Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
CONNECTOR FOR FLAT CABLE
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a connector used for connecting a flat
cable and, in particular, relates to a structure for retaining the flat cable
by the
connector.
Background Art
A connector used for connecting a flat cable is disclosed in, for example,
Japanese Patent Publication (JP-B) No. H3-45511. This connector comprises
a contact-side insulator retaining conductive contacts, and a cable-side
insulator
retaining a flat cable. The cable-side insulator is attachable/detachable
relative
to the contact-side insulator. When the cable-side insulator is attached to
the
contact-side insulator, wires of the flat cable are brought into pressure
contact
with the contacts. In this manner, the flat cable is connected to the
connector.
In the connector of this type, it is necessary that the contacts and the flat
cable are securely fixed/retained relative to the contact-side insulator and
the
cable-side insulator, respectively. The contacts can be retained relatively
easily
by providing mutual engagement structures between the contact-side insulator
and the contacts. For example, by optionally contriving a shape of contacts,
it
is possible to engage the contacts with the contact-side insulator.
On the other hand, since the flat cable has a standardized simple shape
as is well known, it is relatively difficult to retain it relative to the
cable-side
insulator. Movement of the flat cable relative to the cable-side insulator
impedes the pressure-contact contention between the wires of the flat cable
and
the contacts, and thus should be avoided. To this end, for example, an attempt
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has been made to stick a flat cable onto a cable-side insulator using
adhesives,
or to form a curved portion on a flat cable in advance and engage a cable-side
insulator with the curved portion.
According to those conventional techniques, however, the retention of
the flat cable relative to the cable-side insulator is insufficient. Further,
complicated facilities are required for automating assembly of the connector,
which thus raises a problem also in terms of economics.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector
for a flat cable, which can securely retain the flat cable and economically
cope
with automation of assembly.
Disclosure of the Invention
According to the present invention, there is obtained a connector
including conductive contacts, a first insulator retaining the contacts, and a
cable-side insulator, attachable/detachable relative to the first insulator,
for
retaining a flat cable, wherein when the cable-side insulator is mounted to
the
first insulator, the flat cable is connected to the contacts, the connector
characterized in that the cable-side insulator comprises a second insulator
for
receiving the flat cable, a third insulator disposed so as to confront the
second
insulator via the flat cable, and a clamp interposed between the flat cable
and
the third insulator and, when the cable-side insulator is mounted to the first
insulator, the second and third insulators are engaged with the first
insulator to
approach each other so that the flat cable is sandwiched between the clamp and
the second insulator.
The third insulator may comprise a rib that pushes the clamp toward the
flat cable.
The first insulator may have a guide groove for guiding the cable-side
insulator to be attached/detached, and the second and third insulators may
have
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convex portions, respectively, which are inserted into the guide groove.
The second insulator may have a concave portion confronting the clamp,
and the flat cable may be pushed into the concave portion by the clamp.
The flat cable may comprise a plurality of cable elements, and the
second insulator and the clamp may have a function of conjointly arraying the
cable elements.
The third insulator may be an integral body.
The third insulator may comprise an additional insulator having the same
shape and size as the second insulator, and an additional clamp interposed
between the additional insulator and the clamp and, when the cable-side
insulator is mounted to the first insulator, the additional insulator along
with the
second insulator may be engaged with the first insulator to cause the
additional
clamp to approach the second insulator so that the foregoing clamp may be
pushed toward the second insulator by the additional clamp.
The additional insulator may directly contact with the additional clamp.
Additional conductive contacts retained by the first insulator and
connected with an additional flat cable may be included, and the additional
flat
cable may be sandwiched between the additional insulator and the additional
clamp.
Further, according to the present invention, there is obtained a flat cable
connector capable of connecting one or two flat cables based on selection
thereof, the flat cable connector characterized in that the connector
comprises
contacts to be connected with wires of the flat cable, a first insulator
retaining the
contacts, a second insulator for arraying the wires of the flat cable and
formed
with a concave portion for receiving the flat cable, a clamp for sandwiching
the
flat cable conjointly with the second insulator, and a third insulator formed
with a
rib to be brought into contact with the clamp and, when connecting the two
flat
cables, a plurality of the second insulators, two in number, and a plurality
of the
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clamps, two in number, are used such that the two clamps are caused to
confront each other, and the first insulator and the two second insulators are
fixed together, and when connecting the one flat cable, the one second
insulator,
the one clamp, and the third insulator are used such that the clamp and the
rib of
the third insulator are brought into contact with each other, and the first
insulator,
the second insulator, and the third insulator are fixed together.
The flat cable may be formed with a generally crank-shaped convex
portion, and the convex portion may be received in the concave portion of the
second insulator.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 shows a connector according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, wherein (a) shows a bottom view, (b) shows a left side view (a
diagram seen from a fitting side with a counterpart connector), (c) shows a
front
view, (d) shows a right side view, and (e) shows a rear view, respectively.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line I I-I I in Fig. 1 (c).
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view, like Fig. 2, of a connector according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view, like Fig. 2, of a connector according to a third
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 5.
Best Mode for Embodying the Invention
Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, description will be made of a connector
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The connector of Figs. 1 to 3 is used for connecting one flat cable 6 such
as a flat ribbon cable, and comprises a first insulator 1, a second insulator
2, and
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a third insulator 3. In Figs. 1 (a) and 2, the first insulator 1 is disposed
on the left
side, the second insulator 2 is disposed roughly on the lower right side, and
the
third insulator 3 is disposed roughly on the upper right side. These
insulators 1,
2, and 3 are fitted together according to a later-described structure to form
an
insulator portion of the connector.
The first insulator 1 fixedly retains first conductive contacts 4 divided into
an upper side and a lower side and confronting each other in a vertical
direction.
The first contacts 4 are arrayed in large numbers on the upper side and the
lower
side, respectively.
Each of the first contacts 4 comprises a contact portion 4a for obtaining
electrical connection to a counterpart connector, and a generally U-shaped
tuning fork portion 4b. Inside the tuning fork portion 4b, connecting portions
4c
are projectingly formed. The contact portions 4a of the first contacts 4 are
arranged in an opening portion 1 a of the first insulator 1 so as to confront
each
other in the vertical direction. The first insulator 1 forms a contact-side
insulator.
The second insulator 2 fixedly retains second conductive contacts 5.
The second contacts 5 are arrayed corresponding to the first contacts 4 on the
lower side. The second insulator 2 is formed with a concave portion 2a having
a generally trapezoidal shape in section and confronting the third insulator
3.
The concave portion 2a is formed with two confronting portions 8.
The flat cable 6 is disposed between the second and third insulators 2
and 3. Thereupon, a generally crank-shaped portion defined by a convex
portion 6a and a concave portion 6b formed in the flat cable 6 is disposed in
the
concave portion 2a of the second insulator 2.
The connector of Figs. 1 to 3 further comprises an insulating clamp 7
interposed between the third insulator 3 and the flat cable 6. The clamp 7 has
a
portion 7a having a generally trapezoidal shape in section and confronting the
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concave portion 2a of the second insulator 2. The generally crank-shaped
portion of the flat cable 6 is sandwiched between the portion 7a having the
generally trapezoidal shape in section and the confronting portions 8. The
second and third insulators 2 and 3 conjointly form a cable-side insulator.
Projecting portions 7c are formed on both left and right sides of the
clamp 7. Holes 2b are formed at both left and right side portions of the
second
insulator 2. Rails 2c are formed on both left and right side surfaces of the
second insulator 2. The third insulator 3 is formed with several ribs 3a.
Rails
3b are formed on both left and right side surfaces of the third insulator 3.
The
first insulator 1 is formed with grooves 1 b. Incidentally, wires 6c are each
bent
into a shape approximate to a predetermined U-shape in advance.
The projecting portions 7c of the clamp 7 are inserted into the holes 2b
of the second insulator 2 in the state where the flat cable 6 is sandwiched as
described above. The ribs 3a of the third insulator 3 and the rails 3b of the
third
insulator 3 are mounted on an upper surface of the clamp 7 and upper surfaces
of the rails 2c of the second insulator 2.
Further, each rail 2c of the second insulator 2 and each rail 3b of the
third insulator 3 are fitted into the groove 1b of the first insulator 1, then
the first
insulator 1 is slided relative to the second and third insulators 2 and 3.
Then, by
fitting between the rails 2c and 3b and the grooves 1 b, the second and third
insulators 2 and 3 are engaged with the first insulator 1 in the vertical
direction
so as to approach each other. As a result, the flat cable 6 is firmly
sandwiched
between the second insulator 2 and the clamp 7.
Further, when the first insulator 1 is slided relative to the second and
third insulators 2 and 3, the wires 6c at the tip of the flat cable 6 are each
sandwiched between the tuning fork portion 4b and a tip portion 5a of the
second
contact 5 so as to be reformed into the predetermined U-shape. As a result,
the
wires 6c of the flat cable 6 and the connecting portions 4c of the first
contacts 4
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suitably contact with each other to be electrically connected. Incidentally,
as
shown in Fig. 1, the first insulator 1, the second insulator 2, and the third
insulator 3 are fixed together by inserting anti-release pins 9 into through
holes
that are formed at upper and lower two portions, respectively.
In Fig. 2, when the flat cable 6 is pulled rightward, the clamp 7 is pushed
by the concave portion 6b of the flat cable 6 so as to attempt to move upward.
However, as shown in Fig. 3, the several ribs 3a of the third insulator 3
prevent
upward movement (rise) of the clamp 7. Therefore, the flat cable 6 is firmly
retained by the connector so that pulling-out thereof is prevented.
Referring to Fig. 4, description will be made of a connector according to
a second embodiment of the present invention. Like portions are assigned the
same reference symbols so that description thereof may be omitted. Those
portions of which description is omitted have the same structures as the
connector of Figs. 1 to 3.
The connector of Fig. 4 employs, instead of the third insulator 3 in the
connector of Figs. 1 to 3, an additional insulator 2' having the same shape
and
size as the second insulator 2, and an insulating additional clamp 7', as a
filling
member, interposed between the additional insulator 2' and the clamp 7. The
additional clamp 7' has a portion 7a' having a generally trapezoidal shape in
section and fitted in a concave portion 2a' of the additional insulator 2',
and is
formed sufficiently larger than the concave portion 2a of the second insulator
2.
When the second insulator 2 and the additional insulator 2' are mounted
to the first insulator 1, the additional insulator 2' along with the second
insulator 2
is engaged with the first insulator 1 in the vertical direction to cause the
additional clamp 7' to approach the second insulator 2, according to the
structure
like the connector of Figs. 1 to 3. Consequently, the foregoing clamp 7 is
pushed toward the second insulator 2 by the additional clamp 7'. In this
event,
the additional insulator 2' directly contacts with the additional clamp 7'. As
a
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result, the flat cable 6 is firmly sandwiched between the second insulator 2
and
the clamp 7.
Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, description will be made of a connector
according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Like portions are
assigned the same reference symbols so that description thereof may be
omitted. Those portions of which description is omitted have the same
structures as the connector of Figs. 1 to 3.
The connector of Figs. 5 and 6 is used when connecting two flat cables 6
one over the other. In this case, instead of the additional clamp 7' in the
connector of Fig. 4, use is made of an insulating additional clamp 7" having
the
same shape and size as the clamp 7 in the connector of Figs. 1 to 3. That is,
use is made of two insulators and two clamps that are the same as the second
insulator 2 and the clamp 7 in the connector of Figs. 1 to 3. Therefore, the
additional clamp 7" also has a portion 7a" having a generally trapezoidal
shape
in section and fitted in a concave portion 2a' of an additional insulator 2'.
The additional insulator 2' also fixedly retains second contacts 5. The
second contacts 5 of the additional insulator 2' are arrayed corresponding to
the
first contacts 4 on the upper side. The additional insulator 2' is formed with
the
concave portion 2a' having a generally trapezoidal shape in section. The
concave portion 2a' is formed with confronting portions 8'.
Projecting portions 7c" are formed on both left and right sides of the
additional clamp 7". Holes 2b' are formed at both left and right side portions
of
the additional insulator 2'. Rails 2c' are formed on both left and right side
surfaces of the additional insulator 2'.
The flat cable is disposed between the second insulator 2 and the clamp
7 like in the connector of Fig. 4, and besides, the flat cable 6 is disposed
also
between the additional insulator 2' and the additional clamp 7". Thereupon, a
generally crank-shaped portion defined by a convex portion 6a and a concave
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portion 6b formed in the flat cable 6 is disposed in the concave portion 2a'
of the
additional insulator 2'.
When the second insulator 2 and the additional insulator 2' are mounted
to the first insulator 1 following fitting between the rails 2c and 2c' and
the
grooves 1 b, the additional insulator 2' along with the second insulator 2 is
engaged with the first insulator 1 in the vertical direction to approach each
other,
according to the structure like the connector of Figs. 1 to 3. As a result,
the flat
cable 6 is firmly sandwiched between the second insulator 2 and the clamp 7,
and besides, the flat cable 6 is firmly sandwiched also between the additional
insulator 2' and the additional clamp 7".
Incidentally, when connecting one flat cable in the connector of Figs. 5
and 6, the additional clamp 7" may be replaced with the additional clamp 7' in
the
connector of Fig. 4, or the additional insulator 2' and the additional clamp
7" may
be replaced with the third insulator 3 in the connector of Figs. 1 to 3. In
this
manner, it is possible to easily carry out connection of one flat cable or
connection of two flat cables by exchanging the components.
Industrial Applicability
The connector for a flat cable of the present invention is suitable as a
connection device for a flat cable used in a computer, a portable telephone,
or
the like.
