Zif connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a ZIF connector for splicing FPC board and comprising the lock catch spare of the insulator body and the both sides of insulator body transversely, the insulator body is equipped with parallel top wall and bottom wall and is connected in two side walls of top wall and bottom wall transversely, and the top wall, bottom wall and side wall surround and form the docking cavity, and the FPC board is inserted in the docking cavity. The insulator body is equipped with the containing groove along the vertical through, and the containing groove is communicated with the docking cavity and contains the lock catch spare, and the lock catch spare is equipped with the main plate portion of holding in the bottom wall and the elastic arm and the lock catch arm that extend from the main plate portion to the front, and the lock catch arm is equipped with the upper extension of the inclined extension from the main plate portion to the upper, the press portion of the bending extension from the upper extension front end to the upper and the lock catch portion connected in the inside of press portion. The lock catch portion is located in the docking cavity for holding the FPC board, realizes the function of locking as soon as inserting. The press portion protrudes out the top wall to the upper, and when pressing down, drives the lock catch portion to move along the vertical, and then makes the lock catch portion and the FPC board separate, 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 ZIF 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 ZIF connector can be proposed to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a ZIF connector that is stable, durable, and highly reliable.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model adopts the following technical solution: a ZIF connector for inserting an FPC board, the ZIF connector comprising an insulating body extending laterally, several conductive terminals fixed within the insulating body, and locking members 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 insulating body has a receiving groove extending vertically through the top wall and the bottom wall, the receiving groove communicating with the mating cavity and accommodating the locking members. The locking member has a main board portion fixed to the bottom wall, an elastic arm extending forward from the longitudinal inner side of the main board portion, and a locking arm extending forward from the longitudinal outer side of the main board portion. The locking arm has an upper extension portion extending forward and upward from the main board portion, a pressing portion extending upward from the front end of the upper extension portion, and a locking portion connected to the transverse inner side of the pressing portion. The pressing portion protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall. The locking portion is located in the docking cavity and has a plate portion located above the elastic arm and a locking end protruding upward from the longitudinal inner side of the plate portion. The locking end is used to hold the FPC board.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the FPC board has a mating portion and notches located on both sides of the mating portion in the lateral direction. The locking end of the locking portion 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 begins to be 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 locking portion is provided with a guide portion extending longitudinally forward and downward from the plate body portion to guide the insertion of the FPC plate.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the elastic arm has an extension portion extending forward from the longitudinal front end of the main board portion, a bent portion extending backward from the extension portion, and a pushing portion located at the top end of the bent portion. The pushing portion is located below the board portion, and when the ZIF connector is not inserted into the FPC board, the pushing portion does not contact the board portion.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the elastic arm is located within the receiving groove at the bottom wall and does not extend into the docking cavity.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, when the FPC board begins to be inserted into the docking cavity, the docking portion pushes against the guide portion and the locking end to drive the board body portion to move downward, and the board body portion presses against the pushing portion and drives the elastic arm to move downward; when the FPC board is fully inserted into the docking cavity, the pushing portion drives the board body portion to move upward under the action of elastic force.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the pressing part has a first bent part that extends laterally outward from the front end of the upper extension and bends upward, and a second bent part that extends laterally inward from the top edge of the first bent part and bends downward, and the locking part is connected to the free end of the second bent part.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving groove extends through the sidewall in both the horizontal and vertical directions, the first bend is flush with the outer surface of the sidewall in the horizontal direction, and the second bend extends beyond the top surface of the sidewall in the vertical direction.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the main plate portion of the locking member 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 is provided with a retaining portion extending upward from the main plate portion into the bottom wall.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, when the pressing part is pressed down, the pressing part drives the locking part to move the locking end downward, so that the locking end disengages from the FPC board.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: The locking member is provided with a main board portion fixed to the bottom wall, an elastic arm extending forward from the longitudinal inner side of the main board portion, and a locking arm extending forward from the longitudinal outer side of the main board portion. The locking arm is provided with an upper extension portion extending forward and upward from the main board portion, a pressing portion extending upward from the front end of the upper extension portion, and a locking portion connected to the transverse inner side of the pressing portion. The locking portion is located in the mating cavity and is provided with a plate portion located above the elastic arm and a locking end protruding upward from the longitudinal inner side of the plate portion. The locking end is used to hold the FPC board, thereby realizing the one-plug-and-lock function of the ZIF connector. The pressing portion protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall. When the pressing portion is pressed downward, it drives the locking portion to move vertically, thereby disengaging the locking portion from the FPC board. At this time, the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance, thereby realizing unlocking. Furthermore, the elastic arm is located below the locking portion and can provide certain support for the locking arm when it moves vertically, which can effectively reduce yielding. Attached Figure Description

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

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the ZIF connector from another angle.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional representation of the ZIF connector from another angle.

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

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows a three-dimensional representation of the locking mechanism in the ZIF connector.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking mechanism from another angle.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 The diagram shows a three-dimensional representation of the locking mechanism from another angle. Detailed Implementation

[0023] 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.

[0024] Please see Figures 1 to 7 As shown, a preferred embodiment of this utility model discloses a ZIF connector (Zero Insertion Force) 100, which is mainly used in the connection and installation of FPC boards to facilitate repeated hot-plugging of FPC boards. The ZIF connector 100 is used to insert an FPC board (not shown) and can realize a one-plug-and-lock function.

[0025] The ZIF connector 100 includes an insulating body 10 extending laterally, a plurality of conductive terminals 20 fixed within the insulating body 10, and locking members 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 members 30 are fastened within the notches.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 two contact portions protruding into the mating cavity 101 to correspond to the gold fingers on the upper and lower surfaces of the mating portion of the FPC board.

[0028] The insulating body 10 also has a receiving groove 110 that vertically penetrates the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12. The receiving groove 110 communicates with the docking cavity 101 and accommodates the locking fastener 30. In this embodiment, the receiving groove 110 also penetrates the side wall 13 horizontally and vertically. Figures 5 to 7As shown, the locking member 30 has a main board portion 31 fixed to the bottom wall 12, an elastic arm 32 extending forward from the longitudinal inner side of the main board portion 31, and a locking arm 33 extending forward from the longitudinal outer side of the main board portion 31. The main board portion 31 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. The locking member 30 also has a holding portion 34 extending upward from the main board portion 31 into the bottom wall 12 to stably fix the locking member 30 to the bottom wall 12 of the insulating body 10.

[0029] The locking arm 33 of the locking member 30 is provided with an upper extension 331 extending forward and upward from the main plate portion 31, a pressing portion extending upward from the front end of the upper extension 331, and a locking portion connected to the inner side of the pressing portion. The locking portion is used to hold the FPC board when the FPC board is inserted. The pressing portion protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall 11 to disengage the locking portion from the FPC board so that the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance.

[0030] Specifically, the pressing part has a first bent portion 332 extending laterally outward from the front end of the upper extension portion 331 and bending upward, and a second bent portion 333 extending laterally inward from the top edge of the first bent portion 332 and bending downward. The locking part is connected to the free end of the second bent portion 333. In this embodiment, the first bent portion 332 is received in the receiving groove 110 at the side wall 13, and the first bent portion 332 is flush with the outer surface of the side wall 13 in the lateral direction, so as not to increase the width of the ZIF connector 100. At the same time, the second bent portion 333 extends vertically beyond the top surface of the side wall 13 for pressing operation; that is, when the second bent portion 333 of the pressing part is pressed downward, the pressing part drives the locking part to move downward, so that the locking part disengages from the FPC board.

[0031] The locking part is located inside the docking cavity 101 and includes a plate portion 334 located above the elastic arm 32, a guide portion 335 extending longitudinally forward and downward from the plate portion 334, and a locking end 336 protruding upward from the longitudinal inner side of the plate portion 334. The guide portion 335 is used to guide the insertion of the FPC plate, and the locking end 336 is used to hold the FPC plate. When the FPC plate begins to be inserted into the docking cavity 101, the docking part first pushes against the guide portion 335 to drive the plate portion 334 downward, and then pushes against the locking end 336 when it reaches the locking end 336; that is, both the guide portion 335 and the locking end 336 serve to guide the insertion of the FPC plate.

[0032] The locking end 336 of the latching part is provided with a guide surface 3361 at the longitudinal front end and a stop surface 3362 at the longitudinal rear end. When the mating part of the FPC board reaches the locking end 336, the mating part pushes against the guide surface 3361, and the guide surface 3361 guides the insertion of the FPC board. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the mating cavity 101, the latching part is accommodated in the notch, and the stop surface 3362 and the board body part 334 simultaneously abut against the rear end face of the mating part to prevent the FPC board from being pulled out.

[0033] The elastic arm 32 has an extension 321 extending forward from the longitudinal front end of the main plate 31, a bent portion 322 extending backward from the extension 321, and a pushing portion 323 located at the top of the bent portion 322. The pushing portion 323 is located below the plate body 334, and when the ZIF connector 100 is not inserted into the FPC board, that is, when the locking member 30 is in a free state, the pushing portion 323 does not contact the plate body 334. In this embodiment, the elastic arm 32 is located in the receiving groove 110 at the bottom wall 12 and does not extend into the docking cavity 101.

[0034] Meanwhile, since the locking arm 33 is elastic, when the external force on the locking part disappears, the locking arm 33 will also spring back to its original position due to its own elasticity. The function of the elastic arm 32 is to provide some support for the locking arm 33 when it moves vertically, which can effectively reduce the knocking.

[0035] When the FPC board is inserted into the ZIF connector 100, the mating portion of the FPC board pushes against the guide portion 335 and the locking end 336, causing the board body portion 334 to move downward. At this time, the board body portion 334 presses against the pushing portion 323 and drives the elastic arm 32 to move downward. When the FPC board is fully inserted into the mating cavity 101, the board body portion 334 moves upward under the elastic force of itself and the pushing portion 323 until it springs back to its initial position. At this time, at least the board body portion 334 and the locking end 336 in the locking portion are located inside the notch of the FPC board, and the stop surface 3362 abuts against the rear end face of the mating portion to prevent the FPC board from being pulled out.

[0036] When the ZIF connector 100 is unlocked, the second bent portion 333 of the pressing part is pressed vertically downwards. The pressing part causes the plate portion 334 and the locking end 336 of the locking part to move downwards, so that the locking part disengages 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 locking arm 33 rebounds due to its own elasticity and the action of the elastic arm 32, so that the locking arm 33 returns to its original position.

[0037] In this invention, the locking arm 33 includes an upper extension 331 extending forward and upward from the main plate portion 31, a pressing portion extending upward from the front end of the upper extension 331, and a locking portion connected to the inner side of the pressing portion. The locking portion is located within the mating cavity 101 and includes a plate portion 334 located above the elastic arm 32 and a locking end 336 protruding upward from the inner side of the plate portion 334. The locking end 336 is used to hold the FPC board, thereby realizing the one-plug-and-lock function of the ZIF connector 100. The pressing portion protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall 11. When the pressing portion is pressed downward, it drives the locking portion to move vertically, thereby disengaging the locking portion from the FPC board. At this time, the FPC board can be pulled out without resistance, thus unlocking. Furthermore, the elastic arm 32 is located below the locking portion and can provide some support for the locking arm 33 during vertical movement, effectively reducing yielding.

[0038] 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. A ZIF connector for inserting an FPC board, the ZIF connector comprising a laterally extending insulating body, a plurality of conductive terminals fixed within the insulating body, and locking members located on both laterally sides of the insulating body; the insulating body having a top wall and a bottom wall arranged in parallel, and two side walls connecting the laterally 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 insulating body having a receiving groove extending vertically through the top wall and the bottom wall, the receiving groove communicating with the mating cavity and accommodating the locking members; characterized in that: The locking member has a main board portion fixed to the bottom wall, an elastic arm extending forward from the longitudinal inner side of the main board portion, and a locking arm extending forward from the longitudinal outer side of the main board portion. The locking arm has an upper extension portion extending forward and upward from the main board portion, a pressing portion extending upward from the front end of the upper extension portion, and a locking portion connected to the transverse inner side of the pressing portion. The pressing portion protrudes upward from the top surface of the top wall. The locking portion is located in the docking cavity and has a plate portion located above the elastic arm and a locking end protruding upward from the longitudinal inner side of the plate portion. The locking end is used to hold the FPC board.

2. The ZIF 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 end of the locking portion 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 ZIF connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The locking part is provided with a guide part that extends longitudinally forward and downward from the plate body part to guide the insertion of the FPC plate.

4. The ZIF connector as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The elastic arm has an extension portion extending forward from the longitudinal front end of the main board portion, a bent portion extending backward from the extension portion, and a pushing portion located at the top of the bent portion. The pushing portion is located below the board portion, and when the ZIF connector is not inserted into the FPC board, the pushing portion does not contact the board portion.

5. The ZIF connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic arm is located within the receiving groove on the bottom wall and does not extend into the docking cavity.

6. The ZIF connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that: When the FPC board begins to be inserted into the docking cavity, the docking part pushes against the guide part and the locking end to drive the board body part to move downward, and the board body part presses against the pushing part and drives the elastic arm to move downward; when the FPC board is fully inserted into the docking cavity, the pushing part drives the board body part to move upward under the action of elastic force.

7. The ZIF connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The pressing part has a first bent part that extends laterally outward from the front end of the upper extension and bends upward, and a second bent part that extends laterally inward from the top edge of the first bent part and bends downward. The locking part is connected to the free end of the second bent part.

8. The ZIF connector as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The receiving groove extends through the sidewall in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The first bend is flush with the outer surface of the sidewall in the horizontal direction, and the second bend extends beyond the top surface of the sidewall in the vertical direction.

9. The ZIF connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The main body of the locking member is attached to the bottom surface of the bottom wall and does not extend downward beyond the bottom surface of the bottom wall. The locking member is provided with a retaining part that extends upward from the main body into the bottom wall.

10. The ZIF connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: When the pressing part is pressed down, the pressing part drives the locking part to move the locking end downward, so that the locking end disengages from the FPC board.

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