Electrical connectors – Adapted to cooperate with duplicate connector – With coupling movement retaining means in addition to...
Patent
1996-02-12
1998-03-24
Bradley, P. Austin
Electrical connectors
Adapted to cooperate with duplicate connector
With coupling movement retaining means in addition to...
H01R 1328
Patent
active
057306133
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector for electrically connecting a first flexible board and an other identical connector, and more specifically, to a electrical connector which may be used as a male or a female type of connector.
2. Description of Related Art
In order to mutually connect two flexible printed circuit boards to each other in the casing of an electrical apparatus (for example, video tape recorder), generally, a male connector and a female connector, each connected to the respective flexible circuit boards, are used. When the male and female connectors are coupled together, the two flexible circuit boards are then electrically connected.
The male and female connectors each has a housing including a plurality of contacts. The shape of the housing varies in accordance with the type of the connector, i.e., male or female, so as to make it fit with the housing of another connector.
Each of the contacts in the housing of a connector has a first contact point to be brought into contact with one of the flexible circuit boards and a second contact point to be brought into contact with the other connector. The shape of the second contact point varies in accordance with the type of the connector.
Therefore, in order to manufacture male and female connectors, two types of housing casting molds and two types of contact punching-out dies are necessary, i.e., one each for the male and the female connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to decrease the production cost of connectors, it is preferable to design housings and contacts that have the same shape for both male and female connectors.
The object of the invention is to provide a connector that may be used as either a male or female type of connector since the connector is identical for both types. Accordingly, the production cost of the connectors can be decreased.
In order to achieve the above and other objects, there is provided, according to the present invention, electrical connectors which can be connected to each of first and second flexible boards so as to electrically connect the boards to each other. An electrical connector includes a housing having a first surface including an opening for receiving the first flexible board, and a second surface including a projecting portion and a recess portion, the opening and the recess portion communicating with each other, and the projecting portion and the recess portion formed in shapes so that the projecting portion of the housing of the connector fits into the recess portion of the housing of the other identical connector.
The electrical connector also includes a plurality of elastic contacts situated in the housing and having an identical shape, for establishing an electrical connection to a flexible substrate of the first flexible board, each of the contacts having a first contact portion located at the opening of the housing for clamping to the flexible substrate to provide electrical contact thereto, a second contact portion located at the projecting portion of the housing, and a third contact portion located in the first surface of the housing, the second contact portion configured to engage the third contact portion of the other identical connector when the projecting portion of the connector is fit into the recess portion of the housing of the other identical connector so that the first flexible board is electrically connected to the second flexible board.
According to the connector of the present invention, the protrusion portion of the housing of one connector can be fit into the recess portion of the housing of another connector, and therefore the housing can be used regardless of the connector, i.e., male or female.
In addition, according to the connector of the present invention, the contacts of either type of connector have an identical shape, and therefore, the contacts can be used regardless whether the connector is a male or female type. Further, when the protrusion portion of one connector is fit into
REFERENCES:
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 15, No. 390, (E-1118), Oct. 3, 1991 & JP-A-03 156872 (Oki Densen KK), Jul. 4, 1991.
Berg Technology Inc.
Bradley P. Austin
Standig Barry M. L.
LandOfFree
Electrical connector for connecting flexible circuit boards 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 for connecting flexible circuit boards, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical connector for connecting flexible circuit boards will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2284531