Connectors for flat objects

Abstract

To provide a connector for a flat connection object, which can be easily locked and unlocked. [Solution] A flat connection object is inserted into the connector along a first direction D1. The connector includes an insulating housing 11, a plurality of contacts 14 held by the insulating housing, a pair of metal members 13, and an actuator 12 arranged to pivot between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to the insulating housing. The actuator is always elastically biased toward the locked position by elastic arms formed on the pair of metal members. By pressing the actuator, the actuator moves away from the locked position, and the flat connection object is unlocked. Since the elastic arms extend substantially along the first direction, the width dimension of the connector can be reduced.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for flat connection objects such as a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible flat circuit (FPC), and more particularly to a connector that operates an actuator to unlock the flat connection object. [Background technology]

[0002] Taiwan Utility Model No. M644042U (Patent Document 1), filed by the applicant of this application and registered on July 21, 2023, discloses a connector for a flexible cable. The connector of Patent Document 1 has an operating member that can be pivoted. The flexible cable is unlocked by pivoting the operating member. The above-mentioned operating member is biased toward the lock position by a first metal member (i.e., an elastic arm) made of metal.

[0003] However, since such a first metal member made of metal is arranged to extend along the width direction of the connector, the structure for unlocking the flexible cable occupies a certain space in the width direction of the connector, and therefore such a structure for unlocking the flexible cable is not suitable for reducing the dimension of the connector in the width direction. Summary of the Invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a connector for a flat connection object, which unlocks the flat connection object by operating an actuator.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for flat connecting objects, in which the structure for unlocking the flat connecting object has a reduced dimension in the width direction, which connector is particularly suitable for narrow boards.

[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for a flat connection object, which can be easily locked by inserting the flat connection object into the connector without operating an actuator, thereby automating the mating of the flat connection object with the connector.

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a connector for a flat connection object. The flat connection object is inserted into the connector along a first direction, and the flat connection object has a pair of notches and a plurality of electrodes formed at an insertion end of the flat connection object, and the notches are formed on two opposing side edges of the flat connection object and adjacent to the insertion end. The connector includes an insulating housing having an opening into which the flat connection object is inserted, a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing and arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the contacts having contact portions extending into the opening and contacting the electrodes, and connection ends facing the contact portions and protruding from the insulating housing, a pair of metal members respectively arranged on both ends of the insulating housing, and an actuator arranged to pivot between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to the insulating housing, and having a pair of locking portions. Each of the pair of metal members is formed with an elastic arm extending substantially along the first direction. The actuator is always elastically biased toward the locked position by the elastic arms of the pair of metal members. When the actuator is positioned at the locked position with the flat connection object inserted into the connector, the pair of locking portions engage with the pair of notches of the flat connection object, preventing the flat connection object from being removed from the connector. By moving the actuator to the unlocked position, the pair of locking portions move away from the pair of notches, and the flat connection object is unlocked.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each metal member has a main body portion and a curved portion, the curved portion extends in the direction in which the flat connection object is pulled out and is folded back in a U-shape toward the direction in which the flat connection object is inserted, and an abutment portion is provided at an end of the curved portion, which abuts against the front edge of one of the pair of locking portions.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the front edge of each locking portion is configured to be inclined toward the insertion direction of the flat connection object, and when the flat connection object is inserted into the connector, the flat connection object presses the front edge of each locking portion, moving the pair of locking portions to the unlocked position.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the insulating housing has a pair of extension portions extending in a first direction, and a first engagement portion is formed on one side of the front end of each extension portion and a second engagement portion is formed on the other side, and each metal member has a first latch portion and a second latch portion, which correspond to the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively, and when the pair of metal members are assembled to the insulating housing, the first latch portion and the second latch portion engage with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first latch portion is formed on the main body portion and the second latch portion is formed on the curved portion and adjacent to the abutment portion, and when the pair of metal members are assembled to the insulating housing, the first latch portion and the second latch portion engage with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively, thereby firmly fixing the curved portion to the front end of the extension portion.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a locking portion is formed on the front edge of each locking portion, and the locking portion prevents the contact portion from moving in the second direction or from being displaced in the second direction.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the actuator has a pivot portion, which is supported by the insulating housing so that the actuator pivots about a central axis of the pivot portion, and the central axis of the pivot portion is parallel to the second direction.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each metal member has a first soldering portion connected to the body portion and extending in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each metal member has a retained portion having a barb structure, and the retained portion is inserted into and interferes with a retaining groove or a retaining hole formed in the insulating housing.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each metal member has a second soldering portion, which is connected to the held portion and extends in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

[0017] The connector of the present invention is a simple, reliable and easy-to-use connector, which allows users to quickly lock or unlock flat connecting objects. The present invention can reduce the width dimension of the connector.

[0018] Those skilled in the art will be able to fully understand the technical features, other objects and advantages of the present invention by referring to the specification and accompanying drawings of the present invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector for a flat connection object according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another perspective view showing a connector for a flat connection object according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector for a flat connection object according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a contact of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an actuator of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is another perspective view showing the actuator of the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention without showing the actuator. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a metal member of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] A perspective view showing only the actuator and the metal member. [Figure 11] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, a connector for flat connection objects (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "connector") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, similar components or components having the same function are given the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to actual scale.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector for a flat connection object according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is another perspective view showing a connector for a flat connection object according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a connector for a flat connection object according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector for a flat connection object is generally designated by the reference numeral 1. The components of the connector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The connector 1 includes an insulating housing 11, an actuator 12, a pair of metal members 13, and a plurality of contacts 14.

[0022] The flat connection object (not shown) may be, but is not limited to, a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible flat circuit board (FPC). Although not shown, the flat connection object has a pair of notches and a plurality of electrodes formed at an insertion end of the flat connection object. The notches are formed on two opposing side edges of the flat connection object, respectively, adjacent to the insertion end.

[0023] The insulating housing 11 is made of an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material. An opening 110 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) into which a flat connection object is inserted is formed in the insulating housing 11. The flat connection object is inserted into the connector 1 along a first direction D1.

[0024] The metal member 13 is fixed to the insulating housing 11. The metal member 13 is made of a metal or alloy material. The metal member 13 is an integral component and is manufactured by pressing and bending a metal plate. A plurality of contacts 14 are arranged along a second direction D2 and are held by the insulating housing 11. The second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1. Each contact 14 is made of copper or a copper alloy.

[0025] The actuator 12 is arranged to pivot between an unlocked position and a locked position relative to the insulating housing 11. The actuator 12 is a one-piece component and is injection molded from an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material.

[0026] The contact 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a contact of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the contact 14 has a connection end 141, a held portion 142, a contact arm 143, and a contact portion 144. The contact arm 143 extends from one end of the held portion 142. The connection end 141 extends from the other end of the held portion 142. The held portion 142 has a barb structure. The held portion 142 is inserted into and interferes with a holding groove or a holding hole formed in the insulating housing 11. The contact portion 144 is formed at the tip of the contact arm 143. The contact arm 143 extends into the opening of the insulating housing 11. The contact portion 144 contacts an electrode portion formed on a flat connection object. The connection end 141 extends to the outside of the insulating housing 11 along a third direction D3. The third direction D3 is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The connection ends 141 are soldered by surface mount technology (SMT) to solder pads formed on a printed circuit board (not shown).

[0028] The structure and function of the actuator will be described with reference to Figures 5, 6, and 7. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the actuator of the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is another perspective view showing the actuator of the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 7, the actuator is not shown in order to show the internal structure of the connector.

[0029] The actuator 12 has an operating portion 121 and a pivot portion 122. The actuator 12 is pivotally supported on the insulating housing 11 by the pivot portion 122 and can pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position. The actuator 12 is always elastically biased toward the locked position by an elastic arm 131 of the metal member 13. Details of the metal member 13 will be described later. For example, by pressing the operating portion 121, the actuator 12 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the pressure on the operating portion 121 is released, the actuator 12 returns to the locked position by the elastic arm 131 of the metal member 13.

[0030] 6 and 7, the pivot portion 122 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The insulating housing 11 has a portion that matches the pivot portion 122. The pivot portion 122 is supported by the insulating housing 11 so as to be pivotable.

[0031] A pair of locking portions 123 are formed on the lower portion of the actuator 12. The locking portions 123 extend to the opening 110 of the insulating housing 11 into which a flat connection object is inserted. When the flat connection object is inserted into the opening 110 of the insulating housing 11 and the actuator 12 is positioned at the locked position, the locking portions 123 engage with notches formed on the side edges of the flat connection object, preventing the flat connection object from being pulled out or detached from the connector 1.

[0032] The locking portion 123 is configured so as not to prevent the insertion of a flat connection object. The locking portion 123 has a front edge 1231 and a rear edge 1232 facing the front edge. Specifically, the front edge 1231 of the locking portion 123 is configured to be inclined toward the insertion direction of the flat connection object. When the flat connection object is inserted into the opening 110 of the insulating housing 11, the insertion end of the flat connection object abuts against the front edge 1231 of the locking portion 123. When the flat connection object moves further in the insertion direction, the locking portion 123 swings backward. This causes the actuator 12 to move from the lock position to the unlock position. Therefore, the locking portion 123 does not prevent the insertion of a flat connection object. The flat connection object can be locked simply by inserting the flat connection object into the opening 110 of the insulating housing 11 without additionally operating other components. A stopper 1230 is formed on the upper portion of a front edge 1231 of the locking portion 123. The function of the stopper 1230 will be described below.

[0033] The metal member 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the metal member 13.

[0034] The metal member 13 has a main body 130, an elastic arm 131, a curved portion 132, a held portion 133, a first soldered portion 134, and a second soldered portion 135. The elastic arm 131 is connected near the rear end of the main body 130. The elastic arm 131 extends in the width direction of the connector, i.e., in the first direction D1 without occupying space in the second direction D2. The curved portion 132 extends from the front end of the main body 130 in the direction in which the flat connection object is pulled out, and is bent in a U-shape toward the direction in which the flat connection object is inserted. The curved portion 132 has a contact portion 1321 at its end. The contact portion 1321 contacts the front edge 1231 of the lock portion 123 to prevent the lock portion from swinging forward. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation of pulling out the flat connection object when the lock is not released.

[0035] A first latch portion 1301 and a second latch portion 1322 are formed on the main body portion 130 and the curved portion 132 of the metal member 13, respectively. The first latch portion 1301 and the second latch portion 1322 fix the main body portion 130 and the curved portion 132 of the metal member 13 to the insulating housing 11. The first latch portion 1301 and the second latch portion 1322 are formed by tearing and deflecting parts of the main body portion 130 and the curved portion 132 relative to other parts.

[0036] The held portion 133 is connected to the lower edge of the main body portion 130 and extends in the first direction D1. The held portion 133 has a barb structure. The held portion 133 is inserted into and interferes with a holding groove or a holding hole formed in the insulating housing 11. In this way, the metal member 13 is fixed to the insulating housing 11.

[0037] The first soldering portion 134 is connected to the main body portion 130 and extends in a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1. The second soldering portion 135 is connected to the held portion 133 and extends in a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1. The first soldering portion 134 and the second soldering portion 135 are soldered to solder pads formed on a printed circuit board (not shown) by surface mount technology (SMT). This allows the connector to be firmly fixed to the printed circuit board.

[0038] The relationship between the actuator 12 and the metal member 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing only the actuator and the metal member.

[0039] In the state shown in FIG. 10, the actuator 12 is located at the lock position. The elastic arm of the metal member 13 abuts against the lower surface of the operating portion 121 and urges the operating portion 121 upward. The contact portion 1321 of the metal member 13 abuts against the front edge 1231 of the locking portion 123 and prevents the locking portion 123 from swinging forward. On the other hand, the engagement portion 1230 prevents the contact portion 1321 from shifting or deforming laterally. The engagement portion 1230 makes it difficult for the contact portion 1321 to shift or deform laterally even if the contact portion 1321 is pushed forward by the front edge 1231 of the locking portion 123. This can reliably prevent the locking portion 123 from pivoting outward. This can prevent a user from pulling out a flat connection object from the connector without operating the actuator.

[0040] When the operating part 121 is pressed downward, the pressing force resists the elasticity of the elastic arm, and the operating part 121 moves downward. This causes the actuator 12 to pivot away from the locked position. That is, the locking part 123 pivots backward and comes out of the notch of the flat connection object. This unlocks the flat connection object. At this point, the flat connection object is unlocked, so that it can be pulled out or removed from the connector. In a free state where no external force is acting, the actuator 12 moves to the locked position due to the elasticity of the elastic arm of the metal member 13, and is always held in the locked position.

[0041] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the connector. As shown in FIG. 11, the insulating housing 11 has a plurality of contact accommodating grooves 112 and a pair of extensions 113 extending in a first direction D1. The contact arms 143 of the contacts 14 are accommodated in the contact accommodating grooves 112. The contact arms 143 of the contacts 14 are positioned by the contact accommodating grooves 112, and the contact arms 143 are separated from each other. At the front end of each extension 113, a first engagement portion 1131 is formed on one side, and a second engagement portion 1132 is formed on the other side. The first latch portion 1301 and the second latch portion 1322 of the metal member 13 are formed corresponding to the first engagement portion 1131 and the second engagement portion 1132, respectively. When the metal member 13 is assembled to the insulating housing 11, the first latch portion 1301 and the second latch portion 1322 engage with the first engagement portion 1131 and the second engagement portion 1132, respectively, thereby firmly fixing the curved portion 132 of the metal member 13 to the front end of the extension portion 113.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first engagement portion 1131 and the second engagement portion 1132 are configured as convex portions with inclined front edges. In another modification, the first engagement portion 1131 and the second engagement portion 1132 may be configured as concave portions that engage with the first latch portion 1301 and the second latch portion 1322, respectively.

[0043] In the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 11, the front edge 1231 and the engagement portion 1230 of the locking portion 123 are configured in a stepped shape. By utilizing the stepped configuration, it is possible to prevent the contact portion 1321 of the metal member 13 from moving or deforming toward the center of the connector in the width direction of the connector (i.e., the second direction D2). Meanwhile, the insulating housing 11 prevents the contact portion 1321 from moving or deforming outward in the width direction of the connector. Therefore, even if the contact portion 1321 of the metal member 13 receives a pressing force from the locking portion 123, the contact portion 1321 can maintain a position in which it abuts against the locking portion 123 without moving or deforming in the width direction of the connector. This configuration reliably prevents the flat connector from being pulled out in the locked state.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art may make various modifications as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but is subject to the scope of the utility model registration claims. In other words, equivalent changes and modifications that do not depart from the scope of the utility model registration claims of the present invention shall remain within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 Connector 11 Insulating housing 110 Aperture 112 Contact receiving groove 113 Extension section 1131 First engagement part 1132 Second engagement part 12 Actuator 121 Operation section 122 Axis 123 Rock Club 1230 Locking part 1231 Leading Edge 1232 Trailing edge 13 Metallic materials 131 Elastic Arm 132 Curved section 133 Holding part 134 First soldering section 135 Second soldering section 1301 First latch part 1322 Second latch part 14 Contact 141 Connection end 142 Holding part 143 Contact Arm 144 Contact part D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction

Claims

1. A connector for flat connection objects, The flat connection object is inserted into the connector along a first direction, the flat connection object has a pair of notches and a plurality of electrode portions formed at an insertion end of the flat connection object, the notches are formed on two opposing side edges of the flat connection object, and are adjacent to the insertion end, The connector comprises: an insulating housing having an opening into which the flat connection object is inserted; a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each contact having a contact portion extending into the opening and contacting the electrode portion, and a connection end portion facing the contact portion and protruding from the insulating housing; A pair of metal members disposed on both ends of the insulating housing, an actuator disposed to pivot relative to the insulating housing between an unlocked position and a locked position, the actuator having a pair of locking portions; Each of the pair of metal members is formed with an elastic arm extending substantially along the first direction, the actuator is always elastically biased toward the lock position by the elastic arms of the pair of metal members, When the actuator is positioned at the locked position with the flat connection object inserted into the connector, the pair of locking portions engage with the pair of notches of the flat connection object, thereby preventing the flat connection object from being removed from the connector, A connector in which, by moving the actuator to the unlocked position, the pair of locking portions move away from the pair of notches, and the lock on the flat connection object is released.

2. Each of the metal members has a body portion and a curved portion; The connector described in claim 1, characterized in that the curved portion extends in the direction in which the flat connection object is pulled out and is folded back in a U-shape toward the direction in which the flat connection object is inserted, and the end of the curved portion has a contact portion that abuts against a front edge of one of the pair of locking portions.

3. A front edge of each of the locking portions is inclined toward an insertion direction of the flat connection object, The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that when the flat connection object is inserted into the connector, the flat connection object presses the front edges of each of the locking portions, moving the pair of locking portions to the unlocked position.

4. The insulating housing has a pair of extensions extending in the first direction, A first engagement portion is formed on one side of a front end of each of the extension portions, and a second engagement portion is formed on the other side of the front end of each of the extension portions, Each of the metal members has a first latch portion and a second latch portion, the first latch portion and the second latch portion correspond to the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively; 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein when the pair of metal members are assembled to the insulating housing, the first latch portion and the second latch portion engage with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively.

5. the first latch portion is formed on the body portion, and the second latch portion is formed on the curved portion and adjacent to the abutment portion; The connector as described in claim 4, characterized in that when the pair of metal members are assembled to the insulating housing, the first latch portion and the second latch portion engage with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, respectively, thereby firmly fixing the curved portion to the front end of the extension portion.

6. A connector as described in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a locking portion is formed on a front edge of each of the locking portions, and the locking portion prevents the contact portion from moving in the second direction or from being displaced in the second direction.

7. 6. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuator has a pivot portion, the pivot portion is supported by the insulating housing so that the actuator pivots about a central axis of the pivot portion, and the central axis of the pivot portion is parallel to the second direction.

8. 6. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each of the metal members has a first soldering portion connected to the main body portion and extending in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

9. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the metal members has a retained portion, the retained portion has a barb structure, and the retained portion is inserted into a retaining groove or retaining hole formed in the insulating housing to interfere with it.

10. 10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein each of the metal members has a second soldering portion connected to the held portion and extending in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

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