Contact Part Sealed Type Flexible Connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a contact-sealed flexible connector and proposes a contact-sealed flexible connector characterized by comprising: a housing capable of inserting and removing a flat-shaped object to be connected; a first terminal installed in the housing and electrically conductive with the object to be connected by contacting the object to be connected, and arranged in a plurality of rows in one direction; and an actuator installed in the housing so as to be rotatable around a rotational axis portion and capable of moving to an open position and a closed position; wherein the first terminal comprises a fixed arm that rotatably fixes and supports the rotational axis portion of the actuator, a mounting portion mounted on a substrate, and a movable arm having a contact portion that contacts the object to be connected; and a plate installed in the housing and covering the upper end of the contact portion of the first terminal.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact-sealed flexible connector that electrically conducts a flat-shaped connection target, such as a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC), with a substrate, is installed in a place where the contact part requires sealing so that electricity can be connected and used while isolating the internal space from the external space, and is equipped with a plate installed inside the connector housing to cover the upper side of the contact part when a coating liquid is applied by spraying or other methods while the connector is mounted on the PCB for the purpose of enhancing PCB durability, thereby preventing the coating liquid from penetrating into the connector and coming into contact with the contact part. Background Technology

[0003] Generally, as a type of flexible connector for electrically connecting a flat-shaped object to a substrate, there are known ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) type, which increases the contact pressure between the contact and the object using an actuator, and NON-ZIF type, which increases the contact pressure by using a contact gap narrower than the thickness of the object without using an actuator.

[0004] A conventional connector has a housing (insulator), a plurality of contacts fixed to the housing, and an actuator that is rotatably supported between a fully open position and a fully closed position in the housing.

[0005] A relevant prior art document discloses a connector in Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-0951816 (April 8, 2010).

[0006] When these connectors are applied by methods such as spraying while the connector is mounted on the PCB to enhance PCB durability, the coating liquid can penetrate into the interior of the connector; in particular, there was a problem where connector performance deteriorated if the coating liquid came into contact with the contact areas. Prior art literature

[0008] Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-0424843 (March 27, 2004) Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-0951816 (April 8, 2010) The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to prevent the coating liquid from coming into contact with the contact part by providing a plate structure installed inside the connector housing to cover the upper side of the contact part.

[0010] In addition, the end of the rear wall of the plate is formed lower than the height of the terminal movable arm so that the coating liquid flows down, thereby preventing the coating liquid from remaining after coating and coming into contact with the contact part, which would degrade the performance of the connector. means of solving the problem

[0012] A contact-sealed flexible connector according to the present invention comprises: a housing capable of inserting and removing a flat-shaped object to be connected; a first terminal installed in the housing and electrically conductive with the object to be connected by contacting the object to be connected, and arranged in a plurality of rows in one direction; and an actuator installed in the housing so as to be rotatable around a rotational axis portion and capable of moving to an open position and a closed position; wherein the first terminal comprises a fixed arm that rotatably fixes and supports the rotational axis portion of the actuator, a mounting portion mounted on a substrate, and a movable arm having a contact portion that contacts the object to be connected; and a plate installed in the housing and covering the upper end of the contact portion of the first terminal.

[0013] Preferably, the rear wall of the plate is characterized by having a passage groove formed therein through which the movable arm of the first terminal passes.

[0014] More preferably, the rear wall end of the plate is formed lower than the height at which the movable arm of the first terminal is positioned.

[0015] Additionally, preferably, one end of the object to be connected is positioned in contact with the inner side of the rear wall of the plate, and the connection position of the object to be connected is limited.

[0016] Additionally, preferably, the upper wall of the plate is characterized by being located between the movable arm and the fixed arm of the first terminal.

[0017] Additionally, preferably, it is characterized by further including support terminals located on both sides where the first terminal is positioned. Effects of the invention

[0019] The contact-sealed flexible connector according to the present invention, for the purpose of enhancing PCB durability, is provided with a plate structure installed inside the connector housing to cover the upper side of the contact portion when a coating liquid is processed by spraying or similar methods while the connector is mounted on the PCB, thereby covering the upper part of the contact portion and having the effect of preventing the coating liquid from coming into contact with the contact portion.

[0020] In addition, according to the present invention, the rear wall end of the plate is formed lower than the height of the terminal movable arm so that the coating liquid flows down, thereby preventing the coating liquid from remaining after coating and coming into contact with the contact part, which would otherwise degrade the performance of the connector. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contact-sealed flexible connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1(a) is a drawing showing the state in which an actuator is positioned in a closed position, and FIG. 1(b) is a drawing showing a plate located inside a housing after removing the actuator and terminal from FIG. 1(a). FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 are drawings showing a contact-sealed flexible connector of the present invention, FIG. 2(a) as a top view, FIG. 2(b) as a bottom view, FIG. 3(a) as a front view, FIG. 3(b) as a rear view, and FIG. 3(c) as a side view. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a contact-sealed flexible connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a plate provided in a contact-sealed flexible connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of a contact-sealed flexible connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention in an open position, FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view, and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional conceptual view. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0023] Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] The advantages and features of the present invention and the method for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] However, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0026] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that related prior art, etc., may obscure the essence of the present invention, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contact-sealed flexible connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1(a) is a drawing showing a state in which an actuator is positioned in a closed position, FIG. 1(b) is a drawing showing a plate located inside a housing after removing the actuator and terminal from FIG. 1(a), FIG. 2(a) is a top view, FIG. 2(b) is a bottom view, FIG. 3(a) is a front view, FIG. 3(b) is a rear view, and FIG. 3(c) is a side view of the contact-sealed flexible connector of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a contact-sealed flexible connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a plate provided in a contact-sealed flexible connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of a contact-sealed flexible connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a state in which an actuator is positioned in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view, FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional conceptual diagram.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the contact-sealed flexible connector comprises a housing (10) into which a flat-shaped connection target can be inserted and removed, a first terminal (30) installed in the housing and electrically conductive with the connection target (FPC, FFC, etc.) by contacting the connection target and arranged in a plurality of rows in one direction, and an actuator (70) installed in the housing (10) so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis (71) and capable of moving to an open position and a closed position.

[0029] Additionally, it may further include a plurality of second terminals (40) installed between the first terminals (30), and support terminals (30a, 40a) respectively located on both sides of the position where the first terminals (30) and the second terminals (40) are arranged.

[0030] At this time, the first terminal (30) and the second terminal (40) can be alternately placed between each other.

[0031] The first terminal (30) may include a fixed arm (31) that rotatably fixes and supports the rotational shaft portion (71) of the actuator (70), a mounting portion (33) mounted on a substrate, and a movable arm (32) having a contact portion (34) that contacts a connected object.

[0032] In the housing (10), a first terminal (30) and a second terminal (40) are arranged and combined in an alternating manner, and support terminals (30a, 40a) are arranged at each end.

[0033] Even if multiple first terminals (30) and second terminals (40) are provided, the support terminals (30a, 40a) have a problem in that it is difficult to obtain sufficient force to hold the connected object using only the contact pressure of the first terminals and second terminals, so support terminals may be provided at each end to compensate for this.

[0034] Additionally, it may include a plate (50) installed in the housing (10) and covering the upper part of the contact portion (34) of the first terminal (30).

[0035] In FIG. 1(a), an opening (19) is formed in the front of the housing so that a connection target (FPC) can be inserted and coupled.

[0036] In addition, at the front portion where a connecting object is inserted into and joined to the housing (10), a reinforcing portion (20) for reinforcing the housing may be formed to surround the housing (10).

[0037] In FIG. 1(b), a coupling groove (15) may be formed on the rear surface of the housing so that a first terminal (30) can be coupled.

[0038] The actuator (70) is a rotary actuator and, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, has a rotating shaft portion (71) and can be received and mounted in the receiving portion (11) of the housing.

[0039] In addition, a plurality of passage grooves (75) are formed in the front portion of the actuator (70) so that the fixing arm of the first terminal (30) can be positioned therein.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5, the plate (50) may include a plate upper wall (51) formed to cover the upper part of the contact portion and a plate rear wall (52) extending downward from one end of the plate upper wall (51).

[0041] The upper plate wall (51) above can be located between the movable arm (32) and the fixed arm (31) of the first terminal (30).

[0042] The rear wall (52) of the above plate may be provided with a passing groove (55) through which the movable arm (32) of the first terminal (30) passes, in the same number as the first terminal, so that the first terminal (30) passes through the plate (50) and is placed in the housing.

[0043] By this, when a coating liquid is applied by spraying or other methods while the connector is mounted on the PCB for the purpose of strengthening the durability of the PCB, the coating liquid may penetrate into the interior of the connector, but it is possible to prevent the coating liquid from coming into contact with the contact portion (34) of the first terminal (30) through the plate (50).

[0044] Therefore, by preventing the coating liquid from coming into contact with the contact portion (34), the performance of the connector can be prevented from deteriorating.

[0045] Additionally, the rear wall (52) end of the plate is characterized by being formed lower than the height at which the movable arm (32) of the first terminal (30) is positioned, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0046] By this, the coating liquid is configured to flow down, thereby preventing the coating liquid from remaining after coating and coming into contact with the contact part, which would otherwise degrade the performance of the connector.

[0047] In addition, one end of the object to be connected is positioned in contact with the inner side of the rear wall (52) of the plate, and the connection position of the object to be connected is restricted to be stably fixed.

[0048] When the actuator (70) is driven to the open position, the pressurizing part (71a) releases the pressure applied to the object to be connected, allowing it to be removed from the connection position, and when the actuator (70) is driven to the closed position, the pressurizing part (71a) presses the object to be connected, stably fixing it in the connection position.

[0049] At this time, the plate (50) can prevent the pressurizing part (71a) of the actuator (70) from directly pressurizing the object to be connected, and since the upper wall (51) of the plate covers the upper side of one end of the object to be connected, it is characterized by preventing deformation caused by the pressurizing part (71a) of the actuator (70) directly pressing the object to be connected.

[0050] This has the effect of preventing deformation of the connected object even with repeated joining and separating of the connected object.

[0051] Accordingly, the contact-sealed flexible connector according to the present invention, for the purpose of enhancing PCB durability, is provided with a plate structure installed inside the connector housing to cover the upper side of the contact portion when a coating liquid is processed by spraying or similar methods while the connector is mounted on the PCB, thereby covering the upper part of the contact portion and having the effect of preventing the coating liquid from coming into contact with the contact portion.

[0052] In addition, according to the present invention, the rear wall end of the plate is formed lower than the height of the terminal movable arm so that the coating liquid flows down, thereby preventing the coating liquid from remaining after coating and coming into contact with the contact part, which would otherwise degrade the performance of the connector.

[0054] Although specific embodiments of the contact-sealed flexible connector of the present invention have been described so far, it is obvious that various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0055] Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims set forth below as well as equivalents thereof.

[0056] That is, the aforementioned embodiments should be understood as exemplary in all respects and not limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts thereof should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 10: Housing 20: Reinforcement part 30: First terminal 40: Second terminal 50: Plate 51: Plate upper wall 52: Rear wall of the plate 55: Passage home 70: Actuator

Claims

Claim 1 A contact-sealed flexible connector comprising: a housing capable of inserting and removing a flat-shaped connection target; a first terminal installed in the housing and electrically conductive with the connection target by contacting the connection target, and arranged in a plurality of rows in one direction; and an actuator installed in the housing so as to be rotatable around a rotational axis portion and capable of moving between an open position and a closed position; wherein the first terminal comprises a fixed arm that rotatably fixes and supports the rotational axis portion of the actuator, a mounting portion mounted on a substrate, and a movable arm having a contact portion that contacts the connection target; and a plate installed in the housing and covering the upper end of the contact portion of the first terminal; wherein the upper wall of the plate is located between the movable arm and the fixed arm of the first terminal. Claim 2 A contact-sealed flexible connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear wall of the plate has a passage groove formed therein through which a movable arm of the first terminal passes. Claim 3 A contact-sealed flexible connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear wall end of the plate is formed lower than the height at which the movable arm of the first terminal is positioned. Claim 4 A contact-sealed flexible connector according to claim 1, characterized in that one end of a connected object is positioned in contact with the inner side of the rear wall of the plate, thereby limiting the coupling position of the connected object. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 A contact-sealed flexible connector according to claim 1, further comprising support terminals located on both sides where the first terminal is disposed.

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