Electrical connectors – Including or for use with tape cable – With mating connection region formed by bared cable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-06
2001-03-27
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Including or for use with tape cable
With mating connection region formed by bared cable
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206723
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a connector for a flat circuit, such as a flat flexible circuit, a printed circuit board or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical electrical connector for a flat circuit includes an insulative or dielectric housing which defines a circuit-insertion slot. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing in generally parallel spaced relationship along the slot. Contact portions of the terminals are exposed in the slot for engaging conductors spaced along or transversely of the flat circuit. An actuator often is mounted on the housing for movement between an open position allowing insertion of the flat circuit into the slot and a closed position biasing the circuit and its conductors against the contact portions of the terminals.
Many electrical connectors for flat circuits as described above are designed for receiving the flat circuit with zero insertion force (ZIF). In other words, when the actuator is in its open position, the flat circuit can be inserted into the slot with zero forces. When the actuator is moved to its closed position, the circuit is gripped and the conductors of the circuit are biased against the contact portions of the terminals.
Unfortunately, problems often arise with ZIF-type electrical connectors because it often is impossible to temporarily hold the flat circuit while operating the actuator. In other words, if an operator holds the connector housing with one hand and inserts the flat circuit with another hand, the circuit has a tendency to move when the operator releases the circuit to actuate the actuator. As a result, the circuit may shift even slightly to cause incomplete or improper connections between the contact portions of the terminals and the conductors of the flat circuit. Attempts have been made to provide temporary holding means for the flat circuit, but such means either make the connector unduly complicated or the insertion forces are unacceptably high in order to achieve the desired temporary retention of the circuit. The present invention is directed to solving these problems and/or dilemmas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector of the character described for a flat circuit, including a flat flexible circuit, a printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit or the like.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connector includes a dielectric housing defining a circuit-insertion slot. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing and are spaced along the slot. The terminals have contact portions for engaging conductors spaced along the flat circuit. An actuator is movably mounted on the housing for movement between an open position allowing insertion of the flat circuit into the slot and a closed position biasing the circuit and its conductors against the contact portions of the terminals.
The invention contemplates that only some of the terminals comprise retention terminals with portions for gripping the flat circuit and temporarily holding the circuit when the actuator is in its open position. Other of the terminals comprise non-retentive terminals allowing substantially free insertion of the flat circuit into the slot.
As disclosed herein, each of the retention terminals includes substantially inflexible arms between which the flat circuit is inserted and gripped. At least one of the arms has the contact portion of the terminal thereon. Each of the non-retentive terminals includes a substantially flexible arm having the contact portion of the terminal thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the retention terminals and the non-retentive terminals alternate along the circuit-insertion slot. However, it is contemplated that the number of retention terminals be determined according to a desired insertion force on the flat circuit.
Finally, complementary interengaging pivot means are provided between the actuator and the housing for mounting the actuator on the housing with pivotal movement between the open and closed positions of the actuator. The retention terminals and the actuator include complementary engaging pivot portions.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5839917 (1998-11-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 5842883 (1998-12-01), Igarashi et al.
patent: 5904586 (1999-05-01), Takayasu
Donovan Lincoln
Molex Incorporated
Webb Brian S.
Weiss Stephen Z.
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