FPC connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a FPC connector for splicing FPC board and comprising insulating body, covering the metal cover plate of insulating body and two lock catch spare, insulating body is equipped with parallel top wall and bottom wall and is connected in two side walls of top wall and bottom wall, and top wall, bottom wall and side wall surround and form the docking cavity, and FPC board is spliced in the docking cavity. The metal cover plate is equipped with the mainboard part of cover setting in the top wall and two pressure arms extending downward from the two sides of the mainboard part, and the pressure arm protrudes into the docking cavity. The lock catch spare is equipped with the fixed part of holding in the bottom wall, the extension part of extending from the fixed part to the front and the lock catch part of protruding upward from the inside of the extension part, and the lock catch part protrudes into the docking cavity to hold the FPC board, realizes the function of locking as soon as splicing. The pressure arm is located above the extension part and abuts against the extension part, and when the mainboard part of the metal cover plate is pressed downward, the mainboard part drives the pressure arm to push the extension part of the lock catch spare downward, so that the lock catch part is separated from the FPC board, thereby realizing unlocking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of flexible circuit board connection structure technology, and in particular to a stable and fixed FPC connector. Background Technology

[0002] Flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) are highly reliable and highly flexible printed circuit boards made with polyimide or polyester film as the substrate. They are widely used in aerospace, military, mobile communications, laptops, computer peripherals, PDAs, digital cameras, and other fields and products. A typical FPC connector consists of an insulating body, a metal cover plate over the insulating body, and a flexible printed circuit board connected to the insulating body. In traditional processes, when inserting a flexible printed circuit board, the metal cover plate is first opened, the mating part of the flexible printed circuit board is inserted into the mating slot of the insulating body, and then the metal cover plate is closed to lock the flexible printed circuit board. However, frequent flipping can easily cause the metal cover plate to detach, leading to connector failure and poor reliability.

[0003] Therefore, it is hoped that a new FPC connector can be proposed to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an FPC connector that is stable, secure, and highly reliable.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model adopts the following technical solution: an FPC connector for inserting an FPC board, the FPC connector comprising an insulating body extending laterally, several conductive terminals fixed within the insulating body, and a metal cover plate covering the insulating body. The insulating body has a top wall and a bottom wall arranged in parallel, and two side walls connecting the lateral sides of the top wall and the bottom wall. The top wall, the bottom wall, and the two side walls together form a mating cavity, into which the FPC board is inserted. The metal cover plate has a main board portion covering the top surface of the top wall and two pressing arms extending downward from the lateral sides of the main board portion, the pressing arms protruding into the mating cavity. The FPC connector includes two locking members located on the lateral sides of the bottom wall. Each locking member has a fixing part that is fixed to the bottom wall, an extension part that extends longitudinally forward from the fixing part, and a locking part that protrudes upward from the lateral inner side of the front end of the extension part. The locking part protrudes into the mating cavity to hold the FPC board. The pressing arm of the metal cover plate is located above the extension part and abuts against the upper surface of the extension part.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the FPC board has a mating portion and notches located on both sides of the mating portion. The locking portion of the locking member has a guide surface located at the front end in the longitudinal direction and a stop surface located at the rear end in the longitudinal direction. When the FPC board is first inserted into the mating cavity, the mating portion of the FPC board abuts against the guide surface and the guide surface guides the insertion of the FPC board. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the mating cavity, the locking portion is accommodated in the notches and the stop surface abuts against the rear end face of the mating portion.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the insulating body is provided with a receiving groove that extends vertically through the bottom wall, the receiving groove is connected to the docking cavity, the extension is received in the receiving groove, and the locking part protrudes from the receiving groove into the docking cavity.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the fixing part is attached to the bottom surface of the bottom wall and does not extend downward beyond the bottom surface of the bottom wall, and the locking member has an embedded part that extends upward from the fixing part into the bottom wall.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, when the front end of the main board portion of the metal cover is pressed downward, the main board portion drives the pressing arm to move downward, and the pressing arm pushes downward against the extension of the locking member, causing the locking part to move downward so as to disengage from the FPC board.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the top wall is provided with a through groove that penetrates the top wall, the through groove is connected to the docking cavity and is provided corresponding to the main board portion, and the main board portion of the metal cover is received in the through groove.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the FPC connector includes a retainer held within the sidewall, and the longitudinal rear end of the metal cover is pivotally connected to the retainer.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall is provided with a fixing groove that is recessed from top to bottom, the fixing member is held in the fixing groove and a gap is formed between it and the sidewall, and the longitudinal rear end of the metal cover plate is pivotally connected to the gap.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the metal cover plate has a pivot portion extending laterally outward from the rear end of the main board portion, and the pivot portion is engaged within the gap.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the conductive terminal includes a first terminal and a second terminal spaced apart laterally, and the first terminal and the second terminal are inserted in opposite directions longitudinally.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: The FPC connector includes two locking members located on both sides of the bottom wall. Each locking member has a fixing part fixed to the bottom wall, an extension part extending longitudinally forward from the fixing part, and a locking part protruding upward from the inner side of the front end of the extension part. The locking part protrudes into the mating cavity to hold the FPC board, thereby realizing the plug-and-lock function of the FPC connector. The pressing arm of the metal cover is located above the extension part and abuts against the upper surface of the extension part. When the main body of the metal cover is pressed downward, the main body drives the pressing arm to push downward against the extension part of the locking member, causing the locking part to disengage from the FPC board. At this time, the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance, thus achieving unlocking. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the FPC connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the FPC connector.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the FPC connector from another angle.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the FPC connector.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the FPC connector from another angle.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the FPC connector. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the embodiments of this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting the utility model.

[0023] Please see Figures 1 to 6As shown, a preferred embodiment of this utility model discloses an FPC connector 100, which is mainly used in the connection and installation of FPC boards to facilitate repeated hot-plugging of FPC boards. In this embodiment, the FPC connector 100 is a ZIF connector (Zero Insertion Force connector), used to plug into an FPC board (not shown) and can realize a plug-and-lock function.

[0024] Please see Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the FPC connector 100 includes an insulating body 10 extending laterally, several conductive terminals 20 fixed within the insulating body 10, a metal cover plate 30 covering the insulating body 10, and two locking members 40 and two fixing members 50 located on both sides of the insulating body 10. In this embodiment, the FPC board has a mating portion that inserts into the insulating body 10 and notches located on both sides of the mating portion, and the locking members 40 are fastened within the notches.

[0025] The insulating body 10 has a top wall 11 and a bottom wall 12 arranged in parallel, two side walls 13 connected to the lateral sides of the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12, and a rear wall 14 located at the longitudinal rear end. The rear wall 14 is connected to the longitudinal rear ends of the top wall 11, the bottom wall 12, and the two side walls 13. The top wall 11, the bottom wall 12, and the two side walls 13 together form a docking cavity 101. The docking cavity 101 opens towards the longitudinal front end of the insulating body 10, and the docking portion of the FPC board is inserted into the docking cavity 101 longitudinally from front to back.

[0026] The conductive terminal 20 includes a first terminal 21 and a second terminal 22 spaced apart laterally, and the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 22 are inserted in opposite directions longitudinally. Specifically, the first terminal 21 is inserted into the insulating body 10 from the longitudinal front end, and the second terminal 22 is inserted into the insulating body 10 from the longitudinal rear end; and each of the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 22 has a contact portion protruding into the mating cavity 101 to correspond to the gold fingers on the mating portion of the FPC board.

[0027] The metal cover plate 30 has a main plate portion 31 covering the top surface of the top wall 11, a pivot portion 32 extending laterally outward from the rear end of the main plate portion 31, and two pressing arms 33 extending downward from the front sides of the main plate portion 31. The pressing arms 33 protrude into the docking cavity 101. The top wall 11 has a through groove 110 extending vertically through the top wall 11. The through groove 110 communicates with the docking cavity 101 and is provided corresponding to the main plate portion 31. The main plate portion 31 is received in the through groove 110 so that the longitudinal front end of the main plate portion 31 can be pressed downward.

[0028] The fastener 50 is fixed within the side wall 13, and the longitudinal rear end of the metal cover plate 30 is pivotally connected to the fastener 50. Specifically, the side wall 13 has a fixing groove 131 recessed downward from the top surface. The fastener 50 is engaged within the fixing groove 131, forming a gap with the side wall 13. The pivot portion 32 of the metal cover plate 30 is engaged within the gap, so that the longitudinal rear end of the metal cover plate 30 is pivotally connected within the gap. Thus, the metal cover plate 30 can pivot about the pivot portion 32 relative to the top surface of the insulating body 10.

[0029] The two locking members 40 are respectively located on the lateral sides of the bottom wall 12, and each locking member 40 is provided with a fixing part 41 fixed to the bottom wall 12, an extension part 42 extending longitudinally forward from the fixing part 41, and a locking part 43 protruding upward from the lateral inner side of the front end of the extension part 42. In this embodiment, the fixing part 41 is attached to the bottom surface of the bottom wall 12 and does not extend downward beyond the bottom surface of the bottom wall 12, and the locking member 40 is also provided with an embedded part 411 extending upward from the fixing part 41 into the bottom wall 12, so as to stably fix the locking member 40 to the bottom wall 12.

[0030] Combination Figures 5 to 6 As shown, the insulating body 10 is provided with a receiving groove 121 that extends vertically through the bottom wall 12. The receiving groove 121 extends longitudinally and communicates with the docking cavity 101. The extension 42 of the locking member 40 is bent upward from the fixing part 41 and extends forward. The extension 42 is received in the receiving groove 121, and the locking part 43 protrudes from the receiving groove 121 into the docking cavity 101.

[0031] The locking part 43 protrudes into the docking cavity 101 to hold the FPC board. Specifically, the locking part 43 has a guide surface 431 at the longitudinal front end and a stop surface 432 at the longitudinal rear end. When the FPC board begins to be inserted into the docking cavity 101, the docking part of the FPC board pushes against the guide surface 431, causing the locking part 43 to drive the extension part 42 to move downward. At this time, the guide surface 431 guides the insertion of the FPC board. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the docking cavity 101, the extension part 42 springs back to its original position due to its own elasticity, so that the locking part 43 is accommodated in the notch, and the stop surface 432 abuts against the rear end face of the docking part to prevent the FPC board from being pulled out.

[0032] In this embodiment, the pressing arm 33 of the metal cover plate 30 is located above the extension 42 of the locking member 40 and abuts against the upper surface of the front end of the extension 42. When the FPC board needs to be pulled out, the main board portion 31 of the metal cover plate 30 is pressed downward, and the main board portion 31 drives the pressing arm 33 to push the extension 42 downward, so that the locking member 43 disengages from the FPC board. At this time, the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance, thereby unlocking.

[0033] When the FPC board is inserted into the FPC connector 100, the mating portion of the FPC board pushes against the guide surface 431, causing the locking portion 43 to move the extension portion 42 downwards. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the mating cavity 101, the extension portion 42 springs back to its original position due to its own elasticity, allowing the locking portion 43 to be accommodated within the notch, and the stop surface 432 abuts against the rear end face of the mating portion to prevent the FPC board from being pulled out. When the FPC connector 100 is unlocked, the front end of the main board portion 31 of the metal cover 30 is pressed downwards, the main board portion 31 drives the pressing arm 33 to move downwards, and the pressing arm 33 pushes the extension portion 42 downwards, causing the locking portion 43 to move downwards to disengage from the FPC board. At this time, the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance, thereby achieving unlocking. Furthermore, after the FPC board is pulled out, the extension portion 42 springs back to its original position due to its own elasticity.

[0034] In this invention, the FPC connector 100 includes two locking members 40 located on both sides of the bottom wall 12. Each locking member 40 has a fixing portion 41 fixed to the bottom wall 12, an extension portion 42 extending longitudinally forward from the fixing portion 41, and a locking portion 43 protruding upward from the inner side of the front end of the extension portion 42. The locking portion 43 protrudes into the mating cavity 101 to hold the FPC board, thereby achieving the plug-and-lock function of the FPC connector 100. The pressing arm 33 of the metal cover plate 30 is located above the extension portion 42 and abuts against the upper surface of the extension portion 42. When the main plate portion 31 of the metal cover plate 30 is pressed downwards, the main plate portion 31 drives the pressing arm 33 to push downwards against the extension portion 42 of the locking member 40, causing the locking portion 43 to disengage from the FPC board. At this time, the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance, thus achieving unlocking.

[0035] In summary, the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present utility model. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present utility model should still fall within the scope of the present utility model patent.

Claims

1. An FPC connector for inserting an FPC board, the FPC connector comprising a laterally extending insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals fixed within the insulating body, and a metal cover plate covering the insulating body; the insulating body having a top wall and a bottom wall arranged in parallel, and two side walls connecting the lateral sides of the top wall and the bottom wall, the top wall, the bottom wall, and the two side walls together forming a mating cavity, the FPC board being inserted into the mating cavity; the metal cover plate having a main board portion covering the top surface of the top wall and two pressing arms extending downward from the lateral sides of the main board portion, the pressing arms protruding into the mating cavity; characterized in that: The FPC connector includes two locking members located on the lateral sides of the bottom wall. Each locking member has a fixing part that is fixed to the bottom wall, an extension part that extends longitudinally forward from the fixing part, and a locking part that protrudes upward from the lateral inner side of the front end of the extension part. The locking part protrudes into the mating cavity to hold the FPC board. The pressing arm of the metal cover plate is located above the extension part and abuts against the upper surface of the extension part.

2. The FPC connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The FPC board has a mating portion and notches on both sides of the mating portion. The locking portion of the locking member has a guide surface at the front end in the longitudinal direction and a stop surface at the rear end in the longitudinal direction. When the FPC board is inserted into the mating cavity, the mating portion of the FPC board pushes against the guide surface and the guide surface guides the insertion of the FPC board. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the mating cavity, the locking portion is accommodated in the notches and the stop surface abuts against the rear end face of the mating portion.

3. The FPC connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The insulating body is provided with a receiving groove that extends vertically through the bottom wall. The receiving groove is connected to the docking cavity. The extension is received in the receiving groove, and the locking part protrudes from the receiving groove into the docking cavity.

4. The FPC connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The fixing part is attached to the bottom surface of the bottom wall and does not extend downward beyond the bottom surface of the bottom wall, and the locking member has an embedded part that extends upward from the fixing part into the bottom wall.

5. The FPC connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: When the front end of the main board portion of the metal cover is pressed downward, the main board portion drives the pressing arm to move downward, and the pressing arm pushes downward against the extension of the locking member, causing the locking part to move downward so as to disengage from the FPC board.

6. The FPC connector as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The top wall is provided with a through groove that penetrates the top wall. The through groove is connected to the docking cavity and is provided corresponding to the main board portion. The main board portion of the metal cover is received in the through groove.

7. The FPC connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The FPC connector includes a retainer fixed within the sidewall, and the longitudinal rear end of the metal cover plate is pivotally connected to the retainer.

8. The FPC connector as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The side wall is provided with a fixing groove that is recessed from top to bottom. The fixing member is held in the fixing groove and a gap is formed between it and the side wall. The longitudinal rear end of the metal cover plate is pivotally connected to the gap.

9. The FPC connector as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The metal cover plate has a pivot portion extending laterally outward from the rear end of the main board portion, and the pivot portion is engaged within the gap.

10. The FPC connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive terminal includes a first terminal and a second terminal spaced apart laterally, and the first terminal and the second terminal are inserted in opposite directions longitudinally.

Images