Electrical connector

Details Electrical connector Electrical connector

1999-10-20

2001-02-06

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

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

Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...

C439S607070, C439S497000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06183281

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and especially to an electrical connector for connecting with a flexible cable and having a stuffer for abutting the flexible cable in contact with a plurality of terminals.
An electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable, i.e. a FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit), usually comprises an insulative housing and an EMI shield adapted to surround the housing. A plurality of terminals is assembled in the housing proximate a mating face thereof. The flexible cable is inserted into the housing from a mounting face of the housing opposite the mating face to contact the terminals. An actuator is pivotally mounted to the housing proximate the mounting face and rotated to press against the flexible cable thereby securing the flexible cable within the housing and facilitating connections between the terminals and the FFC. Pertinent prior arts are disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 5,370,552; 5,401,186; 5,474,468; 5,580,272; and 5,738,545.
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
61
adapted to partially surround the housing
60
. A plurality of passageways
600
is defined through the housing
60
for receiving corresponding terminals
62
. Each terminal
62
includes contact portions
610
and a terminal portion
620
opposite the contact portions
610
. The FPC
7
is inserted into the housing
60
from a rear surface thereof and a signal pattern
71
of the FPC
7
contacts the terminal portions
620
of the terminals
62
. An actuator
63
is pivotally mounted to the housing
60
proximate the rear surface. A second shielding shield
70
partially surrounds the pressing member
63
. The pressing member
63
is rotated to press against the FPC
7
around a predetermined axis X thereby securing the FPC
7
within the housing
60
and providing a reliable engagement between the signal pattern
71
of the FPC
7
and the terminal portions
620
. Simultaneously, the second shield
70
contacts a grounding conductor
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 another plant to complete assembly of the device. Thus, a structure of each component must be suitable for long distance transportation. However, the second shield and the pressing member may be damaged after colliding with other parts of the connector or with unexpected objects outside the connector during transportation due to the pivotal engagement between the pressing member and the housing. Furthermore, the pressing member and the second shield have a complex structure thereby making manufacture both time and cost inefficient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable having a stuffer for abutting the flexible cable into contact with a plurality of terminals.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable and which has a simple structure and is easily manufactured.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector for connection with a flexible cable and which facilitates survives after long distance transportation.
To fulfill the above-mentioned objects, 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 forms a pressing plate for engaging with a grounding pattern of the flexible cable. A stuffer is inserted into the housing for pressing against the pressing plate thereby forcing the pressing plate in contact with 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: 5370552 (1994-12-01), Chishima et al.
patent: 5401186 (1995-03-01), Nozaki et al.
patent: 5474468 (1995-12-01), Chishima et al.
patent: 5580272 (1996-12-01), Yamaguchi et al.
patent: 5738545 (1998-04-01), Igarashi et al.

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