An FPC connector

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of FPC connectors, including pedestal, terminal, lock strip and soldering pad;Pedestal front end upper portion is equipped with the wire insertion port of FPC flat cable insertion, multiple terminals are fixed on pedestal with the flat cable contact portion of being inserted into wire insertion port with interval, lock strip can be rotatably installed in wire insertion port;Pedestal is integrally injection molded with multiple limit buckles along its length direction interval, limit buckle extends forward and has the limit slot of downward opening, lock strip is equipped with limit shaft portion corresponding each limit buckle, limit shaft portion and limit slot form limit cooperation.The FPC connector structure in the utility model is optimized and designed, it has easy to assemble, cost reduction, high production efficiency and product performance stability, and help the length size of lock piece FPC connector, with good practicability and generalizability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of electrical connectors, specifically relating to an FPC connector. Background Technology

[0002] Flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) are widely used in modern electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and digital cameras due to their advantages of being lightweight, thin, and flexible. FPC connectors are essential components for achieving electrical and mechanical connections between FPC cables and printed circuit boards (PCBs).

[0003] Traditional FPC connectors typically include a base, terminals, locking strips, and solder pads. The locking strip is used to clamp the FPC cable after insertion, ensuring stable electrical contact between the terminals and the FPC cable; its reliable positioning is crucial. In existing technology, to ensure stable installation of the locking strip, independent metal limit terminals are usually installed on the base to limit its movement. This design has significant drawbacks: independent limit terminals increase the number of parts, leading to higher material costs; moreover, during assembly, the limit terminals need to be installed onto the base one by one, increasing production steps and reducing production efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] In response to this, the present invention provides a simplified FPC connector, which is easier to assemble, has lower manufacturing costs, and helps improve product stability.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] This utility model provides an FPC connector, including a base, terminals, a locking strip, and solder pads; the upper front end of the base is provided with a cable socket for inserting FPC cables, multiple terminals are fixed to the base at intervals and have cable contact portions extending into the cable socket, and the locking strip is rotatably installed in the cable socket; multiple limiting buckles spaced along their length are integrally injection molded on the base, the limiting buckles extend forward and have downward-opening limiting grooves, and the locking strip is provided with limiting shaft portions corresponding to each limiting buckle, the limiting shaft portions and the limiting grooves forming a limiting fit.

[0007] Preferably, the locking bar has connecting shafts at both ends, and the welding piece is fixed to both ends of the base and forms a limiting step that blocks the connecting shaft. The cooperation between the limiting step and the connecting shaft limits the locking bar so that the limiting groove and the limiting shaft remain in contact.

[0008] Preferably, the base has positioning holes at both ends, and the solder pad has positioning inserts, fixing solder feet and elastic cantilever. The positioning inserts are inserted and fixed in the positioning holes from front to back, and the elastic cantilever extends into the cable connector to contact the grounding area on the FPC cable. The fixing solder feet extend from both sides of the base. The limiting step is provided on the positioning insert.

[0009] Preferably, the elastic cantilever is an upward-opening hook structure, the lower end of the hook structure is arc-shaped, and the locking bar presses down on the elastic cantilever when it is in the locked state.

[0010] Preferably, the locking bar is provided with a pressure strip extending along its length, and when the locking bar is in the locked state, the pressure strip faces the inner bottom of the cable connector.

[0011] Preferably, the terminal includes a current terminal and a signal terminal, the width of the upper cable contact portion of the current terminal is greater than the width of the upper cable contact portion of the signal terminal, and the number of the current terminals is even.

[0012] Preferably, the signal terminal is provided with a limiting arm, the limiting arm extends forward and has a latching groove at its lower part that connects with the locking bar.

[0013] Preferably, each of the current terminals is provided with at least two spaced ribbon cable contacts, and the width of each ribbon cable contact is greater than the width of the ribbon cable contact on the signal terminal.

[0014] The positive effects of this utility model are as follows: The structure of this utility model is optimized, eliminating the independent metal limiting terminal in the traditional structure and instead adopting a limiting buckle that is integrally injection molded with the base. This design simplifies the overall structure of the connector, eliminates the limiting terminal part, and saves material costs; at the same time, it also eliminates the subsequent assembly process of this part, reduces production links, improves production efficiency, and thus significantly reduces the overall manufacturing cost of the product; moreover, there is no risk of assembly gaps or loosening between the integrally molded limiting buckle and the base, making the connection more stable. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art are briefly introduced below. Similar elements or parts in the drawings are generally identified by similar reference numerals. The elements or parts in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the FPC connector (with the locking bar in the locked state) in this utility model.

[0017] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the FPC connector (with the locking bar in the open state) in this utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A top view of the FPC connector shown;

[0019] Figure 4 For along Figure 3 A sectional view cut along line AA.

[0020] Figure 5 For along Figure 3 A sectional view cut along the middle BB line;

[0021] Figure 6 For along Figure 3 A sectional view cut along the CC line;

[0022] Figure 7 For along Figure 3 A sectional view cut along the DD line;

[0023] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the FPC connector in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the current terminal structure in this utility model;

[0025] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the signal terminal structure in this utility model;

[0026] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the welding sheet in this utility model;

[0027] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the FPC connector in use (FPC cable insertion) according to this utility model;

[0028] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the FPC connector in use (without the FPC cable inserted).

[0029] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Base; 11. Cable connector; 12. Limiting buckle; 13. Limiting groove; 14. Positioning socket; 2. Terminal; 20. Cable contact part; 21. Current terminal; 22. Signal terminal; 23. Limiting arm; 24. Buckle groove; 3. Locking bar; 31. Limiting shaft part; 32. Connecting shaft; 33. Pressure bar; 4. Solder piece; 41. Limiting step; 42. Positioning insert; 43. Fixed solder foot; 44. Elastic cantilever; 5. FPC cable; 51. Grounding area; 6. Circuit board. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this utility model pertains.

[0032] The structure of the FPC connector in this embodiment of the utility model is as follows: Figures 1 to 11 As shown, it includes a base 1, terminals 2, locking bars 3, and solder pads 4; the upper front end of the base 1 is provided with a cable connector 11 for inserting an FPC cable 5, multiple terminals 2 are fixed to the base 1 at intervals and have cable contact portions 20 extending into the cable connector 11, and the locking bars 3 are rotatably installed in the cable connector 11; see reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, during use, the base 1 is fixed to the circuit board 6. With the locking bar 3 in the open state, the FPC cable 5 is inserted into the cable socket 11, and then the locking bar 3 is flipped to the locked state. This allows the locking bar 3 to press the FPC cable firmly, while simultaneously ensuring reliable contact between the FPC cable 5 and the cable contact portion 20 on the terminal 2, guaranteeing current and signal conduction. The base 1 is integrally injection molded with multiple limiting buckles 12 spaced along its length. Each limiting buckle 12 extends forward and has a downward-opening limiting groove 13. The locking bar 3 has a limiting shaft portion 31 corresponding to each limiting buckle 12. The limiting shaft 31 and the limiting groove 13 form a limiting fit; in this application, the independent metal limiting terminal in the traditional structure is eliminated, and a limiting buckle 12 integrally injection molded with the base 1 is adopted. This design simplifies the overall structure of the connector, eliminates the limiting terminal part, and saves material costs; at the same time, it eliminates the subsequent assembly process of this part, reduces production links, improves production efficiency, and thus significantly reduces the overall manufacturing cost of the product; moreover, there is no risk of assembly gap or loosening between the integrally molded limiting buckle 12 and the base 1, and the connection is more stable.

[0033] See Figure 4 and Figure 11 As shown, in order to enhance the limiting of the locking bar 3, the locking bar 3 is provided with connecting shafts 32 at both ends. The welding piece 4 is fixed at both ends of the base 1 and forms a limiting step 41 that abuts against the connecting shaft 32. The cooperation between the limiting step 41 and the connecting shaft 32 limits the locking bar 3, so that the limiting groove 13 and the limiting shaft 31 are in cooperation. This allows the locking bar 3 to be installed more stably on the base 1, making the installation of the locking bar 3 more stable and reliable, effectively preventing it from being accidentally loosened due to vibration or external force during operation, and effectively improving the mechanical stability and service life of the connector.

[0034] Combination Figure 4 , Figure 8 and Figure 11 As shown, the base 1 has positioning holes 14 at both ends. The solder piece 4 has a positioning insert 42, a fixing solder foot 43, and an elastic cantilever 44. The positioning insert 42 is inserted and fixed in the positioning hole 14 from front to back. The elastic cantilever 44 extends into the cable connector 11 and is suitable for contacting the grounding area 51 on the FPC cable 5. The fixing solder foot 43 extends from both sides of the base 1. The limiting step 41 is provided on the positioning insert 42. This structure sets the limiting step 41 on the positioning insert 42 and uses the stable insertion and cooperation between the positioning insert 42 and the positioning hole 14 on the base 1 to make the solder piece 4 reliably fixed on the base 1. The fixing solder foot 43 is welded to the corresponding solder position on the circuit board 6 to achieve fixation and grounding connection. At the same time, the elastic cantilever 44 contacts the grounding area 51 on the FPC cable 5. In this way, the grounding conduction between the FPC cable 5 and the circuit board 6 is achieved through the solder piece 4.

[0035] Furthermore, to enhance the reliable contact between the elastic cantilever 44 and the grounding area 51 on the FPC cable 5, the elastic cantilever 44 is an upward-opening hook structure. When the locking bar 3 is in the locked state, it presses downward against the elastic cantilever 44. The hook structure of the elastic cantilever 44 has strong anti-deformation ability. When the locking bar 3 is locked, the pressure applied to the elastic cantilever 44 increases the contact normal pressure and contact area between the elastic cantilever 44 and the grounding area 51 of the FPC cable 5, ensuring high reliability of the grounding connection and making the connection more stable and durable. Furthermore, it is preferable to set the lower end of the hook structure as an arc shape, which effectively reduces the frictional resistance when inserting the FPC cable, making the insertion process smoother and avoiding scratches on the grounding area 51, thereby optimizing the electrical performance.

[0036] To enhance the clamping effect of the locking bar 3 on the FPC cable 5, the locking bar 3 is provided with a pressure strip 33 extending along its length. When the locking bar 3 is in the locked state, the pressure strip 33 faces the inner bottom of the cable connector 11, and the pressure strip 33 can uniformly and stably press down on the entire width area of ​​the FPC cable 5. This design increases the contact area and the uniformity of the clamping force distribution between the locking bar and the FPC cable 5, eliminates the risk of insufficient local pressure or the FPC cable 5 lifting, thereby significantly enhancing the electrical connection stability and mechanical holding force between the FPC cable 5 and the terminal contact 20, and improving the reliability of the connector in vibration or shock environments.

[0037] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, terminal 2 includes current terminals 21 and signal terminals 22. The width of the ribbon cable contact portion 20 on the current terminal 21 is greater than the width of the ribbon cable contact portion 20 on the signal terminal 22. The number of current terminals 21 is even. By adopting a differentiated width design, the ribbon cable contact portion 20 of the current terminal 21 is wider than that of the signal terminal 22, which directly increases the conductive cross-sectional area of ​​the power supply path, reduces contact resistance and temperature rise during power-on, and ensures excellent electrical stability and reliability during high current transmission. This is particularly suitable for the power supply requirements of high-power modules such as display backplanes. Secondly, configuring the number of current terminals 21 to be even and assigning positive and negative terminals (half of the current terminals 21 are used to connect to the positive current terminal, and the other half are used to connect to the negative current terminal) reduces the number of terminals compared to using current terminals 21 with the same width as the signal terminal 22, which would require more current terminals 21 to achieve the same current carrying capacity. This reduces the number of terminals and thus helps to reduce the length of the connector.

[0038] In some embodiments, the signal terminal 22 is provided with a limiting arm 23. The limiting arm 23 extends forward and has a latching groove 24 at its lower part that connects with the locking bar 3. The setting of the limiting arm 23 can strengthen the limiting of the signal terminal 22 on the locking bar 3, and further ensure the stability of the locking bar 3 installation.

[0039] See further Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, each of the current terminals 21 is provided with at least two spaced ribbon cable contacts 20, and the width of each ribbon cable contact 20 is greater than the width of the ribbon cable contact 20 on the signal terminal 22. The spaced ribbon cable contacts 20 can better adapt to the slight unevenness or deformation that may exist in the FPC ribbon cable, and the contact stability is ensured by applying pressure at multiple points.

[0040] For those skilled in the art, other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations. However, these obvious variations or modifications derived from the essential spirit of this invention still fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An FPC connector, comprising a base (1), terminals (2), a locking bar (3), and solder pads (4); the upper front end of the base (1) is provided with a cable socket (11) for inserting an FPC cable (5), a plurality of terminals (2) are fixedly fixed to the base (1) at intervals and have cable contact portions (20) extending into the cable socket (11), and the locking bar (3) is rotatably mounted in the cable socket (11); characterized in that, The base (1) is integrally injection molded with a plurality of limiting buckles (12) spaced apart along its length direction. The limiting buckles (12) extend forward and have a limiting groove (13) with a downward opening. The locking bar (3) is provided with a limiting shaft (31) corresponding to each limiting buckle (12). The limiting shaft (31) and the limiting groove (13) form a limiting fit.

2. The FPC connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking bar (3) has connecting shafts (32) at both ends. The welding piece (4) is fixed at both ends of the base (1) and forms a limiting step (41) that blocks the connecting shaft (32). The cooperation between the limiting step (41) and the connecting shaft (32) limits the locking bar (3) so that the limiting groove (13) and the limiting shaft (31) remain in cooperation.

3. The FPC connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base (1) has positioning holes (14) at both ends. The welding piece (4) has a positioning insert (42), a fixed welding foot (43) and an elastic cantilever (44). The positioning insert (42) is inserted and fixed in the positioning hole (14) from front to back. The elastic cantilever (44) extends into the cable connector (11) and is suitable for contacting the grounding area (51) on the FPC cable (5). The fixed welding foot (43) extends out from both sides of the base (1). The limiting step (41) is provided on the positioning insert (42).

4. The FPC connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elastic cantilever (44) is an upward-opening hook structure with a circular arc at the lower end. When the locking bar (3) is in the locked state, it presses down against the elastic cantilever (44).

5. The FPC connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking bar (3) is provided with a pressure strip (33) extending along its length direction. When the locking bar (3) is in the locked state, the pressure strip (33) faces the inner bottom of the cable connector (11).

6. The FPC connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal (2) includes a current terminal (21) and a signal terminal (22). The width of the ribbon cable contact portion (20) on the current terminal (21) is greater than the width of the ribbon cable contact portion (20) on the signal terminal (22). The number of the current terminals (21) is even.

7. The FPC connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The signal terminal (22) is provided with a limiting arm (23), which extends forward and has a latching groove (24) at its lower part that connects with the locking bar (3).

8. The FPC connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the current terminals (21) is provided with at least two spaced ribbon cable contacts (20), and the width of each ribbon cable contact (20) is greater than the width of the ribbon cable contact (20) on the signal terminal (22).

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