Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-01
2001-11-06
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312283
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of connecting a terminal fitting to a flat conductor and a terminal fitting for the flat conductor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art flat conductors include an FFC (flexible flat cable) and an FPC (flexible print circuit board). The prior art FFC includes a plurality of conductive paths arranged in parallel with one another and sandwiched between insulation sheets. The FFC is flexible and formed in the shape of a ribbon.
Terminal fittings are connected to the conductive paths of the FFC by embedding portions of the terminal fitting in the insulation sheet or by tearing off a section of the insulation sheet of the FFC to expose sections the conductive paths on one surface of the FFC.
The former method of connecting a terminal fitting to an FFC is called a through type method, and has an advantage of omitting the stage of tearing off the insulation sheet. This method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50-100585, which is shown in FIG.
12
A. The method of
FIG. 12A
includes providing a terminal fitting
1
with contact blades
2
erected on both side edges of the terminal fitting
1
. Both contact blades
2
pierce a conductive path
4
of an FFC
3
to bring cut end surfaces of the conductive path
4
into contact with side surfaces of the contact blade
2
.
However, in the above-described method, when the contact blade
2
pierces through the conductive path
4
, as shown in
FIG. 12B
, the FFC
3
is liable to curve between the opposed contact blades
2
. Therefore, there is a possibility that a cut surface
4
A of the conductive path
4
does not confront the side surfaces of the contact blade
2
properly or only a part (corner) of an insulation sheet
5
is in contact with the side surfaces of the contact blade
2
. Thus, the method is not reliable in electrical contact.
The present invention has been completed in view of the above-described situation. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to allow a reliable contact between a contact blade of a terminal fitting of through type and a cut surface of a conductive path of a flat conductor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention is directed to a method of connecting a terminal fitting to a flat conductor. The flat conductor includes at least one conductive path embedded in an insulation layer. A terminal fitting is provided with a base plate and at least one contact blade projecting from the base plate. The contact blade is pierced into the conductive path, such that a surface of the flat conductor is in contact with the base plate. A pressing plate then presses the flat conductor toward the base plate.
The pressing plate remains on the flat conductor, with the flat conductor being sandwiched between the base plate and the pressing plate.
The invention also is directed to a terminal fitting connected to a flat conductor whose conductive path is embedded in an insulation layer. The terminal fitting includes a base plate from which at least one contact blade is erected. The contact blade is pierced through the conductive path, such that a surface of the flat conductor is in contact with a base plate. The terminal fitting further comprises a pressing plate for pressing the conductive plate toward the base plate, and thus causing the contact blade to pierce into the conductive path. The pressing plate remains on the flat conductor, such that the flat conductor is sandwiched between the base plate and the pressing plate after the contact blade is pierced into the conductive path. The pressing plate further includes an insertion hole through which a projected end of the contact blade is inserted. The insertion hole fits on the contact blade tightly in a thickness direction thereof and has a clearance in a widthwise direction thereof.
The contact blades pierce into the conductive path, and the ceiling plate prevents float of the conductive path. Thus, the cut surface of the conductive path confronts the inner and outer surface of the contact blades to obtain a good contact state.
The ceiling plate is left on the flat conductor after the ceiling plate presses the flat conductor against the bottom plate. Thus, it is possible to keep the cut surface of the conductive path in confrontation with the contact blades properly.
The front end of the contact blade is pierced into the flat conductor and is inserted into the insertion hole of the pressing plate. The insertion hole is dimensioned to provide a clearance. Chips generated when the contact blade pierces into the flat conductor are introduced into the clearance formed for the contact blade at the outer side of the widthwise direction thereof. That is, it is possible to prevent the chips from being introduced into the space between the cut surface of the conductive path and the inner and outer surfaces of the contact blade. This construction allows a preferable contact between the cut surface of the conductive path and the contact blade.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3997233 (1976-12-01), Evans
patent: 4040702 (1977-08-01), McKee et al.
patent: 4082402 (1978-04-01), Kinkaid et al.
patent: 4560224 (1985-12-01), Weisenburger
patent: 4832620 (1989-05-01), Yamamoto
patent: 6135779 (2000-10-01), Kock et al.
patent: 63-73862 (1988-05-01), None
patent: 63-73861 (1988-05-01), None
Casella Anthony J.
Hespos Gerald E.
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
Ta Tho D.
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