Connector for flat connection object

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector for a flat connection object. The connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts held by the insulative housing, an upper conductive housing and a lower conductive housing secured to the insulative housing. The lower conductive housing includes a pair of locking portions, each of which is constantly resiliently biased to a locked position and has a pressed portion. The upper conductive housing includes a pair of unlocking portions, each of which includes an actuating portion positioned above the pressed portion. By pressing the actuating portion, the locking portion is biased away from the locking position to release the locking of the flat connection object. And each unlocking part also comprises a touch indication part. When the visual indication is lacked, the user can confirm whether the finger has accurately positioned the pressing position for releasing the locking of the flat connection object through the tactile indication part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for a flat connection object such as a flexible flat cable (FFC), a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or the like, and more particularly to a connector capable of releasing the lock on the flat connection object by pressing an actuating portion formed on a metal housing. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-097979A (Patent Document 1) discloses a connector for wiring plate-like components (such as flexible flat cables or flexible printed circuits). The connector of Patent Document 1 has an actuator that can be pivotally operated, and the locking and unlocking of the wiring plate-like components are achieved by pivoting the actuator. However, this actuator has a certain thickness, so this connector is not conducive to realizing a thin connector. In addition, this connector requires space to operate the actuator and is not suitable for installation in places with narrow space.

[0003] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0149565A1 (Patent Document 2) discloses an easy-lock connector with a push-to-unlock structure. Patent Document 2 is a prior application filed by the applicant of this case. In Patent Document 2, the push-to-unlock structure is integrated into the metal shell of the connector. There is no need to increase the number of connector parts in order to provide the push-to-unlock function. However, when the connector of Patent Document 2 is applied to a precision small connector with a narrow pitch, the pressing portion may be made to have an area less than or equal to 2.2x1.6mm 2 . At this time, because the ribs already occupy a portion of the pressing portion, it is difficult to ensure that a sufficient area is provided on the pressing portion for setting a visual indication. Even if a visual indication is provided on the pressing portion or other parts of the connector, such visual indication may sometimes be difficult to identify or invisible, for example in low light conditions or when the pressing portion cannot be visually viewed from directly above the connector. In addition, the size of the pressing portion is very small, resulting in the visual indication being completely covered by the finger before the user moves the fingertip accurately over the pressing portion. When the visual indication has been completely covered by the finger and the user's fingertip has not yet been accurately positioned over the pressing portion, the user cannot use vision to confirm whether the fingertip has been accurately positioned over the pressing portion. At this time, the user can only press repeatedly at different positions until the correct pressing position is pressed.

[0004] In order to make up for the deficiency of visual indication, it is expected to provide indication other than visual indication, such as tactile indication, on the connector in a simple, reliable and low-cost manner. Summary of the invention

[0005] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a connector for a flat connection object, which can release the locking of the flat connection object by pressing an actuating portion.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for a flat connection object, which can indicate a pressing position for releasing the locking of the flat connection object in a tactilely perceptible manner.

[0007] According to a solution of the present invention, a connector for a flat connection object is provided, the flat connection object includes a pair of notches and a plurality of electrode portions formed at an insertion end of the flat connection object, the pair of notches are respectively formed at two opposite side edges of the flat connection object and adjacent to the insertion end, the connector includes: an insulating shell having an opening for inserting the flat connection object; a plurality of contacts held by the insulating shell, each contact having a contact portion extending into the opening and to be in contact with one of the plurality of electrode portions and a connection terminal portion opposite to the contact portion and extending from the insulating shell; an upper conductive shell and a lower conductive shell, the upper conductive shell and the lower conductive shell being fixed to the insulating shell; wherein the lower conductive shell includes a lower shell body portion and a pair of locking portions respectively located at both ends of the lower shell body portion, each locking portion being constantly elastically biased to a locking position, each locking portion having a pushed portion, a first extending portion and a stop protrusion, the first extending portion extending from the pushed portion The connector of the embodiment of the present invention is a block diagram of a connector for use with a plurality of connectors for connecting the flat connector to a plurality of connectors. The connector of the embodiment of the present invention is a block diagram of a connector for use with a plurality of connectors for connecting the flat connector to a plurality of connectors for connecting the flat connector ...

[0008] According to the connector of the present invention, the tactile indication portion is formed integrally with the actuating portion.

[0009] According to the connector of the present invention, the tactile indication portion is formed separately from the upper conductive housing and is fixed to the actuating portion by adhesive, bonding agent or solder.

[0010] According to the connector of the present invention, the upper surface of the tactile indication portion is formed with textures.

[0011] According to the connector of the present invention, the upper surface of the tactile indicator is formed with a convex or concave pattern or character.

[0012] According to the connector of the present invention, a printed pattern or character is formed on the upper surface of the tactile indicator.

[0013] According to the connector of the present invention, the upper surface of the tactile indication portion is colored.

[0014] According to the connector of the present invention, each locking portion further comprises a U-shaped bending portion and a second extending portion, the second extending portion extends from the lower housing body portion, and the pushed portion is connected to the second extending portion through the U-shaped bending portion.

[0015] According to the connector of the present invention, the actuating portion is formed with a protrusion that protrudes toward the pressed portion.

[0016] According to the connector of the present invention, the front edge of the stop protrusion is inclined toward the insertion direction of the flat connection object. When the flat connection object is inserted into the opening, the insertion end of the flat connection object will abut the front edge of the stop protrusion. Further movement of the flat connection object in the insertion direction will cause the stop protrusion to be biased downward, so that the locking portion is biased away from the locking position.

[0017] The connector of the present invention provides a simple, reliable and easy-to-use method, allowing a user to quickly lock and release a flat connection object, while using a tactile indicator to assist the user in determining the operating position of the unlocking portion.

[0018] A person having ordinary technical knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs will be able to best understand the technical features and other purposes and advantages of the present invention after referring to the specification and drawings of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 is another perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a portion of the upper conductive housing is not shown.

[0021] Figure 3 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 41 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a state in which a flat connection object has been inserted into the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lower conductive housing.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram schematically showing the engagement of flat connection objects by a locking portion.

[0025] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper conductive housing.

[0026] Figure 8 is a side view of the upper conductive housing.

[0027] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram partially showing the upper conductive shell and the lower conductive shell.

[0028] Description of Reference Numerals

[0029] 10: Connectors

[0030] 12: Upper conductive housing

[0031] 120: Upper housing body

[0032] 122: Unlocking Department

[0033] 1221: Tactile indication unit

[0034] 1222: Actuator

[0035] 1223: Elastic Arm

[0036] 12220: Protrusion

[0037] 124: Fixed part

[0038] 126A: Holding unit

[0039] 126B: Holding unit

[0040] 14: Lower conductive housing

[0041] 140: Lower housing body

[0042] 142: Locking part

[0043] 1421: Stop tab

[0044] 1422: First extension

[0045] 1423: The Pushed Department

[0046] 1424: U-shaped bend

[0047] 1425: Second extension

[0048] 144: Fixed part

[0049] 146A: Holding unit

[0050] 146B: Holding unit

[0051] 146C: Holding part

[0052] 148: Buckle

[0053] 16: Insulation housing

[0054] 162: Opening

[0055] 18: Contact

[0056] 182: Contact Department

[0057] 184: Connection terminal

[0058] 20: Flat connection object

[0059] 22: Electrode

[0060] 24: Notch

[0061] h: height difference. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The following will describe a connector for flat connection objects (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "connector") according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, the same elements or elements having the same function are marked with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0063] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is another perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present invention. In order to further show the internal details of the connector, Figure 2 , a portion of the upper conductive housing is not shown. Figure 3 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector for flat connection objects according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector for flat connection objects is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Figures 1 to 3 , briefly describing the components of the connector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The connector 10 includes an insulating housing 16, an upper conductive housing 12, and a lower conductive housing 14 (shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) and a plurality of contacts 18 (shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0064] The insulating housing 16 is made of an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material. The insulating housing 16 is formed with a flat connection object 20 (shown in FIG. Figure 4 ) is inserted into the opening 162. Each of the upper conductive shell 12 and the lower conductive shell 14 is made of metal or alloy material. The upper conductive shell 12 and the lower conductive shell 14 are fixed to the insulating shell 16 so that a portion of the insulating shell is covered by the upper conductive shell 12 and the lower conductive shell 14. A plurality of contacts 18 are held by the insulating shell 16. Each of the contacts 18 is made of copper or a copper alloy. Each of the contacts 18 has a contact portion 182 and a connection terminal portion 184 opposite to the contact portion 182. The contact portion 182 extends into the opening 162, and the connection terminal portion 184 extends out from the insulating shell 16. The connection terminal portion 184 can be soldered to a solder pad formed on a printed circuit board (not shown) by surface mounting technology (SMT).

[0065] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the connector 10 can automatically lock the inserted flat connection object 20 to prevent the flat connection object 20 from being removed from the connector 10. By pressing a pair of unlocking portions 122 integrally formed on the upper conductive housing 12, the lock on the flat connection object 20 is released, allowing the flat connection object 20 to be removed from the connector 10.

[0066] In order to indicate a pressed position for releasing the lock of the flat connection object 20, a tactile indication portion 1221 is provided on each unlocking portion 122. Therefore, the user can confirm the pressed position with a finger.

[0067] Figure 4 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a state in which a flat connection object 20 is inserted into the connector 10. The flat connection object 20 may be a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible printed circuit (FPC), but is not limited thereto.

[0068] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the lower conductive housing. Figure 5 , details of the lower conductive shell 14 are described.

[0069] The lower conductive housing 14 is manufactured by stamping and bending a metal sheet. The lower conductive housing 14 is a single-piece metal component, but is not limited thereto. The lower conductive housing 14 may be formed by a plurality of parts.

[0070] The lower conductive shell 14 includes a lower shell body 140 and a pair of locking portions 142 respectively located at both ends of the lower shell body 140. Each locking portion 142 moves between a locking position and an unlocking position. Each locking portion 142 is constantly elastically biased to the locking position. The locking portion 142 has a stopper tab 1421, a first extension portion 1422, a pressed portion 1423, a U-shaped bending portion 1424 and a second extension portion 1425. The second extension portion 1425 extends outward from the side of the lower shell body 140. The pressed portion 1423 is connected to the second extension portion 1425 through the U-shaped bending portion 1424, so that the pressed portion 1423 is positioned close to or in contact with the upper conductive shell 12. The first extension portion 1422 extends from the pressed portion 1423 into the opening 162 of the insulating shell 16. The stop tab 1421 is formed at the distal end of the first extension portion 1422 so that when the flat connection object 20 is inserted into the opening 162 of the insulating housing 16, the stop tab 1421 will contact with the notch (shown in FIG. Figure 6 ) to prevent the flat connection object 20 from being pulled out or detached from the connector 10.

[0071] The stopper tab 1421 is configured not to hinder the insertion of the flat connection object 20. Specifically, the front edge of the stopper tab 1421 is inclined toward the insertion direction of the flat connection object 20. During the process of inserting the flat connection object 20 into the opening 162 of the insulating housing 16, the insertion end of the flat connection object 20 abuts against the front edge of the stopper tab 1421, and further movement of the flat connection object 20 in the insertion direction causes the stopper tab 1421 to be biased downward, so that the locking portion is biased from the locking position to the unlocking position. Therefore, the stopper tab 1421 does not hinder the insertion of the flat connection object 20. The locking of the flat connection object 20 can be achieved by simply inserting the flat connection object 20 into the opening 162 of the insulating housing 16, without the need to additionally operate other components.

[0072] In order to fix the lower conductive shell 14 to the insulator 16, a plurality of retaining portions 146A, 146B, 146C are formed at the front edge of the lower conductive shell 14, and a plurality of snap portions 148 are formed at the rear edge of the lower conductive shell 14. Each retaining portion has a barb. Each retaining portion is inserted into a corresponding retaining hole formed in the insulating shell 16 in an interference fit manner. Each snap portion 148 is engaged with a corresponding protrusion formed on the rear side of the insulating shell 16. In this way, the lower conductive shell 14 is fixed to the insulator 16.

[0073] The lower conductive housing 14 also has two fixing portions 144. The fixing portions 144 are to be fixed to the printed circuit board by welding. Optionally, the lower conductive housing 14 is grounded.

[0074] Figure 6 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the engagement of the flat connection object 20 by the locking portion 142. Figure 6 , the structure of the flat connection object 20 and the connection relationship between the flat connection object 20 and the locking portion 142 are described.

[0075] The flat connection object 20 includes a pair of notches 24 and a plurality of electrode portions 22 formed at the insertion end of the flat connection object 20. The pair of notches 24 are respectively formed at two opposite side edges of the flat connection object 20 and adjacent to the insertion end. When the flat connection object 20 is inserted into the opening 162 of the insulating housing 16, on the one hand, the contact portions 182 of the plurality of contact members 18 will respectively make electrical contact with the plurality of electrode portions 22. On the other hand, the stopper tabs 1421 of the pair of locking portions 142 will engage with the pair of notches 24 to prevent the flat connection object 20 from being pulled out or detached from the connector 10.

[0076] When the pressed portion 1423 is pushed downward, the stopper protrusion 1421 is disengaged from the notch 24. At this time, the locking of the flat connection object 20 is released, allowing the flat connection object 20 to be pulled out or disengaged from the connector 10.

[0077] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper conductive housing. Figure 8 is a side view of the upper conductive housing. Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram partially showing the upper conductive shell and the lower conductive shell. Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , illustrating the details of the upper conductive shell 12 and the connection relationship between the upper conductive shell 12 and the lower conductive shell 14.

[0078] Similar to the lower conductive housing 14, the upper conductive housing 12 is also manufactured by stamping and bending a metal sheet. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper conductive housing 12 is a single-piece metal component, but is not limited thereto. The upper conductive housing 12 may be formed by multiple parts.

[0079] The upper conductive housing 12 includes an upper housing body 120 and a pair of unlocking parts 122 respectively located at both ends of the upper housing body 120. Each unlocking part 122 includes an elastic arm 1223 and an actuating part 1222 formed at the distal end of the elastic arm 1223. The actuating part 1222 is positioned above the pressed part 1423 of the locking part 142. The actuating part 1222 is formed with a protrusion 12220 protruding toward the pressed part 1423. By pressing the actuating part 1222 of the unlocking part 122, the pressed part 1423 of the locking part 142 is pushed downward, so that the locking part 142 is biased and leaves the locking position to release the locking of the flat connection object 20. In a state where the actuating part 1222 is not pressed, the protrusion 12220 can be brought into contact with or close to the pressed part 1423 of the locking part 142.

[0080] Each unlocking portion 122 further includes a tactile indicator portion 1221 positioned above the actuating portion 1222 to indicate a pressing position for releasing the lock on the flat connection object 20. Figure 8 As shown, the upper surface of the tactile indicator 1221 is set to be higher than the upper surface of the upper shell body 120. The height difference h between the upper surface of the tactile indicator 1221 and the upper surface of the upper shell body 120 is sufficient to cause tactilely perceptible unevenness. Generally speaking, the unevenness caused by the height difference of hundreds of microns can be perceived by the skin of the user's fingers. Therefore, the user can use the finger to confirm the pressing position for releasing the lock on the flat connection object, and then accurately position the finger at the pressing position and apply a pressing force. In this way, the user can quickly release the lock on the flat connection object and avoid the user applying a pressing force at the wrong position.

[0081] In order to fix the upper conductive shell 12 to the insulator 16, a plurality of retaining portions 126A, 126B are formed at both ends and the front edge of the lower conductive shell 14. Each retaining portion has a barb. Each retaining portion is inserted into a corresponding retaining hole formed in the insulating shell 16 in an interference fit manner. In this way, the upper conductive shell 12 is fixed to the insulator 16.

[0082] The upper conductive housing 12 also has two fixing portions 124. The fixing portions 124 are to be fixed to the printed circuit board by welding. Optionally, the upper conductive housing 12 is grounded through the fixing portions 124.

[0083] In this embodiment, the tactile indicator 1221 is formed integrally with the actuator 1222. However, in a variation of the present invention, the tactile indicator may be an additional component formed separately from the upper conductive housing. Such an additional component may be fixed to the actuator by an adhesive, a bonding agent or solder.

[0084] The tactile indicator portion may be made to have an area larger than that of the actuating portion. The tactile indicator portion may be made to have a rectangular shape with a length-to-width ratio between 3:2 and 1:1. Thus, it is ensured that the tactile indicator portion has an area sufficient for setting the visual indication.

[0085] In order to further enhance the tactile recognition or visual recognition of the tactile indicator, a pattern or character with a convex or concave shape may be formed on the upper surface of the tactile indicator or by stamping or embossing. Alternatively, a printed pattern or character may be formed on the upper surface of the tactile indicator by a printing technique. Printing techniques include, for example, relief printing, gravure printing, lithography, screen printing, pad printing, transfer printing, and inkjet printing. If necessary, the upper surface of the tactile indicator may be colored.

[0086] Although the present invention is described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications are possible for a person with ordinary technical knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the inventive concept and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is subject to the text of the claims, that is, equivalent changes and modifications made without departing from the claims of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector for a flat connection object, the flat connection object comprising a pair of notches and a plurality of electrode portions formed at an insertion end of the flat connection object, the pair of notches being respectively formed at two opposite side edges of the flat connection object and adjacent to the insertion end, the connector comprising: An insulating housing having an opening for inserting the flat connection object; A plurality of contact members held by the insulating housing, each of the contact members having a contact portion extending into the opening and to be in contact with one of the plurality of electrode portions and a connection terminal portion opposite to the contact portion and extending from the insulating housing; An upper conductive shell and a lower conductive shell, wherein the upper conductive shell and the lower conductive shell are fixed to the insulating shell; The lower conductive shell includes a lower shell body and a pair of locking parts respectively located at both ends of the lower shell body, each locking part is constantly elastically biased to a locking position, each locking part has a pushed part, a first extension part and a stop convex piece, the first extension part extends from the pushed part into the opening, and the stop convex piece is formed at the distal end of the first extension part, so that when the flat connection object is inserted into the opening, the stop convex pieces of the pair of locking parts will engage with the pair of notches to prevent the flat connection object from being detached from the connector. The upper conductive housing includes an upper housing body and a pair of unlocking parts respectively located at two ends of the upper housing body, each unlocking part includes an elastic arm and an actuating part formed at the distal end of the elastic arm and positioned above the pushed part, and by pressing the actuating part, the pushed part is pushed downward, so that the locking part is biased and leaves the locking position, so as to release the locking of the flat connection object. Each unlocking portion also includes a tactile indicator portion positioned above the actuating portion, the upper surface of the tactile indicator portion being higher than the upper surface of the upper shell body portion, so that the unevenness caused by the tactile indicator portion is tactilely detectable to indicate a pressing position for releasing the lock on the flat connection object. 2 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the tactile indicator portion is integrally formed with the actuating portion. 3 . The connector of claim 1 , wherein the tactile indicator portion is formed separately from the upper conductive housing and is fixed to the actuating portion by an adhesive, a bonding agent or a solder. 4 . The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the tactile indicator is formed with textures. 5 . The connector according to claim 1 , wherein an outer convex or inner concave pattern or character is formed on an upper surface of the tactile indicator. 6 . The connector according to claim 1 , wherein a printed pattern or character is formed on an upper surface of the tactile indicator.

7. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an upper surface of the tactile indicator is colored.

8. The connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each locking portion further comprises a U-shaped bending portion and a second extending portion, the second extending portion extending from the lower shell body portion, and the pushed portion is connected to the second extending portion through the U-shaped bending portion.

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuating portion is formed with a protrusion protruding toward the pressed portion.

10. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the front edge of the stop protrusion is inclined toward the insertion direction of the flat connection object, and when the flat connection object is inserted into the opening, the insertion end of the flat connection object will abut the front edge of the stop protrusion, and further movement of the flat connection object in the insertion direction will cause the stop protrusion to be biased downward, so that the locking portion is biased away from the locking position.

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