Electrical connector for flat conductors

Abstract

To provide an electrical connector for a flat conductor that can avoid damage to terminals even when an inadvertent external force acts on a movable member from the front.SOLUTION: A reinforcement metal fitting 50 includes a held portion 51 held on the front end side of a housing 10, an extending portion 52 extending forward from the held portion 51 and extending outside the housing 10, a regulating portion 53 extending downward from the extending portion 52, and a fixing portion 54 located below the regulating portion 53 and fixed to a circuit board, and a main body portion 61 of a movable member 60 includes a regulated portion 61A located corresponding to the reinforcing metal fitting 50 in the terminal arrangement direction, and when the movable member 60 is in the closed position, the regulated portion 61A is positioned so as to be able to abut against the regulating portion 53 from the front.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector for flat conductors, in which the flat conductors are connected so as to be insertable and removable.

Background Art

[0002] As an electrical connector for this type of flat conductor, for example, as in Patent Document 1, there is known a connector in which a plurality of terminals and a flat conductor are brought into contact with pressure by moving a movable member (pressing member) movable between an open position and a closed position to the closed position. The plurality of terminals provided in the connector of Patent Document 1 are arranged with the width direction of the flat conductor as the terminal arrangement direction and held by a housing. Each terminal has a lower arm portion and an upper arm portion extending in the insertion / removal direction (front-rear direction) of the flat conductor, and a connecting portion connecting the intermediate portions of the lower arm portion and the upper arm portion. The upper arm portion has a pressing arm portion located in front (in the direction of insertion of the flat conductor) of the connecting portion and a contact arm portion located behind (in the direction of extraction of the flat conductor) of the connecting portion.

[0003] The movable member is rotatable between a closed position in which it extends in the front-rear direction as viewed in the terminal arrangement direction and an open position in which it stands upright in the vertical direction. The movable member has a pressing portion for pressing the pressing arm portion at a position corresponding to the terminal in the terminal arrangement direction. Specifically, the pressing portion has a substantially oval cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the terminal arrangement direction and is located directly below the pressing arm portion. When the movable member moves to the closed position, the pressing portion takes a posture with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction and presses the pressing arm portion from below. As a result, the pressing arm portion is elastically displaced upward, and the contact arm portion is elastically displaced downward, and contacts the flat conductor with pressure at a contact portion provided at the rear end of the contact arm portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Thus, when the movable member is in the closed position, the pressing portion of the movable member maintains a state in which the terminal's pressing arm is lifted from below. At this time, the pressing arm is in an inclined position that tilts downward as it moves towards the rear. If an unintended external force is applied from the front to the movable member in the closed position, the pressing portion of the movable member will move towards the rear, further pushing up the inclined pressing arm. If the above external force is large, the pressing arm may be displaced excessively, resulting in deformation of the pressing arm itself and potentially damage to the terminal.

[0006] In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an electrical connector for flat conductors that can prevent damage to the terminals even when an unintentional external force acts on the movable member from the front. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The flat conductor electrical connector according to the present invention is a flat conductor electrical connector in which a strip-shaped flat conductor is inserted and removed in the front-rear direction, and comprises a housing in which a receiving portion is formed as a space that is open toward the rear so as to allow insertion of the flat conductor, a plurality of terminals arranged in the width direction of the flat conductor as the terminal arrangement direction and held by the housing, a reinforcing fitting arranged outside the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction and held by the housing, and a movable member that can move with rotation between an open position that allows insertion of the flat conductor into the receiving portion and a closed position that increases the contact pressure of the terminals on the flat conductor.

[0008] In such an electrical connector for flat conductors, the present invention allows the movable member to move in front of the receiving portion, the movable member has a main body portion extending in the terminal arrangement direction and a cam portion positioned in the terminal arrangement direction corresponding to the terminals and cooperating with the terminals, the plurality of terminals have an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion extending along the front-rear direction and a connecting portion connecting the intermediate portions of the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion in the front-rear direction, the upper arm portion has a pressure-receiving portion on its front end side that is elastically displaceable upward when the movable member is in the closed position by receiving force from the cam portion, and downward in accordance with the elastic displacement of the pressure-receiving portion The reinforcing bracket has a pressing portion at its rear end that elastically displaces toward the front and presses the flat conductor from above to increase the contact pressure between the flat conductor and the terminal, and the reinforcing bracket has a held portion that is held at the front end of the housing, an extended portion that extends forward from the held portion and extends outside the housing, a restricting portion that extends downward from the extended portion, and a fixed portion that is located below the restricting portion and fixed to the circuit board, and the main body has a restricted portion that is located in the terminal arrangement direction corresponding to the reinforcing bracket, and the restricted portion is characterized in that when the movable member is in the closed position it is positioned to be able to abut against the restricting portion from the front.

[0009] In this invention, a reinforcing bracket is provided outside the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction, and when the movable member is in the closed position, the restricted portion of the movable member is positioned to be able to contact the restricting portion of the reinforcing bracket from the front. If an unintended external force is applied to the movable member from the front while it is in the closed position, the restricted portion of the movable member will contact the restricting portion of the reinforcing bracket from the front, thereby restricting the movement of the restricted portion toward the rear. Therefore, the cam portion of the movable member will not excessively displace the pressure-receiving portion of the terminal upward, and as a result, damage to the terminal is prevented.

[0010] (2) In the invention of (1), the restricting portion and the restricted portion may have flat surfaces on which their opposing surfaces are perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In this way, when the movable member in the closed position is subjected to an unintended external force from the front and moves backward, the restricting portion and the restricted portion will come into contact with each other with flat surfaces perpendicular to the direction in which the flat conductor is pulled out. As a result, the restricting portion and the restricted portion can come into contact over a large area, and the pull-out of the flat conductor can be prevented more reliably.

[0011] (3) In the invention of (1) or (2), the reinforcing fitting may have an arm portion extending rearward from the held portion, and the arm portion may be elastically displaceable in the vertical direction to press the flat conductor from above. In this way, by providing the reinforcing fitting with an arm portion so that the arm portion can press the flat conductor from above, the reinforcing fitting can be made to participate in the connection state between the flat conductor and the connector. Furthermore, even when the reinforcing fitting is provided with an elastically displaceable arm portion in this way, the restricting portion is provided in front of the held portion which is held and fixed in the housing, that is, on the opposite side of the arm portion in the front-rear direction. Therefore, even if the restricted portion of the movable member that has moved rearward comes into contact with the restricting portion from the front, it does not affect the elastic displacement state of the arm portion. As a result, the contact state between the arm portion and the flat conductor can be maintained in good condition.

[0012] (4) In the invention of (3), the arm portion may be able to contact the circuit portion of the flat conductor. In this way, the reinforcing fitting can be used for electrical connection with the flat conductor.

[0013] (5) In the inventions of (1) to (4), the front part of the housing has a recess formed therein that is open upward and forward at a position corresponding to the reinforcing fitting in the terminal arrangement direction, and the movable member has a shaft portion that is housed in the recess at a position corresponding to the reinforcing fitting in the terminal arrangement direction, and the shaft portion may be located below the extension portion and behind the restricting portion. In this way, the shaft portion of the movable member is surrounded on all sides by the inner surface of the recess of the housing and the extension portion and restricting portion of the reinforcing fitting when viewed in the terminal arrangement direction. Therefore, the movement of the shaft portion can be restricted in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that the movable member does not come off the housing unintentionally. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The present invention provides an electrical connector for flat conductors that can prevent damage to the terminals even when an unintended external force acts on the movable member from the front. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an electrical connector for a flat conductor according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a flat conductor, and shows the state before the flat conductor is inserted. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an electrical connector for flat conductors together with flat conductors, illustrating the state in which the flat conductors are connected. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the flat conductor electrical connector, showing each component separated. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector for flat conductors, where (A) shows the cross-section before inserting the flat conductors, and (B) shows the cross-section with the flat conductors connected. [Figure 5] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an electrical connector for flat conductors before inserting the flat conductors. (A) shows the cross-section at the position of the first terminal, (B) shows the cross-section at the position of the second signal terminal, (C) shows the cross-section at the position of the locking mechanism, and (D) shows the cross-section at the position of the reinforcing mechanism. [Figure 6](A) is a first terminal, (B) is a second signal terminal, and (C) is a reinforcing metal fitting, each shown as a perspective view of a single unit. [Figure 7] It is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrical connector for a flat conductor after inserting the flat conductor. (A) shows a cross section at the position of the first terminal, (B) shows a cross section at the position of the second signal terminal, (C) shows a cross section at the position of the locking metal fitting, and (D) shows a cross section at the position of the reinforcing metal fitting. [Figure 8] It is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrical connector for a flat conductor after the connection of the flat conductor is completed. (A) shows a cross section at the position of the first terminal, (B) shows a cross section at the position of the second terminal signal, (C) shows a cross section at the position of the locking metal fitting, and (D) shows a cross section at the position of the reinforcing metal fitting.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views showing an electrical connector for a flat conductor (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1") according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a flat conductor C. FIG. 1 shows a state before inserting the flat conductor C, and FIG. 2 shows a state after connecting the flat conductor C. Further, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing each member of the connector 1 in a separated state.

[0018] The connector 1 is mounted on the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown), and a flat conductor C (for example, FPC) as a mating connector can be inserted and connected in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) parallel to the mounting surface as the insertion and extraction direction. When the flat conductor C is connected to the connector 1, the circuit board and the flat conductor C are electrically connected. In this embodiment, in the X-axis direction (front-rear direction), the X1 direction is the front and the X2 direction is the rear. Also, in the plane parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board (within the XY plane), the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) is the connector width direction, and the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the circuit board is the up-down direction (the Z1 direction is upward and the Z2 direction is downward).

[0019] The flat conductor C is a flexible strip extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and having the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) as the width direction, and a plurality of circuit portions extending in the front-rear direction are arranged and formed in the connector width direction. The circuit portions are embedded in the insulating layer of the flat conductor C except for the front-end side portion, but only the front-end side portion is exposed on the upper surface of the flat conductor C and is formed as pads. In the present embodiment, these pads include a first signal pad C1 that can contact a first signal terminal 20A described later, a second signal pad C2 that can contact a second signal terminal 30 described later, and a power supply pad C3 that can contact a power supply terminal 20B and a reinforcing metal fitting 50 described later.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the first signal pad C1 is provided at the center in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the flat conductor C. The second signal pads C2 are provided one on each side of the first signal pad C1 in the width direction of the flat conductor C and are located between the first signal pad C1 and the power supply pad C3. The second signal pad C2 is formed with the same width dimension (dimension in the Y-axis direction) as the first signal pad C1. The power supply pads C3 are provided one at each end in the width direction of the flat conductor C. The power supply pads C3 extend to the side end positions of the flat conductor C in the width direction and are formed with a width dimension larger than that of the first signal pad C1 and the second signal pad C2. The number and positions of the signal pads C1 and C2 provided between the power supply pads C3 at both ends are not limited to the above-mentioned number and positions, and are appropriately set according to the number and positions of the signal terminals 20A and 30 provided in the connector 1.

[0021] Although not shown in Figure 1, as shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), plated leads C1A and C2A extend straight forward from the front ends of the signal pads C1 and C2, respectively, until they reach the front end of the flat conductor C. As shown in Figure 4(A), the plated lead C1A extending from the front end of the first signal pad C1 is thinner than the first signal pad C1 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the flat conductor C, and is formed at the center position in the width direction. As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the plated lead C2A extending from the front end of the second signal pad C2 is thinner than the second signal pad C2 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the flat conductor C, and is formed at a position closer to the inner end in the width direction. The front ends of the power supply pads C3 reach near the front end of the flat conductor C. The front end of the second signal pad C2 is located behind the front ends of the first signal pad C1 and the power supply pad C3. The power supply pad C3 has a portion of its front end that is located in front of the second signal pad C2, which protrudes inward in the width direction of the flat conductor C, and is formed to have an overlapping area with the second signal pad C2 in the width direction (see also Figure 4(A)).

[0022] The front end portion of the flat conductor C has notches C4 formed at both ends in the width direction, which can receive the locking portion 42B-1 of the locking fitting 40 described later, provided on the connector 1. The notches C4 are formed in the front-rear direction within the range of the power pad C3 and behind the front end of the second signal pad C2. The flat conductor C has ears C5 in front of the notches C4, and the rear end of the ears C5 forms a locking portion C5A that can be locked from the front to the locking portion 42B-1.

[0023] In the flat conductor C of this embodiment, as described above, a portion of the front end of the power supply pad C3 is formed to overlap with the second signal pad C2 in the width direction. Therefore, even if the power supply terminals 20B and the second signal terminals 30 adjacent to each other in the connector 1 are arranged very close together in the width direction (terminal arrangement direction) in response to the requirement for narrower terminal pitch, sufficient size can be secured in the width direction for both the power supply pad C3 and the second signal pad C2 of the flat conductor C. Furthermore, in the flat conductor C, the notch C4 is formed behind the front end of the second signal pad C2. In other words, since the notch C4 does not exist in the front end portion of the power supply pad C3, sufficient size can be secured in the width direction for that front end portion.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 1 includes a housing 10 that receives a flat conductor C from the rear, a plurality of terminals 20, 30 (the first terminal 20 and the second signal terminal 30 described later) arranged in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) and held in the housing 10, a locking fitting 40 positioned outside the terminal arrangement range of the plurality of terminals 20, 30 and held in the housing 10, a reinforcing fitting 50 positioned outside the locking fitting 40 in the connector width direction and held in the housing 10, and a movable member 60 that can rotate and move between an open position that allows insertion of the flat conductor C into the housing 10 and a closed position that increases the contact pressure between the terminals 20, 30 and the reinforcing fitting 50 and the flat conductor C.

[0025] The multiple terminals 20 and 30 consist of multiple first terminals 20 with different shapes from each other, and multiple second signal terminals 30 as second terminals. The first terminals 20 are terminals that are soldered to the circuit board on the front side (X1 side) relative to the housing 10, and the second signal terminals 30 are terminals that are soldered to the circuit board on the rear side (X2 side) relative to the housing 10. Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are cross-sectional views of the connector 1, that is, cross-sectional views in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. Figure 4(A) shows the cross-section before inserting the flat conductor C, and Figure 4(B) shows the cross-section with the flat conductor C connected. As shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), in this embodiment, nine first terminals 20 and two second signal terminals 30 are provided on the housing 10.

[0026] The nine first terminals 20 include a first signal terminal 20A, which is positioned in the center of the housing 10 in the connector width direction, and power terminals 20B, which are positioned in groups of four on each side (Y1 side and Y2 side) of the first signal terminal 20A in the connector width direction. Four power terminals 20B arranged in a continuous line at a predetermined pitch P1 form one terminal group (hereinafter referred to as the "power terminal group"). In other words, the nine first terminals 20 have one first signal terminal 20A and two power terminal groups. Between a specific power terminal 20B (hereinafter referred to as the "inner power terminal 20B") that is positioned furthest inward in the connector width direction among the four power terminals 20B belonging to each power terminal group, and the first signal terminal 20A, a gap P2 larger than the predetermined pitch P1 is formed.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (B), the second signal terminal 30 is provided at two positions in the connector width direction: between the first signal terminal 20A and the power terminal group on the Y1 side, and between the first signal terminal 20A and the power terminal group on the Y2 side. As shown in Figure 4(A), the second signal terminal 30 is positioned closer to the power terminal group and is arranged to be continuous with the inner power terminal 20B of the power terminal group at a predetermined pitch P3. In this embodiment, this pitch P3 is equal to the pitch P1 between the power terminals 20B. The spacing P4 between the second signal terminal 30 and the first signal terminal 20A is greater than the pitch P3. The relative sizes of pitch P1, pitch P3, and spacing P4 are not limited to the above-described relationship and can be set as appropriate according to the design requirements.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4(A), the locking bracket 40 is positioned to be continuous with the power terminal 20B that is located furthest out in the connector width direction among the power terminal group (hereinafter referred to as "outer power terminal 20B" as needed) at a predetermined pitch P5 equal to pitch P1. The reinforcing bracket 50 is also positioned to be continuous with the locking bracket 40 at a predetermined pitch P6 equal to pitch P1 in the connector width direction, as shown in Figure 4(A). The relative sizes of pitches P1, P5, and P6 are not limited to the above-described relationship and can be set as appropriate according to design requirements.

[0029] The housing 10 is made of an electrical insulating material such as resin and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with the connector width direction as its longitudinal direction, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The housing 10 has a receiving portion 11 for receiving a flat conductor C, which is formed as a space that is open toward the rear. The housing 10 has a lower wall 12 and an upper wall 13 that extend parallel to the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown), two side walls 14 that extend vertically and connect the ends of the lower wall 12 and the upper wall 13 in the connector width direction, and a front wall 15 (see Figures 4(A) to (D)) that connects the lower wall 12 and the upper wall 13 at a position closer to the front end of the housing 10. In front of the front wall 15 and between the two side walls 14 in the connector width direction, there is a movable member housing space 16 that houses the movable member 60 and allows the movable member 60 to move.

[0030] Figures 5(A) to 5(D) are longitudinal cross-sectional views of connector 1 before the insertion of the flat conductor C. Figure 5(A) shows the cross-section at the position of the first terminal 20, Figure 5(B) shows the cross-section at the position of the second signal terminal 30, Figure 5(C) shows the cross-section at the position of the locking fitting 40, and Figure 5(D) shows the cross-section at the position of the reinforcing fitting 50. Here, Figure 5(A) shows the cross-section at the position of the power terminal 20B, but the cross-section at the position of the first signal terminal 20A is the same as the cross-section shown in Figure 5(A).

[0031] The lower wall 12 is positioned below the upper wall 13 and faces the mounting surface of the circuit board. Within the receiving portion 11 in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction), the rear end of the lower wall 12 is located slightly forward of the rear ends of the upper wall 13 and the side walls 14 (see Figure 1), and the front end extends forward of the upper wall 13 and is located within the movable member housing space 16 (see Figures 5(A) to (D)).

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5(A) to (D), the housing 10 has a first housing section 17 for housing and holding the first terminal 20, a second housing section 18 for housing and holding the second signal terminal 30 or the locking fitting 40, and a third housing section 19 for housing and holding the reinforcing fitting 50, all of which are formed in a groove shape extending in the front-rear direction.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5(A), the first housing section 17 has a first lower groove 17A extending in the front-rear direction along the upper surface of the lower wall 12, a first upper groove 17B extending in the front-rear direction along the lower surface of the upper wall 13, and a first intermediate groove 17C extending in the vertical direction and connecting the first lower groove 17A and the first upper groove 17B.

[0034] The first lower groove 17A is a groove that extends across the entire area of ​​the lower wall 12 in the front-rear direction and opens upward. The first upper groove 17B is a groove that extends across the entire area of ​​the upper wall 13 in the front-rear direction and opens downward. The first upper groove 17B also penetrates the upper wall 13 vertically in the area corresponding to the front wall 15 in the front-rear direction and also opens upward. The first intermediate groove 17C is formed by penetrating the front wall 15 in the front-rear direction. In addition, at the rear of the first intermediate groove 17C, a first retaining portion 17D is formed in an island shape when viewed in the connector width direction, connecting the inner wall surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the connector width direction) that form the first intermediate groove 17C and are opposite each other in the connector width direction.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5(B) and (C), the second housing section 18 has a second lower groove 18A extending in the front-rear direction along the upper surface of the lower wall 12, a second upper groove 18B extending in the front-rear direction along the lower surface of the upper wall 13, and a second intermediate groove 18C extending in the vertical direction and connecting the second lower groove 18A and the second upper groove 18B.

[0036] The second lower groove 18A is a groove that extends across the entire area of ​​the lower wall 12 in the front-rear direction and opens upward. The second upper groove 18B is a groove that extends across the entire area of ​​the upper wall 13 in the front-rear direction and opens downward. The second upper groove 18B also penetrates the upper wall 13 vertically in the area corresponding to the front part of the front wall 15 in the front-rear direction and also opens upward. The second intermediate groove 18C is formed by penetrating the front wall 15 in the front-rear direction. Within the second intermediate groove 18C, a second retaining portion 18D is formed in an island-like shape when viewed in the connector width direction, connecting the inner wall surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the connector width direction) that form the second intermediate groove 18C and face each other in the connector width direction. The second retaining portion 18D is provided in front of the first retaining portion 17D.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5(D), the third receiving section 19 has a front hole 19A that penetrates the upper part of the front wall 15 in the front-rear direction, and a third upper groove 19B that extends in the front-rear direction along the upper wall 13. The front hole 19A is formed in the upper part of the front wall 15 and communicates with the third upper groove 19B. The third upper groove 19B is a groove that extends across the entire area of ​​the receiving section 11 in the front-rear direction and opens downwards. Furthermore, the third upper groove 19B penetrates the upper wall 13 in the vertical direction at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction, and an upper opening 13A is formed in the upper wall 13.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5(D), in the connector width direction, at a position corresponding to the third housing portion 19, that is, at a position corresponding to the reinforcing bracket 50, a recess 16A is formed in front of the front wall 15, which is open upward and forward. The recess 16A is part of the movable member housing space 16 and houses the third shaft portion 66 of the movable member 60, which will be described later.

[0039] Figure 6(A) is a perspective view showing the first terminal 20, Figure 6(B) is a perspective view showing the second signal terminal 30, and Figure 6(C) is a perspective view showing the reinforcing bracket 50 individually. As shown in Figure 6(A), the first terminal 20 (first signal terminal 20A and power terminal 20B) is made by punching out a metal plate member in the thickness direction. The first terminal 20 has a first lower arm portion 21 extending in the front-rear direction, a first upper arm portion 22 extending above the first lower arm portion 21 along the front-rear direction, and a first connecting portion 23 extending in the up-down direction and connecting the intermediate portions of the first lower arm portion 21 and the first upper arm portion 22. The first upper arm portion 22 is elastically displaceable in a lever-like manner with the first connecting portion 23 as a fulcrum by receiving a pressing force from the first shaft portion 64 of the movable member 60, which will be described later (see Figure 8(A)).

[0040] As shown in Figure 5(A), the first lower arm portion 21 extends in the front-rear direction along the lower wall 12 of the housing 10 and is housed in the first lower groove portion 17A, except for the front end portion. The first lower arm portion 21 has a first support arm portion 21A and a first connecting portion 21B located in front of the first connecting portion 23, and a first pressing arm portion 21C located behind the first connecting portion 23. The first support arm portion 21A extends along the groove bottom surface (lower inner wall surface) of the first lower groove portion 17A and has a first support portion 21A-1 at its front end that can support the first shaft portion 64 of the movable member 60, described later, from below when it is in the closed position (see also Figure 8(A)). The first connecting portion 21B extends forward from the front end of the first support arm portion 21A and is located outside the housing 10. The lower edge of the first connection portion 21B is located at approximately the same height as the lower surface of the lower wall 12, and can be soldered to the power supply circuit portion (pad) on the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown). In the case of the first signal terminal 20A, the first connection portion 21B is soldered to the first signal circuit portion (pad) on the mounting surface of the circuit board.

[0041] The first pressing arm portion 21C extends along the bottom surface of the groove of the first lower groove portion 17A, and a first pressing portion 21C-1 is formed at its rear end, projecting upward. The first pressing portion 21C-1 protrudes from the first lower groove portion 17A and is located within the receiving portion 11, allowing it to press the flat conductor C from below (see also Figure 8(A)). A first retained portion 21C-2 is formed at a position closer to the front end of the first pressing arm portion 21C (closer to the first connecting portion 23), projecting upward. The first terminal 20 is press-fitted into the first housing portion 17 from the front, and is held in the housing 10 by the first retained portion 21C-2 biting into the first retaining portion 17D from below.

[0042] The first upper arm portion 22 has a first pressure-receiving arm portion 22A located in front of the first connecting portion 23 and a first contact arm portion 22B located behind the first connecting portion 23. The front part of the first pressure-receiving arm portion 22A extends forward from the first upper groove portion 17B of the housing 10 and is located within the movable member housing space 16. This front part is formed as a first pressure-receiving portion 22A-1 that receives downward pressure from the first shaft portion 64 of the movable member 60, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 5(A) and 6(A), the first pressure-receiving portion 22A-1 has a recess formed by the recessing of its lower edge, and a part of the first shaft portion 64 of the movable member 60 is housed in this recess. In addition, the front and rear parts of the lower edge of the first pressure-receiving portion 22A-1 (a part of the lower edge that forms the recess) can be locked to the first shaft portion 64 in the front-rear direction, thereby contributing to restricting the movement of the movable member 60 in the front-rear direction.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5(A), the first contact arm 22B extends along the groove bottom surface (upper inner wall surface) of the first upper groove 17B, and a first contact portion 22B-1 is formed at its rear end, projecting downward. The first contact portion 22B-1 protrudes from the first upper groove 17B and is located within the receiving portion 11, and is capable of contacting the power pad C3 (see Figure 1) of the flat conductor C with contact pressure from above (see Figure 8(A)). In the case of the first signal terminal 20A, the first contact portion 22B-1 is capable of contacting the first signal pad C1 (see Figure 1) of the flat conductor C. When in contact with the flat conductor C, the first contact portion 22B-1 cooperates with the first pressing portion 21C-1 to clamp the flat conductor C. In other words, the first contact portion 22B-1 also functions as a pressing portion to increase the contact pressure with the flat conductor C by pressing it from above. The first connecting portion 23 is located in front of the first retaining portion 17D of the housing 10 and is housed within the first intermediate groove portion 17C of the housing 10.

[0044] The second signal terminal 30 is made by punching out a metal plate member in the thickness direction, as shown in Figure 6(B). The second signal terminal 30 has a second lower arm portion 31 extending in the front-rear direction, a second upper arm portion 32 extending along the front-rear direction above the second lower arm portion 31, and a second connecting portion 33 extending in the up-down direction and connecting the intermediate portions of the second lower arm portion 31 and the second upper arm portion 32. The second upper arm portion 32 is elastically displaceable in a lever-like manner with the second connecting portion 33 as a fulcrum when subjected to the pressing force of the second shaft portion 65 of the movable member 60, which will be described later (see Figure 8(B)).

[0045] As shown in Figure 5(B), the second lower arm portion 31 extends in the front-rear direction along the lower wall 12 of the housing 10 and is housed in the second lower groove portion 18A, except for its front and rear ends. The second lower arm portion 31 has a second support arm portion 31A located in front of the second connecting portion 33, and a second connecting portion 31B and a second pressing arm portion 31C located behind the second connecting portion 33. The second support arm portion 31A extends along the groove bottom surface (lower inner wall surface) of the second lower groove portion 18A and has a second support portion 31A-1 at its front that can support the second shaft portion 65 of the movable member 60, described later, from below when it is in the closed position. A second retained portion 31A-2 that protrudes upward is formed at a position closer to the rear end of the second support arm portion 31A (closer to the second connecting portion 33). The second signal terminal 30 is press-fitted into the second housing 18 from the rear, and the second retained portion 31A-2 bites into the second retaining portion 18D from below, thereby being held in the housing 10.

[0046] The second pressing arm portion 31C extends along the bottom surface of the groove of the second lower groove portion 18A, and a second rear pressing portion 31C-1 is formed at its rear end, slightly raised upwards. The second rear pressing portion 31C-1 protrudes from the second lower groove portion 18A and is located within the receiving portion 11, allowing it to press the flat conductor C from below (see Figure 8(B)). A second front pressing portion 31C-2 is formed at a position closer to the front end of the second pressing arm portion 31C (closer to the second connecting portion 33), protruding upwards. The second front pressing portion 31C-2 is located at approximately the same position as the first pressing portion 21C-1 of the first terminal 20 in the front-rear direction, protruding from the second lower groove portion 18A and located within the receiving portion 11, allowing it to press the flat conductor C from below (see also Figure 8(B)).

[0047] The second connection portion 31B extends rearward from the rear end of the second pressing arm portion 31C and is located outside the housing 10. The lower edge of the second connection portion 31B is at approximately the same height as the lower surface of the lower wall 12, and can be soldered to the second signal circuit portion (pad) on the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown).

[0048] The second upper arm portion 32 has a second pressure-receiving arm portion 32A located in front of the second connecting portion 33 and a second contact arm portion 32B located behind the second connecting portion 33. The front part of the second pressure-receiving arm portion 32A extends forward from the second upper groove portion 18B of the housing 10 and is located within the movable member housing space 16. The front part has a second pressure-receiving portion 32A-1 which receives a downward pressure from the second shaft portion 65 of the movable member 60, which will be described later.

[0049] The second contact arm 32B extends along the groove bottom surface (upper inner wall surface) of the second upper groove 18B, and its rear end is located behind the first contact portion 22B-1 of the first terminal 20. A second contact portion 32B-1 is formed at the rear end of the second contact arm 32B, projecting downward. The second contact portion 32B-1 protrudes from the second upper groove 18B and is located within the receiving portion 11, and is capable of contacting the second signal pad C2 (see Figure 1) of the flat conductor C from above with contact pressure (see Figure 8(B)). When in contact with the flat conductor C, the second contact portion 32B-1 cooperates with the second rear pressing portion 31C-1 to clamp the flat conductor C. In other words, the second contact portion 32B-1 also functions as a pressing portion to increase the contact pressure with the flat conductor C by pressing it from above. The second connecting portion 33 is housed in the second intermediate groove portion 18C of the housing 10, rearward from the second retaining portion 18D of the housing 10.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5(C), the locking mechanism 40 has the exact same shape as the second signal terminal 30 described above and is positioned in the same location as the second signal terminal 30 when viewed in the connector width direction. The locking mechanism 40 is press-fitted into the second housing 18 from the rear, and the second retained portion 41A-2 bites into the second retaining portion 18D from below, thereby being held in the housing 10. The locking mechanism 40 does not have the function of electrically connecting with the flat conductor C, but rather has the function of preventing the flat conductor C from coming loose by engaging with the locking portion C5A of the flat conductor C, and in this respect it differs from the second signal terminal 30. In the locking mechanism 40, the portion corresponding to the second contact arm portion 32B of the second signal terminal 30 forms a locking arm portion 42B that is elastically displaceable in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this locking arm 42B, the portion corresponding to the second contact portion 32B-1 of the second contact arm 32B forms a locking portion 42B-1 that can be locked from the rear to the locked portion C5A of the flat conductor C (see also Figure 8(C)).

[0051] Furthermore, in the locking mechanism 40, the portion corresponding to the second connection portion 31B of the second signal terminal 30 forms a fixing portion 41B that is fixed to the mounting surface of the circuit board by soldering. In this case, the portion of the circuit board to which the fixing portion 41B is soldered is not a circuit portion, but a fixing pad. The parts of the locking mechanism 40 other than the locking arm portion 42B and the fixing portion 41B have the same function as the corresponding portion of the second signal terminal 30, so here, the corresponding portion of the second signal terminal 30 is denoted by adding "10" to the denotation and the explanation is omitted.

[0052] In this embodiment, by forming the locking mechanism 40 in the same shape as the second signal terminal 30, the manufactured second signal terminal 30 can be used as the locking mechanism 40 as is. This eliminates the need to separately prepare a locking mechanism with a different shape from the second signal terminal 30, simplifying the manufacturing of the connector 1 and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0053] The reinforcing bracket 50 is made by punching out a metal plate member in the thickness direction, as shown in Figure 6(C). The reinforcing bracket 50 has a held portion 51 that is held by the housing 10, an extension portion 52 that extends forward from the held portion 51, a restricting portion 53 that extends downward from the front of the extension portion 52, a fixing portion 54 that is located below the restricting portion 53 and fixed to the circuit board, and a third contact arm portion 55 that extends rearward from the held portion 51. In this embodiment, the reinforcing bracket 50 functions as a power terminal. In this embodiment, by using the reinforcing bracket 50 as a power terminal, it is possible to flow a larger power current without increasing the number of power terminals 20B.

[0054] The retained portion 51 has a plurality of protrusions 51A that project from its upper edge, as shown in Figure 6(C). The reinforcing fitting 50 is press-fitted into the third housing portion 19 from the front, and as shown in Figure 5(D), the protrusions 51A bite into the upper inner wall surface of the front hole portion 19A, thereby holding it in place in the housing 10. The extension portion 52 extends outside the housing 10 and is located within the movable member housing space 16. The restricting portion 53 extends straight in the vertical direction. The front end surface of the restricting portion 53 is a flat surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction, and is able to contact the restricted portion 61A of the movable member 60, described later, from the rear when it is in the closed position.

[0055] The fixing portion 54 has its lower edge positioned at approximately the same height as the lower surface of the lower wall 12, and can be soldered to the power supply circuit portion (pad) on the mounting surface of the circuit board (not shown). In this embodiment, the fixing portion 54 is adjacent to the first connection portion 21B of the outer power supply terminal 20B. Therefore, when mounting the connector 1 to the circuit board, the fixing portion 54 can be soldered to a pad common to the power supply terminal 20B of the power supply terminal group.

[0056] The third contact arm 55 extends along the groove bottom surface (upper inner wall surface) of the third upper groove 19B to approximately the same position as the rear end of the first contact arm 22B of the first terminal 20. A third contact portion 55A is formed at the rear end of the third contact arm 55, projecting downward. The rear end of the third upper groove 19B is located directly below the upper opening 13A of the upper wall 13, allowing the third contact arm 55 to enter the upper opening 13A from below when it is elastically displaced upward (see Figures 7(D) and 8(D)). In this embodiment, the third contact portion 55A is adjacent to the first contact portion 22B-1 of the outer power terminal 20B. Therefore, when connecting the flat conductor C to the connector 1, the third contact portion 55A can be brought into contact with the power pad C3 common to the power terminal 20B of the power terminal group (see Figure 4(B)).

[0057] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4(A) and (B), the movable member 60 extends almost the entire width of the movable member housing space 16 in the connector width direction. As shown in Figure 1, the lower part of the movable member 60 is housed within the movable member housing space 16 when in the open position, and as shown in Figure 2, the entire movable member 60 is housed within the movable member housing space 16 when in the closed position. As shown in Figure 3, the movable member 60 has an operating part 61 as the main body, an end wall 62, a partition wall 63, a first shaft portion 64 (see Figure 5(A)), a second shaft portion 65 (see Figures 5(B) and (C)), and a third shaft portion 66 (see Figure 5(D)).

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the operating section 61 is formed extending in the connector width direction at the upper end of the movable member 60 and is designed to receive operations for moving (rotating) the movable member 60 between the open position and the closed position. The operating section 61 has restricted sections 61A that protrude outward in the connector width direction from both sides of the upper end of the operating section 61. The restricted sections 61A are positioned in the connector width direction corresponding to the reinforcing bracket 50 and, as shown in Figure 8(D), are located in front of the restricting section 53 of the reinforcing bracket 50 when the movable member 60 is in the closed position. The rear end surface of the restricted section 61A facing the restricting section 53 when the movable member 60 is in the closed position is a flat surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(D), when the movable member 60 is in the closed position, the gap S2 formed between the front end of the restricting portion 53 of the reinforcing bracket 50 and the rear end of the restricted portion 61A of the movable member 60 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the gap S1 formed between the rear end of the movable member 60 and the front end of the front wall 15 of the housing 10 in the front-rear direction.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, the end walls 62 are provided extending downward from both ends of the operating section 61 in the connector width direction. As shown in Figure 3, the multiple partition walls 63 extend downward from the operating section 61 between the two end walls 62 in the connector width direction and are formed by being spaced apart in the connector width direction.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5(A), the first shaft portion 64 is located at the same position as the first terminal 20 in the connector width direction and connects the opposing surfaces (surfaces perpendicular to the connector width direction) of the lower ends of two adjacent partition walls 63. As shown in Figure 5(A), the first shaft portion 64 has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the connector width direction that resembles a roughly elongated oval extending in the front-to-back direction with the front and upper corners cut off. As shown in Figure 5(A), the first shaft portion 64 is located in the vertical direction between the first support portion 21A-1 and the first pressure receiving portion 22A-1 of the first terminal 20. At this time, the first shaft portion 64 is located with a slight gap from the upper edge of the first support portion 21A-1 and is in contact with the lower edge of the first pressure receiving portion 22A-1. As will be described later, the first shaft portion 64 has the function of a cam portion that pushes up the first pressure receiving portion 22A-1 and displaces the first pressure receiving arm portion 22A upward when the movable member 60 moves to the closed position (see Figure 8(A)).

[0062] As shown in Figures 5(B) and (C), the second shaft portion 65 is located at the same position as the second signal terminal 30 and the locking fitting 40 in the connector width direction, and connects the opposing surfaces of the lower ends of adjacent partition walls 63. As shown in Figures 5(B) and (C), the second shaft portion 65 has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the connector width direction, forming a roughly elongated oval extending in the front-rear direction. The second shaft portion 65 located at the position of the second signal terminal 30 is positioned between the second support portion 31A-1 and the second pressure receiving portion 32A-1 of the second signal terminal 30 in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 5(B). At this time, the second shaft portion 65 is supported by the upper edge of the second support portion 31A-1 and is positioned with a slight gap from the lower edge of the second pressure receiving portion 32A-1. As will be described later, the second shaft portion 65 functions as a cam portion that pushes up the second pressure receiving portion 32A-1 and displaces the second pressure receiving arm portion 32A upward when the movable member 60 moves to the closed position (see Figure 8(B)). The same applies to the second shaft portion 65 located at the position of the locking fitting 40 (see Figures 5(C) and 8(C)).

[0063] As shown in Figure 5(D), the third shaft portion 66 is provided at the same position as the reinforcing bracket 50 in the connector width direction, and as shown in Figure 3, it protrudes outward from the lower end of the end wall 62 in the connector width direction. As shown in Figure 5(D), the third shaft portion 66 has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the connector width direction that is approximately an oval, slightly shorter than the second shaft portion 65 in the front-rear direction, and protrudes slightly forward and downward from the lower end of the movable member 60.

[0064] As shown in Figure 5(D), the third shaft portion 66 is housed within the recess 16A of the housing 10 and is located below the extension 52 of the reinforcing fitting 50 and behind the restricting portion 53. At this time, the third shaft portion 66 is not in contact with the inner surface of the recess 16A, the lower edge of the extension 52, or the rear edge of the restricting portion 53. When viewed in the connector width direction, the third shaft portion 66 is surrounded on all sides by the inner surface of the recess 16A of the housing 10 and the extension 52 and restricting portion 53 of the reinforcing fitting 50. Therefore, the movement of the third shaft portion 66 can be restricted in the vertical and horizontal directions by the inner surface of the recess 16A, the extension 52, and the restricting portion 53, thereby reliably preventing the movable member 60 from unintentionally detaching from the housing 10.

[0065] Connector 1 is assembled as follows: First, the first terminal 20, namely the first signal terminal 20A and the power terminal 20B, is press-fitted into the first housing portion 17 of the housing 10 from the front. Then, the second signal terminal 30 and the locking mechanism 40 are press-fitted into the second housing portion 18 of the housing 10 from the rear. The order in which the first signal terminal 20A, the power terminal 20B, the second signal terminal 30, and the locking mechanism 40 are attached to the housing 10 does not matter, and they may be attached simultaneously.

[0066] Next, with the movable member 60 in the open position (see Figure 3), the lower part of the movable member 60 is placed inside the movable member housing space 16 of the housing 10. At this time, the third shaft portion 66 of the movable member 60 is placed inside the recess 16A of the housing 10. Next, the reinforcing bracket 50 is pressed into the third housing portion 19 of the housing 10 from the front and attached. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(D), the third shaft portion 66 is surrounded on all sides by the inner surface of the recess 16A of the housing 10 and the extended portion 52 and restricting portion 53 of the reinforcing bracket 50, preventing the movable member 60 from coming out of the housing 10. In this way, the movable member 60 is attached to the housing 10 in a state where it can move between the open position and the closed position, and the connector 1 is completed. Note that the placement of the lower part of the movable member 60 inside the movable member housing space 16 can be done at any time after the first signal terminal 20A and the power terminal 20B are attached but before the reinforcing bracket 50 is attached.

[0067] Next, the insertion and removal operation of the flat conductor C to and from the connector 1 will be described. First, the first connection part 21B of the first signal terminal 20A, the first connection part 21B of the power terminal 20B, and the second connection part 31B of the second signal terminal 30 of the connector 1 are soldered to their respective circuit parts on the circuit board (not shown), and the fixing part 41B of the locking fitting 40 and the fixing part 54 of the reinforcing fitting 50 are soldered to their respective parts on the circuit board. Through these soldering connections of the first connection part 21B, the second connection part 31B, the fixing part 41B, and the fixing part 54, the connector 1 is attached to the circuit board.

[0068] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(A), the second signal terminal 30 is located outside the arrangement range of the power terminal group. In other words, the second signal terminal 30 is not located within the arrangement range of the power terminals 20B belonging to the power terminal group. Therefore, the first connection portions 21B of the power terminals 20B belonging to the power terminal group can be brought close together in the connector width direction, and these first connection portions 21B can be soldered in common to the same power circuit portion (pad) on the circuit board. As a result, an increase in the size of the connector 1 in the connector width direction can be avoided. Furthermore, since the first connection portion 21B of each power terminal 20B is not connected to a separate pad, there is no need to form conductive patterns on the circuit board for connecting separate pads, and therefore, excessive heat generation on the circuit board can be suppressed.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(A), the fixing portion 54 of the reinforcing bracket 50, which functions as a power terminal, is adjacent to the first connection portion 21B of the outer power terminal 20B belonging to the power terminal group. Therefore, the fixing portion 54 of the reinforcing bracket 50 can be soldered to a common pad with the first connection portion 21B of the power terminal 20B of the power terminal group.

[0070] When connecting the flat conductor C to the connector 1, as shown in Figures 1, 4(A), and 5(A) to 5(D), the flat conductor C is positioned behind the connector 1 with the movable member 60 moved to the open position, so that it extends in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction).

[0071] Next, the flat conductor C is inserted into the receiving portion 11 of the connector 1, facing forward (in the X1 direction). During the insertion of the flat conductor C into the receiving portion 11, the front end of the flat conductor C first comes into contact with the second contact portion 32B-1 of the second signal terminal 30 (see Figure 5(B)) and the locking portion 42B-1 of the locking fitting 40, pushing up the second contact portion 32B-1 and the locking portion 42B-1, thereby elastically displacing the second contact arm portion 32B and the locking arm portion 42B upward.

[0072] As the flat conductor C is further inserted forward, the front end of the flat conductor C abuts against the first contact portion 22B-1 of the first terminal 20 and the third contact portion 55A of the reinforcing fitting 50, pushing up the first contact portion 22B-1 and the third contact portion 55A, thereby elastically displacing the first contact arm portion 22B and the third contact arm portion 55 upward. The insertion of the flat conductor C is completed when its front end abuts against the front wall 15 from behind, as shown in Figures 4(B) and 7(A)-(D). As can be seen in Figures 7(A), (B), and (D), even after the insertion of the flat conductor C is complete, the first contact arm 22B, the second contact arm 32B, and the third contact arm 55 remain elastically displaced, and the first contact portion 22B-1, the second contact portion 32B-1, and the third contact portion 55A contact the first signal pad C1, the second signal pad C2, or the power pad C3 of the flat conductor C.

[0073] Furthermore, with respect to the locking mechanism 40, after the locking arm 42B elastically displaces upward during the insertion process of the flat conductor C, and once the lug C5 of the flat conductor C passes the position of the locking part 42B-1, the locking arm 42B returns to its free state and protrudes into the notch C4 of the flat conductor C from above. As a result, as shown in Figure 7(C), when the insertion of the flat conductor C is completed, the locking part 42B-1 is positioned opposite the locked portion C5A of the flat conductor C from the rear. It should be noted that it is not essential for the locking arm 42B to return to a completely free state. For example, the locking arm 42B may protrude into the notch C4 of the flat conductor C while retaining a small amount of elastic displacement.

[0074] Next, the operating part 61 of the movable member 60 is operated with a finger to move (rotate) it from the open position to the closed position. When the movable member 60 moves to the closed position, as shown in Figures 8(A) to (D), the first shaft portion 64, the second shaft portion 65, and the third shaft portion 66 are in an extended position with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. At this time, the first shaft portion 64 and the second shaft portion 65, which are located corresponding to the first terminal 20 and the second signal terminal 30 respectively, are supported from below by the first support portion 21A-1 and the second support portion 31A-1, respectively, and press down on the first pressure receiving portion 22A-1 and the second pressure receiving portion 32A-1 from below, displacing the first pressure receiving arm portion 22A and the second pressure receiving arm portion 32A upward. As a result, as shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), the first upper arm portion 22 and the second upper arm portion 32 are displaced in a lever-like manner, and the first contact arm portion 22B and the second contact arm portion 32B are displaced downward. Then, the first contact portion 22B-1 and the second contact portion 32B-1 make contact from above with increased contact pressure with the first signal pad C1, the second signal pad C2, or the power pad of the flat conductor C, respectively (see also Figure 4(B)), and maintain an electrically conductive state.

[0075] Furthermore, when the movable member 60 moves to the closed position, as shown in Figure 8(C), the second shaft portion 65, which is positioned corresponding to the locking fitting 40, presses the second pressure receiving portion 42A-1 from below, displacing the second pressure receiving arm portion 42A upward. As a result, the second upper arm portion 42 is displaced in a lever-like manner, causing the locking arm portion 42B to be displaced downward, and the locking portion 42B-1 penetrates even deeper into the notch portion C4 of the flat conductor C. Therefore, the state in which the locking portion 42B-1 can be locked from the rear to the locked portion C5A is maintained, and the rearward extraction of the flat conductor C is effectively prevented.

[0076] Furthermore, when the movable member 60 moves to the closed position, as shown in Figure 8(D), the third shaft portion 66, which is positioned corresponding to the reinforcing bracket 50, does not come into contact with the reinforcing bracket 50 even when it is extended in the vertical direction. Also, even after the movable member 60 moves to the closed position, the third contact arm portion 55 remains elastically displaced and in contact with the power pad C3 at the third contact portion 55A, and the state of electrical conductivity with the power pad C3 is maintained. In this way, the movement of the movable member 60 to the closed position completes the connection operation of the flat conductor C to the connector 1.

[0077] When the movable member 60 is in the closed position, a gap S1 is formed between the rear end of the movable member 60 and the front end of the front wall 15 of the housing 10, as shown in Figures 8(A) to (C). Also, as shown in Figure 8(D), the restricted portion 61A of the movable member 60 is located in front of the restricting portion 53 of the reinforcing fitting 50, with a gap S2 formed between it and the front end of the restricting portion 53. In this embodiment, the gap S2 is smaller than the gap S1. Therefore, if an unintended external force is applied to the movable member 60 from the front while it is in the closed position, the restricted portion 61A will come into contact with the restricting portion 53 from the front before the rear end of the movable member 60 comes into contact with the front wall 15 from the front, thus restricting the rearward movement of the restricted portion 61A.

[0078] If the movable member 60 is not provided with a restricted portion 61A, and an inadvertent external force is applied to the movable member 60 from the front while it is in the closed position, the movable member 60 will move backward by a distance equal to the gap S2 (referred to here as "distance S2") until its rear end contacts the front wall 15 of the housing 10. At this time, the first shaft portion 64, the second shaft portion 65, and the third shaft portion 66 of the movable member 60 also move by distance S2. As a result, the first shaft portion 64, which is located in correspondence with the first terminal 20, the second shaft portion 65, which is located in correspondence with the second signal terminal 30, and the second shaft portion 65, which is located in correspondence with the locking fitting 40, will push further upward the first pressure-receiving arm portion 22A of the first terminal 20, the second pressure-receiving arm portion 32A of the second signal terminal 30, and the second pressure-receiving arm portion 32A of the locking fitting 40, which are already in a displaced state. Therefore, the first pressure-receiving arm 22A and the second pressure-receiving arm 32A may deform excessively, which could result in damage to the first terminal 20, the second signal terminal 30, and the locking mechanism 40.

[0079] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the restricted portion 61A of the movable member 60 is positioned in front of the restricting portion 53 of the reinforcing fitting 50, forming a gap S2 smaller than the gap S1 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the movable member 60 receives an external force to the rear, the restricted portion 61A comes into contact with the restricting portion 53 from the front when it has moved rearward by a distance S2, thus restricting further movement. Consequently, the movement of the movable member 60 is kept to a minimum, so that the first pressure-receiving arm 22A of the first terminal 20, the second pressure-receiving arm 32A of the second signal terminal 30, and the second pressure-receiving arm 32A of the lock fitting 40 are not excessively pushed upward and deformed by the first shaft portion 64 and the second shaft portion 65 of the movable member 60. As a result, damage to the first terminal 20, the second signal terminal 30, and the lock fitting 40 is effectively prevented.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front end surface of the restricting portion 53 and the rear end surface of the restricted portion 61A, that is, the opposing surfaces of the restricting portion 53 and the restricted portion 61A, form flat surfaces perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the movable member 60 receives an external force from the front and moves backward, the restricting portion 53 and the restricted portion 61A come into contact with each other through their flat surfaces. As a result, the restricting portion 53 and the restricted portion 61A can come into contact over a large area, making it possible to more reliably prevent the flat conductor C from coming loose.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the restricting portion 53 of the reinforcing bracket 50 is located in front of the held portion 51, which is held and fixed by the housing 10, that is, on the opposite side of the third contact arm portion 55 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, even if the restricted portion 61A of the movable member 60 that has moved rearward comes into contact with the restricting portion 53 from the front, it does not affect the elastic displacement state of the third contact arm portion 55. As a result, the contact state between the third contact portion 55A and the power pad C3 of the flat conductor C can be maintained in good condition.

[0082] When intentionally removing the flat conductor C from the connector 1, as shown in Figures 8(A) to (D), i.e., when it is connected to the connector 1, the operating part 61 of the movable member 60, which is in the closed position, is operated to move it to the open position shown in Figures 7(A) to (D). This causes the locking part 42B-1 of the locking fitting 40 to disengage upward from the notch C4 of the flat conductor C, releasing the locking state of the locking part 42B-1 against the locked part C5A, and allowing the flat conductor C to be removed. Then, by pulling the flat conductor C backward (in the X2 direction), the flat conductor C is easily removed from the connector 1, and the removal operation is completed.

[0083] In this embodiment, the reinforcing bracket is used as a power terminal, but it may be used as a signal terminal instead. In that case, a signal pad is provided on the flat conductor at a position corresponding to the reinforcing bracket in the connector width direction. Furthermore, it is not essential to use the reinforcing bracket as a terminal. In that case, it is not necessary to provide contact arms on the reinforcing bracket. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Connector 10 Housing 11 Reception Department 16A recess 20 First terminal 20A first signal terminal 20B power supply terminal 21 First lower arm 21B First connection section 22 First upper arm 22A-1 First pressure receiving part 22B-1 First contact part 23 First connection part 30 Second signal terminal 31 Second lower arm 31B Second connection section 32 Second upper arm 32A-1 Second pressure receiving part 32B-1 Second contact part 33 Second connection part 40 Locking mechanism 42B Locking mechanism (locking part) 50 Reinforcement fittings 51 Holding part 52 Extension 53 Regulatory Department 54 Fixed part 55 Third contact arm 55A Third contact part 60 Movable member 61 Operation section 61A Regulated part 64 First shaft part 65 Second shaft part C Flat conductor C1 First Signal Pad C2 Second Signal Pad C3 Power Pad C4 Notch C5A Locked part P1 Pitch P2 interval

Claims

1. An electrical connector for flat conductors, in which a strip-shaped flat conductor is connected so as to be insertable and removable in the front-to-back direction, A housing is formed in which a receiving portion is created as a space that is open toward the rear so that the flat conductor can be inserted, A plurality of terminals are arranged in the width direction of the flat conductor as the terminal arrangement direction and are held in the housing, A reinforcing bracket positioned outside the terminal arrangement range in the terminal arrangement direction and held by the housing, An electrical connector for a flat conductor has a movable member that can rotate between an open position that allows insertion of the flat conductor into the receiving portion and a closed position that increases the contact pressure of the terminal on the flat conductor, The housing allows the movable member to move in front of the receiving portion, The movable member has a main body portion extending in the terminal arrangement direction and a cam portion positioned in the terminal arrangement direction corresponding to the terminal and cooperating with the terminal. Each of the aforementioned terminals has an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion extending along the front-rear direction, and a connecting portion that connects the intermediate portions of the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion in the front-rear direction. The upper arm portion has a pressure-receiving portion at its front end that is elastically displaceable upward when the movable member is in the closed position by receiving force from the cam portion, and a pressing portion at its rear end that elastically displaces downward in accordance with the elastic displacement of the pressure-receiving portion to press the flat conductor from above and increase the contact pressure between the flat conductor and the terminal. The reinforcing bracket has a retained portion that is held at the front end of the housing, an extended portion that extends forward from the retained portion and extends outside the housing, a restricting portion that extends downward from the extended portion, and a fixing portion that is located below the restricting portion and fixed to the circuit board. The main body portion has a restricted portion that is located in the terminal arrangement direction corresponding to the reinforcing bracket, The electrical connector for flat conductors is characterized in that the restricted portion is positioned to be able to contact the restricting portion from the front when the movable member is in the closed position.

2. The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the regulating portion and the regulated portion have opposing surfaces that are flat surfaces perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

3. The reinforcing fitting has an arm portion that extends rearward from the part to be held, The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the arm portion is elastically displaced in the vertical direction to press the flat conductor from above.

4. The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the arm portion is capable of contacting the circuit portion of the flat conductor.

5. The front portion of the housing has a recess formed therein that is open upward and forward at a position corresponding to the reinforcing bracket in the terminal arrangement direction. The movable member has a shaft portion housed in the recess at a position corresponding to the reinforcing bracket in the terminal arrangement direction. The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion is located below the extension portion and behind the restricting portion.

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