FPC connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector, which comprises an insulating body, a metal shell fixedly arranged on the insulating body and an FPC board inserted into the insulating body, the insulating body is provided with a near end part, a far end part and a side part connected with the near end part and the far end part, the near end part is provided with an inwards concave accommodating groove, and the far end part is provided with an inwards concave accommodating groove. The metal shell is provided with a top plate covering the top surface of the insulating body and a side plate extending downwards from the top plate. The FPC board is provided with a butt joint part contained in the containing groove and clamping parts located on the two sides of the butt joint part. The side part is provided with a groove which is recessed inwards, the groove is communicated with the accommodating groove, the side plate is provided with an elastic sheet which extends inwards into the groove, and when the butt joint part is completely inserted into the accommodating groove, the elastic sheet is automatically locked in the clamping part, so that automatic locking is realized, and the plugging process of the FPC board is extremely simplified.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of flexible circuit board connection structures, in particular to a stably fixed FPC connector. Background Art

[0002] FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) is a highly reliable and flexible printed circuit board made of polyimide or polyester film. It is widely used in aerospace, military, mobile communications, laptops, computer peripherals, PDAs, digital cameras and other fields or products.

[0003] A flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connector typically consists of an insulating body, a metal cover mounted on the body, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connected to the body. Traditionally, when plugging the FPCB, the metal cover is first opened, the FPCB's mating portion is inserted into the socket of the insulating body, and then the metal cover is closed to lock the FPCB. However, the plugging and unplugging assembly process for this FPCB is relatively complex.

[0004] Therefore, it is hoped to provide a new FPC connector to overcome the above defects. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an FPC connector that is stable and easy to assemble.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an FPC connector comprising a laterally extending insulating body, a metal housing fixed to the insulating body, and an FPC board plugged into the insulating body. The insulating body comprises a proximal end portion connected to the FPC board, a distal end portion longitudinally distal from the FPC board, and side portions connecting the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The proximal end portion comprises a longitudinally inwardly recessed receiving groove, and the side portions are located on either side of the proximal end portion. The metal housing comprises a top plate covering the top surface of the insulating body and side plates extending downward from the top plate, the side plates at least partially covering the side portions. The FPC board comprises a mating portion received in the receiving groove and engaging portions located on either side of the mating portion. The side portions comprise an inwardly recessed groove communicating with the receiving groove, and the side plates comprise a spring extending inwardly into the groove. When the mating portion is fully inserted into the receiving groove, the spring plates automatically lock into the engaging portions.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the elastic sheet is formed by tearing the side plate in the longitudinal direction and extending into the groove in the transverse direction.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, when the docking portion of the FPC board is inserted into the receiving groove, the docking portion pushes the spring sheet to deform so as to avoid the docking portion.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, when the docking portion of the FPC board is fully inserted into the receiving groove, the elastic sheet rebounds and is accommodated in the engaging portion to limit the docking portion in the receiving groove.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the metal shell is provided with a pivot portion located on the side panel and a pressing portion extending from one longitudinal side of the pivot portion toward the proximal end portion, the pivot portion extends downward and is fixed to a circuit board, and the spring extends from the other longitudinal side of the pivot portion toward the distal end portion.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the proximal portion is provided with a clearance groove corresponding to the pressing portion. When the pressing portion is pressed toward the clearance groove, the spring is driven out of the groove, and the docking portion can be pulled out of the receiving groove without hindrance.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the side portion is provided with a protrusion located at the lower end and extending outward in the transverse direction, and the side plate is provided with a notch formed by being recessed upward from the bottom edge, and the protrusion is retained in the notch.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the side portion is provided with a plurality of buckling portions located at the upper end and protruding outward in the transverse direction, and the side plate is provided with a plurality of buckling holes passing through in the transverse direction, and the buckling portions are buckled in the buckling holes.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the FPC connector includes a plurality of conductive terminals retained in the insulating body, the conductive terminals having contact portions extending into the receiving grooves, the conductive terminals including a first terminal and a second terminal spaced apart in the transverse direction, the contact portions of the first terminal and the second terminal being located at the same height.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the first terminal is longitudinally inserted into the insulating body from the proximal end portion, and the second terminal is longitudinally inserted into the insulating body from the distal end portion, and the first terminal and the second terminal are inserted in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the side portion is provided with an inwardly recessed groove, the groove is connected to the receiving groove, the side panel is provided with a spring sheet extending inwardly into the groove, and when the docking portion is fully inserted into the receiving groove, the spring sheet is automatically locked in the engaging portion, thereby realizing automatic locking of the FPC connector and greatly simplifying the plug-in process of the FPC board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an FPC connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the FPC connector from another angle is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Side view of the FPC connector shown.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The exploded diagram of the FPC connector is shown.

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 The exploded diagram of the FPC connector is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] See also Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses an FPC connector 100, which is primarily used in FPC connection and installation scenarios, facilitating repeated hot plugging and unplugging of the FPC. The FPC connector 100 includes a laterally extending insulating body 10, a plurality of conductive terminals 20 retained within the insulating body 10, a metal housing 30 secured to the insulating body 10, and an FPC board 40 plugged into the insulating body 10. The FPC board 40 has a docking portion 41 that plugs into the insulating body 10 and engaging portions 42 located on either side of the docking portion 41.

[0023] See also Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the insulating body 10 is provided with a proximal portion 11 for connecting to the docking portion 41 of the FPC board 40, a distal portion 12 longitudinally away from the FPC board 40, and side portions 13 connecting the proximal portion 11 and the distal portion 12. The side portions 13 are located on both sides of the proximal portion 11. The proximal portion 11 is provided with a receiving groove (not shown) that is recessed inward in the longitudinal direction. The receiving groove is provided with an insertion port (not shown) that extends through the longitudinal end surface of the proximal portion 11. The docking portion 41 of the FPC board 40 is inserted into the receiving groove through the insertion port. The side portion 13 is provided with an inwardly recessed groove 131, which is located adjacent to the insertion port and connected to the receiving groove. When the docking portion 41 of the FPC board 40 is inserted into the receiving groove, the engaging portion 42 is at least partially exposed in the groove 131.

[0024] Combine Figure 4As shown, the conductive terminal 20 is provided with a fixed portion fixed in the insulating body 10, a contact portion extending from the fixed portion into the receiving groove, and a solder foot extending from the fixed portion out of the insulating body 10. The contact portion is used to contact the gold finger on the docking portion 41, and the solder foot is used to be soldered to a circuit board. In this embodiment, the conductive terminal 20 includes a first terminal 21 and a second terminal 22 spaced apart in the transverse direction. The contact portions of the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 22 are located at the same height so as to contact the gold finger on the docking portion 41 together. The first terminal 21 is inserted into the insulating body 10 longitudinally from the proximal end 11, and the second terminal 22 is inserted into the insulating body 10 longitudinally from the distal end 12. The first terminal 21 and the second terminal 22 are inserted in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] The metal housing 30 comprises a top plate 31 that covers the top surface of the insulating body 10, and side plates 32 that extend downward from the top plate 31. The side plates 32 at least partially cover the side portions 13. The side portions 13 are provided with a protrusion 132 at the lower end that protrudes laterally outward, and a plurality of latching portions 133 at the upper end that protrude laterally outward. The side plates 32 are provided with a notch 320 that is recessed upward from the bottom edge, and a plurality of latching holes 321 extending laterally therethrough. The protrusion 132 is retained within the notch 320, and the latching portions 133 are latched within the latching holes 321, thereby securing the metal housing 30 to the insulating body 10.

[0026] The metal housing 30 further comprises a pivot portion 33 on the side panel 32, a spring tab 34 extending inwardly into the recess 131, and a pressing portion 35 extending from one longitudinal side of the pivot portion 33 toward the proximal end portion 11. The pivot portion 33 extends downwardly and is secured to the circuit board, while the spring tab 34 extends from the other longitudinal side of the pivot portion 33 toward the distal end portion 12. Furthermore, the spring tab 34 is formed by longitudinally tearing from the side panel 32 and extending transversely into the recess 131. When the docking portion 41 is fully inserted into the receiving slot, the spring tab 34 automatically locks into the engaging portion 42.

[0027] Specifically, when the docking portion 41 of the FPC board 40 is inserted into the receiving slot, the docking portion 41 pushes against the spring plate 34, causing it to deform and clear the docking portion 41. When the docking portion 41 is fully inserted into the receiving slot, the spring plate 34 rebounds and is accommodated within the locking portion 42, retaining the docking portion 41 within the receiving slot. This automatically locks the FPC connector 100 and greatly simplifies the insertion process of the FPC board 40. Furthermore, the proximal portion 11 is provided with a clearance groove 110 corresponding to the pressing portion 35. When the pressing portion 35 is pressed toward the clearance groove 110, the spring plate 34 is driven out of the groove 131, allowing the docking portion 41 to be removed from the receiving slot without hindrance.

[0028] In the present invention, the side portion 13 is provided with an inwardly recessed groove 131, and the groove 131 is connected to the receiving groove. The side plate 32 is provided with a spring piece 34 extending inwardly into the groove 131. When the docking portion 41 is fully inserted into the receiving groove, the spring piece 34 is automatically locked in the locking portion 42, thereby realizing automatic locking of the FPC connector 100 and greatly simplifying the plug-in process of the FPC board.

[0029] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. That is, any simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and description of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the present invention patent.

Claims

1. An FPC connector, comprising an insulating body extending laterally, a metal shell fixedly mounted on the insulating body, and an FPC board plugged into the insulating body, the insulating body having a proximal end connected to the FPC board, a distal end longitudinally distal from the FPC board, and side portions connecting the proximal end and the distal end, the proximal end having a receiving groove recessed inwardly in the longitudinal direction, the side portions being located on opposite lateral sides of the proximal end, the metal shell having a top plate covering the top surface of the insulating body and side plates extending downwardly from the top plate, the side plates at least partially covering the side portions, the FPC board having a docking portion received in the receiving groove and engaging portions located on opposite lateral sides of the docking portion; characterized in that: The side portion is provided with an inwardly recessed groove, which is connected to the receiving groove, and the side panel is provided with a spring sheet extending inwardly into the groove. When the docking portion is fully inserted into the receiving groove, the spring sheet is automatically locked in the locking portion; the metal shell is provided with a pivot portion located on the side panel and a pressing portion extending from a longitudinal side of the pivot portion toward the proximal end portion, the pivot portion extends downward and is fixed to a circuit board, and the spring sheet extends from the other longitudinal side of the pivot portion toward the distal end portion; the proximal end portion is provided with a yield groove corresponding to the pressing portion, and when the pressing portion is pressed toward the yield groove, the spring sheet is driven out of the groove, and at this time the docking portion can be pulled out of the receiving groove without hindrance.

2. The FPC connector according to claim 1, wherein: The elastic sheet is torn longitudinally from the side plate and extends transversely into the groove.

3. The FPC connector according to claim 1, wherein: When the docking portion of the FPC board is inserted into the receiving groove, the docking portion pushes the elastic sheet to deform and avoid the docking portion.

4. The FPC connector according to claim 3, wherein: When the docking portion of the FPC board is completely inserted into the receiving groove, the elastic sheet rebounds and is accommodated in the engaging portion to limit the docking portion in the receiving groove.

5. The FPC connector according to claim 1, wherein: The side portion is provided with a protrusion located at the lower end and protruding outward in the transverse direction, and the side plate is provided with a notch formed by being recessed upward from the bottom edge, and the protrusion is clamped in the notch.

6. The FPC connector according to claim 5, wherein: The side portion is provided with a plurality of buckling parts located at the upper end and protruding outward in the transverse direction, and the side plate is provided with a plurality of buckling holes passing through in the transverse direction, and the buckling parts are buckled in the buckling holes.

7. The FPC connector according to claim 1, wherein: The FPC connector includes a plurality of conductive terminals retained in the insulating body, each of the conductive terminals having a contact portion extending into the receiving groove, and the conductive terminals including a first terminal and a second terminal spaced apart in the transverse direction, wherein the contact portions of the first terminal and the second terminal are located at the same height.

8. The FPC connector according to claim 7, wherein: The first terminal is inserted into the insulating body from the proximal end portion along the longitudinal direction, and the second terminal is inserted into the insulating body from the distal end portion along the longitudinal direction. The first terminal and the second terminal are inserted in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction.

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