FPC connector convenient to assemble

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, in particular to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector convenient to assemble, which comprises an insulating base, a plurality of terminals arranged on the insulating base and a gland hinged to the insulating base, and the front side of the insulating base is provided with a wire inserting groove for a peripheral FPC flat cable to be inserted so as to be electrically connected with the terminals. The limiting clamping protrusion is provided with a hinge shaft. An elastic arm is arranged above the supporting step; a blocking protrusion extending towards the supporting step is arranged at the rear end of the elastic arm, the front side of the blocking protrusion and the supporting step define a hinge groove used for surrounding the hinge shaft front and back, and the hinge groove and the hinge shaft are rotationally matched with each other. The rear side of the blocking protrusion and the supporting step define a preassembling space allowing the hinge shaft to be embedded therein. And a guide inclined surface is arranged on the rear side of the blocking bulge, so that the elastic arm can be tilted for avoiding when the hinge shaft is pushed forwards from the preassembling space to the hinge groove by external force. Compared with the prior art, only the pressing cover needs to be pushed forwards and backwards during assembly, and automatic production is achieved conveniently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of connectors, and particularly relates to an FPC connector convenient for assembly. Background Art

[0002] FPC (abbreviation for Flexible Printed Circuit, flexible printed circuit board) is a highly reliable flexible printed circuit board made of polyimide or polyester film as the substrate, which has the characteristics of high wiring density, light weight, thin thickness, and good bendability. The FPC connector is used to connect the PCB (abbreviation for Printed Circuit Board, printed circuit board) and the FPC to achieve mechanical and electrical connections between them.

[0003] For example, an FPC connector disclosed in a Chinese patent document with the publication number CN213093426U for connecting an FPC cable includes: a main housing; and a terminal assembly disposed on the main housing; an insertion port portion is provided at one end in the width direction of the main housing, and an introduction structure is provided in the insertion port portion for introducing the FPC cable into the insertion port portion. By providing the introduction structure at the insertion port portion of the main housing, it is convenient to better align and guide the insertion when installing the FPC cable into the FPC connector, that is, it is convenient to load the FPC cable into the FPC connector, effectively avoiding damage to the FPC connector and the FPC cable, and also improving the installation efficiency of the FPC connector and the FPC cable.

[0004] Another example is an FPC connector disclosed in a Chinese patent document with the publication number CN204361407U, which includes an insulating body, a flip cover, and a plurality of connection terminals fixed in the insulating body and arranged at intervals in the width direction of the insulating body; the connection terminals include a terminal upper arm and a terminal lower arm, and a plurality of through grooves corresponding to the connection terminals one by one are provided on the flip cover to allow the terminal upper arm to extend into them. A pivot shaft is provided on the flip cover along the arrangement direction of the through grooves, and the pivot shaft penetrates through each through groove; corresponding pivot holes are provided on the terminal upper arm; guiding blocks are respectively provided at both ends in the length direction of the flip cover, and guiding surfaces cooperating with the guiding blocks are provided on the insulating body; a convex rib is provided on the outer side surface of the guiding block, and grooves for cooperating with the convex rib to prevent the flip cover from opening are provided on both inner side walls in the width direction of the insulating body. The technical problem to be solved is to provide an FPC connector with a simple structure, small influence by vibration, long service life of the flip cover, and not easily detaching from the insulating body.

[0005] In the prior art FPC connector, the gland / flip cover is hinged to the insulating base or terminal. Due to the limitations of the existing hinged structure, there is a lack of positioning before the gland is embedded in the hinged position. The hinge axis of the gland is difficult to accurately position and requires additional assistance for assembly. The assembly is difficult and not easy to achieve automated production. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above technical problems in the prior art, the utility model provides an FPC connector that is easy to assemble.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0008] Provided is an FPC connector that is easy to assemble, comprising an insulating base, a plurality of terminals arranged on the insulating base, and a gland hinged to the insulating base. The front side of the insulating base is provided with a wire slot for inserting peripheral FPC cables to electrically connect to the terminals. The connector is characterized in that: support steps are provided at both ends of the insulating base in the longitudinal direction, and limit protrusions are provided at both ends of the gland in the longitudinal direction. The limit protrusions are embedded in the corresponding support steps, thereby positioning the gland and the insulating base in the longitudinal direction. The limit protrusions are provided with a hinge axis.

[0009] An elastic arm is arranged above the supporting step, the front end of the elastic arm is integrally formed with the insulating base, and the rear end of the elastic arm can be elastically deformed and tilted up by external force; the rear end of the elastic arm is provided with a blocking protrusion extending toward the supporting step, the front side of the blocking protrusion and the supporting step form a hinge groove for surrounding the hinge shaft front and back, and the hinge groove and the hinge shaft are rotatably matched with each other; the rear side of the blocking protrusion and the supporting step form a pre-installed space for the hinge shaft to be embedded; a guide slope is provided on the rear side of the blocking protrusion, so that when the external force pushes the hinge shaft forward from the pre-installed space to the hinge groove, the elastic arm can be tilted up to make way.

[0010] As a further optional solution, the front side surface of the blocking protrusion is a curved surface that fits the hinge axis.

[0011] As a further optional solution, the terminal includes a plurality of arranged first pins and a plurality of second pins, and the first pins and the second pins are distributed in a staggered manner.

[0012] As a further optional solution, the insulating base is provided with a first slot for embedding the first pin and a second slot for embedding the second pin, the first slot is provided at the bottom of the wire insertion slot, and the second slot is provided at the aligned top and bottom of the wire insertion slot.

[0013] As a further optional solution, the first pin includes a pin root, a first contact strip and a second contact strip of a metal integrated structure. The first contact strip and the second contact strip are arranged in a U shape and their ends are connected to the pin root. The first contact strip and the second contact strip are provided with lower contacts that elastically extend upward to the wire insertion slot; the pin root abuts against the rear side of the insulating base for limiting position.

[0014] As a further optional option, the second pin includes a third contact strip and a fourth contact strip which are arranged in a U-shape with each other and are metal integrated structures. The third contact strip is located at the top of the wire insertion slot and is provided with an upper contact point which elastically extends downward into the wire insertion slot. The fourth contact strip is arranged at the bottom of the wire insertion slot and is extended with a positioning hook that supports the front side of the insulating base.

[0015] As a further optional solution, the top surface of the elastic arm is arranged flush with the top surface of the insulating base.

[0016] As a further optional solution, the pressure cover is provided with a positioning boss, and the top of the insulating base is provided with a positioning groove, and the positioning boss is embedded in the positioning groove when the cover is in the closed state.

[0017] As a further optional solution, the positioning boss and the positioning groove are interference fit with each other.

[0018] As a further optional solution, the insulating base and the gland are respectively integrally injection-molded plastic parts.

[0019] Beneficial effects of the utility model:

[0020] The present invention provides an FPC connector that is easy to assemble. During assembly, the limiting protrusions at both ends of the gland are first inserted into the support steps at both ends of the insulating base, so that the gland can be positioned in the length direction. The hinge shaft of the gland is then inserted into the pre-installed space, so that the gland is limited in both the front-to-back direction and the length direction. Then, an external force continues to push the gland forward, causing the elastic arm to elastically deform and tilt out of position until the hinge shaft of the gland is inserted into the hinge groove, and the elastic arm is reset, thus completing the assembly. Compared with the prior art, since the length direction limiting of the support steps and the limiting protrusions, the pre-positioning of the pre-installed space, and the automatic elastic tilting out of position of the elastic arm by pushing the gland, only the action of pushing the gland forward and backward is required during assembly, which facilitates the realization of automated production. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of an FPC connector that is easy to assemble in an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the assembly process of an FPC connector that is easy to assemble in an embodiment, illustrating a state where the hinge shaft is in the pre-installation space.

[0023] Figure 3Schematic diagram of the assembly process of an FPC connector facilitating assembly in the embodiment, showing a schematic diagram of the hinge shaft elastically tilting the elastic arm.

[0024] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the insulating base in the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5 Exploded view of an FPC connector facilitating assembly in the embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6 Cross-sectional view of an FPC connector facilitating assembly in the embodiment, mainly showing the first pin.

[0027] Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of another section of an FPC connector facilitating assembly in the embodiment, mainly showing the second pin.

[0028] Reference numerals:

[0029] Insulating base 1, wire slot 11, support step 12, elastic arm 13, blocking projection 131, guiding inclined surface 132, hinge groove 14, pre-assembly space 15, first slot 16, second slot 17, positioning groove 18;

[0030] Terminal 2, first pin 21, pin root 211, first contact strip 212, second contact strip 213, lower contact 214, second pin 22, third contact strip 221, fourth contact strip 222, upper contact 223, positioning hook 224;

[0031] Pressing cover 3, limiting clamping projection 31, hinge shaft 32, positioning boss 33. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Without conflict, the following embodiments and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0033] An FPC connector facilitating assembly in this embodiment, as Figures 1 to 7 shown, includes an insulating base 1, a plurality of terminals 2 arranged on the insulating base 1, and a pressing cover 3 hinged to the insulating base 1. A wire slot 11 for inserting an external FPC wire harness to electrically connect to the terminals 2 is provided on the front side of the insulating base 1.

[0034] Support steps 12 are respectively provided at the top ends of both ends in the length direction of the insulating base 1, and limiting clamping projections 31 are respectively provided at both ends in the length direction of the pressing cover 3. The two limiting clamping projections 31 are embedded at the corresponding support steps 12, so as to position the pressing cover 3 and the insulating base 1 in the length direction. The limiting clamping projection 31 is provided with a hinge shaft 32.

[0035] An elastic arm 13 is provided above the support step 12. The front end of the elastic arm 13 is integrally formed with the insulating base 1, and the rear end of the elastic arm 13 can be elastically deformed and tilted by external force. The rear end of the elastic arm 13 is provided with a blocking protrusion 131 extending toward the support step 12. The front side of the blocking protrusion 131 and the support step 12 form a hinge groove 14 for enclosing the hinge shaft 32 from front to back. The hinge groove 14 and the hinge shaft 32 are rotatably matched with each other. The rear side of the blocking protrusion 131 and the support step 12 form a pre-installed space 15 for the hinge shaft 32 to be embedded. A guide slope 132 is provided on the rear side of the blocking protrusion 131 so that when an external force pushes the hinge shaft 32 forward from the pre-installed space 15 to the hinge groove 14, the elastic arm 13 can tilt and make way.

[0036] During assembly, first insert the limit protrusions 31 at both ends of the gland 3 into the support steps 12 at both ends of the insulating base 1, so that the gland 3 can be positioned in the length direction. Figure 2 The hinge shaft 32 of the gland 3 is embedded in the pre-installed space 15, so that the gland 3 is limited in the front-back direction, the top-bottom direction and the length direction, and then the external force continues to push the gland 3 forward, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the elastic arm 13 elastically deforms and tilts out of position until the hinge shaft 32 of the gland 3 engages the hinge groove 14, and the elastic arm 13 returns to its original position, completing the assembly. Compared with the prior art, due to the lengthwise limit of the support step 12 and the limit protrusion 31, the pre-positioning of the pre-installed space 15, and the automatic elastic tilting and tilting of the gland 3, the assembly only requires pushing the gland 3 back and forth, facilitating automated production.

[0037] In this embodiment, the front side surface of the blocking protrusion 131 is an arc surface that fits the hinge shaft 32, and the hinge effect is more compact.

[0038] In this embodiment, the terminal 2 includes a plurality of first pins 21 and a plurality of second pins 22 arranged in an arranged manner, and the first pins 21 and the second pins 22 are distributed in a staggered manner.

[0039] Specifically, the insulating base 1 is provided with a first slot 16 for the first pin 21 to be embedded and a second slot 17 for the second pin 22 to be embedded. The first slot 16 is provided at the bottom of the wire insertion slot 11, and the second slot 17 is provided at the top and bottom of the wire insertion slot 11 to be aligned.

[0040] Specifically, the first pin 21 includes a pin root 211 which is a metal integrated structure, a first contact strip 212 and a second contact strip 213. The first contact strip 212 and the second contact strip 213 are arranged in a U shape and their ends are both connected to the pin root 211. The first contact strip 212 and the second contact strip 213 are provided with lower contacts 214 that elastically extend upward into the slot 11; the pin root 211 abuts against and is limited by the rear side of the insulating base 1. During assembly, the first pin 21 is inserted into the first slot 16 from the rear side of the insulating base 1 until the pin root 211 is press-fitted and clamped to the insulating base 1, enabling precise positioning and assembly.

[0041] Specifically, the second pin 22 includes a third contact strip 221 and a fourth contact strip 222 which are arranged in a U shape with respect to each other and are of a metal integrated structure. The third contact strip 221 is located at the top of the slot 11 and is provided with an upper contact 223 that elastically extends downward into the slot 11, and the fourth contact strip 222 is arranged at the bottom of the slot 11 and extends with a positioning hook 224 that abuts against the front side of the insulating base 1. During assembly, the second pin 22 is inserted into the second slot 17 from the front side of the insulating base 1 until the positioning hook 224 is press-fitted and clamped to the insulating base 1, and precise positioning and assembly can also be achieved.

[0042] In this embodiment, the top surface of the elastic arm 13 is flush with the top surface of the insulating base 1, with a compact and beautiful structure.

[0043] In this embodiment, the pressure cover 3 is provided with a positioning boss 33, and the top of the insulating base 1 is provided with a positioning groove 18. In the state of closing the cover, the positioning boss 33 is embedded in the positioning groove 18. The positioning boss 33 and the positioning groove 18 are press-fitted with each other, facilitating guiding the closing of the cover.

[0044] In this embodiment, the insulating base 1 and the pressure cover 3 are respectively plastic parts formed by integral injection molding.

[0045] In the description of the present invention, obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Usually, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0046] Therefore, the above detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention claimed, but only represents the selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0047] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "middle", "upper", "lower", "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 invention product is usually placed during use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model 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 to the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for distinguishing descriptions and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0048] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "set", "connected", "connected to" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. It can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. It can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations.

Claims

1. An FPC connector convenient for assembly, comprising an insulating base (1), a plurality of terminals (2) arranged on the insulating base (1), and a gland (3) hinged to the insulating base (1). A slot (11) for inserting an external FPC cable to electrically connect to the terminals (2) is provided on the front side of the insulating base (1), and it is characterized in that: Support steps (12) are respectively provided at both ends of the insulating base (1) in the length direction, and limiting cams (31) are respectively provided at both ends of the gland (3) in the length direction. The limiting cams (31) are embedded in the corresponding supporting steps (12), so that the gland (3) and the insulating base (1) are mutually positioned in the length direction. The limiting cams (31) are provided with hinge shafts (32). An elastic arm (13) is provided above the support step (12), the front end of the elastic arm (13) is integrally formed with the insulating base (1), and the rear end of the elastic arm (13) can be elastically deformed and tilted by external force; the rear end of the elastic arm (13) is provided with a blocking protrusion (131) extending toward the support step (12), the front side of the blocking protrusion (131) and the support step (12) enclose a hinge groove (14) for enclosing the hinge shaft (32) from front to back, and the hinge groove (14) and the hinge shaft (32) are rotatably matched with each other; the rear side of the blocking protrusion (131) and the support step (12) enclose a pre-installed space (15) for the hinge shaft (32) to be embedded; a guide inclined surface (132) is provided on the rear side of the blocking protrusion (131), so that when the hinge shaft (32) is pushed forward from the pre-installed space (15) to the hinge groove (14) by external force, the elastic arm (13) can be tilted and given way.

2. The FPC connector according to claim 1, which is easy to assemble, is characterized in that: The front side surface of the blocking protrusion (131) is an arc surface that fits the hinge shaft (32).

3. The FPC connector easy to assemble according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal (2) comprises a plurality of arranged first pins (21) and a plurality of second pins (22), wherein the first pins (21) and the second pins (22) are distributed in a staggered manner.

4. The FPC connector easy to assemble according to claim 3, characterized in that: The insulating base (1) is provided with a first slot (16) for the first pin (21) to be embedded and a second slot (17) for the second pin (22) to be embedded. The first slot (16) is provided at the bottom of the wire insertion slot (11), and the second slot (17) is provided at the top and bottom of the wire insertion slot (11) in alignment.

5. The FPC connector convenient for assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first pin (21) comprises a pin root (211) of a metal integrated structure, a first contact strip (212) and a second contact strip (213); the first contact strip (212) and the second contact strip (213) are arranged in a U shape and their ends are both connected to the pin root (211); the first contact strip (212) and the second contact strip (213) are provided with a lower contact point (214) elastically extending upward to the wiring slot (11); the pin root (211) is abutted against the rear side of the insulating base (1) for limiting position.

6. The FPC connector convenient for assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second pin (22) comprises a third contact strip (221) and a fourth contact strip (222) of a metal integrated structure, which are arranged in a U-shape with each other. The third contact strip (221) is located at the top of the wire insertion slot (11) and is provided with an upper contact point (223) elastically extending downward into the wire insertion slot (11). The fourth contact strip (222) is provided at the bottom of the wire insertion slot (11) and is extended with a positioning hook (224) that resists the front side of the insulating base (1).

7. The FPC connector easy to assemble according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top surface of the elastic arm (13) is arranged flush with the top surface of the insulating base (1).

8. The FPC connector convenient for assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure cover (3) is provided with a positioning boss (33), and the top of the insulating base (1) is provided with a positioning groove (18). In the closed state, the positioning boss (33) is embedded in the positioning groove (18).

9. The FPC connector according to claim 8, which is easy to assemble, is characterized in that: The positioning boss (33) and the positioning groove (18) are in interference fit with each other.

10. A FPC connector that is easy to assemble according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insulating base (1) and the gland (3) are respectively plastic parts integrally formed by injection molding.

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