Mid-mount easy-lock connector

Abstract

To provide a mid-mount type easy-lock connector that can be attached to a mounting opening in a board. [Solution] A mid-mount type easy-lock connector 10 includes an insulating housing 11 and a plurality of contacts 12 held by the insulating housing and arranged along a second direction D2 perpendicular to a first direction D1. A flange is formed at the rear end of the insulating housing. The area enclosed by the outer contour of the flange is larger than the area of ​​the mounting opening. The flange completely covers the gap between the insulating housing and the mounting opening, and can prevent light leakage from one side of the board through the mounting opening to the other side of the board. The contact portions of adjacent contacts are offset in the first direction. This reduces the insertion force required to insert a flat connection object into the mid-mount type easy-lock connector.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mid-mount connector, and more particularly to a mid-mount easy-lock connector. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to reduce the height required for mounting a connector, a mid-mount connector is known. This type of connector is mounted in a mounting opening in a board. The operating surface and the soldering surface of the connector are located on both sides of the board, respectively. When inserting a connection object in a direction parallel to the board, the moment caused by the insertion force of the connection object may destroy the soldered connection between the contacts of the mid-mount connector and the board, causing a disconnection. Therefore, reducing the insertion force is one of the important challenges of the mid-mount connector.

[0003] On the other hand, conventional mid-mount connectors do not take into consideration the problem of light leakage when mounting to a light source device (such as a backlight module for a flat panel display). If the light-emitting device is located on one side of the board, the light from the light-emitting device may leak to the other side of the board through the gap between the connector and the mounting opening. This may cause light leakage problems and reduced visibility in the display. Summary of the Invention

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a mid-mount type easy-lock connector that can reduce the height required for mounting the connector.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mid-mount type easy-lock connector that can reduce the insertion force required to insert a flat connection object into the mid-mount type easy-lock connector.

[0006] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mid-mount type easy-lock connector that has a structure for blocking light leakage from one side of the board to the other.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a mid-mounted easy-lock connector for mounting in a mounting opening of a substrate. The substrate has a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other. A flat connection object is inserted into the mid-mounted easy-lock connector along a first direction. The flat connection object includes a pair of notches and a plurality of electrodes formed at an insertion end of the flat connection object. The pair of notches are formed on two opposing side edges of the flat connection object, respectively, adjacent to the insertion end. The mid-mount type easy lock connector is an insulating housing having a fitting opening for inserting the flat connection object; a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the contact portions extending into the fitting opening and contacting the electrode portions, and connection terminal portions facing the contact portions and protruding from the insulating housing, the contact portions being soldered to the board; The contact portions of the plurality of contacts are alternately arranged at the front and rear positions in the first direction, so that, during the process of inserting a flat connection object, the insertion end of the flat connection object first comes into contact with the contact portion arranged at the front position, and then comes into contact with the contact portion arranged at the rear position, thereby reducing the insertion force into the mid-mount type easy-lock connector.

[0008] According to the mid-mount type easy-lock connector of the present invention, a flange is formed at the bottom end of an insulating housing, and the mid-mount type easy-lock connector is mounted on the board such that the top end of the insulating housing passes through a mounting opening in the board and is positioned on the first main surface side of the board, and the flange is positioned on the second main surface side of the board.

[0009] According to the mid-mounted easy-lock connector of the present invention, the area enclosed by the outer contour of the flange is larger than the area of ​​the mounting opening, so that the flange completely covers the gap between the insulating housing and the mounting opening.

[0010] According to the mid-mount type easy-lock connector of the present invention, the connection terminal portion is soldered to the second main surface of the substrate.

[0011] The mid-mounted easy-lock connector of the present invention further includes two locking members disposed at both ends of the insulating housing, each of which has a locking portion that is always biased to a locked position. The locking portions have a stopper protrusion and an unlocking pressing portion. When a flat object to be connected is inserted into the fitting opening, the stopper protrusions of the locking portions of the two locking members engage with a pair of notches to prevent the flat object to be connected from coming off the mid-mounted easy-lock connector. With the flat object to be connected inserted into the fitting opening, pressing the unlocking pressing portion moves the locking portions away from the locked position, and the flat object to be connected is unlocked.

[0012] According to the mid-mount type easy-lock connector of the present invention, each locking member includes a body portion and a spring portion. The locking portion is connected to the body portion via the spring portion. This allows the locking portion to be constantly biased to the locked position.

[0013] According to the mid-mount type easy-lock connector of the present invention, the spring portion is a U-shaped spring portion.

[0014] According to the mid-mount type easy-lock connector of the present invention, the front edge of the stopper protrusion of the locking part is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the flat connection object. When the flat connection object is inserted into the fitting opening, the insertion end of the flat connection object abuts against the front edge of the stopper protrusion. When the flat connection object is further moved in the insertion direction, the stopper protrusion is moved, and the locking part moves away from the lock position.

[0015] According to the mid-mount type easy-lock connector of the present invention, at least one of the long sides of the fitting opening is chamfered.

[0016] The mid-mount easy-lock connector of the present invention further includes two hold-downs fixed below the mating opening, each having a solder portion extending outside the insulating housing.

[0017] 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]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mid-mount type easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a board and a flat connection object is inserted into the mid-mount type easy-lock connector; [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is another perspective view showing a state in which the mid-mount type easy lock connector according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a board and a flat connection object is inserted into the mid-mount type easy lock connector; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mid-mount type easy lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is another perspective view showing a mid-mount type easy lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a mid-mount type easy lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an insulating housing of a mid-mount type easy lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing a flat connection object being inserted into a mid-mounted easy-lock connector, without showing the insulating housing [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a contact of a mid-mount type easy lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a locking member of a mid-mount type easy lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the hold-down of a mid-mount type easy lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, a mid-mount type easy lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, similar components or components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to actual scale.

[0020] A method for mounting a mid-mount type easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention to a substrate 30 will be described briefly with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing a state in which the mid-mount type easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted to a substrate 30 and a flat connection object 20 is inserted.

[0021] The front end of the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 is a mating end. The bottom end of the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 is a soldering end. The top end of the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 passes through the mounting opening 301 of the board 30 from bottom to top along the vertical direction (i.e., the third direction D3 described below). As a result, the mating openings formed at the top end and the front end of the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 are located on the first main surface 302 (i.e., the upper surface) side of the board 30. The bottom end of the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 is located on the second main surface 303 (i.e., the lower surface) side of the board 30. The contacts of the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 are soldered to the second main surface 303 of the board 30. The flat connection object 20 is inserted into the mating opening formed at the front end of the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 along the first direction D1. The flat connection object 20 is a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). With this configuration, the height of the connector relative to the board can be reduced.

[0022] The components of the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5. Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The mid-mount type easy-lock connector 10 includes an insulating housing 11, a plurality of contacts 12, two locking members 13, and two hold-downs 14. The insulating housing 11 is manufactured by injection molding from an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material. The contacts 12 are held by the insulating housing 11. The contacts 12 are arranged along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The contacts 12 are manufactured from copper or a copper alloy.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an insulating housing of a mid-mount type easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. A mating opening 110 for inserting a flat connecting object 20 is formed at the front end of the insulating housing 11. A flange 111 is formed at the bottom end of the insulating housing 11. The area surrounded by the outer contour of the flange 11 is larger than the area of ​​the mounting opening 301 of the board 30. As a result, the flange 111 cannot pass through the mounting opening 301 and abuts against the second main surface 303 of the board 30. Meanwhile, the flange 111 completely covers the gap between the insulating housing 11 and the mounting opening 301, thereby preventing light leakage from one side of the board 30 to the other side. A chamfer is formed at the lower edge of the mating opening 110 to guide the insertion of the flat connecting object 20. The upper edge of the mating opening 110 is set back in the first direction D1 to facilitate the insertion of the flat connecting object 20.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a flat connection object 20 is inserted into a mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10. In order to more clearly show the locking mechanism of the flat connection object 20, an insulating housing is not shown in FIG. 7. The flat connection object 20 includes a pair of notches 21 and a plurality of electrode portions (not shown) formed on the underside of the insertion end of the flat connection object 20. The pair of notches 21 are formed on two opposing side edges of the flat connection object 20, respectively, and are adjacent to the insertion end. The flat connection object 20 further includes a tab 22 for a user to grasp with the fingers. This allows the user to insert the flat connection object 20 into the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 or to pull out the flat connection object 20 from the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10. The pair of notches 21 engage with a stopper protrusion of a locking member 13 (described later) to lock the flat connection object 20.

[0026] 8 is a perspective view showing a contact 12 of a mid-mount type easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The contact 12 has a retained portion 121, a contact arm extending forward from the retained portion 121 in the first direction D1 and having a contact portion 122, an extension portion 123 extending downward from the retained portion 121 in the third direction D3, and a connection terminal portion 124 extending backward from the extension portion 123 in the first direction D1. The connection terminal portion 124 has a soldering surface 1240 facing the third direction D3. The third direction D3 is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The retained portion 121 has a barb structure. The retained portion 121 is inserted into an opening formed in the insulating housing 11 with an interference fit, so that the contact 12 is firmly held by the insulating housing 11. The contact portion 122 is disposed in the fitting opening 110 and is capable of contacting an electrode portion of the flat connection object 20 .

[0027] Due to the extension portion 123 extending in the third direction D3, the held portion 121 and the connection terminal portion 124 are located on different planes. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the connection terminal portion 124 of the contact 12 protrudes from the insulating housing 11. When the mid-mount type easy-lock connector 10 is attached to the board 30, the connection terminal portion 124 is located on the second main surface 303 side of the board 30. The soldering surface 1240 of the connection terminal portion 124 is soldered to the second main surface 303 of the board 30.

[0028] In order to reduce the insertion force required to insert the flat connection object 20 into the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10, the contact portions 122 of the contacts 12 are alternately arranged at the front and rear positions in the first direction D1. In other words, the contact portions 122 of adjacent contacts 12 are shifted forward and backward. With this configuration, during the process of inserting the flat connection object 20, the insertion end of the flat connection object 20 first abuts on the contact portion arranged at the front position, and then abuts on the contact portion arranged at the rear position. Since the contact portions of all the contacts are not abutted at the same time during the insertion process, the resistance due to the contact portions can be halved and the insertion force can be reduced.

[0029] 9 is a perspective view showing a locking member 13 of a mid-mounted easy-lock connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. The locking member 13 includes a main body 130, a retained portion 131 formed on the main body, and a soldering portion 132 extending rearward from the retained portion 131. The retained portion 131 and the soldering portion 132 are located on different planes. When the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 is attached to the board 30, the soldering portion 132 of the locking member 13 is located on the second main surface 303 side of the board 30. The soldering portion 132 is soldered to the second main surface 303 of the board 30. The retained portion 131 has a barb structure. The retained portion 131 is inserted into an opening formed in the insulating housing 11 with an interference fit, so that the locking member 13 is firmly held by the insulating housing 11.

[0030] The locking member 13 further includes a U-shaped spring portion 133 and a locking portion 134. The locking portion 134 is connected to the main body portion 130 via the U-shaped spring portion 133. As a result, the locking portion 134 is always biased to the locked position. The locking portion 134 has a stopper protrusion 1341 and an unlocking pressing portion 1342. When the flat connection object 20 is inserted into the fitting opening 110, the stopper protrusions 1341 of the locking portions 134 of the two locking members 13 engage with the notches 21 to prevent the flat connection object 20 from coming off the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10. When the flat connection object 20 is inserted into the fitting opening 110, the locking portion 134 moves downward in the third direction D3 and away from the locked position, thereby unlocking the flat connection object 20.

[0031] The stopper protrusion 1341 of the locking portion 134 is configured in a wedge shape. That is, the front edge of the stopper protrusion 1341 of the locking portion 134 is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the flat connection object 20. When the flat connection object 20 is inserted into the fitting opening 110 of the insulating housing 11, the insertion end of the flat connection object 20 abuts against the front edge of the stopper tab 1341. When the flat connection object 20 moves further in the insertion direction due to the interaction between the inclined front edge of the stopper protrusion 1341 and the flat connection object 20, the stopper protrusion 1341 moves downward. This causes the locking portion 134 to move away from the locking position. Therefore, the stopper protrusion 1341 does not prevent the insertion of the flat connection object 20. Furthermore, there is no need to operate any other parts, and simply by inserting the flat connection object 20 into the mating opening 110 of the insulating housing 11, the flat connection object 20 can be locked, preventing the flat connection object 20 from coming off the mid-mount type easy-lock connector 10 or being pulled out of the mid-mount type easy-lock connector 10.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the hold-down 14 of the mid-mounted easy-lock connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. The hold-down 14 includes a body portion 140, a retained portion 141 extending rearward from the body portion 140, and a soldering portion 142 extending forward from the body portion 140. The retained portion 141 has a barb structure. The retained portion 141 is inserted into an opening formed in the insulating housing 11 with a tight fit, so that the hold-down 14 is firmly held by the insulating housing 11. The soldering portion 142 and the body portion 140 are located on different planes. When the mid-mounted easy-lock connector 10 is attached to the board 30, the soldering portion 142 of the hold-down 14 is located on the second main surface 303 side of the board 30. The soldering portion 142 is soldered to the second main surface 303 of the board 30. Wing portions 1401 are formed on the main body portion 140 of the hold-down 14, which increase the engagement area between the hold-down 14 and the insulating housing 11. The hold-down 14 is fixed below the mating opening 110 of the insulating housing 11, so that the soldering portion 142 of the hold-down 14 protrudes forward from the insulating housing 11.

[0033] 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]

[0034] 10 Mid-mount easy-lock connector 11 Insulating housing 110 Fitting opening 111 Flange 12 Contact 121 Holding part 122 Contact part 123 Extension section 124 Connection terminal 1240 Soldering surface 13 Locking member 130 Main body 131 Holding part 132 Soldering section 133 U-shaped spring part 134 Rock Section 1341 Stopper protrusion 1342 Unlocking pressure part 14 Hold Down 140 Main body 1401 Wing Division 141 Holding part 142 Soldering section 20 Flat connection object 21 Cutout 22 Tabs 30 Substrate 301 Mounting opening 302 1st main surface 303 2nd main surface D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction

Claims

1. A mid-mount type easy lock connector that is mounted to a mounting opening in a board, the substrate has a first main surface and a second main surface facing each other, a flat connection object is inserted into the mid-mount type easy-lock connector along a first direction, the flat connection object includes a pair of notches and a plurality of electrode portions formed at an insertion end of the flat connection object, the pair of notches are formed on two opposing side edges of the flat connection object, respectively, and are adjacent to the insertion end, The mid-mount type easy lock connector is an insulating housing having a fitting opening for inserting the flat connection object; a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the contact portions extending into the fitting opening and contacting the electrode portions, and connection terminal portions facing the contact portions and protruding from the insulating housing, the connection terminal portions being soldered to the board; A mid-mount type easy-lock connector in which the contact portions of the multiple contacts are arranged alternately at forward and rear positions in the first direction, so that during the process of inserting the flat connection object, the insertion end of the flat connection object first abuts against the contact portion arranged at the forward position, and then abuts against the contact portion arranged at the rear position, thereby reducing the insertion force into the mid-mount type easy-lock connector.

2. A flange is formed at a bottom end of the insulating housing; The mid-mount type easy-lock connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that the mid-mount type easy-lock connector is mounted to the board so that the top end of the insulating housing passes through a mounting opening in the board and is positioned on the first main surface side of the board, and the flange is positioned on the second main surface side of the board.

3. The mid-mount type easy-lock connector of claim 2, characterized in that the area enclosed by the outer contour of the flange is larger than the area of ​​the mounting opening, thereby causing the flange to completely cover the gap between the insulating housing and the mounting opening.

4. 3. The mid-mount type easy-lock connector according to claim 2, wherein the connection terminal portion is soldered to the second main surface of the substrate.

5. The mid-mount type easy-lock connector further includes two locking members disposed at both ends of the insulating housing, Each of the locking members has a locking portion, the locking portion is always biased to a locking position, and the locking portion has a stopper protrusion and an unlocking pressing portion, When the flat connection object is inserted into the fitting opening, the stopper protrusions of the locking portions of the two locking members engage with the pair of notches to prevent the flat connection object from coming off the mid-mount type easy-lock connector, A mid-mount type easy-lock connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the flat connection object is inserted into the mating opening, the unlock pressure portion is pressed, causing the lock portion to move away from the lock position and releasing the lock of the flat connection object.

6. Each of the locking members includes a body portion and a spring portion; 6. The mid-mount type easy-lock connector according to claim 5, wherein the locking portion is connected to the main body portion via the spring portion, and the locking portion is constantly biased to be in the locked position.

7. 7. The mid-mount type easy-lock connector according to claim 6, wherein the spring portion is a U-shaped spring portion.

8. a front edge of the stopper projection of the locking portion is inclined with respect to an insertion direction of the flat connection object, When the flat connection object is inserted into the fitting opening, an insertion end of the flat connection object abuts against a front edge of the stopper protrusion, The mid-mount type easy-lock connector according to claim 5, characterized in that when the flat connection object is moved further in the insertion direction, the stopper protrusion is moved, thereby causing the locking portion to move away from the locking position.

9. 5. The mid-mount type easy-lock connector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the long sides of the fitting opening is chamfered.

10. It also has two hold downs, A mid-mount type easy-lock connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hold-downs are fixed below the mating opening, and each hold-down has a solder portion extending outside the insulating housing.

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