KR20000011759A - Low profile electrical connector for flat circuits - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: The connector of a flat plane circuit is provided, which includes a flexible flat plane circuit and a flexible print circuit substrate. CONSTITUTION: The installing method of a connector has the steps of: installing a connector(1) having a flat-type housing(3) having the lower face and the front end section; establishing a long opening at the front end section for containing the flat circuit inserted to the opening commonly to the parallel direction with the lower face; installing many installing groove(11) on the lower face of the housing separated to the vertical direction of the opening; installing many terminals(4) through the lower face of the housing, includes an installation unit(22) inserted into the installation groove; the terminal having a contact unit connected to the flat circuit in the long opening.

Description

LOW PROFILE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR FLAT CIRCUITS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to the technical field of electrical connectors, and more particularly, to connectors for planar circuits including flexible planar circuits, flexible printed circuit boards, and the like.

There are a variety of electrical connectors specially configured to connect planar circuits such as flexible planar circuits. Typically, such an electrical connector is a connector without insertion force (uninserted connector). Such connectors typically use an actuator to bias the planar circuit against an elastic contact or terminal mounted to the connector housing. The actuator may be an actuator in the form of a push and pull, or may rotate between a first open position in which the circuit can be freely inserted into the connector housing and a second closed position for clamping the planar circuit to the terminal.

In some applications, it is highly desirable that the electrical connectors for planar circuits be as thin as possible. That is, it is highly desirable that the connector has a "low profile". It is particularly desirable when the height of the connector over the substrate is a major consideration, ie when the connector is designed for mounting on a printed circuit board or the like.

Unfortunately, a problem arises in providing a flat type connector for a planar circuit, since the terminal typically comprises a mount or mounting pillar for locking the terminal in the connector housing. When the terminal is inserted in front of or behind the housing (ie, usually parallel to the circuit board on which the housing is mounted), the mounting portion of the terminal requires space in the height direction to increase the thickness or height of the connector. The present invention solves these problems by providing a unique electrical connector for a planar circuit in which the terminal is mounted through the bottom face of the connector housing.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electrical connector for a planar circuit having the above-mentioned features.

1 is a top perspective view of a flat type electrical connector of the present invention with the actuator in an open position;

Figure 2 is a top perspective view similar to Figure 1 with the actuator in the closed position.

3 is a bottom perspective view of the connector of FIG.

Figure 4 is a front and rear longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector with the actuator in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 with the actuator in an open position; FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: Connector

2: Actuator

3: housing

4: Terminal

7: terminal mounting

8: arm

11: mounting groove

12: terminal accommodating cavity

13: rectangular plate part

14: working arm

15: cylindrical boss

16: through opening

17, 19: leg

20: base

22: mounting tail

24: rotating cam

24a: semicircular pressurized surface

27: fitting nail

In a typical embodiment of the present invention, the connector comprises a flat housing having a bottom face and a front end. An elongated opening is provided at the front end for receiving an end of the planar circuit which is inserted into the opening in a direction usually parallel to the bottom face. A plurality of mounting grooves are provided in the lower surface of the housing spaced longitudinally of the opening. The plurality of terminals includes a mounting portion that is mounted through the bottom surface of the housing and inserted into the mounting groove. This terminal has a contact that engages with the planar circuit in the long opening.

As disclosed herein, the mounting portion of the terminal is spaced from its contact in a direction generally parallel to the bottom surface of the housing. The mounting portion includes a mounting column inserted into the mounting groove of the lower surface of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom side of the housing is designed for surface mounting of a printed circuit board. The terminal includes a tail section, usually the same height as the bottom surface, for engaging the appropriate circuit traces on the printed circuit board.

The contacts of each terminal herein are shown as one leg of the usual U-shaped portion of the terminal. This one leg is located on one side of the elongated opening, and the normally U-shaped second leg of each terminal is located on the opposite side of the elongated opening. The actuator is movably mounted on the housing to bias the planar circuit relative to one leg including the contacts of the terminal. Complementary engagement means for rotation is provided between the actuator and the second leg of the terminal.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Features of the invention, which are believed to be novel, are characteristically described in the following claims. The present invention, together with its objects and advantages, may be best understood by reference to the following description set forth in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements.

Referring first to the drawings, namely first to FIGS. 1 to 3, the present invention is implemented with an electrical connector 1 connecting a planar circuit (not shown). The connector is also configured to mount on a printed circuit board for interconnecting planar circuits to a printed circuit board (not shown). Typically, the connector 1 is pivotally mounted on a housing 3 formed of a dielectric material such as plastic, and on the housing to move between the open position (Figure 1) and the closed position (Figures 2 and 3). And a plurality of conductive terminals 4 spaced apart at regular intervals laterally in the housing 3 under the actuator 2. In the open position of the actuator 2 of Fig. 1, the ends of planar circuits, such as planar flexible circuits or flexible printed circuit boards, can be inserted into the long openings 5 without insertion. The actuator 2 can then be rotated to the open position shown in Figures 2 and 3 to bias the planar circuit to the contact of the terminal 4, as described below.

In particular, the dielectric housing 3 has a terminal mounting portion 7 and a pair of cantilever arms 8 protruding forward of the terminal mounting portion. This housing has a lower face 3a and a front end 9. The elongate opening 5 is provided at the front end 9, and the lower face 3a is configured for mounting the upper surface of the printed circuit board. Thus, the planar circuit can be inserted into the opening 5 in a direction that is usually parallel to the bottom face 3a (ie, usually parallel to the top surface of the printed circuit board). A plurality of terminal accommodating recesses 10 are provided in the lower face 3a of the housing. As shown in Figure 4, each groove 10 is through a terminal receiving cavity 12 and a mounting groove 11 that open toward the lower face 3a of the housing.

In addition, the actuator 2 of the connector 1 is a part element that may be molded from a dielectric material such as plastic or the like. This actuator comprises a generally rectangular plate portion 13 with two actuating arms 14. The rectangular plate portion 13 is sized to fit between the cantilever arms 8 of the housing 3. The actuating arm 14 is sized to fit within the grooved region 3b of the housing 3. The rectangular plate 13 has two cylindrical bosses 15 (FIG. 3) formed on opposite sides of the plate portion for insertion into cylindrical holes (not shown) inside the arm 8 of the housing. This cylindrical boss is effective for rotatably mounting the actuator on the housing. Referring to Figure 4 in conjunction with Figures 1 and 2, the actuator has a plurality of through openings 16 in the upper front corner of the rectangular plate 13 when in its closed position. The opening 16 is aligned with the groove 10, the groove 11 and the cavity 12 of the housing 3.

4 and 5, each terminal 4 is stamped with a conductive sheet metal material, and the first and second legs are located on opposite sides of the elongate opening 5 for receiving a planar circuit. It usually comprises a U-shaped portion 4a which forms (17, 19). The leg 17 is a contact of the terminal and includes a contact 17a for coupling with the conductor of the planar circuit. The base 20 extends rearward from the U-shaped portion 4a of each terminal, and includes a mounting portion 21 extending upward and a soldering tail 22 extending rearward. The solder tail is usually flush with the lower face 3a of the housing 3 to connect as if by soldering to a suitable circuit trace on a printed circuit board.

The terminal 4 is mounted to the lower part of the housing 3 of the connector 1. In particular, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the terminal is mounted to the housing in the direction of arrow "A". The mounting portion 21 of the terminal is inserted into the mounting groove 11 of the housing 3 by press fit to retain the terminal in the housing. When fully mounted, the contacts 17a of the terminals are suitably positioned to engage the conductors of the planar circuit inserted in the elongated opening 5 of the housing.

In general, complementary mutually engaging pivot means are provided between the actuator 2 and the terminal 4 to facilitate the rotation of the actuator between its open and closed positions. In particular, with reference again to FIGS. 4 and 5, each terminal 4 has an upper portion for receiving a rotation cam 24 having a generally semi-circular pressurized surface 24a that rests on the concave pivot portion 23 of the terminal. And a rotating portion 23 concave at the distal end of the leg 19. The rotating cam 24 also has a flat surface 26 facing the long opening 5 when the actuator 3 is in its open position as shown in FIG.

In the operation of the actuator 2, when the actuator is in its open position as shown in Fig. 5, the flat surface 26 of the rotating cam 24 faces the opening 5, and the planar circuit is freely inserted. To be inserted into the opening. When the actuator is rotated to its open position as shown in Fig. 4, the semicircular pressurized surface 24a biases the conductor of the planar circuit to engage the contact 17a of the leg 17 of the terminal. Pressure at the top of the

Finally, a pair of conventional L-shaped fixing members or "fitting nails" 27 are provided on opposite sides of the housing 3 to secure the connector to the printed circuit board. The fixing member 27 is made of a metal material and can be selectively soldered to lands or pads on the printed circuit board, or bolted to the substrate to secure the connector to the printed circuit board.

It is to be understood that the invention can be practiced in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Accordingly, the present examples and examples are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the description herein.

The present invention can overcome space limitations by providing unique electrical connectors for planar circuits.

Claims (14)

A front end having a lower face, an elongated opening for receiving an end of a planar circuit inserted into the opening in a direction generally parallel to the lower face, and a plurality of mounting grooves in the lower face of the housing longitudinally spaced along the opening; With a flat housing, A plurality of terminals mounted through a lower surface of the housing, having a mounting portion inserted into the mounting groove, and having a contact portion for engaging with a suitable conductor of the planar circuit in the opening; Electrical connector for a flat circuit comprising a. 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion of the terminal is spaced from the contact portion in a direction generally parallel to the bottom surface of the housing. 3. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting portion of the terminal includes a mounting pillar inserted into the mounting groove in the lower surface of the housing. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the lower side of the housing is configured to mount on an upper surface of a printed circuit board. 5. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein the terminal includes a tail that is typically flush with the bottom surface of the housing to connect to a suitable circuit trace on the printed circuit board. 2. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact portion of each terminal includes one leg of a normal U-shaped portion of the terminal. 7. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein the one leg is located on one side of the elongated opening, and the second leg of the normal U-shaped portion of each terminal is located on the opposing side of the long opening. . 8. The electrical connector of claim 7, comprising an actuator movably mounted on the housing to bias the planar circuit against the one leg including the contacts of the terminal. 9. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 8 comprising complementary mutually engaging pivoting means between an actuator and said second leg of the terminal. A front end having a lower face configured to be mounted to an upper surface of a printed circuit board, an elongated opening for receiving an end of a planar circuit inserted into the opening in a direction generally parallel to the lower face, and longitudinally along the opening; A flat housing with a plurality of mounting grooves in the bottom surface of the spaced apart housing; A mounting column inserted through the bottom face of the housing and spaced from the contact in a direction generally parallel to the bottom face of the housing, the contact for engaging the appropriate conductor of the planar circuit in the opening; Multiple terminals with tails, usually of the same height as the bottom surface of the housing, for coupling to the appropriate circuit traces on the circuit board Electrical connector for a flat circuit comprising a. 12. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 10, wherein said contact portion of each terminal includes one leg of a normal U-shaped portion of the terminal. 12. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 11, wherein the one leg portion is located on one side of the elongated opening, and the second leg portion of the normal U-shaped portion of each terminal is located on the opposing side of the long opening. . 13. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 12 including an actuator movably mounted on a housing to bias the planar circuit relative to the one leg including the contact of the terminal. 14. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 13 comprising complementary mutually engaging pivoting means between an actuator and said second leg of the terminal.