Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Electrical device making
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-21
2002-10-22
Bradley, P. Austin (Department: 2833)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Electrical device making
C029S081110, C029S857000, C439S422000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06467164
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a terminal fitting for a flat conductor, a method for connecting a terminal fitting to a flat conductor and a terminal connection apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flexible flat cables (FFCs) and flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) are referred to generally as flat conductors. The FFC is a ribbon-shaped structure formed from a plurality of parallel conductors and insulation sheets adhered to the front and rear surfaces of the conductors. There are two methods for connecting terminal fittings with the respective conductors near the end of an FFC. The first method connects the terminal fittings while the conductors are left imbedded in the insulation sheets. The second method, on the other hand, strips the insulation sheet off one surface near the end of the FFC, and then connects the terminal fittings with the conductors.
The second method is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-73861 and is shown in
FIG. 7
of this application. With reference to
FIG. 7
, the second method starts with an FFC
1
that has an insulation sheet
2
on the front and rear sides of conductors
3
. A portion of the insulation sheet
2
is stripped for a specified distance from an end of the FFC
1
to expose the front sides of the conductors
3
. The second method then uses a terminal fitting
4
with a connecting portion
5
and a first squeezing plate
6
that extends from the rear end of the connecting portion
5
for connection with a mating terminal fitting (not shown). The terminal fitting
4
also has a second squeezing plate
7
with a base end
7
A that is integral with the base end of the first squeezing plate
6
. The second squeezing plate
7
can be pivoted about the base end
7
A to close and open with respect to the first squeezing plate
6
. Crimping pieces
8
are formed at opposite edges of the leading end of the second squeezing plate
7
and extend toward the first squeezing plate
6
. The terminal fitting
4
and the FFC
1
are connected by squeezing the conductor
3
between the squeezing plates
6
and
7
.
The second method merely brings the flat second squeezing plate
7
into surface contact with the conductor
3
. Thus, contact pressure is inevitably low, and the electrical contact is not reliable.
The present invention was developed in view of the above problem, and an object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for connecting a terminal fitting and a flat conductor as well as a terminal fitting which secure a high contact pressure between the terminal fitting and a conductor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a method for connecting a terminal fitting with a flat conductor. The method comprises exposing a conductor near an end of the flat conductor. The method then comprises arranging at least one pair of squeezing plates of the terminal fitting to at least partly oppose each other at the front and rear sides of the exposed conductor. The method further comprises deforming a portion of the squeezing plates into a deformed configuration. The exposed end portion of the flat conductor then is squeezed by the squeezing plates. Thus, the squeezing plates are deformed into a zigzag configuration and the squeezing plates squeeze the exposed end portion of the flat conductor.
At least one squeezing plate may include at least one holding portion for holding the squeezing plates in a condition where the exposed conductors of the flat conductor are squeezed between the squeezing plates. The holding portion on one squeezing plate may be bent inwardly and crimped into connection with the other squeezing plate. Thus, the terminal fitting and the flat conductor can be connected with a high contact pressure.
The zigzag configuration defines ridges that may extend at an angle different from 0° or 180° to an extension direction of the flat conductor, and preferably substantially normal to the extension direction. Thus, resistance against a force to withdraw the flat conductor from the terminal fitting is high compared to a terminal fitting with ridges that extend parallel to the extension of the flat conductor.
The invention also is directed to a terminal connection apparatus for connecting a flat conductor and a terminal fitting. The apparatus comprises arranging means for arranging at least one pair of squeezing plates of the terminal fitting to oppose each other at opposed sides of an exposed conductor near an end of the flat conductor. The apparatus also comprises deformation means for deforming a portion of the squeezing plates into a zigzag configuration and for squeezing or sandwiching the exposed end portion of the flat conductor by the squeezing plates.
The deformation means may comprise press dies with recessed and projected portions for forming the zigzag configuration. The deformation means preferably deforms the squeezing plates into the zigzag configuration while the squeezing plates squeeze the exposed end of the flat conductor.
The invention also relates to a terminal fitting for connection with a flat conductor. The terminal fitting comprises at least two squeezing plates that can be opposed to each other at the front and rear sides of an exposed portion of a conductive path of the flat conductor. The squeezing plates comprise a portion with a zigzag configuration that extends at least partly in a direction normal to the plane that contains the exposed portion of the conductive part.
The terminal fitting may also comprise at least one holding portion on at least one of the squeezing plates for holding the squeezing plates so that the exposed conductors of the flat conductor remain squeezed between the squeezing plates and under high contact pressure.
The squeezing plates are connected by a bent portion that is folded back at least twice. Additionally, the squeezing plates can be rotated relative to one another about the bent portion.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4082402 (1978-04-01), Kinkaid et al.
patent: 4193658 (1980-03-01), Dittmann
patent: 4433890 (1984-02-01), Marino et al.
patent: 4560224 (1985-12-01), Weisenburger
patent: 4832620 (1989-05-01), Yamomoto
patent: 4950180 (1990-08-01), Daly et al.
patent: 5450664 (1995-09-01), Babow et al.
patent: 5827998 (1998-10-01), Mariguchi et al.
patent: 6135779 (2000-10-01), Koch et al.
patent: 6305968 (2001-10-01), Hio et al.
patent: 6312283 (2001-11-01), Hio
patent: 6341980 (2002-01-01), Hio et al.
patent: 63-73861 (1988-04-01), None
patent: 8-111247 (1996-04-01), None
Bradley P. Austin
Casella Anthony J.
Gilman Alexander
Hespos Gerald E.
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
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