FPC, connector module, and electronic device

Abstract

An FPC 10 according to the present disclosure is a flexible printed circuit board to be inserted into a connector 20, said FPC 10 comprising: a contact line 12; a ground portion 14 that is disposed in the stacking direction of the FPC 10 with respect to the contact line 12; a reinforcing portion 16 that covers the ground portion 14 from a side opposite to the contact line 12 in the stacking direction at the tip portion of the FPC 10 in the insertion direction with respect to the connector 20; and a conductive member 18 that is electrically connected to the ground portion 14, wherein at least a part of the conductive member 18 covers at least a part of an exposed portion R of the ground portion 14 positioned in a cutout portion 17, which is formed by cutting out the surface layer of the FPC 10, and is electrically connected to the ground portion 14.

Description

FPC, connector module, and electronic device CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-121408, filed on July 26, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an FPC, a connector module, and an electronic device.

[0003] Conventionally, techniques relating to flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector device having a structure in which a ground layer is provided between the front and back surfaces of the FPC, and a component contacts the ground layer located between the front and back surfaces of the FPC, thereby enabling a miniaturized connector and high-speed signal transmission.

[0004] In recent years, noise countermeasures to achieve electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) have become important in electronic devices such as in-vehicle devices such as head-up displays (HUDs), information processing devices including personal computers (PCs), and industrial devices.

[0005] JP 2009-064701 A

[0006] An FPC according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an FPC to be inserted into a connector, comprising: a contact wire; and a ground portion disposed in a stacking direction of the FPC relative to the contact wire. The FPC also comprises: a reinforcing portion at a tip end of the FPC in the insertion direction into the connector, the reinforcing portion covering the ground portion from the opposite side of the contact wire in the stacking direction; and a conductive member electrically connected to the ground portion. At least a portion of the conductive member covers at least a portion of an exposed portion of the ground portion located in a cutout portion formed by cutting out a surface layer of the FPC, thereby providing electrical conduction with the ground portion.

[0007] A connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-described FPC and the connector into which the FPC is inserted, the connector including a first contact having a first contact portion that contacts the contact wire, and a second contact located on the opposite side of the first contact portion in the stacking direction and having a second contact portion that contacts the conductive member.

[0008] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-described FPC or the above-described connector module.

[0009] 13 is an external perspective view showing, from above, a connector module according to an embodiment in a state in which an FPC and a connector are connected to each other. 14 is an external perspective view showing, from above, a state in which the FPC and the connector in the connector module of FIG. 1 are separated from each other. 15 is an external perspective view showing, from above, the FPC alone of FIG. 2. 16 is an external perspective view showing, from below, the FPC alone of FIG. 2. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the V-V arrow line of FIG. 3. 18 is an external perspective view showing, from above, the connector alone of FIG. 2. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the connector alone of FIG. 6. 19 is a top view showing only a portion of the components of the connector module of FIG. 1. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the IX-IX arrow line of FIG. 8. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X arrow line of FIG. 8. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XI-XI arrow line of FIG. 8. 19 is an external perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing, from above, an FPC alone according to a first modified example of the present disclosure. 19 is an external perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing, from above, an FPC alone according to a second modified example of the present disclosure. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XIV-XIV arrow line of FIG. 13.

[0010] In the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, the connector has a first contact that contacts the FPC from below and a second contact that contacts the FPC from above and faces the first contact. The connector has a structure in which the first contact and the second contact contact each other from both sides of the FPC.

[0011] However, the second contact directly contacts the ground layer through a notch cut into the surface layer of the FPC. This can cause problems such as scraping or damage to the ground layer of the FPC. In addition, the second contact requires a large amount of displacement to contact the ground layer. As a result, the reliability of the electrical contact between the FPC and the connector via the ground layer and the second contact is reduced.

[0012] According to an FPC, a connector module, and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the reliability of electrical contact.

[0013] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions refer to the directions of the arrows in the drawings. The directions of the arrows are consistent between different drawings in Figures 1 to 14. In some drawings, a circuit board CB, which will be described later, is omitted for the sake of simplicity.

[0014] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing, from above, a connector module 1 according to one embodiment in a state in which an FPC 10 and a connector 20 are connected to each other. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing, from above, a state in which the FPC 10 and the connector 20 are separated from each other in the connector module 1 of Fig. 1. An example of the configuration of the connector module 1 according to one embodiment will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0015] The connector module 1 has an FPC 10 and a connector 20 that are connectable to each other. In the connected state of the connector module 1 shown in Fig. 1, the FPC 10 is inserted into the connector 20. For example, as shown in the disconnected state of the connector module 1 in Fig. 2, the connector 20 has an insulator 30, first contacts 40a, second contacts 40b, an actuator 50, a pressing member 60, and a metal member 70. In Figs. 1 and 2, only some of the multiple first contacts 40a are shown in perspective with dotted lines. Only some of the multiple second contacts 40b are shown in perspective with dashed lines.

[0016] A connector 20 according to one embodiment is mounted on a circuit board CB. The circuit board CB may be a rigid board or any other circuit board. For example, the circuit board CB may be an FPC. The connector 20 electrically connects an FPC 10 inserted into the connector 20 to the circuit board CB. For example, the connector 20 electrically connects the FPC 10 to the circuit board CB via first contacts 40 a and second contacts 40 b. The connector 20 is capable of inserting and removing the FPC 10, and is connected to the FPC 10 when the FPC 10 is inserted.

[0017] The connector 20 holds the FPC 10 in the connected state of the connector module 1 shown in Fig. 1. For example, the connector 20 receives the FPC 10 inserted from rear to front, and holds the entire FPC 10 by engaging with both left and right ends of the FPC 10. When inserted into the connector 20, the FPC 10 comes into contact with the first contacts 40a and the second contacts 40b of the connector 20.

[0018] In the following description, for example, the connector 20 according to one embodiment will be described as a receptacle connector, in which the first contacts 40 a and the second contacts 40 b elastically deform when the FPC 10 and the connector 20 are connected to each other.

[0019] In the following description, the FPC 10 is inserted into the connector 20 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board CB on which the connector 20 is mounted. As an example, the FPC 10 is inserted into the connector 20 along the front-to-rear direction. As an example, the circuit board CB is arranged so that it extends in the up-down and left-to-right directions that are perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. However, the above is not limitative, and the FPC 10 may also be inserted into the connector 20 in a direction parallel to the circuit board CB on which the connector 20 is mounted.

[0020] In this disclosure, "extension direction of contact wire 12" means, for example, the front-to-rear direction. "Insertion / removal direction" means, for example, the front-to-rear direction. "Insertion direction" means, for example, the forward direction. "Removal direction" means, for example, the rear direction. "Stacking direction of FPC 10" means, for example, the up-down direction. "Width direction of FPC 10 perpendicular to the insertion direction and stacking direction" means, for example, the left-to-right direction.

[0021] "The leading end of the FPC 10 in the insertion direction into the connector 20" means, for example, the leading end of the front side of the FPC 10. "The insertion side" means, for example, the front side. "The removal side" means, for example, the rear side. "The contact line 12 side in the stacking direction" means, for example, the bottom side. "The side opposite to the contact line 12 in the stacking direction" means, for example, the top side.

[0022] "Inside" corresponds to the direction toward the center of the FPC 10 or the connector 20. For example, the inside in the front-to-back direction corresponds to the direction toward the center of the FPC 10 or the connector 20 in the front-to-back direction. This is not limited to this, and the inside does not have to be a direction completely toward the center in the front-to-back direction, but may correspond to a direction toward the center at a slight angle. The same applies to other directions. "Outside" is the opposite of inside.

[0023] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing the FPC 10 alone in Fig. 2 as viewed from above. Fig. 4 is an external perspective view showing the FPC 10 alone in Fig. 2 as viewed from below. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the VV arrow line in Fig. 3. An example of the configuration of the FPC 10 according to one embodiment will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the FPC 10 has a laminated structure formed by bonding multiple thin film materials together. The laminated structure of the FPC 10 has a base portion 11 located at the center of the laminated structure. The base portion 11 is made of a film-like material made of any resin material. The base portion 11 is wide in the laminated direction so that the gap in the laminated direction between the contact wires 12 and the ground portion 14, which are laminated on both sides of the base portion 11 in the laminated direction, is large.

[0025] The laminated structure of the FPC 10 has a contact wire 12 laminated on one side in the lamination direction, for example, on the lower side, of the base portion 11. The contact wire 12 is configured as a signal line using a conductive material such as copper foil. The laminated structure of the FPC 10 has a first covering portion 13 laminated on one side in the lamination direction, for example, on the lower side, of the contact wire 12. The first covering portion 13 is configured as a cover film using any resin material.

[0026] The laminated structure of the FPC 10 has a ground portion 14 laminated on the other side in the lamination direction, for example, on the upper side, of the base portion 11. The ground portion 14 is arranged in the lamination direction of the FPC 10 with respect to the contact wires 12. The ground portion 14 is configured as a ground line using a conductive material such as copper foil. The laminated structure of the FPC 10 has a second covering portion 15 laminated on the other side in the lamination direction, for example, on the upper side, of the ground portion 14. The second covering portion 15 is configured as a cover film using any resin material.

[0027] The laminated structure of the FPC 10 includes a reinforcing portion 16 laminated on the other side in the lamination direction, e.g., the upper side, of the second covering portion 15. The reinforcing portion 16 is configured as a first reinforcing plate made of a resin material such as polyimide. The reinforcing portion 16 covers the ground portion 14 from the opposite side of the contact wires 12 in the lamination direction at the tip end of the FPC 10 in the insertion direction into the connector 20.

[0028] The FPC 10 has a cutout portion 17 cut out from the surface layer of the FPC 10. The cutout portion 17 is, for example, located at the reinforcement portion 16 by cutting out a portion of the reinforcement portion 16. The cutout portion 17 also cuts out, for example, a portion of the second covering portion 15 in addition to the reinforcement portion 16. The cutout portion 17 cuts out the entire reinforcement portion 16 and the second covering portion 15 in the stacking direction from the surface of the reinforcement portion 16 in the stacking direction. The "surface layer" of the FPC 10 cut out by the cutout portion 17 includes, for example, both the reinforcement portion 16 and the second covering portion 15. The cutout portion 17 exposes a portion of the ground portion 14, which is located inside the FPC 10 and covered by other components, to the other side in the stacking direction, for example, the upper side. The cutout portion 17 forms an exposed portion R of the ground portion 14.

[0029] The FPC 10 includes a conductive member 18 electrically connected to the ground portion 14. At least a portion of the conductive member 18 covers at least a portion of the exposed portion R of the ground portion 14 located in a notch 17 cut out from the surface of the FPC 10, thereby providing electrical continuity with the ground portion 14. For example, the conductive member 18 includes a second reinforcing plate disposed on the exposed portion R. The second reinforcing plate corresponds to the "reinforcing plate" described in the claims. The second reinforcing plate is made of a metal material such as SUS (Steel Use Stainless Steel). The second reinforcing plate is attached to the ground portion 14 via a conductive adhesive applied to at least a portion of the exposed portion R of the ground portion 14. The surface of the second reinforcing plate, serving as the conductive member 18 attached to the ground portion 14, is not coated with resin or a protective film, etc., to ensure electrical continuity with the second contacts 40b of the connector 20.

[0030] The outer surface of the reinforcing portion 16 in the stacking direction and the outer surface of the second reinforcing plate in the stacking direction are flush with each other in the stacking direction. For example, the position of the upper surface of the reinforcing portion 16 in the stacking direction on the FPC 10 is the same as the position of the upper surface of the second reinforcing plate in the stacking direction on the FPC 10. The upper surfaces of the reinforcing portion 16 and the second reinforcing plate are located in the same plane in the stacking direction. The upper surfaces of the reinforcing portion 16 and the second reinforcing plate are each configured as a flat surface.

[0031] The thickness of the reinforcing portion 16 in the stacking direction and the thickness of the second reinforcing plate in the stacking direction are different from each other. For example, the thickness of the second reinforcing plate in the stacking direction is greater than the thickness of the reinforcing portion 16. The thickness of the second reinforcing plate in the stacking direction is equal to the sum of the thickness of the reinforcing portion 16 in the stacking direction and the thickness of the second covering portion 15 in the stacking direction.

[0032] 3, the reinforcing portion 16 constitutes the tip end in the direction of extension of the FPC 10, i.e., the insertion / removal direction in which the FPC 10 is inserted into / removed from the connector 20, and is harder than other portions. The notch 17 is located at a position shifted toward the insertion side from the center of the reinforcing portion 16 in the front-to-rear direction. The notch 17 is located at the center of the reinforcing portion 16 in the left-to-right direction.

[0033] The entire second reinforcing plate included in the conductive member 18 is located inside the cutout 17 located in the reinforcing portion 16. The entire second reinforcing plate covers a part of the exposed portion R of the ground portion 14 located in the cutout 17, which is formed by cutting out the surface layer of the FPC 10, and is electrically connected to the ground portion 14. A gap is provided between the second reinforcing plate and the reinforcing portion 16 in the front-rear and left-right directions. The second reinforcing plate is surrounded by the reinforcing portion 16 in the front-rear and left-right directions while being spaced apart from the reinforcing portion 16 in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0034] The reinforcing portion 16 is located in the insertion direction of the FPC 10 relative to a second reinforcing plate included in the conductive member 18. For example, the reinforcing portion 16 is disposed over the entire portion of the FPC 10 located forward of the second reinforcing plate and the cutout 17. The reinforcing portion 16 is disposed on at least one side of the second reinforcing plate in the width direction of the FPC 10, which is perpendicular to the insertion direction and the stacking direction. For example, the reinforcing portion 16 is disposed on both sides of the second reinforcing plate in the width direction of the FPC 10. The reinforcing portion 16 is disposed over the entire portion of the FPC 10 located on both the left and right sides of the second reinforcing plate and the cutout 17. The reinforcing portion 16 is located in the removal direction of the FPC 10 relative to the second reinforcing plate. For example, the reinforcing portion 16 is disposed in a part of the portion of the FPC 10 located rearward of the second reinforcing plate and the cutout 17.

[0035] 4, the contact wires 12 extend linearly in the insertion / removal direction and extend to the front end of the reinforcing portion 16. A plurality of the contact wires 12 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the FPC 10. The contact wires 12 are exposed downward at the end of the FPC 10 in the insertion direction.

[0036] 3 and 4, the FPC 10 has locked portions 19a cut out from the front side toward the inside in the left-right direction at the edge along the front-rear direction of the tip of the FPC 10 including the reinforcing portion 16. The locked portions 19a are located on both left-right sides of the tip of the FPC 10 including the reinforcing portion 16. The FPC 10 has held portions 19b located at both left and right corners on the insertion side of the tip of the FPC 10. The held portions 19b are adjacent to the locked portions 19a on the insertion side.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the appearance of the connector 20 alone as seen from above in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 20 alone in Fig. 6. An example of the configuration of the connector 20 according to one embodiment will be described mainly with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

[0038] 7 , the connector 20 is assembled, for example, by the following method. For example, the first contact 40 a and the second contact 40 b are press-fitted into the insulator 30 from the front. The actuator 50 is placed on the insulator 30 from above. With the actuator 50 placed on the insulator 30, the pressing member 60 is press-fitted into the insulator 30 from the front. The metal member 70 is press-fitted into the insulator 30 from the rear. When the actuator 50 is in the closed position relative to the insulator 30, the actuator 50 is supported from below by the insulator 30 with the tip of the pressing member 60 positioned directly above the actuator 50.

[0039] In the present disclosure, the "closed position" includes, for example, the position of the actuator 50 when the actuator 50 is closed relative to the insulator 30. When the FPC 10 is inserted into the connector 20 and the actuator 50 is in the closed position, the connector 20 holds the FPC 10. The "open position" includes, for example, the position of the actuator 50 when the actuator 50 is open and inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the insulator 30. The actuator 50 is rotatable relative to the insulator 30 between the closed position and the open position, for example.

[0040] In this disclosure, the "closed state" includes, for example, the state of the connector 20 when the actuator 50 is in the closed position. The "open state" includes, for example, the state of the connector 20 when the actuator 50 is in the open position.

[0041] The insulator 30 is, for example, a box-shaped member extending in the left-right direction and symmetrical, which is injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. However, the insulator 30 may be asymmetrical. The insulator 30 has four outer walls in the top, bottom, left, and right directions, and includes a rectangular outer peripheral wall 31. The outer peripheral wall 31 has a first wall portion 31a, a second wall portion 31b, and a pair of side walls 31c.

[0042] The insulator 30 has a third wall portion 32 that is continuous with the outer peripheral wall 31. The insulator 30 has an insertion portion 33 that is surrounded in the top, bottom, left, and right directions by the outer peripheral wall 31. The rear side of the insertion portion 33 is largely open due to an opening in the insulator 30. On the other hand, the front side of the insertion portion 33 is closed by the third wall portion 32.

[0043] The insulator 30 has a plurality of first contact mounting grooves 34 recessed so as to extend in the front-rear direction from the outer surface of the third wall portion 32 to the interior of the insertion portion 33. The plurality of first contact mounting grooves 34 are arranged in the left-right direction at predetermined intervals from one another. The first contact mounting grooves 34 are recessed at positions that match the number and mounting positions of the first contacts 40a. In Figure 7, only some of the plurality of first contact mounting grooves 34 are shown in perspective with dotted lines.

[0044] The insulator 30 has second contact mounting grooves 35 disposed between a pair of first contact mounting grooves 34 in the left-right direction. The multiple second contact mounting grooves 35 are recessed to extend in the front-rear direction from the outer surface of the third wall portion 32 to the inside of the insertion portion 33. The multiple second contact mounting grooves 35 are arranged in the left-right direction at predetermined intervals from one another. The second contact mounting grooves 35 are recessed at positions that match the number and mounting positions of the second contacts 40b. In Figure 7, only some of the multiple second contact mounting grooves 35 are shown in perspective with dashed lines.

[0045] The insulator 30 has a first mounting groove 36 recessed from the upper surface of the first wall portion 31 a to the inside of the pair of side walls 31 c. The insulator 30 has a second mounting groove 37 extending in the front-rear direction at a position adjacent to the inside in the left-right direction of each of the pair of side walls 31 c. The insulator 30 has a third mounting groove 38 located at the outer end in the left-right direction of each of the pair of side walls 31 c.

[0046] The first contact 40a is formed, for example, by stamping a thin plate of spring-elastic material such as pure copper, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or a copper alloy containing titanium copper, or a Corson copper alloy, using a progressive die. The first contact 40a is manufactured by punching only. The processing method for the first contact 40a is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a step of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching.

[0047] The first contacts 40a are made of, for example, a metal material with a low elastic modulus so that they undergo large changes in shape due to elastic deformation. The surfaces of the first contacts 40a are plated with gold, tin, or the like after a nickel base is formed. A plurality of the first contacts 40a are arranged along the width direction of the FPC 10. The first contacts 40a are used, for example, as signal contacts.

[0048] The first contact 40a has a mounting portion 41a that is arranged in a plate shape at the front end of the first contact 40a. The first contact 40a has a held portion 42a that is adjacent to the rear side of the mounting portion 41a. The held portion 42a is L-shaped. The first contact 40a has a first contact portion 43a that extends rearward from the lower end of the held portion 42a.

[0049] The second contact 40b is formed, for example, by stamping a thin plate of spring-elastic copper alloy such as pure copper, phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or titanium-copper-containing copper alloy, or a Corson copper alloy, into the shape shown in Fig. 7 using a progressive die. The second contact 40b is manufactured by punching only. The method for manufacturing the second contact 40b is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a step of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching.

[0050] The second contacts 40b are made of, for example, a metal material with a low elastic modulus so that they undergo a large change in shape due to elastic deformation. The surfaces of the second contacts 40b are plated with gold, tin, or the like after a nickel base is formed. A plurality of second contacts 40b are arranged along the width direction of the FPC 10. The second contacts 40b are used, for example, as ground contacts.

[0051] The second contact 40b has a mounting portion 41b located at the front end of the second contact 40b. The second contact 40b has a held portion 42b adjacent to the rear side of the mounting portion 41b. The held portion 42b has a rectangular shape. The second contact 40b has a second contact portion 43b extending rearward from the center of the held portion 42b in the vertical direction.

[0052] The actuator 50 is, for example, a bilaterally symmetrical member extending in the left-right direction, which is injection-molded from an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. However, the actuator 50 is not limited to this, and may be bilaterally asymmetric. The actuator 50 has a base 51 that extends in the left-right direction in a plate-like shape.

[0053] The actuator 50 has a pair of locking portions 52 disposed at both left and right ends of a base portion 51. As shown in Fig. 9 (described later), the locking portions 52 have an inclined surface 52a that slopes downward toward the front at the lower rear portion. The actuator 50 has a recessed portion 53 disposed directly above the locking portions 52, where the base portion 51 is cut out.

[0054] The actuator 50 has a shaft 54 ​​adjacent to the outside in the left-right direction with respect to the locking portion 52 and the recessed portion 53 located at each of the left-right ends of the base 51. The actuator 50 has a cylindrical protrusion 54a at the bottom of the shaft 54 ​​that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the outer surface in the left-right direction. The actuator 50 has an operating portion 55 that protrudes rearward from the center in the left-right direction at the rear end of the base 51.

[0055] The pressing member 60 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 7. The pressing member 60 is manufactured into an L-shape by, for example, punching the plate and then bending it in the plate thickness direction. The method of processing the pressing member 60 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, only the punching process. The pair of pressing members 60 are disposed at both ends of the connector 20 in the left-right direction.

[0056] The pressing member 60 has a mounting portion 61 that extends in the up-down direction at the front end of the pressing member 60. The pressing member 60 has a held portion 62 that is adjacent to the rear of the mounting portion 61. The held portion 62 is wide in the left-right direction so that it has an H-shape in top view. The pressing member 60 has a contact portion 63 that extends linearly rearward from the rear end of the held portion 62.

[0057] The metal member 70 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in FIG. 7 . The metal member 70 is manufactured, for example, by punching alone. The method of processing the metal member 70 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a step of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. The pair of metal members 70 are disposed at both ends of the connector 20 in the left-right direction.

[0058] The metal member 70 has a mounting portion 71 that extends forward at the front end of the metal member 70. The metal member 70 has a U-shaped held portion 72 that is adjacent to the mounting portion 71 at the rear.

[0059] In the connector 20, the first contact 40a is attached to the insulator 30. For example, the first contact 40a is attached to the insulator 30 by engaging the retained portion 42a with the first contact attachment groove 34 of the insulator 30. Similarly, the second contact 40b is attached to the insulator 30 by engaging the retained portion 42b with the second contact attachment groove 35 of the insulator 30. The pressing member 60 is attached to the insulator 30 by engaging the retained portion 62 with the second attachment groove 37 of the insulator 30. The metal member 70 is attached to the insulator 30 by engaging the retained portion 72 with the third attachment groove 38 of the insulator 30.

[0060] In the connector 20, the actuator 50 is disposed in the first mounting groove 36 of the insulator 30. In the closed position, the actuator 50 is supported from below by the insulator 30. For example, the shaft 54 ​​of the actuator 50 is housed in a portion of the first mounting groove 36 of the insulator 30 that is located inside the side wall 31c, and is in contact with the bottom surface of that portion. At this time, the protrusion 54a protruding from the shaft 54 ​​of the actuator 50 is disposed in the same left-right position as the metal member 70. When the actuator 50 attempts to move upward, the protrusion 54a catches on the held portion 72 of the metal member 70, reducing the likelihood of the actuator 50 coming off the insulator 30.

[0061] At this time, as also shown in Figure 9 (described later), the locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 is positioned inside the second mounting groove 37 of the insulator 30. The locking portion 52 receives a biasing force from the pressing member 60 from the open position side, enabling the actuator 50 to be mounted to the insulator 30. In the connector 20, the actuator 50 is pressed from above by the pressing member 60 attached to the insulator 30, and is supported from below by the insulator 30. For example, the contact portion 63 of the pressing member 60 is positioned within the recess 53 of the actuator 50, and contacts the bottom surface of the recess 53, i.e., the upper surface of the locking portion 52, from above.

[0062] 1 and other figures, the connector 20 is mounted on a mounting surface of a circuit board CB that is disposed perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction. For example, the mounting portion 41a of the first contact 40a is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 41b of the second contact 40b is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 61 of the pressing member 60 is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB. The mounting portion 71 of the metal member 70 is placed on solder paste applied to a pattern on the circuit board CB.

[0063] By heating and melting the solder pastes in a reflow furnace or the like, the mounting portions 41a, 41b, 61, and 71 are soldered to the above-mentioned patterns. As a result, the mounting of the connector 20 on the circuit board CB is completed. Electronic components other than the connector 20, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a controller, or a memory, are mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board CB.

[0064] FIG. 8 is a top view showing only a portion of the components of the connector module 1 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 8, only the FPC 10, the first contacts 40a, the second contacts 40b, and the pressing member 60 of the connector module 1 are shown. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the IX-IX arrow line in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X arrow line in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XI-XI arrow line in FIG. 8. Unlike FIG. 8, FIGS. 9 to 11 show all of the components of the connector module 1. Below, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, we will mainly describe the function of the connector module 1 when the FPC 10 according to one embodiment is connected to the connector 20.

[0065] 9 , when the FPC 10 moves from the opening of the insertion portion 33 of the insulator 30 toward the inside of the insertion portion 33, the held portion 19b of the FPC 10 comes into contact with the locking portion 52 of the actuator 50. At this time, a resistance force is generated toward the open position of the actuator 50 due to contact between the locking portion 52 and the FPC 10 via the inclined surface 52a on the removal side of the locking portion 52. Therefore, a force moment is generated on the actuator 50 toward the open position.

[0066] When the FPC 10 moves toward the inside of the insertion section 33 with the locking section 52 and the held section 19b in contact with each other, the actuator 50 rotates toward the open position due to the moment of force toward the open position. When the actuator 50 rotates toward the open position, the amount of elastic deformation of the contact section 63 of the pressing member 60 increases. Therefore, the biasing force of the contact section 63 of the pressing member 60 toward the closed position increases. At this time, the locking section 52 of the actuator 50 rides up once onto the upper surface of the held section 19b of the FPC 10. As the FPC 10 moves toward the insertion side, the held section 19b slides against the tip of the locking section 52.

[0067] 9 , in the inserted state, the held portion 19 b of the FPC 10 passes the locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 and is accommodated inside the insertion portion 33. For example, the tip surface of the FPC 10 abuts against the inner surface of the insertion portion 33 of the insulator 30. At this time, the locking portion 52 and the held portion 19 b are out of contact in the vertical direction, and the actuator 50 is automatically rotated to the closed position by the biasing force of the pressing member 60. In this closed position of the actuator 50, the locking portion 52 engages with the locked portion 19 a of the FPC 10. As a result, the actuator 50 holds the FPC 10 inserted into the insertion portion 33 in a non-removable state. In this state, even if an attempt is made to forcibly remove the FPC 10, the held portion 19 b of the FPC 10 comes into contact with the locking portion 52. Therefore, the FPC 10 is more effectively held in a non-removable state.

[0068] On the other hand, when removing the FPC 10 from the connector 20 in a locked state in which the locking portion 52 is engaged with the locked portion 19 a, the worker's hand, assembly equipment, or the like operates the operating portion 55 of the actuator 50 to rotate the actuator 50 to the open position, which is the unlocked position. The worker's hand, assembly equipment, or the like rotates the actuator 50 to a position where the locking portion 52 does not face the held portion 19 b from behind. By performing the above operation, the worker's hand, assembly equipment, or the like retracts the locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 upward from the locked portion 19 a of the FPC 10. In this state, if the worker's hand, assembly equipment, or the like pulls the FPC 10 backward, the FPC 10 can be smoothly pulled backward from the insertion portion 33 of the connector 20, and removal of the FPC 10 from the connector 20 is completed.

[0069] When the connector 20 is in the open state, the locking portion 52 of the actuator 50 and the locked portion 19 a of the FPC 10 are no longer engaged with each other. The lock between the locking portion 52 and the locked portion 19 a is released. As a result, the FPC 10 can be removed from the connector 20.

[0070] 10 , when the held portion 42a of the first contact 40a is attached to the first contact mounting groove 34 of the insulator 30, a portion of the first contact portion 43a is exposed inside the insertion portion 33. For example, in an inserted state where the FPC 10 is inserted into the connector 20, the mountain-shaped tip of the first contact portion 43a is exposed inside the insertion portion 33. The first contact 40a is capable of elastic deformation in the vertical direction within the first contact mounting groove 34 by the first contact portion 43a.

[0071] When the leading end surface of the FPC 10 abuts against the inner surface of the insertion portion 33 of the insulator 30 in the inserted state, the first contact 40a receives the leading end of the FPC 10 between the first contact portion 43a and the portion of the held portion 42a that extends rearward. In the inserted state, the first contact portion 43a of the first contact 40a comes into contact with the contact wire 12 of the FPC 10. As a result, the first contact 40a is electrically connected to the contact wire 12 of the FPC 10 via the contact of the first contact portion 43a with the contact wire 12.

[0072] At this time, the first contact portion 43a elastically deforms downward, applying an upward biasing force to the FPC 10. The first contact 40a presses the FPC 10 upward based on the contact between the first contact portion 43a and the contact wire 12.

[0073] 11 , when the held portion 42b of the second contact 40b is attached to the second contact mounting groove 35 of the insulator 30, the second contact portion 43b is positioned relative to the insertion portion 33. For example, in an inserted state where the FPC 10 is inserted into the connector 20, the mountain-shaped tip of the second contact portion 43b is positioned relative to the insertion portion 33. The second contact 40b is allowed to elastically deform in the vertical direction within the second contact mounting groove 35 by the second contact portion 43b.

[0074] When the leading end surface of the FPC 10 abuts against the inner surface of the insertion portion 33 of the insulator 30 in the inserted state, the second contact 40b receives the leading end of the FPC 10 by means of the held portion 42b and the second contact portion 43b. As also shown in Fig. 8 , in the inserted state, the second contact portion 43b of the second contact 40b is located on the opposite side of the first contact portion 43a in the stacking direction of the FPC 10 and comes into contact with the conductive member 18 of the FPC 10. Because the conductive member 18 is electrically connected to the ground portion 14 of the FPC 10, the second contact 40b is electrically connected to the ground portion 14 of the FPC 10 through contact of the second contact portion 43b with the conductive member 18.

[0075] At this time, the second contact portion 43b elastically deforms upward and applies a downward biasing force to the FPC 10. The second contact 40b presses the FPC 10 downward based on contact between the second contact portion 43b and the conductive member 18.

[0076] In the following, the effects will be explained while focusing mainly on the FPC 10, but the same explanation also applies to the connector module 1 having the FPC 10 and the electronic device having the connector module 1.

[0077] The FPC 10 according to the embodiment described above can improve electrical contact reliability. For example, in the FPC 10, at least a portion of the conductive member 18 covers at least a portion of the exposed portion R of the ground portion 14 located in the notch 17 formed by cutting out the surface layer of the FPC 10, thereby providing electrical conduction with the ground portion 14. As a result, when the FPC 10 is inserted into the connector 20, contact with the second contact portion 43b of the second contact 40b of the connector 20 can be indirectly achieved by the conductive member 18 rather than directly by the ground portion 14. Because the conductive member 18 is electrically connected to the ground portion 14, the FPC 10 can achieve indirect conduction with the ground portion 14 even if the second contact portion 43b of the second contact 40b is not in direct contact with the ground portion 14, as long as it is in contact with the conductive member 18.

[0078] This reduces the likelihood of defects, such as scraping and damage, occurring in the ground portion 14, compared to conventional examples in which the second contact portion 43b directly contacts the ground portion 14. For example, when the second contact portion 43b directly contacts the ground portion 14, the ground portion 14 is directly subjected to contact pressure from the second contacts 40b. If the ground portion 14 is made of a thin material such as copper foil, sliding of the ground portion 14 against the second contacts 40b may cause defects in the ground portion 14 due to contact pressure. On the other hand, by having the second contacts 40b contact the conductive member 18, which is more robust than the ground portion 14, the FPC 10 can more steadily connect the conductive member 18 to the second contacts 40b. The FPC 10 can stably achieve electrical continuity with the second contacts 40b.

[0079] The FPC 10 can stably achieve electrical continuity with the second contacts 40b, thereby more stably achieving noise countermeasures to achieve EMC. For example, the FPC 10 can have the ground portion 14 disposed over the entire surface of one side in the stacking direction, and can be stably electrically connected to the circuit board CB via the conductive member 18 and the second contacts 40b. This allows the FPC 10 to stably reduce electromagnetic wave radiation from the ground surface of the ground portion 14.

[0080] The FPC 10 has a reinforcing portion 16 at the tip end in the insertion direction of the FPC 10 into the connector 20, which covers the ground portion 14 from the side opposite the contact wire 12 in the stacking direction. This improves the robustness of the tip end of the FPC 10, improving the ease of insertion of the FPC 10 into the connector 20. This makes it easier to insert the FPC 10 into the connector 20. As a result, a stable connection can be obtained between the FPC 10 and the connector 20 in the inserted state, improving the reliability of the electrical contact of the FPC 10 with the connector 20.

[0081] The cutout portion 17 is located in the reinforcing portion 16 by cutting out a portion of the reinforcing portion 16. The conductive member 18 includes a second reinforcing plate disposed in the exposed portion R. This allows the FPC 10 to position the second reinforcing plate in the cutout portion 17 and surround it with the reinforcing portion 16. The FPC 10 can further stabilize the contact of the conductive member 18 with the second contacts 40b by having the second contacts 40b contact the second reinforcing plate, which is more robust than the ground portion 14. The FPC 10 can achieve stable conduction with the second contacts 40b.

[0082] The reinforcing portion 16 is located in the FPC 10 in the insertion direction further than the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18. This improves the robustness of the portion of the FPC 10 closer to the insertion side than the portion of the FPC 10 where the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18 is located. Therefore, the FPC 10 can improve the insertability of the FPC 10 into the connector 20. The FPC 10 can be more easily inserted into the connector 20. As a result, a stable connection can be obtained between the FPC 10 and the connector 20 in the inserted state, improving the electrical contact reliability of the FPC 10 with the connector 20.

[0083] The reinforcing portion 16 is disposed on at least one of the two widthwise sides of the FPC 10, which is perpendicular to the insertion direction and the stacking direction, relative to the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18. This allows the locked portion 19a of the FPC 10 to be disposed on the reinforcing portion 16 located on the outer side of the second reinforcing plate in the widthwise direction when forming the locked portion 19a by punching or the like in a press process. The FPC 10 can reduce the occurrence of burrs on the conductive member 18 by avoiding the placement of components by punching or the like on the conductive member 18. Therefore, the FPC 10 can protect the second contacts 40b by preventing damage to the second contacts 40b due to such burrs. As a result, the FPC 10 can improve electrical contact reliability.

[0084] The outer surface of the reinforcing portion 16 in the stacking direction and the outer surface of the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18 in the stacking direction are flush with each other in the stacking direction. This allows the FPC 10 to reduce the step between the outer surface of the reinforcing portion 16 in the stacking direction and the outer surface of the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18 in the stacking direction. Therefore, when the FPC 10 is inserted into the connector 20, it can also reduce the risk of the FPC 10 getting caught on components of the connector 20 due to such a step. Therefore, the FPC 10 can improve the insertability of the FPC 10 into the connector 20. The FPC 10 can be more easily inserted into the connector 20. As a result, a stable connection can be obtained between the FPC 10 and the connector 20 in the inserted state, and the electrical contact reliability of the FPC 10 with the connector 20 is improved.

[0085] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the foregoing description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the foregoing description but by the appended claims. All modifications within the range of equivalents of any modifications are intended to be embraced therein.

[0086] For example, the shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each of the above-mentioned components are not limited to those shown in the above description and drawings. The shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each component may be configured arbitrarily as long as the function can be realized. The illustrated components of the FPC 10 and connector module 1 are functional concepts, and the specific form of each component is not limited to those shown.

[0087] The assembly method of the connector 20 described above is not limited to the above description. Any method may be used to assemble the connector 20 as long as it allows the connector 20 to perform its respective functions. For example, at least one of the first contact 40 a, the second contact 40 b, the pressing member 60, and the metal member 70 may be molded integrally with the insulator 30 by insert molding rather than press-fitting.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the cutout portion 17 is described as being located on the reinforcement portion 16 by cutting out a portion of the reinforcement portion 16, but this is not limited thereto. The cutout portion 17 does not have to be located on the reinforcement portion 16. In the above embodiment, the "surface layer" of the FPC 10 cut out by the cutout portion 17 is described as including, for example, both the reinforcement portion 16 and the second covering portion 15, but this is not limited thereto. The "surface layer" of the FPC 10 cut out by the cutout portion 17 may include, for example, only the second covering portion 15. Conversely, the "surface layer" of the FPC 10 cut out by the cutout portion 17 may include, for example, only the reinforcement portion 16. In this case, the FPC 10 does not need to have the second covering portion 15 at the location where the reinforcement portion 16 is located.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion 16 is described as being located in the FPC 10 in the insertion direction relative to the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18, but this is not limiting. The reinforcing portion 16 does not have to be located in the FPC 10 in the insertion direction relative to the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion 16 is disposed on at least one of both sides of the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18 in the width direction of the FPC 10, which is perpendicular to the insertion direction and the stacking direction, but this is not limited to this. The reinforcing portion 16 does not have to be disposed on both sides of the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18 in the width direction of the FPC 10.

[0091] 12 is an external perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3 , showing a top view of the FPC 10 according to the first modified example of the present disclosure. In the above embodiment, the reinforcing portion 16 is described as being located in the FPC 10 in the removal direction relative to the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18, but this is not limited to this. The reinforcing portion 16 does not have to be located in the FPC 10 in the removal direction relative to the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18. For example, the reinforcing portion 16 may be located in the FPC 10 in the insertion direction relative to the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18, and may be disposed on both sides of the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18 in the width direction of the FPC 10.

[0092] In the above embodiment and the first modified example, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 12, the reinforcing portion 16 is continuously disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the conductive member 18, but this is not limiting. The reinforcing portion 16 does not have to be continuously disposed. For example, the reinforcing portion 16 may be divided by the conductive member 18. More specifically, the conductive member 18 may be disposed over substantially the entire FPC 10 in the left-right direction, behind the locked portion 19a. In this state, the reinforcing portion 16 may be disposed discretely on both the insertion side and the removal side of the conductive member 18.

[0093] 8 , among the plurality of second contacts 40b, a pair of second contacts 40b located at both ends in the width direction of the FPC 10 contact the reinforcing portion 16 rather than the conductive member 18, but this is not limited to this. For example, the pair of second contacts 40b may contact the conductive member 18 in the same manner as the other second contacts 40b in a state in which the conductive member 18 is arranged over substantially the entire width of the FPC 10 in the left-right direction as described above.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the notch 17 is described as being continuously disposed over one location on the surface layer of the FPC 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The notch 17 may be discretely disposed over multiple locations on the surface layer of the FPC 10.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the outer surface of the reinforcing portion 16 in the stacking direction and the outer surface of the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18 in the stacking direction are described as being flush with each other in the stacking direction, but this is not limiting. The outer surface of the reinforcing portion 16 in the stacking direction and the outer surface of the second reinforcing plate of the conductive member 18 in the stacking direction do not have to be flush with each other in the stacking direction.

[0096] Fig. 13 is an external perspective view corresponding to Fig. 3, showing the FPC 10 alone according to a second modified example of the present disclosure as seen from above. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XIV-XIV arrow line in Fig. 13. The configuration of the FPC 10 according to the second modified example will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the conductive member 18 has been described as including a second reinforcing plate disposed in the exposed portion R, but this is not limited thereto. The conductive member 18 may also include a shielding tape, a portion of which covers the entire exposed portion R and is electrically connected to the ground portion 14. The shielding tape may, for example, be attached to almost the entire exposed portion R of the ground portion 14. The entire shielding tape included in the conductive member 18 may be disposed over a wide area in the front-to-rear direction, covering the entire cutout portion 17 and reaching the reinforcing portion 16 and the second covering portion 15.

[0098] At least a portion of the conductive member 18 covers at least a portion of the exposed portion R of the ground portion 14 located in the cutout 17 formed by cutting out the surface layer of the FPC 10, thereby providing electrical continuity with the ground portion 14. In a second modified example, a portion of the shielding tape of the conductive member 18 covers the entire exposed portion R of the ground portion 14 located in the cutout 17 formed by cutting out the surface layer of the FPC 10, thereby providing electrical continuity with the ground portion 14. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14 , the "surface layer" of the FPC 10 cut out by the cutout 17 may include, for example, only the second covering portion 15. The cutout 17 may cut out only the second covering portion 15 along the rear edge of the reinforcing portion 16, for example.

[0099] The FPC 10 can more easily establish electrical continuity between the conductive member 18 and the ground portion 14 by including the shielding tape in the conductive member 18. The shielding tape of the conductive member 18 is electrically connected to the ground portion 14. As a result, even if the second contact portion 43b of the second contact 40b is not in direct contact with the ground portion 14, the FPC 10 can establish indirect electrical continuity with the ground portion 14 as long as it is in contact with any location on the surface of the shielding tape. Therefore, the FPC 10 can stably establish electrical continuity with the second contact 40b. As a result, the electrical contact reliability of the FPC 10 with the connector 20 is improved.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the FPC 10 has only two layers that contribute to electrical connection, the contact wires 12 and the ground portion 14. However, the FPC 10 is not limited to this. The FPC 10 may have three or more layers that contribute to electrical connection.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the contact wire 12 of the FPC 10 is described as being configured as, for example, a signal line, but is not limited thereto. The contact wire 12 does not have to be configured as, for example, a signal line, and may be configured as a ground line or other line.

[0102] The FPC 10 or connector module 1 described above is mounted on an electronic device. Examples of the electronic device include any in-vehicle device, such as a head-up display (HUD), a camera, a radar, a drive recorder, and an engine control unit. Examples of the electronic device include any in-vehicle device used in an in-vehicle system, such as a car navigation system, an advanced driver assistance system, and a security system. Without being limited to these, the electronic device may also include any information processing device, such as a personal computer, a game console, a copier, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction peripheral. Examples of the electronic device may also include any audiovisual device, such as an LCD television, a recorder, a camera, and headphones. Additionally, the electronic device may also include any industrial equipment.

[0103] Such electronic devices can improve the reliability of the products due to the effect of improving the electrical contact reliability of the FPC 10 or the connector module 1 described above.

[0104] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplified below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Appendix 1] A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) to be inserted into a connector, comprising: a contact wire; a ground portion arranged in a stacking direction of the FPC relative to the contact wire; a reinforcing portion covering the ground portion from the opposite side of the contact wire in the stacking direction at a tip end of the FPC in the insertion direction into the connector; and a conductive member electrically connected to the ground portion, wherein at least a portion of the conductive member covers at least a portion of an exposed portion of the ground portion located in a cutout portion formed by cutting out a surface layer of the FPC, thereby providing electrical conduction with the ground portion. [Appendix 2] The FPC according to Appendix 1, wherein the cutout portion is located in the reinforcing portion by cutting out a portion of the reinforcing portion, and the conductive member includes a reinforcing plate arranged in the exposed portion. [Appendix 3] The FPC according to Appendix 2, wherein the reinforcing portion is located in the FPC relative to the reinforcing plate in the insertion direction. [Supplementary Note 4] The FPC according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the reinforcing portion is disposed on at least one of both sides of the reinforcing plate in a width direction of the FPC that is perpendicular to the insertion direction and the stacking direction. [Supplementary Note 5] The FPC according to any one of Supplements 2 to 4, wherein an outer surface of the reinforcing portion in the stacking direction and an outer surface of the reinforcing plate in the stacking direction are flush with each other in the stacking direction. [Supplementary Note 6] The FPC according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the conductive member includes a shielding tape, a portion of which entirely covers the exposed portion and is conductive with the ground portion. [Supplementary Note 7] A connector module comprising: the FPC according to any one of Supplements 1 to 6; and the connector into which the FPC is inserted, wherein the connector has: a first contact having a first contact portion that contacts the contact wire; and a second contact located on the opposite side of the first contact portion in the stacking direction and having a second contact portion that contacts the conductive member. [Supplementary Note 8] An electronic device comprising the FPC according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6 or the connector module according to Supplementary Note 7.

[0105] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Connector module 10 FPC 11 Base portion 12 Contact wire 13 First covering portion 14 Ground portion 15 Second covering portion 16 Reinforcement portion 17 Notch portion 18 Conductive member 19a Locked portion 19b Helded portion 20 Connector 30 Insulator 31 Outer wall 31a First wall portion 31b Second wall portion 31c Side wall 32 Third wall portion 33 Insertion portion 34 First contact mounting groove 35 Second contact mounting groove 36 First mounting groove 37 Second mounting groove 38 Third mounting groove 40a First contact 41a Mounting portion 42a Helded portion 43a First contact portion 40b Second contact 41b Mounting portion 42b Helded portion 43b Second contact portion 50 Actuator 51 Base portion 52 Locking portion 52a Inclined surface 53 Recessed portion 54 Shaft portion 54a Protrusion 55 Operating portion 60 Pressing member 61 Mounting portion 62 Held portion 63 Contact portion 70 Metal member 71 Mounting portion 72 Held portion CB Circuit board R Exposed portion

Claims

1. A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) to be inserted into a connector, comprising: a contact wire; a ground portion arranged in the stacking direction of the FPC relative to the contact wire; a reinforcing portion that covers the ground portion from the opposite side of the contact wire in the stacking direction at the tip of the FPC in the insertion direction into the connector; and a conductive member electrically connected to the ground portion, wherein at least a portion of the conductive member covers at least a portion of an exposed portion of the ground portion located in a cutout portion formed by cutting out a surface layer of the FPC, thereby providing electrical conductivity with the ground portion.

2. An FPC according to claim 1, wherein the notch is located in the reinforcing section by cutting out a part of the reinforcing section, and the conductive member includes a reinforcing plate disposed in the exposed section.

3. An FPC according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing portion is located further in the insertion direction than the reinforcing plate on the FPC.

4. An FPC according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the reinforcing portion is disposed on at least one of both sides of the reinforcing plate in the width direction of the FPC, which is perpendicular to the insertion direction and the stacking direction.

5. An FPC according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the outer surface of the reinforcing portion in the stacking direction and the outer surface of the reinforcing plate in the stacking direction are flush with each other in the stacking direction.

6. An FPC according to claim 1, wherein the conductive member includes a shielding tape, a portion of which covers the entire exposed portion and is electrically connected to the ground portion.

7. A connector module comprising: an FPC according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and a connector into which the FPC is inserted, wherein the connector has: a first contact having a first contact portion that contacts the contact wire; and a second contact located on the opposite side of the first contact portion in the stacking direction, the second contact having a second contact portion that contacts the conductive member.

8. An electronic device comprising the FPC according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or the connector module according to claim 7.

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