JP2002025668A - Plug connector and method of manufacturing plug connector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To prevent loosening (bending) of a flat wiring material to more reliably prevent occurrence of a contact shift. SOLUTION: An FF is provided on a core plate 24 of a core member 20.
With the C10 (flat wiring material) attached, the core plate 24 and the FFC 10 are integrally inserted into the plate insertion hole 32a of the housing 30, and the core member 20 and the housing 3 are inserted.
The plug connector C1 is configured by connecting the plug connector C1 to the plug connector C1. The base portion 22 of the core member 20 is provided with a concave portion 26 extending along the plate 24 on both sides of the core plate 24, while the housing 30 is provided with a convex portion 36 that can be fitted into the concave portion 26. In the FFC1
0 is the concave portion 26 and the convex portion 3 on the upper and lower sides of the core plate 24.
6 so as to be held in a sandwiched state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to flat cables, ribbon electric wires, FFCs (Flexible Flat Cables), and FFCs.
The present invention relates to a plug connector for electrically connecting a flat wiring material such as a PC (Flexible Printed Cable) to a circuit board and the like, and a method of manufacturing the plug connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plug connector has been formed in the middle of a flat wiring material, and the plug connector is inserted into a board connector mounted on a circuit board, so that the conductor of the flat wiring material is formed on the circuit board. Connecting to the circuit is done.

As this type of plug connector, for example,
There is a connector as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-120993. This connector is compatible with FPC (Flexible Print
ed Cable) is attached to the core plate and folded back at the tip, and in this state, the FPC is inserted into the housing integrally with the core plate to hold (pin) the FPC by the core plate and the housing. I have.

[0004] The FPC is provided with an exposed portion of the conductor in the middle thereof, and by attaching the exposed portion to the core plate, the surface of the core plate is exposed to the FPC.
Are exposed to the outside to form a contact. And
When the core plate portion is inserted into the board connector, each terminal housed in the board connector comes into contact with the conductor of the FPC, thereby connecting the conductor of the flat wiring material to the circuit on the circuit board. It has become.

[0005]

In such a plug connector, at the time of assembly, the FPC is inserted into the housing while the FPC is loosened (bent) with respect to the core plate. In some cases, slack may remain in the FPC.

[0006] When the FPC is loosened as described above, the contact position may be shifted when the plug connector is inserted into the board connector. Also, it is considered that the FPC is pinched between the housing of the plug connector and the housing of the board connector in a bent state, which may result in an incompletely inserted state of both connectors, or disconnection caused by the pinching. Can be

Therefore, in the plug connector as described above, it is necessary to take some measures to prevent such loosening (bending) of the FPC.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to solve a problem such as displacement of a contact position and pinching in a plug connector by preventing a flat wiring member from being loosened (bent). It is another object of the present invention to efficiently manufacture such a plug connector.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a core member having a substantially T-shaped cross section having a base portion and a core plate erected on the base portion. Having a housing coupled to the member, in a state where the flat wiring member is attached to the core plate of the core member and folded at its tip, the core plate and the flat wiring member are integrally inserted into an insertion hole formed in the housing. A plug connector that is inserted so as to couple the core member and the housing and expose the conductor portion of the flat wiring member as a contact in the core plate portion, wherein the core member side surface of the core member includes at least the aforementioned A concave portion extending along the core plate is provided on the surface on the side where the contact is provided, and a convex portion that can be fitted to the concave portion is provided on the housing. In the bonding state between the core member and the housing, in which is held in a state of being sandwiched by the flat wire member said concave and convex portions (claim 1).

According to this structure, when the core member and the housing are joined together with the flat wiring member attached to the core plate, at least when the projection of the housing is fitted into the recess of the core member, at least the core plate is fitted to the housing. On the side where the contact is provided, the flat wiring member is pulled from the distal end of the plate toward the proximal end by the projection of the housing. Therefore, when the core member and the housing are completely connected, the flat wiring member is held in a state of being stretched (tension state) along the core plate, whereby the flat wiring member is loosened (bent) at a portion constituting the contact. Is prevented.

In the above configuration, the recess is
The core member is preferably provided on both sides of the core plate on the core plate side (claim 2).

According to this configuration, the flat wiring material is held in a stretched state (tensed state) on both sides of the core plate, which is advantageous when, for example, contacts are provided on both sides of the core plate.

It is more preferable that the concave portion of the core member is provided at the base of the core plate.

According to this configuration, when the core member is connected to the housing, the above-described tensioning action of the flat wiring member is favorably exhibited.

In this case, the concave portion of the core member is a curved surface that is continuous from the surface of the core plate, and the convex portion of the housing is continuous from the inner wall surface of the insertion hole and corresponds to the concave portion. It is preferably a curved surface (claim 4).

According to this structure, since the surface for holding the flat wiring material is a continuous and smooth surface, it is possible to prevent the flat wiring material from being bent at a right angle or an angle close to the right angle to cause disconnection or the like. can do.

In the above structure, it is preferable that a positioning member for positioning the flat wiring member in the width direction or the longitudinal direction with respect to the core plate is provided on the core plate.

According to this configuration, in combination with the above-described loosening prevention effect, it is possible to more reliably prevent the contact position from being shifted when the connector is connected.

In the above construction, a cover member for covering the core plate may be provided detachably (claim 6).

That is, it is conceivable that plug connectors are formed at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of one flat wiring member, and these plug connectors are selectively used. in this case,
If a cover member is attached to the unused plug connector, the contact of the unused plug connector can be protected, and a short circuit of the circuit due to a conductor (contact) coming into contact with a metal part or the like can be prevented. be able to.

On the other hand, a method of manufacturing a plug connector according to the present invention has a core member having a substantially T-shaped cross section in which a core plate is erected on a base portion, and a flat wiring material is attached to the core plate at the tip thereof. A method of manufacturing a plug connector which is fixed to a core member in a folded state, wherein a thermally activated adhesive material is interposed between the core member and the flat wiring material, and in this state, the flat wiring material is The flat wiring member and the core member are adhered and fixed by heating while pressing the core member with a mold (claim 7).

According to this method, the flat wiring member can be fixed to the core plate in a state of being tightly attached without slack (bending), and the connector can be efficiently manufactured in a short time. In this case, specifically, a first mold having an insertion portion into which a core plate can be inserted,
Using a second mold facing the mold, a core plate with a flat wiring material attached to the insertion portion of the first mold is inserted into the insertion portion of the first mold. The mold may be heated (claim 8).

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a plug connector according to the present invention. As shown in this figure, the plug connectors C1 are formed at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the flat wiring member 10 and are inserted into the board-side connectors C2 on the circuit boards P provided in a plurality of stages, respectively.
The respective circuit boards P are electrically connected to each other via the flat wiring member 10.

Although not shown in detail, the board-side connector C2 has an elongated housing 1, and this housing 2
A plurality of terminals 2 are housed in 0 in a state of being arranged. Although not shown, the terminal 2 is a U-shaped terminal having upper and lower contact pieces. When the plug connector C1 is inserted into the board-side connector C2, the plug connector C is inserted between the contact pieces.
1, a core plate 24 described below is interposed, and both contact pieces are configured to contact the contacts formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the core plate 24.

On the other hand, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, the plug connector C1 comprises the flat wiring member 10, the core member 20, and the housing 30.

The flat wiring member 10 is made of an FFC in which a plurality of parallel and flat conductors 14 are covered with a sheath.
(Hereinafter, referred to as FFC10).
A window 12 for exposing the conductor 14 to the outside is formed. The window 12 is formed by removing the outer sheath on the front side (one surface) of the FFC 10 by a predetermined width in the longitudinal direction. Each window 12 has a width direction (FFC) substantially at the center of the FFC 10 in the longitudinal direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as the longitudinal direction).
A pair of positioning holes 16 are formed at predetermined intervals in the width direction of 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the width direction). Note that each positioning hole 16 is formed in a space between the conductors 14.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the core member 20 includes a plate-like base portion 22 elongated in the width direction and a core plate 2 erected on the base portion 22 and extending in the width direction.
4 and has a substantially T-shaped cross section, and is entirely made of an insulating resin material.

The base portion 22 has, on its outer surface in the width direction,
A locking portion 22a for locking the housing 30 is formed, and concave portions 26 extending along the core plate 24 are formed on both upper and lower sides of the core plate 24, respectively. Each of the recesses 26 is continuous with each of the front and back surfaces of the core plate 24 and has a circular cross section (curved surface).

The core plate 24 has a tip formed in an arc shape, and a pair of bosses 24a (positioning members) corresponding to the positioning holes 16 of the FFC 10 projecting in the width direction thereof. In addition, core plate 2
Hook portions 24b for locking the protective cover 50, which will be described later, are formed on the outer side surface in the width direction of No. 4 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 30 has a U-shape having a main surface portion 32 extending in the width direction and side surfaces 34 provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the main surface portion 32. The core member 20 is made of a resin material having an insulating property.

The main surface portion 32 is formed with a plate insertion hole 32a for inserting the core plate 24 of the core member 20. The core member 2 on the main surface portion 32
As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of upper and lower convex portions 36 extending along the plate insertion hole 32a are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the plate insertion hole 32a, respectively, opposite to the plate insertion hole 32a. Each convex portion 36 is formed in an arc-shaped cross section which is continuous with each of the upper and lower inner wall surfaces of the plate insertion hole 32 a and can be fitted into the concave portion 26 of the core member 20.

Further, in the housing 30, each side portion 3
Hook portions 34a (see FIG. 3) capable of engaging with the locking portions 22a of the core member 20 (base portion 22) are respectively formed on the opposing surfaces of the core member 20 (base portion 22).

The plug connector C1 is configured as follows based on the above-described components.

First, as shown in FIG.
The core member 20 is pressed against the back surface of the FFC 10 (the back surface of the window 12) while inserting the boss 24a of No. 4 into the positioning hole 16 of the FFC 10.

Then, the FFC 10 is bent into a U-shape with the tip of the core plate 24 as a fulcrum, and
The core plate 24 in this state.
The housing 30 is connected to the core member 20 by being inserted into the plate insertion hole 32 a of the housing 30 integrally with the housing 10. Specifically, the housing 30 is inserted up to the base end of the core plate 24, and the hook portion 34 a provided on the side surface portion 34 of the housing 30 is engaged with the locking portion 22 a formed on the base portion 22 of the core member 20. To lock.

When the core member 20 and the housing 30 are connected in this manner, the housing 30 with the conductor 14 of the FFC 10 facing the outside along the core plate 24.
The core member 20 holds the FFC 10. As a result, the FFC can be
The plug connector C1 exposing the ten conductors 14 as contacts is completed.

In the process of assembling the plug connector C1, when the housing 30 is connected to the core member 20 as described above, the convex portion 36 formed on the main surface portion 32 of the housing 30 becomes the base portion of the core member 20. The core plate 24 fits into the recess 26 formed in the core plate 24.
The FFC 10 is pulled from the front end side of the core plate toward the base end side by the convex portions 36 on both front and rear sides of the FFC 10. Therefore, when the housing 30 and the core member 20 are completely connected, the FFCs are formed on both sides of the core plate 24.
10 is held between the concave portion 26 and the convex portion 36 in a stretched state, whereby the looseness (flexure) of the FFC 10 at the portion of the core plate 24, that is, the looseness of the FFC 10 at the contact portion is prevented. Become.

The plug connector C1 is configured such that a protective cover 50 as shown in FIG. 4A is detachable, and is attached as needed.

The protective cover 50 is a box-shaped member having a plate insertion opening 52 and is entirely made of an insulating resin material. The inner surface of the protective cover 50 has a hook portion formed on the core plate 24. A locking hole 54 that can be engaged with 24b is provided.

Then, as shown in the figure, the protection cover 50 is put on the core plate 24 from the tip end side through the plate insertion opening 52, and the hook portions 24 b of the core plate 24 are engaged with the locking holes 54 of the protection cover 50. By stopping, FIG.
As shown in (b), the protective cover 50 is connected to the plug connector C.
1.

When the protective cover 50 is attached to the plug connector C1, the exposed portion (contact point) of the conductor 14 of the FFC 10 is covered by the protective cover 50.

According to the plug connector C1 as described above, the boss 24a provided on the core plate 24 as described above is provided.
Since the FFC 10 is held in a state in which the FFC 10 is passed through the core plate 24, the displacement of the FFC 10 with respect to the core plate 24 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction can be prevented well. In addition, since the FFC 10 is held in a state of being stretched along the core plate 24 as described above, the positioning of the FFC 10 with respect to the core plate 24 is more preferably achieved. The displacement of the contact position at the time can be more effectively prevented.

Further, as described above, the slack (bending) of the FFC 10 at the portion of the core plate 24 is prevented, so that the FFC 10 of the connector connection can be effectively prevented from being pinched. That is, F is placed between the housing 30 of the plug connector C1 and the housing 1 of the board side connector C2.
The occurrence of a situation in which the FC 10 is bent and pinched due to being bent is satisfactorily prevented. Therefore, such F
A disconnection caused by the FC10 being pinched or an incomplete insertion state of the plug connector C1 into the board-side connector C2 can be satisfactorily prevented.

Further, with respect to the plug connector C1, the exposed portion (contact point) of the conductor 14 can be covered by attaching the protective cover 50 as described above. In a case where the plug connector C1 is selectively used according to the arrangement or the like, the contact of the plug connector C1 can be protected by attaching the protection cover 50 to the unused plug connector C1. There is an effect that a short circuit of a circuit due to contact with a metal part or the like of the plug connector C1 can be prevented.

Next, another configuration of the plug connector will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, portions common to the above-described plug connector C1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different points will be described in detail.

The plug connector C1 'shown in FIG.
The housing 30 such as the plug connector C1 is not provided, and the FFC 10 is fixed by being directly attached to the core member 20.

The core member 20 is connected to the plug connector C1.
The base member 22 and the core plate 24 are provided in the same manner as the core member 20, but the locking portion 22a, the boss 24a, and the concave portion 26 are not provided.
Flanges 24c for positioning 0 in the width direction are provided at both ends in the width direction of the core plate 24.

Then, as shown in the figure, the FFC 10 is cored with the exposed portion (window 12) of the conductor 14 folded back in a U-shape along the core plate 24 and positioned in the width direction by the flange 24c. Affixed to member 20. The FFC 10 is the same as the FFC 10 of the plug connector C1 except that the positioning hole 16 is not provided.
The same configuration as that described above is used.

In this plug connector C1 'as well, hook portions 24b are formed on the side surfaces of the core plate 24 as shown in the figure, and as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), The same protective cover 50 as that of the plug connector C1 can be attached.

According to the plug connector C1 'as described above, the FFC 10 is attached to the core member 20 as described above.
1 'and the housing 1 of the board-side connector C2.
The occurrence of a situation in which C10 is pinched in a bent state is favorably prevented. Therefore, similarly to the above-described plug connector C1 ', disconnection due to pinching of the FFC 10 or the plug connector C1
2 can be satisfactorily prevented from being incompletely inserted.

Further, since the protection cover 50 is configured to be attachable, the unused plug connector C1 'is attached to the protection cover 50 so that the plug connector C1' is used similarly to the above-described plug connector C1. Can protect the contact or prevent short circuit.

Further, since the plug connector C1 'does not require the housing 30 unlike the plug connector C1, the connector C1' can be constructed with a smaller number of parts compared to the plug connector C1. There is.

In this plug connector C1 ', F
Core plate 2 to position FC10 in the width direction
7 are provided at both ends in the width direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, a boss 24a similar to the plug connector C1 is provided instead of the flange 24c.
7 and a positioning hole 16 is provided in the FFC 10, and as shown in FIG.
4a, the FFC 10 is attached to the core plate 24 so that the FFC 10
10 may be positioned.

By the way, the plug connector C as described above
Regarding 1 ′, it is necessary to attach the FFC 10 to the core member 20 without slack (bending), but a manufacturing method using a mold is suitable for this. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given with reference to FIG.

As a mold, as shown in FIG.
Insertion part 62 for inserting core plate 24 of core member 20
And a second mold 64 that forms a pair with the first mold 60 and is provided to face the mold 60. The second mold 64 is provided with a fitting portion 66 for fitting the base portion 22 of the core member 20.

First, the core member 20 is set in the second mold 64 with the base portion 22 fitted in the fitting portion 66 as shown in FIG.
10 is arranged. At this time, the FFC 10
The center in the longitudinal direction of the window 12 is arranged at the tip of the core plate 24. In addition, a heat-bonding film (a heat-active bonding film) is bonded in advance to the back surface (the left side surface in FIG. 8A) of the FFC 10 as a bonding material. In addition, both dies 6
0 and 64 are heated to a predetermined temperature in advance.

Although not shown, the heat-adhesive film is made of, for example, an acrylic resin, EVA on both sides of a nonwoven fabric.
(Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) -based, synthetic rubber-based, nitrile rubber-based, or epoxy-based adhesive,
Alternatively, it has a structure in which it is impregnated, and is configured to be activated by heating to exhibit an adhesive effect. Note that the thermal adhesive film may be attached to the core member 20.

Next, as shown in FIG.
0 and 64 are closed, and the core member 20 and the FFC 10 are integrally pressed and heated for a predetermined time while the core plate 24 of the core member 20 is inserted into the insertion portion 62 of the first mold 60. At this time, when the two dies 60 and 64 are closed, the FFC 10 is arranged in a state where the FFC 10 is stretched at the tip of the core plate 24 as described above. FFC1 along the surface of the core plate 24
0 is pressed in a state where it is in close contact, and in this state FFC1
By pressing and heating 0 and the like, the thermal adhesive film is activated, and the FFC 10 is attached to the core member 20.

After opening the two dies 60 and 64 after the predetermined time, the plug connector C1 'having the FFC 10 adhered along the surface of the core member 20 without loosening (bending) is obtained. Can be.

According to the manufacturing method using the molds 60 and 64 as described above, the FFC is formed along the surface of the core plate 24.
10 can be efficiently attached without slack (bending).

Although the description is omitted, in the plug connector C1 ', since the core member 20 is heated by the molds 60 and 64 as described above, the material constituting the core member 20 is an insulating material. , Heat-resistant resin material,
For example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PBT
(Polybutylene terephthalate) or the like is preferably used.

In the above example, a heat-bonding film is used as the bonding material. For example, a heat-active bonding agent may be used instead. That is, FFC
10 or the core member 20 is coated with an adhesive in advance, and F
With the FC10 attached to the core member 20, the molds 60, 6
Pressurizing and heating may be performed according to (4). The type of the adhesive is not particularly limited in the present invention as long as it is a heat-active adhesive. For example, an acrylic resin-based adhesive, an EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) -based adhesive may be used. Agents, synthetic rubber-based adhesives, nitrile rubber-based adhesives, or epoxy-based adhesives.

[0064]

As described above, according to the plug connector of the present invention, the concave portion extending along the core plate is provided on the surface of the core member on the core plate side, while the convex portion which can be fitted into the concave portion is provided on the housing. When the core member and the housing are combined with the flat wiring member attached to the core plate, the flat wiring member is held in a state of being stretched along the core plate. The slack (bending) of the wiring member can be effectively prevented. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily solve problems such as displacement of the contact point and pinching when the connector is connected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a plug connector according to the present invention and a board-side connector to which the plug connector is connected.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a plug connector.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a plug connector.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a protective cover attached to the plug connector.
(B) shows the state of attachment to the plug connector, respectively.)

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a plug connector manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention and a board-side connector to which the plug connector is connected.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a protective cover attached to the plug connector.
(B) shows the state of attachment to the plug connector, respectively.)

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of the plug connector.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing a method for manufacturing a plug connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C1 plug connector C2 board side connector 10 flat wiring material; FFC 14 conductor 20 core member 22 base portion 24 core plate 24a boss 26 concave portion 30 housing 32 main surface portion 32a plate insertion hole 36 convex portion

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Noriichi Okamura 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Inside Harness Research Institute, Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroki Hirai 1-7-7, Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 10 Harness Research Institute, Inc. (72) Inventor Shigeki Sakai 1-7-10 Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Harness Research Institute, Inc. (72) Inventor Yoshito Sakai Kikuzumi, Minami-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 1-7-10 Harness Research Institute, Ltd. F term (reference) 5E023 AA04 AA11 AA18 BB02 BB07 BB08 BB23 DD01 EE21 EE27 EE28 GG02 GG11 GG15 HH01 HH08 HH13 HH16 HH17 HH19 HH21 HH1 BAH5BA5E05

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A core member having a substantially T-shaped cross section having a base portion and a core plate erected on the base portion, and a housing coupled to the core member. In a state where the flat wiring material is attached to the plate and folded at the tip thereof, the core plate and the flat wiring material are integrally inserted into an insertion hole formed in the housing to couple the core member and the housing together with the core. A plug connector in which a conductor portion of a flat wiring member is exposed as a contact at a plate portion, wherein a surface of the core member on a core plate side, at least a surface on which the contact is provided, is provided along a core plate. A recess extending from the core member and the housing is provided with a projection that can be fitted into the recess. In the state, the plug connector, characterized in that the flat wire member is held in a state of being sandwiched by the concave and convex portions. 2. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the recess is a surface of the core member on a core plate side,
A plug connector provided on both sides of the core plate. 3. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion of the core member is provided at a base portion of the core plate. 4. The plug connector according to claim 3, wherein the concave portion of the core member has a curved surface continuing from a surface of the core plate, the convex portion of the housing continues from an inner wall surface of the insertion hole, and A plug connector having a curved surface corresponding to the concave portion. 5. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein a positioning member for positioning the flat wiring member with respect to the core plate in a width direction or a longitudinal direction is provided on the core plate. A plug connector characterized by the following. 6. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein a cover member that covers the core plate is detachably provided. 7. A base member and a core member having a substantially T-shaped cross section which is erected on the base portion, and a flat wiring member is fixed to the core member in a state where the flat wiring member is attached to the core plate and folded at its tip. A method of manufacturing a plug connector, comprising: interposing a thermally activated adhesive material between the core member and the flat wiring member, and pressing the flat wiring member and the core member by a mold in this state. Bonding the flat wiring member and the core member by heating while heating the plug connector. 8. The method for manufacturing a plug connector according to claim 7, wherein a first mold having an insertion portion into which the core plate can be inserted, and a second mold facing the first mold are used. A plug connector characterized in that a core plate with a flat wiring material attached thereto is inserted into the insertion portion of the first mold, and the mold is heated while the core member is sandwiched between the two molds. Production method.