Electrical connectors – Including or for use with tape cable – With mating connection region formed by bared cable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-26
2001-08-28
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Including or for use with tape cable
With mating connection region formed by bared cable
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280240
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector and, more particularly, to a zero insertion force electrical connector for terminating a flexible printed circuit or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wide variety of flexible printed circuit (FPC) connectors are presently used in different environments. One prior artFPC connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,586. In this prior artpatent, a pressure member is turned upwardly about a pair of holding sections to an open position to expose the opening of the connector housing, and a flexible board is put into a space between the pressure member and contact elements. Then, the pressure member is turned downwardly to a closed position in which contact elements electrically connect with the flexible board.
The '586 patent requires that the pressure member be turned perpendicularly relative to the housing at the open position. This requirement makes the connector inefficient to operate. Furthermore, this operating configuration causes the connector to occupy a large operating space, which is counter to the trend toward miniaturization of electronic devices. Finally, the holding sections are relatively weak components, which are easily damaged during the operation of the connector, and therefore can result in a malfunction of the connector.
Hence, an improved FPC connector is needed to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies of current FPC connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector which has a slider turning relative to a housing thereof for facilitating insertion of a flexible printed circuit (FPC).
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved slider which does not use holding sections to securely fix the FPC into the FPC connector.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved solder pad for firmly welding an electrical connector to a circuit board.
An FPC connector of the present invention comprises a substantially rectangular housing, a plurality of terminals received in the housing, a slider and a pair of solder pads mounted on two sides of the housing for welding the FPC connector to a circuit board.
The slider comprises a pair of manual portions and a pair of ribs formed along opposite sides thereof for engaging the slider with the housing and an elongated pressure plate between the manual portions and ribs for biasing an inserted FPC against the terminals. Each rib forms a locking portion at a front thereof and a leading portion at a rear of the locking portion. Each locking portion downwardly forms a protrusion at a rear end thereof for movement between the open position allowing the FPC to be freely inserted and a closed position pressing the FPC against the terminals.
Each solder pad comprises a C-shaped front part and an L-shaped rear part offset and spaced a distance apart from the front part. The front part has a top arm and a front base, and the rear part has a rear base integrated with and in a common plane with the front base.
When the FPC is inserted into the FPC connector, the slider must be in an open position. At the open position, a lower edge of each protrusion abuts the rear base of a corresponding solder pad. The slider rotates downwardly for facilitating insertion of the FPC into the housing. The slider is fastened at the leading portion by the clamping of the front base and the top arm.
When the FPC is fully inserted into the FPC connector, the slider is moved to a closed position. The protrusions engage with a rear end of the rear base of the solder pads at the closed position. The slider biases the FPC against the terminals and is fastened at the locking portions by the clamping of the front base and the top arm, thus the FPC is secured.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5354214 (1994-10-01), Aso et al.
patent: 5882223 (1999-03-01), Igarashi
patent: 5906504 (1999-05-01), Igarashi et al.
patent: 6165008 (2000-12-01), Wu et al.
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai Precision In.D Co., Ltd.
Ta Tho D.
LandOfFree
Flexible printed circuit connector with an improved slider does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Flexible printed circuit connector with an improved slider, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flexible printed circuit connector with an improved slider will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2483818