Sheet-like conducting path

JP2024100320A5Active Publication Date: 2025-05-20AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD +2
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023004234
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-01-16
Publication Date
2025-05-20
Estimated Expiration
2043-01-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing connectors face challenges in accurately positioning multiple terminal fittings on flexible flat cables due to the lack of a positioning mechanism, especially when connectors are miniaturized, leading to narrow clearances and reduced accuracy.

Method used

A sheet-like conductive path comprising a flexible conductive member, terminal fittings, and a positioning member that allows for parallel positioning and movement between exposed and protected positions, facilitated by a retainer or moving jig to ensure accurate alignment and fixation.

Benefits of technology

Enables precise positioning and fixation of multiple terminal fittings on a flexible conductive member, enhancing workability and maintaining structural integrity while allowing for easy transition between exposed and protected states.

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Abstract

To fix a plurality of terminal fittings to a sheet-like flexible conducting member in a state where the terminal fittings are positioned.SOLUTION: A sheet-like conducting path A comprises: a sheet-like flexible conducting member 11; a plurality of terminal fittings 20 each including a mounting part 22 fixed to the sheet-like flexible conducting member 11; and a positioning member 30 for positioning the plurality of terminal fittings 20 in a parallel state. The plurality of terminal fittings 20 positioned by the positioning member 30 is movable between an exposure position where a mounting face 23 in the mounting part 22 to the sheet-like flexible conducting member 11 is exposed and a protection position where the mounting part 12, which is a fixing part with the mounting part 22, in the sheet-like flexible conducting member 11 is covered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sheet-like conductive path. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a connector in which multiple terminal fittings are fixed in parallel to the end of a flexible flat cable and the multiple terminal fittings are individually accommodated in multiple cavities formed in a housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-203740 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to smoothly insert the multiple terminal fittings fixed to the flexible flat cable into the multiple cavities, it is necessary to position the multiple terminal fittings in the arrangement direction. In particular, when the connector is made smaller, the clearance between the cavity and the terminal fittings becomes narrow, so the positioning accuracy between the terminal fittings must be improved. However, since the flexible flat cable does not have a portion for positioning the terminal fittings, it is difficult to position the multiple terminal fittings on the flexible flat cable with high accuracy.

[0005] The sheet-shaped conductive path of the present disclosure has been developed based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to enable multiple terminal fittings to be fixed to a sheet-shaped flexible conductive member in a positioned state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sheet-like conductive path of the present disclosure is A sheet-like flexible conductive member; a plurality of terminal fittings each having a mounting portion fixed to the sheet-like flexible conductive member; a positioning member for positioning the plurality of terminal fittings in a parallel state, The multiple terminal fittings positioned by the positioning member are movable between an exposed position that exposes the mounting surface of the mounting portion onto the sheet-shaped flexible conductive member and a protected position that covers and conceals the fixed portion between the mounting portion and the sheet-shaped flexible conductive member. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a plurality of terminal fittings can be fixed to the sheet-shaped flexible conductive member in a positioned state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet-like conductive path according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the sheet-shaped conductive path. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state before the terminal fitting positioned by the positioning member and the sheet-shaped flexible conductive member are fixed to each other. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the terminal fitting is held in the exposed position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a terminal metal fitting fixed to a sheet-shaped flexible conductive member has been moved to a protected position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the conductive path module is assembled into the housing. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view showing an exploded state of the sheet-shaped conductive path of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state before the terminal fitting positioned by the positioning member and the sheet-shaped flexible conductive member are fixed to each other. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the terminal fitting is held in the exposed position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the terminal metal fittings fixed to the sheet-shaped flexible conductive member have been moved to a protected position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the conductive path module is assembled into the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. Any combination of the following embodiments without causing any contradiction is also included in the embodiment for carrying out the present invention. The sheet-like conductive path of the present disclosure is (1) A sheet-like flexible conductive member, a plurality of terminal fittings having mounting portions fixed to the sheet-like flexible conductive member, and a positioning member for positioning the plurality of terminal fittings in a parallel state, the plurality of terminal fittings positioned by the positioning member being movable between an exposed position at which the mounting surface of the mounting portion to the sheet-like flexible conductive member is exposed and a protected position at which the fixing portion of the sheet-like flexible conductive member to the mounting portion is covered. The sheet-like conductive path of the present disclosure can position the plurality of terminal fittings not fixed to the sheet-like flexible conductive member in a parallel state by the positioning member, and therefore can fix the plurality of terminal fittings in a positioned state relative to the sheet-like flexible conductive member.

[0010] (2) It is preferable to include a moving member capable of moving the plurality of terminal fittings from the exposed position to the protected position. With this configuration, the plurality of terminal fittings can be moved from the exposed position to the protected position with a single action, which improves operability.

[0011] (3) In (2), it is preferable that the movable member has a removal prevention portion that prevents the terminal fittings in the exposed position from removing from the positioning member. With this configuration, the terminal fittings can be held so as not to remove from the positioning member in the process of fixing the terminal fittings to the sheet-shaped flexible conductive member.

[0012] (4) In (2) or (3), it is preferable that the movable member is capable of holding the terminal fittings in an assembled state relative to the positioning member after moving the terminal fittings to the protection position. According to this configuration, the movable member can hold the terminal fittings in the protection position.

[0013] (5) In (1) to (3), it is preferable that the mounting portion is formed at the rear end of the terminal fitting, and when the terminal fitting is in the exposed position, the mounting surface is located behind the rear end of the positioning member, and when the terminal fitting is in the protected position, the terminal fitting is located forward of the exposed position, and the fixing portion is covered by the positioning member. With this configuration, it is not necessary to form an opening in the positioning member to expose the mounting surface, and therefore it is possible to avoid a decrease in the rigidity and strength of the positioning member.

[0014] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] [Example 1] A sheet-like conductive path A according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In this first embodiment, the F direction in Figs. 1 to 6 is defined as the front with respect to the front-rear direction. The R direction in Figs. 1 to 3 is defined as the right with respect to the left-right direction. The H direction in Figs. 1 to 6 is defined as the up-down direction.

[0015] The sheet-like conductive path A of the present embodiment 1 is configured by assembling a conductive path module 10 and a housing 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the conductive path module 10 is configured by assembling one sheet-like flexible conductive member 11, a plurality of terminal fittings 20, a positioning member 30, and a retainer 40.

[0016] The sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 is made of a flexible printed circuit board, a flexible flat cable, or the like. The sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 is a flexible sheet-like base material made of an insulating material on which a printed circuit (not shown) and a conductor (not shown) are arranged. The sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 is arranged horizontally with its thickness direction facing up and down.

[0017] The sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 is strip-shaped and extends long in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a plurality of mounting ends 12 for individually mounting a plurality of terminal fittings 20 are formed on the front edge of the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11. The mounting ends 12 extend forward in a cantilever shape and are arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch in the left-right direction (width direction). A pair of left and right locking holes 13 are formed in the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11. The locking holes 13 penetrate the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 from top to bottom and are located rearward of the mounting ends 12.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 2, 4 to 6, the terminal fitting 20 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction as a whole. The terminal fitting 20 is a single component having a terminal body 21 and a mounting portion 22. The terminal body 21 has an elongated rectangular tube shape in the front-rear direction. A mating terminal provided on a mating connector (not shown) is inserted from the front into the terminal body 21 to be connected. The mounting portion 22 has a rectangular tube shape and protrudes rearward from the rear end of the terminal body 21. The front-rear length of the mounting portion 22 is shorter than the front-rear length of the terminal body 21. As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the lower surface of the mounting portion 22 functions as a mounting surface 23 that is in close contact with the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11. Between the rear end of the terminal body 21 and the front end of the mounting portion 22, a holding recess 24 is formed by recessing the upper surface of the terminal fitting 20.

[0019] The positioning member 30 is a single component made of a synthetic resin material and has a flat shape with larger left-right and front-rear dimensions than up-down dimensions. The heat resistance temperature (melting point) of the positioning member 30 is higher than the temperature in a reflow furnace (not shown) when performing reflow soldering. A specific example of the material for the positioning member 30 is liquid crystal polymer (LCP) with a deflection temperature under load of 260°C or higher.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of positioning grooves 31 are formed inside the positioning member 30 in a line in the left-right direction. The positioning grooves 31 are elongated in the front-rear direction and have a groove shape that opens on the top and rear surfaces of the positioning member 30. The left and right adjacent positioning grooves 31 are partitioned by a partition wall portion 32. A front wall portion 33 of the positioning member 30 is formed with a plurality of terminal insertion openings 34 for inserting the mating terminals into the positioning grooves 31 from the front of the positioning member 30. A pair of protective position projections 35, a pair of pull-out prevention projections 36, and a pair of exposed position projections 37 are formed on both the left and right outer surfaces of the positioning member 30.

[0021] The retainer 40 is a single component having a plate-shaped main body 41, a plurality of holding projections 42, and a pair of guided portions 43 on the left and right. The plate-shaped main body 41 has a horizontally long rectangular shape in a plan view. The width dimension of the plate-shaped main body 41 in the left-right direction is the same as the width dimension of the positioning member 30. The front-rear length of the plate-shaped main body is shorter than the front-rear length of the positioning groove 31. The number of holding projections 42 is the same as the number of positioning grooves 31. The plurality of holding projections 42 protrude downward from the rear end edge of the plate-shaped main body 41. The guided portions 43 are elongated in the front-rear direction and extend downward from both left and right side edges of the plate-shaped main body 41. The guided portions 43 have guided grooves 44 in the form of elongated slits in the front-rear direction.

[0022] 1 and 6, the housing 50 is formed by stacking a lower case 51 and an upper cover 55 one above the other. The lower case 51 and the upper cover 55 are made of a synthetic resin material having a lower deflection temperature under load than the positioning member 30. One example of the material that can be used for the housing 50 is polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the lower case 51 has a low, flat shape and is box-shaped with the entire top and rear sides open. A lower recess 52 is formed at the front end of the lower case 51. The lower recess 52 receives a lower portion of the positioning member 30, thereby positioning the positioning member 30 in the front-rear and left-right directions. A pair of positioning protrusions 53 spaced apart in the left-right direction are formed in an area behind the lower recess 52 within the lower case 51. Locking protrusions 54 are formed on both the left and right outer surfaces of the lower case 51.

[0024] The upper cover 55 is attached to the lower case 51 so as to close the opening on the top surface of the lower case 51. Locking portions 56 that protrude downward are formed on both left and right side edges of the upper cover 55. Locking holes 57 that can be engaged with the locking protrusions 54 are formed in the locking portions 56. A plurality of stoppers 58 that protrude downward are formed on the rear end edge of the upper cover 55.

[0025] Next, the procedure for assembling the sheet-like conductive path A will be described. First, the terminal fitting 20 is accommodated in the positioning groove 31 from above the positioning member 30. At this time, the front end of the terminal fitting 20 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the front wall portion 33, and the mounting portion 22 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the positioning member 30 (positioning groove 31). When the positioning member 30 is viewed from below, the mounting surface 23 is exposed to the outside rear of the positioning member 30. The position of the terminal fitting 20 at this time is defined as the exposed position.

[0026] After all of the terminal fittings 20 are accommodated in the positioning grooves 31 and placed in the exposed position, the retainer 40 is assembled to the positioning member 30. At this time, as shown in Fig. 3, the guided grooves 44 of the retainer 40 are fitted into the retaining projections 36 and the exposed position projections 37 of the positioning member 30, thereby temporarily holding the retainer 40 in the front-rear direction relative to the positioning member 30. At the same time, the multiple holding projections 42 are individually fitted into the holding recesses 24 of the multiple terminal fittings 20. By fitting the holding projections 42 into the holding recesses 24, the multiple terminal fittings 20 are positioned in the front-rear direction relative to the positioning member 30 via the retainer 40, and are held in the exposed position.

[0027] When the terminal fittings 20 are in the exposed position, the mounting portion 22 (mounting surface 23) is located behind the positioning member 30 and is exposed in a region behind the positioning member 30 in a bottom view. The multiple terminal fittings 20 are positioned in the left-right direction (the direction in which the terminal fittings 20 are arranged side by side) by fitting individually into the multiple positioning grooves 31. In addition, the holding protrusions 42 of the retainer 40 are engaged with the holding recesses 24, so that all the terminal fittings 20 are held in a state in which movement in the front-rear direction with respect to the positioning member 30 is restricted.

[0028] Once all of the terminal fittings 20 have been positioned, the terminal fittings 20 and positioning members 30 are set in a positioned state relative to a welding jig (not shown), and the sheet-like flexible conductive material 11 is set in a positioned state on the welding jig by utilizing the locking holes 13. At this time, the mounting end 12 of the sheet-like flexible conductive material 11 is overlapped with the mounting surface 23 of each terminal fitting 20. With the above steps, the conductive path module 10 is in a provisionally assembled state.

[0029] The conductive path module 10 temporarily assembled as described above is placed in a reflow furnace (not shown). Solder paste (not shown) is applied in advance to the mounting end 12 of the sheet-like flexible conductive material 11. The solder paste is heated and melted in the reflow furnace, thereby electrically connecting each mounting end 12 to each mounting portion 22 (mounting surface 23). Thereafter, in a cooling process, the molten solder paste hardens, and the terminal fittings 20 (mounting portions 22) are fixed to the sheet-like flexible conductive material 11 in an electrically conductive manner.

[0030] After the terminal fittings 20 and the sheet-like flexible conductive material 11 are fixed, the retainer 40 is moved (slid) forward relative to the positioning member 30. When the retainer 40 is moved, all the terminal fittings 20 engaged with the holding projections 42 move together with the retainer 40 to the forward protection position. When the terminal fittings 20 are moved to the protection position, the guided grooves 44 of the retainer 40 are engaged with the protection position projections 35 and the retaining projections 36 of the positioning member 30, thereby holding the retainer 40 and the terminal fittings 20 in the protection position. When the terminal fittings 20 are moved to the protection position, the mounting portion 22 and the mounting end portion 12, which is the fixed portion of the mounting portion 22 in the sheet-like flexible conductive material 11, are accommodated in the positioning groove 31 (inside the positioning member 30). With the above, the manufacture of the conductive path module 10 is completed.

[0031] Thereafter, the conductive path module 10 is provisionally assembled to the lower case 51. At this time, the positioning member 30 is housed in the lower recess 52, and the locking hole 13 of the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 is fitted into the positioning protrusion 53 of the lower case 51. Next, the upper cover 55 is combined with the lower case 51 so as to cover the conductive path module 10, thereby forming the housing 50. The upper cover 55 and the lower case 51 are locked in their combined state by the locking hole 57 engaging with the locking protrusion 54.

[0032] The housing 50 accommodates the entire positioning member 30, the entire terminal fittings 20, and the front end portions of the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11. The portions at which the mounting portions 22 of the terminal fittings 20 and the mounting end portions 12 of the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 are fixed are also accommodated within the housing 50. The stoppers 58 of the upper cover 55 engage the rear end portions of the mounting portions 22 of the terminal fittings 20 from the opposite direction, so that the terminal fittings 20 are held in a state where their movement toward the rear relative to the housing 50 is restricted.

[0033] The sheet-like conductive path A of the first embodiment includes a sheet-like flexible conductive member 11, a plurality of terminal fittings 20, and a positioning member 30. The terminal fittings 20 have a mounting portion 22 fixed to the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11. A part of the outer surface of the mounting portion 22 functions as a mounting surface 23 soldered to the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11. The positioning member 30 is a member for positioning the plurality of terminal fittings 20 in a state in which they are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction. The plurality of terminal fittings 20 positioned by the positioning member 30 can be moved between an exposed position where the mounting surface 23 of the mounting portion 22 to the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 is exposed, and a protected position where the fixing portion (mounting end 12) of the mounting portion 22 to the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 is covered. In the sheet-like conductive path A of the first embodiment, the plurality of terminal fittings 20 in a state in which they are not fixed to the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 can be positioned in a parallel state by the positioning member 30. This allows the multiple terminal fittings 20 to be fixed to the sheet-shaped flexible conductive member 11 in a positioned state.

[0034] The sheet-like conductive path A includes a retainer 40 capable of moving the terminal fittings 20 from the exposed position to the protected position. With this configuration, the terminal fittings 20 can be moved from the exposed position to the protected position all at once with one action, which improves workability. The retainer 40 has a plate-like main body 41 and a plurality of holding protrusions 42 as a detachment restricting portion that restricts the terminal fittings 20 in the exposed position from being detached from the positioning member 30. With this configuration, the terminal fittings 20 can be held so as not to be detached from the positioning member 30 in the process of fixing the terminal fittings 20 to the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11. The retainer 40 can hold the terminal fittings 20 in a state where they are moved to the protected position and assembled to the positioning member 30. With this configuration, the retainer 40 can hold the terminal fittings 20 in a protected position.

[0035] The mounting portion 22 is formed at the rear end of the terminal fitting 20. When the terminal fitting 20 is in the exposed position, the mounting surface 23 is located rearward of the rear end of the positioning member 30. When the terminal fitting 20 is in the protected position, the terminal fitting 20 is located forward of the exposed position, and the mounting end 12 of the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 is covered by the positioning member 30. With this configuration, there is no need to form an opening in the positioning member 30 to expose the mounting surface 23, so that a decrease in the rigidity and strength of the positioning member 30 can be avoided.

[0036] [Example 2] A sheet-like conductive path B according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 11. The sheet-like conductive path B according to the second embodiment has a different configuration from that of the first embodiment in terms of the positioning member 61 constituting the conductive path module 60, the moving member for moving the terminal fittings 20 from the exposed position to the protected position, and the upper cover 59. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations, and the description of the structure, action, and effect will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the F direction in Figs. 7 to 11 is defined as the front with respect to the front-rear direction. The R direction in Figs. 7 and 8 is defined as the right with respect to the left-right direction. The H direction in Figs. 7 to 11 is defined as the up-down direction.

[0037] 9 to 11, a front end of a positioning groove 62 of a positioning member 61 of the second embodiment is covered by an upper wall portion 64. A lance 63 for preventing the terminal fitting 20 from falling out is formed in the positioning groove 62. When the terminal fitting 20 moves to the protection position, the lance 63 engages with the terminal body portion 21, thereby restricting the terminal fitting 20 from moving rearward relative to the position. The positioning member 61 of the second embodiment does not have the protection position projection 35, the prevention projection 36, and the exposed position projection 37 of the positioning member 30 of the first embodiment.

[0038] When the upper cover 59 is attached to the lower case 51, the upper cover 59 covers from above the terminal fittings 20 in the positioning grooves 62. By being covered by the upper cover 59, the terminal fittings 20 are restricted from being displaced upward.

[0039] The moving member of the second embodiment is not a component constituting the sheet-like conductive path B, but a moving jig 70 that is temporarily used to move the terminal fittings 20 in the manufacturing process of the sheet-like conductive path B. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the moving jig 70 is a single member having a jig body 71 having a plate shape similar to the plate body 41 of the retainer 40, and a plurality of holding projections 72 similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0040] The assembly procedure of the sheet-like conductive path B of the present embodiment 2 will be described. First, the terminal fittings 20 are accommodated in the positioning grooves 62 from above the positioning member 61 at the exposed position, as in the embodiment 1. Next, the moving jig 70 is fitted into the positioning member 61, and the multiple holding protrusions 72 are individually fitted into the holding recesses 24 of the multiple terminal fittings 20. By fitting the holding protrusions 72 into the holding recesses 24, the multiple terminal fittings 20 are positioned in the front-rear direction with respect to the positioning member 61 and held at the exposed position. The terminal fittings 20 are positioned in the left-right direction by being accommodated in the positioning grooves 62. When the terminal fittings 20 are in the exposed position, the mounting portion 22 (mounting surface 23) is located behind the positioning member 61 and is exposed in an area behind the positioning member 61 in a bottom view.

[0041] After all the terminal fittings 20 have been positioned, the terminal fittings 20 and the positioning members 61 are set in a positioned state relative to a welding jig (not shown) as in the first embodiment, and the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 is set. The mounting end portions 12 of the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 are superimposed on the mounting surfaces 23 of the terminal fittings 20, and the conductive path module 60 is in a provisionally assembled state. The provisionally assembled conductive path module 60 is housed in a reflow furnace (not shown), and each mounting end portion 12 and each mounting portion 22 (mounting surface 23) are electrically connected. In a cooling process, when the solder paste hardens, the terminal fittings 20 (mounting portions 22) are fixed to the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 in a conductive state.

[0042] After the terminal fittings 20 and the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11 are fixed, the moving jig 70 is moved (slid) forward relative to the positioning member 61, and all of the terminal fittings 20 move together with the moving jig 70 to the forward protective position. The terminal fittings 20 that have moved to the protective position are stopped at the front by the front wall portion 65 of the positioning member 61, and their rearward movement is restricted by the engagement of the lances 63. The front end portion of the terminal body portion 21 slips under the upper wall portion 64, so that the terminal fittings 20 are held in a state where they are engaged with the lances 63. In this manner, the terminal fittings 20 are held in the protective position.

[0043] After the terminal fittings 20 are held in the protective position, the moving jig 70 is removed from the terminal fittings 20 and the positioning member 61. This completes the manufacture of the conductive path module 60. Thereafter, when the upper cover 59 is attached to the lower case 51, the upper cover 59 restricts the upward movement of the terminal fittings 20 and holds them in an engaged state with the lances 63. This completes the assembly of the sheet-like conductive path B.

[0044] The sheet-like conductive path B of the second embodiment includes a moving jig 70 capable of moving the multiple terminal fittings 20 from the exposed position to the protected position. With this configuration, the multiple terminal fittings 20 can be moved from the exposed position to the protected position with a single action, improving workability. The moving jig 70 has a jig body 71 and a holding protrusion 72 as a detachment prevention part that prevents the multiple terminal fittings 20 in the exposed position from detaching from the positioning member 61. With this configuration, the multiple terminal fittings 20 can be held so as not to detach from the positioning member 61 in the process of fixing the multiple terminal fittings 20 to the sheet-like flexible conductive member 11.

[0045] [Other Examples] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but is indicated by the claims. The present invention includes the equivalent meaning of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims, including the following embodiments. The means for restricting the terminal from coming off the positioning member may be something other than the movable member. When the terminal fitting is in the exposed position, the mounting surface may be exposed at an opening formed in the positioning member. The positioning member and the terminal fittings may not be housed in the housing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] A: Sheet-shaped conductive path B: Sheet-shaped conductive path 10...Conductive path module 11...Sheet-shaped flexible conductive member 12...Mounting end (fixing part) 13...Latching hole 20...Terminal metal fitting 21...Terminal body 22…Mounting section 23...Mounting surface 24…Retaining recess 30... Positioning member 31... Positioning groove 32...Partition wall part 33...Front wall part 34…Terminal insertion port 35...Protrusion for protective position 36…Protrusion for preventing removal 37...Protrusion for exposed position 40...Retainer (moving member) 41...Plate-shaped main body portion (detachment prevention portion) 42...Retention protrusion (detachment prevention portion) 43...Guided part 44...Guided groove 50…Housing 51…Lower case 52…Lower recess 53... Positioning protrusion 54…Lock protrusion 55…Upper cover 56…Rock section 57...Lock hole 58…Stopper 59…Upper cover 60...Conductive path module 61... Positioning member 62... Positioning groove 63…Lance 64...Top wall part 65...Front wall part 70...Moving jig (moving part) 71...Jig body portion (detachment prevention portion) 72...Retention protrusion (detachment prevention portion)

Claims

1. A sheet-like flexible conductive member; a plurality of terminal fittings each having a mounting portion fixed to the sheet-like flexible conductive member; a positioning member for positioning the plurality of terminal fittings in a parallel state, The multiple terminal fittings positioned by the positioning member are movable between an exposed position that exposes the mounting surface of the mounting portion to the sheet-like flexible conductive member and a protected position that covers and conceals the fixed portion between the mounting portion and the sheet-like flexible conductive member.

2. The sheet-like conductive path according to claim 1 , further comprising a moving member capable of moving the plurality of terminal fittings from the exposed position to the protected position.

3. The sheet-like conductive path according to claim 2 , wherein the movable member has a separation prevention portion that prevents the terminal fittings in the exposed position from separating from the positioning member.

4. 4. The sheet-like conductive path according to claim 2, wherein the movable member is capable of holding the terminal fittings in an assembled state relative to the positioning member when the terminal fittings are moved to the protection position.

5. The mounting portion is formed at a rear end portion of the terminal fitting, When the terminal metal fitting is in the exposed position, the mounting surface is located rearward of the rear end of the positioning member, The sheet-like conductive path according to claim 1 , wherein when the terminal fitting is in the protected position, the terminal fitting is located forward of the exposed position, and the fixing portion is covered by the positioning member.