Double-layer connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a double-layer connector. The double-layer connector comprises an insulating shell, a plurality of first contact pieces and a plurality of second contact pieces, wherein the first contact pieces and the second contact pieces are kept by the insulating shell. The insulation shell is provided with a first accommodating part and a second accommodating part which are respectively used for the insertion of a first flat connection object and a second flat connection object. The double-layer connector also includes a first actuation member and a second actuation member pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position. When the first actuating component and the second actuating component are located at the respective opening positions, the first flat connecting object and the second flat connecting object are allowed to be inserted into the first containing part and the second containing part respectively. When the first actuating member and the second actuating member are located at respective closed positions, the first flat connection object is electrically contacted with the plurality of first contacts, and the second flat connection object is electrically contacted with the plurality of second contacts. Therefore, the circuit board area occupied by the connector can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to connectors for flat connected objects (such as flexible flat cables (FFC), flexible flat circuits (FPC), or the like), and more particularly to double-layer connectors that can independently connect two flat connected objects. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-120481A (Patent Document 1) discloses a connector for flexible printed circuits (FPCs). The connector in Patent Document 1 includes a contact, a housing, a locking member, and a rotating member. The FPC, which is the object to be connected, has a locking structure, and the locking member has an engagement portion that matches the locking structure of the FPC and a pressing portion that is pressed by the rotating member. By rotating the rotating member, the engagement portion of the locking member engages with the locking structure of the FPC, thereby fixing the FPC in the housing.

[0003] The connector in Patent Document 1 is for insertion of only one flexible printed circuit. Furthermore, the connector in Patent Document 1 has a large number of contacts arranged along the width direction, resulting in an increased size of the connector in the width direction. This makes it difficult to control the precision of the injection-molded housing. It may lead to a mismatch between the spacing of the contacts held by the housing and the spacing of the flexible printed circuit.

[0004] When a large number of channels are required, multiple connectors can be used as a solution. However, using multiple connectors means occupying more circuit board area, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of electronic devices. Utility Model Content

[0005] One of the purposes of this utility model is to provide a double-layer connector that can independently connect two flat objects.

[0006] Another objective of this invention is to provide a double-layer connector that can reduce the area occupied by the circuit board.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a double-layer connector is provided, comprising:

[0008] An insulating housing has a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, wherein the insertion end of a first flat connecting object can be inserted into the first receiving portion along a first direction, and the insertion end of a second flat connecting object can be inserted into the second receiving portion along the first direction;

[0009] Multiple first contacts are held by the insulating housing and arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each first contact includes a first contact portion located in the first receiving portion and a first welding portion exposed from the insulating housing.

[0010] A plurality of second contacts are held by the insulating housing and arranged along the second direction, each second contact comprising a second contact portion located in the second receiving portion and a second weld portion exposed from the insulating housing;

[0011] The first actuating member is pivotally movable relative to the insulating housing between an open position and a closed position. When the first actuating member is in the open position, it allows the insertion end of the first flat connecting object to be inserted into the first receiving portion. When the first actuating member is in the closed position, it causes the first flat connecting object to press the first contact portion of the plurality of first contacts, thereby making the first flat connecting object electrically contact the plurality of first contacts.

[0012] The second actuating member is pivotally movable relative to the insulating housing between an open position and a closed position. When the second actuating member is in the open position, it allows the insertion end of the second flat connecting object to be inserted into the second receiving portion. When the second actuating member is in the closed position, it causes the second contact portions of the plurality of second contacts to press the second flat connecting object, thereby making the second flat connecting object electrically contact the plurality of second contacts.

[0013] The insulating housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing stacked on top of each other in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The first receiving portion is formed in the lower housing, and the second receiving portion is formed in the upper housing.

[0014] The first actuating member has a first pivot portion supported in a manner rotatable about an axis parallel to the second direction, and the first actuating member is configured to pivotally move relative to the insulating housing between the open position and the closed position.

[0015] The second actuating member has a second pivot portion supported by an axis that is rotatable about the second direction, and the second actuating member is configured to pivotally move relative to the insulating housing between the open position and the closed position.

[0016] According to the double-layer connector of this utility model, the second receiving portion is located behind the first receiving portion in the first direction.

[0017] According to the present invention, the double-layer connector further includes a first metal fitting configured to prevent the first actuating member from disengaging from the double-layer connector, the first metal fitting being configured to prevent movement of the first actuating member in the first direction when the first actuating member is in the closed position.

[0018] According to the present invention, the double-layer connector further includes a U-shaped second metal fitting configured to prevent the second actuating member from disengaging from the double-layer connector, the second pivot portion of the second metal fitting being pivotally supported by the second metal fitting.

[0019] According to the present invention, each first contact includes a first support portion extending in the first direction, a first retaining portion formed at one end of the support portion, a first welding portion formed at the other end of the support portion, a first connecting portion connected between the first retaining portion and the first welding portion to the first support portion, and an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion branching from the first connecting portion and extending in the first direction.

[0020] According to the double-layer connector of the present invention, the first pivot portion of the first actuating member is pivotally supported by the upper arm portion, and the first contact portion is formed at the distal end of the lower arm portion.

[0021] According to the present invention, each second contact includes a second support portion extending in the first direction, a second retaining portion formed at one end of the second support portion, an extension portion formed at the other end of the second support portion and extending in the third direction, a second welding portion formed at the far end of the extension portion away from the second support portion, a rocker arm swaying about an axis parallel to the second direction, and a second connecting portion connecting the rocker arm and the second support portion.

[0022] According to the double-layer connector of the present invention, the second contact portion is formed at one end of the rocker arm, and the other end of the rocker arm is coupled to the cam portion formed on the second actuating member, such that when the second actuating member pivotally moves between the open position and the closed position, the rocker arm swings about an axis parallel to the second direction.

[0023] According to the double-layer connector of this invention, the second actuating member is configured to be far away from the first actuating member.

[0024] According to the present invention, the first flat connecting object and the second flat connecting object each have a pair of recesses formed on their side edges, and the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion each have a pair of stop protrusions. The stop protrusions of the first receiving portion will engage with the recesses of the first flat connecting object, and the stop protrusions of the second receiving portion will engage with the recesses of the second flat connecting object.

[0025] Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains will be able to best understand the technical features, other objectives, and advantages of this utility model after referring to its specification and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the first flat connecting object and the second flat connecting object inserted into the double-layer connector along the first direction.

[0029] Figure 4 This is another perspective view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first actuating member and the second actuating member are not shown.

[0030] Figure 5 This is another perspective view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first actuating member and the second actuating member are not shown.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a side view of the first contact of the double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a side view of the second contact of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the first actuating component of the double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the second actuating component of the double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0035] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first actuating member and the second actuating member are located in the open position.

[0036] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention with a first flat connecting object inserted therein, wherein the first actuating member is in the closed position and the second actuating member is in the open position.

[0037] Figure 12This is a cross-sectional view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a first flat connecting object and a second flat connecting object are inserted, wherein the first actuating member and the second actuating member are in the closed position.

[0038] Figure 13 It is the plan view of the first flat connected object.

[0039] Figure 14 This is a partial enlarged view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a first flat connecting object and a second flat connecting object are inserted, wherein the first actuating member is not shown.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0041] 10: Double-layer connector

[0042] 11: Insulating housing

[0043] 111: Lower part of the shell

[0044] 1110: First Containment Department

[0045] 1111: Engaging protrusion

[0046] 112: Upper part of the shell

[0047] 1120: Second Containment Department

[0048] 1121: Engaging protrusion

[0049] 12: First contact element

[0050] 120: First Support Section

[0051] 121: First Maintenance Section

[0052] 122: First Welding Section

[0053] 123: First connecting part

[0054] 124: Upper arm

[0055] 125: Bearing section

[0056] 126: Lower arm

[0057] 127: First Contact Section

[0058] 13: Second contact element

[0059] 130: Second Support Section

[0060] 131: Second Maintenance Section

[0061] 132: Extension

[0062] 133: Second Welding Section

[0063] 134: Rocker arm

[0064] 135: Passive Part

[0065] 136: Second Contact Section

[0066] 137: Second connecting part

[0067] 14: First actuating component

[0068] 140: Ontology part

[0069] 141: Pivot section

[0070] 142: A puncture protrusion

[0071] 15: Second actuating component

[0072] 150: Ontology part

[0073] 151: Pivot section

[0074] 152: Cam section

[0075] 16: First Metal Fittings

[0076] 17: Second metal fitting

[0077] 20: First flat connection object

[0078] 21: Electrode section

[0079] 22: Notch

[0080] 30: Second flat connection object

[0081] D1: First Direction

[0082] D2: Second Direction

[0083] D3: Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0084] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, the same components are indicated by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0085] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of a double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The double-layer connector is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2The following is a summary description of the constituent components of a double-layer connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The double-layer connector 10 includes an insulating housing 11, a plurality of first contacts 12, a plurality of second contacts 13, a first actuating member 14, a second actuating member 15, a pair of first metal fittings 16, and a pair of second metal fittings 17.

[0086] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the first flat connector 20 and the second flat connector 30 inserted into the double-layer connector 10 along the first direction D1 (i.e., the mating direction). The first flat connector 20 and the second flat connector 30 may be flexible flat cables (FFC), flexible printed circuits (FPC), or cards, but are not limited to these.

[0087] Figure 4 This is another perspective view of the double-layer connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 5 The double-layer connector according to the embodiments of this utility model is different from... Figure 4 Another stereoscopic view from this perspective. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the image, the first actuating component and the second actuating component are not shown.

[0088] The insulating housing 11 is made of insulating synthetic resin or polymer material. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the first contact 12 and the second contact 13 are arranged along a second direction D2 (i.e., the width direction) perpendicular to the first direction D1 and are held by an insulating housing 11. The insulating housing 11 is composed of a lower housing portion 111 and an upper housing portion 112 stacked on top of each other in a third direction D3 (i.e., the height direction) perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The lower housing portion 111 has a first receiving portion 1110 for inserting a first flat connecting object 20. The upper housing portion 112 has a second receiving portion 1120 for inserting a second flat connecting object 30, and the second receiving portion 1120 is located behind the first receiving portion 1110 in the first direction D1.

[0089] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The structure of the first contact 12 and the second contact 13 is described, wherein... Figure 6 This is a planar side view of the first contact element 12. Figure 7 This is a planar side view of the second contact element 13.

[0090] The first contact 12 and the second contact 13 are made of metal or alloy material (e.g., copper or copper alloy). The first contact 12 and the second contact 13 can be obtained by punching a sheet of metal or alloy. Figure 6As shown, the first contact 12 includes a first support portion 120 extending generally in a first direction D1, a first retaining portion 121 formed at one end of the first support portion 120, and a first welding portion 122 formed at the other end of the first support portion 120. The first retaining portion 121 is inserted into a retaining groove or retaining hole formed in the insulating housing 11 in an interference fit, such that the first contact 12 is retained by the insulating housing 11. The first contact 12 also includes a first connecting portion 123 and an upper arm portion 124 and a lower arm portion 126 extending from and separated from the first connecting portion 123 and extending generally in the first direction D1. The first connecting portion 123 is connected to the first support portion 120 between the first retaining portion 121 and the first welding portion 122 and is adjacent to the first retaining portion 121. A bearing portion 125 is formed at the end of the upper arm portion 124. The bearing portion 125 is configured in an arc or hook shape to pivotally support the pivot portion of the first actuating member 14. The lower arm portion 126 functions as a contact arm and has a first contact portion 127 formed at its end.

[0091] like Figure 7 As shown, the second contact 13 includes a second support portion 130 extending generally in a first direction D1, a second retaining portion 131 formed at one end of the second support portion 130, an extension portion 132 formed at the other end of the second support portion 130 extending in a third direction D3, a second welding portion 133 formed at the distal end of the extension portion 132 away from the second support portion 130, a rocker arm 134 oscillating about an axis parallel to the second direction D2, and a second connecting portion 137 connecting the rocker arm 134 to the second support portion 130. The second retaining portion 131 is inserted into a retaining groove or retaining hole formed in the insulating housing 11 in an interference fit, such that the second contact 13 is retained by the insulating housing 11. The extension portion 132 extends in the third direction D3, such that the second welding portion 133 and the first welding portion 122 are located in the same plane perpendicular to the third direction D3. The rocker arm 134 is not only oscillating about the second connecting portion 137, but is also deformable. One end of the rocker arm 134 has a second contact portion 136, and the other end of the rocker arm 134 has an actuated portion 135. The actuated portion 135 is coupled to the second actuating member 15.

[0092] Figure 8This is a perspective view of the first actuating member 14. The first actuating member 14 has an elongated body portion 140 and a pivot portion 141 formed on the rear edge of the body portion 140. The pivot portion 141 is pivotally supported by a bearing portion 125 of the first contact member 12, allowing the first actuating member 14 to pivotally move about the pivot portion 141 between its open and closed positions. An engaging protrusion 142 is formed at the end of the body portion 140. When the first actuating member 14 is in the closed position, the engaging protrusion 142 interferes with the insulating housing 11, thus holding the first actuating member 14 in the closed position. A first metal fitting 16 engages with the first actuating member 14 to prevent the first actuating member 14 from disengaging from the double-layer connector 10. Specifically, the first metal fitting 16 has a protrusion protruding in a third direction D3, which engages with the first actuating member 14 when the first actuating member 14 is in the closed position, preventing the first actuating member 14 from moving in a first direction D1. In this way, the first metal fitting 16 can prevent the first actuating member 14 from disengaging from the double connector 10.

[0093] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the second actuating member 15. The second actuating member 15 has an elongated body portion 150, a pivot portion 151 formed at one end of the body portion 150, and a cam portion 152 formed at the rear edge of the body portion 150. The pivot portion 151 is pivotally supported by a second metal fitting 17 configured in a U-shape, allowing the second actuating member 15 to pivotally move about the pivot portion 151 between its open and closed positions. The second metal fitting 17 also functions to prevent the second actuating member 15 from disengaging from the double-layer connector 10.

[0094] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the double-layer connector 10. Figure 10 In this configuration, both the first actuating member 14 and the second actuating member 15 are in their respective open positions. When the first actuating member 14 and the second actuating member 15 are in their respective open positions, the first flat connecting object 20 and the second flat connecting object 30 can be sequentially inserted into the first receiving part 1110 and the second receiving part 1120 with zero insertion force.

[0095] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the double-layer connector 10 with the first flat connecting object 20 inserted. Figure 11 In this configuration, the first actuating member 14 is in the closed position, and the second actuating member 15 is in the open position. When the first actuating member 14 is in the closed position, the lower surface of the first actuating member 14 presses downward against the upper surface of the first flat connecting object 20, causing the first flat connecting object 20 to be biased downward, thereby making the electrode portion located on the lower surface of the first flat connecting object 20 electrically contact the first contact portion 127 of the first contact member 12.

[0096] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the double-layer connector 10 with the first flat connector object 20 and the second flat connector object 30 inserted. Figure 12 In this configuration, both the first actuating member 14 and the second actuating member 15 are in their respective closed positions. When the second actuating member 15 is in the closed position, the elliptical cam portion 152 causes the actuated portion 135 formed at the rear end of the rocker arm 134 to be biased upward, causing the rocker arm 134 to rotate counterclockwise around the second connecting portion 137. As a result, the second contact portion 136 formed at the front end of the rocker arm 134 is biased downward and makes electrical contact with the electrode portion located on the upper surface of the second flat connecting object 30.

[0097] Figure 13 This is a plan view of the first flat connector 20, and more particularly a bottom view of the first flat connector 20. The first flat connector 20 includes a plurality of electrode portions 21 and a pair of notches 22. The electrode portions 21 are formed at the insertion end of the first flat connector 20. The pair of notches 22 respectively form two opposite side edges of the first flat connector 20 and are adjacent to the insertion end. The configuration of the second flat connector 30 is similar to that of the first flat connector 20, so the description of the configuration of the second flat connector 30 is omitted.

[0098] Figure 14 This is a partially enlarged view of the double-layer connector 10 with the first flat connector object 20 and the second flat connector object 30 inserted. Figure 14 In the diagram, the first actuating component 14 is not shown. For example... Figure 14 As shown, the engaging protrusion 1111 formed in the first receiving portion 1110 and the recess formed on the side edge of the first flat connecting object 20 lock the first flat connecting object 20 in the insertion position, preventing the first flat connecting object 20 from being pulled out of the first receiving portion 1110. The engaging protrusion 1121 formed in the second receiving portion 1120 and the recess formed on the side edge of the second flat connecting object 30 lock the second flat connecting object 30 in the insertion position, preventing the second flat connecting object 30 from being pulled out of the second receiving portion 1120.

[0099] Although this utility model has been described and demonstrated with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather to the wording of the following claims. That is, any equivalent variations and modifications made without departing from the claims of this utility model should still fall within the scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A dual layer connector characterized by, Include: An insulating housing has a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, wherein the insertion end of a first flat connecting object can be inserted into the first receiving portion along a first direction, and the insertion end of a second flat connecting object can be inserted into the second receiving portion along the first direction; Multiple first contacts are held by the insulating housing and arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each first contact includes a first contact portion located in the first receiving portion and a first welding portion exposed from the insulating housing. A plurality of second contacts are held by the insulating housing and arranged along the second direction, each second contact comprising a second contact portion located in the second receiving portion and a second weld portion exposed from the insulating housing; The first actuating member is pivotally movable relative to the insulating housing between an open position and a closed position. When the first actuating member is in the open position, it allows the insertion end of the first flat connecting object to be inserted into the first receiving portion. When the first actuating member is in the closed position, it causes the first flat connecting object to press the first contact portion of the plurality of first contacts, thereby making the first flat connecting object electrically contact the plurality of first contacts. and The second actuating member is pivotally movable relative to the insulating housing between an open position and a closed position. When the second actuating member is in the open position, it allows the insertion end of the second flat connecting object to be inserted into the second receiving portion. When the second actuating member is in the closed position, it causes the second contact portions of the plurality of second contacts to press the second flat connecting object, thereby making the second flat connecting object electrically contact the plurality of second contacts. The insulating housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing stacked on top of each other in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. The first receiving portion is formed in the lower housing, and the second receiving portion is formed in the upper housing. The first actuating member has a first pivot portion supported in a manner that allows rotation about an axis parallel to the second direction, and the first actuating member is configured to pivotally move relative to the insulating housing between the open position and the closed position. The second actuating member has a second pivot portion supported in such a way as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the second direction, and the second actuating member is configured to pivotally move relative to the insulating housing between the open position and the closed position.

2. The dual layer connector of claim 1, wherein, The second containment section is located behind the first containment section in the first direction.

3. The dual layer connector of claim 1, wherein, The double-layer connector also includes a first metal fitting configured to prevent the first actuating member from disengaging from the double-layer connector, the first metal fitting being configured to prevent movement of the first actuating member in the first direction when the first actuating member is in the closed position.

4. The dual layer connector of claim 1, wherein, The double-layer connector also includes a U-shaped second metal fitting configured to prevent the second actuating member from disengaging from the double-layer connector, the second pivot portion of the second metal fitting being pivotally supported by the second metal fitting.

5. The dual layer connector of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Each first contact includes a first support portion extending in the first direction, a first retaining portion formed at one end of the support portion, a first welding portion formed at the other end of the support portion, a first connecting portion connected between the first retaining portion and the first welding portion to the first support portion, and an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion extending from and separated from the first connecting portion and extending in the first direction.

6. The dual layer connector of claim 5, wherein, The first pivot portion of the first actuating member is pivotally supported by the upper arm portion, and the first contact portion is formed at the distal end of the lower arm portion.

7. The dual layer connector of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Each second contact includes a second support portion extending in the first direction, a second retaining portion formed at one end of the second support portion, an extension portion formed at the other end of the second support portion and extending in the third direction, a second welding portion formed at the far end of the extension portion away from the second support portion, a rocker arm capable of swinging about an axis parallel to the second direction, and a second connecting portion connecting the rocker arm and the second support portion.

8. The double-layer connector as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The second contact portion is formed at one end of the rocker arm, and the other end of the rocker arm is coupled to the cam portion formed on the second actuating member, such that when the second actuating member pivotally moves between the open position and the closed position, the rocker arm swings about an axis parallel to the second direction.

9. The dual layer connector of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The second actuating member is configured to be far away from the first actuating member.

10. The dual layer connector of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first flat connecting object and the second flat connecting object each have a pair of notches formed on their side edges. The first receiving portion and the second receiving portion each have a pair of stop protrusions. The stop protrusions of the first receiving portion will engage with the notches of the first flat connecting object, and the stop protrusions of the second receiving portion will engage with the notches of the second flat connecting object.

Images