Connector with flat circuit body

Abstract

To provide a connector with a flat circuit body that can cover the terminals of both surface-mount type and through-hole type connectors, suppressing touches and improving drip-proof performance.SOLUTION: One end of a terminal 5 is connected to an FPC 2. A connector housing 6 accommodates the other end of the terminal 5 and is disposed on an upper side in a vertical direction of the FPC 2, and provided with an opening 63 on a side away from the FPC 2. A cover 4 covers a connection portion between the FPC 2 and the terminals 5 and the connector housing 6. The cover 4 has an opening 41 for drawing out the FPC 2 to an outside of the cover 4 and an opening 42 for exposing the opening 63 of the connector housing 6 to the outside of the cover 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector with a flat circuit body. [Background technology]

[0002] A cover for covering a connector mounted on a circuit board has been proposed (Patent Document 1). By providing a cover, it is possible to prevent contact with the connector terminals and improve drip-proof performance. The connector described in Patent Document 1 is intended for a surface-mount type. Therefore, when the cover is applied to a through-hole type connector, there is a problem in that it is not possible to cover the terminals protruding from the back side of the circuit board (the side opposite the housing). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-67685 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a connector with a flat circuit body that can cover the terminals, whether it is a surface-mount type connector or a through-hole type connector, thereby suppressing tentacles and improving drip-proof performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector with a flat circuit body according to the present invention has the following features. a flat circuit body; a terminal having one end connected to the flat circuit body; a connector housing that accommodates the other end of the terminal, is disposed in a thickness direction of the flat circuit body, and has a first opening provided on a side away from the flat circuit body in the thickness direction; a connector including a cover that covers a connection portion between the flat circuit body and the terminal and the connector housing, The cover has a second opening for drawing out the flat circuit body to the outside of the cover, and a third opening for exposing the first opening of the connector housing to the outside of the cover. Connector with flat circuit body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The connector with flat circuit body according to the present invention has the effect of covering the terminals of both surface-mount type connectors and through-hole type connectors, thereby suppressing tentacles and improving drip-proof performance.

[0007] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector with an FPC, which is a connector with a flat circuit body according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector with FPC shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector with an FPC, which is a connector with a flat circuit body according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the connector with FPC shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5 according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] For the sake of convenience, the following definitions are used for "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" as shown in Figures 1 to 8. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are perpendicular to one another. The "up-down direction" corresponds to the "thickness direction" of the present invention, and the "left-right direction" corresponds to the "width direction" of the present invention.

[0011] (First embodiment) A connector with an FPC as a connector with a flat circuit body according to a first embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the connector with an FPC 1 includes a strip-shaped FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) 2, a surface-mount type connector 3 connected to the FPC 2, and a cover 4. The FPC 2 is a type of flexible printed circuit board.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 2, the connector 3 has a plurality of terminals 5 electrically connected to the FPC 2 and a connector housing 6 that accommodates the plurality of terminals 5. The terminals 5 are made of a conductive material and are formed in an L-shape. In this embodiment, the terminals 5 are arranged in two rows, front and rear, aligned in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, 12 terminals 5 are arranged in each of the front and rear rows, aligned in the left-right direction.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3 , the terminals 5 have an FPC connection portion 51 provided at one end thereof for connection to the FPC 2, and a terminal connection portion 52 provided at the other end thereof for connection to a mating terminal of a mating connector. The terminal connection portions 52 are provided in the up-down direction. The FPC connection portions 51 of the terminals 5 arranged in the front row extend forward from the lower ends of the terminal connection portions 52 and are provided in the front-to-rear direction. The FPC connection portions 51 of the terminals 5 arranged in the rear row extend rearward from the lower ends of the terminal connection portions 52 and are provided in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, the tips of the FPC connection portions 51 are disposed on the upper surface of the FPC 2 and are connected by solder.

[0014] The connector housing 6 is made of resin and is arranged on the upper and lower sides of the FPC 2. The connector housing 6 has a bottom 61 and a peripheral wall 62 standing upward from the periphery of the bottom 61, and is provided with an opening 63 as a first opening on the upper side in the vertical direction (the side away from the FPC 2). The connector housing 6 is arranged so that the bottom 61 faces the upper surface of the FPC 2 in the vertical direction. The terminals 5 pass through the bottom 61, and the terminal connection portions 52 are accommodated within the connector housing 6, while the FPC connection portions 51 are arranged outside the connector housing 6.

[0015] The cover 4 is made of resin and covers the connection portion between the FPC 2 and the terminals 5 and the connector housing 6. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the cover 4 has an opening 41 as a second opening for drawing the FPC 2 out of the cover 4, and an opening 42 as a third opening for exposing an opening 63 of the connector housing 6 out of the cover 4.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3 , the cover 4 has a bottom portion 43 that covers the lower side of the FPC 2 in the vertical direction, a peripheral wall portion 44 that extends upward from the periphery of the bottom portion 43, and a top portion 45 that is continuous with the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 44 and faces the bottom portion 43 in the vertical direction. A gap G is provided between the bottom portion 43 and the FPC 2. The size of this gap G will be described in the second embodiment. An opening 41 is provided in the peripheral wall portion 44. An opening 42 is provided in the top portion 45. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the upper end of the connector housing 6 protrudes from the opening 42 of the top portion 45. The FPC connection portions 51 of the rear row of terminals 5 have their tips protruding rearward from the peripheral wall portion 62. The FPC connection portions 51 of the front row of terminals 5 have their tips protruding forward from the peripheral wall portion 62.

[0017] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the cover 4 has an upper cover 401 and a lower cover 402 that are divided into two in the vertical direction so as to divide the edge of the opening 41 in half. The lower cover 402 has a bottom 43 and the lower side of a peripheral wall 44. A notch 46 is provided at the upper end of the rear peripheral wall 44 of the lower cover 402. The upper cover 401 has an upper side of the peripheral wall 44 and a top 45. When the upper cover 401 and the lower cover 402 are stacked one on top of the other, the upper opening of the notch 46 provided in the lower cover 402 is blocked by the upper cover 401, forming the opening 41.

[0018] Next, the above-mentioned assembly process for the connector with FPC 1 is performed. First, the connector 3 is mounted on the upper surface of the end of the FPC 2. At this time, the FPC connection portion 51 is placed on the upper surface of the FPC 2. Next, the FPC connection portion 51 is soldered to electrically connect the connector 3 and the FPC 2. Next, after the FPC 2 and connector 3 are mounted on the lower cover 402, the upper cover 401 is attached from above. This allows the FPC 2 to be pulled out of the cover 4 through the opening 41.

[0019] According to the above-described embodiment, the cover 4 covers the connection portion between the FPC 2 and the terminals 5 and the connector housing 6, the FPC 2 is pulled out through the opening 41, and the opening 63 of the connector housing 6 is exposed through the opening 42. The cover 4 has a bottom 43, a peripheral wall 44, and a top 45. This allows the cover 4 to cover (enclose) the entire FPC connection portion 51 of the surface-mount connector 3. This prevents not only fingers but also testers and probes from touching the FPC connection portion 51 of the terminals 5 (tentacles prevention). Furthermore, it prevents water from entering the cover 4 from the outside (improved drip-proof performance).

[0020] According to the embodiment described above, the cover 4 is divided into two parts in the vertical direction so as to divide the edge of the opening 41 into two parts. This allows the FPC 2 to be easily pulled out from the opening 41.

[0021] (Second embodiment) Next, a connector with FPC 1B of a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, parts equivalent to those of the connector with FPC 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 already described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 4, the connector with FPC 1B includes an FPC 2, a through-hole type connector 3B connected to the FPC 2, and a cover 4. The FPC 2 and the cover 4 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0022] The connector 3B has a plurality of terminals 5B electrically connected to the FPC 2 and a connector housing 6 that accommodates the plurality of terminals 5B. In this embodiment, the terminals 5B are formed in a straight line along the vertical direction.

[0023] The terminal 5B has an FPC connection portion 51B provided at one end thereof for connection to the FPC 2, and a terminal connection portion 52B provided at the other end thereof for connection to a mating terminal of a mating connector. The terminal 5B passes through the bottom 61 so that the terminal connection portion 52B is accommodated within the connector housing 6, and the FPC connection portion 51B is disposed outside the connector housing 6.

[0024] The FPC connection portion 51B is inserted into a through-hole (not shown) that penetrates the FPC 2 in the vertical direction. The tip of the FPC connection portion 51B passes through the through-hole and protrudes from the underside of the FPC 2. The gap G is set longer than the length by which the tip of the FPC connection portion 51B protrudes from the underside of the FPC 2. The connector housing 6 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0025] Next, the assembly process of the connector with FPC 1B described above is performed. First, the connector 3B is mounted on the upper surface of the end of the FPC 2. At this time, the FPC connection portion 51B is passed through the through-hole of the FPC 2 to electrically connect the connector 3B and the FPC 2 without soldering. The attachment of the cover 4 is the same as in the first embodiment, so a detailed description will be omitted here.

[0026] According to the above-described embodiment, the cover 4 can cover (contain) the entire FPC connection portion 51B of the through-hole type connector 3B. This prevents not only fingers but also testers and probes from touching the FPC connection portion 51B of the terminal 5B (tentacles prevention). Furthermore, it prevents water from entering the cover 4 from the outside (improved drip-proof performance).

[0027] The cover 4 in the first and second embodiments is the same. The cover 4 can cover the FPC connection portions 51, 51B of both the surface mount type connector 3 and the through-hole type connector 3B. That is, a common cover 4 can be used for the surface mount type connector 3 and the through-hole type connector 3B, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0028] (Third embodiment) Next, a connector with FPC 1C according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. In Figures 5 to 7, parts equivalent to those of the connector with FPC 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 already described in the first embodiment above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in Figure 5, the connector with FPC 1C includes an FPC 2, a surface-mount type connector 3 connected to the FPC 2, and a cover 4C. The FPC 2 and the connector 3 are equivalent to those of the first embodiment described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0029] The cover 4C is made of resin. As in the first embodiment, the cover 4C has an opening 41 and an opening 42, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. As in the first embodiment, the cover 4C has a bottom 43, a peripheral wall 44 in which the opening 41 is provided, and a top 45 in which the opening 42 is provided, as shown in Figure 5.

[0030] 6, cover 4C has a left cover 403 and a right cover 404 that are divided in two in the left-right direction so as to divide the edge of opening 41 and the edge of opening 42 in half. In this embodiment, cover 4C is divided into two by cutting rectangular bottom 43 and top 45 diagonally along a line that intersects both the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. More specifically, cover 4C is divided into two by cutting rectangular bottom 43 and top 45 diagonally along a line connecting the front left corner and the rear right corner.

[0031] The left cover 403 has a bottom 43 and a left rear side of a top 45, and a left side and rear side of a peripheral wall 44. A notch 46C is provided at the right end of the rear peripheral wall 44 of the left cover 403. A notch 47C is also provided in the top 45 of the left cover 403. The right cover 404 has a right front side of the bottom 43 and the top 45, and a right side and front side of the peripheral wall 44. A notch 48C is also provided in the top 45 of the right cover 404. When the left cover 403 and the right cover 404 are stacked side by side, the right opening of the notch 46C provided in the left cover 403 is closed by the right cover 404, forming the opening 41. Furthermore, the notch 47C provided in the left cover 403 and the notch 48C provided in the right cover 404 combine to form the opening 42.

[0032] Next, the assembly process for the connector with FPC 1C described above is performed. First, the connector 3 and the FPC 2 are electrically connected using the same procedure as in the first embodiment. Next, the FPC 2 is inserted through the right opening of the notch 46C provided in the left cover 403, and the FPC 2 and connector 3 are mounted on the bottom 43 of the left cover 403. Then, the right cover 404 is placed on top of it from the right side. This causes the FPC 2 to be pulled out of the cover 4C through the opening 41.

[0033] According to the embodiment described above, the cover 4C is divided into two parts in the left-right direction so as to divide the edge of the opening 41 into two parts. This allows the FPC 2 to be easily pulled out from the opening 41.

[0034] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a connector with FPC 1D of a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. In Figure 8, parts equivalent to those of the connector with FPC 1B shown in Figure 4 and already described in the second embodiment and the connector with FPC 1C shown in Figures 5 to 7 and already described in the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in Figure 8, the connector with FPC 1D includes an FPC 2, a through-hole type connector 3B connected to the FPC 2, and a cover 4C. The FPC 2 and the connector 3B are the same as those in the second embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0035] The cover 4C is the same as that in the third embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the through-hole type connector 3B described in the second embodiment is covered with the cover 4C described in the fourth embodiment.

[0036] Next, the connection is performed in the assembly process of the connector with FPC 1D described above. First, the connector 3B and the FPC 2 are electrically connected in the same procedure as in the second embodiment. Next, the cover 4C is attached in the same procedure as in the third embodiment.

[0037] The covers 4C in the third and fourth embodiments are the same. The cover 4C can cover the FPC connection portions 51, 51B of both the surface mount type connector 3 and the through-hole type connector 3B. That is, a common cover 4C can be used for the surface mount type connector 3 and the through-hole type connector 3B, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0038] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0039] According to the third and fourth embodiments described above, the cover 4C is divided into two halves, left and right, by cutting it diagonally along a straight line intersecting the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, but this is not limited to this. The cover 4 may also be divided into two halves, left and right, by cutting it diagonally along a straight line extending in the front-rear direction.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, an FPC has been described as an example of a flat circuit body, but the present invention is not limited to this. The flat circuit body may be a printed circuit board or an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable).

[0041] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the connector with a flat circuit body according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [5].

[0042] [1] A flat circuit body (2), a terminal (5, 5B) one end of which is connected to the flat circuit body (2); a connector housing (6) that accommodates the other ends of the terminals (5, 5B), is disposed in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the flat circuit body (2), and has a first opening (63) provided on a side away from the flat circuit body (2) in the thickness direction (vertical direction); A connector (1, 1B to 1D) including a cover (4, 4C) that covers a connection portion between the flat circuit body (2) and the terminal (5, 5B) and the connector housing (6), The cover (4, 4C) has a second opening (41) for drawing out the flat circuit body (2) to the outside of the cover (4, 4C), and a third opening (42) for exposing the first opening (63) of the connector housing to the outside of the cover (4, 4C). Connector with flat circuit body (1, 1B~1D).

[0043] According to the connector with flat circuit body (1, 1B to 1D) having the configuration [1] above, the terminals (5, 5B) can be covered whether it is a surface mount type connector (3) or a through hole type connector (3B), thereby suppressing tentacles and improving drip-proof performance.

[0044] [2] In the connector with flat circuit body (1, 1B to 1D) described in [1], The cover (4, 4C) a bottom portion (43) covering the opposite side of the flat circuit body (2) from the connector housing (6) in the thickness direction (vertical direction); a peripheral wall portion (44) extending from the peripheral edge of the bottom portion (43); a top portion (45) connected to the peripheral wall portion (44) and facing the bottom portion (43) in the thickness direction (vertical direction), The second opening (41) is provided in the peripheral wall portion (44), The third opening (42) is provided in the top portion. Connector with flat circuit body (1, 1B~1D).

[0045] According to the connector with flat circuit body (1, 1B-1D) having the configuration [2] above, the connection portion between the flat circuit body (2) and the terminals (5, 5B) and the connector housing (6) can be covered by the bottom portion (43), the peripheral wall portion (44), and the top portion (45) of the cover (4, 4C), thereby further improving the resistance to touches and the drip-proof performance.

[0046] [3] In the connector with flat circuit body (1, 1B to 1D) described in [2], A gap (G) is provided between the flat circuit body (2) and the bottom (43) of the cover (4, 4C). Connector with flat circuit body (1, 1B~1D).

[0047] According to the connector with flat circuit body (1, 1B to 1D) having the configuration [3] above, by providing a gap (G), the tip of the terminal (5B) of the through-hole type connector (3B) does not interfere with the cover (4, 4C).

[0048] [4] In the connector (1, 1B) with a flat circuit body according to [1], The cover (4) is divided into two in the thickness direction (vertical direction) so as to divide the edge of the second opening (41) into two. Connector with flat circuit body (1,1B).

[0049] According to the connector (1, 1B) with flat circuit body having the configuration [4] above, the flat circuit body (2) can be easily inserted into the second opening (41) by sandwiching the flat circuit body (2) between the two-piece cover (4).

[0050] [5] In the connector (1C, 1D) with flat circuit body according to [1], The cover (4C) is divided into two in the width direction of the flat circuit body (2) so as to divide the edge of the second opening (41) into two. Connector with flat circuit body (1C, 1D).

[0051] According to the connectors (1C, 1D) with flat circuit body having the configuration [5] above, the flat circuit body (2) can be easily inserted into the second opening (41) by sandwiching the flat circuit body (2) between the two-piece cover (4C). [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1,1B~1D Connector with FPC (connector with flat circuit body) 2 FPC (flat circuit body) 4,4C Cover 5,5B terminal 6 Connector housing 41 Opening (Second Opening) 42 Opening (3rd opening) 43 Bottom 44 Peripheral wall section 45 Heaven 63 Opening (First Opening)

Claims

1. a flat circuit body; a terminal having one end connected to the flat circuit body; a connector housing that accommodates the other end of the terminal, is disposed in a thickness direction of the flat circuit body, and has a first opening provided on a side away from the flat circuit body in the thickness direction; a connector including a cover that covers a connection portion between the flat circuit body and the terminal and the connector housing, The cover has a second opening for drawing out the flat circuit body to the outside of the cover, and a third opening for exposing the first opening of the connector housing to the outside of the cover. Connector with flat circuit body.

2. 2. The connector with flat circuit body according to claim 1, The cover is a bottom portion covering the flat circuit body on the side opposite to the connector housing in the thickness direction; a peripheral wall portion extending from the peripheral edge of the bottom portion; a top portion connected to the peripheral wall portion and facing the bottom portion in the thickness direction, The second opening is provided in the peripheral wall portion, The third opening is provided in the top portion. Connector with flat circuit body.

3. 3. The connector with flat circuit body according to claim 2, A gap is provided between the flat circuit body and the bottom of the cover. Connector with flat circuit body.

4. 2. The connector with flat circuit body according to claim 1, the cover is divided into two in the thickness direction so as to divide the edge of the second opening into two; Connector with flat circuit body.

5. 2. The connector with flat circuit body according to claim 1, the cover is divided into two parts in the width direction of the flat circuit body so as to divide the edge of the second opening into two parts; Connector with flat circuit body.

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