FPC connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a FPC connector for inserting FPC board and comprising insulating body and the lock catch mechanism of being located insulating body transverse both sides, insulating body is equipped with parallel top wall and bottom wall and is connected in top wall and bottom wall transverse both sides's two side walls, and top wall, bottom wall and side wall together surround and form the docking cavity, and FPC board is inserted in the docking cavity. Top wall is equipped with the accommodating groove of intercommunication docking cavity, and the lock catch mechanism includes lock catch block and the elastic piece of being located lock catch block below, and elastic piece pushes lock catch block upward. Lock catch block is equipped with the main part of being located accommodating groove, the locking portion of extending from main part along transverse to the inside and the press portion of projecting upward from main part, and the locking portion projects into docking cavity to hold FPC board, realizes and locks the function of a plug. The press portion projects out top wall upward and when pressing downward, drive locking portion to move downward to separate with FPC board, thereby realizes the 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] FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) is a type of highly reliable and flexible printed circuit board made with polyimide or polyester film as the substrate. It is widely used in aerospace, military, mobile communications, laptops, computer peripherals, PDAs, digital cameras and other fields or products.

[0003] Flexible printed circuit board (PCB) connectors typically include an insulating body, a metal cover plate covering the insulating body, and a flexible PCB connected to the insulating body. In traditional processes, when inserting a PCB, the metal cover plate is first opened, the mating portion of the PCB is inserted into the insertion slot of the insulating body, and then the metal cover plate is closed to lock the PCB in place. However, this insertion and removal assembly process for PCBs is quite complex.

[0004] Therefore, it is hoped that a new FPC connector can be proposed to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an FPC connector that is stable, easy to assemble, and has a fixed shape.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model adopts the following technical solution: an FPC connector for inserting an FPC board, the FPC connector including an insulating body extending laterally, several conductive terminals fixed within the insulating body, and locking mechanisms located on both sides of the insulating body laterally. 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, in which the FPC board is inserted. The top wall has a vertically penetrating receiving groove, which is located adjacent to the side walls and communicates with the mating cavity. The locking mechanism includes a locking block housed within the receiving groove and an elastic member located below the locking block. The elastic member is fixed to the bottom wall and pushes the locking block upwards. The locking block has a main body located in the receiving groove, a locking part extending laterally inward from the main body, and a pressing part protruding upward from the main body. The locking part protrudes into the docking cavity to hold the FPC board, and the pressing part protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall. When the pressing part is pressed downward, it drives the locking part to move downward to disengage from the FPC board.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the elastic member is provided with a retaining portion fixed to the bottom wall and an abutting arm protruding upward from the retaining portion, the abutting arm abutting against the bottom surface of the main body.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the abutment arm has an extension extending forward longitudinally from the holding portion, a bent portion bending backward and extending upward from the front end of the extension portion, and an abutment portion located at the top end of the bent portion, the abutment portion abutting against the bottom surface of the main body portion of the locking block.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the FPC board has a mating portion and notches on both sides of the mating portion. The locking portion of the locking block 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 to drive the locking portion to move downward. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the mating cavity, the elastic element pushes the main body of the locking block upward, the locking portion is accommodated in the notch, and the stop surface abuts against the rear end face of the mating portion.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the locking part has a protrusion extending downward beyond the bottom surface of the main body, and the bottom wall has a through hole extending vertically through the mating cavity. When the FPC board is inserted into the mating cavity, the mating part pushes the locking part downward, and at this time, the protrusion is at least partially received in the through hole.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism includes fasteners that are fixed to both lateral sides of the insulating body, the fasteners spanning across both lateral sides of the main body.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the fastener has a fixing plate located on the lateral outer side of the main body, a stop portion extending laterally inward from the top edge of the fixing plate, and several legs extending downward from the lateral inner side of the stop portion. The stop portion is located above the main body, and the legs are located on the lateral inner side of the main body.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall is provided with a fixing groove that is recessed from top to bottom, and the fixing plate is held in the fixing groove and is provided with several fixing feet that extend downward.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the pressing part extends upward to form the stopping part, and the stopping part has a notch corresponding to the pressing part.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the legs of the fastener are received within the receiving groove and extend downward to expose the bottom surface of the insulating body, and the fastener has two legs located on both sides of the locking portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: The locking mechanism includes a locking block housed in a receiving groove and an elastic member located below the locking block. The elastic member is fixed to the bottom wall and pushes the locking block upward. The locking block has a main body located in the receiving groove, a locking part extending laterally inward from the main body, and a pressing part protruding upward from the main body. The locking part protrudes into the mating cavity to hold the FPC board, thereby realizing the one-plug-and-lock function of the FPC connector. The pressing part protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall, and when the pressing part is pressed downward, it drives the locking part to move downward to disengage from the FPC board. At this time, the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance, thereby achieving unlocking. Attached Figure Description

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

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the FPC connector.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An exploded view of the locking mechanism in the FPC connector shown.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An exploded view of the locking mechanism from another angle.

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the FPC connector from another angle.

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the FPC connector.

[0023] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An exploded view of the locking mechanism in the FPC connector shown.

[0024] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An exploded view of the locking mechanism from another angle.

[0025] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the FPC connector shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] 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.

[0027] Please see Figures 1 to 9 As 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.

[0028] The FPC connector 100 includes an insulating body 10 extending laterally, a plurality of conductive terminals 20 fixed within the insulating body 10, and locking mechanisms 30 located on both sides of the insulating body 10 laterally. 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 laterally, and the locking mechanisms 30 are fastened within the notches.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The conductive terminal 20 includes a first terminal 21 and a second terminal 22 spaced apart laterally, with the first terminal 21 and the second terminal 22 inserted in opposite directions longitudinally. Specifically, the first terminal 21 is inserted into the insulating body 10 from its longitudinal front end. The first terminal 21 has a first holding portion 211 fixed to the rear wall 14, a first contact portion 212 extending longitudinally forward from the first holding portion 211 into the mating cavity 101, and a first solder leg 213 extending longitudinally forward from the first holding portion 211 out of the insulating body 10. In this embodiment, the first solder leg 213 extends forward beyond the first contact portion 212 and its end extends to the longitudinal front end of the bottom wall 12. A gap is formed between the first contact portion 212 and the first solder leg 213 to allow the first contact portion 212 to have deformation space in the vertical direction.

[0031] The second terminal 22 is inserted into the insulating body 10 from its longitudinal rear end. The second terminal 22 has a second holding portion 221 fixed to the rear wall 14, a second contact portion 222 extending longitudinally forward from the second holding portion 221 into the mating cavity 101, and a second solder foot 223 extending longitudinally rearward from the second holding portion 221 out of the insulating body 10. In this embodiment, the first contact portion 212 and the second contact portion 222 are at the same height, and the second contact portion 222 is located longitudinally rearward of the first contact portion 212. The gold fingers of the FPC board are disposed on its bottom surface. When the FPC board is inserted into the mating cavity 101, the first contact portion 212 and the second contact portion 222 respectively abut against the corresponding gold fingers.

[0032] Combination Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the locking mechanism 30 includes a locking block 40 adjacent to the sidewall 13, fixing members 50 fixed to the lateral sides of the insulating body 10, and an elastic member 60 located below the locking block 40. The top wall 11 is provided with a vertically penetrating receiving groove 110, which is located adjacent to the sidewall 13 and communicates with the docking cavity 101. The locking block 40 is at least partially received in the receiving groove 110, used to hold the FPC board when it is inserted, and to disengage from the FPC board when it needs to be removed, so that the FPC board can be removed without resistance. The fixing member 50 is used to restrict the vertical movement of the locking block 40; the elastic member 60 cooperates with the locking block 40 so that the locking block 40 can stably hold the FPC board.

[0033] The locking block 40 has a main body 41 located within the receiving groove 110, a locking part 42 extending laterally inward from the main body 41, and a pressing part 43 protruding upward from the main body 41. The pressing part 43 protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall 11. The locking part 42 protrudes laterally inward into the docking cavity 101 to hold the FPC board. Specifically, the locking part 42 has a guide surface 421 located at the longitudinal front end and a stop surface 422 located 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 421 to drive the locking part 42 to move downward. At this time, the guide surface 421 guides the insertion of the FPC board. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the docking cavity 101, the locking part 42 is accommodated in the notch, and the stop surface 422 abuts against the rear end face of the docking part to prevent the FPC board from being pulled out.

[0034] The pressing part 43 protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall 11 and is used to be pressed to unlock the latch between the locking block 40 and the FPC board. When the FPC board needs to be removed from the FPC connector 100, simply press the pressing part 43 downward to move the locking part 42 downward, causing the locking part 42 to disengage from the FPC board. At this time, the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance. At the same time, the elastic member 60 is fixed to the bottom wall 12 and pushes upward against the bottom surface of the locking block 40. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the docking cavity 101 or the pressing part 43 is released, that is, when the external force on the locking block 40 disappears, the elastic member 60 rebounds upward and pushes the main body 41 of the locking block 40 upward until it returns to its original position. In this embodiment, the main body 41 abuts against the bottom surface of the stop part 52 of the fixing member 50.

[0035] Furthermore, the locking part 42 is also provided with a protrusion 423 extending downward beyond the bottom surface of the main body part 41, and the bottom wall 12 is provided with a through hole 121 extending vertically, the through hole 121 communicating with the mating cavity 101. When the FPC board is inserted into the mating cavity 101, the mating part pushes the locking part 42 downward, at which time the protrusion 423 can be at least partially received in the through hole 121, which ensures the strength of the locking part 42 while satisfying the vertical movement space of the locking part 42, thereby reducing the height of the FPC connector 100 and satisfying the low-profile design.

[0036] The fixing member 50 spans across both sides of the main body 41 to restrict the vertical movement of the locking block 40, i.e., to prevent the locking block 40 from disengaging vertically. The fixing member 50 has a fixing plate 51 located on the outer side of the main body 41, a stop portion 52 extending laterally inward from the top edge of the fixing plate 51, and several legs 53 extending downward from the inner side of the stop portion 52. The stop portion 52 is located above the main body 41, and the legs 53 are located on the inner side of the main body 41.

[0037] The side wall 13 has a recessed fixing groove 131 extending downward from the top surface. The fixing plate 51 is held in the fixing groove 131 and has several fixing feet 511 extending downward and protruding from the bottom surface of the insulating body 10. The pressing part 43 extends upward to form a stop part 52. The stop part 52 has a notch corresponding to the pressing part 43 for the pressing part 43 to pass through, thereby facilitating the vertical movement of the pressing part 43. The legs 53 of the fixing member 50 are received in the receiving groove 110 and extend downward to protrude from the bottom surface of the insulating body 10. Furthermore, the fixing member 50 has two legs 53 located on both longitudinal sides of the locking part 42.

[0038] The elastic member 60 is provided with a retaining portion 61 fixed to the bottom wall 12 and an abutting arm 62 protruding upward from the retaining portion 61. The abutting arm 62 abuts against the bottom surface of the main body portion 41 of the locking block 40. Figure 9 As shown, the abutment arm 62 is located on the upper surface of the bottom wall 12, and the retaining portion 61 extends downward from the extension portion 621 of the abutment arm 62 into the bottom wall 12. Specifically, the abutment arm 62 has an extension portion 621 extending forward longitudinally from the retaining portion 61, a bent portion 622 extending backward and upward from the front end of the extension portion 621, an abutment portion 623 located at the top of the bent portion 622, and a free end 624 folded downward from the abutment portion 623. The abutment portion 623 abuts against the bottom surface of the main body portion 41 of the locking block 40, and the main body portion 41 has a groove 411 recessed upward from the bottom surface, that is, the abutment portion 623 is accommodated in the groove 411 and abuts against the inner wall surface of the groove 411.

[0039] When the FPC board is inserted into the FPC connector 100, the mating portion of the FPC board pushes against the guide surface 421 of the locking portion 42 to drive the locking block 40 to move downward until the mating portion of the FPC board is fully inserted into the mating cavity 101. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the mating cavity 101, the elastic member 60 rebounds and pushes the main body 41 of the locking block 40 upward until it is reset, that is, the locking portion 42 is accommodated in the notch. At this time, the stop surface 422 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 pressing part 43 is pressed down, and the pressing part 43 drives the locking portion 42 to move downward 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 pressing part 43 is released, and the elastic member 60 pushes the locking block 40 upward to reset it.

[0040] In this invention, the locking mechanism 30 includes a locking block 40 housed within a receiving groove 110 and an elastic member 60 located below the locking block 40. The elastic member 60 is fixed to the bottom wall 12 and pushes upward against the locking block 40. The locking block 40 has a main body 41 located within the receiving groove 110, a locking part 42 extending laterally inward from the main body 41, and a pressing part 43 protruding upward from the main body 41. The locking part 42 protrudes into the mating cavity 101 to hold the FPC board, thereby realizing the one-plug-and-lock function of the FPC connector 100. The pressing part 43 protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall 11, and when the pressing part 43 presses downward, it drives the locking part 42 to move downward to disengage from the FPC board. At this time, the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance, thereby achieving unlocking.

[0041] 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 locking mechanisms located on both sides of the laterally extending insulating body; the insulating body having a top wall and a bottom wall arranged in parallel, and two side walls connecting the laterally extending 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 top wall having a vertically penetrating receiving groove, the receiving groove being disposed adjacent to the side walls and communicating with the mating cavity; characterized in that: The locking mechanism includes a locking block housed in the receiving groove and an elastic member located below the locking block. The elastic member is fixed to the bottom wall and pushes the locking block upward. The locking block has a main body located in the receiving groove, a locking part extending laterally inward from the main body, and a pressing part protruding upward from the main body. The locking part protrudes into the docking cavity to hold the FPC board. The pressing part protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall, and when the pressing part is pressed downward, it drives the locking part to move downward to disengage from the FPC board.

2. The FPC connector according to claim 1, wherein: The elastic member is provided with a retaining part fixed to the bottom wall and an abutting arm protruding upward from the retaining part, the abutting arm abutting against the bottom surface of the main body.

3. The FPC connector of claim 2, wherein: The abutment arm has an extension extending forward longitudinally from the holding portion, a bent portion bending backward and extending upward from the front end of the extension portion, and an abutment portion located at the top end of the bent portion. The abutment portion abuts against the bottom surface of the main body of the locking block.

4. The FPC connector of claim 1, wherein: The FPC board has a mating portion and notches on both sides of the mating portion. The locking portion of the locking block 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 to drive the locking portion to move downward. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the mating cavity, the elastic element pushes the main body of the locking block upward, the locking portion is accommodated in the notch, and the stop surface abuts against the rear end face of the mating portion.

5. The FPC connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The locking part has a protrusion extending downward beyond the bottom surface of the main body. The bottom wall has a through hole extending vertically through the docking cavity. When the FPC board is inserted into the docking cavity, the docking part pushes the locking part downward, and at this time, the protrusion is at least partially received in the through hole.

6. The FPC connector of claim 1, wherein: The locking mechanism includes fasteners that are fixed to both sides of the insulating body, the fasteners spanning both sides of the main body.

7. The FPC connector of claim 6, wherein: The fastener has a fixing plate located on the lateral outer side of the main body, a stop portion extending laterally inward from the top edge of the fixing plate, and several legs extending downward from the lateral inner side of the stop portion. The stop portion is located above the main body, and the legs are located on the lateral inner side of the main body.

8. The FPC connector of claim 7, wherein: The side wall is provided with a fixing groove that is recessed from top to bottom, and the fixing plate is held in the fixing groove and is provided with several fixing feet that extend downward.

9. The FPC connector of claim 7, wherein: The pressing part extends upward to form the stopping part, and the stopping part has a notch corresponding to the pressing part.

10. The FPC connector of claim 7, wherein: The legs of the fastener are received within the receiving groove and extend downward to expose the bottom surface of the insulating body. The fastener has two legs located on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the locking portion.

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