Connector and connector assembly

Abstract

To reliably perform sealing between a flexible circuit board and a connector housing.SOLUTION: A connector includes a housing (10) having an internal cavity (101) formed therein, a flexible circuit board (11) to be inserted into the internal cavity (101) of the housing (10), and an injection molding seal (12) formed on the flexible circuit board (11). The injection molding seal (12) is inserted into the housing (10) and compressed between the housing (10) and the flexible circuit board (11) to perform sealing between the housing (10) and the flexible circuit board (11).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202420014423.8, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on January 3, 2024, and the entire disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector and a connector assembly including the connector.

Background Art

[0003] In the prior art, since a flexible printed circuit (FPC) is thin, wide, and flexible, it is difficult to achieve sealing of a connector having the FPC, and it is difficult to use a conventional sealing ring to achieve sealing between the FPC and a connector housing. Therefore, most of the commercially available connectors having a flexible circuit board currently do not meet the sealing requirements, which limits the scope of use of such connectors.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention is made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the above - mentioned drawbacks.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes a housing having an internal cavity, a flexible circuit board inserted into the internal cavity of the housing, and an injection - molded seal formed on the flexible circuit board. The injection - molded seal is inserted into the housing and compressed between the housing and the flexible circuit board to achieve sealing between the housing and the flexible circuit board.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a front housing part and a rear housing part on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the housing, the flexible circuit board has gold fingers formed at the front end part of the flexible circuit board, and the gold fingers are arranged in the front housing part so as to be in electrical contact with the terminals of the mating connector inserted into the front housing part.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the internal cavity of the housing has a front port and a rear port on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction, the flexible circuit board and the injection-molded seal are inserted into the housing from the rear port of the internal cavity, and the injection-molded seal is arranged in the rear housing part to prevent water vapor and dust from entering from the rear housing part into the front housing part.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes a sealing ring attached to the front housing part, the front housing part is configured to be inserted into the mating housing of the mating connector, and the sealing ring is compressed between the front housing part and the mating housing and is configured to realize a seal between the front housing part and the mating housing.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a sealing ring mounting groove is formed in the front housing part, and the sealing ring is mounted in the sealing ring mounting groove of the front housing part.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector further includes a locking member, and the locking member is attached to the rear housing part so as to lock the flexible circuit board to the housing.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking member includes a mounting plate mounted on the outside of the rear housing portion and a locking tongue connected to the mounting plate. An insertion hole is formed in the bottom wall of the rear housing portion, a slot hole corresponding to the insertion hole is formed in the flexible circuit board, and the locking tongue penetrates through the insertion hole and the slot hole along the height direction of the housing to lock the flexible circuit board.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a slot is formed inside the upper wall of the rear housing portion, and an end of the locking tongue engages with the slot.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mounting slot extending along the lateral direction of the housing is formed outside the bottom wall of the rear housing portion, and the mounting plate of the locking member is mounted in the mounting slot.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rear housing portion has a pair of opposing side walls in the lateral direction, engaging slots are respectively formed outside the pair of side walls of the rear housing portion, the locking member further includes a pair of locking pieces respectively connected to both ends of the mounting plate, and the locking pieces and the engaging slots are T-shaped and engage with each other to fix the locking pieces to the housing.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an elastic locking buckle having a snap slot is formed on the upper wall of the housing, and the snap slot of the elastic locking buckle is configured to engage with a protrusion of the mating housing of the mating connector to lock the connector and the mating connector.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic lock buckle includes a cantilever having front and rear portions on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and a support rib connected between the center of the cantilever and the upper wall of the housing. The cantilever is suspended from the upper wall of the housing by the support rib, the snap slot is formed in the front portion of the cantilever, the rear portion of the cantilever acts as a release portion, and the elastic lock buckle can move from a locked position engaging the protrusion to an unlocked position away from the protrusion by pushing the rear portion of the cantilever.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a through slot or a through hole is formed in the flexible circuit board, and a part of the injection molding seal penetrates through the through slot or the through hole to increase the bonding force between the injection molding seal and the flexible circuit board.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector includes a pair of flexible circuit boards spaced apart from each other in the height direction of the housing and a single injection molding seal, and the single injection molding seal is formed on the pair of flexible circuit boards simultaneously. Therefore, the pair of flexible circuit boards and the injection molding seal are formed as an integral piece.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector includes a pair of flexible circuit boards spaced apart from each other in the height direction of the housing and a pair of injection molding seals, and the pair of injection molding seals are respectively formed on the pair of flexible circuit boards.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a partition wall connected to the peripheral wall of the housing is formed in the housing, a pair of insertion slots are formed in the partition wall, the pair of flexible circuit boards penetrate through the partition wall through the pair of insertion slots respectively, and the pair of injection molding seals are respectively inserted into the pair of insertion slots to seal the pair of insertion slots.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes the above-described connector and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector includes a mating housing in which a receiving cavity and a tongue portion disposed in the receiving cavity are formed, and a terminal provided on the mating housing and having a contact portion disposed on the tongue portion. The front housing portion of the connector is inserted into the receiving cavity of the mating housing, the tongue portion is inserted into the front housing portion, and the contact portion of the terminal is in electrical contact with the gold fingers of the flexible circuit board.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating housing has a front end wall and a rear port on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction of the mating housing. The front housing portion of the connector is inserted into the rear port of the mating housing, and the terminal extends from the front end wall of the mating housing.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a terminal slot that enables the terminal to extend is formed in the front end wall of the mating housing, a potting chamber communicating with the terminal slot is formed outside the front end wall, and the mating connector further includes a potting seal formed by a sealant injected into the potting chamber and the terminal slot. The potting seal is used to achieve a seal between the terminal and the mating housing.

[0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating connector includes two rows of terminals spaced apart from each other in the height direction. The two rows of terminals are used to be in electrical contact with two flexible circuit boards of the connector, respectively. The terminals have soldering portions exposed from the bottom of the mating housing for soldering to the circuit board.

[0026] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion is formed on the upper wall of the mating housing, and the protrusion is used to engage with the snap slot of the elastic lock buckle of the connector to lock the connector and the mating connector.

[0027] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mating housing has a pair of opposing side walls in the lateral direction of the mating housing, and the mating connector further includes a pair of welding pieces, and the pair of welding pieces are respectively mounted on the outer sides of the pair of side walls of the mating housing and are suitable for welding to the circuit board to fix the mating connector to the circuit board.

[0028] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a T-shaped lock slot is formed on the outer side of the side wall of the mating housing, and the welding piece has a locking portion that locks into the lock slot and a welding portion that is connected to the locking portion and is suitable for welding to the circuit board.

[0029] In the above exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the injection-molded seal is directly formed on the flexible circuit board by an insert injection molding process, which can reliably achieve a seal between the flexible circuit board and the connector housing, enabling the connector to meet the waterproof requirements of IP67 or IP68.

[0030] In the above exemplary embodiment according to the present invention, the sealant injected into the potting chamber and terminal slot of the mating housing can reliably achieve a seal between the terminals of the mating connector and the mating housing, enabling the mating connector to meet the waterproof requirements of IP67 or IP68.

[0031] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the exemplary embodiments in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0034] In the following detailed description, for the purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown schematically in order to simplify the drawing.

[0035] According to a general concept of the present invention, a connector is provided. The connector includes a housing having an internal cavity, a flexible circuit board inserted into the internal cavity of the housing, and an injection-molded seal formed on the flexible circuit board. The injection-molded seal is inserted into the housing and compressed between the housing and the flexible circuit board to realize a seal between the housing and the flexible circuit board.

[0036] According to another general concept of the present invention, a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes the above-described connector and a mating connector that mates with the connector.

[0037] FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including a connector 1 and a mating connector 2. FIG. 2 is an explanatory exploded view of the connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector 1 and the mating connector 2 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an explanatory exploded view of the connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory perspective view of the connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the rear.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector 1 is disclosed. The connector 1 includes a housing 10, a flexible circuit board 11, and an injection-molded seal 12. An internal cavity 101 is formed in the housing 10. The flexible circuit board 11 is inserted into the internal cavity 101 of the housing 10. The injection-molded seal 12 is directly formed on the flexible circuit board 11. The injection-molded seal 12 is inserted into the internal cavity 101 of the housing 10 and compressed between the inner wall surface of the housing 10 and the flexible circuit board 11 to achieve a seal between the inner wall surface of the housing 10 and the flexible circuit board 11.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10 has a front housing portion 10a and a rear housing portion 10b on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction Y of the housing 10. The flexible circuit board 11 has a gold finger 11a formed at the front end portion of the flexible circuit board 11, and the gold finger 11a is arranged in the front housing portion 10a so as to be in electrical contact with a terminal 21 of a mating connector 2 inserted into the front housing portion 10a.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the internal cavity 101 of the housing 10 has a front port and a rear port on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction Y. The flexible circuit board 11 and the injection-molded seal 12 are inserted into the housing 10 from the rear port of the internal cavity 101. The injection-molded seal 12 is arranged in the rear housing portion 10b to prevent water vapor and dust from entering from the rear housing portion 10b into the front housing portion 10a.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 further includes a seal ring 13 attached to the front housing portion 10a. The front housing portion 10a is suitable for insertion into the mating housing 20 of the mating connector 2, and the seal ring 13 is compressed between the front housing portion 10a and the inner wall surface of the mating housing 20 and is suitable for realizing a seal between the front housing portion 10a and the inner wall surface of the mating housing 20.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a seal ring mounting groove 103 is formed in the front housing portion 10a, and the seal ring 13 is mounted in the seal ring mounting groove 103 of the front housing portion 10a.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 further includes a locking member 15, and the locking member 15 is mounted on the rear housing portion 10b so as to lock the flexible circuit board 11 to the housing 10.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 15 includes a mounting plate 150 and a locking tongue 152. The mounting plate 150 is mounted on the outside of the rear housing portion 10b. The locking tongue 152 is connected to the mounting plate 150. An insertion hole 15c is formed in the bottom wall of the rear housing portion 10b, and a slot hole 112 corresponding to the insertion hole 15c is formed in the flexible circuit board 11. The locking tongue 152 penetrates through the insertion hole 15c and the slot hole 112 along the height direction Z of the housing 10 to lock the flexible circuit board 11.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a slot 15d is formed inside the upper wall of the rear housing portion 10b, and the end of the locking tongue 152 engages with the slot 15d.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a mounting slot 15a extending along the lateral direction X of the housing 10 is formed outside the bottom wall of the rear housing portion 10b, and the mounting plate 150 of the lock member 15 is mounted in the mounting slot 15a.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the rear housing portion 10b has a pair of opposing side walls in the lateral direction X, and an engaging slot 15b is formed outside the pair of side walls of the rear housing portion 10b. The lock member 15 also includes a pair of lock pieces 151 connected to both ends of the mounting plate 150. The lock pieces 151 and the engaging slot 15b are T-shaped and engage with each other to fix the lock piece 15 to the housing 10.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, an elastic lock buckle 14 having a snap slot 14a is formed on the upper wall of the housing 10. The snap slot 14a of the elastic lock buckle 14 engages with a protrusion 24a of the mating housing 20 of the mating connector 2 and is suitable for locking the connector 1 and the mating connector 2.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the elastic lock buckle 14 includes a cantilever 141 and a support rib 142. The cantilever 141 has front and rear portions on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction Y of the housing 10. The support rib 142 is connected between the center of the cantilever 141 and the upper wall of the housing 10. The cantilever 141 is suspended from the upper wall of the housing 10 by the support rib 142, and the snap slot 14a is formed at the front portion of the cantilever 141. The rear portion of the cantilever 141 acts as a unlocking portion, and the elastic lock buckle 14 can move from a locking position engaging with the protrusion 24a to an unlocking position away from the protrusion 24a by pressing the rear portion of the cantilever 141.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 includes a pair of flexible circuit boards 11 spaced apart in the height direction Z of the housing 10 and a single injection-molded seal 12. The single injection-molded seal 12 is formed simultaneously on the pair of flexible circuit boards 11. Therefore, the pair of flexible circuit boards 11 and the injection-molded seal 12 are formed as an integral piece.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, in the illustrated embodiment, a through slot 11b or a through hole is formed in the flexible circuit board 11, and a part of the injection-molded seal 12 penetrates through the through slot 11b or the through hole to increase the bonding force between the injection-molded seal 12 and the flexible circuit board 11.

[0052] FIG. 7 is an exploded explanatory view of the mating connector 2 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an exploded explanatory view of the mating connector 2 as viewed from the front according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly is also disclosed. The connector assembly includes the connector 1 and the mating connector 2. The mating connector 2 fits into the connector 1.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 2 includes a mating housing 20 and terminals 21. A receiving cavity 201 and a tongue portion 20a disposed in the receiving cavity 201 are formed in the mating housing 20. The terminals 21 are provided in the mating housing 20 and have contact portions 21a disposed on the tongue portion 20a. The front housing portion 10a of the connector 1 is inserted into the receiving cavity 201 of the mating housing 20, the tongue portion 20a is inserted into the front housing portion 10a, and the contact portions 21a of the terminals 21 are electrically contacted with the gold fingers 11a of the flexible circuit board 11.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating housing 20 has a front end wall 220 and a rear port on opposite sides in the vertical direction Y of the mating housing 20. The front housing portion 10a of the connector 1 is inserted into the rear port of the mating housing 20, and the terminal 21 extends from the front end wall 220 of the mating housing 20.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, a terminal slot 203 is formed in the front end wall 220 of the mating housing 20 to allow the terminal 21 to extend through the terminal slot 203, and a potting chamber 202 is formed outside the front end wall 220 and communicates with the terminal slot 203. The mating connector 2 also includes a potting seal 22 formed by a sealant adhesive injected into the seal chamber 202 and the terminal slot 203, and the potting seal 22 is used to achieve a seal between the terminal 21 and the mating housing 20.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating connector 2 includes two rows of terminals 21 spaced apart from each other in the height direction Z, and the two rows of terminals 21 are used to electrically contact two flexible circuit boards 11 of the connector 1. The terminal 21 has a soldering portion 12b exposed from the bottom of the mating housing 20 for soldering to the circuit board.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, a protrusion 24a is formed on the upper wall of the mating housing 20, and the protrusion 24a engages with the snap slot 14a of the elastic lock buckle 14 of the connector 1 and is used to lock the connector 1 and the mating connector 2.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the mating housing 20 has a pair of opposing side walls in the lateral direction X of the mating housing 20. The mating connector 2 also includes a pair of welding pieces 25, and the pair of welding pieces 25 are respectively mounted on the outside of the pair of side walls of the mating housing 20 and are suitable for soldering to the circuit board to fix the mating connector 2 to the circuit board.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in the illustrated embodiment, a T-shaped lock slot 25a is formed on the outer side of the side wall of the mating housing 20. The welding piece 25 has a locking portion 251 that locks into the lock slot 25a and a welding portion 252 that is connected to the locking portion 251 and is suitable for welding to the circuit board.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector 1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exploded explanatory view of the connector 1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] The main difference between the connector 1 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and the connector 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 is the number of injection-molded seals 12. In the connector 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the connector 1 includes a single injection-molded seal 12, while in the connector 1 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the connector 1 includes a pair of injection-molded seals 12.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 1 includes a pair of flexible circuit boards 11 spaced apart from each other in the height direction Z of the housing 10 and a pair of injection-molded seals 12. The pair of injection-molded seals 12 are respectively formed on the pair of flexible circuit boards 11.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the illustrated embodiment, a partition wall 10c connected to the peripheral wall of the housing 10 is formed in the housing 10, and a pair of insertion slots 10d are formed in the partition wall 10c. The pair of flexible circuit boards 11 pass through the partition wall 10c through the pair of insertion slots 10d, and the pair of injection-molded seals 12 are respectively inserted into the pair of insertion slots 10d so as to seal the pair of insertion slots 10d.

[0065] Except for the above differences, the other technical features of the connector 1 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are basically the same as the technical features of the connector 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. For the sake of simplicity, these technical features are not repeated here, and reference can be made to the connector 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0066] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are exemplary and not limiting. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the above embodiments without conflict in structure or principle, and can freely combine various features described in different embodiments with each other.

[0067] Although some exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0068] As used herein, an element described in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood to include the plural of such elements or steps unless explicitly stated to the contrary. Further, references to "an embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Further, unless explicitly stated otherwise, an embodiment "comprising" or "having" one element or a plurality of elements with a particular characteristic can include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic.

Claims

1. A connector, comprising: a housing (10) having an internal cavity (101) formed therein; a flexible printed circuit board (11) inserted into the internal cavity (101) of the housing (10); and an injection-molded seal (12) formed on the flexible printed circuit board (11). The injection-molded seal (12) is inserted into the housing (10) and compressed between the housing (10) and the flexible printed circuit board (11) to provide a seal between the housing (10) and the flexible printed circuit board (11).

2. The housing (10) has a front housing portion (10a) and a rear housing portion (10b) on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the housing (10). The flexible printed circuit board (11) has a gold finger (11a) formed at the front end thereof. The gold finger (11a) is disposed in the front housing portion (10a) so as to be in electrical contact with a terminal (21) of a mating connector (2) inserted into the front housing portion (10a). The connector according to claim 1.

3. The internal cavity (101) of the housing (10) has a front port and a rear port on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction (Y). The flexible printed circuit board (11) and the injection-molded seal (12) are inserted into the housing (10) from the rear port of the internal cavity (101). The injection-molded seal (12) is disposed in the rear housing portion (10b) to prevent water vapor and dust from entering the front housing portion (10a) from the rear housing portion (10b). The connector according to claim 2.

4. The connector further includes a seal ring (13) attached to the front housing portion (10a). The front housing portion (10a) is configured to be inserted into a mating housing (20) of the mating connector (2). The seal ring (13) is compressed between the front housing portion (10a) and the mating housing (20) to provide a seal between the front housing portion (10a) and the mating housing (20). The connector according to claim 2.

5. ​ The seal ring mounting groove (103) is formed in the front housing portion (10a), and the seal ring (13) is mounted in the seal ring mounting groove (103) of the front housing portion (10a). The connector according to claim 4.

6. The connector according to claim 2, further comprising a locking member (15), wherein the locking member (15) is mounted on the rear housing portion (10b) so as to lock the flexible circuit board (11) to the housing (10).

7. The locking member (15) A mounting plate (150) mounted on the outside of the rear housing portion (10b), A locking tongue (152) connected to the mounting plate (150) And includes An insertion hole (15c) is formed in the bottom wall of the rear housing portion (10b), and a slot hole (112) corresponding to the insertion hole (15c) is formed in the flexible circuit board (11). The locking tongue (152) penetrates through the insertion hole (15c) and the slot hole (112) along the height direction (Z) of the housing (10) to lock the flexible circuit board (11). The connector according to claim 6.

8. A slot (15d) is formed inside the upper wall of the rear housing portion (10b), and an end portion of the locking tongue (152) engages with the slot (15d). The connector according to claim 7.

9. A mounting slot (15a) extending along the lateral direction (X) of the housing (10) is formed outside the bottom wall of the rear housing portion (10b), and the mounting plate (150) of the locking member (15) is mounted in the mounting slot (15a). The connector according to claim 7.

10. The rear housing portion (10b) has a pair of opposing side walls in the lateral direction (X), and engaging slots (15b) are respectively formed outside the pair of side walls of the rear housing portion (10b). The locking member (15) further includes a pair of locking pieces (151) respectively connected to both ends of the mounting plate (150). The locking piece (151) and the engaging slot (15b) are T-shaped and engage with each other to fix the locking piece (15) to the housing (10). The connector according to claim 9.

11. An elastic lock buckle (14) having a snap slot (14a) is formed on the upper wall of the housing (10), and the snap slot (14a) of the elastic lock buckle (14) engages with a protrusion (24a) of a mating housing (20) of a mating connector (2) to lock the connector (1) and the mating connector (2). The connector according to claim 1.

12. The elastic lock buckle (14) has a cantilever (141) having front and rear portions on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the housing (10), and a support rib (142) connected between the center of the cantilever (141) and the upper wall of the housing (10). including The cantilever (141) is suspended from the upper wall of the housing (10) by the support rib (142), and the snap slot (14a) is formed in the front portion of the cantilever (141). The rear portion of the cantilever (141) acts as a release portion, and the elastic lock buckle (14) can move from a locked position engaging the protrusion (24a) to a release position away from the protrusion (24a) by pushing the rear portion of the cantilever (141). The connector according to claim 11.

13. A through slot (11b) or a through hole is formed in the flexible circuit board (11), and a part of the injection molding seal (12) penetrates the through slot (11b) or the through hole to increase the bonding force between the injection molding seal (12) and the flexible circuit board (11). The connector according to claim 1.

14. The connector (1) includes a pair of flexible circuit boards (11) spaced apart from each other in the height direction (Z) of the housing (10) and a single injection molding seal (12). The single injection molding seal (12) is formed on the pair of flexible circuit boards (11) at the same time. Therefore, the pair of flexible circuit boards (11) and the injection molding seal (12) are formed as an integral piece. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The connector (1) includes a pair of flexible circuit boards (11) spaced apart from each other in the height direction (Z) of the housing (10) and a pair of injection molding seals (12). The pair of injection-molded seals (12) are respectively formed on the pair of flexible circuit boards (11), and the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

16. A partition wall (10c) connected to the peripheral wall of the housing (10) is formed in the housing (10), and a pair of insertion slots (10d) are formed in the partition wall (10c). The pair of flexible circuit boards (11) pass through the pair of insertion slots (10d) respectively and penetrate the partition wall (10c), and the pair of injection-molded seals (12) are respectively inserted into the pair of insertion slots (10d) so as to seal the pair of insertion slots (10d). The connector according to claim 15.

17. A connector assembly, The connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, And a mating connector (2) that fits into the connector (1). A connector assembly comprising.

18. The mating connector (2) is A mating housing (20) having a receiving cavity (201) and a tongue portion (20a) disposed in the receiving cavity (201), And a terminal (21) provided on the mating housing (20) and having a contact portion (21a) disposed on the tongue portion (20a). Including, The front housing portion (10a) of the connector (1) is inserted into the receiving cavity (201) of the mating housing (20), the tongue portion (20a) is inserted into the front housing portion (10a), and the contact portion (21a) of the terminal (21) is electrically contacted with the gold finger (11a) of the flexible circuit board (11). The connector assembly according to claim 17.

19. The mating housing (20) has a front end wall (220) and a rear port on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the mating housing (20), and the front housing portion (10a) of the connector (1) is inserted into the rear port of the mating housing (20), and the terminal (21) extends from the front end wall (220) of the mating housing (20). The connector assembly according to claim 18.

20. A terminal slot (203) enabling the extension of the terminal (21) is formed in the front end wall (220) of the mating housing (20), and a potting chamber (202) communicating with the terminal slot (203) is formed outside the front end wall (220). The mating connector (2) further includes a potting seal (22) formed by a sealant adhesive injected into the potting chamber (202) and the terminal slot (203), and the potting seal (22) is used to achieve a seal between the terminal (21) and the mating housing (20). The connector assembly according to claim 19.

21. The mating connector (2) includes two rows of terminals (21) spaced apart from each other in the height direction (Z), and the two rows of terminals (21) are used to electrically contact two flexible circuit boards (11) of the connector (1) respectively. The terminal (21) has a soldering portion (12b) exposed from the bottom of the mating housing (20) for soldering to the circuit board. The connector assembly according to claim 19.

22. A protrusion (24a) is formed on the upper wall of the mating housing (20), and the protrusion (24a) is engaged with the snap slot (14a) of the elastic lock buckle (14) of the connector (1) and is used to lock the connector (1) and the mating connector (2). The connector assembly according to claim 18.

23. The mating housing (20) has a pair of opposing side walls in the lateral direction (X) of the mating housing (20), and the mating connector (2) further includes a pair of welding pieces (25). The pair of welding pieces (25) are respectively mounted outside the pair of side walls of the mating housing (20) and are suitable for welding to the circuit board to fix the mating connector (2) to the circuit board. The connector assembly according to claim 18.

24. A T-shaped lock slot (25a) is formed outside the side wall of the mating housing (20), and the welding piece (25) has a locking portion (251) that locks into the lock slot (25a) and a welding portion (252) connected to the locking portion (251) and suitable for welding to the circuit board. The connector assembly according to claim 23.

Images