Electrical connector

Details Electrical connector Electrical connector

1999-11-12

2001-03-20

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move...

Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...

C439S497000, C439S616000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06203346

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and especially to an electrical connector for connecting with a flexible printed circuit (hereafter, “FPC”) the connector having a simple structure and a reduced number of components for facilitating automatic manufacture thereof.
An electrical connector for connection with a FPC usually comprises an insulative housing and a shield adapted to surround the housing. A plurality of terminals is mounted in the housing proximate a mating face thereof. The FPC is inserted into the housing from a mounting face of the housing opposite the mating face to contact the terminals. A pressing member is pivotally mounted to the housing proximate the mounting face for being rotated to press against the FPC thereby securing the FPC within the housing. Pertinent prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,370,552; 5,401,186; 5,474,468; 5,580,272; and 5,738,545, and Taiwan Patent Application No. 84218005.
Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7
, a conventional electrical connector
6
for connection with an FPC
7
comprises an insulative housing
60
and a first conductive shield
62
adapted to partially surround the housing
60
. A plurality of passageways
602
is defined through the housing
60
for receiving corresponding terminals
61
therein. Each terminal
61
includes a contact portion
612
and a terminal portion
614
opposite the contact portions
612
. The FPC
7
is inserted into the housing
60
from a rear surface thereof and a signal pattern
70
of the FPC
7
contacts the terminal portions
614
of the terminals
61
. A pressing member
63
is pivotally mounted to the housing
60
proximate the rear surface. A second shielding shield
64
surrounds the pressing member
63
. The pressing member
63
is rotated to press against the FPC
7
around an axis X thereby securing the FPC
7
within the housing
60
and providing a reliable engagement between the signal pattern of the FPC
7
and the terminal portions
614
. Simultaneously, the second shield
64
contacts a grounding pattern
72
of the FPC
7
.
Due to current trends, different components of a device are often manufactured at different plants. The components are then transported to an assembly plant to complete assembly of the device. Thus, a structure of each component must be suitable for long distance transportation. The conventional connector
6
, before it is assembled with the FPC
7
, the second shield
64
and the pressing member
63
thereof, due to their pivotal nature, may be damaged by colliding with other parts of the connector
6
or with unexpected objects outside the connector
6
during transportation. Furthermore, the pressing member
63
and the second shield
64
have a complex structure thereby making manufacture both time and cost inefficient and hindering automatic manufacture. Finally, the conventional connector
6
needs two separate shields
62
,
64
to achieve the shielding thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable having a reduced number of components which facilitates automatic manufacture.
To fulfill the above-mentioned object, an electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals retained in the housing and a conductive shield partially surrounding the housing. A plurality of passageways is defined between a front surface and a rear surface of the housing for receiving the terminals. Each terminal has a terminal member and a contact member for engaging with a mating connector. The flexible cable is inserted into the housing from the rear surface and a signal pattern of the flexible cable is adapted to engage with the terminal members of the terminals. The shield is slidable relative to the housing and forms a pressing plate adapted for engaging with a grounding pattern of the flexible cable.
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: 6015310 (2000-01-01), Tojo
patent: 6036520 (2000-01-01), Tojo

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