Electrical connector

Details Electrical connector Electrical connector

1999-10-28

2001-04-10

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

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

Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...

C439S492000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06213802

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and especially to an electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable having a stuffer for pressing the flexible cable to engage with terminals of the electrical connector.
When a pair of devices to be connected is individually assembled into a computer enclosure and is required to be replaced by an alternative counterpart, a permanent connection method such as soldering is unfavorable. A flexible cable, such as an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) or an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable), for providing releasable electrical connection between the devices is one solution for the above problem. The flexible cable is especially useful within a narrow or complicated space of a computer enclosure due to the high adaptability thereof.
A conventional connector such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,545 is connected to a flexible cable by pivotally pressing the flexible cable against a plurality of terminals. Therefore, the terminals are connected to the flexible cable and the flexible cable is secured within the connector. However, the pivotal movement requires an actuation space thereby possibly interfering with the other devices within the computer enclosure. In addition, pivotally pressing the flexible cable is likely to cause a frictional sliding of a surface of the flexible cable thereby possibly damaging the flexible cable. Furthermore, the sliding movement of the flexible cable due to the pivotal pressing may cause circuit tracks on the flexible cable to be inaccurately engaged with the corresponding terminals. Thus, false signals may be generated in the circuits. In a worse case, the circuit or a component connected to the circuits may be damaged due to overheating caused by the inaccurate engagement between the flexible cable and the connector.
Furthermore, due to current trends, different components of a device are manufactured at different plants. The components are then transported to another plant to complete assembly of the device. Thus, a structure of each component must be suitable for long distance transport. However, a member pivotally mounted to the connector may become damaged during shipping by impacting other parts of the connector or unexpected objects outside the connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable having a stuffer for pressing against the flexible cable to contact terminals of the connector.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable having a stuffer that can be easily disassembled therefrom for shipping purposes.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector which can be reliably and properly connected to a flexible cable.
To fulfill the above-mentioned objects, an electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable comprises an elongate insulative housing, a plurality of terminals retained in the housing and a stuffer. The housing defines a plurality of passageways between a mating surface and a mounting surface opposite the mating for receiving the terminals. A pair of retention holes is formed in opposite ends of the stuffer corresponding to teeth formed on opposite ends of the housing. Each terminal includes a mating end and an upwardly extending mounting tail. The stuffer is mounted to the housing with the teeth engaging in the holes. A gap is defined between the mating tails of the terminals and the stuffer for receiving an end of the flexible cable with the mating tails contacting corresponding circuit tracks of the flexible cable. The stuffer is downwardly pushed to press against the flexible cable to engage with the mounting portions and secure the end of the flexible cable within the housing.
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: 5695360 (1997-12-01), Seto et al.
patent: 5738545 (1998-04-01), Igarashi et al.
patent: 5842883 (1998-12-01), Igarashi et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electrical connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electrical connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2519409