Electrical connector for flat conductors

Abstract

To provide an electrical connector for flat conductors that makes it easy to ensure a sufficient amount of elastic displacement in the middle of the terminal. [Solution] The slider 40 is movable in the front-rear direction within a range including a retracted position and a forward position, the movable member 50 is movable by rotating between an open position and a closed position, the cam portion 54 of the movable member 50 has a forward pressing portion 54A that presses the slider 40 forward when the movable member 50 is within a predetermined range of movement during the movement process, the terminal 20 has a held portion 21 provided on one end, contact portions 24A, 25A provided on the other end, and an intermediate portion 27 provided between the held portion 21 and the contact portions 24A, 25A that is elastically displaceable in the front-rear direction, the slider 40 is in the retracted position when the movable member 50 is in the open position, is in front of the forward position when the movable member 50 is pressed by the cam portion 54 and moves forward to its maximum extent during the movement process, and is in the forward position when the movable member 50 is in the closed position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector for a flat conductor that is mounted on a circuit board and to which a flat conductor is connected. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] As an electrical connector for a flat conductor, for example, a connector as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known, in which a flat conductor extending in the front-rear direction is inserted and connected toward the front. This connector is configured such that the connected state between the flat conductor and the connector is maintained by a slider attached to a housing that holds a plurality of terminals in an array. The slider is attached to the housing from the rear side in a state that it can move in the front-rear direction between a retracted position allowing the withdrawal of the flat conductor and an advanced position preventing the withdrawal of the flat conductor.

[0003] Further, the connector is provided with a movable member rotatable between an open position and a closed position around an axis extending in the terminal arrangement direction, and the slider interlocks in the front-rear direction as the movable member rotates. Specifically, when the movable member rotates from the open position to the closed position, the slider moves forward toward the advanced position, and when the movable member rotates from the closed position to the open position, the slider moves backward toward the retracted position.

[0004] The terminal has a held portion held by the housing on a front end side, and has a contact arm portion and a pressing arm portion extending in the front-rear direction in parallel with each other on a rear end side. Further, the terminal has an intermediate portion (elastic portion) elastically displaceable in the front-rear direction, the terminal arrangement direction, and the vertical direction between the held portion, the contact arm portion, and the pressing arm portion. The slider has a pressing plate portion extending in the terminal arrangement direction on a front end side. When the slider is at the advanced position, the pressing plate portion enters from the rear between the pressing arm portion and the contact portion of the terminal, and presses the flat conductor from above toward the contact portion of the terminal. When an unexpected external force is applied to the flat conductor in a state where it is connected to the connector, the intermediate portion of the terminal is elastically deformed so that the contact portion follows the flat conductor, and as a result, the contact state between the flat conductor and the contact portion is maintained. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-113772 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The objective is to provide an electrical connector for flat conductors that makes it easy to ensure a sufficient amount of elastic displacement in the middle portion of the terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The flat conductor electrical connector according to the present invention is mounted on a circuit board, and the flat conductor extending in the front-to-back direction is connected facing forward.

[0008] The electrical connector for a flat conductor comprises a plurality of terminals arranged with the width direction of the flat conductor as the terminal arrangement direction, a housing that holds the plurality of terminals, a slider attached to the housing so as to be movable in the front-rear direction within a range including a retracted position that allows the flat conductor to be pulled out and an advanced position that prevents the flat conductor from being pulled out, and a movable member that is movable with rotation between a pull-out-allowed position that allows the flat conductor to be pulled out and a pull-out-prevented position that prevents the flat conductor from being pulled out, wherein the movable member has a cam portion, and the cam portion moves within a predetermined range of movement during the movement process of the movable member. The device has a pressing portion that presses the slider forward at a certain time, and the terminal has a held portion that is held by the housing at one end, a contact portion that contacts the circuit portion of the flat conductor at the other end, and an intermediate portion provided between the held portion and the contact portion that is elastically displaceable in the front-rear direction, and the slider is in the retracted position when the movable member is in the allowable removal position, is in front of the forward position when the movable member is pressed by the cam portion and moves forward to its maximum extent during the movement process of the movable member, and is in the forward position when the movable member is in the preventable removal position.

[0009] When connecting a flat conductor to this flat conductor electrical connector, the flat conductor is first inserted into the connector, and then the movable member, which is in the extraction-allowed position, is operated to move towards the extraction-preventing position. During the movement of the movable member, when the movable member is within a predetermined range of movement, the cam portion of the movable member presses the slider forward with its pressing portion. As a result, the slider, which was in the retracted position, moves forward while biasing the terminal forward, and is brought forward beyond the forward position with an increase in the elastic displacement of the intermediate part. When the movable member moves further and exceeds the predetermined range of movement, the biasing of the terminal by the slider is released, and a reaction force (restoring force) is generated in the intermediate part. As a result, the slider moves backward while being biased on the terminal, and is brought to the forward position with a decrease in the elastic displacement of the intermediate part. Therefore, when the slider is in the forward position, the elastic displacement of the intermediate part is reduced, so a state in which the intermediate part is easily elastically displaced is well ensured.

[0010] (2) In the invention of (1), the cam portion has a notch formed at a position adjacent to the pressing portion and a stepped restricted portion formed at the boundary position between the pressing portion and the notch, and the slider may have a stepped restricting portion that can be locked to the restricted portion in the direction of movement of the movable member when in the forward position.

[0011] With this configuration, when connecting a flat conductor to an electrical connector for flat conductors, after the movable member exceeds the predetermined range of movement during its movement, the restricted portion of the cam can be locked in the direction of movement of the movable member with the restricting portion of the slider. Therefore, even if an unintended external force is applied to the movable member, the movable member can be kept securely in the position at which the connection of the flat conductor is completed. Furthermore, since the restricted portion and the restricting portion are stepped, the operator can perceive a click sensation when the pressing portion passes the position of the restricted portion during the movement of the movable member, that is, when the restricted portion reaches a position where it can be locked to the restricting portion.

[0012] (3) In the invention of (1) or (2), the intermediate portion may have at least one portion that curves in a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction. By doing so, the intermediate portion can be made longer without increasing its size in the terminal arrangement direction, thereby ensuring a larger spring length for the intermediate portion. As a result, it is possible to avoid increasing the size of the flat conductor electrical connector in the terminal arrangement direction.

[0013] (4) In any of the inventions of (1) to (3), the movable member may have a locking portion that can be locked to the housing in the direction of movement of the movable member when it is in the removable position. This makes it easier to maintain the movable member in the removable position even if an unintended external force is applied to the movable member in the removable position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] This provides an electrical connector for flat conductors that makes it easy to ensure a sufficient amount of elastic displacement in the middle of the terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an electrical connector for a flat conductor according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a flat conductor, and shows the state before the flat conductor is inserted. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing an electrical connector for flat conductors together with flat conductors, illustrating the completed connection of the flat conductors. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of an electrical connector for flat conductors, showing each component separated. [Figure 4] This is a view from above of a part of an electrical connector for flat conductors, where (A) shows the movable member in the open position and (B) shows the movable member in the closed position. [Figure 5] This is a top view of a cross-section of a flat conductor electrical connector, where (A) shows the movable member in the open position and (B) shows the movable member in the closed position. [Figure 6]It is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector for flat conductors immediately before a flat conductor is inserted therein, wherein (A) shows a cross-section at the position of the cam portion, and (B) shows a cross-section at the position of the terminal. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of a single terminal, wherein (A) shows a state viewed from one surface side, and (B) shows a state viewed from the other surface side. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of a single slider, wherein (A) shows a state viewed from the rear side, and (B) shows a state viewed from the front side. [Figure 9] It is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector for flat conductors immediately after a flat conductor is inserted therein, wherein (A) shows a cross-section at the position of the cam portion, and (B) shows a cross-section at the position of the terminal. [Figure 10] It is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector for flat conductors during the movement of the movable member after insertion of the flat conductor, wherein (A) shows a cross-section at the position of the cam portion, and (B) shows a cross-section at the position of the terminal. [Figure 11] It is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector for flat conductors in a state where connection of the flat conductor is completed, wherein (A) shows a cross-section at the position of the cam portion, and (B) shows a cross-section at the position of the terminal. [Figure 12] It is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector for flat conductors during the process of pulling out the flat conductor, wherein (A) shows a cross-section at the position of the cam portion, and (B) shows a cross-section at the position of the terminal. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

[0017] An electrical connector 1 for flat conductors (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1") according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a flat conductor C (for example, FPC) is insertably and removably connected thereto with the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) parallel to the mounting surface serving as the insertion / removal direction. When the flat conductor C is connected to the connector 1, the circuit board and the flat conductor C are electrically conducted. In the present embodiment, in the X-axis direction (front-rear direction), the X1 direction is defined as the front, and the X2 direction is defined as the rear. Furthermore, the Y-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) within a plane parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board (within the XY plane), is defined as the connector width direction, and the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the mounting surface of the circuit board, is defined as the vertical direction (the Z1 direction is upward, and the Z2 direction is downward).

[0018] The flat conductor C is in the form of a flexible strip extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) with the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) serving as the width direction, and a plurality of circuit portions (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction are arranged and formed in the connector width direction. The circuit portions are embedded in the insulating layer of the flat conductor C except for the front end side portion, and only the front end side portion is exposed on the lower surface of the flat conductor C and formed as a pad.

[0019] At the front end side portion of the flat conductor C, notches C1 capable of receiving from below a retaining protrusion 12A (see FIG. 3) of a housing 10 described later provided on the connector 1 are formed at both ends in the width direction. Furthermore, the flat conductor C has a tab C2 in front of the notch C1, and the rear end of the tab C2 forms a retained portion C2A that can be locked from the front with respect to the retaining protrusion 12A.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the connector 1 includes: a housing 10 that receives the flat conductor C from the rear; a plurality of terminals 20 arranged with the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) serving as the terminal arrangement direction and held by the housing 10; a metal fitting 30 arranged outside the terminal arrangement range of the plurality of terminals 20 and held by the housing 10; a slider 40 attached to the housing 10 in a state movable in the front-rear direction; and a movable member 50 rotatable around an axis extending in the connector width direction.

[0021] In this embodiment, the movable member 50 is rotatable between an open position (extraction-allowed position) that allows the flat conductor C to be pulled out, as shown in Figure 1, and a closed position (extraction-preventing position) that prevents the flat conductor C from being pulled out, as shown in Figure 2. Hereinafter, the direction in which the movable member 50 rotates will be referred to as the "opening / closing direction". Furthermore, in this opening / closing direction, the direction in which the movable member 50 rotates from the closed position toward the open position will be referred to as the "opening direction", and the direction in which the movable member 50 rotates from the open position toward the closed position will be referred to as the "closing direction".

[0022] The housing 10 is made of an electrical insulating material such as resin and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with the connector width direction as its longitudinal direction, as shown in Figure 3. The housing 10 has a main body portion 11 and side portions 16 provided on both outer sides of the main body portion 11 in the connector width direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 4(A) and (B), the housing 10 has a side recess 19 formed in the area including the boundary position between the main body portion 11 and the side portions 16 in the connector width direction, in other words, an area spanning both the main body portion 11 and the side portions 16, for accommodating a part of the movable member 50.

[0023] The main body 11 has a lower wall 12 and an upper wall 13 that face each other in the vertical direction, and a front wall 14 that connects the front ends of the lower wall 12 and the upper wall 13. The space enclosed by the lower wall 12, the upper wall 13 and the front wall 14 and opening to the rear forms a receiving section 11A that receives a part of the slider 40 and the front end portion of the flat conductor C from the rear.

[0024] The receiving ends 11A-1, which are the ends of the receiving section 11A, are designed to accommodate the side arms 42 of the slider 40, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), the receiving ends 11A-1 are formed to extend in the front-rear direction to the area of ​​the front wall 14. The receiving ends 11A-1 are also in communication with the side recess 19, and the front part forms part of the side recess 19. The lower wall 12 and the upper wall 13 have grooves that extend in the front-rear direction at positions corresponding to the receiving ends 11A-1 in the connector width direction, and these grooves are formed as part of the receiving ends 11A-1. The receiving ends 11A-1 have grooves that allow the side arms 42 of the slider 40 to be guided in the front-rear direction while restricting their movement in the connector width direction.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the lower inner wall surface of the receiving portion 11A, in other words, the upper surface of the lower wall 12, is provided with an upwardly projecting retaining projection 12A. The retaining projection 12A is located between the terminal arrangement range in the connector width direction and the receiving end 11A-1, and is positioned closer to the rear end opening of the receiving portion 11A in the front-rear direction. The retaining projection 12A has a front end surface that forms a flat surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction, allowing it to lock onto the retaining portion C2A of the flat conductor C from the rear. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(B), the upper surface of the rear part of the retaining projection 12A is formed as an inclined surface that slopes upward as it approaches the front, allowing the lugs C2 of the flat conductor C inserted into the receiving portion 11A to be guided forward by the inclined surface. On the other hand, the upper surface of the front part of the retaining projection 12A (hereinafter referred to as the "upper end surface") is a flat surface perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0026] The housing 10 has a movement-blocking portion 10A at the top of the connector in the width direction corresponding to the receiving end 11A-1 and the side recess 19, for preventing the movable member 50 from moving (rotating) in the opening direction. As shown in Figures 1 and 6(A), the movement-blocking portion 10A prevents the movable member 50 from rotating in the opening direction by supporting the movable member 50 from below when it is in the open position.

[0027] As shown in Figures 5(A) and (B), the main body 11 has terminal housing sections 15 arranged in the connector width direction for accommodating the terminals 20. As shown in Figure 6(B), the terminal housing sections 15 are formed to penetrate the housing 10 in the front-to-back direction.

[0028] Before providing a more detailed explanation of the terminal housing section 15, let us first describe the configuration of the terminal 20. As shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), the terminal 20 is made by punching out a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and is positioned such that the plate surface is perpendicular to the connector width direction. The terminal 20 has a holding section 21 and a connecting section 22 provided on one end, a base arm section 23, a lower contact arm section 24, an upper contact arm section 25, and a pressing arm section 26 provided on the other end, and an intermediate section 27 provided between the connecting section 22 and the base arm section 23. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the lower contact arm section 24 and the upper contact arm section 25, they will be collectively referred to as "contact arm sections 24 and 25" for the sake of explanation.

[0029] As shown in Figure 6(B), the retained portion 21 extends in the front-rear direction along the lower inner wall surface of the terminal housing portion 15, within the range of the front wall 14 in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 7(B), the retained portion 21 is provided with a press-fit projection 21A that protrudes from the plate surface on the Y1 side. The press-fit projection 21A is formed, for example, by embossing. The retained portion 21 is held by being press-fitted into the lateral inner wall surface (the inner wall surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) of the terminal housing portion 15 by the press-fit projection 21A.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6(B), the connecting portion 22 extends forward from the front end of the retained portion 21 and is located outside the housing 10. The lower end of the connecting portion 22 is located slightly below the lower surface of the housing 10 and is soldered to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6(B), the base arm 23 is located within the range of the front wall 14 in the front-rear direction and extends in the vertical direction. The contact arms 24 and 25 extend rearward from the lower part of the base arm 23 along the lower wall 12 and are elastically displaceable in the vertical direction. The rear end of the lower contact arm 24 has a rear contact portion 24A that protrudes upward. The upper contact arm 25 is located above the lower contact arm 24 and is shorter than the lower contact arm 24. The rear end of this upper contact arm 25 has a front contact portion 25A that protrudes upward in front of the rear contact portion 24A. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the rear contact portion 24A and the front contact portion 25A, they will be collectively referred to as "contact portions 24A and 25A" for the sake of explanation. The contact arms 24 and 25 are elastically displaced downward, allowing the contact portions 24A and 25A to make contact with the circuit portion of the flat conductor C from below with contact pressure (see Figure 11(B)).

[0032] As shown in Figure 6(B), the pressing arm portion 26 extends from the upper part of the base arm portion 23 toward the rear along the upper wall 13 of the housing 10 to approximately the same position as the rear end of the lower contact arm portion 24. The pressing arm portion 26 can indirectly press the flat conductor C from above toward the contact portions 24A and 25A via the pressing plate portion 44 of the slider 40, which will be described later (see Figure 11(B)). In this embodiment, the pressing arm portion 26 is formed to be thicker in the vertical direction than the contact arms 24 and 25.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6(B), the intermediate portion 27 is located directly above the held portion 21 and within the range of the held portion 21 in the front-rear direction. By providing the intermediate portion 27 within the range of the held portion 21 in this way, an increase in the size of the terminal 20 in the front-rear direction can be avoided. Furthermore, in the vertical direction, the intermediate portion 27 largely overlaps with the base arm portion 23. By providing the intermediate portion 27 with an overlapping range with the base arm portion 23 in this way, an increase in the size of the terminal 20 in the vertical direction can be avoided.

[0034] The intermediate section 27 has multiple curved portions (curved portions 27B described later) in a plane (XZ plane) perpendicular to the connector width direction, and meanders within this plane, connecting the rear end of the held portion 21 and the lower part of the base arm portion 23. The intermediate section 27 has a shape in which two substantially inverted U-shaped portions and one substantially U-shaped portion are continuous. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), the intermediate section 27 has four leg portions 27A extending in the vertical direction and three curved portions 27B connecting adjacent upper ends or lower ends in the front-rear direction. The intermediate section 27 is elastically displaceable in any of the directions: front-rear, connector width direction, and vertical direction. In this embodiment, since the curved portions 27B are provided in the intermediate section 27, the overall length of the intermediate section 27 can be increased without increasing the size of the intermediate section 27 in the connector width direction and vertical direction, thereby ensuring a large amount of elastic displacement in the intermediate section 27 and, consequently, in the terminal 20. The number of leg sections 27A and curved sections 27B in the intermediate section 27 can be set as appropriate.

[0035] Let's return to the description of the terminal housing portion 15 of the housing 10. The terminal housing portion 15 is formed as a slit-shaped groove that extends perpendicular to the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Figure 6(B), the terminal housing portion 15 has a front housing portion 15A formed on the front wall 14, a lower housing portion 15B formed on the lower wall 12, and an upper housing portion 15C formed on the upper wall 13.

[0036] The front housing section 15A extends vertically along the front wall 14 and houses the holding portion 21, base arm portion 23, and intermediate portion 27 of the terminal 20. When the intermediate portion 27 is housed in the front housing section 15A, gaps are formed between the intermediate portion 27 and the inner wall surface of the front housing section 15A in the front-rear direction, the connector width direction, and the vertical direction, allowing the intermediate portion 27 to be elastically displaced in these three directions.

[0037] The lower housing section 15B retracts from the upper surface of the lower wall 12 and extends in the front-rear direction, housing the contact arm sections 24 and 25 (excluding the contact sections 24A and 25A). The upper housing section 15C retracts from the lower surface of the upper wall 13 and extends in the front-rear direction, housing the pressing arm section 26 (excluding the lower end).

[0038] The terminal 20 is attached to and housed in the terminal housing 15 from the front. Specifically, the terminal 20 is housed in the terminal housing 15 and held in the housing 10 by the holding portion 21 being press-fitted from the front into the lower part of the front housing 15A. When the terminal 20 is attached to the housing 10, as shown in Figure 6(B), the contact portions 24A and 25A of the terminal 20 protrude upward from the lower housing 15B and are located within the receiving portion 11A, and the lower end of the pressing arm portion 26 protrudes downward from the upper housing 15C and is located within the receiving portion 11A.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the side portion 16 of the housing 10 has a side wall 17 located within the range of the main body portion 11 in the front-rear direction, and a protruding wall 18 projecting rearward from the side wall 17. A fitting retaining groove portion 17A is formed in the side wall 17, extending in the front-rear direction, for press-fitting and holding a part of the fitting 30, specifically the retained arm portion 32 described later. In addition, a locking portion 17B is formed at the rear of the side wall 17, which can be locked into the movable member 50 in the open position. As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the locking portion 17B is recessed in a roughly triangular shape from the inner surface of the side wall 17 and has a groove shape extending in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 4(A), the locking portion 17B is designed to maintain the movable member 50 in the open position by locking into the locking portion 53 described later of the movable member 50 in the open position.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the protruding wall 18 is located within the range of the side wall 17 in the connector width direction, and is positioned inward from the outer surface of the side wall 17. The upper surface of the protruding wall 18 is slightly recessed and lower than the upper surface of the side wall 17.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the side recess 19 has a side groove 19A that accommodates the extension plate portion 52, locking portion 53, and cam portion 54 of the movable member 50, which will be described later, and a shaft housing portion 19B that accommodates the shaft portion 55 of the movable member 50, which will be described later. The side groove 19A is recessed from the upper surface of the side wall 17 and is groove-shaped, extending in the front-rear direction, and is open to the front. The shaft housing portion 19B is recessed from the inner surface of the side wall 17, that is, the surface on the side groove 19A side (the surface perpendicular to the connector width direction), extends in the vertical direction, and is open to the upper side.

[0042] The metal fitting 30 is formed by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction. As shown in Figure 3, the metal fitting 30 has a base portion 31, a retained arm portion 32 extending forward from the upper part of the base portion 31, a fixing portion 33 that is bent at the lower end of the base portion 31 and extends outward in the connector width direction, and a restricting piece portion 34 that is bent at the upper end of the base portion 31 and extends inward in the connector width direction.

[0043] The base portion 31 is positioned along the outer surface of the protruding wall 18 in the connector width direction (a surface perpendicular to the connector width direction). The retained arm portion 32 extends straight forward from the upper front end of the base portion 31 and is press-fitted from the rear into the metal fitting retaining groove portion 17A of the housing 10 and held in place. As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the intermediate portion of the retained arm portion 32 in the front-rear direction is located within the shaft housing portion 19B. This intermediate portion is located directly above the shaft portion 55 of the movable member 50 and forms a shaft restricting portion 32A that restricts the upward movement of the shaft portion 55.

[0044] The fixing portion 33 is located slightly below the bottom surface of the housing 10 and extends along the circuit board (not shown), and is fixed to the corresponding portion of the circuit board by soldering. The restricting piece portion 34 is positioned directly above the protruding wall 18 and along the upper surface of the protruding wall 18. Therefore, for example, when an inadvertent external force is applied that lifts the housing 10 upward when the flat conductor C is removed, the restricting piece portion 34 contacts the protruding wall 18 from above, thereby restricting the movement of the housing 10.

[0045] The slider 40 is mounted on the housing 10 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction within a range that includes a retracted position that allows the removal of the flat conductor C (see Figures 1 and 6(A) and (B)) and an advanced position that prevents the removal of the flat conductor C (see Figures 2 and 11(A) and (B)). Specifically, the slider 40 is movable between the retracted position and a position forward of the advanced position (see Figures 10(A) and (B)).

[0046] The slider 40 is made of an electrical insulating material such as resin, and as shown in Figures 3 and 8(A) and (B), it has a base portion 41 extending in the connector width direction, side arms 42 extending forward (in the X1 direction) from both ends of the base portion 41 in the connector width direction, and a pressing plate portion 44 extending forward from the base portion 41 between the two side arms 42.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base portion 41 extends in approximately the same area as the main body portion 11 of the housing 10 when viewed in the front-to-back direction, and an insertion hole portion 41A is formed in the area corresponding to the receiving portion 11A, penetrating the base portion 41 in the front-to-back direction. The insertion hole portion 41A is slit-shaped in the central area of ​​the base portion 41 and extends in the width direction of the connector, allowing the insertion of the flat conductor C.

[0048] The side arm portion 42 has a cam housing portion 43 for housing the cam portion 54 of the movable member 50, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 3 and 8(A) and (B), the cam housing portion 43 is formed at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction of the side arm portion 42, retracting from the outer surface of the side arm portion 42 and penetrating the side arm portion 42 in the vertical direction. The cam housing portion 43 is designed to receive pressing force from the cam portion 54 in the front-rear direction on its front and rear inner wall surfaces. Specifically, the portion of the cam housing portion 43 with the front inner wall surface (a surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction) as its rear surface forms a front pressure-receiving portion 43A that receives pressing force directed forward from the cam portion 54, and the portion of the cam housing portion 43 with the rear inner wall surface (a surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction) as its front surface forms a rear pressure-receiving portion 43B that receives pressing force directed backward from the cam portion 54.

[0049] A projection 43A-1 is formed on the upper part of the front pressure-bearing portion 43A, which protrudes further rearward than the other parts. The front pressure-bearing portion 43A receives forward pressing force from the cam portion 54 on the rear surface of this projection 43A-1. The rear surface of the projection 43A-1 and the rear surface of the other parts are flat surfaces perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In the front pressure-bearing portion 43A, a stepped portion formed at the boundary between the projection 43A-1 and the other parts forms a restricting portion 43A-2 that can be locked to the cam portion 54 of the movable member 50 in the direction of movement (rotation direction) of the movable member 50. The front surface of the rear pressure-bearing portion 43B is a flat surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0050] As shown in Figures 6(B) and 8(B), the pressing plate portion 44 is located above the insertion hole portion 41A of the base portion 41, extends in the connector width direction, and connects the inner surfaces of the rear ends of the two side arm portions 42. In the terminal arrangement range in the connector width direction, when the slider 40 is in the forward position, the pressing plate portion 44 enters from the rear between the contact portions 24A, 25A of the terminals 20 and the pressing arm portion 26 (see Figure 11(B)). At this time, the pressing plate portion 44 receives the pressing force from the pressing arm portion 26 from above and presses the upper surface of the flat conductor C downward, thereby increasing the contact pressure between the flat conductor C and the contact portions 24A, 25A. Furthermore, at both ends in the connector width direction, the pressing plate portion 44 is positioned directly above the retaining projection 12A of the housing 10 and the flat conductor C when the slider 40 is in the forward position, and also contacts the upper surface of the flat conductor C, thereby restricting the upward movement of the flat conductor C.

[0051] The movable member 50 is rotatable between an open position (see, for example, Figure 1) in which it is positioned at an angle to the front-rear direction and a closed position (see, for example, Figure 2) in which it is positioned along the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the movable member 50 is upright in the open position, and therefore the rotation angle of the movable member 50 between the open position and the closed position is 90°. As shown in Figure 3, the movable member 50 has an operating portion 51 extending in the connector width direction, and extension plate portions 52, locking portions 53, cam portions 54, and shaft portions 55 provided at both ends of the movable member 50 in the connector width direction.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the operating section 51, when the movable member 50 is in the closed position, has a plate-shaped upper plate portion 51A with the vertical direction being the thickness direction, a front plate portion 51B extending downward from the front end of the upper plate portion 51A with the front-to-back direction being the thickness direction, and a side plate portion 51C connected to the ends of the upper plate portion 51A and the front plate portion 51B in the connector width direction, with the connector width direction being the thickness direction. This operating section 51 is designed to receive rotational operation (opening and closing operation) in the opening and closing direction.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, the extension plate portion 52 extends rearward from the side plate portion 51C when the movable member 50 is in the closed position, and has a plate shape with the connector width direction as the plate thickness direction. The extension plate portion 52 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape when viewed in the connector width direction, but the upper corner of the rear end in the closed position has an arc shape.

[0054] As shown in Figure 3, the extension plate portion 52 is positioned slightly below the upper plate portion 51A of the movable member 50 when it is in the closed position. The stepped portion formed at the boundary between the upper plate portion 51A and the extension plate portion 52 at the rear end of the upper plate portion 51A forms the blocked portion 51A-1 which is supported by the movement blocking portion 10A of the housing 10 when the movable member 50 is in the open position (see Figure 6(A)).

[0055] As shown in Figure 3, the locking portion 53 is provided on the front of the extension plate portion 52 of the movable member 50 when it is in the closed position. A recess is formed in the front of the extension plate portion 52, recessed from the outer surface (the surface located outward in the connector width direction), and the locking portion 53 extends upward from the lower part of the extension plate portion 52 with a portion of it housed in the recess, forming an arm shape that is elastically displaceable in the connector width direction. A locking projection 53A is formed at the upper end of the locking portion 53, projecting outward in the connector width direction. As shown in Figure 4(A), when the movable member 50 is in the open position, the locking projection 53A is approximately triangular in shape when viewed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and is designed to lock onto the locking portion 17B of the housing 10.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, the cam portion 54 is provided projecting inward in the connector width direction from the inner surface (the surface located on the inside in the connector width direction) of the extension plate portion 52. As shown in Figures 4(B) and 5(A),(B), the cam portion 54 is housed within the cam housing portion 43 of the slider 40.

[0057] The shape of the cam portion 54 will be described in detail below based on Figure 6(A), which shows the cam portion 54 in the open position, and Figure 11(A), which shows the cam portion 54 in the closed position. As shown in Figures 6(A) and 11(A), the cam portion 54 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape when viewed in the width direction of the connector, but the first corner located on the upper end side of the front part in Figure 6(A) (the corner located on the lower end side of the front part in Figure 11(A)) and the second corner located on the lower end side of the rear part in Figure 6(A) (the corner located on the upper end side of the rear part in Figure 11(A)) are arc-shaped.

[0058] On the circumferential surface of the cam portion 54 (the surface parallel to the connector width direction), the protruding curved surface formed at the first corner constitutes a forward pressing portion 54A. When the movable member 50 rotates in the closing direction from the open position to the closed position, the forward pressing portion 54A presses the front pressure-receiving portion 43A of the slider 40 forward, thereby moving the slider 40 forward. On the other hand, on the circumferential surface of the cam portion 54, the protruding curved surface formed at the second corner constitutes a rearward pressing portion 54B. When the movable member 50 rotates in the opening direction from the closed position to the open position, the rearward pressing portion 54B presses the rear pressure-receiving portion 43B of the slider 40 backward, thereby moving the slider 40 backward.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(A), in the cam portion 54 in the open position, a notch 54C is formed by cutting out the circumferential surface of the cam portion 54 at the third corner located on the upper end side of the rear (the corner located on the upper end side of the front in Figure 11(A)), in other words, at the portion rearward from the front pressing portion 54A and adjacent to the front pressing portion 54A. In addition, a stepped restricted portion 54D is formed at the boundary position between the front pressing portion 54A and the notch 54C. As shown in Figure 11(A), the restricted portion 54D can be locked to the restricting portion 43A-2 of the slider 40 in the opening direction, i.e., from below, when the movable member 50 is in the closed position and the slider 40 is in the forward position. At this time, the front pressing portion 54A and the restricting portion 43A-2 lock together with inclined surfaces that slope downward as they move forward.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, the shaft portion 55 is provided projecting outward in the connector width direction from the outer surface of the extension plate portion 52. The shaft portion 55 is cylindrical in shape with an axis extending in the connector width direction and is housed in the shaft housing portion 19B of the housing 10 so as to be rotatable around its axis. The shaft portion 55 is restricted from moving forward, backward, and downward by the inner wall surface of the shaft housing portion 19B, and its upward movement is restricted by the shaft restricting portion 32A of the fitting 30.

[0061] The assembly procedure for connector 1 is described below. First, the terminal 20 is attached to the housing 10 from the front. Specifically, the retaining arm portion 32 of the terminal 20 is press-fitted into the front housing portion 15A of the housing 10 from the front, thereby housing the terminal 20 in the terminal housing portion 15. Next, the slider 40 is attached to the housing 10 from the rear. Specifically, the side arm portion 42 of the slider 40 is inserted into the receiving end portion 11A-1 of the housing 10 from the rear. This attachment work for the slider 40 is continued until the slider 40 is in the retracted position. Note that the order in which the terminal 20 and the slider 40 are attached does not matter; either can be done first, or they can be done simultaneously.

[0062] Next, the movable member 50, which is maintained in the open position, is attached to the housing 10 from above. Specifically, the cam portion 54 is housed in the cam housing portion 43 of the slider 40, and the shaft portion 55 is housed in the shaft housing portion 19B of the housing 10. At this time, the cam portion 54 of the movable member 50 is positioned so that it can contact the front pressured portion 43A from the rear within the cam housing portion 43 of the slider 40, thus preventing the slider 40 from coming out of the housing 10 to the rear.

[0063] Next, the fitting 30 is attached to the housing 10 from the rear. Specifically, the retained arm portion 32 of the fitting 30 is press-fitted into the fitting retaining groove portion 17A of the housing 10 from the rear. By attaching the fitting 30 to the housing 10 in this way, the shaft restricting portion 32A of the fitting 30 is positioned directly above the shaft portion 55 of the movable member 50, restricting the upward movement of the shaft portion 55. As a result, the movable member 50 is effectively prevented from coming off the housing 10. With the fitting 30 attached to the housing 10 in this way, the connector 1 is completed.

[0064] Next, the operation of inserting and removing the flat conductor C from the connector 1 will be described. First, prior to starting the insertion operation of the flat conductor C, the connector 1 is mounted on the circuit board by soldering the connection portion 22 of the terminal 20 and the fixing portion 33 of the metal fitting 30 to the corresponding portion (not shown) of the circuit board. Also, the movable member 50 is positioned in the open position. In the open position, the movable member 50 is prevented from moving further in the opening direction by the blocked portion 51A-1 being supported from below by the movement-blocking portion 10A of the housing 10.

[0065] Next, as shown in Figures 1 and 6(A) and (B), the front end portion of the flat conductor C is positioned behind the connector 1 with its length extended in the front-rear direction. Then, as shown in Figures 9(A) and (B), the front end portion of the flat conductor C is inserted forward into the insertion hole 41A of the slider 40, and further inserted forward into the receiving portion 11A of the housing 10. During the insertion process into the receiving portion 11A, the flat conductor C enters between the contact arms 24 and 25 and the pressing arm 26 of the terminal 20, as shown in Figure 9(B). The insertion of the flat conductor C is completed when the front end of the flat conductor C contacts the rear surface 14A of the front wall 14. At this point, the contact arms 24 and 25 of the terminal 20 are in a free state. Furthermore, the dimension of the gap (in the vertical direction) formed between the flat conductor C supported by the contact portions 24A and 25A and the pressing arm portion 26 is slightly smaller than the thickness dimension (in the vertical direction) of the pressing plate portion 44 of the slider 40. Note that in Figure 9(B), the flat conductor C is shown overlapping with the contact portions 24A and 25B, but in reality, the flat conductor C rests on the contact portions 24A and 25B.

[0066] Furthermore, at both ends of the flat conductor C in the connector width direction, the lugs C2 are guided by the inclined surface of the retaining projection 12A of the housing 10, ride up onto the upper end surface, and then advance further, passing the position of the retaining projection 12A and reaching ahead of the retaining projection 12A. Therefore, when the insertion of the flat conductor C is completed, the retaining projection 12A is located within the notch C1 of the flat conductor C.

[0067] Next, a finger is hooked onto the operating part 51 of the movable member 50, which is in the open position, and the movable member 50 is rotated in the closing direction with an operating force greater than the locking force between the locking part 53 and the locked part 17B, thereby moving it to the closed position. At this time, the locking part 53 is elastically displaced inward in the connector width direction, releasing the lock between the locking part 53 and the locked part 17B, and allowing the movable member 50 to rotate in the closing direction.

[0068] During the rotation process in the closing direction, when the movable member 50 is within a predetermined range of rotation (movement range), the forward pressing portion 54A of the cam portion 54 slides against the rear surface of the projection 43A-1 of the slider 40, pressing the projection 43A-1 forward. Here, the "predetermined range of rotation" is the range of rotation in which the movable member 50 is in sliding contact with the rear surface of the projection 43A-1 at the forward pressing portion 54A.

[0069] As the forward pressing portion 54A presses against the projection 43A-1, the slider 40 moves forward in conjunction with the rotation of the movable member 50. At this time, the pressing plate portion 44 of the slider 40 enters from the rear, widening the gap between the pressing arm portion 26 of the terminal 20 and the flat conductor C. This entry of the pressing plate portion 44 is permitted by the elastic downward displacement of the contact arm portions 24 and 25 of the terminal 20. As the slider 40 moves forward, an external force directed forward acts on the pressing arm portion 26 due to the frictional force with the pressing plate portion 44. When this external force acts on the pressing arm portion 26, the terminal 20 is biased forward. As a result, the intermediate portion 27 of the terminal 20 is elastically displaced and compressed in the front-rear direction, and the base arm portion 23, contact arm portions 24 and 25, and pressing arm portion 26 of the terminal 20 move forward together with the slider 40.

[0070] As shown in Figure 10(A), when the forward pressing portion 54A presses the projection 43A-1 forward in the portion adjacent to the restricted portion 54D in the opening and closing direction, the amount of elastic displacement (compression) of the intermediate portion 27 becomes maximum, as shown in Figure 10(B), and the slider 40 moves forward to its maximum extent, being brought forward beyond its forward position. At this time, the lower part of the base arm portion 23 abuts against the rear end of the held portion 21, thereby restricting excessive forward movement of the base arm portion 23, contact arm portions 24, 25 and pressing arm portion 26. Note that in Figure 10(B), the contact arm portions 24 and 25 are shown in a state where they are not elastically displaced, but in reality, they are elastically displaced downward.

[0071] Almost simultaneously with the movable member 50 rotating further in the closing direction to reach the closed position, the forward pressing portion 54A passes the position of the projection 43A-1, and as shown in Figure 11(A), the projection 43A-1 is positioned within the notch 54C. At this time, the biasing force on the terminal 20 by the slider 40 is released, and a reaction force (restoring force) is generated in the intermediate portion 27. As a result, the slider 40 retracts while being biased onto the terminal 20 by the frictional force between the pressing plate portion 44 and the pressing arm portion 26, and is brought to the forward position with a decrease in the elastic displacement of the intermediate portion 27. At this time, as shown in Figure 11(B), the base arm portion 23, contact arm portions 24, 25 and pressing arm portion 26 also retract together with the slider 40, and the base arm portion 23 is brought to a position separated from the held portion 21. When the slider 40 is in the forward position, it is not essential that the intermediate portion 27 returns to its free state; it may be in a slightly elastically displaced state.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11(A), the restricted portion 54D of the cam portion 54 can be locked to the restricting portion 43A-2 of the slider 40 in the opening direction, that is, from below. Therefore, even if an unintended external force is applied to the movable member 50, the movable member 50 can be reliably kept in the closed position. In addition, since the restricted portion 54D and the restricting portion 43A-2 are stepped, the operator can perceive a click sensation when the forward pressing portion 54A passes the position of the protrusion 43A-1 during the movement process of the movable member 50, that is, when the restricted portion 54D reaches a position where it can be locked to the restricting portion 43A-2.

[0073] As shown in Figure 11(B), the front plate portion 51B of the movable member 50 is positioned facing the front surface of the front wall 14 of the housing 10 from the front. At this time, the lower end of the front plate portion 51B is at approximately the same height as the lower end of the housing 10, covering the connection portion 22 of the terminal 20. Therefore, the connection portion 22 is protected from the outside, and for example, the adhesion of dust to the connection portion 22 and contact by the operator's fingers are effectively prevented. In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 11(B), a recess 51B-1 is formed on the inner surface of the lower end of the front plate portion 51B at a position corresponding to the connection portion 22, and interference between the connection portion 22 and the front plate portion 51B is effectively avoided.

[0074] Furthermore, when the slider 40 retracts and reaches the forward position, both ends of the pressing plate portion 44 in the connector width direction are positioned directly above the retaining projection 12A. Since the pressing plate portion 44 restricts the upward movement of the flat conductor C, the retaining portion C2A of the flat conductor C is maintained in a position where it can be locked to the retaining projection 12A from the front. Therefore, accidental removal of the flat conductor C is effectively prevented.

[0075] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11(B), within the terminal arrangement range in the connector width direction, the pressing plate portion 44 of the slider 40 enters between the pressing arm portion 26 of the terminal 20 and the flat conductor C, and receives a downward pressing force from the pressing arm portion 26. This pressing force is transmitted to the flat conductor C via the pressing plate portion 45, and the contact portions 24A and 25A are further pressed by the flat conductor C, maintaining a state in which the contact arms 24 and 25 are elastically displaced downward. As a result, the contact portions 24A and 25A make contact with the circuit portion of the flat conductor C from below with contact pressure. The pressing plate portion 44 and the flat conductor C are then sandwiched between the pressing arm portion 26 and the contact arms 24 and 25. In addition, the upward movement of the flat conductor C is restricted by the pressing plate portion 44 abutting against the upper surface of the flat conductor C. Note that in Figure 11(B), the contact arms 24 and 25 are shown in a state where they are not elastically displaced, but in reality, they are elastically displaced downward.

[0076] Thus, in this embodiment, the flat conductor C is indirectly held between the pressing arm 26 and the contact arms 24 and 25, and the contact pressure between the contact parts 24A and 25A and the circuit portion of the flat conductor C is increased. Therefore, when the connector 1 is used, even if the connector 1 is subjected to external vibrations and the intermediate part 27 and the contact arms 24 and 25 undergo elastic displacement to follow the vibrations, the state in which the flat conductor C is held is maintained. As a result, a state in which the contact parts 24A and 25A and the circuit portion of the flat conductor C are in contact with high contact pressure can be maintained well.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as the movable member 50 rotates toward the closed position, the slider 40 is brought forward beyond the forward position, causing the intermediate portion 27 of the terminal 20 to undergo maximum elastic displacement (compression). However, when the movable member 50 reaches the closed position, the slider has retracted to the forward position, and the amount of elastic displacement of the intermediate portion 27 has decreased. In other words, when the flat conductor C is connected to the connector 1, the intermediate portion 27 is more flexible and prone to elastic displacement compared to when it is at its maximum elastic displacement. Therefore, when the connector 1 is subjected to external vibration, the intermediate portion 27 can respond well to this vibration with sufficient elastic displacement. Also, at this time, the base arm portion 23 is separated from the held portion 21, allowing the intermediate portion 27 to undergo smooth elastic displacement.

[0078] Next, the operation of removing the flat conductor C from the connector 1 will be explained. To remove the flat conductor C inserted and connected to the connector 1, a finger is hooked onto the operating part 51 of the movable member 50 in the closed position, and the movable member 50 is rotated in the open direction with an operating force greater than the locking force between the restricting part 43A-2 and the restricted part 54D, thereby moving it to the open position. Once the locking state between the restricting part 43A-2 and the restricted part 54D is released and the movable member 50 is rotated further in the open direction, the slider 40 moves forward from the forward position as the projection 43A-1 is pressed by the forward pressing part 54A, and then retracts due to the reaction force (restoring force) of the intermediate part 27 of the terminal 20 as the movable member 50 rotates further. In addition, the rear pressing part 54B of the cam part 54 presses the rear pressured part 43B of the slider 40, causing the slider 40 to retract toward the retracted position. Then, when the movable member 50 reaches the open position, the slider 40 is brought to the retracted position.

[0079] Next, with the slider 40 in the retracted position, the flat conductor C is lifted upward as shown in Figures 12(A) and (B). At this time, the pressing plate portion 44 of the slider 40 is disengaged from between the pressing arm portion 26 and the contact arms 24 and 25, so the flat conductor C and the slider 40 are easily lifted up, resulting in an inclined position with the front end lowered. As a result, the locking state between the retaining portion C2A of the flat conductor C and the retaining projection 12A of the housing 10 is released. Then, by pulling the flat conductor C diagonally upward and backward, the flat conductor C can be easily removed from the connector 1.

[0080] In this embodiment, the movable member 50 moves by rotating between an open position and a closed position. However, as a modification, the movable member may slide in the front-rear direction when rotating between the open position and the closed position. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1 Connector 10 Housing 20 terminals 21 Holding part 24A Rear contact part 25A front contact part 27 Middle section 40 Slider 43A-2 Regulatory Department 50 Movable member 53 Locking part 54 Cam section 54A Front pressing section 54C Notch 54D Regulated part

Claims

1. In an electrical connector for flat conductors, which is mounted on a circuit board and in which flat conductors extending in the front-to-back direction are connected facing forward, Multiple terminals arranged with the width direction of the flat conductor as the terminal arrangement direction, A housing that holds the plurality of terminals, A slider is attached to the housing so as to be movable in the front-rear direction within a range that includes a retracted position that allows the removal of the flat conductor and an advanced position that prevents the removal of the flat conductor, The device includes a movable member that can rotate between an extraction-allowed position that allows the extraction of the flat conductor and an extraction-preventing position that prevents the extraction of the flat conductor. The aforementioned movable member has a cam portion, The cam portion has a pressing portion that presses the slider forward when the movable member is within a predetermined range of motion during the movement process. The terminal has a retained portion that is held by the housing at one end, a contact portion that contacts the circuit portion of the flat conductor at the other end, and an intermediate portion provided between the retained portion and the contact portion that is elastically displaceable in the front-rear direction. The slider is located in the retracted position when the movable member is in the allowable extraction position, is located in front of the forward position when the movable member is pressed by the cam portion during the movement process and moves to its maximum extent, and is located in the forward position when the movable member is in the preventable extraction position, in a flat conductor electrical connector.

2. The cam portion has a notch formed adjacent to the pressing portion and a stepped restricted portion formed at the boundary between the pressing portion and the notch. The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the slider has a stepped restricting portion that can be locked with respect to the restricted portion in the direction of movement of the movable member when it is in the forward position.

3. The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion has at least one portion that curves in a plane perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction.

4. The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the movable member has a locking portion that can be locked to the housing in the direction of movement of the movable member when it is in the position where it can be removed.

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