connector

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of performing highly reliable electrical connection by preventing disconnection of a flexible conductor when an adhesive for waterproofing is heated.SOLUTION: A protective sheet 18 is arranged so as to cover at least the surface portion of a flexible substrate 21 on which flexible conductors 23 are formed, and is adhered to the flexible substrate 21 by an adhesive layer. A first insulator 14 has a flat surface 14C facing the flexible substrate 21, and between flat surface 14C and the protective sheet 18, a first adhesive layer 17A made of an adhesive for bonding the first insulator 14 and the protective sheet 18 is arranged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 26

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector that is connected to a flexible conductor. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a connector to be connected to a flexible conductor, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector as shown in Fig. 32. This connector is a wearable connector that can be attached to clothing, for example, and includes a first insulator 2 and a second insulator 3 that face each other with a flexible substrate 1 sandwiched therebetween. A contact insertion hole 2A is formed in the first insulator 2, and a ring-shaped receiving member 4 is fitted into an annular step 2B formed on the periphery of the contact insertion hole 2A.

[0003] The cylindrical portion 5A of the contact 5 is inserted into the contact insertion hole 2A of the first insulator 2 and protrudes from the first insulator 2, and the flange 5B of the contact 5 is sandwiched between the first insulator 2 and the second insulator 3, so that the contact 5 is held by the first insulator 2 and the second insulator 3.

[0004] The flexible substrate 1 is disposed between the first insulator 2 and the second insulator 3 so that the front surface of the flexible substrate 1 faces the first insulator 2 and the back surface of the flexible substrate 1 faces the second insulator 3, and the open end of the flexible substrate 1 is bent in the protruding direction of the contact 5 and sandwiched between the receiving member 4 and a large diameter portion 5C formed at the base of the tubular portion 5A of the contact 5, so that the flexible conductor 6 disposed on the back surface of the flexible substrate 1 comes into contact with the large diameter portion 5C of the contact 5 and is electrically connected to the contact 5.

[0005] A second insulator 3 is adhered to the rear surface of the flexible substrate 1 with an adhesive, and the front surface of the flexible substrate 1 and the first insulator 2 are also adhered with an adhesive. Furthermore, a ring-shaped waterproof member 7 is disposed between the contact insertion hole 2A of the first insulator 2 and the cylindrical portion 5A of the contact 5, thereby preventing water from entering the contact point between the flexible conductor 6 and the large diameter portion 5C of the contact 5 from outside the connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-57294 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An adhesive made of a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin that hardens by heat treatment can be used as the adhesive that bonds the first insulator 2 and the second insulator 3 to the flexible substrate 1. An adhesive made of a thermosetting resin hardens by a chemical reaction when heated, while an adhesive made of a thermoplastic resin softens when heated and then hardens when cooled. Also, as the flexible substrate 1, there is a type in which a flexible conductor 6 is formed by printing on the surface of a substrate body made of a resin film. By heating this flexible substrate 1 while it is placed on the fabric of a garment, and melting the resin film of the substrate body and fusing it to the fabric of the garment, wiring made of the flexible conductor 6 can be formed on the surface of the garment.

[0008] 32 is performed to the flexible substrate 1 on which the flexible conductor 6 is formed by printing, there is a risk that the resin film forming the substrate body of the flexible substrate 1 will melt when a heat treatment is performed to harden the adhesive applied to the bonding points for the purpose of bonding the first insulator 2 and the second insulator 3 to the flexible substrate 1. In this case, since the adhesive is in direct contact with the flexible substrate 1, when the adhesive that has flowed due to heating is filled into the bonding points, the flexible conductor 6 located on the molten resin film may be deformed by the force of the flowing adhesive, and may even be broken. If the flexible conductor 6 is broken, it will lose its function as a connector.

[0009] This invention has been made to solve these conventional problems, and its object is to provide a connector that can prevent breakage of the flexible conductor when the adhesive for waterproofing is heated, thereby achieving a highly reliable electrical connection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] No. 1 The connector according to the present invention is a connector to be attached to a sheet-like flexible substrate having a flexible conductor formed on the surface of a substrate body, at least one contact formed from a conductive material and connected to the flexible conductor; a housing attached to the flexible substrate and holding the contacts; a protective sheet that is made of an insulating film having an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof and is disposed between the housing and the flexible substrate such that the adhesive layer faces the flexible substrate; Equipped with the protective sheet is disposed so as to cover at least a surface portion of the flexible substrate on which the flexible conductor is formed, and is adhered to the flexible substrate by an adhesive layer; The housing has a flat surface facing the flexible substrate, An adhesive layer that bonds the housing and the protective sheet is disposed between the flat surface and the protective sheet. 、 The housing has a first insulator disposed on one surface of the flexible substrate and holding the contacts, and a second insulator disposed on the other surface of the flexible substrate; The first insulator and the second insulator each have a flat surface; The flexible conductor is formed on one side of the flexible substrate; a protective sheet is disposed between the first insulator and one surface of the flexible substrate; The protective sheet is attached to one side of the flexible substrate by an adhesive layer, a first adhesive layer is disposed between the flat surface of the first insulator and the protective sheet, a fixing sheet made of an insulating film and disposed between the second insulator and the other surface of the flexible substrate such that the adhesive layer faces the other surface of the flexible substrate; The fixing sheet is adhered to the other surface of the flexible substrate by an adhesive layer, A second adhesive layer is disposed between the flat surface of the second insulator and the fixing sheet, for bonding the second insulator and the fixing sheet. It is something.

[0011] A second adhesive layer that bonds the second insulator and the flexible substrate can be disposed between the flat surface of the second insulator and the other surface of the flexible substrate.

[0013] A connector according to a second aspect of the present invention is a connector to be attached to a sheet-like flexible substrate having a flexible conductor formed on a surface of a substrate body, at least one contact formed from a conductive material and connected to the flexible conductor; a housing attached to the flexible substrate and holding the contacts; a protective sheet that is made of an insulating film having an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof and is disposed between the housing and the flexible substrate such that the adhesive layer faces the flexible substrate; Equipped with the protective sheet is disposed so as to cover at least a surface portion of the flexible substrate on which the flexible conductor is formed, and is adhered to the flexible substrate by an adhesive layer; The housing has a flat surface facing the flexible substrate, An adhesive layer that bonds the housing and the protective sheet is disposed between the flat surface and the protective sheet, The housing has a first insulator disposed on one surface of the flexible substrate and holding the contacts, and a second insulator disposed on the other surface of the flexible substrate; The first insulator and the second insulator each have a flat surface; The flexible conductor is formed on one side of the flexible substrate; a protective sheet is disposed between the first insulator and one surface of the flexible substrate; The protective sheet is attached to one side of the flexible substrate by an adhesive layer, a first adhesive layer is disposed between the flat surface of the first insulator and the protective sheet, The contact has a recessed projection receiving portion, the second insulator has a protrusion protruding toward the other surface of the flexible substrate; The projection is accommodated in the projection accommodating portion with the flexible substrate sandwiched therebetween, so that the contact is electrically connected to the flexible conductor. It is something . In this case, the protective sheet has projection insertion holes arranged at positions corresponding to the projection accommodating portions of the contacts, The projection is preferably accommodated in the projection accommodating portion together with the flexible substrate via the projection insertion hole. Furthermore, within the plane along the protective sheet, the projection insertion hole preferably has a size smaller than the size of the contact in the portion that contacts the protective sheet.

[0014] The contact has a cylindrical portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the flexible substrate, The protrusion receiving portion is disposed inside the cylindrical portion, The contacts are preferably positioned such that the projection receiving portions are aligned with the projection receiving holes. The contact has a flange extending from one end of the cylindrical portion in a direction parallel to the flexible board, The contact is preferably arranged so that the flange overlaps and contacts the protective sheet over the entire periphery.

[0015] the first insulator has a contact insertion hole penetrating the first insulator; The contact can be held in the first insulator with the cylindrical portion inserted into the contact insertion hole. It is preferable that the first adhesive layer fills the gap between the cylindrical portion and the contact insertion hole over the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion of the contact. A second insulator may be assembled to the first insulator with the flexible substrate sandwiched therebetween, so that the contacts are electrically connected to the flexible conductors.

[0016] A connector according to a third aspect of the present invention is a connector to be attached to a sheet-like flexible board having a flexible conductor formed on a surface of a board body, at least one contact formed from a conductive material and connected to the flexible conductor; a housing attached to the flexible substrate and holding the contacts; a protective sheet that is made of an insulating film having an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof and is disposed between the housing and the flexible substrate such that the adhesive layer faces the flexible substrate; Equipped with the protective sheet is disposed so as to cover at least a surface portion of the flexible substrate on which the flexible conductor is formed, and is adhered to the flexible substrate by an adhesive layer; The housing has a flat surface facing the flexible substrate, An adhesive layer that bonds the housing and the protective sheet is disposed between the flat surface and the protective sheet, The housing has a first insulator disposed on one surface of the flexible substrate and holding the contacts, and a second insulator disposed on the other surface of the flexible substrate; The first insulator and the second insulator each have a flat surface; The flexible conductor is formed on one side of the flexible substrate; a protective sheet is disposed between the first insulator and one surface of the flexible substrate; The protective sheet is attached to one side of the flexible substrate by an adhesive layer, a first adhesive layer is disposed between the flat surface of the first insulator and the protective sheet, a reinforcing sheet disposed between the first insulator and one surface of the flexible substrate; the reinforcing sheet has an opening located inside an outer periphery of the protective sheet, The protective sheet is adhered to the flat surface of the first insulator through the opening and to the edge of the opening by the first adhesive layer. It is something . The first adhesive layer is preferably disposed inside the outer periphery of the protective sheet. 。 contact The adhesive layer is made of an adhesive that hardens by heat treatment, and it is preferable that the insulating film and the adhesive layer have a heat resistance higher than the heat treatment temperature of the adhesive. The adhesive may be made of a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to this invention, a protective sheet is placed between the housing and the flexible substrate so as to cover at least the surface portion of the flexible substrate on which the flexible conductor is formed, and is adhered to the flexible substrate by an adhesive layer, and an adhesive layer that adheres the housing and the protective sheet is placed between the flat surface of the housing and the protective sheet, thereby preventing breakage of the flexible conductor when the adhesive is heated for waterproofing, and making it possible to achieve a highly reliable electrical connection. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from above. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment, viewed obliquely from below. [Diagram 3]1 is an assembly diagram of a connector according to a first embodiment, seen obliquely from above. [Figure 4] 1 is an assembly diagram of the connector according to the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from below. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of a first insulator used in the connector according to the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of a first insulator used in the connector according to the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from below. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a perspective view of a second insulator used in the connector according to the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a perspective view of a second insulator used in the connector according to the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from below. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a perspective view showing a reinforcing sheet used in the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing a protective sheet used in the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 2 is a perspective view showing a fixing sheet used in the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a perspective view of a contact used in a connector according to a first embodiment, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 13] 2 is a perspective view of a contact used in the connector according to the first embodiment, viewed obliquely from below. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view of a flexible board to which a connector according to a first embodiment is attached, as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 15] 1 is a perspective view of a flexible board to which a connector according to a first embodiment is attached, viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which a reinforcing sheet is attached to a first insulator. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which an adhesive is applied to a first insulator. [Figure 18]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which a contact is incorporated into a first insulator. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the relationship between the adhesive and the contacts with the first insulator omitted. [Figure 20] 13 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which a protective sheet is fitted onto the first insulator and the contacts. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which a flexible substrate is mounted on a protective sheet. [Figure 22] 11 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which a fixing sheet is mounted on a flexible substrate. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which adhesive is applied to the fixing sheet. [Figure 24] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second insulator is installed. [Diagram 25] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second insulator is installed. [Figure 26] 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main portion of the connector according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 27] 11 is a perspective view of a contact used in a connector according to a second embodiment, as viewed obliquely from below. FIG. [Figure 28] 11 is an assembly diagram of the connector according to the second embodiment, viewed obliquely from below. FIG. [Figure 29] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector according to the second embodiment with the second insulator assembled therein. FIG. [Diagram 30] 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main portion of a connector according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a conventional connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First embodiment 1 and 2 show a connector 11 according to embodiment 1. The connector 11 is used, for example, as a clothing-side connector portion for fitting a wearable device, and is attached to a sheet-like flexible substrate 21.

[0020] The connector 11 has a housing 12 made of an insulating material. The housing 12 holds four contacts 13 arranged in two parallel rows, each of which protrudes perpendicularly from the flexible substrate 21. The housing 12 has a first insulator 14 arranged on a front surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21, and a second insulator 15 arranged on a back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21 and facing the first insulator 14. The first insulator 14 and the second insulator 15 have oval planar shapes of approximately the same size.

[0021] The first insulator 14 is disposed on the front surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21 via the reinforcing sheet 16, and has a recess 14A that opens in the opposite direction to the flexible substrate 21. The four contacts 13 protrude perpendicularly from the planar bottom surface of the recess 14A within the recess 14A of the first insulator 14.

[0022] For convenience, the bottom surface of the recess 14A of the first insulator 14 extends along the XY plane, the arrangement direction of each of the two rows in which the four contacts 13 are arranged is called the X direction, and the direction in which each of the four contacts 13 protrudes is called the +Z direction. The Z direction is the mating direction in which the connector 11 is mated with a mating connector (not shown), and the recess 14A of the first insulator 14 forms a mating connector accommodating portion in which a part of the mating connector (not shown) is accommodated.

[0023] 3 and 4 show assembly diagrams of connector 11. Reinforcing sheet 16 is disposed on the -Z direction side of first insulator 14, four contacts 13 are disposed on the -Z direction side of reinforcing sheet 16 with adhesive 17 interposed therebetween, and flexible substrate 21 is disposed on the -Z direction side of the four contacts 13 with protective sheet 18 interposed therebetween. Furthermore, fixing sheet 19 is disposed on the -Z direction side of flexible substrate 21, and second insulator 15 is disposed on the -Z direction side of fixing sheet 19 with adhesive 20 interposed therebetween.

[0024] 5 and 6, the first insulator 14 has four contact insertion holes 14B penetrating the bottom surface of the recess 14A in the Z direction. The four contact insertion holes 14B correspond to the four contacts 13, respectively. A flat surface 14C extending along the XY plane and facing the -Z direction is formed in the center of the -Z direction side of the first insulator 14. A circumferential surface 14D extending along the XY plane and facing the -Z direction is formed on the peripheral edge of the flat surface 14C, located on the +Z direction side of the flat surface 14C, so as to surround the entire circumference of the flat surface 14C. Further, a plurality of fixing posts 14E are formed on the flat surface 14C and the circumferential surface 14D of the first insulator 14, protruding in the -Z direction.

[0025] 7 and 8, the second insulator 15 has a flat base 15A and four projections 15B projecting in the +Z direction from the base 15A. The four projections 15B correspond to the four contacts 13, respectively. A flat surface 15C extending along the XY plane and facing the +Z direction is formed in the center of the base 15A, and the four projections 15B project in the +Z direction from the flat surface 15C. A circumferential surface 15D extending along the XY plane and facing the +Z direction is formed on the periphery of the flat surface 15C so as to surround the entire periphery of the flat surface 15C.

[0026] Further, a plurality of through holes 15E penetrating the base portion 15A in the Z direction are formed in the flat surface 15C and the circumferential surface 15D of the second insulator 15. The plurality of through holes 15E correspond to the plurality of fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14, respectively.

[0027] The reinforcing sheet 16 reinforces the flexible substrate 21, has an outer periphery larger than that of the first insulator 14 when viewed in the Z direction, and has an opening 16A penetrating the reinforcing sheet 16 formed in the center of the reinforcing sheet 16 as shown in Fig. 9. The opening 16A has a size and shape corresponding to the flat surface 14C of the first insulator 14. The reinforcing sheet 16 also has a thickness corresponding to the difference in height in the Z direction between the flat surface 14C and the circumferential surface 14D of the first insulator 14. A plurality of through holes 16B are formed around the opening 16A, penetrating the reinforcing sheet 16. The plurality of through holes 16B correspond to the plurality of fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14, respectively. Such a reinforcing sheet 16 is formed from a resin having excellent elasticity, such as polyurethane.

[0028] 10, the protective sheet 18 is made of an insulating film having an elliptical shape that is slightly smaller than the outline of the circumferential surface 14D of the first insulator 14 and larger than the opening 16A of the reinforcing sheet 16, and four protrusion insertion holes 18A that penetrate the protective sheet 18 are formed in the center of the protective sheet 18. These four protrusion insertion holes 18A correspond to the four contacts 13, respectively. The insulating film constituting protective sheet 18 may be, for example, a so-called retort pouch (heat-resistant temperature: approximately 130°C) laminated with a resin film such as a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film (heat-resistant temperature: approximately 150°C), a polyimide film (heat-resistant temperature: approximately 200°C), or polypropylene.

[0029] Three through holes 18B penetrating the protective sheet 18 are formed on the center line in the Y direction of the protective sheet 18, and four notches 18C are formed on the +Y direction edge and the -Y direction edge of the protective sheet 18. These through holes 18B and notches 18C correspond to the multiple fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14. Of both sides of protective sheet 18, an adhesive layer is formed on the entire surface facing the -Z direction, i.e., the surface facing surface 21A of flexible substrate 21. The adhesive layer has an adhesive effect simply by applying pressure for a short time at room temperature without using water, solvent, heat, etc. No adhesive layer is formed on the surface of protective sheet 18 facing the +Z direction.

[0030] 11, the fixing sheet 19 has the same size, shape, and material as the protective sheet 18. That is, the fixing sheet 19 is made of an insulating film having an elliptical shape slightly smaller than the outline of the circumferential surface 14D of the first insulator 14, and four protrusion insertion holes 19A penetrating the fixing sheet 19 are formed in the center of the fixing sheet 19. These four protrusion insertion holes 19A correspond to the four contacts 13, respectively.

[0031] Three through holes 19B penetrating the fixing sheet 19 are formed on the center line of the fixing sheet 19 in the Y direction, and four notches 19C are formed on the +Y direction edge and the -Y direction edge of the fixing sheet 19. These through holes 19B and notches 19C correspond to the multiple fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14. Of both sides of the fixing sheet 19, an adhesive layer is formed on the entire surface of the surface facing the +Z direction, i.e., the surface facing the rear surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21. No adhesive layer is formed on the surface of the fixing sheet 19 facing the -Z direction.

[0032] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the contact 13 is a plug-type contact made of a conductive material such as metal, and has a cylindrical tubular portion 13A extending in the +Z direction, and a flange 13B formed integrally with the -Z direction end of the tubular portion 13A and extending outward from the tubular portion 13A along the XY plane. The cylindrical portion 13A of the contact 13 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the contact insertion hole 14B of the first insulator 14, and the flange 13B of the contact 13 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the contact insertion hole 14B of the first insulator 14.

[0033] A concave projection accommodating portion 13C that opens toward the -Z direction is formed inside the cylindrical portion 13A. The projection accommodating portion 13C has an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the projection 15B of the second insulator 15 plus twice the thickness of the flexible substrate 21. Such a contact 13 can be produced, for example, by subjecting a metal material to pressing, cutting, drawing, or the like.

[0034] 14 and 15, flexible substrate 21 has a structure in which a plurality of flexible conductors 23 are formed by printing on the surface of substrate body 22 made of a resin film. Flexible substrate 21 is placed on the fabric of a garment and heated with an iron or the like to melt the resin film forming substrate body 22 and weld it to the fabric of the garment, so that wiring made of flexible conductors 23 can be formed on the surface of the garment. It is also possible to attach the connector 11 to the surface of a garment on which wiring using the flexible conductor 23 has already been formed.

[0035] On the front surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21, two flexible conductors 23 extending parallel to each other in the +X direction and two flexible conductors 23 extending parallel to each other in the -X direction are arranged from the center of the flexible substrate 21. These flexible conductors 23 respectively correspond to the four contacts 13. On the back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21, no flexible conductors 23 are arranged. Furthermore, a plurality of through holes 22A penetrating the substrate body 22 is formed in the center of the substrate body 22 of the flexible substrate 21. These through holes 22A correspond to the plurality of fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14.

[0036] The adhesive 17 shown in Figures 3 and 4 adheres the surface of the protective sheet 18 facing the +Z direction to the flat surface 14C of the first insulator 14 and the edge of the opening 16A surrounding the opening 16A of the reinforcing sheet 16, and also seals the space between the tubular portion 13A of the contact 13 and the contact insertion hole 14B of the first insulator 14 around the entire circumference of the tubular portion 13A of the contact 13. The adhesive 20 bonds the surface of the fixing sheet 19 facing the −Z direction to the flat surface 15C and the circumferential surface 15D of the second insulator 15. For example, an adhesive made of a thermosetting resin is used as the adhesives 17 and 20. The adhesive made of a thermosetting resin has fluidity at room temperature, for example, and hardens through a chemical reaction when heated.

[0037] The insulating film and adhesive layer constituting protective sheet 18 and fixing sheet 19, respectively, have a heat resistance higher than the heat treatment temperature of adhesives 17 and 20. In other words, protective sheet 18 and fixing sheet 19 will not melt even in an atmosphere where heat treatment is performed to harden adhesives 17 and 20, and the adhesive effect of the adhesive layer will not be substantially impaired.

[0038] Here, a method for attaching connector 11 to flexible substrate 21 will be described. 16, the reinforcing sheet 16 is attached to the first insulator 14 by moving the reinforcing sheet 16 from the -Z direction to the +Z direction toward the first insulator 14 while the multiple fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14 are inserted into the multiple through holes 16B of the reinforcing sheet 16. As a result, the flat surface 14C of the first insulator 14 is inserted into the opening 16A of the reinforcing sheet 16, and the edge of the opening 16A of the reinforcing sheet 16 comes into contact with the circumferential surface 14D of the first insulator 14. In addition, since the reinforcing sheet 16 has a thickness equivalent to the difference in height in the Z direction between the flat surface 14C and the circumferential surface 14D of the first insulator 14, the reinforcing sheet 16 attached to the first insulator 14 forms the same surface as the flat surface 14C of the first insulator 14.

[0039] 17, adhesive 17 is applied onto flat surface 14C of first insulator 14 facing the -Z direction and the edges of opening 16A of reinforcing sheet 16. At this time, adhesive 17 is also applied to the edges of four contact insertion holes 14B opening in flat surface 14C of first insulator 14.

[0040] 18, the corresponding contacts 13 are fitted into the four contact insertion holes 14B of the first insulator 14. The cylindrical portions 13A of the respective contacts 13 are inserted into the contact insertion holes 14B. At this time, when viewed from the +Z direction without the first insulator 14, as shown in Figure 19, the adhesive 17 applied to the flat surface 14C of the first insulator 14 is located on top of the flange 13B of each contact 13.

[0041] 20, a protective sheet 18 is attached to the first insulator 14 to which the adhesive 17 has been applied and to which the four contacts 13 have been assembled. The protective sheet 18 is attached by passing the fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14 through the through holes 18B and the notches 18C of the protective sheet 18. At this time, the protective sheet 18 is arranged so that the surface on which the adhesive layer is formed faces the -Z direction opposite to the first insulator 14, and the protrusion insertion holes 18A of the protective sheet 18 are arranged on the -Z direction side of the corresponding contacts 13.

[0042] 21 , the flexible substrate 21 is moved from the -Z direction to the +Z direction while the multiple fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14 are respectively inserted into the multiple through holes 22A of the flexible substrate 21, whereby the flexible substrate 21 is incorporated into the -Z direction side of the protective sheet 18. At this time, the flexible substrate 21 is disposed so that the surface 21A on which the flexible conductors 23 are formed faces the protective sheet 18.

[0043] 22, the fixing sheet 19 is attached onto the rear surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21 while the fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14 are respectively inserted into the through holes 19B of the fixing sheet 19. At this time, the fixing sheet 19 is arranged so that the surface on which the adhesive layer is formed faces the rear surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21, and the protrusion insertion holes 19A of the fixing sheet 19 are arranged on the -Z direction side of the corresponding contacts 13 with the flexible substrate 21 in between.

[0044] Next, as shown in Fig. 23, adhesive 20 is applied onto the surface of the fixing sheet 19 facing the -Z direction, and then, as shown in Fig. 24, the second insulator 15 is assembled into the first insulator 14 while the multiple fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14 are inserted into the multiple through holes 15E of the second insulator 15. At this time, the flat surface 15C and the circumferential surface 15D of the second insulator 15 are placed on the adhesive 20 applied onto the surface of the fixing sheet 19, and the +Z direction end of the protrusion 15B is placed in the protrusion insertion hole 19A of the fixing sheet 19.

[0045] As a result, as shown in Figure 25, the second insulator 15, adhesive 20, fixing sheet 19, flexible substrate 21, protective sheet 18, four contacts 13, adhesive 17, reinforcing sheet 16 and first insulator 14 are stacked sequentially from the -Z direction to the +Z direction.

[0046] In this state, the second insulator 15 is pressed relatively toward the first insulator 14, and a heat treatment is performed to harden the adhesives 17 and 20. By pressing the second insulator 15 relatively toward the first insulator 14, the adhesive 17 applied on the flat surface 14C of the first insulator 14 and the edge of the opening 16A of the reinforcing sheet 16 extends and spreads on the XY plane between the flat surface 14C of the first insulator 14 and the reinforcing sheet 16 and the protective sheet 18, and the adhesive 17 applied on the edge of the contact insertion hole 14B of the first insulator 14 fills the space between the contact insertion hole 14B and the cylindrical portion 13A of the contact 13. Similarly, the adhesive 20 applied on the surface of the fixing sheet 19 extends and spreads on the XY plane between the fixing sheet 19 and the second insulator 15.

[0047] Furthermore, by applying the heat treatment, the adhesives 17 and 20 made of thermosetting resin undergo a chemical reaction and become hardened. Thereafter, the -Z direction ends of the multiple fixing posts 14E of the first insulator 14 protruding in the -Z direction from the multiple through holes 15E of the second insulator 15 are heated and deformed, thereby fixing the second insulator 15 to the first insulator 14, and the four contacts 13 are held in the housing 12 consisting of the first insulator 14 and the second insulator 15. This completes the attachment of connector 11 to flexible substrate 21.

[0048] 26 shows a main portion of connector 11 thus attached to flexible substrate 21. Adhesives 17 and 20 harden to form a first adhesive layer (adhesive layer) 17A and a second adhesive layer 20A, respectively. The first adhesive layer 17A bonds the surface of the protective sheet 18 facing the +Z direction to the flat surface 14C of the first insulator 14 and to the edge of the opening 16A surrounding the opening 16A of the reinforcing sheet 16, and further, the first adhesive layer 17A closes the space between the cylindrical portion 13A of the contact 13 and the contact insertion hole 14B of the first insulator 14 over the entire circumference of the cylindrical portion 13A of the contact 13. The second adhesive layer 20A bonds the surface of the fixing sheet 19 facing the -Z direction to the flat surface 15C and the circumferential surface 15D of the second insulator 15.

[0049] Moreover, by relatively pressing the second insulator 15 toward the first insulator 14, the protrusion 15B of the second insulator 15 comes into contact with the back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21 within the protrusion insertion hole 19A of the fixing sheet 19, and while pushing the flexible substrate 21 in the +Z direction through the protrusion insertion hole 18A of the protective sheet 18, the flexible substrate 21 is sandwiched between the protrusion accommodating portion 13C of the contact 13 and accommodated therein. The protrusion accommodating portion 13C has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the protrusion 15B plus twice the thickness of the flexible substrate 21, so that the side surface of the protrusion 15B presses the flexible conductor 23 of the flexible substrate 21 against the inner surface of the protrusion accommodating portion 13C of the contact 13, applying contact pressure, and the contact 13 is electrically connected to the flexible conductor 23.

[0050] In the XY plane along the protective sheet 18, the protrusion insertion holes 18A of the protective sheet 18 have an inner diameter D1 that is smaller than the size of the contacts 13 at the portions in contact with the protective sheet 18, i.e., the outer diameter D2 of the flanges 13B of the contacts 13. The flanges 13B of the contacts 13 are located on the +Z direction side of the protective sheet 18, and the first adhesive layer 17A is located on the +Z direction side of the flanges 13B of the contacts 13. The first adhesive layer 17A is further inward than the outer periphery of the protective sheet 18. Therefore, the first adhesive layer 17A does not come into contact with the surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21.

[0051] Similarly, the second adhesive layer 20A is disposed inside the outer periphery of the fixing sheet 19, and is configured so that the second adhesive layer 20A does not come into contact with the rear surface 21B of the flexible substrate . Furthermore, the insulating films and adhesive layers constituting protective sheet 18 and fixing sheet 19 have a heat resistance higher than the predetermined heat treatment temperature of adhesives constituting adhesives 17 and 20 .

[0052] Therefore, when the adhesives 17 and 20 are heated to a predetermined heat treatment temperature for the purpose of hardening the adhesives 17 and 20, it is possible to prevent the flowing adhesives 17 and 20 from contacting and exerting a force on the flexible substrate 21, particularly on the flexible conductor 23 formed on the surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21. As a result, deformation and breakage of the flexible conductor 23 caused by the flowing adhesives 17 and 20 is prevented. Furthermore, since the adhesives 17 and 20 do not come into direct contact with the flexible conductor 23, the constituent materials of the adhesives 17 and 20 can be selected with a high degree of freedom.

[0053] In addition, the protective sheet 18 is adhered to the surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21 by an adhesive layer and is adhered to the first insulator 14 and the reinforcing sheet 16 by a first adhesive layer 17A, and the fixing sheet 19 is adhered to the back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21 by an adhesive layer and is adhered to the second insulator 15 by a second adhesive layer 20A, thereby preventing water from entering the inside of the connector 11 from the outside along the surface 21A and back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21.

[0054] Furthermore, since the area between the tubular portion 13A of the contact 13 and the contact insertion hole 14B of the first insulator 14 is blocked by the first adhesive layer 17A around the entire circumference of the tubular portion 13A of the contact 13, it is possible to prevent water from entering the inside of the connector 11 through the contact insertion hole 14B of the first insulator 14 without using a waterproofing material such as an O-ring.

[0055] The first adhesive layer 17A and the second adhesive layer 20A are respectively positioned inside the outer periphery of the protective sheet 18 and the fixing sheet 19. However, in order to prevent water from penetrating from the outside to the inside of the connector 11 along the front surface 21A and back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21, it is preferable that the first adhesive layer 17A and the second adhesive layer 20A are positioned in an area of ​​a predetermined area or more while surrounding the four contacts 13.

[0056] In addition, since the flexible conductor 23 is formed only on the front surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21 and is not exposed on the back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21, it is also possible to omit the fixing sheet 19 adhered to the back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21. If the protective sheet 18 is adhered to the front surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21, deformation and breakage of the flexible conductor 23 caused by the flowing adhesive 17 can be prevented. However, since the presence of the fixing sheet 19 can prevent the substrate body 22 of the flexible substrate 21 from directly receiving force from the flowing adhesive 20, it is preferable that the fixing sheet 19 is disposed between the rear surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21 and the adhesive 20 applied to the second insulator 15.

[0057] Although the connector 11 according to the first embodiment has four contacts 13, the number is not limited to four and it is sufficient that the connector 11 has at least one contact 13.

[0058] Embodiment 2 In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the contact 13 has a flange 13B that is integrally formed at the -Z direction end of the tubular portion 13A and extends outwardly of the tubular portion 13A along the XY plane, but it is also possible to use a contact that does not have a flange.

[0059] 27 shows the contact 33 used in the second embodiment. The contact 33 is made of a conductive material such as metal and has a cylindrical tubular portion 33A extending in the +Z direction, and a concave protrusion accommodating portion 33C opening toward the -Z direction is formed inside the tubular portion 33A. The protrusion accommodating portion 33C has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the protrusion 15B of the second insulator 15 plus twice the thickness of the flexible substrate 21. No flange extending outward from the -Z direction end of the tubular portion 33A is formed.

[0060] 28 is an assembly diagram of a connector 31 according to embodiment 2 having such contacts 33. A reinforcing sheet 16 is arranged on the -Z direction side of a first insulator 34, four contacts 33 are arranged on the -Z direction side of the reinforcing sheet 16 via an adhesive 17, and a flexible substrate 21 is arranged on the -Z direction side of the four contacts 33 via a protective sheet 18. Furthermore, a fixing sheet 19 is arranged on the -Z direction side of the flexible substrate 21, and a second insulator 15 is arranged on the -Z direction side of the fixing sheet 19 via an adhesive 20.

[0061] That is, the connector 31 of embodiment 2 is similar to the connector 11 of embodiment 1 in that it uses four contacts 33 instead of the four contacts 13 and uses a first insulator 34 instead of the first insulator 14.

[0062] The method of attaching the connector 31 to the flexible substrate 21 is the same as that of the connector 11 of the first embodiment, and as shown in Fig. 29, the second insulator 15, the adhesive 20, the fixing sheet 19, the flexible substrate 21, the protective sheet 18, the four contacts 33, the adhesive 17, the reinforcing sheet 16 and the first insulator 34 are stacked in this order from the -Z direction to the +Z direction. In this state, the second insulator 15 is pressed relatively toward the first insulator 34, while a heat treatment is performed to harden the adhesives 17 and 20. This completes the attachment of the connector 31 to the flexible substrate 21.

[0063] 30 shows a main portion of connector 31 attached to flexible substrate 21. First insulator 34 has contact insertion hole 34B instead of contact insertion hole 14B in first insulator 14 of embodiment 1, and other configurations are the same as first insulator 14 of embodiment 1. Contact insertion hole 34B has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of cylindrical portion 33A of contact 33.

[0064] In the XY plane along the protective sheet 18, the protrusion insertion hole 18A of the protective sheet 18 has an inner diameter D1 smaller than the size of the contact 33 at the portion in contact with the protective sheet 18, i.e., the outer diameter D3 of the cylindrical portion 33A. The -Z direction end of the cylindrical portion 33A of the contact 33 is located on the +Z direction side of the protective sheet 18, and the space between the cylindrical portion 33A and the contact insertion hole 34B of the first insulator 34 is blocked by the first adhesive layer 17A over the entire circumference of the -Z direction end of the cylindrical portion 33A. The first adhesive layer 17A is disposed inside the outer periphery of the protective sheet 18. Therefore, the first adhesive layer 17A does not come into contact with the surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21.

[0065] Therefore, in connector 31 of embodiment 2 as well, when heated to a predetermined heat treatment temperature, it is possible to prevent flowing adhesives 17 and 20 from contacting and exerting force on flexible substrate 21, particularly flexible conductor 23 formed on surface 21A of flexible substrate 21. As a result, deformation and breakage of flexible conductor 23 caused by flowing adhesives 17 and 20 is prevented.

[0066] Moreover, by relatively pressing the second insulator 15 toward the first insulator 34, the protrusion 15B of the second insulator 15 pushes the flexible substrate 21 in the +Z direction while being accommodated in the protrusion accommodating portion 33C of the contact 33 with the flexible substrate 21 sandwiched therebetween. Since the protrusion accommodating portion 33C has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the protrusion 15B plus twice the thickness of the flexible substrate 21, the side surface of the protrusion 15B presses the flexible conductor 23 of the flexible substrate 21 against the inner surface of the protrusion accommodating portion 33C of the contact 33, applying contact pressure, and the contact 33 is electrically connected to the flexible conductor 23.

[0067] In the connector 31 of embodiment 2, too, the protective sheet 18 is adhered to the surface 21A of the flexible substrate 21 by an adhesive layer and is adhered to the first insulator 34 and the reinforcing sheet 16 by a first adhesive layer 17A, and the fixing sheet 19 is adhered to the back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21 by an adhesive layer and is adhered to the second insulator 15 by a second adhesive layer 20A, so that water can be prevented from entering the inside of the connector 11 from the outside along the surface 21A and back surface 21B of the flexible substrate 21. Furthermore, since the space between the tubular portion 33A and the contact insertion hole 34B of the first insulator 34 is blocked by the first adhesive layer 17A around the entire circumference of the -Z direction end of the tubular portion 33A of the contact 33, it is possible to prevent water from entering the inside of the connector 31 through the contact insertion hole 34B of the first insulator 34 without using a waterproofing member such as an O-ring.

[0068] Third embodiment In the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2, the protrusion 15B of the second insulator 15 is accommodated in the concave protrusion accommodating portion 13C, 33C of the contact 13, 33 with the flexible substrate 21 sandwiched therebetween, thereby electrically connecting the contact 13, 33 to the flexible conductor 23, but this is not limited to this.

[0069] A connector 41 according to a third embodiment is shown in Fig. 31. The connector 41 has a housing made up of a first insulator 44 and a second insulator 45. The first insulator 44 has a recess 44A formed therein, and the second insulator 45 has a protrusion 45A formed therein. Contacts 43 made of a strip-shaped member made of a conductive material such as metal are temporarily held in recesses 44A of first insulator 44. In this state, connector 41 is attached to flexible substrate 51 by incorporating second insulator 45 into first insulator 44 with flexible substrate 51 sandwiched therebetween.

[0070] Flexible substrate 51 has a configuration in which flexible conductors 53 are formed by printing on the surface of substrate body 52 made of a resin film, with protective sheet 48 disposed on the surface of flexible substrate 51 where flexible conductor 53 is exposed, and fixing sheet 49 disposed on the back surface of flexible substrate 51 where flexible conductor 53 is not exposed. Protective sheet 48 and fixing sheet 49 each have an adhesive layer formed on one surface of an insulating film, and are adhered to the front and back surfaces of flexible substrate 51 by the adhesive layer.

[0071] On the surface of the flexible substrate 51 in the portion located within the recess 44A of the first insulator 44, no protective sheet 48 is placed and the flexible conductor 53 is exposed, and the exposed flexible conductor 53 contacts the contact 43 temporarily held in the recess 44A of the first insulator 44 by the protrusion 45A of the second insulator 45 with a predetermined contact pressure, thereby electrically connecting the contact 43 to the flexible conductor 53.

[0072] In addition, the protective sheet 48 is adhered to the first insulator 44 and the reinforcing sheet 46 by the first adhesive layer 47A (adhesive layer), and the fixing sheet 49 is adhered to the second insulator 45 by the second adhesive layer 50A, thereby preventing water from penetrating the connection points between the contacts 43 and the flexible conductor 53.

[0073] Here, protective sheet 48 and fixing sheet 49 are present between flexible substrate 51 and first adhesive layer 47A and second adhesive layer 50A, and first adhesive layer 47A and second adhesive layer 50A are configured not to directly contact flexible substrate 51. In addition, the insulating film and adhesive layer constituting protective sheet 48 and fixing sheet 49 have a heat resistance temperature higher than a predetermined heat treatment temperature of the adhesive constituting first adhesive layer 47A and second adhesive layer 50A.

[0074] Therefore, when the adhesive constituting the first adhesive layer 47A and the second adhesive layer 50A is heated to a predetermined heat treatment temperature, the flowing adhesive is prevented from coming into contact with and exerting force on the flexible substrate 51, and as a result, deformation and breakage of the flexible conductor 53 due to the flowing adhesive can be prevented.

[0075] In this way, by incorporating the second insulator 45 into the first insulator 44 with the flexible substrate 51 sandwiched therebetween, even in the connector 41 in which the contacts 43 are electrically connected to the flexible conductor 53, it is possible to prevent breakage of the flexible conductor 53 when the adhesive for waterproofing is heated, thereby making it possible to achieve a highly reliable electrical connection.

[0076] In the embodiment 1-3, the adhesive 17 constituting the first adhesive layer 17A, the adhesive 20 constituting the second adhesive layer 20A, and the adhesive constituting the first adhesive layer 47A and the second adhesive layer 50A are each made of a thermosetting resin. However, any adhesive that hardens by heat treatment may be used, and an adhesive made of a thermoplastic resin may also be used. For example, an adhesive made of a thermoplastic resin is solid at room temperature, softened by heating, and then hardened by cooling. Such an adhesive made of a thermoplastic resin is placed corresponding to the bonding location and subjected to a heat treatment. As a result, the softened and flowing adhesive is pressurized to fill the bonding location, and then cooled and hardened to become the first adhesive layer 17A, 47A and the second adhesive layer 20A, 50A.

[0077] In addition, in embodiments 1-3, connectors 11, 31, 41 are attached to flexible boards 21, 51 together with reinforcing sheets 16, 46, but if there is no particular need to reinforce flexible boards 21, 51, reinforcing sheets 16, 46 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 flexible substrate, 2 first insulator, 2A contact insertion hole, 2B step portion, 3 second insulator, 4 receiving member, 5 contact, 5A cylindrical portion, 5B flange, 5C large diameter portion 、6 Flexible conductor, 11, 31, 41 Connector, 12 Housing, 13, 33, 43 Contact, 13A, 33A Cylindrical portion, 13B Flange, 13C, 33C Protrusion accommodating portion, 14, 34, 44 First insulator, 14A, 44A Recess, 14B, 34B Contact insertion hole, 14C, 15C Flat surface, 14D, 15D Circumferential surface, 14E Fixing post, 15, 45 Second insulator, 15A Base, 15B Protrusion, 15E, 16B, 18B, 19B, 22A Through hole, 16, 46 Reinforcing sheet, 16A Opening, 17, 20 Adhesive, 17A, 47A First adhesive layer (adhesive layer), 18, 48 Protective sheet, 18A, 19A Protrusion insertion hole, 18C, 19C Notch, 19, 49 fixing sheet, 20A, 50A second adhesive layer, 21, 51 flexible substrate, 21A front surface, 21B back surface, 22, 52 substrate body, 23, 53 flexible conductor, 45A protrusion, D1 inner diameter, D2, D3 outer diameter.

Claims

1. A connector to be attached to a sheet-like flexible substrate having a flexible conductor formed on a surface of a substrate body, at least one contact formed from a conductive material and connected to the flexible conductor; a housing attached to the flexible substrate and holding the contacts; a protective sheet that is made of an insulating film having an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof and is disposed between the housing and the flexible substrate such that the adhesive layer faces the flexible substrate; Equipped with the protective sheet is disposed so as to cover at least a surface portion of the flexible substrate on which the flexible conductor is formed, and is adhered to the flexible substrate by the adhesive layer; the housing has a flat surface facing the flexible substrate; an adhesive layer that bonds the housing and the protective sheet is disposed between the flat surface and the protective sheet; the housing has a first insulator disposed on one surface of the flexible substrate and holding the contacts, and a second insulator disposed on the other surface of the flexible substrate; the first insulator and the second insulator each have the flat surface, the flexible conductor is formed on the one surface of the flexible substrate; the protective sheet is disposed between the first insulator and the one surface of the flexible substrate; the protective sheet is attached to the one surface of the flexible substrate by the adhesive layer; a first adhesive layer serving as the adhesive layer is disposed between the flat surface of the first insulator and the protective sheet; a fixing sheet made of the insulating film and disposed between the second insulator and the other surface of the flexible substrate such that the adhesive layer faces the other surface of the flexible substrate; the fixing sheet is adhered to the other surface of the flexible substrate by the adhesive layer, A connector characterized in that a second adhesive layer is disposed between the flat surface of the second insulator and the fixing sheet, for bonding the second insulator and the fixing sheet.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a second adhesive layer is disposed between the flat surface of the second insulator and the other surface of the flexible substrate to bond the second insulator and the flexible substrate.

3. A connector to be attached to a sheet-like flexible substrate having a flexible conductor formed on a surface of a substrate body, at least one contact formed from a conductive material and connected to the flexible conductor; a housing attached to the flexible substrate and holding the contacts; a protective sheet that is made of an insulating film having an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof and is disposed between the housing and the flexible substrate such that the adhesive layer faces the flexible substrate; Equipped with the protective sheet is disposed so as to cover at least a surface portion of the flexible substrate on which the flexible conductor is formed, and is adhered to the flexible substrate by the adhesive layer; the housing has a flat surface facing the flexible substrate; an adhesive layer that bonds the housing and the protective sheet is disposed between the flat surface and the protective sheet; the housing has a first insulator disposed on one surface of the flexible substrate and holding the contacts, and a second insulator disposed on the other surface of the flexible substrate; the first insulator and the second insulator each have the flat surface, the flexible conductor is formed on the one surface of the flexible substrate; the protective sheet is disposed between the first insulator and the one surface of the flexible substrate; the protective sheet is attached to the one surface of the flexible substrate by the adhesive layer; a first adhesive layer serving as the adhesive layer is disposed between the flat surface of the first insulator and the protective sheet; The contact has a recessed projection receiving portion, the second insulator has a protrusion protruding toward the other surface of the flexible substrate, A connector, characterized in that the contacts are electrically connected to the flexible conductors by the projections being accommodated in the projection accommodating portions with the flexible substrate sandwiched therebetween.

4. the protective sheet has protrusion insertion holes arranged at positions corresponding to the protrusion accommodating portions of the contacts, The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the projection is accommodated in the projection accommodating portion together with the flexible board through the projection insertion hole.

5. The connector according to claim 4 , wherein, in a plane along the protective sheet, the projection insertion hole has a size smaller than a size of the contact in a portion in contact with the protective sheet.

6. The contact has a cylindrical portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the flexible substrate, The protrusion accommodating portion is disposed inside the cylindrical portion, The connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the contacts are arranged such that the projection receiving portions are aligned with the projection insertion holes.

7. The contact has a flange extending from one end of the cylindrical portion in a direction parallel to the flexible board, The connector according to claim 6 , wherein the contacts are arranged so that the flanges overlap and contact the protective sheet over the entire periphery.

8. the first insulator has a contact insertion hole penetrating the first insulator, 8. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the contact is held by the first insulator with the cylindrical portion inserted into the contact insertion hole.

9. 9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the first adhesive layer fills a gap between the cylindrical portion and the contact insertion hole over an entire circumference of the cylindrical portion of the contact.

10. 4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second insulator is assembled into the first insulator with the flexible substrate sandwiched therebetween, so that the contacts are electrically connected to the flexible conductors.

11. A connector to be attached to a sheet-like flexible substrate having a flexible conductor formed on a surface of a substrate body, comprising: at least one contact formed from a conductive material and connected to the flexible conductor; a housing attached to the flexible substrate and holding the contacts; a protective sheet that is made of an insulating film having an adhesive layer formed on one surface thereof and is disposed between the housing and the flexible substrate such that the adhesive layer faces the flexible substrate; Equipped with the protective sheet is disposed so as to cover at least a surface portion of the flexible substrate on which the flexible conductor is formed, and is adhered to the flexible substrate by the adhesive layer; the housing has a flat surface facing the flexible substrate; an adhesive layer that bonds the housing and the protective sheet is disposed between the flat surface and the protective sheet; the housing has a first insulator disposed on one surface of the flexible substrate and holding the contacts, and a second insulator disposed on the other surface of the flexible substrate; the first insulator and the second insulator each have the flat surface, the flexible conductor is formed on the one surface of the flexible substrate; the protective sheet is disposed between the first insulator and the one surface of the flexible substrate; the protective sheet is attached to the one surface of the flexible substrate by the adhesive layer; a first adhesive layer serving as the adhesive layer is disposed between the flat surface of the first insulator and the protective sheet; a reinforcing sheet disposed between the first insulator and the one surface of the flexible substrate; the reinforcing sheet has an opening located inside an outer periphery of the protective sheet, A connector characterized in that the protective sheet is adhered to the flat surface of the first insulator through the opening and to the edge of the opening by the first adhesive layer.

12. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the first adhesive layer is disposed inside an outer periphery of the protective sheet.

13. The adhesive layer is made of an adhesive that hardens by heat treatment, The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the insulating film and the adhesive layer have a heat resistance temperature higher than a heat treatment temperature of the adhesive.

14. The connector according to claim 13 , wherein the adhesive is made of a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin.

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