FPC connectors and connector pairs

Abstract

To improve reliability by presenting a high strength in spite of small size and reduced height and mounting even a flexible circuit board (FPC) of which the tip end is forked, in a short time, easily, surely and accurately without damaging it and without giving wrong shapes for front and back faces.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an FPC connector comprising a housing capable of mounting an FPC of which the tip end is forked, thereon. The housing comprises: a column part to which a separate part formed in a center of the FPC in a width direction is engaged; and a lock projection which is locked by entering lock openings formed in both ends of the FPC in the width direction. The lock projection is formed so as to protrude from an opposite side of a reinforcing plate in the FPC to the side of the reinforcing plate, and the housing further includes a recess formed in the center in the width direction and a slit formed in the recess, an inner end of the separate part of the FPC being fitted into the slit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to FPC connectors and connector pairs. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, connectors for flexible flat cables have been used to connect flat flexible cables called flexible circuit boards (FPCs), flexible flat cables (FFCs), etc. Such connectors are attached to the ends of the flexible flat cables and are adapted to electrically connect the flexible flat cables to the mating connectors by mating with the mating connectors (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a conventional flexible flat cable connector.

[0004] In the figure, reference numeral 811 denotes a housing of a connector serving as a flexible flat cable connector that fits with a mating connector (not shown). The housing 811 includes a roughly rectangular flat plate portion 812, a pair of guide walls 813 formed on both the left and right sides of the flat plate portion 812, a cable front end pressing piece 817 formed on the front edge of the flat plate portion 812, cable guide pieces 818 protruding from the inner surfaces near the rear ends of the guide walls 813, and a cable locking projection 819 formed on the upper surface of the flat plate portion 812.

[0005] Also, 890 is a flexible flat cable. The flexible flat cable 890 includes a plurality of conductors 892 extending in its longitudinal direction and parallel to one another, but at a front end vicinity 891 of the flexible flat cable 890, the insulating coating covering the upper surfaces of the conductors 892 is removed, exposing the conductors 892. A locking hole 893 is formed behind the front end vicinity 891.

[0006] The flexible flat cable 890 is then attached to the connector by being moved from its rear toward its front relative to the housing 811 as shown by the arrow in the figure. At this time, both left and right side edges of the flexible flat cable 890 pass through the gap between the cable guide piece 818 and the flat plate portion 812, and its front end enters the gap between the cable front end pressing piece 817 and the flat plate portion 812, and its locking hole 893 is locked by the cable locking projection 819. This allows the flexible flat cable 890 to be securely attached to the housing 811 of the connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-100425 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in the conventional connectors described above, it is difficult to attach the thin and easily deformed flexible flat cable 890 easily, quickly, and accurately without damaging it or confusing the front and back.

[0009] In particular, in recent years, connectors have become smaller and thinner, and their various parts have been miniaturized, making it difficult to visually confirm that the flexible flat cable 890 is correctly attached without confusing the front and back.

[0010] The objective of this invention is to solve the problems of the conventional connectors described above, and to provide a highly reliable FPC connector and connector pair which are small and low-profile, yet highly strong, and which can be attached easily, reliably and accurately in a short time, even to a flexible circuit board (FPC) with a forked tip, without damaging it or confusing the front and back. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To this end, the FPC connector is provided with a housing capable of mounting an FPC with a bifurcated tip, the housing having a pillar portion with which a separation portion formed in the widthwise center of the FPC engages, and a locking protrusion portion that enters and locks into a locking opening formed at both widthwise ends of the FPC, the locking protrusion portion being formed so as to protrude toward the reinforcing plate from the side of the FPC opposite the reinforcing plate, and the housing further has a recess formed in its widthwise center, and a slit formed in the recess into which the inner end of the separation portion of the FPC fits.

[0012] In another FPC connector, at least a portion of the pillar portion is biased to either side in the width direction from the widthwise center of the recess.

[0013] In still another FPC connector, a viewing window is further formed on the outer wall surface of the housing, through which the locked state between the locking opening and the locking protrusion can be visually observed.

[0014] In yet another FPC connector, the housing further has a pressing protrusion formed widthwise outward from the locking protrusion, protruding in the opposite direction from the locking protrusion and capable of abutting a portion of the reinforcing plate side surface of the FPC closer to the front end than the locking opening.

[0015] In still another FPC connector, the housing further has a release space formed closer to the front surface than the locking protrusion.

[0016] The connector pair includes an FPC connector according to the present disclosure and a mating connector that mates with the FPC connector. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present disclosure, the FPC connector is small and low-profile, yet exhibits high strength, and can be attached easily, reliably, and accurately in a short time, even to an FPC with a forked tip, without damaging it or confusing the front and back, thereby improving reliability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a first perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 4 is a second perspective view of the first connector in the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2A and 2B are two-sided views of the first connector according to the first embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (a). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first connector in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the first connector according to the first embodiment, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are front views of a first connector according to a first embodiment, where (a) is an overall view and (b) is an enlarged view of a portion D in (a). [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are front views of a first connector according to a first embodiment as viewed obliquely, where (a) is an overall view and (b) is an enlarged view of a portion E in (a). [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are plan views of the vicinity of the tip of an FPC in a first embodiment, in which (a) is a plan view of an upper FPC and (b) is a plan view of a lower FPC. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are two-sided views of a first connector to which an FPC is attached in the first embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in (a). [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the first connector to which the FPC is attached in the first embodiment. [Figure 11]11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of the first connector to which an FPC is attached in the first embodiment, where (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. 10, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH in FIG. [Figure 12] 5A and 5B are perspective views of a second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a first perspective view and (b) is a second perspective view. [Figure 13] 3A and 3B are two views of the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a top view. [Figure 14] 1 is a top view showing a state before the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment are fitted together. FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is a top view showing a state when the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment start to be fitted to each other. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a two-sided view showing the state when the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment start to be mated, where (a) is a view from the rear of the first connector, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow II in (a). [Figure 17] 1A and 1B are first two-sided views showing a state in the middle of fitting between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ in (a). [Figure 18] A second two-sided view showing the intermediate state of mating between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a view from the rear of the first connector, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow KK in (a). [Figure 19] 1A and 1B are first two-sided views showing a state in a later stage of mating between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line LL in (a). [Figure 20] This is a second two-sided view showing the later mating state between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, where (a) is a view from the rear of the first connector, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow MM in (a). [Figure 21]11A and 11B are perspective views of a first connector according to a second embodiment, in which (a) is a view seen obliquely from the front, and (b) is a view seen obliquely from the rear. [Figure 22] 11A and 11B are first two-sided views of the first connector according to the second embodiment, where (a) is a rear view and (b) is a bottom view. [Figure 23] 11A and 11B are second two-sided views of the first connector according to the second embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line NN in (a). [Figure 24] 10A to 10C are three-view diagrams of a first connector to which an FPC is attached in a second embodiment, where (a) is a top view, (b) is a rear view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line OO in (a). [Diagram 25] 13A and 13B are perspective views of a second connector according to a second embodiment, in which (a) is a view seen obliquely from the front, and (b) is a view seen obliquely from the rear. [Figure 26] 11A and 11B are two views of a second connector according to a second embodiment, where (a) is a top view and (b) is a front view. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional flexible flat cable connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a first oblique view of the first connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a second oblique view of the first connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 3 is a two-sided view of the first connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 6 is a front view of the first connector in the first embodiment, FIG. 7 is a front view of the first connector seen from an angle in the first embodiment, FIG. 8 is a plan view near the tip of an FPC in the first embodiment, FIG. 9 is a two-sided view of the first connector with an FPC attached in the first embodiment, FIG. 10 is a rear view of the first connector with an FPC attached in the first embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the first connector with an FPC attached in the first embodiment. 3, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (a); in FIG. 5, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 4; in FIG. 6, (a) is an overall view, and (b) is an enlarged view of section D in (a); in FIG. 7, (a) is an overall view, and (b) is an enlarged view of section E in (a); in FIG. 8, (a) is a plan view of the upper FPC, and (b) is a plan view of the lower FPC; in FIG. 9, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in (a); in FIG. 11, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. 10, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH in FIG. 10.

[0021] In the figure, 10 denotes a first connector in this embodiment, which is one of the connectors constituting a connector pair by fitting with a second connector 101 as a mating connector described later. In this embodiment, the first connector 10 is used as a so-called jacket for electrically connecting an FPC 90, which is a flexible circuit board, to the second connector 101, and is an FPC connector to which the FPC 90 is attached. In this embodiment, FPC means not only a flexible circuit board but also a flat flexible board or a flat flexible cable including a flexible flat cable called an FFC, and may be any kind of flat flexible board or flat flexible cable.

[0022] In this embodiment, the expressions indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear used to explain the configuration and operation of each part of the first connector 10, the second connector 101, the FPC 90, etc. are not absolute but relative, and are appropriate when each part of the first connector 10, the second connector 101, the FPC 90, etc. is in the position shown in the figure, but if the position changes, they should be interpreted differently in accordance with the change in position.

[0023] The first connector 10 has a first housing 11 as a housing integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown in the figure, the first housing 11 has an outer shape that is elongated in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped. The first housing 11 has a main body portion 11a located on the side where the FPC 90 is inserted, that is, the rear side (X-axis negative direction side), and a fitting portion 11b connected to the front side (X-axis positive direction side) of the main body portion 11a and fitting with the second connector 101. A flat flange portion 11c extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) is formed between the main body portion 11a and the fitting portion 11b. The rear end surface of the main body portion 11a is referred to as the rear surface 11r of the first housing 11, and the front end surface of the fitting portion 11b is referred to as the front surface 11f of the first housing 11.

[0024] The fitting portion 11b includes fitting side portions 12b, which are located at both ends in the width direction (Y axis direction) and have a shape like a rectangular column extending forward (X axis positive direction) from the flange portion 11c, and a fitting main portion 12a, whose left and right ends are defined by the fitting side portions 12b. The front end surface of the fitting side portion 12b functions as a front surface 11f, and the front end surface of the fitting main portion 12a is located behind the front surface 11f (X axis negative direction). The fitting main portion 12a is formed with a plurality of terminal entrance recesses 12a1 arranged in the width direction, into which at least a contact protrusion 165a of a terminal 161 (described later) of the second connector 101 enters when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated. The number and pitch of the terminal entrance recesses 12a1 are set to correspond to the number and pitch of the terminals 161. Each terminal entrance recess 12a1 is formed so as to open to the front end face of the main fitting portion 12a and also to main fitting planes 12d above and below the main fitting portion 12a.

[0025] The front end of the main mating plane 12d is defined by a front end protrusion 12a2 that protrudes upward and downward from the front end surface of the main mating part 12a. A front end guide 12a3 that abuts or is close to the front end 90f of the FPC 90 is formed at the opening of the terminal entrance recess 12a1 in the front end protrusion 12a2. The protruding height of the front end guide 12a3 is set to be lower than the surface of the conductive wires exposed on the front side of the FPC 90.

[0026] Furthermore, a fitting recess 12c is formed in the center of the main fitting part 12a in the width direction (Y-axis direction) as a recess where the fitting part 11b is missing. The fitting recess 12c is a roughly rectangular space recessed from the front end face of the main fitting part 12a to the flange part 11c when viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z-axis direction), and both the left and right sides of the fitting recess 12c are defined by fitting inner wall parts 12e extending in the front-rear and top-bottom directions.

[0027] A locking member 21 is formed in the center of the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the upper surface (Z-axis positive surface) of the first housing 11 as a mated state maintaining device that maintains the mated state with the second connector 101. The locking member 21 includes a pair of left and right locking arms 21b and a locking protrusion 21a whose both ends are connected to the center of the locking arms 21b. Each locking arm 21b is an elastically deformable cantilever-like member whose base end is connected to the upper surface of the mating inner wall 12e that defines both sides of the width direction of the mating recess 12c, and extends linearly backward (X-axis negative direction) when viewed from the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). A lock retaining portion 23 is formed on the upper surface of the main body portion 11a on the rear side of the locking member 21, and a secondary locking member 22 as a connector position assurance mechanism (CPA) is attached to the lock retaining portion 23 so as to be slidable forward. The secondary locking member 22 functions in the same manner as a general CPA, and when the mating of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 is completed, the secondary locking member 22 is slid forward while the locking member 21 locks the second connector 101, thereby preventing the locking member 21 from moving in the disengagement direction.

[0028] Furthermore, the first housing 11 is formed with a board insertion recess 13 as an FPC insertion recess into which at least a portion of the FPC 90 near the front end 90f is inserted. The board insertion recess 13 extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and is a recess that opens like a long and narrow slit extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) on the rear surface 11r of the first housing 11, and is partitioned into an upper board insertion recess 13A and a lower board insertion recess 13B by a partition wall 14 extending in the width direction. That is, the first housing 11 has two board insertion recesses 13. The upper FPC 90A of the FPC 90 is inserted into the upper board insertion recess 13A, and the lower FPC 90B of the FPC 90 is inserted into the lower board insertion recess 13B.

[0029] In this embodiment, when the upper board insertion recess 13A and the lower board insertion recess 13B are described collectively, they are described as board insertion recess 13, and when the upper FPC 90A and the lower FPC 90B are described collectively, they are described as FPC 90.

[0030] Each substrate insertion recess 13 includes end insertion recesses 13b located at both ends in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and a central insertion recess 13a whose left and right ends are connected to the end insertion recesses 13b.

[0031] The end insertion recess 13b extends in the front-rear direction within the fitting side portion 12b in the fitting portion 11b and opens at the front end surface of the fitting side portion 12b. Furthermore, a window 13b1 as a slit-shaped viewing window extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the outer wall surface of the first housing 11 corresponding to the end insertion recess 13b, specifically, on the upper surface (Z-axis positive direction surface) and lower surface (Z-axis negative direction surface) of the fitting side portion 12b, and the end insertion recess 13b in the fitting side portion 12b communicates with the upper and lower outsides of the first housing 11 through the window 13b1, so that the inside of the end insertion recess 13b can be viewed through the window 13b1.

[0032] The central insertion recess 13a communicates with spaces above and below the surface of the mating main flat surface 12d of the main fitting portion 12a through a front-rear connecting opening 13a1 as a connecting opening formed in the flange portion 11c. That is, the front end 90f of the portion of the FPC 90 inserted into the central insertion recess 13a can slide along the surface of the mating main flat surface 12d through the front-rear connecting opening 13a1 and reach the front end protrusion 12a2 that defines the front end of the mating main flat surface 12d.

[0033] Furthermore, the end insertion recess 13b in the fitting side portion 12b communicates with the spaces on the surface of the fitting main flat surface 12d above and below the fitting main portion 12a through a side communication opening 13a2 as a communication opening formed on the inner side surface of the fitting side portion 12b. Furthermore, the fitting recess 12c communicates with the spaces on the surface of the fitting main flat surface 12d above and below the fitting main portion 12a through a recess communication opening 13a3 as a communication opening which is a slit formed in the fitting inner wall portion 12e. That is, the portion of the FPC 90 inserted along the surface of the fitting main flat surface 12d can maintain a state of connection with the portion inserted into the end insertion recess 13b in the fitting side portion 12b, and can be partially exposed in the fitting recess 12c.

[0034] A plurality of elongated ribs 14a extending in the front-rear direction protrude from the upper and lower surfaces of the central insertion recess 13a in the partition wall 14. When the FPC 90 is inserted into the board insertion recess 13, its surface on the partition wall 14 side slides along the surface of the elongated ribs 14a, so that sliding resistance is reduced and the FPC 90 can slide smoothly.

[0035] 3, 5, etc., the partition wall 14 has locking protrusions 14b formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the end insertion recess 13b. The FPC 90 inserted into the board insertion recess 13 is locked by the locking protrusions 14b entering locking openings 93 formed on both widthwise ends of the FPC 90, preventing it from being pulled out unnecessarily. As shown in FIG. 3(b), each locking protrusion 14b includes a top surface 14b2 extending in the front-rear direction, an inclined surface 14b1 connected to the rear end (X-axis negative end) of the top surface 14b2, and a locking surface 14b3 connected to the front end (X-axis positive end) of the top surface 14b2 and extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0036] Furthermore, a release space 13d is formed in the end insertion recess 13b closer to the front surface 11f than the locking protrusion 14b. The release space 13d is a space into which a release tool (not shown) can be inserted to release the lock of the locking opening 93 by the locking protrusion 14b when removing the FPC 90 attached to the first connector 10.

[0037] Further, a pressing protrusion 13c is formed on a surface of the end insertion recess 13b in the fitting side portion 12b facing the partition wall 14, protruding in the opposite direction to the locking protrusion 14b, i.e., protruding toward the partition wall 14. The pressing protrusion 13c is formed forward of the locking protrusion 14b and outward in the width direction. The FPC 90 inserted into the board insertion recess 13 is locked by the locking protrusion 14b entering into the locking opening 93 formed at both ends in the width direction, and further, a portion of the FPC 90 closer to the front end 90f and closer to both ends in the width direction than the locking opening 93 is pressed toward the partition wall 14 by the pressing protrusion 13c, so that the locking protrusion 14b is reliably prevented from coming off the locking opening 93. As shown in FIG. 3(b), each pressing protrusion 13c includes a top surface portion 13c2 extending in the front-rear direction and an inclined surface portion 13c1 connected to the rear end (the end in the negative X-axis direction) of the top surface portion 13c2.

[0038] Furthermore, the first housing 11 is formed with a pillar portion 15 extending in the up-down direction within the board insertion recess 13. The pillar portion 15 is a prismatic member with a roughly rectangular cross section, and is formed in a position near the center of the width of the first housing 11 with its front side surface (X-axis positive side surface) facing the fitting recess 12c. In this embodiment, the pillar portion 15 located within the upper board insertion recess 13A will be described as an upper pillar portion 15A, and the pillar portion 15 located within the lower board insertion recess 13B will be described as a lower pillar portion 15B. However, when the upper pillar portion 15A and the lower pillar portion 15B are described collectively, they will be described as a pillar portion 15.

[0039] The upper column 15A has a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 5(a) when viewed from the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and its widthwise (Y-axis) dimension is slightly smaller than the widthwise (Y-axis) dimension of the fitting recess 12c, and its front side defines most of the rear end face corresponding to the upper board insertion recess 13A in the fitting recess 12c and is exposed in the fitting recess 12c. The upper column 15A has a main body 15a with a roughly rectangular cross section having a large widthwise dimension, and a protruding portion 15b with a roughly rectangular cross section having a smaller widthwise dimension than the main body 15a and protruding rearward (X-axis negative direction) from the main body 15a. The protruding portion 15b is formed so that its widthwise center is biased toward one side in the width direction, i.e., the left side (Y-axis positive direction) from the widthwise center of the main body 15a, and the left side surface of the protruding portion 15b and the left side surface of the main body 15a form the same plane. The right side surface of the protruding portion 15b is located to the left of the right side surface of the main body portion 15a, and a notch 15c is formed with two surfaces defined by the right side surface of the protruding portion 15b and the rear side surface of the main body portion 15a. The notch 15c has a hook-shaped or rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0040] The lower column 15B has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 5(b) when viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z-axis direction), and its widthwise (Y-axis) dimension is smaller than the widthwise (Y-axis) dimension of the fitting recess 12c, and its widthwise center is biased from the widthwise center of the fitting recess 12c to the other side in the widthwise direction, that is, to the right side (Y-axis negative direction side). The front side of the lower column 15B defines more than half of the rear end surface corresponding to the lower board insertion recess 13B in the fitting recess 12c and is exposed in the fitting recess 12c. Unlike the upper column 15A, the lower column 15B has only a main body 15a with a generally rectangular cross-section, and does not have a portion corresponding to the protrusion 15b or the missing portion 15c.

[0041] 8(a) and 8(b) show plan views of the upper FPC 90A and the lower FPC 90B within a predetermined distance from the front end 90f, respectively. Although the FPC 90 is generally a long strip-shaped member, the illustration of the portion that is more than the predetermined distance away from the front end 90f is omitted for convenience of explanation. A flat reinforcing plate 92 is attached within a predetermined length from the front end 90f to a non-terminal contact surface, i.e., a back side surface, opposite to a terminal contact surface, i.e., a front side surface, which is a surface of the body 91 of the FPC 90 that contacts the terminals 161 of the second connector 101. The reinforcing plate 92 is preferably made of, for example, an insulating resin film, and is fixed to the back side surface of the body 91 as a reinforcing member by an adhesive or the like. Furthermore, the specified length is preferably slightly longer than the dimension from the front end protrusion 12a2 of the main mating part 12a in the first housing 11 to the rear face 11r, so that the vicinity of the rear end of the reinforcing plate 92 is visible when the FPC 90 is attached to the first connector 10.

[0042] Also, on the front side surface of the main body 91 (not shown), the insulating coating is removed in a certain range from the front end 90f, and the conductive wires are exposed. The range from which the insulating coating is removed is preferably smaller than the range in which the reinforcing plate 92 is attached. The conductive wires extend in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the FPC 90, and a plurality of wires (e.g., about 12 wires) are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch (e.g., about 1 to 2 mm). The number and pitch of the conductive wires are appropriately changed according to the number and pitch of the terminals 161 of the second connector 101.

[0043] The FPC 90 has a bifurcated tip, and a separation portion 94 having a shape recessed toward the rear (negative direction of the X-axis) is formed in the center of the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front end 90f. The separation portion 94 is a space where the main body 91 and the reinforcing plate 92 are missing, and is a space that opens at the front end 90f.

[0044] The separation portion 94 of the upper FPC 90A has a shape as shown in FIG. 8(a) when viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z-axis direction), and includes a roughly rectangular main body portion 94a having a large width dimension and a roughly rectangular protruding portion 94b having a smaller width dimension than the main body portion 94a and protruding rearward (X-axis negative direction) from the main body portion 94a. The center of the width direction of the main body portion 94a coincides with the center of the width direction of the upper FPC 90A. The protruding portion 94b is formed so that its width direction center is biased toward one side in the width direction, i.e., the left side (Y-axis positive direction side), from the width direction center of the main body portion 94a, and the left side surface of the protruding portion 94b and the left side surface of the main body portion 94a form the same surface. The right side surface of the protruding portion 94b is located to the left of the right side surface of the main body portion 94a, and a convex piece portion 94c is formed whose two surfaces are defined by the right side surface of the protruding portion 94b and the rear side surface of the main body portion 94a. The protruding piece portion 94c has a hook-shaped or rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0045] The separation portion 94 of the upper FPC 90A is a portion that engages with the upper column portion 15A, and accommodates the upper column portion 15A in a portion near the rear end (negative end in the X-axis direction). Therefore, when viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z-axis direction), the shape of the portion near the rear end of the separation portion 94 is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the upper column portion 15A, and the width direction of the main body portion 94a, the width direction and front-rear direction of the protrusion portion 94b, and the width direction and front-rear direction of the convex piece portion 94c are almost the same as those of the main body portion 15a, the protrusion portion 15b, and the missing portion 15c in the cross section of the upper column portion 15A. Note that the width direction dimension of the main body portion 94a is almost the same as that of the main body portion 15a in the cross section of the upper column portion 15A, and is therefore slightly smaller than the width direction of the fitting recess 12c.

[0046] The separation portion 94 of the lower FPC 90B has a shape as shown in FIG. 8(b) when viewed from the top-bottom direction (Z-axis direction), and includes a roughly rectangular main body portion 94a having a large width dimension and a roughly rectangular protruding portion 94b having a smaller width dimension than the main body portion 94a and protruding rearward (X-axis negative direction) from the main body portion 94a. The center of the width direction of the main body portion 94a coincides with the center of the width direction of the lower FPC 90B. The protruding portion 94b is formed so that its width direction center is biased toward the other side in the width direction, i.e., the right side (Y-axis negative direction side) from the width direction center of the main body portion 94a, and the right side surface of the protruding portion 94b and the right side surface of the main body portion 94a form the same plane. The left side surface of the protruding portion 94b is located to the right of the left side surface of the main body portion 94a, and a convex piece portion 94c is formed whose two surfaces are defined by the left side surface of the protruding portion 94b and the rear side surface of the main body portion 94a. The protruding piece portion 94c has a hook-shaped or rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0047] The separation portion 94 of the lower FPC 90B is a portion that engages with the lower column portion 15B, and houses the lower column portion 15B in a protruding portion 94b, which is a portion near the rear end (X-axis negative end). Therefore, when viewed from the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the shape of the protruding portion 94b is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the lower column portion 15B, and the widthwise and front-rearwise dimensions of the protruding portion 94b are almost the same as those of the main body portion 15a in the cross section of the lower column portion 15B. The widthwise dimension of the main body portion 94a is slightly smaller than that of the fitting recess 12c.

[0048] Then, the FPC 90 is inserted into the board insertion recess 13 from the rear surface 11r of the first housing 11 and attached to the first connector 10. Specifically, the FPC 90 is moved forward relatively to the first housing 11 from a position in which the front end 90f faces the rear surface 11r of the first housing 11, and inserted into the board insertion recess 13. At this time, the upper FPC 90A is inserted into the upper board insertion recess 13A with the front side surface, which is the surface to which the reinforcing plate 92 is not attached, facing the partition wall 14, and the lower FPC 90B is inserted into the lower board insertion recess 13B with the front side surface, which is the surface to which the reinforcing plate 92 is not attached, facing the partition wall 14.

[0049] When the portions of the FPC 90 near both ends in the width direction relatively advance in the end insertion recess 13b, the front end 90f abuts against the locking protrusion 14b. Here, since the rear end side of the locking protrusion 14b has an inclined surface portion 14b1, the FPC 90 can smoothly ride up on the locking protrusion 14b and advance further. Then, the front end 90f abuts against the pressing protrusion 13c. Here, since the rear end side of the pressing protrusion 13c has an inclined surface portion 13c1, the FPC 90 can smoothly ride up on the pressing protrusion 13c and advance further. Then, when the front end 90f of the portion of the FPC 90 inserted into the central insertion recess 13a slides along the surface of the main mating plane 12d through the front-rear connecting opening 13a1 and reaches the front end protrusion 12a2, the attachment of the FPC 90 to the first connector 10 is completed. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the front end 90f of the FPC 90 comes into contact with or close to the leading end guide 12a3.

[0050] When the attachment of the FPC 90 to the first connector 10 is completed, the pillar portion 15 of the first housing 11 enters and engages with a separation portion 94 formed in the center of the width of the FPC 90. As shown in Fig. 11(a), the separation portion 94 of the upper FPC 90A engages with the upper pillar portion 15A, the main body portion 15a of the upper pillar portion 15A is received and engaged in a portion of the main body portion 94a of the separation portion 94 near the rear end (the end in the negative direction of the X-axis) of the separation portion 94, the protrusion portion 15b of the upper pillar portion 15A is received and engaged in the protrusion portion 94b of the separation portion 94, and the convex piece portion 94c of the separation portion 94 is received and engaged in the missing portion 15c of the upper pillar portion 15A. As shown in FIG. 11(b), the separation portion 94 of the lower FPC 90B engages with the lower pillar portion 15B, and the protrusion 94b of the separation portion 94 receives and engages with the main body portion 15a of the lower pillar portion 15B.

[0051] In this embodiment, the shape of the upper pillar 15A in a plan view and the shape of the lower pillar 15B in a plan view are both at least partially biased to either side in the width direction from the center in the width direction (Y axis direction) of the first housing 11 to the fitting recess 12c, and are different from each other. Also, the shape of the separation portion 94 of the upper FPC 90A that engages with the upper pillar 15A in a plan view and the shape of the separation portion 94 of the lower FPC 90B that engages with the lower pillar 15B in a plan view are both at least partially biased to either side in the width direction from the center in the width direction (Y axis direction) of the FPC 90, and are different from each other. For example, as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the dimensions of the main body portion 94a in the width direction (Y axis direction) are the same, but the length of the main body portion 94a of the upper FPC 90A in the front-rear direction (X axis direction) may be greater than the length of the main body portion 94a of the lower FPC 90B. The widthwise and front-rear dimensions of the protruding portion 94b of the upper FPC 90A may be smaller than the widthwise and front-rear dimensions of the protruding portion 94b of the lower FPC 90B. Furthermore, the amount of protrusion in the widthwise direction of the convex piece portion 94c of the upper FPC 90A may be larger than the amount of protrusion in the widthwise direction of the convex piece portion 94c of the lower FPC 90B. Due to this difference, it is also possible to identify whether the FPC 90 is the upper FPC 90A or the lower FPC 90B even before the FPC 90 is attached to the first connector 10.

[0052] Therefore, only the upper FPC 90A in the correct position can be inserted into the upper board insertion recess 13A of the first housing 11, and an incorrect type of FPC 90 such as the lower FPC 90B cannot be inserted, and even a correct type, i.e., the upper FPC 90A, cannot be inserted if it is in an incorrect position such as upside down. Similarly, only the lower FPC 90B in the correct position can be inserted into the lower board insertion recess 13B of the first housing 11, and an incorrect type of FPC 90 such as the upper FPC 90A cannot be inserted, and even a correct type, i.e., the lower FPC 90B, cannot be inserted if it is in an incorrect position such as upside down.

[0053] When the attachment of the FPC 90 to the first connector 10 is completed, as shown in Fig. 9(a), the inner end of the separation portion 94 of the FPC 90 fits into the recess communication opening 13a3, which is a slit formed in the fitting inner wall portion 12e, and as shown in Fig. 9(b), the locking protrusions 14b enter and lock into the locking openings 93 formed at both ends in the width direction of the FPC 90. In this state, even if an external force is applied that pulls the FPC 90 backward (X-axis negative direction), the front end side of the locking protrusions 14b has an inclined surface portion 14b1 extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) formed thereon, and the inclined surface portion 14b1 hooks onto the front end of the locking opening 93, so that the locking of the locking opening 93 by the locking protrusions 14b is not released. Furthermore, since the portion of the FPC 90 which is forward of and widthwise outward from the locking opening 93 is pressed toward the partition wall 14 by the pressing protrusion 13c, the locking opening 93 is more reliably prevented from being released from its engagement by the locking protrusion 14b.

[0054] Furthermore, slit-shaped windows 13b1 are formed at positions corresponding to the locking protrusions 14b on the upper surface (Z-axis positive direction surface) and lower surface (Z-axis negative direction surface) of the mating side portion 12b, so that the operator can visually confirm from the outside of the first connector 10 that the portions of the FPC 90 near both widthwise ends are inserted into the end insertion recesses 13b of the mating side portion 12b and that the locking openings 93 are locked by the locking protrusions 14b.

[0055] Furthermore, when the attachment of the FPC 90 to the first connector 10 is completed, the operator can visually confirm from outside the first connector 10 that the surface of the main mating plane 12d is covered by the FPC 90 and that the front end 90f has reached the front end protrusion 12a2 protruding from the main mating plane 12d, as shown in FIG. 9(a).

[0056] Next, the configuration of the second connector 101 will be described.

[0057] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the second connector in the first embodiment, and Fig. 13 is a two-sided view of the second connector in the first embodiment. In Fig. 12, (a) is a first perspective view, (b) is a second perspective view, and in Fig. 13, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a top view.

[0058] The second connector 101 in this embodiment has a second housing 111 as a housing integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and a terminal 161 formed by performing processing such as punching and bending on a conductive metal plate. The second connector 101 is a board connector mounted on the surface of a board (not shown) as a mounting member, and is fitted to the first connector 10. In the example shown in the figure, the second connector 101 is a so-called right-angle type, and when fitting with the first connector 10, the direction in which it moves relative to the first connector 10 is parallel to the surface of the board, and therefore a front surface 111f as a fitting surface of the second housing 111 of the second connector 101 is perpendicular to the mounting surface 111b. The second connector 101 does not necessarily have to be a right-angle type, and may be a so-called straight type in which, when mated with the first connector 10, the direction in which it moves relative to the first connector 10 is perpendicular to the surface of the board and the front surface 111f as the mating surface of the second housing 111 is parallel to the mounting surface 111b, or the second connector 101 may be a wire connector connected to the tip of another FPC or electric wire, or may be a type known as a relay connector for connecting to other connectors. However, for the sake of convenience, the case of a right-angle type will be described here.

[0059] As shown in the figure, the second housing 111 has an outer shape that is elongated in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The second housing 111 has a fitting recess 113 that opens to a front surface 111f as a fitting surface that fits with the first connector 10. The second housing 111 also has sidewalls 111c formed on both ends in the width direction (Y-axis direction), and auxiliary fittings 171 are attached to the sidewalls 111c to ensure mounting on the board. The auxiliary fittings 171 are members formed by subjecting a metal plate to processing such as punching and bending, and a tail portion 172 is formed at the lower end as a board connection portion that extends outward in the width direction (Y-axis direction). The tail portion 172 is connected by soldering to a connection pad or the like formed on the surface of the board. The second housing 111 also has a protrusion 111d that protrudes downward (Z-axis negative direction) from the mounting surface 111b. The protrusion 111d is inserted into and engages with a hole formed in the surface of the substrate.

[0060] A wall-like flange portion 114 protruding upward (in the Z-axis positive direction) is formed on a front surface 111f of the second housing 111. Furthermore, a locked member 121 is formed in the center of the width direction (in the Y-axis direction) of the upper surface (Z-axis positive surface) of the second housing 111 as a mated state maintaining device that maintains the mated state with the first connector 10. The locked member 121 is a member that engages with and is locked by the locking member 21 of the first connector 10, and includes a locking recess 121a that engages with the locking protrusion 21a of the locking member 21.

[0061] Furthermore, a fitting column 112c is formed in the center of the fitting recess 113 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) as a column that fits into the fitting recess 12c of the first connector 10. The fitting column 112c is a rectangular column-shaped member extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) directly below the locked member 121, and is formed so that its front end face is flush with the front surface 111f. The fitting column 112c prevents deformation and warping of the fitting recess 113 in the vertical direction. When the second connector 101 is a straight type, the front end face of the fitting column 112c can function as an adsorption surface for adsorbing a jig.

[0062] When the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, the mating pillar portion 112c is accommodated in the mating recess 12c of the first connector 10, and each of the mating recesses 113 divided into left and right halves by the mating pillar portion 112c accommodates one of the mating portions 11b divided into left and right halves by the mating recess 12c.

[0063] In addition, in the fitting recess 113, a plurality of terminal support parts 112a extending forward (negative direction of the X-axis) from the inner side are arranged side by side in the width direction. A terminal accommodating groove 112b extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the upper and lower surfaces of each terminal support part 112a, and a contact part 165 of each terminal 161 is accommodated in each terminal accommodating groove 112b. Each contact part 165 is a cantilever-shaped member, and a contact protrusion 165a that bulges outward in the up-down direction of the terminal support part 112a is formed at its free end. The contact part 165 is bifurcated from the base or midway, and a front contact protrusion 165a1 and a rear contact protrusion 165a2 are formed as the contact protrusions 165a at each of the two free ends, and the front contact protrusion 165a1 and the rear contact protrusion 165a2 are preferably arranged in tandem. The terminal support portions 112a are members that enter into the terminal entry recesses 12a1 of the first connector 10 when the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, and their number and pitch are set to correspond to the number and pitch of the terminal entry recesses 12a1.

[0064] Furthermore, a plurality of elongated ribs 116 extending in the front-rear direction protrude from the upper and lower surfaces within the mating recess 113. When the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, the FPC 90 on the surface of the main mating plane 12d of the main mating part 12a inserted into the mating recess 113 slides along the surfaces of the elongated ribs 116, thereby reducing the sliding resistance and enabling smooth sliding.

[0065] Further, the second housing 111 is formed with a plurality of terminal accommodating recesses 115 into which the terminals 161 are inserted and accommodated. The terminal accommodating recesses 115 extend in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and are recesses that open like elongated slits extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) on the rear surface 111r of the second housing 111, and are divided into an upper terminal accommodating recess 115A and a lower terminal accommodating recess 115B. That is, the second housing 111 has two types of terminal accommodating recesses 115. The upper terminal accommodating recess 115A and the lower terminal accommodating recess 115B are respectively connected to the terminal accommodating grooves 112b formed on the upper and lower surfaces of each terminal support portion 112a. Furthermore, the upper terminal accommodating recesses 115A and the lower terminal accommodating recesses 115B are each arranged in a plurality of pieces in the width direction (Y-axis direction), and the number and pitch of the upper terminal accommodating recesses 115A and the lower terminal accommodating recesses 115B are set to correspond to the number and pitch of the terminal accommodating grooves 112b. An upper terminal 161A of the terminals 161 is inserted into the upper terminal accommodating recess 115A, and a lower terminal 161B of the terminals 161 is inserted into the lower terminal accommodating recess 115B.

[0066] In this embodiment, when the upper terminal accommodating recess 115A and the lower terminal accommodating recess 115B are described collectively, they are described as terminal accommodating recess 115, and when the upper terminal 161A and the lower terminal 161B are described collectively, they are described as terminal 161.

[0067] Each terminal 161 is a flat member extending in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) and the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and includes a main body portion 163 accommodated and held in the terminal accommodating recess 115, a connecting portion 164 extending downward (Z-axis negative direction) from the rear end (X-axis positive end) of the main body portion 163, a tail portion 162 as a board connecting portion protruding rearward (X-axis positive direction) from the lower end (Z-axis negative end) of the connecting portion 164, a cantilever-shaped contact portion 165 extending forward (X-axis negative direction) from the front end (X-axis negative end) of the main body portion 163, and a contact protrusion 165a formed at a free end of the contact portion 165. The tail portion 162 is connected to a connection pad or the like formed on the surface of the board by soldering.

[0068] The main body 163, contact portion 165, and contact protrusion 165a of the upper terminal 161A and the main body 163, contact portion 165, and contact protrusion 165a of the lower terminal 161B are formed symmetrically with respect to a central plane extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and front-rear direction (X-axis direction) at the center of the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the fitting recess 113. Therefore, the contact protrusion 165a of the upper terminal 161A faces upward and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the terminal support portion 112a, and the contact protrusion 165a of the lower terminal 161B faces downward and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the terminal support portion 112a.

[0069] In contrast, connecting portion 164 and tail portion 162 are formed to extend in the same direction in both upper terminal 161A and lower terminal 161B. Connecting portion 164 of lower terminal 161B has a relatively small dimension in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) and extends linearly in the up-down direction when viewed from the front-to-rear direction, whereas connecting portion 164 of upper terminal 161A has a relatively large dimension in the up-down direction and extends in the up-down direction while being bent in a crank shape when viewed from the front-to-rear direction.

[0070] As viewed from the front-rear direction, the main body 163 of the upper terminal 161A and the main body 163 of the lower terminal 161B positioned directly below the upper terminal 161A are at the same position in the width direction (Y-axis direction), but the tail portion 162 is at a different position in the width direction (Y-axis direction). Specifically, as viewed from the front-rear direction, the main body 163 and the tail portion 162 of the lower terminal 161B are positioned on a straight line extending in the up-down direction, and the main body 163 of the upper terminal 161A is also positioned on the straight line, but the tail portion 162 of the upper terminal 161A is biased to one side in the width direction (the right side in FIG. 12(b): the positive Y-axis direction side) from the tail portion 162 of the lower terminal 161B. The tail portion 162 of the upper terminal 161A is positioned approximately midway between the tail portions 162 of the adjacent upper terminals 161A. Therefore, the connecting portion 164 connecting the main body portion 163 and the tail portion 162 of the upper terminal 161A is bent in a crank shape so as not to interfere with the connecting portion 164 and the tail portion 162 of the lower terminal 161B. As a result, as shown in Fig. 12(b), the tail portions 162 of all the terminals 161 are arranged in a row in the width direction (Y-axis direction).

[0071] Next, the operation of mating first connector 10 and second connector 101 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described.

[0072] Figure 14 is a top view showing the state before mating between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 15 is a top view showing the state at the start of mating between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 16 is a two-sided view showing the state at the start of mating between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 17 is a first two-sided view showing the state in the middle of mating between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 18 is a second two-sided view showing the state in the middle of mating between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, Figure 19 is a first two-sided view showing the state in a later stage of mating between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment, and Figure 20 is a second two-sided view showing the state in a later stage of mating between the first connector and the second connector in the first embodiment. In addition, in Figure 16, (a) is a view of the first connector from the rear, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in (a); in Figure 17, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ in (a); in Figure 18, (a) is a view of the first connector from the rear, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line KK in (a); in Figure 19, (a) is a top view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line LL in (a); and in Figure 20, (a) is a view of the first connector from the rear, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line MM in (a).

[0073] Here, it is assumed that the first connector 10 is one in which the attachment of the upper FPC 90A and the lower FPC 90B has been completed. Also, it is assumed that the second connector 101 is surface-mounted on the board by inserting and engaging the protrusion 111d into a hole formed on the surface of the board (not shown) and connecting the tail portion 162 of the terminal 161 and the tail portion 172 of the auxiliary metal fitting 171 to a connection pad on the surface of the board (not shown) by soldering. Also, it is assumed that the connection pad to which the tail portion 162 of the terminal 161 is connected is connected to a conductive trace for transmitting a current such as a signal on the board.

[0074] 14, the operator places the front surface 11f, which is the mating surface of the first housing 11 of the first connector 10, opposite to the front surface 111f, which is the mating surface of the second connector 101, and adjusts the position of the mating portion 11b of the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 to match the position of the mating recess 113 of the second housing 111 of the second connector 101. This completes the alignment of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101.

[0075] In this state, when the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101 is moved in a direction approaching the mating side, i.e., in the mating direction, mating begins, and first, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the vicinity of the front end face of the mating side part 12b of the first housing 11 enters the mating recess 113. However, the main mating part 12a has not yet entered the mating recess 113.

[0076] 17 and 18, the vicinity of the front end face of the main mating part 12a of the first housing 11 also enters the mating recess 113. At this time, the left and right mating side parts 12b, the tip parts of which protrude forward and function as guide protrusions, have entered to a relatively deep position in the mating recess 113, so that the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101 can be moved in the mating direction with the posture of the first connector 10 relative to the second connector 101 stable.

[0077] 19 and 20, the vicinity of the front end face of the mating pillar portion 112c of the second housing 111 enters the mating recess 12c of the first housing 11, and the vicinity of the front end face of the terminal support portion 112a of the second housing 111 enters the terminal entrance recess 12a1 of the main mating portion 12a of the first housing 11.

[0078] Then, the contact protrusion 165a formed at the free end of the contact portion 165 of the terminal 161 moves relatively toward the rear (negative direction of the X-axis) of the first housing 11 and comes into contact with the surface of the conductive wire exposed on the surface side of the FPC 90. At this time, it first comes into contact with the surface of the front guide 12a3, and then the front end 90f comes into contact with the surface of the conductive wire of the FPC 90 that is in contact with or close to the front guide 12a3. Here, as described above, since the protruding height of the front guide 12a3 is set lower than the surface of the conductive wire of the FPC 90, the contact protrusion 165a comes into contact with the surface of the front guide 12a3 and is elastically displaced, and then comes into contact with the surface of the conductive wire of the FPC 90 and is further elastically displaced. In other words, the cantilever-shaped contact portion 165 is elastically deformed when the contact protrusion 165a comes into contact with the surface of the front guide 12a3, and then is further elastically deformed when the contact protrusion 165a comes into contact with the surface of the conductive wire of the FPC 90. In this way, it is possible to reduce damage to the FPC 90 by deforming the contact portion 165 before the contact protrusion 165a comes into contact with the FPC 90. It is also possible to reduce wear on the tip guide 12a3 caused by the contact protrusion 165a sliding against the surface of the tip guide 12a3.

[0079] Next, when the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101 are further moved in the mating direction, the mating is completed, and the mating pillar portion 112c of the second housing 111 enters and fits into the mating recess 12c of the first housing 11. Also, the terminal support portion 112a of the second housing 111 enters into the terminal entrance recess 12a1 of the main mating portion 12a of the first housing 11, and the contact protrusion 165a of the upper terminal 161A protruding upward from the upper surface of the terminal support portion 112a comes into contact with the conductive wire of the upper FPC 90A and is conductive, and the contact protrusion 165a of the lower terminal 161B protruding downward from the lower surface of the terminal support portion 112a comes into contact with the conductive wire of the lower FPC 90B and is conductive. As a result, the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are securely mated with each other without damage to the various parts and terminals 161 of the first connector 10 and / or the second connector 101, and each of the conductive wires of the upper FPC 90A is conductive with the corresponding upper terminal 161A, and each of the conductive wires of the lower FPC 90B is conductive with the corresponding lower terminal 161B.

[0080] Thus, in this embodiment, the first connector 10 includes a first housing 11 to which an FPC 90 having a bifurcated tip can be attached. The first housing 11 includes a pillar portion 15 with which a separation portion 94 formed in the widthwise center of the FPC 90 engages, and a locking protrusion 14b that enters and locks into a locking opening 93 formed at both ends of the FPC 90 in the widthwise direction, the locking protrusion 14b being formed to protrude toward the reinforcing plate 92 from the side of the FPC 90 opposite the reinforcing plate 92, and the first housing 11 further includes a fitting recess 12c formed in the widthwise center thereof, and a recess connection opening 13a3 formed in the fitting recess 12c, into which an inner end of the separation portion 94 of the FPC 90 fits.

[0081] As a result, the first connector 10 exhibits high strength despite its small size and low profile, and even an FPC 90 with a forked tip can be attached easily, reliably and accurately in a short time without being damaged or being confused with the front and back, thereby improving reliability.

[0082] Also, at least a portion of the pillar portion 15 is biased to either side in the width direction from the width direction center of the fitting recess 12c. Therefore, by forming the separation portion 94 of the FPC 90 in accordance with the shape of the pillar portion 15, the FPC 90 can be inserted only when the FPC 90 is in the correct position, and erroneous insertion of the FPC 90 can be prevented.

[0083] Furthermore, a window 13b1 through which the locking opening 93 and the locking protrusion 14b can be visually confirmed on the outer wall surface of the first housing 11. This makes it possible to visually confirm from the outside of the first connector 10 whether the FPC 90 is inserted in the correct position.

[0084] Furthermore, the first housing 11 has a pressing protrusion 13c formed outward in the width direction from the locking protrusion 14b, which protrudes in the opposite direction from the locking protrusion 14b and can abut against a portion of the surface of the FPC 90 on the reinforcing plate 92 side closer to the front end 90f than the locking opening 93. This causes the vicinity of the front end 90f of the FPC 90 to deform, releasing the lock between the locking opening 93 and the locking protrusion 14b, preventing the FPC 90 from being pulled out. It also prevents the FPC 90 from flapping near the front end 90f.

[0085] Furthermore, the first housing 11 has a release space 13d formed closer to the front surface 11f than the locking protrusions 14b. This makes it possible to insert a release tool (not shown) into the release space 13d to release the locking of the locking opening 93 by the locking protrusions 14b when removing the FPC 90 attached to the first connector 10.

[0086] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are given to components having the same structure as the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Also, the description of the same operations and effects as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0087] Figure 21 is an oblique view of the first connector in the second embodiment, Figure 22 is a first two-sided view of the first connector in the second embodiment, Figure 23 is a second two-sided view of the first connector in the second embodiment, Figure 24 is a three-sided view of the first connector with an FPC attached in the second embodiment, Figure 25 is an oblique view of the second connector in the second embodiment, and Figure 26 is a two-sided view of the second connector in the second embodiment. In Fig. 21, (a) is a view from the diagonal front and (b) is a view from the diagonal rear; in Fig. 22, (a) is a rear view and (b) is a bottom view; in Fig. 23, (a) is a top view and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line NN in (a); in Fig. 24, (a) is a top view, (b) is a rear view and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line OO in (a); in Fig. 25, (a) is a view from the diagonal front and (b) is a view from the diagonal rear; and in Fig. 26, (a) is a top view and (b) is a front view.

[0088] In the first embodiment, the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 has two board insertion recesses 13, i.e., an upper board insertion recess 13A and a lower board insertion recess 13B, whereas in the present embodiment, as shown in Figures 21(b) and 22(a), the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 has only one board insertion recess 13. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is also only one FPC 90.

[0089] In the example shown in the figure, the first housing 11 of the first connector 10 in this embodiment has only the board insertion recess 13 corresponding to the lower board insertion recess 13B in the first embodiment, and does not have the board insertion recess 13 corresponding to the upper board insertion recess 13A in the first embodiment. Therefore, the board insertion recess 13 does not exist above the partition wall 14, but exists only below the partition wall 14, the upper surface portion of the main body 11a of the first housing 11 is formed by the partition wall 14, and the rib 14a protrudes from the lower surface of the central insertion recess 13a in the partition wall 14. The FPC 90 is inserted into the board insertion recess 13 with the front side, which is the surface to which the reinforcing plate 92 is not attached, facing the partition wall 14.

[0090] In the first embodiment, a plurality of terminal entrance recesses 12a1 are formed side by side in the width direction in each section of the main fitting part 12a divided in half in the width direction (Y-axis direction) by the fitting recess 12c, whereas in the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 21(a), only one terminal entrance recess 12a1 extending in the width direction is formed in each section of the main fitting part 12a divided in half in the width direction (Y-axis direction) by the fitting recess 12c. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the main fitting plane 12d is the lower inner surface of the terminal entrance recess 12a1, and the front end protrusion 12a2 that defines the front end of the main fitting plane 12d protrudes from the lower inner surface of the terminal entrance recess 12a1.

[0091] In the first embodiment, the second housing 111 of the second connector 101 has two types of terminal accommodating recesses 115, i.e., upper terminal accommodating recesses 115A and lower terminal accommodating recesses 115B, whereas in the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 25(b), the second housing 111 of the second connector 101 has only one type of terminal accommodating recesses 115. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is also only one type of terminal 161, which is the same as the lower terminal 161B in the first embodiment.

[0092] In the first embodiment, a plurality of terminal support parts 112a are formed in each section of the fitting recess 113 divided in the width direction (Y-axis direction) by the fitting column part 112c, while in the present embodiment, as shown in Figs. 25(a) and 26(b), only one terminal support part 112a extending in the width direction is formed in each section of the fitting recess 113 divided in the width direction (Y-axis direction) by the fitting column part 112c. A plurality of terminal accommodating grooves 112b extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the lower surface of each terminal support part 112a in the width direction, and a contact part 165 of each terminal 161 is accommodated in each terminal accommodating groove 112b. A contact protrusion 165a formed at a free end of the contact part 165 faces downward and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the terminal support part 112a.

[0093] Other basic configurations of the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0094] Furthermore, the basic operation of attaching the FPC 90 to the first connector 10 in this embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0095] Furthermore, the operation of mating the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 in this embodiment, as well as other basic configurations and effects in the state in which the first connector 10 and the second connector 101 are mated, are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore their explanations will be omitted.

[0096] It should be noted that the disclosure of this specification describes the features of the preferred and exemplary embodiments, and that various other embodiments, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure of this specification. [Industrial Applicability]

[0097] The present disclosure is applicable to FPC connectors and connector pairs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10 First Connector 11 First Housing 11a, 15a, 94a, 163 Main body 11b Mating part 11c, 114 flange 11f, 111f front 11r, 111r rear 12a Main fitting part 12a1 Terminal entry recess 12a2 Front end convex part 12a3 Tip Guide 12b Mating side 12c, 113 Fitting recess 12d Main mating plane 12e Fitting inner wall part 13 Board insertion recess 13A Upper board insertion recess 13a Central insertion recess 13a1 Front and rear connection opening 13a2 Side connecting opening 13a3 Recess connection opening 13B Lower board insertion recess 13b End insertion recess 13b1 Window 13c Presser protrusion 13c1, 14b1 Slope section 13c2, 14b2 Top section 13d release space 14 Partition Wall 14a, 116 Rib 14b Locking protrusion 14b3 Locking surface part 15 Pillar section 15A Upper column part 15B Lower column part 15b, 94b protrusion 15c Missing part 21 Locking member 21a Lock protrusion 21b Locking arm 22 Secondary locking member 23 Lock retaining part 90 FPC 90A Upper FPC 90B Lower FPC 90f front end 91 Main unit 92 Reinforcement plate 93 Locking opening 94 Separation part 94c Convex piece 101 Second Connector 111 Second Housing 111b Mounting surface 111c Side wall section 111d protrusion 112a Terminal support part 112b Terminal receiving groove 112c Fitting column part 115 Terminal receiving recess 115A Upper terminal receiving recess 115B Lower terminal receiving recess 121 Locked member 121a Lock recess 161 Terminal 161A Upper terminal 161B Lower terminal 162, 172 Tail section 164 Contact Department 165 Contact part 165a Contact protrusion 165a1 Front contact protrusion 165a2 Rear contact protrusion 171 Auxiliary fittings 811 Housing 812 Flat plate part 813 Guide Wall 817 Cable front end retainer 818 Cable guide piece 819 Cable locking protrusion 890 Flexible Flat Cable 891 Near the front edge 892 Conductor 893 Locking hole

Claims

1. (a) An FPC connector having a housing to which an FPC having a bifurcated tip can be attached, (b) the housing has a column portion with which a separation portion formed in a widthwise center of the FPC engages, and a locking protrusion portion that enters and locks into a locking opening portion formed in each of both widthwise ends of the FPC, (c) the locking protrusion is formed so as to protrude from a side of the FPC opposite to the reinforcing plate toward the reinforcing plate, (d) An FPC connector characterized in that the housing further has a recess formed in the center of its width and a slit formed in the recess into which an inner end of the separation portion of the FPC fits.

2. 2. The FPC connector according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said pillar portion is biased to either side in the width direction from a center of said recess in the width direction.

3. 3. The FPC connector according to claim 1, wherein an outer wall surface of the housing is formed with a viewing window through which an engagement state between the locking opening and the locking protrusion can be visually observed.

4. An FPC connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing has a pressing protrusion formed widthwise outward from the locking protrusion, protruding in the opposite direction from the locking protrusion, and capable of abutting a portion of the reinforcing plate side surface of the FPC closer to the front end than the locking opening.

5. 5. The FPC connector according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a release space formed closer to the front than the locking protrusion.

6. 6. A connector pair comprising the FPC connector according to claim 1 and a mating connector that mates with the FPC connector.

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