressing member 400 and the first locking member 7 extend from the same side of the panel 65. During the installation process, the injection molded part 500 is inserted into the mating housing 6. At this time, the pressing member 400 and the first locking member 7 move synchronously and are respectively inserted and installed in the receiving groove 60 and the first limiting groove 621. As Figure 8 shown, there is a certain distance between the slot 651 of the panel 65 and the receiving groove 60 before being completely communicated. The flexible cable 300 is inserted into the receiving groove 60 through the slot 651.

[0110] In the connection structure between the pressing member 400 and the second side plate 63. The second side plate 63 is provided with a limiting block 631 protruding towards the receiving groove 60. The limiting block 631 is provided with a guiding portion 632 and a stopping portion 633. Among them, the guiding portion 632 is closer to the panel 65 than the stopping portion 633. The guiding portion 632 is of an arc surface structure, and the stopping portion 633 is of a right angle structure.

[0111] Correspondingly, with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 12, the pressing member 400 is provided with a first clamping block 401, a second clamping block 402 and a limiting groove 403 on the side wall. The second clamping block 402 is closer to the panel 65 than the first clamping block 401. The second clamping block 402 has an arc-shaped structure, and the first clamping block 401 has a right-angle structure. The limiting groove 403 is opened between the first clamping block 401 and the second clamping block 402, and the shape of its groove body is adapted to the shape of the limiting block 631. When the pressing member 400 is pre-locked to the mating housing 6, the limiting block 631 is snap-fitted into the limiting groove 403, and the first clamping block 401 is limited to the stopping portion 633. Since both the first clamping block 401 and the stopping portion 633 have right-angle structures, the first clamping block 401 cannot be disengaged from the receiving groove in the longitudinal direction Y. At this time, the second clamping block 402 abuts against the guiding portion 632. The front end of the pressing member 400 reaches the locally thinned structure of the flexible cable 300, but does not reach the forward end.

[0112] Combined with reference Figures 6 - 7 , and Figure 12 and Figure 13 , the pressing member 400 moves forward in the longitudinal direction Y, and when the forward end 306 of the flexible cable 300 is pushed in the thickness direction Z to squeeze the first contact portion 22, the limiting groove 403 leaves the limiting block 631, the second clamping block 402 passes through the guiding portion 632, and finally is limited to the stopping portion 633. The front end of the pressing member 400 reaches the forward end of the flexible cable 300. After being plugged in place, there is a tactile and audible feedback.

[0113] In the mating connector 200, the forward end 306 of the flexible cable 300 is retracted into the mating housing 6, which can prevent accidental touch and impact.

[0114] In addition, the pressing member 400 is provided with a reinforcing rib 404. In the thickness direction Z, the reinforcing rib 404 faces the mating bottom plate 61 or the mating top plate 62; and, the reinforcing rib 404 is connected to the panel 65 and extends in the longitudinal direction Y, which can prevent the pressing member 400 from deforming in the thickness direction; correspondingly, the mating housing 6 is provided with a guiding groove 622 on the mating top plate 62, and the guiding groove 622 and the reinforcing rib 404 cooperate with each other to have a limiting and guiding effect. The pressing member 400 is also provided with a slotted opening 405 in the longitudinal direction Y at the position adjacent to the first clamping block 401 and the second clamping block 402, which is convenient for the first clamping block 401 and the second clamping block 402 to elastically deform when passing through the limiting block 631.

[0115] In the connector 100, the top plate 13 is provided with a locking groove 131 facing the receiving cavity 10. Since the pressing member 400, the first locking member 7 and the panel 65 are integrally formed injection molded parts 500, when the pressing member 400 moves, the first locking member 7 also moves synchronously with the pressing member 400 and is inserted and fixed in the locking groove 131.

[0116] In the connector assembly provided in this embodiment, the connector and the mating connector are cooperatively connected. The flexible cable has a locally thinned structure, which is beneficial for being lifted by the first contact portion in the thickness direction and finally being pressed by the pressing member when smoothly inserted into the receiving cavity, so that the gold fingers are electrically connected to the second contact portion, improving the connection stability between the flexible cable and the second terminal and enhancing the transmission efficiency.

[0117] Embodiment 3:

[0118] Based on Figures 1 - 13 and in combination with reference to Figure 14 and Figure 15 , this embodiment describes the hot plugging and unplugging operation of the connector assembly.

[0119] As Figure 14 shown, in Figure 14 A, the injection molded part 500 is inserted into the mating housing 6. The pressing member 400 and the first locking member 7 are first respectively inserted and installed in the receiving groove 60 and the first limiting groove 621. There is a certain distance between the panel 65 and the mating housing. The flexible cable 300 is inserted into the receiving groove 60 through the slot and is locked by the second locking member 8 in the thickness direction; the flexible cable 300 is flatly pressed and connected to the partition member 64 by the pressing member 400.

[0120] Next, the mating connector 200 is inserted into the receiving cavity 10 of the connector 100. The insertion portion 301 of the flexible cable 300 is installed on the base 15 through the opening 16, and the forward end 306 of the insertion portion 301 is guided forward by the convex block 151; the locally thinned structure 305 provided in the reinforcing layer 304 ensures that the insertion portion 301 has both structural strength and good flexibility, facilitating the forward end 306 of the insertion portion 301 to be lifted by the first contact portion 22 and reach the installation position after being guided forward by the convex block 151. The first locking member enters the locking groove for pre-locking.

[0121] Referring to Figure 10 , the second contact portion 31 of the second terminal 3 does not contact the gold fingers of the flexible cable.

[0122] In Figure 14 B, at the pressing hand position of the injection molded part, by pushing the pressing member 400 and the first locking member 7 in the longitudinal direction Y, the pressing member 400 is further inserted into the receiving cavity 10 in the longitudinal direction Y, so that the forward end 306 can press the first contact portion 22, and the first elastic arm 21 undergoes elastic deformation. The end of the first elastic arm 21 that originally abutted against the bottom of the convex block 151 will move towards the first groove body 152, and the convex block 151 completely penetrates the through hole 303 for avoidance and limitation. The first locking member completely enters the locking groove, locking the connector and the mating connector together.

[0123] Correspondingly, referring to Figure 15, the forward end 306 of the insertion part 301 approaches the base 15, and the gold fingers 302 of the flexible cable 300 abut against the second contact part 31 to achieve electrical contact connection.

[0124] In Figure 14 In C of, even when energized, the injection molded part is pulled out in the longitudinal direction Y, so that the first locking part and the pressing part partially withdraw from the accommodation cavity. At this time, the first elastic arm moves towards the base direction, jacking up the insertion part, so that the gold fingers of the flexible cable are separated from the second contact part. That is, the mating connector and the connector can be inserted and separated under the energized condition, realizing hot plugging and unplugging.

[0125] The above content is only an example and description of the structure of the present invention. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as a limitation of the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can be made, and these obvious replacement forms all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector for connecting to a flexible cable, characterized in that, The connector includes: A housing, including a pair of first side plates oppositely arranged in the lateral direction, a bottom plate and a top plate oppositely arranged in the thickness direction, a tail plate and a base. The bottom plate, the top plate, the first side plates and the tail plate jointly enclose a receiving cavity with an opening. The base is arranged in the receiving cavity, and a convex block is provided at the base near the opening; A first terminal, arranged in the base. The first terminal includes a first elastic arm and a first contact portion arranged on the first elastic arm; and A second terminal, arranged between the first terminals on both sides. The second terminal is provided with a second contact portion; Wherein, the base is provided with a base surface. The distances from the vertices of the convex block, the first contact portion and the second contact portion to the base surface are H1, H2, and H3 respectively, and there is a relational expression: H2≥H1>H3; The flexible cable is installed in the connector through a pressing member. The flexible cable includes a plug-in portion, a gold finger and a through hole arranged on the plug-in portion. The plug-in portion passes through the opening and is lifted by the first contact portion and then installed on the base. The pressing member is inserted into or pulled out of the receiving cavity in the longitudinal direction, and the plug-in portion is pressed against the first contact portion in the thickness direction. The convex block penetrates into the through hole, and the second contact portion is electrically connected to the gold finger in electrical contact; The plug-in portion is provided with a reinforcing layer and a locally thinned structure formed in the reinforcing layer.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base extends from the tail plate towards the opening; in the longitudinal direction, the base is provided with a first groove for installing the first terminal. The convex block is arranged at the end of the first groove. The first contact portion is adjacently connected to the convex block, and the first contact portion protrudes towards the top plate or the bottom plate in a manner of elastically stretching in the first groove.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein, The first terminal further includes a first fixing portion fixedly connected to the tail plate. The first elastic arm extends from the first fixing portion, and is first bent once towards the base in the thickness direction, and then bent a second time towards the top plate or the bottom plate. When the flexible cable is not squeezed in the thickness direction, the end of the first elastic arm abuts against the bottom of the convex block.

4. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base is further provided with a second groove for installing the second terminal. The second groove is located between the first grooves; The second terminal includes a second fixing portion and a second elastic arm extending from the second fixing portion and bent. The second contact portion is arranged on the second elastic arm, and the second contact portion protrudes towards the top plate or the bottom plate in a manner of elastically stretching in the second groove.

5. Connector assembly, characterized in that, Including: The connector according to any one of claims 1-4, and A mating connector, matingly connected to the connector, and a flexible cable is arranged in the mating connector.

6. The connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein The locally thinned structure is a groove. The groove is a single or multiple independent grooves, or a continuous groove penetrating the plug-in portion in the lateral direction.

7. The connector assembly according to claim 6, wherein, In the flexible cable, part of the through hole is located at the forward end of the plug-in portion, and part is located in the locally thinned area.

8. The connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The mating connector includes: The mating housing includes a mating bottom plate and a mating top plate that are oppositely arranged in the thickness direction, a pair of second side plates that are oppositely arranged in the transverse direction, and a partition member; the second side plates and the partition member respectively surround with the mating top plate or the mating bottom plate to form a receiving groove, and a pressing member is pre-installed in the receiving groove; the mating top plate and the mating bottom plate are respectively provided with a first limiting groove and a second limiting groove; A first locking member, pre-installed in the first limiting groove, for connecting with the top plate; and A second locking member, inserted and installed in the second limiting groove along the thickness direction, for limiting and installing the flexible cable in the mating housing.

9. The connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The mating connector further includes a panel, and the panel is provided with a slot communicating with the receiving groove, and the flexible cable is inserted into the receiving groove through the slot.

10. The connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The pressing member, the first locking member and the panel form an integral injection molded part, and the pressing member and the first locking member extend from the same side of the panel.

11. The connector assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The second side plate is provided with a limiting block protruding toward the receiving groove, and the limiting block is provided with a guiding portion and a stopping portion; The pressing member is provided with a first clamping block and a second clamping block on the side wall, and a limiting groove between the first clamping block and the second clamping block; when the pressing member is pre-locked to the mating housing, the limiting block is snap-fitted into the limiting groove, and the first clamping block is limited by the stopping portion.

12. The connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein, When the pressing member moves forward longitudinally and pushes the forward end of the flexible cable in the thickness direction to squeeze the second contact portion, the second clamping block passes through the guiding portion and is finally limited by the stopping portion.

13. The connector assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The pressing member is provided with a reinforcing rib facing the mating top plate or the mating bottom plate, and the reinforcing rib is connected to the panel and extends longitudinally; The pressing member is provided with a slot longitudinally at a position adjacent to the first clamping block and the second clamping block; The top plate is provided with a locking groove facing the receiving cavity, and the first locking member moves synchronously with the pressing member and is inserted and fixed in the locking groove.

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