Easy Lock Connector for Flat Object to be Connected

Abstract

Provided is an easy-lock connector for a flat object to be connected. 【Solution means】An easy-lock connector 10 for a flat object to be connected, into which the flat object to be connected is inserted along a first direction D1, includes an insulating housing 11, a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, a pair of metal fittings 13, and an operating member 12 rotatably arranged between a release position and a lock position with respect to the insulating housing. The plurality of contacts are arranged along a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction. By elastic arms formed on the pair of metal fittings, the operating member is always elastically biased toward the lock position. By pressing the operating member, the operating member moves away from the lock position to release the lock of the flat object to be connected. The operating member has a claw portion, the claw portion has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface is parallel to a plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, and the angle between the first surface and the second surface is less than 90 degrees.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for flat objects to be connected, such as a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) or a Flexible Flat Circuit (FPC), and more particularly to an easy-lock connector that releases the lock of a flat object to be connected by pressing an operating member.

Background Art

[0002] Taiwan Utility Model No. M644042U (Patent Document 1), filed by the applicant of the present case 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 rotated, and the lock of the flexible cable is released by rotating the operating member.

[0003] The connector of Patent Document 1 only prevents the operating member from moving in the extraction direction of the flexible cable at the end of the metal part. However, the metal part is easily deformed. If the flexible cable is forcibly pulled out of the connector without releasing the lock, the metal part that stops the operating member may be deformed, the operating member may come off the connector, and the flexible cable may come out of the connector. The connector may also be damaged.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an easy-lock connector for a flat object to be connected that releases the lock of the flat object to be connected by operating an operating member.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an easy-lock connector for a flat object to be connected that can easily lock the flat object to be connected simply by inserting it into the easy-lock connector. Since there is no need to operate the operating member, it is useful for the automatic assembly of the flat object to be connected and the easy-lock connector.

[0006] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an easy-lock connector for a flat connection object that has higher reliability and prevents the flat connection object or the operation member from being removed or disengaged from the easy-lock connector due to an erroneous operation.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an easy-lock connector for a flat connection object, wherein the flat connection object is inserted into the easy-lock 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 pair of notches are respectively formed at two opposing side edges of the flat connection object and adjacent to the insertion end, and the easy-lock connector includes: 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, extending into the fitting opening and contacting the electrode portions, and having connection terminal portions disposed on the opposite side of the contact portions and extending from the insulating housing; a pair of metal fittings respectively disposed at both ends of the insulating housing; an operation member having a pivot portion parallel to the second direction, rotatably disposed between a release position and a lock position about the pivot portion with respect to the insulating housing, and having a pair of lock portions. Elastic arms are formed on each metal fitting, and the operation member is always elastically biased toward the lock position by the elastic arms of the pair of metal fittings. When the operation member is in the lock position with the flat connection object inserted into the easy-lock connector, the pair of lock portions engage with the pair of notches of the flat connection object, preventing the flat connection object from being disengaged from the easy-lock connector. When the operation member rotates and moves to the release position, the pair of lock portions disengage from the pair of notches, releasing the lock of the flat connection object. The operating member has a claw portion, the claw portion has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface is parallel to a plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, and an angle between the first surface and the second surface is less than 90 degrees. The claw portion engages with the insulating housing to prevent the operating member from moving away from the insulating housing along the first direction, and to prevent the operating member from rotating about the pivot portion in a direction away from the unlocking position from the locking position.

[0008] According to the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the elastic arm extends substantially along the first direction.

[0009] According to the easy-lock connector of the present invention, each fitting has a main body portion and a U-shaped curved portion. The U-shaped curved portion extends in the pulling-out direction of the flat object to be connected, and is folded back in the inserting direction of the flat object to be connected. The U-shaped curved portion has a contact portion at its end, and the contact portion contacts the front edge of one of the pair of locking portions.

[0010] According to the easy-lock connector of the present invention, each fitting has a plurality of engaging portions that engage with the insulating housing.

[0011] According to the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the plurality of engaging portions include a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is formed on the main body portion, and the second engaging portion is formed at a position adjacent to the contact portion of the U-shaped curved portion.

[0012] According to the easy-lock connector of the present invention, each fitting has a portion to be held, the portion to be held has a barb structure, and the portion to be held is inserted into a holding groove or a holding hole formed in the insulating housing by interference fit.

[0013] According to the easy-lock connector of the present invention, each fitting has at least one soldering portion, and the soldering portion is located in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] According to the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the front edge of each locking portion is configured to be inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the flat object to be connected. When the flat object to be connected is inserted into the easy-lock connector, the flat object to be connected presses the front edge of each locking portion, and moves the pair of locking portions to the release position.

[0015] According to the easy-lock connector of the present invention, the insulating housing has a pivot accommodating portion, and the pivot accommodating portion is configured to rotatably support the pivot portion of the operating member.

[0016] According to the easy-lock connector 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 prevents the contact portion from being displaced in the second direction.

[0017] Those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains will be able to well understand the technical features, other objects and advantages of the present invention by referring to the specification and the attached drawings of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an easy-lock connector for a flat object to be connected according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same components. The drawings are not drawn in actual dimensional relationships.

[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the components of the easy-lock connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be outlined. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the easy-lock connector for a flat object to be connected according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the easy-lock connector for a flat object to be connected according to an embodiment of the present invention. The entire easy-lock connector for a flat object to be connected is indicated by reference numeral 10. The easy-lock connector 10 includes an insulating housing 11, an operating member 12, a pair of metal fittings 13, and a plurality of contacts 14.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the flat object to be connected 20 is inserted into the easy lock connector 10 along the first direction D1 (i.e., the fitting direction). The flat object to be connected 20 may be a flexible flat cable (FFC) or a flexible printed circuit (FPC), but is not limited thereto.

[0022] The insulating housing 11 is made of an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material. A fitting opening 110 for inserting a flat object to be connected is formed in the insulating housing 11. The flat object to be connected can be inserted into the easy lock connector 10 along the first direction D1.

[0023] The two metal fittings 13 are respectively fixed to both ends of the insulating housing 11 in the second direction D2 (width direction). The second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1. The metal fitting 13 is made of a metal or alloy material. The metal fitting 13 is an integral member and is manufactured by pressing and bending a metal plate. The plurality of contacts 14 are arranged along the second direction D2 and are held by the insulating housing 11. Each contact 14 is made of copper or a copper alloy.

[0024] The operating member 12 is made of an insulating synthetic resin or polymer material. The operating member 12 is rotatably arranged between the release position and the lock position about the pivot portion with respect to the insulating housing 11. The operating member 12 locks the flat object to be connected 20 inserted into the easy lock connector 10 and prevents the inserted flat object to be connected 20 from coming off the easy lock connector 10. On the other hand, by operating the operating member 12, the lock of the flat object to be connected 20 can be released, and the flat object to be connected 20 can be removed from the easy lock connector 10.

[0025] The specific configurations of the operating member 12 and the metal fitting 13 will be described later.

[0026] FIG. 4 is another perspective view showing the easy-lock connector 10 for a flat object to be connected according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the operation member 12 is not shown. As shown in FIG. 4, the insulating housing 11 has a pivot accommodating portion 111. The pivot accommodating portion 111 is configured to rotatably support the pivot portion 121 (see FIG. 5) of the operation member 12. The pivot accommodating portion 111 is formed above the fitting opening 110.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the operation member 12 of the easy-lock connector for a flat object to be connected according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 5, the configuration of the operation member 12 will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation member 12 has a pivot portion 121 parallel to the second direction D2. The pivot portion 121 is configured to be substantially cylindrical. The pivot portion 121 is housed in the pivot accommodating portion 111 of the insulating housing 11 and is rotatably supported by the pivot accommodating portion 111. Thereby, the operation member 12 can rotate about the pivot portion 121 between the release position and the lock position. The operation member 12 has a pair of lock portions 122 formed at both ends thereof. The lock portions 122 extend in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction (i.e., the third direction D3 in FIG. 5). When the operation member 12 is in the lock position, the pair of lock portions 122 are inserted into the notch of the flat object to be connected (see FIG. 6) and engage with the notch to lock the flat object to be connected.

[0028] The operation member 12 has an upward operation portion 124. When a user applies a pressing force to the operation portion 124, the operation member 12 rotates from the lock position to the release position about the pivot portion 121. In the release position, the pair of lock portions 122 do not engage with the notch of the flat object to be connected, and do not prevent the flat object to be connected from coming out of the easy-lock connector. At this time, the user can easily remove the flat object to be connected from the easy-lock connector.

[0029] The locking portion 122 is configured not to prevent the insertion of a flat object to be connected. Specifically, the front edge of the locking portion 122 is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the flat object to be connected. In the process of inserting the flat object to be connected into the fitting opening 110 of the insulating housing 11, the insertion end of the flat object to be connected abuts against the front edge of the locking portion 122. When the flat object to be connected moves further in the insertion direction, the locking portion 122 swings in the insertion direction of the flat object to be connected about the pivot portion 121, whereby the operating member 12 moves from the locked position to the released position. Therefore, the locking portion 122 does not prevent the insertion of the flat object to be connected. By simply inserting the flat object to be connected into the fitting opening 110 of the insulating housing 11, the locking of the flat object to be connected can be realized, and there is no need to operate other members. This is very advantageous for the automatic assembly of the flat object to be connected and the easy-lock connector.

[0030] The difference from the prior art is that the operating member 12 of the easy-lock connector of the present invention further has a pair of claw portions 125. The claw portions 125 are formed near the locking portion 122. The configuration and function of the claw portions 125 will be described later.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state where a flat object to be connected 20 is inserted into the easy-lock connector. The flat object to be connected 20 has a pair of notches 201 and a plurality of electrode portions (not shown) formed at the insertion end of the flat object to be connected. The pair of notches 201 are respectively formed on both opposite sides of the flat object to be connected and adjacent to the insertion end. In order to clearly show the relationship between the flat object to be connected 20 and the operating member 12, the insulating housing and the metal fitting are not shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the operating member 12 is in the locked position, the locking portion 122 enters the notch 201 of the flat object to be connected 20, engages with the notch 201 of the flat object to be connected 20, and prevents the flat object to be connected from coming off or being pulled out of the easy-lock connector.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the operation member 12 is biased by the elastic arm 131 of the metal fitting 13. To clearly show the relationship between the operation member 12 and the metal fitting 13, the insulating housing and the contacts are not shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the elastic arm 131 of the metal fitting 13 extends substantially downward to the lower side of the operation portion 124 of the operation member 12 in the first direction D1 and abuts against the operation portion 124 from below the operation portion 124. The elastic arm 131 always applies an upward biasing force to the operation member 12, whereby the operation member 12 is always biased toward the lock position. For example, when the user applies a pressing force to the operation portion 124 of the operation member 12 to rotate the operation member 12 to the release position, the elastic arm 131 applies a biasing force in the direction opposite to the pressing force to the operation portion 124. When the user stops applying the pressing force, the operation member 12 returns from the release position to the lock position due to the biasing force applied by the elastic arm 131.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the locking portion 122 has a locking portion 1221 formed at the upper part of the front edge. The contact portion 1321 of the metal fitting 13 abuts against the front edge of the locking portion 122 to prevent the locking portion 122 from swinging forward. On the other hand, the locking portion 1221 prevents the contact portion 1321 from shifting or deforming in the lateral direction. Due to the locking portion 1221, even if the contact portion 1321 is pushed forward by the front edge of the locking portion 122, the contact portion 1321 is less likely to shift or deform in the lateral direction, and the locking portion 122 can be reliably prevented from rotating outward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from pulling out the flat connection object from the easy lock connector without operating the operation member or without releasing the lock of the flat connection object.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the configuration and operation of the claw portion 125 will be described. FIG. 8 is a front view of the easy-lock connector 10 of the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the first direction D1. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the pivot portion 121 of the operation member 12 and the pivot housing portion of the insulating housing 11 are configured such that the pivot portion 121 is rotatably supported by the pivot housing portion of the insulating housing 11. When a user applies a pressing force to the operation portion 124, in FIG. 9, the operation member 12 rotates counterclockwise about the pivot portion 121.

[0035] In the first direction, the claw portion 125 is generally formed behind the pivot portion 121. The claw portion 125 has a first surface 1251 and a second surface 1252. The first surface 1251 is parallel to the plane formed by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. That is, the normal line of the first surface 1251 is parallel to the third direction D3. As shown in FIG. 10, the angle between the first surface 1251 and the second surface 1252 is less than 90 degrees. A stepped portion that engages with the claw portion 125 is formed on the insulating housing 11. This stepped portion is composed of a third surface 1111 and a fourth surface 1112. The third surface 1111 is parallel to the first surface 1251, and the fourth surface 1112 is parallel to the second surface 1252. When a force acting in the pulling direction of the flat object to be connected is applied to the operation member 12, the second surface 1252 of the claw portion 125 abuts against the fourth surface 1112, and thereby a reaction force is applied to the second surface 1252 of the claw portion 125. Since the angle between the first surface 1251 and the second surface 1252 is set to be less than 90 degrees, the above-mentioned reaction force has a component force acting downward in the third direction D3. The component force acting downward in the third direction D3 helps to prevent the operation member 12 from coming off the insulating housing 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation member 12 from falling off the easy-lock connector due to an incorrect operation. In the state shown in FIG. 10, since the second surface 1252 of the claw portion 125 abuts against the fourth surface 1112 and the first surface 1251 of the claw portion 125 abuts against the third surface 1111, the operation member 12 cannot rotate clockwise about the pivot portion 121. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to forcibly pull out the flat object to be connected from the easy-lock connector without releasing the lock, the operation member 12 is stably held in the locked position, preventing the flat object to be connected from falling off the easy-lock connector due to an incorrect operation.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the configuration of the fitting 13 will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the fitting 13. FIG. 12 is another perspective view showing the fitting 13. The fitting 13 has a main body portion 130, an elastic arm 131, a U-shaped bending portion 132, a held portion 133, a first soldering portion 134, and a second soldering portion 135. The elastic arm 131 is connected near the rear end of the main body portion 130, extends substantially downward of the operating portion 124 of the operating member 12 in the first direction D1, and biases the operating member 12 always toward the locking position. The U-shaped bending portion 132 extends from the front end of the main body portion 130 in the extraction direction of the flat connection object, and is folded back in the insertion direction of the flat connection object. The U-shaped bending portion 132 has a contact portion 1321 at its end.

[0037] The contact portion 1321 is located in front of the front edge of the locking portion 122 of the operating member 12 in the first direction D1 (shown in FIG. 7), prevents the operating member 12 from moving outward in the first direction D1, and prevents the operating member 12 from rotating in the direction away from the locking position to the release position (i.e., the clockwise direction in FIG. 9).

[0038] A first engaging portion 1301 and a second engaging portion 1322 are respectively formed on the main body portion 130 and the U-shaped bending portion 132 of the fitting 13 to fix the main body portion 130 and the U-shaped bending portion 132 of the fitting 13 to the insulating housing 11. The first engaging portion 1301 and the second engaging portion 1322 are formed by tearing and bending a part of the main body portion 130 and the U-shaped bending portion 132 with respect to the other part by pressing.

[0039] 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 a holding groove or a holding hole formed in the insulating housing 11 by interference fit, thereby fixing the fitting 13 to the insulating housing 11.

[0040] The first soldering part 134 is connected to the main body part 130, and the second soldering part 135 is connected to the held part 133. The first soldering part 134 and the second soldering part 135 are located in a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1. By soldering the first soldering part 134 and the second soldering part 135 to the solder pads of a circuit board (not shown) by surface mount technology (SMT), the easy lock connector is fixed to the circuit board.

[0041] With reference to FIG. 13, the structure of the contact 14 will be described. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the contact 14.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 13, the contact 14 has a connection terminal part 141, a held part 142, a contact arm 143, and a contact part 144. The contact arm 143 extends from one end of the held part 142, and the connection terminal part 141 extends from the other end of the held part 142. A barb structure is formed on the held part 142. The held part 142 is inserted into a holding groove or a holding hole formed in the insulating housing 11 by interference fit. The contact part 144 is formed at the tip of the contact arm 143. The contact arm 143 extends toward the fitting opening 110 of the insulating housing 11. When the flat object to be connected 20 is inserted into the easy lock connector 10, the contact part 144 of the contact 14 can come into contact with the electrode part of the flat object to be connected. The connection terminal part 141 extends out of the insulating housing 11 and extends generally in the third direction D3. The connection terminal part 141 can be soldered to the solder pads of a circuit board (not shown) by surface mount technology (SMT).

[0043] The present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but follows the scope of the utility model registration claims. That is, equivalent changes and modifications that do not depart from the scope of the utility model registration claims of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0044] 10 Easy Lock Connector 11 Insulating Housing 110 Fitting Opening 111 Pivot Accommodating Portion 1111 Third Surface 1112 Fourth Surface 12 Operating Member 121 Pivot Portion 122 Locking Portion 1221 Locking Portion 124 Operating Port 125 Claw Portion 1251 First Surface 1252 Second Surface 13 Metal Fitting 130 Body Portion 1301 First Engaging Portion 131 Elastic Arm 132 U-shaped Bending Portion 1321 Contact Portion 1322 Second Engaging Portion 133 Portion to be Held 134 First Soldering Portion 135 Second Soldering Portion 14 Contact 141 Connection Terminal Portion 142 Portion to be Held 143 Contact Arm 144 Contact Portion 20 Flat Object to be Connected 201 Notch D1 First Direction D2 Second Direction D3 Third Direction

Claims

1. An easy-lock connector for a flat object to be connected, wherein the flat object to be connected is inserted into the easy-lock connector along a first direction, the flat object to be connected has a pair of notches and a plurality of electrode portions formed at an insertion end of the flat object to be connected, the pair of notches are respectively formed at two opposite side edges of the flat object to be connected and adjacent to the insertion end, and the easy-lock connector includes an insulating housing having a fitting opening for inserting the flat object to be connected; a plurality of contacts held by the insulating housing, arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, extending into the fitting opening and contacting the electrode portions, and having connection terminal portions arranged on the side opposite to the contact portions and extending from the insulating housing; a pair of fittings respectively arranged at both ends of the insulating housing; an operating member having a pivot portion parallel to the second direction, rotatably arranged relative to the insulating housing between a release position and a lock position about the pivot portion, and having a pair of locking portions; and each of the fittings is formed with an elastic arm, and the operating member is always elastically biased toward the lock position by the elastic arms of the pair of fittings; when the flat object to be connected is inserted into the easy-lock connector and the operating member is in the lock position, the pair of locking portions engage with the pair of notches of the flat object to be connected, preventing the flat object to be connected from being detached from the easy-lock connector; when the operating member rotates and moves to the release position, the pair of locking portions disengage from the pair of notches, releasing the lock of the flat object to be connected; the operating member has a claw portion, the claw portion has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface is parallel to a plane formed by the first direction and the second direction, an angle between the first surface and the second surface is less than 90 degrees, the claw portion engages with the insulating housing, preventing the operating member from moving away from the insulating housing along the first direction, and preventing the operating member from rotating about the pivot portion in a direction away from the lock position to the release position. An easy-lock connector.

2. The easy-lock connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic arm extends substantially along the first direction.

3. Each of the above-mentioned metal fittings has a main body portion and a U-shaped bending portion, The U-shaped bending portion extends in the extraction direction of the flat object to be connected, and is folded back in the insertion direction of the flat object to be connected. The U-shaped bending portion has a contact portion at its end, and the contact portion contacts the front edge of one of the pair of locking portions. The easy-lock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. The easy-lock connector according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the above-mentioned metal fittings has a plurality of engaging portions that engage with the insulating housing.

5. The plurality of engaging portions include a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The easy-lock connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the first engaging portion is formed on the main body portion, and the second engaging portion is formed at a position adjacent to the contact portion of the U-shaped bending portion.

6. Each of the above-mentioned metal fittings has a portion to be held. The portion to be held has a barb structure, and the portion to be held is inserted into a holding groove or a holding hole formed in the insulating housing by interference fit. The easy-lock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. The easy-lock connector according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the above-mentioned metal fittings has at least one soldering portion, and the soldering portion is located in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The front edge of each of the locking portions is configured to be inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the flat object to be connected. When the flat object to be connected is inserted into the easy-lock connector, the flat object to be connected presses the front edge of each of the locking portions, and moves the pair of locking portions to the release position. The easy-lock connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that.

9. The insulating housing has a pivot accommodating portion. The easy-lock connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the pivot accommodating portion is configured to rotatably support the pivot portion of the operating member.

10. A locking portion is formed on the front edge of each of the locking portions. The easy-lock connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking portion prevents the contact portion from moving in the second direction, or prevents the contact portion from being displaced in the second direction.

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