Connector having a rotary actuator engaged with a contact in a direction parallel to a sheet-like object connected to the connector

[0002] This invention relates to a connector for connecting a sheet-like object such as a flexible flat cable (FFC) and a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

[0003] A conventional connector of the type is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications (JP-A) Nos. H09-35828 and H09-92411. The conventional connector comprises a plurality of contacts each of which has a contacting portion to be faced to one surface of a sheet-like object such as a FFC or a FPC and a supporting portion to be faced to the other surface of the sheet-like object which is opposite to the one surface, a housing holding the contacts, and an actuator for bringing the sheet-like object into press contact with the contacting portions of the contacts. The actuator has a cam portion inserted into the housing from its front side and rotatably coupled thereto.

[0004] In order to connect the sheet-like object, the sheet-like object is at first inserted into the connector from the front side thereof to an area between the contacting portions of the contacts and the cam portion of the actuator. Then, the actuator is rotated so that the cam portion of the actuator brings the sheet-like object into press contact with the contacting portions of the contacts. Thus, the sheet-like object is connected to the connector by such a simple operation. The connector of the type described will hereinafter called a rotary-actuation connector.

[0005] In the conventional rotary-actuation connector mentioned above, the actuator is coupled to the housing simply by engagement between both ends of the actuator and the housing. With this structure, the actuator is often released or disengaged from the housing. For example, if the sheet-like object is subjected to pull force while it is brought into contact with the contacting portions of the contacts, the cam portion of the actuator is also pulled due to friction between the sheet-like object and the cam portion. In this event, the actuator will undesiredly be released from the housing.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rotary-actuation connector which is capable of suppressing the risk of disengagement of an actuator even if a sheet-like object connected to the connector is subjected to pull force.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a rotary-actuation connector which is capable of preventing disengagement of an actuator with high reliability and without increasing the height of the connector.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a rotary-actuation connector in which an actuator is easily coupled and prevented from disengagement with high reliability.

[0009] Other objects of the present invention will become clear as the description proceeds.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector for use in connecting a sheet-like object. The connector comprises a contact having a contacting portion to be faced to one surface of the sheet-like object and a supporting portion to be faced to the other surface of the sheet-like object which is opposite to the one surface, a housing holding the contact, and an actuator for bringing the sheet-like object into press contact with the contacting portion. The actuator comprises a cam portion located between the supporting portion and the sheet-like object and a shaft portion integrally connected with the cam portion and rotatably engaged with the housing. The supporting portion has a recess which receives the cam portion to make the cam portion and the supporting portion be engaged with each other in a predetermined direction parallel to the sheet-like object and perpendicular to a center axis of the shaft portion.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector for use in connecting a sheet-like object. The connector comprises a first contact having a first contacting portion to be faced to one surface of the sheet-like object and a first supporting portion to be faced to the other surface of the sheet-like object which is opposite to the one surface, a second contact having a second contacting portion to be faced to the one surface of a sheet-like object and a second supporting portion to be faced to the other surface of the sheet-like object, a housing holding the first and the second contacts at a predetermined pitch, and an actuator for bringing the sheet-like object into press contact with the first and the second contacting portions. The actuator comprises a first cam portion located between the first supporting portion and the sheet-like object, a second cam portion located between the second supporting portion and the sheet-like object, and a shaft portion integrally connected with the first and the second cam portions and rotatably engaged with the housing. The first supporting portion has a recess which receives the first cam portion to make the first cam portion and the first supporting portion be engaged with each other in a predetermined direction parallel to the sheet-like object and perpendicular to a center axis of the shaft portion.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a characteristic part of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the characteristic part of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1 in a state in which an actuator is decoupled from a housing;

[0015] FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1 during a coupling operation of the actuator;

[0016] FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1 with the actuator in an opened state;

[0017] FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 1 with a sheet-like object connected thereto;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 6A is an enlarged perspective view obtained by cutting the connector illustrated in FIG. 5 at a first position;

[0020] FIG. 6B is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 6A except that the actuator is in a closed state;

[0021] FIG. 7A is an enlarged perspective view obtained by cutting the connector illustrated in FIG. 5 at a second position;

[0022] FIG. 7B is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 7A except that the actuator is in the closed state;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6A as seen in a different direction;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 6A;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7A;

[0026] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention with an actuator in an opened state, as obtained by cutting the connector at a first position;

[0027] FIG. 11B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 11A except that the actuator is in a closed state;

[0028] FIG. 12A is a perspective view similar to FIG. 11A but taken at a second position;

[0029] FIG. 12B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12A except that the actuator is in a closed state;

[0030] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12A as seen in a different direction;

[0031] FIG. 14A is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11A;

[0032] FIG. 14B, is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11B;

[0033] FIG. 14C is a sectional view similar to FIG. 14B with a sheet-like object connected to the connector;

[0034] FIG. 15A is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 12A;

[0035] FIG. 15B is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 12B;

[0036] FIG. 15C is a sectional view similar to FIG. 15B with the sheet-like object connected to the connector;

[0037] FIG. 16A is a front view of a part of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 16B is a bottom view corresponding to FIG. 16A;

[0039] FIG. 17A is a sectional view taken along a line A—A in FIG. 16A;

[0040] FIG. 17B is a sectional view taken along a line B—B in FIG. 16A; and

[0041] FIG. 18 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 17B.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, description will be made of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] The connector comprises an insulator housing 12 for receiving an FPC 11 as one of sheet-like objects to be connected thereto, a number of conductive elastic contacts 13 arranged in the housing 12 at a predetermined pitch in a transversal direction and fixedly held by the housing 12, and an insulating actuator 14 for bringing the FPC 11 into press contact with the contacts 13.

[0044] Each of the contacts 13 has two contacting portions 15 to be faced to one surface of the FPC 11 and a supporting portion 16 integrally connected to the contacting portion 15 to be faced to the other surface of the FPC 11 which is opposite to the one surface. The contacting portion 15 and the supporting portion 16 are faced to each other in a vertical direction as a first direction with a predetermined space kept therebetween. The supporting portion 16 is provided with a recess 17 formed at a position faced to the contacting portion 15.

[0045] The housing 12 is provided with an FPC insert portion 18 in conformity with the predetermined space. The FPC 11 is inserted into the FPC insert portion 18 in a back-and-forth direction as a second direction or a predetermined direction perpendicular to the first direction. Since the space between the contacting portion 15 and the supporting portion 16 is sufficiently greater than the thickness of the FPC 11, the FPC 11 can easily be inserted.

[0046] The actuator 14 comprises a plate-like member extending in the transversal direction and is provided with a number of through holes 19 in one-to-one correspondence to the supporting portions 16 of the contacts 13. With the supporting portions 16 inserted into the holes 19, the actuator 14 is coupled to the housing 12. Each of the through holes 19 has such a size that allows insertion of the supporting portion 16 with a gap therearound.

[0047] The actuator 14 has a number of cam portions 21 each of which is located in the recess 17 of the supporting portion 16 when the actuator 14 is coupled to the housing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the cam portions 21 has a section defined by two semicircles connected by two straight lines. However, the shape of the cam portion 21 may be modified in various manners. Thus, the actuator 14 is engaged with the supporting portions 16 to be rotatable around the cam portions 21.

[0048] Furthermore, the actuator 14 has a pair of shaft portions 22 formed at both transversal ends thereof. On the other hand, the housing 12 has a pair of guide grooves 23 extending in the back-and-forth direction or the second direction, and a pair of engaging grooves 24 each of which is connected to a rear end of the guide groove 23 and extending upward therefrom. The guide grooves 23 serve to guide the shaft portions 22 to introduce each cam portion 21 to an area between the contacting portion 15 and the supporting portion 16 when the actuator 14 is coupled. Each of the engaging grooves 24 is formed as a notch in a wall portion 12adefining an upper wall of the guide groove 23 and allows the shaft portion 22 to move upward so that the cam portion 21 is moved towards the supporting portion 16. Thus, the engaging grooves 24 engaged with the shaft portions 22 and the supporting portions 16 engaged with the cam portions 21 cooperate to rotatably support the actuator 14.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, description will be made of an operation of coupling the actuator 14 to the housing 12. At first, the actuator 14 is located in front of the housing 12 as depicted by dash-and-dot lines in FIG. 3B. Then, the actuator 14 is moved rearward with the shaft portions 22 guided by the guide grooves 23. As a consequence, the cam portion 21 is introduced into the area between the contacting portion 15 and the supporting portion 16 of the contact 13 as depicted by solid lines in FIG. 3B. When the shaft portion 22 reaches a rear end of the guide groove 23, the actuator 14 is moved upward to insert the shaft portion 22 into the engaging groove 24. Simultaneously, the cam portion 21 is fitted into the recess 17 of the supporting portion 16, so that an engaging cam surface 21aof the cam portion 21 is engaged with the supporting portion 16 in each of the upper direction and the back-and-forth direction of the second direction. Thus, the connector illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is obtained.

[0050] Next referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, description will be made of an operation of connecting the FPC 11 by the use of the above-mentioned connector. When the actuator 14 is located at a first position where the actuator 14 is opened as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the cam portion 21 is held in the recess 17 in a laid position. As a result, a space greater than the thickness of the FPC 11 is kept between the contacting portion 15 of the contact 13 and the cam portion 21. Therefore, when the actuator is located at the first position, the FPC 11 can easily be inserted into the FPC insert portion 18 of the housing 12.

[0051] In the state where the FPC 11 is inserted into the FPC insert portion 18, the actuator 14 is rotated from the first position in FIG. 4A to a second position illustrated in FIG. 4B. In this event, the FPC 11 is pressed by a pressing cum surface 21bof the cam portion 21 rotated from the laid position into a standing position. As a result, the FPC 11 is brought into press contact with the contacting portion 15, which is then elastically deformed, to achieve electrical connection. When the actuator 14 is at the second position where the actuator 14 is closed, the cam portion 21 is clamped between the supporting portion 16 and the contacting portion 15 through the FPC 11 to be subjected to the force to keep the actuator 14 closed. Thus, at the second position (closed position), the actuator 14 is prevented from being easily moved in a releasing direction, i.e., towards the first position.

[0052] With the above-mentioned connector, sufficient contacting force is assured with small operating force by utilizing the principle of the lever. Therefore, appropriate operability can be maintained even if the number of contacts is increased. The cam portions 21 of the actuator 14 are restricted in movement in three directions including, upward, leftward, and rightward directions by the supporting portions 16 of the contacts 13 and the engaging grooves 24 of the housing 12. Therefore, even if the number of contacts is increased, the cam portions 21 are prevented from being swept out by the friction between the FPC 11 and the cam portions 21 so that all of the contacts can be reliably connected.

[0053] As mentioned above, even if the number of contacts is great, the actuator 14 can be operated with small operating force and with high reliability. In addition, the reliability of connection is improved. Furthermore, the above-mentioned structure is advantageous in view of the reduction in size.

[0054] Since the shaft portions 22 are engaged with the engaging grooves 24 and the cam portions 21 are engaged with the recesses 17 of the supporting portions 16 of the contacts 13, the actuator 14 is prevented from being moved frontward to be released. Thus, even if the FPC 11 being connected is subjected to pull force, the risk of disengagement of the actuator 14 from the housing 12 is reduced.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 5 through 10, description will be made of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Similar parts are designated by like reference numerals and will not be described any longer.

[0056] In the connector of the second embodiment, the above-mentioned contacts 13 are replaced by a number of first and second conductive elastic contacts 31 and 32. The first and the second contacts 31 and 32 are held in the housing 12 and alternately arranged at a predetermined pitch in the transversal direction. Thus, the first and the second contacts 31 and 32 are adjacent to each other in the transversal direction at the predetermined pitch.

[0057] Each of the first contacts 31 has a first contacting portion 35 to be faced to one surface of the FPC 11, a first supporting portion 36 to be faced to the other surface of the FPC 11 which is opposite to the one surface, and a first external connection terminal 37 formed below the first supporting portion 36 and extending frontward. The first contacting portion 35, the first supporting portion 36, and the first external connection terminal 37 are integrally formed. The first contacting portion 35 and the first supporting portion 36 are substantially faced to each other with a space kept therebetween in the vertical direction. The first supporting portion 36 is provided with a recess 38 formed at a position faced to the first contacting portion 35.

[0058] Each of the second contacts 32 has a second contacting portion 45 to be faced to the one surface of the FPC 11, a second supporting portion 46 to be faced to the other surface of the FPC 11 which is opposite to the one surface, and a second external connection terminal 47 extending rearward. The second contacting portion 45, the second supporting portion 46, and the second external connection terminal 46 are integrally formed. The second connecting portion 45 is located frontward from the second supporting portion 46. Each of the first and the second external connection terminals 37 and 47 are connected by soldering or the like to a circuit pattern of a circuit board (not shown) when the connector is mounted on the circuit board.

[0059] The actuator 14 has a number of first and second cam portions 51 and 52 to be engaged with the first and the second supporting portions 36 and 46, respectively. Each of the first cam portions 51 has a first pressing cam surface for pressing the other surface of the FPC 11 and an engaging cam surface to be engaged with the recess 38 of the first supporting portion 36 of the first contact 31. The first pressing cam surface and the engaging cam surface are placed at positions deferent from each other in a circular direction of each of the first cam portions 51. The actuator 14 is provided with a number of through holes 19 each of which is formed adjacent to the engaging cam surface. The first supporting portions 36 of the first contacts 31 are inserted into the through holes 19. Thus, the actuator 14 is rotatably supported by the first supporting portions 36 of the first contacts 31.

[0060] On the other hand, each of the second cam portions 52 has a second pressing cam surface 52afor pressing the other surface of the FPC 11 and an engaging cam groove 53 for receiving the second supporting portion 46 of the second contact 32. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the second cam portion 52 has dimensions a and b selected so that the relationship a<b is satisfied.

[0061] With the above-mentioned connector, the operability is excellent upon insertion of the FPC 11 even if the FPC 11 has a large number of contacts extending in a longitudinal direction thereof. Furthermore, the shaft portions 22 are engaged with the engaging grooves 24 and the first cam portions 51 are engaged with the recesses 38 of the first supporting portions 36. Therefore, the actuator 14 is prevented from being moved frontward to be released. Thus, even if the FPC 11 being connected is subjected to pull force, the risk of disengagement of the actuator 14 from the housing 12 is reduced.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 11A through 15C, description will be made of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Similar parts are designated by like reference numerals and will not be described any longer.

[0063] In the connector of the third embodiment, the actuator 14 has an opening angle selected to be equal to about 100°. Each of the first cam portions 51 has a section defined by two semicircles connected by two straight lines. The first supporting portion 36 of the first contact 31 has a shape adapted to be engaged with the first cam portion 51 of the above-mentioned shape. The second supporting portion 46 of the second contact 32 is slightly modified in shape.

[0064] On the other hand, each of the second cam portions 52 has the second pressing cam portion 52aand a generally L-shaped notch 52bformed by cutting off an edge of the second cam portion 52 and opened in two directions. Since the notch 52bis formed, the second pressing cam portion 52aserves as a reduced pressing portion.

[0065] When the actuator 14 is opened as illustrated in FIG. 15A, the second supporting portion 46 is locked by a bottom portion 52cof the notch 52b. When the actuator 14 is closed as illustrated in FIGS. 15B and 15C, the second supporting portion 46 is brought into contact with a neighborhood (inner edge) of the second pressing cam portion 52a. Thus, the second contact 32 locks the actuator 14.

[0066] Each of the first and the second cam portions 51 and 52 is brought into contact with the FPC 11 at a position where the first contacting portion 35 of the first contact 31 is pressed. Therefore, a stable and reliable contacting condition is achieved between the FPC 11 and the contacts.

[0067] With the above-mentioned connector, the operability is excellent upon insertion of the FPC 11 even if the FPC 11 has a large number of contacts extending in a longitudinal direction thereof. Furthermore, the shaft portions 22 are engaged with the engaging grooves 24 and the first cam portions 51 are engaged with the recesses 38 of the first supporting portions 36. Therefore, the actuator 14 is prevented from being moved frontward to be released. Thus, even if the FPC 11 being connected is subjected to pull force, the risk of disengagement of the actuator 14 from the housing 12 is reduced.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 16A through 18, description will be made of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Similar parts are designated by like reference numerals and will not be described any longer.

[0069] In the connector of the fourth embodiment, each of the first contacts 31 has a first holding portion 61 formed at its rear part and held in the housing 12 by press fitting. The first holding portion 61 is provided with a first press-fit portion 61aprotruding therefrom to be locked by the housing 12. The first contact 31 has a plate portion 62 formed in the vicinity of the first external connection terminal 37. The plate portion 62 is provided with a protrusion 63 formed by cutting and bending a part of its flat plane to protrude in the thickness direction.

[0070] Each of the second contacts 32 has a second holding portion 64 formed at its rear end and held in the housing 12 by press fitting. The second holding portion 64 is provided with a second press-fit portion 64aprotruding therefrom to be locked by the housing 12.

[0071] The housing 12 has a generally box-like shape elongated in one direction. The housing 12 comprises a mount-side plate portion 12b,a top plate portion 12c,and first and second partition wall portions 12dand 12e.The mount-side plate portion 12b,the top plate portion 12c,and the first and the second partition wall portions 12dand 12edefine a plurality of first receptacle holes 65 for receiving the first contacts 31 and a plurality of second receptacle holes 66 for receiving the second contacts 32. Each of the first and the second receptacle holes 65 and 66 penetrates the housing 12 in the back-and-forth direction (second direction). Each of the first partition wall portions 12dhas a stopper portion 67 formed at its end. The stopper portion 67 is engaged with the protrusion 63 of the first contact 31 to inhibit upward movement of the first contact 31.

[0072] The first external connection terminal 37 is slightly protruded downward from a notch 68 formed by cutting an end of the mount-side plate portion 12b.On the other hand, the second external connection terminal 47 is slightly protruded downward from a notch 69 formed by cutting an end of the mountside plate portion 12b.

[0073] The first receptacle hole 65 has a rear part reduced in size in the vertical direction. In the rear part of the first receptacle hole 65, the first holding portion 61 of the first contact 31 is located. The second receptacle hole 66 has a rear part in which the second holding portion 62 of the second contact 32 is located.

[0074] The first contact 31 is coupled to the housing 12 from its front side. On the other hand, the second contact 32 is coupled to the housing 12 from its rear side. After coupling the contacts, the protrusion 63 of each of the first contacts 31 is prevented by the stopper portion 67 from being moved upward. This improves positional accuracy of the first external connection terminal 37 and prevents the first external connection terminal 37 from being rotated around the first press-fit portion 61ato move upward even if external force is applied in an upward direction.

[0075] The protrusion 63 is received in a receiving portion 71 which may be a simple groove or recess. Alternatively, the receiving portion 71 may be formed so that the first and the second receiving holes 65 and 66 communicate with each other.

[0076] With the above-mentioned connector, the shaft portions 22 are engaged with the engaging grooves 24 and the first cam portions 51 are engaged with the recesses 38 of the first supporting portions 36. Therefore, the actuator 14 is prevented from being moved frontward to be released. In addition, the first contacts 31 are reliably prevented from upward movement so that the first cam portions 51 and the recesses 38 of the first supporting portions 36 are inhibited from being disengaged from each other. Furthermore, the upward movement of the first contact 31 is prevented by engagement between the protrusion 63 protruding from the flat plane of the first contact 31 and the stopper portion 67 of the housing 12. Therefore, the dimension of the connector in the vertical direction need not be increased.