connector

Abstract

The design should be simple, easy to manufacture, allow for miniaturization, low profile, and narrow pitch, and ensure high reliability. [Solution] A connector 1 comprising a housing 10 including a housing space into which a flat cable 101 is inserted in a first direction, a terminal attached to the housing 10, and an actuator 30 attached to the housing 10, wherein the actuator 30 includes a locking portion, the locking portion being able to engage with the locked portion of the flat cable 101, and the housing 10 having a main body portion and a cover portion, the cover portion having a slit into which at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion of the terminal is housed, and a metal reinforcing member disposed on the insertion opening 10a side of the flat cable 101, the reinforcing member including a substrate connection portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, connectors for flat cables such as FPC connectors and FFC connectors have been used to connect flat cables such as flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) and flexible flat cables (FFCs) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG . 16 is a perspective view showing a conventional connector.

[0004] In the figure, 811 is a housing of a connector mounted on a circuit board not shown, and is a hollow member having an outer shape like a flat box made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. An insertion port 811a into which the tip portion of the flat cable 901 is inserted is formed on the front surface. Further, on both the left and right sides of the insertion port 811a, metal fixing members 851 for fixing the connector to the circuit board are respectively provided.

[0005] Then, the tip portion of the flat cable 901 located in front of the housing 811 is inserted into the insertion port 811a from the front surface of the housing 811. Note that the upper surfaces of a plurality of conductive wires 961 are exposed on the upper surface of the tip portion of the flat cable 901. The plurality of conductive wires 961 extend in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable 901.

[0006] Furthermore, a plurality of terminals 861 are attached to the housing 811. Each terminal 861 is an elongated strip-shaped member made of a bent thin metal plate, inserted from the rear end of the housing 811 toward the front, and fixed to an insulating retaining portion 811c formed at the rear end of the housing 811, with its strip-shaped contact beam (not shown) arranged parallel to each other inside the housing 811. The base end of each terminal 861 is connected to a wiring connection pad formed on the circuit board.

[0007] Furthermore, multiple strip-shaped insulating support plates 811d are formed on the upper surface of the housing 811, protruding forward from the insulating holding portion 811c. Multiple insulating support plates 811d are arranged in a comb-like pattern, and each one covers the contact beam of each terminal 861 from above. Each insulating support plate 811d and the contact beam of each terminal 861 are integrally molded by insert molding or the like, and both members are configured to displace elastically as a single unit. In addition, notches 811e are formed on the upper surface of the housing 811, surrounding both side edges and the front edge of each insulating support plate 811d, so that each insulating support plate 811d deforms elastically as a cantilever-like member.

[0008] When the tip of the flat cable 901 is inserted into the insertion opening 811a, the upper surface of the conductive wire 961 comes into contact with the contact beam of the corresponding terminal 861. As a result, the insulating support plate 811d and the contact beam of the terminal 861 deform elastically together, and the resulting repulsive force presses the contact beam of the terminal 861 against the upper surface of the conductive wire 961. This ensures that each conductive wire 961 of the flat cable 901 is reliably electrically connected to the corresponding terminal 861. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-93213 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] However, the conventional connectors described above cannot adequately accommodate the miniaturization and reduction in height of components in electronic devices in recent years.

[0011] In recent years, electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, digital cameras, music players, game consoles, and navigation devices have required smaller and lower profile enclosures and consequently smaller and lower profile components, which in turn has led to a demand for further miniaturization and lower profile connector assemblies.

[0012] However, in the conventional connector described above, the contact beam of each terminal 861 is integrally molded with the insulating support plate 811d formed on the upper surface of the housing 811. Therefore, further reduction in height becomes difficult or impossible in the manufacturing of the contact beam of the terminal 861 and the upper surface of the housing 811. In addition, since the contact beam of the terminal 861 and the insulating support plate 811d of the housing 811 are wide strip-shaped members, it is difficult to narrow the pitch between the terminals 861, and therefore, further narrowing in width becomes difficult or impossible.

[0013] The objective here is to solve the aforementioned problems of the conventional design and provide a connector that is simple in structure, easy to manufacture, can be made smaller and lower in profile, has a narrower pitch, and is highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To this end, the connector comprises a housing that includes a receiving space into which a flat cable is inserted in a first direction, a terminal attached to the housing, and an actuator attached to the housing, wherein the actuator includes a locking portion, the locking portion being able to engage with a locked portion of the flat cable, and the housing has a main body portion and a cover portion, the cover portion having a slit into which at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion of the terminal is accommodated, and a metal reinforcing member disposed on the insertion side of the flat cable, the reinforcing member including a substrate connection portion.

[0015] In other connectors, the reinforcing member further includes an engaging portion that engages with the housing.

[0016] In other connectors, the reinforcing member further includes a front edge located on the insertion side of the terminal tip, and a pair of side edges extending in a first direction from both ends of the front edge, the engaging portion being formed on the side edges.

[0017] In other connectors, the actuator further includes a connecting portion that connects the actuator to the housing, and is swingable via the connecting portion.

[0018] In other connectors, the terminal further includes a support portion supported by the main body, an arm portion extending from the support portion in a direction opposite to the first direction, and a contact portion projecting downward from the tip of the arm portion, wherein a recess is formed on the substrate-side surface of the main body facing the contact portion.

[0019] Furthermore, in other connectors, the lower end of the support portion can also function as a board connection portion.

[0020] Furthermore, in other connectors, the reinforcing member is a member integrally formed with the cover portion and includes an engaging portion that engages with the housing.

[0021] In still another connector, there is provided a connector including a housing having a receiving space into which a flat cable is inserted in a first direction, and terminals attached to the housing. The housing has a main body portion and a cover portion. The cover portion has a slit for receiving at least near the upper edge of the arm portion of the terminal, and a metal reinforcing member disposed on the insertion port side of the flat cable and including a substrate connection portion. The terminal includes an arm portion having a contact portion formed near the tip, and a protruding portion protruding in the insertion and extraction direction of the flat cable below the arm portion. A part of the housing is filled without a gap in the space between the arm portion and the protruding portion.

[0022] In still another connector, further, the reinforcing member includes an engaging portion that engages with the housing.

[0023] In still another connector, further, the reinforcing member includes a front edge portion located on the insertion port side of the tip of the terminal, and a pair of side edge portions extending in the first direction from both ends of the front edge portion. The engaging portion is formed on the side edge portions.

[0024] In still another connector, further, the reinforcing member is a member integrally formed with the cover portion and includes an engaging portion that engages with the housing.

[0025] In still another connector, further, an actuator attached to the housing is further provided.

[0026] In still another connector, further, the actuator includes a locking portion, and the locking portion can engage with a locked portion of the flat cable.

[0027] In still another connector, further, the actuator includes a connecting portion that connects the actuator to the housing, and is swingable through the connecting portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to this disclosure, the connector has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, can be made smaller, lower profile and narrower pitch, and can improve reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the state immediately before inserting a flat cable into the connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the connector actuator in the first embodiment in a separated state. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the main body of the connector housing in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] A quadrature view of the connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a side view. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the front end of a flat cable inserted into a connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view taken from diagonally above, showing the state in which a flat cable is connected to the connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view taken from diagonally below, showing the state in which a flat cable is connected to the connector in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] A side cross-sectional view showing the terminals of a connector in the first embodiment with a flat cable connected to it, where (a) is a side cross-sectional view at the position of the second type of terminal and (b) is a side cross-sectional view at the position of the first type of terminal. [Figure 10] This is a side cross-sectional view showing an actuator in which a flat cable is connected to a connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a side cross-sectional view at the position of the connecting fitting and (b) is a side cross-sectional view at the position of the lock beam. [Figure 11]This is an exploded perspective view of the connector in the second embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view of the housing cover, (b) is a perspective view of the housing, (c) is a perspective view of the actuator, and (d) is a perspective view of the connector obtained by assembling the housing cover, housing and actuator shown in (a) to (c). [Figure 12] This is an exploded perspective view of the housing cover in the second embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view of the cover fitting, (b) is a perspective view of the housing cover, and (c) is a perspective view of the housing cover obtained by integrally molding the cover fitting and the housing cover shown in (a) and (b). [Figure 13] Two views of the housing cover in the second embodiment, where (a) is a top view of the housing cover and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (a). [Figure 14] This is an exploded perspective view of the actuator in the second embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view of the metal fitting, (b) is a perspective view of the main body, and (c) is a perspective view of the actuator obtained by integrally molding the metal fitting and the main body shown in (a) and (b). [Figure 15] This is a three-view drawing of the actuator in the second embodiment, where (a) is a top view of the actuator, (b) is a cross-sectional view of (a) taken along the arrow BB, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of (a) taken along the arrow CC. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view showing a conventional connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the state immediately before inserting a flat cable into the connector in the first embodiment, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the actuator of the connector in the first embodiment separated, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the connector in the first embodiment, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the main body of the housing of the connector in the first embodiment, Figure 5 is a four-view drawing of the connector in the first embodiment, and Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the front end of the flat cable inserted into the connector in the first embodiment. In Figure 5, (a) is a top view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a side view.

[0032] In the figure, 1 is the connector in this embodiment, which is mounted on the surface of a circuit board or the like (not shown) and used to electrically connect a flat cable 101. The connector 1 is used as a so-called right-angle type connector and is mounted in a lateral position relative to the circuit board, that is, with the lower surface 12b of the housing body 11 of the housing 10 (the lower surface 12b of the lower plate portion 12 of the housing body 11) facing the surface of the circuit board. For example, it is a small, low-profile connector with a length (dimension in the X-axis direction) of approximately 3.4 mm, a width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) of approximately 4.6 mm, and a height (dimension in the Z-axis direction) of approximately 0.4 mm.

[0033] Furthermore, the flat cable 101 is, for example, a flat flexible cable such as an FPC or FFC, but any type of flat cable equipped with conductive wires 161 may be used.The flat cable 101 is then moved from the state shown in Figure 1 in the insertion direction (negative X-axis direction), which is the first direction relative to the connector 1, and inserted into the insertion opening 10a formed on the front surface of the housing 10.

[0034] In this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back used to describe the configuration and operation of each part of the connector 1 and the flat cable 101 are relative, not absolute. They are appropriate when the parts of the connector 1 and the flat cable 101 are in the positions shown in the figures, but should be modified and interpreted accordingly if their positions change.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the connector 1 comprises a housing 10 and an actuator 30 attached to the housing 10. The housing 10 comprises a housing body 11 as the main body and a housing cover 21 as the cover. The housing body 11 and the housing cover 21 are components integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housing cover 21 has a cover fitting 27, which is a metal reinforcing member. The housing cover 21 is attached to the housing body 11 so as to cover the upper surface of the housing body 11. In this way, the housing body 11 and the housing cover 21 are formed separately, and the housing 10 is constructed by attaching the housing cover 21 to the housing body 11, so a small and low-profile housing body 11 and a small and low-profile housing cover 21 can be easily manufactured. Furthermore, by combining a small and low-profile housing body 11 and a small and low-profile housing cover 21 in this way, a small and low-profile housing 10 can be easily obtained.

[0036] The housing body 11 includes a generally flat lower plate portion 12 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and width direction (Y-axis direction) of the housing 10, a pair of side plate portions 13 formed to protrude upward (positive Z-axis direction) from both left and right side edges of the lower plate portion 12, and a terminal holding portion 14 formed to cover the upper surface 12a of the lower plate portion 12 within a predetermined range from the rear end (negative X-axis end) of the lower plate portion 12. The space defined by the upper surface 12a of the lower plate portion 12, the side plate portions 13 on both sides, and the terminal holding portion 14 is a cable housing space 15 that accommodates at least the tip portion 101a of the flat cable 101. When the housing cover 21 is not attached to the housing 10, the cable housing space 15 is an open space to the upward and forward (positive X-axis direction).

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, multiple terminals 61 are attached to and held in the terminal holding portion 14. There are multiple terminals 61 (22 in the example shown in the figure), and they are arranged in a single row in the width direction of the housing body 11 at a predetermined pitch (for example, about 0.15 [mm]). Each terminal 61 is a component integrally formed by processing such as punching out of a conductive metal plate. The housing body 11 is integrally molded with the multiple terminals 61 by a molding method called overmolding, outsert molding, or insert molding (hereinafter referred to as "insert molding"). That is, the housing body 11 is formed by filling an insulating material into the cavity of a mold in which the multiple terminals 61 have been set inside in advance. Therefore, although the terminals 61 do not exist separated from the housing body 11 as shown in Figure 3, it should be noted that the drawing in Figure 3 is for explanatory purposes only.

[0038] Furthermore, the terminal 61 includes a first type of terminal, terminal 61A, and a second type of terminal, terminal 61B. As shown in Figure 4, when held by the terminal holding portion 14, terminals 61A and 61B are arranged alternately. In the example shown in the figure, the tip of terminal 61A is positioned in front of the tip of terminal 61B (in the positive X-axis direction). When describing terminals 61A and 61B collectively, they will be described as terminal 61.

[0039] Each terminal 61 includes a base portion 62 that extends generally in the vertical direction and is supported by the terminal holding portion 14 of the housing body 11, and a beam-shaped arm portion 63 that is connected to the upper end (positive Z-axis end) of the base portion 62 and extends in the second direction opposite to the first direction, which is the extraction direction of the flat cable 101 (positive X-axis direction). The lower end 62b of the base portion 62 functions as a substrate connection portion that can be connected to a connection pad or the like (not shown) formed on the surface of the substrate. The arm portion 63 includes a forearm portion 63b that extends forward from the base portion 62 and functions as a cantilever-shaped spring member, and a contact portion 63a formed at the tip of the forearm portion 63b to protrude downward. It is desirable that the contact portion 63a, when viewed from the side (Y-axis direction), has a triangular shape in which its rear edge extends vertically (Z-axis direction) and its front edge extends in a straight line that slopes upward as it moves forward. In terminal 61A, the arm portion 63 further includes a rear arm portion 63c as a beam-shaped second part extending rearward from the base portion 62, but in terminal 61B, the arm portion 63 does not include a rear arm portion 63c. In other words, terminal 61B does not have a rear arm portion 63c.

[0040] Furthermore, the terminal 61 also includes a tail portion 64 formed behind the base portion 62 and extending in the first direction, which serves as an actuator rotation support portion. The tail portion 64 includes a front portion 64a located towards the front and a rear portion 64b located towards the rear, with the front end of the rear portion 64b connected to the rear end of the front portion 64a. In terminal 61A, the front end of the front portion 64a is connected to the rear end of the rear arm portion 63c, while in terminal 61B, which does not include the rear arm portion 63c, the front end of the front portion 64a is connected to the rear end of the base portion 62. The front portion 64a is located at a height between the upper end and lower end 62b of the base portion 62. Therefore, in terminal 61A, the upper edge of the front end of the front portion 64a is connected to the lower edge of the rear end of the rear arm portion 63c, and the connection point between the front portion 64a and the rear arm portion 63c has a roughly crank-like shape when viewed from the side (Y-axis direction). Furthermore, at terminal 61B, the front end of the front portion 64a is connected to the base portion 62 at a position lower than the arm portion 63, between the upper end and lower end 62b of the rear end.

[0041] Furthermore, the rear portion 64b is located lower than the front portion 64a, and the lower end of the rear portion 64b is located in approximately the same position as the lower end 62b of the base portion 62. Therefore, the upper edge of the front end of the rear portion 64b is connected to the lower edge of the rear end of the front portion 64a, and the connection point between the rear portion 64b and the front portion 64a has a roughly crank-like shape when viewed from the side. A recess 64d, which functions as a rotation support portion for the actuator 30, is formed at the upper edge of the rear portion 64b adjacent to the rear edge of the front portion 64a. In addition, at terminal 61B, a recess rear wall portion 64e is formed at the rear end of the recess 64d at the upper edge of the rear portion 64b, projecting upward. Note that at terminal 61A, the recess rear wall portion 64e is not formed.

[0042] Furthermore, the base portion 62 is formed on the lower side of the arm portion 63 and has a projection 62a that protrudes in the insertion and removal direction (X-axis direction) of the flat cable 101, i.e., in the first and second directions. At least the tip of the projection 62a bites into the terminal holding portion 14, and a part of the housing body 11 fills the space between the projection 62a and the arm portion 63 without any gaps. Specifically, the projection 14b of the terminal holding portion 14, which will be described later, fits into the space between the projection 62a of the terminal 61 and the arm portion 63, so that the projection 62a of the terminal 61 and the projection 14b of the terminal holding portion 14 become nested and interlock with each other, so that the base portion 62 of the terminal 61 is securely held by the terminal holding portion 14, and thereby the terminal 61 is securely held by the housing body 11. Furthermore, since the upper rail portion 14a of the terminal holding portion 14 is in contact with the upper edge of the front portion 64a of the terminal 61, the terminal 61 is reliably prevented from being pulled upward from the housing body 11.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, when the terminals 61 are attached to the housing body 11, the arms 63 of multiple terminals 61 protrude forward from the terminal holding portion 14 and are arranged in a comb-like pattern within the cable housing space 15. The contact portions 63a of terminal 61A and terminal 61B are arranged alternately such that the contact portion 63a of terminal 61A is located in front of the contact portion 63a of terminal 61B. Therefore, the arrangement of the contact portions 63a of each terminal 61 in a plan view is staggered. The position of the rear end of the tail portion 64 in the longitudinal direction of the housing body 11 is the same for both terminal 61A and terminal 61B. In addition, the arms 63 of each terminal 61 are exposed above the lower plate portion 12.

[0044] In this embodiment, it is desirable that recesses 12c are formed on the substrate-side surface of the lower plate portion 12 that faces the contact portion 63a of each terminal 61, i.e., on the lower surface 12b of the lower plate portion 12, at positions corresponding to the contact portion 63a of each terminal 61, as shown in Figure 5(c). The arrangement of the recesses 12c in a plan view is staggered, similar to the contact portion 63a of the terminal 61. Furthermore, if dummy pads, which are pads not connected to wiring, are formed at positions corresponding to each recess 12c on the surface of the substrate on which the connector 1 is mounted, and solder is applied to the surface of the dummy pads, then even if a downward pressing force from the contact portion 63a is applied to the lower plate portion 12 via the flat cable 101, each recess 12c is supported from below by the solder on the surface of the dummy pads. This prevents the lower plate portion 12, which is made of a thin plate material with small vertical dimensions, from deforming or being damaged downwards.

[0045] Furthermore, the side plates 13 on both sides of the housing body 11 have a front support portion 13a and a rear support portion 13b formed so as to protrude outward in the width direction. The front support portion 13a has a vertically extending slit-shaped groove that opens toward the rear, and the front wall portion 13a1 of the groove functions as an engaged portion into which the engaging portion 27b of the cover fitting 27 engages. The rear support portion 13b also has a vertically extending slit-shaped groove that opens toward the front, and the rear wall portion 13b1 of the groove functions as an engaged portion into which the engaging portion 27b of the cover fitting 27 engages. In addition, the rear support portion 13b includes a bottom plate portion 13c, and the bottom plate portion 13c has an engaging hole portion 13c1 formed therein, into which the front end engaging portion 57a ​​of the connecting fitting 57 of the actuator 30 enters and engages.

[0046] In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the flat cable 101 includes a connection portion 101b, which is the portion connected to the connector 1, within a predetermined length range from the tip portion 101a, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. Recesses 115 are formed on both side edges of the connection portion 101b, recessed inward in the width direction, and the front portion of the recess 115 protrudes outward in the width direction relative to the recess 115, forming an ear portion 115a. The flat cable 101 has a substrate portion 111, which is an insulating thin plate member having an elongated strip shape, and a plurality of conductive wires 161 arranged on one surface of the substrate portion 111 (the upper surface in the example shown in the figures) and extending in the longitudinal direction of the flat cable 101. Note that in the figures, only the vicinity of the connection portion 101b of the flat cable 101 is shown, and the illustration of other parts is omitted.

[0047] The conductive wire 161 is a foil-like linear body made of a conductive metal such as copper, and multiple wires (22 in the example shown in the figure) are arranged in a row in the width direction of the flat cable 101 at a predetermined pitch, for example, about 0.15 [mm]. The number and pitch of the conductive wires 161 can be changed as needed. The surface of the conductive wire 161 (the upper surface in the example shown in the figure) is covered with an insulating layer 112. At the connection portion 101b of the flat cable 101, the insulating layer 112 is removed, and the surface of the conductive wire 161 is exposed. A reinforcing plate 113 is attached to the surface of the substrate portion 111 opposite to the side where the conductive wire 161 is exposed (the lower surface in the example shown in the figure).

[0048] In the example shown in the figure, the conductive wire 161 includes a conductive wire 161A, which is a first type of conductive wire, and a conductive wire 161B, which is a second type of conductive wire. When conductive wires 161A and 161B are described together, they will be described as conductive wire 161. As shown in the figure, conductive wires 161A and 161B are arranged alternately. In the example shown in the figure, the tip of conductive wire 161B is positioned in front of the tip of conductive wire 161A (negative X-axis direction), that is, it is positioned near the tip portion 101a. In addition, a wider contact portion 165 is formed at the tip of each conductive wire 161, and the contact portion 165 of conductive wire 161B is positioned in front of the contact portion 165 of conductive wire 161A. In other words, the arrangement of the contact portions 165 in a plan view is staggered, similar to the contact portion 63a of terminal 61. Therefore, when at least a portion of the connection portion 101b of the flat cable 101 is inserted into the cable housing space 15 from the insertion opening 10a of the connector 1, and the contact portion 165 of the conductive wire 161B reaches a position where it contacts the contact portion 63a of the terminal 61B, the contact portion 165 of the conductive wire 161A also reaches a position where it contacts the contact portion 63a of the terminal 61A.

[0049] The housing cover 21 includes a generally flat upper plate portion 22 extending in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and width direction (Y-axis direction) of the housing 10, and a pair of side plate portions 23 formed to protrude downward (negative Z-axis direction) from both left and right side edges of the upper plate portion 22. In addition, a pair of rearward extending portions 22a are formed near both left and right side edges of the upper plate portion 22, extending toward the rear. The side plate portions 23 extend to the rear end of the rearward extending portion 22a and are connected to the side edges of the rearward extending portion 22a. The space defined by the rear end of the upper plate portion 22 and the rearward extending portions 22a on both sides is the actuator housing space 25 in which the main body portion 31 of the actuator 30 is housed. When the housing cover 21 is not attached to the housing 10, the actuator housing space 25 is open in the vertical direction and to the rear (negative X-axis direction).

[0050] Furthermore, along the front end and left and right side edges of the upper surface of the upper plate portion 22, a reinforcing member housing recess 22b is formed, which is a recessed portion having a roughly gate-like shape when viewed from above. In addition, near the left and right side plate portions 23 in the reinforcing member housing recess 22b, an elongated slit-shaped reinforcing member housing groove portion 22c is formed, extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The reinforcing member housing groove portion 22c penetrates the upper plate portion 22 in the vertical direction, and the cover fitting 27 is inserted into its front wall portion 22c1.

[0051] Furthermore, a plurality of elongated terminal housing slits 24 are formed on the upper surface of the upper plate portion 22, extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. The terminal housing slits 24 are slits that penetrate the upper plate portion 22 in the vertical direction and include terminal housing slits 24A, which are a first type of slit, and terminal housing slits 24B, which are a second type of slit. When describing terminal housing slits 24A and terminal housing slits 24B together, they will be described as terminal housing slit 24. As shown in the figure, terminal housing slits 24A and terminal housing slits 24B are arranged alternately. Terminal housing slits 24A accommodate at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion 63 of terminal 61A, and terminal housing slits 24B accommodate at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion 63 of terminal 61B.

[0052] Therefore, the number and pitch of the terminal housing slits 24 correspond to the number and pitch of the terminals 61. Also, the length and position of the terminal housing slits 24A and 24B correspond to the length and position of the arms 63 of the terminals 61A and 61B. When the housing cover 21 is attached to the housing 10 so as to cover the upper surface of the housing 10, at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arms 63 of the corresponding terminal 61 is accommodated in each terminal housing slit 24. As a result, the position of the arms 63 of each terminal 61 in the width direction of the housing body 11 is stably maintained, so that even if the pitch of the terminals 61 is narrowed (the pitch value is reduced), the arms 63 of adjacent terminals 61 will not come into contact with each other. Therefore, it becomes possible to narrow the pitch of the terminals 61.

[0053] A cover fitting 27 is attached to the housing cover 21. The cover fitting 27 includes a pair of elongated left and right side edges 28 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10, and a connecting portion 29 that extends in the width direction of the housing 10 and connects the vicinity of the front ends of the left and right side edges 28, and is a member that has a roughly gate-shaped form when viewed from above. The side edges 28 are members that extend from both ends of the connecting portion 29 toward a first direction (negative X-axis direction), and include a flat plate portion 28a parallel to the upper plate portion 22, and a side plate portion 28b that extends downward from the outer edge of the flat plate portion 28a. The connecting portion 29 is located on the insertion opening 10a side of the tip of the terminal 61, is a flat plate member parallel to the upper plate portion 22, is connected to the left and right flat plate portions 28a, and forms the same plane as the flat plate portions 28a. When the cover fitting 27 is attached to the housing cover 21, the flat plate portion 28a and the connecting portion 29 are housed in the reinforcing member housing recess 22b. The lower end edge 28c of the side plate portion 28b functions as a substrate connection portion that can be connected to a connection pad (not shown) or the like formed on the surface of the substrate.

[0054] Furthermore, an engaging portion 27b is formed on the front edge of the side plate portion 28b that extends in the vertical direction. The engaging portion 27b is a projection formed near the lower end of the front and rear edges, respectively, and protrudes forward and backward. When the cover fitting 27 is attached to the housing body 11 together with the housing cover 21, the area near the lower end of the side plate portion 28b is inserted into the grooves of the front support portion 13a and rear support portion 13b of the housing body 11, and the engaging portion 27b bites into and engages with the front wall portion 13a1 and rear wall portion 13b1 of the grooves of the front support portion 13a and rear support portion 13b. As a result, the housing cover 21 is held between the housing body 11 and the cover fitting 27. The lower edge 28c of the side plate portion 28b is exposed on the lower surface 12b of the lower plate portion 12 of the housing body 11.

[0055] The actuator 30 comprises a main body portion 31 which is integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin, a pair of left and right locking beams 51 which are integrally formed from a conductive metal plate by processing such as punching, and a pair of left and right connecting fittings 57 which are formed from a conductive metal plate by processing such as bending. The main body portion 31 includes a generally flat operating plate portion 32 which extends in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and width direction (Y-axis direction) of the housing 10, thick side portions 34 which are locking beam support portions formed on both the left and right side edges of the operating plate portion 32, and fitting support portions 33 which are formed to protrude outward in the width direction from the side surfaces of each side portion 34. The upper surface of the operating plate portion 32 and the upper surface of the side portions 34 are formed flat so as to form the same plane. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 described later, the lower surface of the operating plate portion 32 has a downwardly projecting stop portion 32a formed along the rear edge, a downwardly projecting rotating shaft portion 32b formed along the front edge, and a lower surface recess 32c formed between the stop portion 32a and the rotating shaft portion 32b.

[0056] The lock beam 51 includes a base portion 52 that extends vertically while inclined, and a beam-shaped arm portion 53 connected to the upper end (positive Z-axis end) of the base portion 52 and extending in the second direction, which is the direction in which the flat cable 101 is removed (positive X-axis direction). An engaging portion 53a is formed at the tip of the arm portion 53 so as to protrude downward. When viewed from the side (Y-axis direction), the engaging portion 53a preferably has a triangular shape, with its posterior edge extending vertically (Z-axis direction) and its front edge inclined to rise as it moves forward, extending in a straight line. The lock beam 51 also includes a tail portion 54 as a supported portion formed behind the base portion 52 and extending in the first direction. The tail portion 54 has its front end connected to the lower end of the base portion 52, and one or more (two in the example shown) engaging projections 54a are formed near the rear end, projecting upward from the upper edge.

[0057] Furthermore, the side portion 34 of the main body portion 31 has a slit-shaped beam housing groove 34a that extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 and opens to the lower surface of the side portion 34, and one or more (two in the example shown in the figure) engagement holes 34b that are through holes, the upper end of which opens to the upper surface of the side portion 34 and the lower end of which opens to the upper surface of the beam housing groove 34a. Each lock beam 51 is then attached to the side portion 34 by housing at least the portion of the tail portion 54 near the rear end in the beam housing groove 34a and by inserting and engaging the engagement projection 54a into the corresponding engagement hole 34b.

[0058] The connecting fitting 57 is, as a whole, a strip-shaped member that extends in the insertion / removal direction (X-axis direction) of the flat cable 101. The connecting fitting 57 includes a front end engaging portion 57a ​​that protrudes downward from its front end, and a tail portion 57b that serves as a supported portion and extends in the insertion direction (negative X-axis direction) of the flat cable 101. The lower end 57a1 of the front end engaging portion 57a ​​functions as a substrate connection portion that can be connected to a connection pad or the like (not shown) formed on the surface of the substrate.

[0059] Furthermore, the metal fitting support portion 33 of the main body portion 31 has an engagement hole portion 33a that opens on its front surface and extends in the insertion direction (negative X-axis direction) of the flat cable 101. Each connecting fitting 57 is attached to the metal fitting support portion 33 by at least the rear end portion of the tail portion 57b being inserted into and engaging with the engagement hole portion 33a.

[0060] In this way, the actuator 30, with the lock beam 51 and connecting fittings 57 attached to the main body 31, is attached to the housing body 11 before the housing cover 21 and cover fittings 27 are attached. Specifically, the front end engaging portion 57a ​​of each connecting fitting 57 is inserted into and engaged with the engaging hole 13c1 formed in the bottom plate portion 13c of the rear support portion 13b of the side plate portion 13 of the housing body 11. The lower end 57a1 of the front end engaging portion 57a ​​protrudes downward from the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 13c and can function as a substrate connection portion. Furthermore, the downwardly protruding rotating shaft portion 32b formed along the front edge of the lower surface of the operating plate portion 32 of the main body 31 has at least its lower end housed in a recess 64d at the upper edge of the rear portion 64b of the tail portion 64 of the terminal 61. Furthermore, at least the rear end of the tail portion 64 of the terminal 61 is housed in the lower surface recess 32c on the lower surface of the operating plate portion 32 of the main body 31.

[0061] Then, a housing cover 21 with a cover fitting 27 attached is attached to the housing body 11 to which the actuator 30 is mounted. In this case, the housing cover 21 is attached to the housing 10 so as to cover the upper surface of the housing 10. More specifically, the upper plate portion 22 of the housing cover 21 covers almost the entire upper part of the lower plate portion 12 of the housing body 11, and the housing cover 21 is attached to the housing body 11. Note that the upper surface of the main body portion 31 of the actuator 30 is not covered by the housing cover 21. At this time, at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion 63 of the corresponding terminal 61 is accommodated in each terminal accommodation slit 24. Also, at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion 53 of the lock beam 51 is accommodated in a slit-shaped gap formed between the side edge of the upper plate portion 22 of the housing cover 21 and the flat plate portion 28a of the side portion 28 of the cover fitting 27.

[0062] This allows us to obtain a connector 1 as shown in Figure 5. On the lower surface of the connector 1, the lower end 62b of the base 62 of each terminal 61, the lower end 57a1 of the front end engaging portion 57a ​​of the connecting fitting 57, and the lower edge 28c of the side plate portion 28b of the cover fitting 27 are exposed. In a plan view, the arrangement of the lower ends 62b of the base 62 of each terminal 61 is staggered.

[0063] Next, the operation of connecting the flat cable 101 to the connector 1 of the above configuration will be described.

[0064] Figure 7 is a perspective view from diagonally above showing the state in which a flat cable is connected to the connector in the first embodiment, Figure 8 is a perspective view from diagonally below showing the state in which a flat cable is connected to the connector in the first embodiment, Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing the terminals in the state in which a flat cable is connected to the connector in the first embodiment, and Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the actuator in the state in which a flat cable is connected to the connector in the first embodiment. Note that in Figure 9, (a) is a side cross-sectional view at the position of the second type of terminal, and (b) is a side cross-sectional view at the position of the first type of terminal, and in Figure 10, (a) is a side cross-sectional view at the position of the connecting fitting, and (b) is a side cross-sectional view at the position of the lock beam.

[0065] Here, it is assumed that connector 1 is mounted on the surface of a circuit board (not shown). Specifically, the lower surface of the housing body 11 (the lower surface 12b of the lower plate portion 12 of the housing body 11) faces the surface of the circuit board, and the lower end 62b of the base portion 62 of the terminal 61, the lower end 57a1 of the front end engaging portion 57a ​​of the connecting fitting 57, and the lower edge 28c of the side plate portion 28b of the housing cover 21 are connected to a connection pad (not shown) formed on the surface of the circuit board by means of soldering or other means. The connection pad to which the lower end 62b of the base portion 62 of the terminal 61 is connected is connected to a conductive wire on the circuit board. Furthermore, the recess 12c formed on the lower surface 12b of the lower plate portion 12 is supported from below by solder applied to the surface of a dummy pad (not shown) formed on the surface of the circuit board.

[0066] First, the operator manipulates the flat cable 101 with their fingers or other means to position the tip 101a of the flat cable 101 facing the insertion opening 10a formed on the front surface of the housing 10 of the connector 1, as shown in Figure 1. In this case, the orientation of the flat cable 101 is controlled so that the exposed surface of the conductive wire 161 faces upward and the tip 101a is parallel to the insertion opening 10a.

[0067] The operator then moves the flat cable 101 relative to the connector 1 in the insertion direction (negative X-axis direction), which is the first direction, and inserts the tip 101a of the flat cable 101 into the cable housing space 15 of the housing body 11 through the insertion opening 10a.

[0068] As a result, the engaging portion 53a formed at the tip of the arm portion 53 of the lock beam 51 of the actuator 30 is pushed up by the flat cable 101, the main body portion 31 of the actuator 30 rotates around the rotation axis portion 32b, and the connecting fitting 57 deforms elastically. In this case, since the engaging portion 53a has a triangular shape that extends in a straight line with its leading edge inclined upward as it moves forward, the tip portion 101a of the flat cable 101 is smoothly inserted between the lower end of the engaging portion 53a and the upper surface 12a of the lower plate portion 12. Furthermore, since the force exerted by the operator's fingers, etc., is considered to be sufficiently stronger than the spring force exerted by the elastic deformation of the connecting fitting 57, the operator can easily insert the tip portion 101a of the flat cable 101.

[0069] Furthermore, the contact portion 63a formed at the tip of the forearm portion 63b of the arm portion 63 of terminal 61A is pushed up by the flat cable 101, and the forearm portion 63b, which functions as a cantilever-shaped spring member, is elastically deformed. Subsequently, as the tip portion 101a of the flat cable 101 moves further in the insertion direction, the contact portion 63a formed at the tip of the forearm portion 63b of the arm portion 63 of terminal 61B is pushed up by the flat cable 101, and the forearm portion 63b, which functions as a cantilever-shaped spring member, is elastically deformed. In this case, since the contact portion 63a has a shape like a triangle that extends in a straight line with its leading edge inclined to rise as it moves forward, the tip portion 101a of the flat cable 101 is smoothly inserted between the lower end of the contact portion 63a and the upper surface 12a of the lower plate portion 12. Furthermore, since the force exerted by the operator's fingers is considered to be sufficiently stronger than the spring force exerted by the elastic deformation of the forearm portion 63b, the operator can easily insert the tip portion 101a of the flat cable 101. In addition, since the contact portions 63a are arranged in a staggered pattern in a plan view, and the contact portion 63a of terminal 61B is located further back (negative X-axis direction) than the contact portion 63a of terminal 61A, the tip portion 101a of the flat cable 101 pushes up the contact portion 63a of terminal 61A before pushing up the contact portion 63a of terminal 61B. As a result, the timing of the elastic deformation of the forearm portion 63b and the exertion of spring force is staggered, allowing the operator to easily insert the tip portion 101a of the flat cable 101.

[0070] Furthermore, when the contact portion 63a formed at the tip of the forearm portion 63b of the arm portion 63 of the terminal 61 is pushed up by the flat cable 101 and the forearm portion 63b is elastically deformed, a rotational moment is applied to the base portion 62 of the terminal 61. However, as shown in Figure 9, the base portion 62 of terminal 61A has a protrusion 62a that protrudes in the insertion direction of the flat cable 101 (negative X-axis direction), and the base portion 62 of terminal 61B has a protrusion 62a that protrudes in the extraction direction of the flat cable 101 (positive X-axis direction). At least the tips of these protrusions 62a bite into the terminal holding portion 14, and a part of the housing body 11 fills the space between the protrusions 62a and the arm portion 63 without any gaps. Specifically, the protrusion 14b of the terminal holding portion 14 fits into the space between the protrusion 62a of the base portion 62 and the arm portion 63, so that the protrusion 62a of the base portion 62 and the protrusion 14b of the terminal holding portion 14 are nested together and interlocked. Therefore, the base portion 62 is securely held by the terminal holding portion 14, and even if a rotational moment is applied to the base portion 62, the entire terminal 61, including the base portion 62, is securely held by the housing body 11.

[0071] Then, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the tip portion 101a of the flat cable 101 reaches the terminal holding portion 14 that defines the rear end of the cable housing space 15, the flat cable 101 is positioned in the insertion / removal direction, and the flat cable 101 is inserted and connected to the connector 1. In this case, the engaging portion 53a formed at the tip of the arm portion 53 of the lock beam 51 of the actuator 30 enters and engages with the recess 115 formed on both side edges of the connection portion 101b of the flat cable 101, so there is no risk of the flat cable 101 coming off the connector 1.

[0072] Furthermore, since the contact portion 165 of each conductive wire 161 of the flat cable 101 is in contact with the contact portion 63a of the corresponding terminal 61, it is electrically connected to the corresponding terminal 61, and the lower end 62b of the base portion 62 of the terminal 61 is electrically connected to the conductive trace on the substrate via the connecting pad. Specifically, the contact portion 165 of conductive wire 161A is in contact with the contact portion 63a of the corresponding terminal 61A, and the contact portion 165 of conductive wire 161B is in contact with the contact portion 63a of the corresponding terminal 61B. The contact portion 63a of each terminal 61 is pressed against the contact portion 165 of the corresponding conductive wire 161 by the spring force exerted by the elastic deformation of the forearm portion 63b, so that the contact state between the contact portion 165 of each conductive wire 161 and the contact portion 63a of the corresponding terminal 61 is stably maintained.

[0073] Thus, when connecting the flat cable 101 to the connector 1 in this embodiment, the operator only needs to move the flat cable 101 relative to the connector 1 in the insertion direction (negative X-axis direction), and no other operations are required. In other words, in this embodiment, the flat cable 101 can be connected to the connector 1 in a single motion.

[0074] Furthermore, when removing the flat cable 101 connected to the connector 1, the operator first operates the actuator 30 with their fingers or the like. Specifically, they press the operating plate portion 32 of the actuator 30 downwards from above. As a result, the operating plate portion 32 pivots around the rotating shaft portion 32b via the connecting fitting 57 so that its rear edge is displaced downwards, and the connecting fitting 57 is elastically deformed. Consequently, the engaging portion 53a formed at the tip of the arm portion 53 of the lock beam 51 is displaced upwards, and the engagement between the engaging portion 53a and the recess 115 of the flat cable 101 is released. Subsequently, when the operator moves the flat cable 101 relative to the connector 1 in the removal direction (positive X-axis direction), the flat cable 101 is removed from the cable housing space 15 of the housing body 11 and detached from the connector 1.

[0075] Furthermore, even if the operating plate 32 is pressed downwards from above, the rotation of the operating plate 32 will stop when the stop portion 32a on the lower surface of the operating plate 32 comes into contact with the surface of the substrate. Therefore, the range of rotation of the operating plate 32 will not become excessively large, and deformation or damage to components such as the connecting fitting 57 will be prevented.

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment, the connector 1 comprises a housing 10 including a cable housing space 15 into which a flat cable 101 is inserted in a first direction, a terminal 61 attached to the housing 10, and an actuator 30 attached to the housing 10. The actuator 30 includes a lock beam 51, which is engageable with a recess 115 of the flat cable 101. The housing 10 has a housing body 11 and a housing cover 21, the housing cover 21 having a terminal housing slit 24 into which at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion 63 of the terminal 61 is accommodated, and a metal cover fitting 27 disposed on the side of the insertion opening 10a of the flat cable 101, the cover fitting 27 including the lower end edge 28c of the side plate portion 28b.

[0077] This makes it possible to obtain a connector 1 that is simple in structure, easy to manufacture, can be made smaller and lower in profile and with a narrower pitch, and is highly reliable.

[0078] Furthermore, the cover fitting 27 includes an engaging portion 27b that engages with the housing 10. In addition, the cover fitting 27 includes a connecting portion 29 located on the insertion opening 10a side of the tip of the terminal 61, and a pair of lateral portions 28 extending in the first direction from both ends of the connecting portion 29, with the engaging portion 27b formed on the lateral portions 28. Furthermore, the actuator 30 includes a connecting fitting 57 that connects the actuator 30 to the housing 10, and is swingable via the connecting fitting 57. The terminal 61 includes a base portion 62 supported by the housing body 11, an arm portion 63 extending from the base portion 62 in the direction opposite to the first direction, and a contact portion 63a projecting downward from the tip of the arm portion 63, with a recess 12c formed on the lower surface 12b of the housing body 11 on the substrate side facing the contact portion 63a. Furthermore, the lower end 62b of the base portion 62 can function as a substrate connection portion. The cover fitting 27 is a component integrally formed with the housing cover 21 and includes an engaging portion 27b that engages with the housing 10.

[0079] In this embodiment, the connector 1 includes a housing 10 which includes a cable housing space 15 into which a flat cable 101 is inserted in a first direction, and a terminal 61 which is attached to the housing 10. The housing 10 has a housing body 11 and a housing cover 21, the housing cover 21 which has a terminal housing slit 24 which accommodates at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion 63 of the terminal 61, and a metal cover fitting 27 which is disposed on the side of the insertion opening 10a of the flat cable 101 and includes the lower end edge 28c of the side plate portion 28b, the terminal 61 includes an arm portion 63 into which a contact portion 63a is formed near the tip, and a protruding portion 62a which protrudes below the arm portion 63 in the insertion and removal direction of the flat cable 101, and a part of the housing 10 is filled without gaps in the space between the arm portion 63 and the protruding portion 62a.

[0080] This makes it possible to obtain a connector 1 that is simple in structure, easy to manufacture, can be made smaller and lower in profile and with a narrower pitch, and is highly reliable.

[0081] Furthermore, the cover fitting 27 includes an engaging portion 27b that engages with the housing 10. Furthermore, the cover fitting 27 includes a connecting portion 29 located on the insertion opening 10a side of the tip of the terminal 61, and a pair of lateral portions 28 extending in a first direction from both ends of the connecting portion 29, the engaging portion 27b being formed on the lateral portions 28. Furthermore, the cover fitting 27 is a member integrally formed with the housing cover 21 and includes an engaging portion 27b that engages with the housing 10. Furthermore, the connector 1 further includes an actuator 30 attached to the housing 10. Furthermore, the actuator 30 includes a lock beam 51, the lock beam 51 is engageable with a recess 115 of the flat cable 101. Furthermore, the actuator 30 includes a connecting fitting 57 that connects the actuator 30 to the housing 10, and is swingable via the connecting fitting 57.

[0082] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted. Similarly, the same operation and effects as those in the first embodiment will also be omitted from the description.

[0083] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the connector in the second embodiment, Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the housing cover in the second embodiment, Figure 13 is a two-view drawing of the housing cover in the second embodiment, Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator in the second embodiment, and Figure 15 is a three-view drawing of the actuator in the second embodiment. In Figure 11, (a) is a perspective view of the housing cover, (b) is a perspective view of the housing, (c) is a perspective view of the actuator, and (d) is a perspective view of the connector obtained by assembling the housing cover, housing and actuator shown in (a) to (c). In Figure 12, (a) is a perspective view of the cover fitting, (b) is a perspective view of the housing cover, and (c) is a perspective view of the housing obtained by integrally molding the cover fitting and housing cover shown in (a) and (b). Figure 13 is a perspective view of the housing cover, where (a) is a top view of the housing cover and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in (a). Figure 14 is a perspective view of the metal fitting, where (b) is a perspective view of the main body and (c) is a perspective view of the actuator obtained by integrally molding the metal fitting and the main body shown in (a) and (b). Figure 15 is a top view of the actuator, where (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in (a) and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in (a).

[0084] In the first embodiment described above, the housing 10 is formed by integrally molding the housing body 11 and a plurality of terminals 61, the housing cover 21 is fitted with a cover fitting 27, and the actuator 30 is fitted with a lock beam 51 and a connecting fitting 57 attached to the main body 31. However, in this embodiment, the housing cover 21 is also integrally molded with the cover fitting 27, and the actuator 30 is also integrally molded with the main body 31, the lock beam 51 and the connecting fitting 57.

[0085] As shown in Figure 12(a), in this embodiment, the cover fitting 27 has a recess 27c formed in the side plate portion 28b that penetrates the side plate portion 28b in the thickness direction. When the housing cover 21 and the cover fitting 27 are integrally molded by insert molding, the housing cover 21 as shown in Figure 12(c) can be obtained. In this case, as shown in Figure 13(b), a part of the insulating material constituting the housing cover 21 enters into the recess 27c, forming a joint portion 22d that connects the housing cover 21 and the cover fitting 27. As a result, the housing cover 21 and the cover fitting 27 are securely integrated and will not separate.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14(a), the lock beam 51 and the connecting fitting 57 in this embodiment are connected to each other via a connecting portion 56. When the connected lock beam 51 and connecting fitting 57 and the main body portion 31 are integrally molded by insert molding, an actuator 30 as shown in Figure 14(c) can be obtained. In this case, as shown in Figures 15(b) and (c), the connecting portion 56 and the portions near the rear ends of the lock beam 51 and connecting fitting 57 connected by the connecting portion 56 are encased in the insulating material that constitutes the main body portion 31. As a result, the main body portion 31, the lock beam 51 and the connecting fitting 57 are securely integrated and do not separate.

[0087] Then, the actuator 30 shown in Figures 11(c) and 14(c) is attached to the housing body 11 shown in Figure 11(b), and subsequently, the housing cover 21 shown in Figures 11(a) and 12(c) is attached to the housing body 11 to which the actuator 30 is attached, thereby obtaining the connector 1 shown in Figure 11(d).

[0088] Note that the other configurations of connector 1 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted. Also, the basic operation and effects of connector 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted.

[0089] Thus, in this embodiment, the housing cover 21 is integrally molded with the cover fitting 27, and the main body 31 of the actuator 30 is integrally molded with the lock beam 51 and the connecting fitting 57. As a result, the configuration of the housing cover 21 and the actuator 30 is simplified, and the manufacturing of the housing cover 21 and the actuator 30 becomes easier. Furthermore, since the housing cover 21 and the cover fitting 27 do not separate, and the main body 31 and the lock beam 51 and connecting fitting 57 do not separate, the reliability of the housing cover 21 and the actuator 30 is improved.

[0090] This specification describes features relating to preferred and exemplary embodiments. Various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the claims attached herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by reviewing this specification. [Industrial applicability]

[0091] This disclosure can be applied to connectors. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 1 Connector 10,811 Housing 10a, 811a Insertion port 11 Housing body 12 Lower plate part 12a Top side 12b Bottom side 12c, 27c, 64d, 115 recess 13, 23, 28b Side plate part 13a Front support part 13a1, 22c1 front wall 13b Rear support part 13b1 Rear wall 13c Bottom plate part 13c1, 33a, 34b Engagement hole 14 Terminal holding part 14a Upper rail 14b, 62a protrusion 15 Cable housing space 21 Housing Cover 22 Upper plate section 22a Rear extension 22b Reinforcement member housing recess 22c Reinforcement member housing groove 22d Joint Terminal housing slits for 24, 24A, and 24B terminals. 25 Actuator housing space 27 Cover fittings 27b Engagement part 28, 34 Lateral part 28a Flat plate part 28c Lower edge 29, 56 connection part 30 Actuators 31 Main body 32 Operation panel section 32a Stop part 32b Rotating shaft 32c Bottom recess 33 Metal support part 34a Beam housing groove 51 Rock Beam 52, 62 base 53, 63 arm 53a Engagement part 54, 57b, 64 Tail section 54a Engagement protrusion 57 Connecting fittings 57a Front end engagement part 57a1, 62b bottom end Terminals 61, 61A, 61B, 861 63a, 165 Contact part 63b Forearm 63c rear arm 64a Anterior part 64b Posterior part 64e Recessed rear wall 101, 901 Flat Cable 101a Tip 101b Connection part 111 Circuit board section 112 Insulating layer 113 Reinforcement plate 115a Ears 161, 161A, 161B, 961 conductive wire 811c Insulation retaining part 811d Insulating support plate 811e Notch 851 Fixing member

Claims

1. (a) A connector comprising a housing that includes a housing space into which a flat cable is inserted in a first direction, a terminal attached to the housing, and an actuator attached to the housing, (b) The actuator includes a locking portion, the locking portion being able to engage with the locked portion of the flat cable, (c) The connector is characterized in that the housing has a main body and a cover, the cover having a slit that accommodates at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion of the terminal, and a metal reinforcing member disposed on the insertion side of the flat cable, the reinforcing member including a substrate connection portion.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member includes an engaging portion that engages with the housing.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing member includes a front edge portion located on the insertion side of the tip of the terminal and a pair of side edges extending in a first direction from both ends of the front edge portion, and the engaging portion is formed on the side edges.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a connecting portion that connects the actuator to the housing, and the actuator is swingable via the connecting portion.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the terminal includes a support portion supported by the main body, an arm portion extending from the support portion in a direction opposite to the first direction, and a contact portion protruding downward from the tip of the arm portion, and a recess is formed on the substrate-side surface of the main body facing the contact portion.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the lower end of the support portion can function as a substrate connection portion.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is a member integrally formed with the cover portion and includes an engaging portion that engages with the housing.

8. (a) A connector comprising a housing that includes a space into which a flat cable is inserted in a first direction, and a terminal attached to the housing, (b) The housing comprises a main body and a cover, the cover having a slit that accommodates at least the vicinity of the upper edge of the arm portion of the terminal, and a metal reinforcing member disposed on the insertion side of the flat cable, the reinforcing member including a substrate connection portion. (c) The terminal includes an arm portion having a contact portion formed near its tip, and a projection portion that protrudes below the arm portion in the direction of insertion and removal of the flat cable, (d) A connector characterized in that a part of the housing is filled without any gaps in the space between the arm portion and the protruding portion.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the reinforcing member includes an engaging portion that engages with the housing.

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein the reinforcing member includes a front edge portion located on the insertion side of the tip of the terminal and a pair of side edges extending in a first direction from both ends of the front edge portion, and the engaging portion is formed on the side edges.

11. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the reinforcing member is a member integrally formed with the cover portion and includes an engaging portion that engages with the housing.

12. The connector according to claim 8, further comprising an actuator attached to the housing.

13. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the actuator includes a locking portion, and the locking portion is capable of engaging with a locked portion of the flat cable.

14. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the actuator includes a connecting portion that connects the actuator to the housing, and the actuator is swingable via the connecting portion.

Images