A sliding cover type FPC connector

Abstract

This utility model relates to a sliding cover type FPC connector, including a base and a slider slidably connected to the base. The base has sliding grooves extending along the insertion direction on both sides. The slider has guide arms that slidably engage with the sliding grooves. The groove walls have recesses, and elastic arms are installed within these recesses. A locking block is located at the free end of the elastic arm, and a corresponding slot is provided on the guide arm. A slot is located in the middle of the base along its width direction. An insert plate extends into the slot on the slider. Limiting grooves are spaced apart within the slot, and terminals are installed within these grooves. Through the design of the locking block at the free end of the elastic arm engaging with the inclined surface of the guide arm's slot, when the slider is pulled, the inclined surface of the slot pushes the locking block, causing the elastic arm to deform, and the locking block naturally exits the slot to unlock. When the slider is pushed to the locked position, the elastic arm automatically resets, and the locking block precisely engages with the slot to form a stable lock, effectively preventing accidental sliding of the slider.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of connector technology, specifically to a sliding cover type FPC connector. Background Technology

[0002] FPC connectors are key components in electronic devices that connect flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) to other circuit components (such as PCBs). They primarily use mechanical structures to fix the FPC and establish electrical paths, enabling stable transmission of electrical signals or current. Due to their suitability for the flexibility and miniaturization requirements of FPCs, they are widely used in consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops, and smart wearable devices, as well as automotive electronics, and are one of the core components ensuring the efficiency and reliability of signal transmission within these devices.

[0003] Traditional connectors rely on independently operated elastic latches for locking and unlocking. Unlocking requires manually pressing or flicking the elastic element to release the latch. This process is cumbersome and can easily damage the elastic element due to improper force, leading to poor contact between the FPC and the terminal and affecting the stability of signal transmission. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a sliding cover type FPC connector.

[0005] The objective of this utility model can be achieved through the following technical solution: A sliding cover type FPC connector includes a base and a slider slidably connected to the base. The base has sliding grooves extending along the insertion direction on both sides. The slider has guide arms that slidably engage with the sliding grooves. The groove wall of the sliding groove has a recess, and an elastic arm is installed in the recess. The free end of the elastic arm has a locking block, and the guide arm has a locking groove corresponding to the locking block. The base has a slot in the middle that is arranged along its width direction. The slider has a plate that extends into the slot. Limiting grooves are arranged at intervals in the slot, and terminals are installed in the limiting grooves.

[0006] Preferably, the end of the guide arm is provided with a protrusion, and a limiting protrusion is provided in the sliding path of the protrusion in the groove.

[0007] Preferably, the side of the insert plate closest to the base is provided with a guide slope.

[0008] Preferably, the terminal includes an upper clamping arm and a lower clamping arm, one end of the upper clamping arm and the lower clamping arm is provided with a welding foot, and the other end of the lower clamping arm is provided with a conductive contact protruding on the side facing the upper clamping arm.

[0009] Preferably, the upper clamping arm and the lower clamping arm are provided with limiting protrusions opposite to each other, and the limiting groove is provided with a limiting block that cooperates with the limiting protrusions.

[0010] Preferably, there is an active gap between the lower clamping arm and the limiting groove to allow the lower clamping arm to undergo elastic deformation.

[0011] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Through the design of the locking block at the free end of the elastic arm and the inclined surface of the guide arm slot, smooth opening and closing without additional unlocking operation is achieved: when the slider is pulled, the inclined surface of the slot pushes the locking block to deform the elastic arm, and the locking block naturally exits the slot to complete the unlocking; when the slider is pushed to the locked position, the elastic arm automatically resets, and the locking block accurately engages in the slot to form a stable lock, effectively preventing the slider from sliding accidentally, and effectively enhancing the ease of use and connection reliability of the connector. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the embodiments in the drawings do not constitute any limitation on the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the following drawings without creative effort.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sliding cover type FPC connector according to this utility model.

[0014] Figure 2 This is another structural schematic diagram of a sliding cover type FPC connector according to the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sliding cover type FPC connector base according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sliding cover type FPC connector slider according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a sliding cover type FPC connector according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sliding cover type FPC connector terminal according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of point A in the middle.

[0020] The labels in the diagram represent: 1. Base; 2. Slider; 3. Slide groove; 4. Guide arm; 5. Groove; 6. Elastic arm; 7. Locking block; 8. Locking slot; 9. Slot; 10. Insert plate; 11. Limiting groove; 12. Terminal; 13. Protrusion; 14. Limiting boss; 15. Guide slope; 16. Upper clamping arm; 17. Lower clamping arm; 18. Welding foot; 19. Conductive contact; 20. Limiting protrusion; 21. Limiting block. Detailed Implementation

[0021] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0022] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0023] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0024] See Figures 1 to 7As shown, the structure of this utility model is as follows: a sliding cover type FPC connector, including a base 1 and a slider 2 slidably connected to the base 1. The base 1 has sliding grooves 3 extending along the insertion direction on both sides. The slider 2 has guide arms 4 that slidably engage with the sliding grooves 3. The groove walls of the sliding grooves 3 have recesses 5, and elastic arms 6 are installed within the recesses 5. The free ends of the elastic arms 6 have locking blocks 7, and the guide arms 4 have locking slots 8 corresponding to the locking blocks 7. The base 1 has a slot 9 in its middle, extending along its width. The slider 2 has insert plates 10 extending into the slot 9. Limiting grooves 11 are arranged at intervals within the slot 9, and terminals 12 are installed within the limiting grooves 11. Specifically, the slider 2 can slide on the base 1 to achieve a drawer-type insertion and removal operation. The base 1 has sliding grooves 3 extending along the FPC insertion direction on both sides, and the slider 2 has corresponding guide arms 4 on both sides. The guide arms 4 slidably engage with the sliding grooves 3 to form a guiding structure, ensuring that the slider 2 slides smoothly along a fixed trajectory and avoiding deviation. The groove 3 has a groove 5 on its groove wall. The elastic arm 6 installed in the groove 5 has elastic deformation capability. The locking block 7 at its free end can be engaged with the locking groove 8 on the guide arm 4. The contact surface between the locking block 7 and the locking groove 8 is inclined. When the slider 2 is pulled outward, the inclined surface of the locking block 7 in contact with the locking groove 8 will naturally push the elastic arm 6 to gradually deform as the slider 2 is pulled. Under this mutual pushing action, the locking block 7 will slowly exit from the locking groove 8 along the inclined surface, thereby releasing the locking state between the two and allowing the slider 2 to be pulled smoothly. When the slider 2 slides to the locking position, the locking block 7 is engaged in the locking groove 8 to fix the slider 2 and prevent it from sliding accidentally. The base 1 has a slot 9 that runs through the width direction in the middle as the insertion channel of the FPC. The limiting grooves 11 arranged at intervals in the slot 9 are used to accurately install the terminals 12 to ensure that the spacing of the terminals 12 matches the conductive contacts 19 of the FPC. The insert plate 10 on the slider 2 extends into the slot 9 and presses the FPC when the slider 2 is locked, thereby enhancing the contact stability between the FPC and the terminal 12. The terminal 12 serves as the core of the electrical connection, enabling signal transmission between the FPC and the external circuit.

[0025] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the end of the guide arm 4 is provided with a protrusion 13, and the sliding path of the slide groove 3 is provided with a limiting protrusion 14 corresponding to the protrusion 13. Specifically, when the slider 2 is pulled out to the limit position, the protrusion 13 will abut against the limiting protrusion 14, and the excessive sliding of the slider 2 will be restricted by the mechanical limiting action, effectively preventing the slider 2 from falling off the base 1.

[0026] like Figure 5As shown, the insert plate 10 is provided with a guide slope 15 on the side near the base 1. Specifically, when the FPC is inserted into the slot 9 or the slider 2 pushes the insert plate 10 to press the FPC, the guide slope 15 can reduce the contact resistance between the FPC and the insert plate 10 by tilting the angle, so as to avoid rigid collision that causes the FPC edge to break or the insertion to get stuck.

[0027] like Figure 6 As shown, terminal 12 includes an upper clamping arm 16 and a lower clamping arm 17. One end of the upper clamping arm 16 and the lower clamping arm 17 is provided with a soldering foot 18, and the other end of the lower clamping arm 17 is provided with a conductive contact 19 protruding on the side facing the upper clamping arm 16. Specifically, the soldering foot 18 is used to solder to an external PCB board to form a stable electrical connection path. When the FPC is inserted into the slot 9, the conductive contact 19 directly contacts the conductive layer on the surface of the FPC, while the upper clamping arm 16 and the lower clamping arm 17 tightly wrap the FPC through elastic clamping action to ensure reliable contact between the conductive contact 19 and the FPC and realize stable transmission of electrical signals.

[0028] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the upper clamping arm 16 and the lower clamping arm 17 are provided with limiting protrusions 20 opposite to each other, and the limiting groove 11 is provided with a limiting block 21 that cooperates with the limiting protrusion 20. Specifically, when the terminal 12 is installed in the limiting groove 11, the limiting protrusion 20 will be engaged in the corresponding position of the limiting block 21. The cooperation between the two restricts the displacement of the terminal 12, ensuring that the terminal 12 can maintain a precise installation position in long-term use or vibration environment, and ensuring the alignment accuracy with the FPC conductive contact 19.

[0029] Furthermore, a movable gap is left between the lower clamping arm 17 and the limiting groove 11 to allow the lower clamping arm 17 to undergo elastic deformation. Specifically, when the FPC is inserted into the slot 9 or the slider 2 pushes the insert plate 10 to press the FPC, the lower clamping arm 17 can adapt to the thickness deviation or assembly error of the FPC through slight deformation, thereby enhancing the clamping force on the FPC and ensuring the stability of the electrical connection.

[0030] In practical use, the unlocking operation is performed first: pull the slider 2 outward. At this time, the guide arm 4 slides along the slide groove 3 of the base 1 with the slider 2. The slot 8 on the guide arm 4 and the locking block 7 at the free end of the elastic arm 6 in the slide groove 3 make contact through the inclined surface. As the slider 2 is pulled, the inclined surface of the slot 8 pushes the locking block 7, causing the elastic arm 6 to deform. The locking block 7 gradually exits from the slot 8 along the inclined surface, releasing the locking state of the two. At the same time, the insertion plate 10 exits from the slot 9, leaving a position for the insertion of the FPC. Then, the FPC is inserted into the slot 9 in the middle of the base 1. The inner wall of the slot 9 limits the FPC, ensuring that the conductive contact 19 of the FPC is precisely aligned with the terminal 12 in the limiting groove 11 in the slot 9. After the FPC is inserted, push the slider 2 in the opposite direction to make it slide towards the locked position. The guide arm 4 returns to its original position along the slide groove 3. When the slider 2 slides to the locked position, the elastic arm 6 returns to its original deformation, and the locking block 7 at its free end re-engages into the slot 8 of the guide arm 4, thus fixing the slider 2. Meanwhile, the insert plate 10 on the slider 2 moves with the slider 2 and inserts into the slot 9, pressing the inserted FPC, increasing the contact pressure between the FPC and the terminal 12, and ensuring a stable electrical connection. Throughout the process, the cooperation between the slide groove 3 and the guide arm 4 always restricts the sliding direction of the slider 2 to avoid deviation, and finally completes the reliable connection of the FPC.

[0031] The present invention has been further described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it should be understood that the specific description herein should not be construed as limiting the substance and scope of the present invention. Various modifications made by those skilled in the art to the above embodiments after reading this specification are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A slider FPC connector characterized by comprising: The device includes a base (1) and a slider (2) slidably connected to the base (1). The base (1) has grooves (3) extending in the insertion direction on both sides. The slider (2) has a guide arm (4) that slidably engages with the groove (3). The groove wall of the groove (3) has a groove (5). An elastic arm (6) is installed in the groove (5). The free end of the elastic arm (6) has a locking block (7). The guide arm (4) has a locking groove (8) corresponding to the locking block (7). The base (1) has a slot (9) in the middle that is arranged in the width direction. The slider (2) has a plate (10) extending into the slot (9). Limiting grooves (11) are arranged at intervals in the slot (9). Terminals (12) are installed in the limiting grooves (11).

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein: The end of the guide arm (4) is provided with a protrusion (13), and the sliding path of the groove (3) corresponding to the protrusion (13) is provided with a limiting protrusion (14).

3. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insert plate (10) has a guide slope (15) on the side near the base (1).

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein: The terminal (12) includes an upper clamping arm (16) and a lower clamping arm (17). One end of the upper clamping arm (16) and the lower clamping arm (17) is provided with a welding foot (18), and the other end of the lower clamping arm (17) is provided with a conductive contact (19) on the side facing the upper clamping arm (16).

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper clamping arm (16) and the lower clamping arm (17) are provided with limiting protrusions (20) opposite to each other, and the limiting groove (11) is provided with a limiting block (21) that cooperates with the limiting protrusions (20).

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein: There is an active gap between the lower clamping arm (17) and the limiting groove (11) to allow the lower clamping arm (17) to undergo elastic deformation.

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