Electrical connector for flat conductors

Abstract

To provide an electric connector for a flat type conductor, capable of easily extracting the flat type conductor.SOLUTION: A slider 40 is attached to a housing 10 in a state of being moved between a saving position where extraction of a flat type conductor C is permitted and an advanced position that prevents the extraction of the flat type conductor C to a cross direction, and includes: an upper side contact part 44 that can be contacted to an upper surface of the flat type conductor C so as to regulate movement of the flat type conductor C at the advanced position to an upper direction; and a lower side contact part 42A that is provided to a front side from the upper side contact part 44 and is contacted to a lower surface of the flat type conductor C at the saving position. In the lower side contact part 42A, the upper end of the same is positioned at a position that is similar to an upper end of an engagement part 12A in a vertical direction or an upper direction from the upper end of the engagement part 12A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an electrical connector for flat conductors into which flat conductors are inserted and connected. 【Background Art】 【0002】 As an electrical connector for flat conductors, for example, the electrical connector of Patent Document 1 is known. In the electrical connector of this Patent Document 1, a flat conductor (flat cable) extending in the front-rear direction is inserted and connected forward, and a slider attached to a housing holding a plurality of terminals maintains the state in which the flat conductor is connected to the connector. Specifically, the slider is attached to the housing from the rear in a state where it can move in the front-rear direction between a retracted position that allows the extraction of the flat conductor and a forward position that prevents the extraction of the flat conductor. 【0003】 The housing is formed with locking convex portions protruding downward from both ends in the width direction of the receiving portion capable of receiving the flat conductor, and the locking convex portions lock onto the ear-shaped locked portions (edges) of the flat conductor from the rear. When the slider moves to the forward position in the state where the flat conductor is inserted into the receiving portion, both ends of the slider in the width direction are positioned close to the locking convex portions from above, whereby the locked portion of the flat conductor is restricted from coming off the locking convex portion. 【0004】 Also, retainers made of metal plates are attached to both ends in the width direction of the housing (the same direction as the width direction of the flat conductor). This retainer has a bent portion formed in a spring portion that can be elastically displaced in the width direction. The slider is restricted from accidentally moving to the retracted position by locking with this bent portion in the front-rear direction when in the forward position. As a result, the state where the slider is in the forward position, and thus the state where the locked portion of the flat conductor is locked to the locking convex portion, is maintained, and as a result, the flat conductor is prevented from coming off rearward from the connector. 【0005】 When removing a flat conductor from an electrical connector, move the slider backward with an operating force greater than the locking force between the retainer's bend and the slider. Then, bend the flat conductor so that both ends are lifted upward, positioning the locked portion above the locking projection to release the lock from the locking projection, and then pull the flat conductor backward to remove it from the housing's receiving portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents] 【0006】 [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6786356 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0007】 In the electrical connector described in Patent Document 1, when removing the flat conductor, it is necessary to bend the flat conductor so that both ends of the flat conductor are lifted upward. However, the locking portion between the locking portion of the flat conductor and the locking portion of the housing is located inside the receiving portion of the housing and cannot be seen from the outside. Therefore, the operation of bending the flat conductor to reliably release the locking protrusion is not easy, and removing the flat conductor may be time-consuming. 【0008】 In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an electrical connector for flat conductors that allows for easy extraction of the flat conductor. [Means for solving the problem] 【0009】 (1) In the flat conductor electrical connector according to the present invention, a flat conductor extending in the front-rear direction is inserted and connected facing forward. 【0010】 In such an electrical connector for a flat conductor, the present invention comprises a plurality of terminals arranged with the width direction of the flat conductor as the terminal arrangement direction, a housing that holds the plurality of terminals, and a slider for maintaining a state in which the rearward movement of the flat conductor inserted into the housing is restricted by the housing, wherein the housing has a receiving portion into which the flat conductor can be received from the rear, and a locking portion that protrudes upward in the vertical direction which is the thickness direction of the flat conductor and is located within the receiving portion, and the locking portion can be locked from the rear to a locking portion formed on the flat conductor. The slider is mounted on the housing so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between a retracted position that allows the removal of the flat conductor and an advanced position that prevents the removal of the flat conductor, and has a first contact portion that can abut against the upper surface of the flat conductor so as to restrict the upward movement of the flat conductor in the advanced position, and a second contact portion that is provided in front of the first contact portion and abuts against the lower surface of the flat conductor in the retracted position, wherein the upper end of the second contact portion is located at the same position as the upper end of the locking portion or above the upper end of the locking portion in the vertical direction. 【0011】 In this invention, when a flat conductor is inserted and connected to an electrical connector for flat conductors, the locking portion of the housing is positioned to lock onto the locking portion of the flat conductor from the rear. At this time, the first contact portion of the slider in the forward position is in a position where it can contact the upper surface of the flat conductor, thereby restricting the upward movement of the flat conductor, and thereby effectively preventing the flat conductor from coming loose unintentionally from the rear. When removing the flat conductor, first, the slider is moved to the retracted position with the rearward direction. As a result, the first and second contact portions of the slider move to the rearward position, bringing the first contact portion to a position where it does not restrict the upward movement of the flat conductor, and the second contact portion to a position where it contacts the lower surface of the flat conductor. By bringing the second contact portion into contact with the lower surface of the flat conductor in this way, the flat conductor is lifted to the same position as the upper end of the locking portion or above the upper end of the locking portion, without being restricted from above by the first contact portion. Therefore, the locking portion of the flat conductor is positioned so that it does not engage with the locking portion. Then, by simply pulling the flat conductor backward, it can be easily removed from the receiving portion of the housing. 【0012】 (2) A flat conductor extending in the front-to-back direction according to the present invention, which is different from the invention of (1), is inserted and connected toward the front. 【0013】 In such an electrical connector for a flat conductor, the present invention comprises a plurality of terminals arranged with the width direction of the flat conductor as the terminal arrangement direction, a housing that holds the plurality of terminals, and a slider for maintaining a state in which the rearward movement of the flat conductor inserted into the housing is restricted by the housing, wherein the housing has a receiving portion into which the flat conductor can be received from the rear, and a locking portion that protrudes downward in the vertical direction which is the thickness direction of the flat conductor and is located within the receiving portion, and the locking portion can be locked from the rear to a locking portion formed on the flat conductor. The slider is mounted on the housing so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between a retracted position that allows the removal of the flat conductor and an advanced position that prevents the removal of the flat conductor, and has a first contact portion that can abut against the lower surface of the flat conductor so as to restrict the downward movement of the flat conductor in the advanced position, and a second contact portion that is provided in front of the first contact portion and abuts against the upper surface of the flat conductor in the retracted position, wherein the lower end of the second contact portion is located at the same position as the lower end of the locking portion or below the lower end of the locking portion in the vertical direction. 【0014】 In this invention, when a flat conductor is inserted and connected to an electrical connector for flat conductors, the locking portion of the housing is positioned to lock onto the locking portion of the flat conductor from the rear. At this time, the first contact portion of the slider in the forward position is in a position to contact the lower surface of the flat conductor, thereby restricting the downward movement of the flat conductor, and thereby effectively preventing the flat conductor from being unintentionally pulled out from the rear. When removing the flat conductor, first, the slider is moved to the retracted position with the rearward direction. As a result, the first and second contact portions of the slider move to the rearward position, bringing the first contact portion to a position that does not restrict the downward movement of the flat conductor, and the second contact portion to a position that contacts the upper surface of the flat conductor. By bringing the second contact portion into contact with the upper surface of the flat conductor in this way, the flat conductor is pushed down to the same position as the lower end of the locking portion or below the lower end of the locking portion, without being restricted from below by the first contact portion. Therefore, the locking portion of the flat conductor is positioned so that it does not engage with the locking portion. Then, by simply pulling the flat conductor backward, it can be easily removed from the receiving portion of the housing. 【0015】 (3) In the invention of (1) or (2), the first contact portion may be positioned in the forward position with a range that overlaps with the locking portion in the front-rear direction, and in the retracted position with a range that overlaps with the locking portion. By providing the first contact portion in such a position, in the forward position, the first contact portion restricts the upward or downward movement of the flat conductor in a position that overlaps with the locking portion in the front-rear direction, making it easier to maintain a state in which the locking portion and the locked portion of the flat conductor can be locked. Furthermore, in the retracted position, since the first contact portion is positioned behind the locking portion, when the flat conductor is removed, the first contact portion is less likely to interfere with the surface of the flat conductor, making it even easier to remove the flat conductor. 【0016】 (4) In the inventions of (1) to (3), the second contact portion is provided at a different position from the locking portion in the terminal arrangement direction, and may be positioned in the retracted position with a range that overlaps with the locking portion in the front-rear direction. By providing the second contact portion at such a position, when the slider moves to the retracted position, the second contact portion can be brought close to the locking portion in the front-rear direction without interfering with the locking portion. Therefore, the second contact portion can more reliably move the flat conductor to a position where it does not engage with the locking portion. 【0017】 (5) In the inventions of (1) to (4), the second contact portion may have an inclined surface formed at its rear that is inclined such that the dimensions of the second contact portion in the vertical direction decrease as it moves towards the rear. By forming such an inclined surface at the rear of the second contact portion, when the slider moves to the retracted position, the second contact portion can easily enter from the front below or above the flat conductor, and as a result, the flat conductor can be smoothly guided by this inclined surface and positioned at the upper or lower end of the second contact portion. [Effects of the Invention] 【0018】 The present invention provides an electrical connector for flat conductors that allows for easy extraction of the flat conductor. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0019】 [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 of the flat conductor electrical connector, showing each component separated. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector for flat conductors, showing the cross-section at the position of the guide groove in the vertical direction. [Figure 4]The longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector for flat conductors in Fig. 1, where (A) is the cross-section at the position of the outer arm in the width direction of the connector, (B) is the cross-section at the position of the terminal in the width direction of the connector, (C) is the cross-section at the position of the fitting detection member on the plane along the moving direction of the fitting detection member, and (D) is the cross-section at the position of the fitting detection member on the plane perpendicular to the moving direction of the fitting detection member. [Figure 5] The figure showing the electrical connector for flat conductors together with the flat conductor, where (A) is the perspective view immediately after inserting the flat conductor, and (B) is the cross-sectional view showing the cross-section at the position of the guide groove in the vertical direction of (A). [Figure 6] The longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector for flat conductors in Fig. 5(A), where (A) is the cross-section at the position of the outer arm in the width direction of the connector, (B) is the cross-section at the position of the terminal in the width direction of the connector, and (C) is the cross-section at the position of the fitting detection member on the plane along the moving direction of the fitting detection member. [Figure 7] The figure showing the electrical connector for flat conductors together with the flat conductor, where (A) is the perspective view immediately after moving the slider to the forward position after inserting the flat conductor, and (B) is the cross-sectional view showing the cross-section at the position of the guide groove in the vertical direction of (A). [Figure 8] The longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector for flat conductors in Fig. 7(A), where (A) is the cross-section at the position of the outer arm in the width direction of the connector, (B) is the cross-section at the position of the terminal in the width direction of the connector, and (C) is the cross-section at the position of the fitting detection member on the plane along the moving direction of the fitting detection member. [Figure 9] The figure showing the electrical connector for flat conductors together with the flat conductor, where (A) is the perspective view showing the state where the connection of the flat conductor is completed, and (B) is the cross-sectional view showing the cross-section at the position of the guide groove in the vertical direction of (A). [Figure 10] The longitudinal sectional view of the electrical connector for flat conductors in Fig. 9(A), where (A) is the cross-section at the position of the outer arm in the width direction of the connector, (B) is the cross-section at the position of the terminal in the width direction of the connector, and (C) is the cross-section at the position of the fitting detection member on the plane along the moving direction of the fitting detection member. [Figure 11]This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end of a flat conductor electrical connector in the connector width direction, taken from a plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. (A) shows the mating detection member in the standby position, and (B) shows the mating detection member in the detection position. [Figure 12] These are perspective views of the housing and reinforcing bracket in a modified form, where (A) shows the reinforcing bracket attached to the housing and (B) shows the reinforcing bracket separated from the housing. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0020】 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. 【0021】 Figure 1 is a perspective view 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, showing the state before inserting the flat conductor C. Figure 2 is a perspective view of connector 1 with each component separated. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of connector 1 of Figure 1, showing a cross-section at the position of the guide groove portion 45A-1 described later in the vertical direction. Figures 4(A) to 4(D) are longitudinal cross-sectional views of connector 1 of Figure 1, where Figure 4(A) is a cross-section at the position of the outer arm portion 43 described later in the connector width direction, Figure 4(B) is a cross-section at the position of the terminal 20 described later in the connector width direction, Figure 4(C) is a cross-section at the position of the mating detection member 50 on a plane along the direction of movement of the mating detection member 50 described later, and Figure 4(D) is a cross-section at the position of the mating detection member 50 on a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the mating detection member 50. Here, Figure 4(C) is a cross-section at the location indicated by the IVC-IVC line in Figure 3, and Figure 4(D) is a cross-section at the location indicated by the IVD-IVD line in Figure 3. 【0022】 Connector 1 is mounted on the mounting surface of a circuit board (not shown), and a flat conductor C (e.g., FPC) is inserted and removed from the connector in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) parallel to the mounting surface. Connector 1 electrically connects the circuit board and the flat conductor C when the flat conductor C is connected. In this embodiment, the X-axis direction (front-to-back direction) is defined as forward in X1 direction and backward in X2 direction. The Y-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) in the plane parallel to the mounting surface of the circuit board (XY plane), is defined as the connector width direction, and the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the mounting surface of the circuit board, is defined as the up-down direction (Z1 direction is upward, Z2 direction is downward). 【0023】 The flat conductor C is a flexible strip extending in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) with its width in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). Multiple circuit sections (not shown) extending in the front-to-back direction are arranged in the connector width direction. These circuit sections are embedded in the insulating layer of the flat conductor C, except for the front end portion, which is exposed on the underside of the flat conductor C and forms a pad. 【0024】 The front end portion of the flat conductor C has notches C1 formed at both ends in the width direction, which can receive the locking projection 12A of the housing 10, described later, provided on the connector 1, from below. The flat conductor C also has ears C2 in front of the notches C1, and the rear end of the ears C2 forms a locking portion C2A that can be locked to the locking projection 12A from the front. 【0025】 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 arranged in the connector width direction (Y-axis direction) as the terminal arrangement direction and held by the housing 10, a reinforcing fitting 30 positioned outside the terminal arrangement range of the plurality of terminals 20 and held by the housing 10, a slider 40 attached to the housing 10 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and a mating detection member 50 attached to the slider 40 so as to be movable in a direction inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. 【0026】 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 Figure 2. The housing 10 has a main body portion 11 and side wall portions 17 provided on both outer sides of the main body portion 11 in the connector width direction. A fitting portion 12 is provided at the rear of the main body portion 11 into which a part of the slider 40 is fitted. The fitting portion 12 is formed as a space that extends in the connector width direction and opens to the rear, into which a part of the slider 40 and the front end portion of the flat conductor C can be received from the rear. In addition, a front wall portion 14 for holding the terminal 20 is provided at the front of the main body portion 11, extending in the connector width direction (see Figures 3 and 4(B)). 【0027】 The receiving ends 13A, which are the ends of the receiving portion 13, are designed to accommodate the inner arm portion 42 of the slider 40, which will be described later. In this embodiment, grooves extending in the front-rear direction are formed as part of the receiving end 13A on the upper inner wall surface and the lower inner wall surface of the receiving end 13A, in other words, on the lower surface of the upper wall and the upper surface of the lower wall of the fitting portion 12. These grooves in the receiving end 13A allow the inner arm portion 42 of the slider 40 to be guided in the front-rear direction while restricting its movement in the connector width direction. 【0028】 As shown in Figure 3, the lower inner wall surface of the receiving portion 13, in other words, the upper surface of the lower wall of the mating portion 12, is provided with a locking projection 12A that protrudes upward between the terminal arrangement range in the connector width direction and the receiving end 13A (see also Figure 4(B)). The locking projection 12A has a front end surface that forms a flat surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction, allowing it to lock onto the locking portion C2A of the flat conductor C from the rear (see Figure 5(B)). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(B), the upper surface of the rear part of the locking projection 12A is formed as an inclined surface 12A-1 that slopes upward as it moves forward, allowing the lugs C2 of the flat conductor C inserted into the receiving portion 13 to be guided forward by the inclined surface 12A-1. On the other hand, the upper surface of the front part of the locking projection 12A (hereinafter referred to as the "upper end surface") is a flat surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. 【0029】 As shown in Figure 3, the main body 11 has terminal housing sections 15 arranged in the width direction of the connector for housing the terminals 20 (see also Figure 4(B)). Before giving a detailed explanation of the terminal housing sections 15, let's first describe the configuration of the terminals 20. As shown in Figure 2, the terminals 20 are made by punching out a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and as shown in Figure 4(B), they have a mounting section (lower leg section 21 and held section 22, described later) and a connecting section 23 provided on one end, a base arm section 24, a lower contact arm section 25, an upper contact arm section 26, a pressing arm section 27 provided on the other end, and an elastic section 28 provided between the mounting section and the base arm section 24. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the lower contact arm section 25 and the upper contact arm section 26, they will be collectively referred to as "contact arm sections 25, 26" for convenience of explanation. 【0030】 As shown in Figure 4(B), the mounting portion has a lower leg portion 21 that extends in the front-rear direction along the lower surface of the front wall portion 14 of the housing 10, and a retained portion 22 that extends upward from the front of the lower leg portion 21. Multiple protrusions are formed on the side edge portion (edge ​​portion extending in the vertical direction) of the retained portion 22 for press-fitting and holding into the front wall portion 14. The connecting portion 23 extends forward from the front end of the lower leg portion 21 and is located outside the housing 10, and its lower edge is soldered to the corresponding circuit portion of the circuit board. 【0031】 The base arm portion 24 extends vertically along the rear surface of the front wall portion 14. The contact arms 25 and 26 extend rearward from the lower part of the base arm portion 24 along the lower wall of the fitting portion 12 and are elastically displaceable in the vertical direction. At the rear end of the lower contact arm portion 25, a rear contact portion 25A is formed that protrudes upward and is located inside the receiving portion 13. The upper contact arm portion 26 is provided above the lower contact arm portion 25 and is shorter than the lower contact arm portion 25. At the rear end of this upper contact arm portion 26, a front contact portion 26A is formed that protrudes upward in front of the rear contact portion 25A and is located inside the receiving portion 13. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the rear contact portion 25A and the front contact portion 26A, they will be collectively referred to as "contact portions 25A and 26A" for the sake of explanation. The contact arms 25 and 26 are elastically displaced downward, allowing the contact portions 25A and 26A to make contact with the circuit portion of the flat conductor C from below with contact pressure. 【0032】 The pressing arm portion 27 extends from the upper part of the base arm portion 24 toward the rear along the upper wall of the fitting portion 12 to approximately the same position as the rear end of the lower contact arm portion 25. The pressing arm portion 27 can indirectly press the flat conductor C from above toward the contact portions 25A and 26A via the upper contact portion 44 of the slider 40, which will be described later (see Figures 8(B) and 10(B)). In this embodiment, the pressing arm portion 27 is formed to be thicker in the vertical direction than the contact arms 25 and 26. 【0033】 The elastic portion 28 has a roughly inverted U-shape that opens downwards and connects the lower leg portion 21 and the base arm portion 24. The elastic portion 28 has a front leg portion 28A that extends vertically on the front side, a rear leg portion 28B that extends vertically on the rear side, and a bent portion 28C that is bent downwards and connects the upper ends of the front leg portion 28A and the rear leg portion 28B. The front leg portion 28A is connected to the rear of the lower leg portion 21 at its lower end. The rear leg portion 28B is also bent backwards at its lower end and is connected to the lower part of the base arm portion 24. The elastic portion 28 is elastically displaceable in any of the following directions: front-rear direction, connector width direction, and vertical direction. In this embodiment, since the elastic portion 28 is provided with a bendable portion 28C, the overall length of the elastic portion 28 can be increased without increasing the size of the elastic portion 28 in the bending direction of the bendable portion 28C, i.e., in the vertical direction, thereby ensuring a large amount of elastic displacement in the elastic portion 28 and, consequently, in the terminal 20. 【0034】 Let's return to the description of the terminal housing portion 15 of the housing 10. The terminal housing portion 15 is formed as a slit-shaped groove that extends perpendicular to the connector width direction (Y-axis direction). As shown in Figure 4(B), the terminal housing portion 15 has a front housing portion 15A, an intermediate housing portion 15B, and a lower housing portion 15C formed in the front wall portion 14, as well as a rear housing portion 15D formed in the mating portion 12 and the front wall portion 14. 【0035】 The front housing section 15A extends vertically at the front of the front wall section 14 and is formed as a terminal holding section that houses and press-fits the holding portion 22 of the terminal 20. The intermediate housing section 15B extends vertically at the rear of the front wall section 14 and houses the elastic portion 28. When the elastic portion 28 is housed in the intermediate housing section 15B, gaps are formed between the elastic portion 28 and the inner wall surface of the intermediate housing section 15B in the front-rear direction, the connector width direction, and the vertical direction (see Figure 4(B)), allowing the elastic portion 28 to be elastically displaced in these three directions. The lower part of the intermediate housing section 15B is open to the rear and communicates with the rear housing section 15D, housing the lower end of the rear leg portion 28B of the elastic portion 28. 【0036】 The lower housing section 15C is formed at the lower part of the front wall section 14, penetrating in the front-to-back direction, and houses the lower leg portion 21 of the terminal 20. The lower housing section 15C is also open in the vertical direction and communicates with the front housing section 15A and the intermediate housing section 15B. 【0037】 The rear housing section 15D extends along the lower wall, upper wall, and front wall section 14 of the fitting section 12 and has a roughly horizontal U-shape that opens to the rear. The rear housing section 15D houses the contact arms 25 and 26 in the lower groove section that extends in the front-rear direction along the lower wall, the pressing arm 27 that extends in the front-rear direction in the upper groove section that runs along the upper wall, and the base arm 24 that extends in the vertical direction in the front groove section that runs along the front wall section 14. As can be seen in Figure 4(B), the lower groove section is open upwards and downwards. On the other hand, the upper groove section is open downwards, but its upper end is closed. 【0038】 The terminal 20 is attached to and housed in the terminal housing 15 of this shape from below. Specifically, the terminal 20 is housed in the terminal housing 15 by press-fitting the retained portion 22 into the front housing 15A from below, and is then held in the housing 10. When the terminal 20 is attached to the housing 10, as shown in Figure 4(B), the contact portions 25A and 26A of the terminal 20 protrude upward from the lower groove of the rear housing 15D and are located within the receiving portion 13, and the lower end of the pressing arm portion 27 protrudes downward from the upper groove of the rear housing 15D and is located within the receiving portion 13. 【0039】 As shown in Figure 2, fittings housing portions 16 for housing and holding reinforcing fittings 30 are formed at both ends of the housing 10 in the connector width direction. The fittings housing portion 16 has a slit-shaped vertical groove portion 16A that extends forward from the rear end of the housing 10 and spreads perpendicular to the connector width direction, between the fitting portion 12 and the side wall portion 17 in the connector width direction, an upper lateral recess 16B that retracts from the upper surface of the end in the connector width direction at the rear of the fitting portion 12 and communicates with the upper end of the vertical groove portion 16A, and a lower lateral recess 16C that retracts from the lower surface of the rear of the side wall portion 17 and communicates with the lower end of the vertical groove portion 16A. 【0040】 As shown in Figures 2 and 4(A), the side wall portion 17 has an outer hole portion 17A formed through the side wall portion 17 in the front-rear direction for receiving the outer arm portion 43 of the slider 40 (described later) from the rear. In addition, the upper wall of the side wall portion 17 has a rectangular upper hole portion 17B formed at the front end position, which penetrates the upper wall in the vertical direction and communicates with the outer hole portion 17A. As shown in Figure 4(A), a portion of the rear edge of the upper hole portion 17B protrudes downward and is located inside the outer hole portion 17A. This rear edge of the upper hole portion 17B forms a slider locking portion 17C that can be locked to the outer arm portion 43 of the slider 40 (described later) from the rear. On the outer wall of the side wall portion 17 located on the outside in the connector width direction, a rectangular side hole portion 17D is formed at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction, which penetrates the outer wall and communicates with the outer hole portion 17A. 【0041】 As shown in Figure 2, the reinforcing bracket 30 is formed by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction and has a retained plate portion 31 that extends in the front-rear direction with the connector width direction as the thickness direction, an upper plate portion 32 that is bent at a right angle at the upper edge of the rear of the retained plate portion 31 and extends inward in the connector width direction, and a fixing portion 33 that is bent at a right angle at the lower edge of the rear of the retained plate portion 31 and extends outward in the connector width direction. The retained plate portion 31 has a plurality of protrusions on its lower edge, and these protrusions bite into the inner wall surface of the vertical groove portion 16A of the housing 10, thereby being accommodated in the vertical groove portion 16A. The upper plate portion 32 is accommodated in the upper lateral recess 16B of the housing 10 and faces the upper surface of the fitting portion 12 of the housing 10. The fixing portion 33 is accommodated in the lower lateral recess 16C of the housing 10 and is fixed to the corresponding portion of the circuit board by solder connection. 【0042】 In this embodiment, as described above, the upper plate portion 32 faces the upper surface of the mating portion 12. Therefore, if an upward external force acts on the flat conductor C connected to the connector 1, and this external force is transmitted to the upper wall of the mating portion 12, the upper plate portion 32 contacts the mating portion 12 from above, causing a downward reaction force to act on the mating portion 12 to counteract the external force. In other words, by providing the upper plate portion 32 in this way, the upward movement of the mating portion 12 can be restricted, preventing the connector 1 from coming off the circuit board. 【0043】 Furthermore, in this embodiment, one reinforcing bracket 30 is provided on each of the outer sides of the terminal arrangement range. In other words, one reinforcing bracket 30 and the other reinforcing bracket 30 are provided as separate components. Therefore, even if the dimensions of the housing in the connector width direction change due to an increase or decrease in the number of terminals provided on the connector due to a design change, the reinforcing bracket 30 can be used with the same shape as before the design change. As a result, the increase in manufacturing costs that occurs when a design change is made can be suppressed. 【0044】 The slider 40 is mounted on the housing 10 in such a manner that it can move in the front-rear direction between a retracted position that allows the flat conductor C to be pulled out (see, for example, Figures 1 and 3) and an advanced position that maintains a state in which the flat conductor C is prevented from being pulled out (see, for example, Figures 7(A) and (B)), and is designed to fit into the housing 10 in the advanced position. The slider 40 is made of an electrical insulating material such as resin and, as shown in Figure 2, has a base portion 41 that extends in the connector width direction, inner arms 42 and outer arms 43 that extend forward from both ends of the base portion 41 in the connector width direction, an upper contact portion 44 as a first contact portion that extends forward from the base portion 41 between the two inner arms 42, and side portions 45 that are connected to each end of the base portion 41. 【0045】 The base portion 41 extends over approximately the same area as the housing 10 when viewed in the front-to-back direction, and an insertion hole portion 41A is formed in the area corresponding to the receiving portion 13, penetrating the base portion 41 in the front-to-back direction. The insertion hole portion 41A is slit-shaped in the central area of ​​the base portion 41 and extends in the width direction of the connector, allowing the insertion of the flat conductor C. 【0046】 The inner arm portion 42 is plate-shaped with thickness in the connector width direction, and its cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the front-rear direction is a rectangle with the vertical direction as its longitudinal direction (see Figures 11(A) and (B)). The front and lower part of the inner arm portion 42 is provided with a lower contact portion 42A, which is a second contact portion that protrudes from the inner surface in the connector width direction. The lower contact portion 42A is provided outside the locking projection 12A of the housing 10 in the connector width direction, and as shown in Figure 4(B), its shape when viewed in the connector width direction is trapezoidal. The upper surface of the rear part of the lower contact portion 42A is an inclined surface 42A-1 that slopes downward as it approaches the rear, such that the dimension of the lower contact portion 42A in the vertical direction decreases as it approaches the rear, and the upper surface of the front part (hereinafter referred to as the "upper end surface") is a flat surface perpendicular to the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 4(B), the lower contact portion 42A is located at approximately the same position in the vertical direction as the locking projection 12A of the housing 10, but the upper end surface of the lower contact portion 42A is located above the upper end surface of the locking projection 12A. Alternatively, the upper end surface of the lower contact portion 42A may be at the same position in the vertical direction as the upper end surface of the locking projection 12A. 【0047】 As shown in Figure 2, the outer arm portion 43 is provided adjacent to the inner arm portion 42 on the outside of the inner arm portion 42 in the connector width direction. The outer arm portion 43 is an elastic arm portion that can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction and is formed to be approximately the same length as the inner arm portion 42. The front part of the outer arm portion 43 is provided with a front claw portion 43A and a rear claw portion 43B that project upward. The front claw portion 43A projects upward in a roughly triangular shape at the front end of the outer arm portion 43. The upper surface of the front claw portion 43A is an inclined surface that slopes upward from the front end toward the rear. The rear surface of the front claw portion 43A is a flat surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction and, as shown in Figure 4(A), when the slider 40 is in the retracted position, it locks from the front to the slider locking portion 17C of the housing 10, thereby preventing the slider 40 from moving backward. 【0048】 The rear claw portion 43B is located behind the front claw portion 43A and has a roughly triangular shape that is lower than the front claw portion 43A, protruding upward. The upper surface of the rear claw portion 43B is an inclined surface that is inclined at approximately the same angle as the upper surface of the front claw portion 43A. The rear surface of the rear claw portion 43B is an inclined surface that is slightly inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction, specifically an inclined surface that is inclined forward as it is directed upward. When the slider 40 is in the forward position, the rear surface of the rear claw portion 43B is positioned to be able to lock onto the slider locking portion 17C of the housing 10 from the front, thereby preventing the slider 40 from moving backward (see Figures 8(A) and 10(A)). At this time, as described above, the rear surface of the rear claw portion 43B is inclined, so the locking force on the slider locking portion 17C is smaller compared to that of the front claw portion 43A. 【0049】 The upper contact portion 44 is located above the insertion hole portion 41A of the base portion 41 and extends in the connector width direction, connecting the inner surfaces of the two inner arms. In the terminal arrangement range in the connector width direction, when the slider 40 is in the forward position, the upper contact portion 44 enters from the rear between the contact portions 25A, 26A of the terminals 20 and the pressing arm portion 27 (see Figure 8(B)). At this time, the upper contact portion 44 receives the pressing force from the pressing arm portion 27 from above and presses the upper surface of the flat conductor C downward, thereby increasing the contact pressure between the flat conductor C, the contact portions 25A, 26A and the pressing arm portion 27. Furthermore, at both ends in the connector width direction, the upper contact portion 44, when the slider 40 is in the forward position, faces the upper surface of the flat conductor C directly above the locking projection 12A of the housing 10 and contacts the upper surface, thereby restricting the upward movement of the flat conductor C, which is the direction in which the locking projection 12A protrudes. 【0050】 The side portion 45 has a guide portion 45A connected to the end of the base portion 41 and an extension portion 45B extending forward from the upper part of the guide portion 45A. The guide portion 45A has a guide groove portion 45A-1 formed therein for guiding the mating detection member 50 between the standby position and the detection position, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 3, the guide groove portion 45A-1 extends in a direction parallel to the surface of the flat conductor (XY plane) and inclined with respect to the front-rear direction (X axis direction), specifically in a direction that inclins inward in the connector width direction as it moves forward (P axis direction in Figure 3), and is formed to penetrate the guide portion 45A. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(D), the guide groove portion 45A-1 has a transverse T-shape in its longitudinal direction. 【0051】 As shown in Figure 4(C), the extension portion 45B is provided with a positioning projection 45B-1 that protrudes from its lower surface. The positioning projection 45B-1 can be locked to the raised portion 51B of the fitting detection member 50, described later, in the direction of movement of the fitting detection member 50 (P-axis direction), thereby maintaining the fitting detection member 50 in a standby position (see Figure 4(C)) or a detection position (see Figure 10(C)). As shown in Figure 4(C), the lower end surface of the positioning projection 45B-1 has two inclined surfaces that form a shape that tapers downwards. 【0052】 The mating detection member 50 is attached to the slider 40 in a manner that allows it to move between a detection position that detects when the slider 40 is in the forward position and a standby position that waits for an operation to be performed toward the detection position. The mating detection member 50 is made of an electrically insulating material such as resin and is attached to each side 45 of the slider 40, one at a time, in a manner that allows it to move between the standby position (see Figure 3) and the detection position (see Figure 9). The two mating detection members 50 are positioned symmetrically with respect to each other in the connector width direction. In this embodiment, each mating detection member 50 has a symmetrical shape in the vertical direction. Therefore, one mating detection member 50 and the other mating detection member 50 are positioned in a state where they are inverted relative to each other in the vertical direction. In this way, by making the mating detection member 50 symmetrical in the vertical direction, one type of mating detection member 50 can be provided on both sides in the connector width direction in an inverted position relative to each other. Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to manufacture two types of mating detection members 50 with different shapes, thus reducing manufacturing costs. 【0053】 The mating detection member 50 has an operating section 51 that is moved by an operator, and a guided projection 52 and a regulating section 53 that protrude from the side of the operating section 51. The operating section 51 is a rectangular prism shape that is substantially trapezoidal when viewed in the vertical direction, and positioning grooves 51A are formed on the upper and lower surfaces for positioning the mating detection member 50 at either a standby position or a detection position. The positioning grooves 51A are recessed from the upper and lower surfaces of the operating section 51, are parallel to the direction of movement of the mating detection member 50, i.e., the plane of the flat conductor C (XY plane), and are formed to extend in a direction that inclins inward in the connector width direction as it moves forward (P-axis direction in Figure 3). As shown in Figures 2 and 4(C), the front end side of the positioning groove 51A in the direction of movement (P1 side in Figure 4(C)) is closed, and the rear end side in the direction of movement (P2 side in Figure 4(C)) is open. 【0054】 As shown in Figures 3 and 4(C), a raised portion 51B is formed within the positioning groove 51A, rising in a mountain-like shape from the bottom surface of the groove. As shown in Figure 4(C), the raised portion 51B is designed to engage with the positioning projection 45B-1 of the extension 45B in the direction of movement (P-axis direction), and the position of the fitting detection member 50 is determined by which side (P1 side or P2 side) the raised portion 51B is located on in the direction of movement relative to the positioning projection 45B-1. Specifically, when the raised portion 51B is located on the rear side (P2 side) in the direction of movement relative to the positioning projection 45B-1, the fitting detection member 50 is maintained in the standby position (see Figure 4(C)), and when the raised portion 51B is located on the front side (P1 side) in the direction of movement relative to the positioning projection 45B-1, the fitting detection member 50 is maintained in the detection position (see Figure 10(C)). 【0055】 In this embodiment, as the fitting detection member 50 moves between the standby position and the detection position, when the positioning projection 45B-1 and the raised portion 51B come into contact, the extension portion 45B undergoes elastic displacement in its thickness direction (vertical direction), causing the positioning projection 45B-1 to be slightly displaced upward. As a result, the positioning projection 45B-1 can overcome the raised portion 51B, allowing further movement of the fitting detection member 50 in the aforementioned direction of movement. 【0056】 As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the operating section 51 has a side surface at its rear that extends in the direction of movement (P-axis direction). The guided projection 52 protrudes from this side surface and extends in the direction of movement. As shown in Figure 4(D), the guided projection 52 has a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of movement that is T-shaped and is housed in the guide groove 45A-1 of the slider 40. The fitting detection member 50 can move smoothly in the direction of movement because the guided projection 52 is guided by the guide groove 45A-1. 【0057】 The restricting portion 53 is provided protruding from the inner side surface (a flat surface perpendicular to the connector width direction) in the connector width direction at the front of the operating portion 51. The restricting portion 53 is substantially rectangular prism-shaped and protrudes inward from the above side surface in the connector width direction. When the mating detection member 50 is in the detection position, the restricting portion 53 is positioned directly below the outer arm portion 43 and capable of contacting the outer arm portion 43, thereby restricting the downward elastic displacement of the outer arm portion 43 (see Figures 10(A) and 11(B)). Furthermore, when the mating detection member 50 is not in the detection position, the restricting portion 53 is not positioned directly below the outer arm portion 43 and allows the downward elastic displacement of the outer arm portion 43 (see Figure 11(A)). 【0058】 In this embodiment, the mating detection member 50 is provided to move in a direction parallel to the surface (XY plane) of the flat conductor C, so that the mating detection member 50 does not protrude vertically from the housing 10 when it moves. Therefore, it is easier to avoid increasing the size of the connector 1 in the vertical direction. In addition, since the mating detection member 50 is provided to move in a direction inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, the amount of movement in the connector width direction can be reduced compared to the case where the mating detection member 50 is provided to move only in the connector width direction. Therefore, it is less likely that the mating detection member 50 will protrude significantly outside the housing 10 in the connector width direction when it moves, so it is easier to avoid increasing the size of the connector 1 in the connector width direction. 【0059】 The assembly procedure for connector 1 is described below. First, the terminal 20 is attached to the housing 10 from below, and the reinforcing bracket 30 is attached to the housing 10 from the rear. Specifically, the retained portion 22 of the terminal 20 is press-fitted from below into the front housing portion 15A of the housing 10, thereby housing the terminal 20 in the terminal housing portion 15. Also, the retained plate portion 31 of the reinforcing bracket 30 is press-fitted from the rear into the vertical groove portion 16A of the housing 10, thereby housing the reinforcing bracket 30 in the bracket housing portion 16. Note that the order in which the terminal 20 and the reinforcing bracket 30 are attached does not matter; either can be done first, or they can be done simultaneously. 【0060】 Furthermore, the fitting detection member 50 is attached to the side portion 45 of the slider 40 from the front side in the direction of movement of the fitting detection member 50 (P1 side in Figure 3). Specifically, the guided projection 52 of the fitting detection member 50 is inserted into the guide groove portion 45A-1 of the slider 40 from the front side in the direction of movement. At the same time, the positioning projection 45B-1 of the slider 40 is moved into the positioning groove portion 51A formed on the upper surface of the fitting detection member 50 from the rear side in the direction of movement of the fitting detection member 50 (P2 side in Figure 3). At this time, the positioning projection 45B-1 overcomes the raised portion 51B, and the fitting detection member 50 is pushed in until it reaches the standby position. 【0061】 In this embodiment, the front end of the positioning groove 51A in the direction of movement is closed, and it is possible to contact the positioning projection 45B-1 from the front in the direction of movement when in the standby position. Therefore, the fitting detection member 50, which is pushed in from the front in the direction of movement, will not come out from the side 45 to the rear in the direction of movement. The fitting detection member 50 may be attached before, after, or simultaneously with the attachment of the terminals 20 and reinforcing fittings 30 to the housing 10. 【0062】 Next, the slider 40 is attached to the housing 10 from the rear. Specifically, the inner arm portion 42 of the slider 40 is inserted into the receiving end portion 13A of the housing 10 from the rear, and the outer arm portion 43 of the slider 40 is inserted into the outer hole portion 17A of the housing 10 from the rear. This attachment work of the slider 40 is carried out until the slider 40 is in the retracted position, that is, until the front claw portion 43A of the outer arm portion 43 is positioned in front of the slider locking portion 17C of the housing 10 (see Figure 4(A)). 【0063】 During the insertion process of the outer arm 43, the inclined surface of the front claw portion 43A of the outer arm 43 contacts the slider locking portion 17C of the housing 10 from the rear, causing the outer arm 43 to elastically displace downward and allowing further insertion forward. As the front claw portion 43A passes the position of the slider locking portion 17C and is positioned in front of the slider locking portion 17C, the slider 40 is positioned in the retracted position. In this retracted position, the front claw portion 43A is in a state where it can be locked to the slider locking portion 17C from the front, thereby preventing the slider 40 from coming out of the housing 10. Also, as shown in Figure 1, the side portions 45 of the slider 40 are located along the sides of the housing 10 on both outer sides in the connector width direction. The connector 1 is completed when the slider 40 is attached to the housing 10 in this way. 【0064】 Next, the operation of inserting and removing the flat conductor C from the connector 1 will be described. First, as shown in Figure 1, the front end portion of the flat conductor C is positioned behind the connector 1 with its front-to-back extension. Next, the front end portion of the flat conductor C is inserted forward into the insertion hole 41A of the slider 40, and then further inserted forward into the receiving portion 13 of the housing 10. During the insertion process into the receiving portion 13, the flat conductor C enters between the contact arms 25, 26 and the pressing arm 27 of the terminal 20, as shown in Figure 6(B). The insertion of the flat conductor C is completed when the front end of the flat conductor C contacts the rear surface of the front wall portion 14. 【0065】 Furthermore, at both ends of the flat conductor C in the connector width direction, the lugs C2 are guided by the inclined surface 12A-1 of the locking projection 12A of the housing 10, ride up onto the upper end surface of the locking projection 12A, then move forward, pass the position of the locking projection 12A, and ride up onto the upper end surface of the lower contact portion 42A of the slider 40, as shown in Figure 6(B). When the insertion of the flat conductor C is complete, as shown in Figure 5(B), when viewed from above, the lugs C2 are positioned in front of the locking projection 12A, and the notch C1 is positioned to surround the locking projection 12A. 【0066】 Furthermore, at the point when the insertion of the flat conductor C is complete, as shown in Figure 6(B), the upper contact portion 44 of the slider 40 is positioned behind the locking projection 12A and is pressing the upper surface of the flat conductor C downwards. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6(B), the flat conductor C is bent in a roughly crank shape in its thickness direction. 【0067】 Next, the slider 40 is pushed forward to move it to the forward position shown in Figures 7(A), (B) and 8(A), (B), and the slider 40 is fitted into the housing 10 from the rear. At this point, the fitting detection member 50 is still in the standby position, as shown in Figure 8(C). As the slider 40 moves toward the forward position, the inclined surface (upper surface) of the rear claw portion 43B of the outer arm portion 43 comes into contact with the slider locking portion 17C of the housing 10 from the rear, causing the outer arm portion 43 to elastically displace downward, allowing the slider 40 to move further forward. As the rear claw portion 43B passes the position of the slider locking portion 17C and is positioned in front of the slider locking portion 17C, the slider 40 is positioned in the forward position, as shown in Figure 8(A). In this forward position, the rear claw portion 43B is in a state where it can be locked from the front to the slider locking portion 17C, thereby restricting the rearward movement of the slider 40. 【0068】 Furthermore, as the slider 40 is moved forward, the lower contact portion 42A of the slider 40 moves forward of the flat conductor C. Therefore, the flat conductor C, which was resting on the upper end surface of the lower contact portion 42A (see Figure 4(B)) before the movement of the slider 40, descends and is positioned on the lower inner wall surface of the receiving portion 13. As a result, the locking projection 12A of the housing 10 enters the notch C1 of the flat conductor C from below, and the ear portion C2 of the flat conductor C is positioned in front of the locking projection 12A in the vertical direction, with an overlapping range with the locking projection 12A in the vertical direction, so that the locked portion C2A of the flat conductor C can be locked to the locking projection 12A from the front. 【0069】 Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(B), both ends of the upper contact portion 44 of the slider 40 in the connector width direction are positioned above the locking projection 12A such that they overlap with the locking projection 12A in the front-rear direction. At this position, the upper contact portion 44 contacts the upper surface of the flat conductor C and restricts its upward movement, so that the locking portion C2A of the flat conductor C is maintained in a position where it can be locked to the locking projection 12A. 【0070】 Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(B), within the terminal arrangement range in the connector width direction, the upper contact portion 44 of the slider 40 enters between the pressing arm portion 27 of the terminal 20 and the flat conductor C, and receives a downward pressing force from the pressing arm portion 27. This pressing force is transmitted to the flat conductor C via the upper contact portion 44, and the contact portions 25A and 26A are further pressed by the flat conductor C, causing the contact arms 25 and 26 to elastically displace downward. As a result, the contact portions 25A and 26A make contact with the circuit portion of the flat conductor C from below with contact pressure. The upper contact portion 44 and the flat conductor C are then sandwiched between the pressing arm portion 27 and the contact arms 25 and 26. Also, within this terminal arrangement range, the upper contact portion 44 contacts the upper surface of the flat conductor C, restricting the upward movement of the flat conductor C. Note that in Figure 8(B), the contact arms 25 and 26 are shown in a state where they are not elastically displaced, but in reality, they are elastically displaced downward (the same applies to Figure 10(B)). Note that in Figure 8(B), the contact arms 25 and 26 are shown in a state where they are not elastically displaced, but in reality, they are elastically displaced downward (the same applies to Figure 10(B)). 【0071】 Thus, in this embodiment, by providing a pressing arm 27 on the terminal 20, the flat conductor C is indirectly held by the pressing arm 27 and the contact arms 25 and 26, and the contact pressure between the contact parts 25A and 26A and the circuit portion of the flat conductor C is increased. Therefore, when the connector 1 is in use, even if the connector 1 is subjected to external vibrations and the elastic part 28 and the contact arms 25 and 26 elastically displace to follow the vibrations, the state in which the flat conductor C is held is maintained. As a result, a state in which the contact parts 25A and 26A and the circuit portion of the flat conductor C are in contact with high contact pressure can be maintained in good condition. 【0072】 Next, the mating detection member 50, which is in the standby position, is pushed diagonally forward (in the P1 direction), that is, forward and inward in the connector width direction, to move it to the detection position shown in Figures 9(A), (B), 10(C), and 11(B). At this time, the positioning projection 45B-1 of the slider 40 overcomes the raised portion 51B of the mating detection member 50, allowing the mating detection member 50 to reach the detection position. When the mating detection member 50 is in the detection position, as shown in Figure 11(B), the restricting portion 53 extends through the side hole 17D of the housing 10 to a position directly below the outer arm portion 43, is positioned to contact the outer arm portion 43 from below, and restricts the downward elastic displacement of the outer arm portion 43 (see also Figure 10(A)). 【0073】 As the downward elastic displacement of the outer arm portion 43 is restricted by the restricting portion 53, the rear claw portion 43B of the outer arm portion 43 is kept in a state where it can be locked from the front to the slider locking portion 17C of the housing 10, as shown in Figure 10(A). Therefore, the inadvertent movement of the slider 40 to the retracted position is reliably prevented, and the upward movement of the flat conductor C is restricted by the upper contact portion 44 of the slider 40, and consequently, the locked portion C2A of the flat conductor C is kept in a state where it can be locked from the front to the locking projection 12A of the housing 10. Therefore, even if an inadvertent external force is applied to the flat conductor C connected to the connector 1 in a rearward direction, the flat conductor C will be less likely to come loose from the connector 1. In this way, the mating detection member 50 moves to the detection position, completing the connection operation of the flat conductor C to the connector 1. 【0074】 If the slider 40 has not reached its forward position and is not fully fitted into the housing 10, that is, if it is in a so-called partially fitted state, then even if the fitting detection member 50 is moved toward the detection position, the restricting portion 53 will abut against the side surface of the housing 10 behind the side hole portion 17D, thereby preventing the fitting detection member 50 from moving toward the detection position. Therefore, the operator can easily recognize that the slider 40 has not moved completely to the forward position because the fitting detection member 50 cannot be moved toward the detection position. In this case, the operator can simply push the slider 40 forward again to fully reach the forward position, and then perform the operation to move the fitting detection member 50 toward the detection position. 【0075】 Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal 20 is provided with an elastic portion 28, so when the connector 1 is subjected to external vibration, not only the contact arms 25 and 26 but also the elastic portion 28 of the terminal 20 undergoes elastic displacement. In other words, in this embodiment, the elastically displaceable portion is longer compared to the case where only the contact arms are elastically displaceable. Therefore, even if the connector 1 is subjected to high-frequency external vibration, the contact arms 25 and 26 displace together with the elastic portion 28, making it easier to follow the vibration. As a result, fine sliding contact between the contact arms 25 and 26 and the circuit portion of the flat conductor C, and consequently the generation of metal powder caused by such sliding contact, can be avoided. Therefore, it becomes easier to maintain electrical conductivity between the contact portion and the circuit portion. 【0076】 Here, when the contact arms 25 and 26 are displaced together with the elastic part 28, the direction of displacement of the contact arms 25 and 26 does not necessarily coincide with the direction of displacement of the elastic part 28. For example, when the elastic part 28 is displaced in the front-rear direction so as to open and close its substantially inverted U-shaped portion, the contact arms 25 and 26 may be displaced in the up-down direction. In this case, not only the contact arms 25 and 26, but the entire portion located behind the elastic part 28 (base arm 24, contact arms 25 and 26, and pressing arm 27) may be displaced with a vertical component so as to rotate around the connection point between the base arm 24 and the rear leg 28B as a pivot point. 【0077】 In this embodiment, the elastic portion 28 is elastically displaceable in three directions: the front-to-back direction, the connector width direction, and the up-and-down direction. However, it is not essential that the elastic portion be elastically displaceable in all three directions. For example, when using the connector in an environment where vibrations are likely to occur mainly in the front-to-back direction, the terminal may be provided with an elastic portion that is elastically displaceable mainly in the front-to-back direction. 【0078】 When removing the flat conductor C inserted into connector 1, the slider 40 is moved to its retracted position with an extraction force greater than the locking force between the rear claw portion 43B of the slider 40 and the slider locking portion 17C of the housing 10. As a result, the upper contact portion 44 and the lower contact portion 42A of the slider 40 move backward, bringing the upper contact portion 44 to a position that does not restrict the upward movement of the flat conductor C, and bringing the lower contact portion 42A to a position that contacts the lower surface of the flat conductor C. At this time, the lower contact portion 42A is positioned to overlap with the locking projection portion 12A in the front-rear direction. 【0079】 In this embodiment, an inclined surface 42A-1 is formed on the rear of the lower contact portion 42A, so that when the slider 40 moves backward toward the retracted position, the lower contact portion 42A can easily enter from the front below the flat conductor C. In other words, the flat conductor C is smoothly guided by this inclined surface 42A-1 and can be easily positioned on the upper end surface of the lower contact portion 42A. As a result, the locking portion C2A of the flat conductor C can be easily lifted above the locking projection 12A of the housing 10, that is, to a position where it does not lock with the locking projection 12A. Then, the flat conductor C can be easily removed from the connector 1 simply by pulling the flat conductor C backward. 【0080】 Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the retracted position, the upper contact portion 44 is located behind the locking projection, so when the flat conductor C is removed, the upper contact portion 44 is less likely to interfere with the upper surface of the flat conductor C, making it easier to remove the flat conductor C. 【0081】 In this embodiment, the lower contact portion 42A is positioned outside the locking projection 12A in the connector width direction, and is positioned such that, when in the retracted position, it overlaps with the locking projection 12A in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the slider 40 moves to the retracted position, the lower contact portion 42A can be brought close to the locking portion 12A in the front-rear direction without interfering with the locking portion 12A. Thus, the lower contact portion 42A can more reliably lift the flat conductor C to a position where it does not engage with the locking projection 12A. 【0082】 In this embodiment, separate reinforcing brackets 30 are provided on both ends of the mating portion 12 of the housing 10 in the connector width direction. However, as a modified example, as shown in Figure 12(A), only one reinforcing bracket extending over the entire area of ​​the mating portion 12 in the connector width direction may be provided. Figures 12(A) and (B) are perspective views of the modified housing 110 and reinforcing bracket 130, with Figure 12(A) showing the reinforcing bracket 130 attached to the housing 110 and Figure 12(B) showing the reinforcing bracket 130 separated from the housing 110. In this modified example, the explanation will focus on the configurations that differ from the connector 1 of the previously described embodiment, and for the same configurations, the reference numerals in the previously described embodiment plus "100" will be used, and the explanation will be omitted. 【0083】 In this modified example, the reinforcing bracket 130 has a configuration in which the upper plate portions 32 of the two reinforcing brackets 30 in the previously described embodiment are extended, connected, and integrated, as shown in Figure 12(B). In the housing 110, the upper surface of the fitting portion 112 is positioned lower than the upper surface of other parts of the housing 110 by the thickness of the upper plate portion 132 of the reinforcing bracket 130. The reinforcing bracket 130 is attached by press-fitting the retaining arm portions 131 provided on both ends into the vertical groove portion 116A of the housing 110 from the rear. 【0084】 When the reinforcing bracket 130 is attached to the housing 110, as shown in Figure 12(A), the upper plate portion 132 covers the upper surface of the mating portion 112. The upper plate portion 132, like the upper plate portion 32 of the reinforcing bracket 30 in the previously described embodiment, is designed to restrict the upward movement of the mating portion 112. In this embodiment, the upper plate portion 132 extends over the entire area of ​​the mating portion 112 in the connector width direction, and a large area is secured in contact with the upper surface of the mating portion 112, so that the upward movement of the mating portion 112 can be restricted more reliably. In this modified example, both ends of the upper plate portion 132 in the connector width direction are connected to a fixing portion 133 that is soldered to the circuit board via the rear part of the retained arm portion 131. In other words, the upper plate portion 132 is fixed in a cantilevered beam-like state, so that the upward movement of the mating portion 112 can be restricted even more reliably. Therefore, even if an unintentional upward external force is applied to the flat conductor C and that force is transmitted to the upper wall of the mating portion 112, the connector 1 can be effectively prevented from coming off the circuit board. 【0085】 In this embodiment, the pressing arm 27 of the terminal 20 indirectly presses the flat conductor C from above via the upper contact portion 44 of the slider 40. Alternatively, the pressing arm may directly press the upper surface of the flat conductor. 【0086】 In this embodiment, the mating detection member 50 is provided on both ends of the slider 40 in the connector width direction, but it may be provided on only one end instead. 【0087】 In this embodiment, the mating detection member 50 moves in a direction parallel to the surface (XY plane) of the flat conductor C and inclined with respect to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). However, if there is sufficient space around the connector 1 in the vertical direction, the mating detection member may be provided to move in the vertical direction. In this case, the elastic arm is elastically displaceable in the connector width direction. When the mating detection member moves upward or downward to reach the detection position, the regulating portion is positioned to come into contact with the elastic arm through an opening formed in the housing. 【0088】 Furthermore, if there is sufficient space around the connector 1 in the connector width direction, the mating detection member may be provided to move only in the connector width direction. In this case, the elastic arm is elastically displaceable in the vertical direction. When the mating detection member moves inward in the connector width direction and reaches the detection position, the regulating portion is positioned to come into contact with the elastic arm through an opening formed in the housing. 【0089】 In this embodiment, in the housing 10, the locking portion is formed as a locking projection 12A that protrudes upward from the lower inner wall surface of the receiving portion 13, and in the slider 40, the first contact portion is formed as an upper contact portion 44 that can contact the upper surface of the flat conductor in the forward position, and the second contact portion is formed as a lower contact portion 42A that can contact the lower surface of the flat conductor in the retracted position. However, the positions in which the locking portion, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are provided are not limited to these, and as a modification, for example, they may be in positions that are inverted vertically from the positions in this embodiment. Specifically, in the housing, the locking portion may be formed as a locking projection that protrudes downward from the upper inner wall surface of the receiving portion, and in the slider, the first contact portion may be formed as a lower contact portion that can contact the lower surface of the flat conductor in the forward position, and the second contact portion may be formed as an upper contact portion that can contact the upper surface of the flat conductor in the retracted position. [Explanation of symbols] 【0090】 1 Connector 10,110 Housing 12A Locking protrusion (locking part) 13 Reception Department 17D side hole 20 terminals 25 Lower contact arm 26 Upper contact arm 27 Pressing arm 28 Elastic part 28C Bend part 40 Slider 42A Lower contact part (second contact part) 42A-1 Inclined surface 43 Outer arm 44 Upper contact part (first contact part) 45 Side 45A Information Department 50 Fitting detection member 53 Regulatory Department C Flat conductor C2A Locked part

Claims

[Claim 1] In an electrical connector for flat conductors in which a flat conductor extending in the front-to-back direction is inserted and connected facing forward, Multiple terminals arranged with the width direction of the flat conductor as the terminal arrangement direction, A housing that holds the plurality of terminals, It has a slider for maintaining the rearward movement of the flat conductor inserted into the housing restricted by the housing, The housing has a receiving portion into which the flat conductor can be received from the rear, and a locking portion that protrudes upward in the vertical direction, which is the thickness direction of the flat conductor, and is located within the receiving portion, and the locking portion can be locked from the rear to a locking portion formed on the flat conductor. The slider is mounted on the housing so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between a retracted position that allows the removal of the flat conductor and an advanced position that prevents the removal of the flat conductor, and has a first contact portion that can abut against the upper surface of the flat conductor so as to restrict upward movement of the flat conductor in the advanced position, and a second contact portion that is provided in front of the first contact portion and abuts against the lower surface of the flat conductor in the retracted position. The flat conductor electrical connector is characterized in that the upper end of the second contact portion is located at the same position as the upper end of the locking portion or above the upper end of the locking portion in the vertical direction. [Claim 2] In an electrical connector for flat conductors in which a flat conductor extending in the front-to-back direction is inserted and connected facing forward, Multiple terminals arranged with the width direction of the flat conductor as the terminal arrangement direction, A housing that holds the plurality of terminals, It has a slider for maintaining the rearward movement of the flat conductor inserted into the housing restricted by the housing, The housing has a receiving portion into which the flat conductor can be received from the rear, and a locking portion that protrudes downward in the vertical direction, which is the thickness direction of the flat conductor, and is located within the receiving portion, and the locking portion can be locked from the rear to a locking portion formed on the flat conductor. The slider is mounted on the housing so as to be movable in the front-rear direction between a retracted position that allows the removal of the flat conductor and an advanced position that prevents the removal of the flat conductor, and has a first contact portion that can abut against the lower surface of the flat conductor so as to restrict the downward movement of the flat conductor in the advanced position, and a second contact portion that is provided in front of the first contact portion and abuts against the upper surface of the flat conductor in the retracted position. The flat conductor electrical connector is characterized in that the lower end of the second contact portion is located at the same position as the lower end of the locking portion or below the lower end of the locking portion in the vertical direction. [Claim 3] The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first contact portion is positioned in the forward position with a range that overlaps with the locking portion in the front-rear direction, and is positioned behind the locking portion in the retracted position. [Claim 4] The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second contact portion is provided at a different position from the locking portion in the terminal arrangement direction, and in the retracted position, it is positioned within a range that overlaps with the locking portion in the front-rear direction. [Claim 5] The flat conductor electrical connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second contact portion has a sloping surface formed at its rear that is inclined such that the dimensions of the second contact portion in the vertical direction decrease as it moves towards the rear.

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