connector

The connector's sliding plate-shaped shield reduces vertical space during transportation and simplifies assembly by eliminating the need to open the shield, improving both efficiency and assembly ease.

JP7810992B2Active Publication Date: 2026-02-04JST MFG CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021201654
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-12-13
Publication Date
2026-02-04
Estimated Expiration
2041-12-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing connectors require significant vertical space during transportation due to a large, pivotable shielding member, and assembly efficiency is reduced as the shielding member needs to be raised during assembly, which complicates the process.

Method used

A connector design featuring a plate-shaped third shield that slides between open and closed positions, allowing reduced vertical space during transportation and eliminating the need to open the shield during assembly, with conductive connections maintained through resilient contact structures.

Benefits of technology

The design enhances transportation efficiency and assembly efficiency by minimizing space requirements and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining effective shielding.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a connector excellent in conveyance efficiency and assembly work efficiency.SOLUTION: At a front end 2a (one end) of a housing 2, there is formed an insertion recess 24 into which a connection member 10 is inserted in an insertion direction L. At a rear end 2b (another end) of the housing 2, there is formed a step part D which is opened in an upward direction Z1. An actuator 4 is rotatable between an upright posture and an inclined posture where it is inclined to the rear end 2b side of the housing 2 in a manner covering the step part D. A gap S is formed between a first shield 5 covering an upper surface 2c of the housing 2 and a second shield 6 covering an upper surface (a first surface 41) of the actuator 4 when it is in the inclined posture. A third shield 7 is caused to slide from an open position to be displaced to a closed position, and covers the gap S when it is at the closed position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a rotatable actuator for pressing a flat cable against a terminal. When the actuator is tilted backward, a portion of the terminal is exposed between the upper wall of the housing and the actuator. To suppress the influence of noise on the terminal, etc., a conductive shielding member is provided that can be rotated between an upright position above the housing and a tilted position backward. This rotatable shielding member is a large member that, when tilted, covers the upper part of the housing and the actuator, including the space between the upper wall of the housing and the actuator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5896562 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a large, pivotable shielding member is used. Therefore, if the connector is transported with the shielding member in an upright position, a large amount of vertical space is required, resulting in poor transport efficiency. Conversely, if the connector is transported with the shielding member and the actuator in a tilted position, the shielding member must be raised during assembly at the factory before the flat cable is attached to the connector. This reduces work efficiency during assembly.

[0005] Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention provides a connector that is excellent in transport efficiency and assembly work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a connector (1) comprising an insulating housing (2), conductive contacts (3), an insulating actuator (4), a conductive first shield (5), a conductive second shield (6), and a conductive third shield (7). The housing has an insertion recess (24) at one end (2a) into which a flexible connecting member (10) is inserted in an insertion direction (L), and a step portion (D) at the other end (2b) that opens upward, and includes a top surface (2c) and a pair of side surfaces (2g). The contacts include a first elastic piece (31) having a contact portion (31a) arranged in the insertion recess, a second elastic piece (32) interlocking with the first elastic piece and at least a portion of which is arranged above the step portion (Z1), and a fixed piece (33) fixed to the housing. The actuator is rotatable between an upright position in which it stands above the housing and a reclined position in which it reclined toward the other end of the housing to cover the step portion. In the reclined position, the actuator presses the contact portion against the connecting member by driving the first resilient piece portion via the second resilient piece portion. The first shield is fixed to the housing. The first shield covers the top surface of the housing. The second shield is fixed to the actuator so as to cover the top surface of the actuator in the reclined position. The third shield is plate-shaped and slidably supported by the housing. In the reclined position, the third shield slides between a closed position in which it covers a gap (S) between the second shield and the first shield of the actuator, and an open position in which it opens the gap upward to allow the actuator to stand up.

[0007] This configuration uses a plate-shaped third shield that slides between a closed position that covers the gap between the second and first shields of the actuator when the actuator is in the collapsed position and an open position that allows the actuator to stand up. Therefore, even when transporting this connector with the third shield in the open position, the vertical space required during transportation can be reduced, and there is no need to open the third shield during assembly at the factory. This results in excellent transportation and assembly efficiency.

[0008] The alphanumeric characters in parentheses represent corresponding components in the embodiments described below, but this does not, of course, mean that the present invention is limited to those embodiments. The same applies hereinafter in this section.

[0009] In one embodiment, the device further includes a first resilient contact structure (FC1) that brings the third shield in the closed position into resilient contact with the second shield of the actuator in the reclined posture, and a second resilient contact structure (FC2) that brings at least the third shield in the closed position into resilient contact with the first shield. With this configuration, the first shield, the second shield, and the third shield are conductively connected by the first resilient contact structure and the second resilient contact structure, resulting in a high shielding effect.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first resilient contact structure includes a first resilient protrusion (63) formed on at least one of the third shield and the second shield. With this configuration, a simple structure using the first resilient protrusion can electrically connect the third shield and the second shield in the collapsed position.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second resilient contact structure includes a second resilient protrusion (55) formed on at least one of the third shield and the first shield. With this configuration, the second resilient protrusion can be used to electrically connect the third shield and the first shield in the closed position.

[0012] In one embodiment, the third shield includes a third elastic protrusion (73), and the first shield includes a first restricting protrusion (56) that restricts the third shield to the open position by being ridden over and locked by the third elastic protrusion, and a second restricting protrusion (56) that restricts the third shield to the closed position by being ridden over and locked by the third elastic protrusion. The and a second restricting protrusion (57). With this configuration, the third shield can be held in the open position and the closed position.

[0013] In one embodiment, the third shield is formed from a single sheet metal material, which can simplify the structure.

[0014] In one embodiment, the third shield includes a finger operation portion (74) that protrudes above the first shield. With this configuration, the third shield can be easily slid open and closed using the finger operation portion, providing good operability.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first shield includes an upper wall (51) covering the upper surface of the housing and a pair of side walls (53) covering the pair of side surfaces of the housing, respectively. The third shield includes an upper wall (71) and a pair of side walls (72) extending perpendicularly from a pair of side ends of the upper wall, and is formed with a groove-shaped cross section. The upper wall of the third shield is configured to be slidably guided between the upper surface of the housing and the upper wall of the first shield. The pair of side walls of the third shield are configured to be slidably guided between the pair of side surfaces of the housing and the pair of side walls of the first shield, respectively. This configuration allows the third shield to be slid open and closed stably.

[0016] In one embodiment, the second elastic piece and the front MemorizationA pivotal support structure (K) is formed between the fixed piece portion and the actuator, which pivotally supports the supported portion (44) of the actuator, allowing the actuator to function as a flip cover. This configuration allows the actuator to function as a flip cover with a simple structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The present invention can provide a connector that is excellent in transport efficiency and assembly work efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector with the actuator in the tilted position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector with the third shield closed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the housing to which the contacts are assembled. [Figures 7A-7B] Fig. 7A is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the third shield is assembled to the housing, and Fig. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view of a structure for guiding the third shield in a sliding manner. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector when the connecting member is inserted. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connector when the actuator is tilted in the inserted state of the connecting member. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the connector with the third shield moved to the closed position. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the connector. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes a housing 2, a plurality of contacts 3, an actuator 4, a first shield 5, a second shield 6, and a third shield 7. The connector 1 is a connector for connecting a flexible connecting member 10 (see Fig. 8).

[0021] The actuator 4 is rotatable between an upright position (see FIG. 1) and a reclined position (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the actuator 4 is in the upright position, the connection member 10 is inserted into the housing 2 with zero insertion force (ZIF). Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, by reclining the actuator 4 to the reclined position, the contacts 3 are pressed against the connection member 10. The actuator 4 functions as a so-called back-flip cover.

[0022] The first shield 5, the second shield 6, and the third shield 7 are conductive. The first shield 5 is fixed to the housing 2. The second shield 6 is fixed to the actuator 4. The third shield 7 slides along the top surface of the housing 2 between an open position (see FIG. 4) and a closed position (see FIG. 5). The first shield 5, the second shield 6, and the third shield 7 in the closed position are in elastic contact with each other and cover almost the entire housing 2, thereby shielding the contacts 3 inside.

[0023] First, the housing 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. In Fig. 3, for simplification, hatching of cross sections of the contacts 3, second shield 6, and third shield 7 has been omitted (the same applies to Figs. 9, 11, and 13). Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the housing 2 to which the contacts 3 are attached.

[0024] 6, the housing 2 includes a front end 2a which is one end in the front-rear direction X, a rear end 2b which is the other end in the front-rear direction X, a top surface 2c, a bottom surface 2d, a front surface 2e, a rear surface 2f, a pair of side surfaces 2g, a top wall 21, a bottom wall 22, a pair of side walls 23, an insertion recess 24, and a step portion D (see FIG. 3). The housing 2 is formed of an insulating material.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, the insertion recess 24 is open at the front end 2a (one end) of the housing 2. The insertion recess 24 is open to the front X1 via an opening 24a formed in the front surface 2e of the housing 2. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a flexible connecting member 10 is inserted into the insertion recess 24 in an insertion direction L along the front-rear direction X. The connecting member 10 is a flat connecting member formed of either an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) or an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits).

[0026] The pair of side walls 23 extend rearward X2 beyond the top wall 21 and the bottom wall 22. A rear end 2b (other end) of the housing 2 includes the rear end of the top wall 21, the rear end of the bottom wall 22, and the rear ends of the pair of side walls 23. As shown in FIG. 3 , the bottom wall 22 extends rearward X2 beyond the top wall 21. As a result, an upper surface 22b of a portion 22a of the bottom wall 22 that extends rearward X2 beyond the top wall 21 is positioned lower Z2 than an upper surface 21a of the top wall 21, thereby forming a step D. In other words, the step D is positioned at the rear end of the bottom wall 22, which serves as the rear end 2b (other end) of the housing 2.

[0027] 6, each side wall 23 has an upper surface 23a formed flush with the upper surface 21a of the upper wall 21, and a front convex portion 23b and a rear convex portion 23c that protrude upward Z1 from the upper surface 23a at the front end and rear end, respectively. The front convex portion 23b functions as a front stopper that restricts the forward movement end of the third shield 7. The rear convex portion 23c functions as a rear stopper that restricts the rearward movement end of the third shield 7.

[0028] A side recess 23e is formed between the front protrusion 23b and the rear protrusion 23c in the upper half of the outer surface 23d of each side wall 23. A locking protrusion 23f (only one of the locking protrusions 23f is shown in FIG. 6) protrudes outward from the outer surface 23d of each side wall 23 below Z2 from the side recess 23e.

[0029] Next, the contact 3 will be described.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3 , the contact 3 includes a first elastic piece 31, a second elastic piece 32, a fixed piece 33, and a support piece 34. The contact 3 is formed of a conductive material. The fixed piece portions 33 each extend in the front-to-rear direction X. The fixed piece portions 33 include a front end 33a, a rear end 33b, and a lead 33c. The front end 33a of the fixed piece 33 is press-fitted from behind into a fixing hole 22c formed in the bottom wall 22 of the housing 2 and fixed thereto. The support piece 34 extends upward Z1 from a middle portion of the fixed piece 33 in the front-to-rear direction X. The lead 33c is soldered to a conductive portion (not shown) of a circuit board while engaging with the rear end of the bottom wall 22.

[0031] The first elastic piece 31 extends forward X1 from the upper end 34a of the support piece 34. As shown in Fig. 11, the first elastic piece 31 includes a contact portion 31a that is elastically brought into pressure contact with the conductive portion 10a of the connection member 10 inserted into the insertion recess 24. The second elastic piece 32 extends backward X2 from the upper end 34a of the support piece 34.

[0032] 3 and 11, the first elastic piece 31 and the second elastic piece 32 are connected to each other so that they can move together in an interlocking manner. That is, the first elastic piece 31 and the second elastic piece 32 are connected to each other so that they can swing up and down in an interlocking manner like a seesaw, with the upper end 34a of the support piece 34 as a fulcrum.

[0033] A pivotal support structure K that pivotally supports the actuator 4 is formed between the second elastic piece 32 and the fixed piece 33. The pivotal support structure K pivotally supports the actuator 4, allowing the actuator 4 to function as a flip cover. The pivotal support structure K pivotally supports the actuator 4 via the supported portion 44 by elastically clamping the supported portion 44 of the actuator 4 between the support portion 32a of the second elastic piece 32 and the support portion 33d of the fixed piece 33. The second elastic piece 32 and the fixed piece 33 respectively have a retaining protrusion 32b and a retaining protrusion 33e that prevent the supported portion 44 from slipping out rearward X2.

[0034] Next, the first shield 5 will be described.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the first shield 5 includes an upper wall 51, a pair of rear walls 52, a pair of side walls 53, a pair of annular hooks 54, a pair of second elastic protrusions 55, a pair of first restricting projections 56, and a pair of second restricting projections 57. The first shield 5 is formed from a single conductive sheet metal material. The upper wall 51 includes a first portion 51a and a pair of second portions 51b. The second portions 51b extend rearward from the left and right ends of the first portion 51a. The upper wall 51 is groove-shaped in plan view. The first portion 51a covers the upper surface 21a of the upper wall 21 of the housing 2. The second portions 51b cover the upper surfaces 23a (see FIG. 6) of the pair of side walls 23 of the housing 2.

[0036] 3 and 4, the pair of rear walls 52 extend perpendicularly downward Z2 from the rear ends of the pair of side walls 53. The pair of rear walls 52 cover the rear surfaces of the pair of side walls 23. The pair of annular hooks 54 (only one annular hook 54 is shown in FIG. 4) have a rectangular ring shape and are formed on the pair of side walls 53, respectively. The pair of annular hooks 54 are hooked onto and locked onto the pair of locking protrusions 23f of the housing 2, respectively.

[0037] A pair of second elastic protrusions 55 are formed on the left and right ends of the first portion 51a of the upper wall 51. As shown in Fig. 13, the second elastic protrusions 55 protrude downward Z2 from the first portion 51a of the upper wall 51. The second elastic protrusions 55 are in elastic contact with the third shield 7. The second elastic protrusions 55 form a second elastic contact structure FC2 that brings the third shield 7 and the first shield 5 into elastic contact at least when they are in the closed position. In this embodiment, the second elastic contact structure FC2 always brings the third shield 7 and the first shield 5 into elastic contact.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2, the pair of first restricting protrusions 56 are formed on the pair of second portions 51b of the upper wall 51, respectively. The pair of second restricting protrusions 57 are formed on the pair of second portions 51b of the upper wall 51, respectively. The pair of second restricting protrusions 57 are disposed behind the pair of first restricting protrusions 56. As shown in Fig. 3, the first restricting protrusions 56 and the second restricting protrusions 57 protrude downward Z2.

[0039] 3, the first restricting protrusion 56 restricts the third shield 7 to the open position when the corresponding third elastic protrusion 73 of the third shield 7 rides over and engages with the front X1 of the first restricting protrusion 56. As shown in FIG. 13, the second restricting protrusion 57 restricts the third shield 7 to the closed position when the corresponding third elastic protrusion 73 of the third shield 7 rides over and engages with the rear X2 of the second restricting protrusion 57.

[0040] Next, the actuator 4 will be described.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, the actuator 4 is a thick, substantially rectangular plate-like body made of an insulating material. The actuator 4 includes one end 4a, the other end 4b, a first surface 41, a second surface 42, a first insertion hole 43, a supported portion 44, and a fixing groove 45. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, when the actuator 4 is in the reclined position, the first surface 41 is the upper surface and the second surface 42 is the lower surface. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, when the actuator 4 is in the upright position, the first surface 41 faces forward X1 and the second surface 42 faces backward X2.

[0042] 3, a holding recess 41a is formed in the first surface 41. The first wall 61 of the second shield 6 is held along the holding recess 41a of the first surface 41.

[0043] The first insertion hole 43 is a through-hole that penetrates the first surface 41 and the second surface 42, and is disposed adjacent to the supported portion 44. The second elastic piece portion 32 of the contact 3 is inserted into the first insertion hole 43. The supported portion 44 is provided at one end 4a of the actuator 4. The supported portion 44 of the actuator 4 is elastically clamped and rotatably supported between the support portion 32a of the second elastic piece portion 32 inserted into the first insertion hole 43 and the support portion 33d of the fixed piece portion 33.

[0044] The fixing groove 45 is disposed close to the other end 4b. The fixing groove 45 is disposed adjacent to the retaining recess 41a of the first surface 41. The second wall 62 of the second shield 6 is press-fitted into the fixing groove 45. The fixing groove 45 may be a through groove that passes through the first surface 41 and the second surface 42, or may be a bottomed groove that does not pass through the second surface 42.

[0045] Next, the second shield 6 will be described.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 8, the second shield 6 includes a first wall 61, a second wall 62, and a first elastic protrusion 63. The second shield 6 is formed from a single conductive sheet metal material. The first wall 61 and the second wall 62 are rectangular plates that are elongated in the left-right direction Y and are connected perpendicularly. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, when the actuator 4 is in the reclined position, the first wall 61 forms the upper wall and the second wall 62 forms the rear wall. A pair of first elastic protrusions 63 are provided on the left and right sides of the first wall 61. When the actuator 4 is in the reclined position, the first elastic protrusions 63 protrude upward Z1. The first elastic protrusions 63 form a first elastic contact structure FC1 that elastically contacts the third shield 7 in the closed position with the second shield 6 of the actuator 4 in the reclined position.

[0047] Next, the third shield 7 will be described.

[0048] 7A is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the third shield is assembled to the housing. As shown in FIG. 7A, the third shield 7 includes an upper wall 71, a pair of side walls 72, a pair of third elastic protrusions 73, and a finger operation portion 74. The third shield 7 is plate-shaped and formed from a single conductive sheet metal material. The upper wall 71 is a rectangular plate that is long in the left-right direction. The pair of side walls 72 extend downward Z2 perpendicularly from a pair of side ends of the upper wall 71. The third shield 7 is formed into a groove-shaped cross section including the upper wall 71 and the pair of side walls 72.

[0049] The top wall 71 rests on the top surface 2c of the housing 2 (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 7A, the pair of side walls 72 are aligned along a pair of side surfaces 2g of the housing 2 (side surface recesses 23e of the side walls 23). This allows the third shield 7 to be supported by the housing 2 so as to be slidable parallel to the insertion direction L. The pair of third elastic protrusions 73 are disposed adjacent to a pair of side edges of the top wall 71 and protrude upward Z1.

[0050] 7B , the top wall 71 of the third shield 7 is slidably guided between the top surface 2c of the housing 2 and the top wall 51 of the first shield 5. Each side wall 72 of the third shield 7 is slidably guided between the corresponding side surface 2g of the housing 2 (side surface recess 23e of the side wall 23) and the corresponding side wall 53 of the first shield 5.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 7A, the finger operation portion 74 protrudes upward Z1 from the center in the left-right direction of the rear end of the upper wall 71. The finger operation portion 74 protrudes upward Z1 further than the first shield 5. The finger operation portion 74 is a protrusion cut and raised from the rear end of the upper wall 71, and has a predetermined width in the left-right direction. By operating the finger operation portion 74 with a finger, the third shield 7 can be slid and displaced between an open position and a closed position.

[0052] Next, we will explain how to handle the connector 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the connector 1 is transported with the actuator 4 in an upright position and the third shield 7 in an open position. During assembly work at the factory, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the connecting member 10 is inserted without insertion force into the insertion recess 24 of the connector 1 in the state it was transported in.

[0053] 10 and 11, the actuator 4 is then tilted to the tilted position, whereby the contact portion 31a of the first elastic piece portion 31 of the contact 3 is pressed against the connecting member 10. At this time, a gap S is formed between the first shield 5 and the second shield 6 of the actuator 4 in the tilted position.

[0054] 12 and 13 , the third shield 7 is slid to the closed position, and the third shield 7 in the closed position covers the gap S between the first shield 5 and the second shield 6 of the actuator 4 in the reclined position. The third shield 7 in the closed position and the second shield 6 are in elastic contact with each other by the first elastic contact structure FC1, and the third shield 7 and the first shield are in elastic contact with each other by the second elastic contact structure FC2. As a result, the first shield 5, the second shield 6, and the third shield 7 are connected together and function as a shield that covers almost the entire housing 2.

[0055] According to this embodiment, a plate-shaped third shield 7 is used that slides between a closed position (see FIGS. 12 and 13) that covers the gap S (see FIGS. 10 and 11) between the second shield 6 and the first shield 5 of the actuator 4 in the collapsed position, and an open position (see FIGS. 10 and 11) that allows the actuator 4 to stand up. Therefore, even when the connector 1 is transported with the third shield 7 displaced to the open position, the space required in the height direction during transportation can be reduced, and there is no need to open the third shield 7 during assembly at the factory. This results in excellent transportation efficiency and assembly work efficiency.

[0056] Furthermore, even if an external force is inadvertently applied to the actuator 4 in the tilted position, the sliding third shield 7 covers the actuator 4 from above, so the actuator 4 can be effectively locked in the tilted position.

[0057] 13, the first resilient contact structure FC1 (first resilient convex portion 63) brings the third shield 7 in the closed position into resilient contact with the second shield 6 of the actuator 4 in the reclined posture, and the second resilient contact structure FC2 (second resilient convex portion 55) brings the third shield 7 in the closed position into resilient contact with the first shield 5. The first, second, and third shields 5, 6, and 7 are electrically connected by the first and second resilient contact structures FC1 and FC2, resulting in a high shielding effect.

[0058] The first resilient contact structure FC1 also includes a first resilient protrusion 63 formed on the second shield 6. The simple structure using the first resilient protrusion 63 allows conductive connection between the third shield 7 and the second shield 6 in the collapsed position.

[0059] The second resilient contact structure FC2 also includes a second resilient protrusion 55 formed on the first shield 5. With a simple structure using the second resilient protrusion 55, the third shield 7 and the first shield 5 in the closed position can be conductively connected.

[0060] 11, the third shield 7 includes a third elastic protrusion 73. When the third shield 7 is in the open position, the third elastic protrusion 73 rides over and engages with the first restricting protrusion 56 of the first shield 5, thereby restricting the third shield 7 to the open position. As shown in FIG. 13, when the third shield 7 is in the closed position, the third elastic protrusion 73 rides over and engages with the second restricting protrusion 57 of the first shield 5, thereby restricting the third shield 7 to the closed position. This allows the third shield 7 to be held in the open position and the closed position.

[0061] Furthermore, the third shield 7 is formed from a single sheet metal material, which simplifies the structure.

[0062] 10 and 11, the third shield 7 includes a finger operation portion 74 that protrudes upward Z1 beyond the first shield 5. This allows the third shield 7 to be easily slid open and closed using the finger operation portion 74, providing excellent operability.

[0063] Furthermore, the top wall 71 of the third shield 7 is slidably guided between the top surface 2c of the housing 2 and the top wall 51 of the first shield 5. Furthermore, the pair of side walls 72 of the third shield 7 are slidably guided between the pair of side surfaces 2g of the housing 2 and the pair of side walls 53 of the first shield 5, respectively. This allows the third shield 7 to be slid open and closed stably. Furthermore, by providing the pair of side walls 72 and using the side surfaces (wide surfaces that are not punched surfaces) of the side walls 72 to guide the slide, smooth sliding is possible.

[0064] 3, a rotation support structure K that rotatably supports the supported portion 44 of the actuator 4 is formed between the second elastic piece 32 and the fixed piece 33. This allows the actuator 4 to function as a flip cover with a simple structure.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the first resilient convex portion constituting the first resilient contact structure FC1 may be provided on the third shield 7, or may be provided on both the second shield 6 and the third shield 7. Furthermore, the second resilient convex portion constituting the second resilient contact structure FC2 may be provided on the third shield 7, or may be provided on both the first shield 5 and the third shield 7. Furthermore, although not shown, the sliding direction of the third shield 7 may be inclined with respect to the insertion direction L of the connecting member 10. Furthermore, the first shield 5 may not have a side wall. Furthermore, the third shield 7 may not have a side wall.

[0066] The present invention can also be applied to a connector of the type in which the actuator 4 is tilted forward to function as a so-called front flip cover. In addition, various modifications can be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 connector 2. Housing 2a Front end (one end) 2b rear end (other end) 2g side 3. Contact 4 Actuators 5 First Shield 6 Second Shield 7 Third Shield 10. Connecting member 24 Insertion recess 24a opening 31 First elastic piece 31a Contact part 32 second elastic piece 33 Fixed piece 44 Supported part 51 Upper Wall 53 Side wall 55 Second elastic convex portion (second elastic contact structure) 56 First restricting protrusion 57 Second restricting protrusion 63 First elastic convex portion (first elastic contact structure) 71 Upper Wall 72 Side wall 73 Third elastic convex part 74 Finger operation section D Step part FC1 First elastic contact structure FC2 Second elastic contact structure K Rotation support structure S Gap L Insertion direction

Claims

1. an insulating housing having an insertion recess at one end into which a flexible connecting member is inserted in an insertion direction and a stepped portion at the other end that opens upward, the housing including a top surface and a pair of side surfaces; a conductive contact including a first elastic piece having a contact portion disposed in the insertion recess, a second elastic piece connected to the first elastic piece so as to be interlocked with the first elastic piece and at least a portion of which is disposed above the step portion, and a fixed piece fixed to the housing; an insulating actuator that is rotatable between an upright position in which it stands above the housing and a tilted position in which it tilts toward the other end of the housing so as to cover the step portion, and that presses the contact portion against the connecting member by driving the first elastic piece portion via the second elastic piece portion in the tilted position; a first shield fixed to the housing, the first shield being conductive and covering the top surface of the housing; a conductive second shield fixed to the actuator so as to cover an upper surface of the actuator in the laid-down position; a plate-shaped conductive third shield slidably supported by the housing, the third shield sliding between a closed position that covers the gap between the second shield and the first shield of the actuator in the collapsed position, and an open position that opens the gap upward to allow the actuator to stand up.

2. a first elastic contact structure that elastically contacts the third shield in the closed position with the second shield of the actuator in the reclined position; The connector of claim 1 , further comprising: a second resilient contact structure that resiliently contacts the third shield and the first shield at least in the closed position.

3. The connector according to claim 2 , wherein the first resilient contact structure includes a first resilient protrusion formed on at least one of the third shield and the second shield.

4. 4. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the second resilient contact structure includes a second resilient protrusion formed on at least one of the third shield and the first shield.

5. the third shield includes a third elastic convex portion, A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first shield includes a first restricting protrusion that restricts the third shield to the open position by being overcome and engaged by the third elastic protrusion, and a second restricting protrusion that restricts the third shield to the closed position by being overcome and engaged by the third elastic protrusion.

6. 6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the third shield is formed from a single sheet metal material.

7. 7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the third shield includes a finger operation portion that protrudes above the first shield.

8. the first shield includes an upper wall that covers the upper surface of the housing and a pair of side walls that respectively cover the pair of side surfaces of the housing, the third shield includes an upper wall and a pair of side walls extending perpendicularly from a pair of side ends of the upper wall, and is formed to have a groove-shaped cross section; The upper wall of the third shield is slidably guided between the upper surface of the housing and the upper wall of the first shield, and the pair of side walls of the third shield are slidably guided between the upper surface of the housing and the upper wall of the first shield.

8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to be slidably guided between the pair of side surfaces of the housing and the pair of side walls of the first shield, respectively.

9. A connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a pivotal support structure is formed between the second elastic piece and the fixed piece, which pivotally supports the supported portion of the actuator, thereby allowing the actuator to function as a flip cover.

Citation Information

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