Connector for holding flexible printed circuit

It is aimed to provide a connector capable of satisfactorily holding a board even in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere. A connector is provided with a connector housing including a board accommodation space, a terminal fitting mounted in the connector housing to face the board accommodation space, and a retainer for sandwiching and holding a flexible board arranged in the board accommodation space between the terminal fitting and the retainer. A state of the retainer changes to a pressing state for pressing the flexible board toward the terminal fitting and a non-pressing state for releasing pressing to the flexible board. The retainer is made of metal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase of PCT application No. PCT/JP2020/045364, filed on 7 Dec. 2020, which claims priority from Japanese patent application No. 2019-237964, filed on 27 Dec. 2019, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a connector.

BACKGROUND

Patent Document 1 discloses a connector in which a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal corresponding to the first connection terminal are mounted on a base. The first connection terminal includes an operation contact piece having an operation receiving portion on one end and a movable contact point adjacent to the second connection terminal on the other end. The base is provided with an operation lever for pushing up the operation receiving portion by an operation cam by being operated. In this connector, by operating the operation lever, the operation receiving portion located on one side across a coupling portion is pushed up by the operation cam and the movable contact point on the other side across the coupling portion approaches the second connection terminal. In this way, FPCs (Flexible Printed Circuits) are sandwiched and held by the movable contact point and the second connection terminal.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP 2008-305621 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved

In the configuration of Patent Document 1, for example, if a plurality of first connection terminals are arranged side by side, the operation cam (operation lever) configured to contact the first connection terminals needs to be, for example, made of a nonconductive material such as a synthetic resin. In this case, if this connector is exposed to a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere for a long period of time, the operation cam may be gradually deformed by a reaction force of the pushed-up operation receiving portion and a force for holding the FPCs may become weak.

Accordingly, the present disclosure aims to provide a connector capable of satisfactorily holding a board even in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere.

Means to Solve the Problem

The present disclosure is directed to a connector with a connector housing including a board accommodation space, a terminal fitting mounted in the connector housing to face the board accommodation space, and a retainer for sandwiching and holding a flexible board arranged in the board accommodation space between the terminal fitting and the retainer, wherein a state of the retainer changes to a pressing state for pressing the flexible board toward the terminal fitting and a non-pressing state for releasing pressing to the flexible board, and the retainer is made of metal.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connector capable of satisfactorily holding a board even in a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION

Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure

(1) The connector of the present disclosure is provided with a connector housing including a board accommodation space, a terminal fitting mounted in the connector housing to face the board accommodation space, and a retainer for sandwiching and holding a flexible board arranged in the board accommodation space between the terminal fitting and the retainer, wherein a state of the retainer changes to a pressing state for pressing the flexible board toward the terminal fitting and a non-pressing state for releasing pressing to the flexible board, and the retainer is made of metal.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, since the retainer is made of metal, the retainer is less likely to be deformed even if this connector is exposed to a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere for a long period of time.

(2) Preferably, the connector of the present disclosure is provided with a resilient pressing piece for resiliently pressing the flexible board and bringing the flexible board and the terminal fitting into contact when the retainer is in the pressing state.

According to this configuration, even if a dimension between the flexible board and the terminal fitting varies, the flexible board and the terminal fitting can be reliably brought into conduction by the resilient pressing piece.

(3) Preferably, a plurality of the terminal fittings are provided in the connector housing of the connector of the present disclosure, and a plurality of the resilient pressing pieces are arranged to respectively correspond to the plurality of terminal fittings.

According to this configuration, even if positional relationships of the plurality of terminal fittings with a board vary, a connected state of each terminal fitting and the board can be satisfactorily established by the resilient pressing piece corresponding to each terminal fitting.

(4) Preferably, the connector housing of the connector of the present disclosure includes a wall portion partitioning between adjacent ones of the terminal fittings, the flexible board includes a plurality of patterns to be individually connected to the plurality of terminal fittings, the flexible board is formed with an insertion portion by cutting between adjacent ones of the patterns, and the wall portion is inserted through the insertion portion.

According to this configuration, a creepage distance between the adjacent patterns formed on the flexible board can be secured by the wall portion.

(5) Preferably, the resilient pressing piece of the connector of the present disclosure is provided in at least either one of the retainer and the terminal fitting.

According to this configuration, since the resilient pressing piece is provided in either one of components for sandwiching the flexible board, the number of components can be reduced as compared to the case where the resilient pressing piece is provided separately.

(6) Preferably, a peg for holding the connector housing mounted on a board is mounted on the connector housing, and the retainer is in the pressing state when being in a first arrangement state with respect to the peg and is in the non-pressing state when being in a second arrangement state with respect to the peg.

According to this configuration, since the peg is separate from the connector housing, a material of the peg can be different from that of the connector housing. Since this enables the selection of a material, which is not worn or deformed even if the retainer made of metal is mounted, as the material of the peg, the retainer can be reliably held in the pressing state.

(7) Preferably, the retainer of the connector of the present disclosure includes a shaft portion to be locked to the peg, and the state of the retainer changes to the pressing state and the non-pressing state by the retainer being rotated about the shaft portion.

According to this configuration, the state of the retainer can be easily changed from the non-pressing state to the pressing state without performing an operation of positioning the retainer with respect to the connector housing.

DETAILS OF EMBODIMENTS OF PRESENT DISCLOSURE

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a connector1according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.1to3. The connector1according to the first embodiment includes a connector housing10, terminal fittings11, pegs12and a retainer13. The connector1electrically connects a flexible board30and the terminal fittings11. Note that, in the following description, a side on which the flexible board30is inserted into the connector housing10(left side inFIG.3) is referred to as a front side concerning a front-rear direction, and upper and lower sides inFIG.3are defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. Left and right sides inFIG.2are defined as left and right sides concerning a lateral direction.

The connector housing10is made of synthetic resin and includes a terminal holding portion10A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a board insertion portion10B formed in front of the terminal holding portion10A. The terminal holding portion10A includes cavities10E (seeFIG.3). A plurality of the cavities10E extending in the front-rear direction are aligned and arranged in the lateral direction (seeFIG.2). The front end of each cavity10E is closed. The terminal fitting11to be described later is inserted into each cavity10E from behind. The connector housing10is provided with a plurality of the terminal fittings11. A board accommodation space S1open on an upper side is formed on front sides of the cavities10E. In the first embodiment, the board accommodation space S1is an open region above the cavities10E. The connector housing10includes the board accommodation space S1.

In the board accommodation space S1, wall portions10F partitioning between adjacent ones of the cavities10E are provided between the adjacent cavities10E (seeFIG.2). A projecting portion10G projecting upward is provided in a central part in the front-rear direction of each wall portion10F (seeFIGS.1and2). Each wall portion10F functions to partition between adjacent ones of the terminal fittings11. A front side of each projecting portion10G is formed with an inclined surface10H inclined downward to the front (seeFIG.1).

The board insertion portion10B is formed with a slit10D penetrating in the front-rear direction and long in an arrangement direction of the cavities10E (seeFIG.3). The peripheral edge of the slit10D on the front end of the board insertion portion10B is chamfered (seeFIG.3).

The terminal fitting11is integrally formed, such as by bending an electrically conductive metal plate. As shown inFIG.3, the terminal fitting11is shaped to be elongated in the front-rear direction as a whole. The terminal fitting11includes a tubular terminal body11A and a board connecting portion11B connected behind the terminal body11A via a press-fit portion11C. The terminal body11A includes a plate-like spring piece11E, which is a resilient pressing piece. The spring piece11E resiliently contacts an electrode30B, which is a pattern formed on the flexible board30inserted through the board insertion portion10B and arranged in the board accommodation space S. In this way, the spring piece11E functions as a means for connecting the flexible board30and the terminal body11with a predetermined contact pressure. The spring piece11E is folded from the front end edge of the terminal body11A, extends toward a rear end and is accommodated in the terminal body11A. A central part in the front-rear direction of the spring piece11E is formed to project further upward than the upper surface of the terminal body11A. That is, a plurality of the spring pieces11E are arranged to respectively correspond to the plurality of terminal fittings11.

The board connecting portion11B is electrically connected to a pattern formed on an unillustrated board. The terminal fitting11includes the press-fit portion11C between the terminal body11A and the board connecting portion11B. A plurality of projections (not shown) are provided on both left and right side surfaces of the press-fit portion11C. If the press-fit portion11C is press-fit into a rear end part of the cavity10E, the respective projections bite into both side surfaces of a rear end part of the cavity10E to be locked and the terminal fitting11is retained and held in the connector housing10. The terminal body11A of the terminal fitting11is facing the board accommodation space S1.

The peg12is made of metal. As shown inFIG.2, the peg12is in the form of a flat plate as a whole. One peg12is mounted along the left or right side surface of the connector housing10on each of both left and right sides of the board accommodation space S1. A lower end part of the peg12is bent to horizontally extend so as to be easily soldered to the pattern formed on a surface of the unillustrated board. In this way, the connector housing10is held mounted on the surface of the board via the pegs12. The peg12includes press-fit portions12D on front and rear ends (seeFIG.1). The pegs12are mounted on both left and right side surfaces of the connector housing10by press-fitting the press-fit portions12D into groove portions10K formed in both left and right surface parts of the connector housing10from above. These pegs12are line-symmetrically shaped via a lateral center of the connector housing10.

Each peg12includes a plurality of locked portions12B. Each locked portion12B of each peg12extends in the front-rear direction and a lower side thereof is cut and raised laterally outward. The plurality of locked portions12B are arranged one above the other on an upper side of each peg12.

The retainer13is integrally formed, such as by bending a metal plate of stainless steel or the like. The retainer13includes a retainer body13A in the form of a rectangular flat plate as a whole and locking portions13B respectively provided on both ends of the retainer body13in the arrangement direction of the cavities10E. The retainer body13A is formed with a plurality of through holes13G arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction and penetrating in a plate thickness direction. The respective through holes13G correspond to the plurality of projecting portions10G of the connector housing10. With the retainer13mounted on the connector housing10, the projecting portions10G are inserted in the respective through holes13G (seeFIG.2).

Each locking portion13B includes an inner wall portion13C, an upper wall portion13D, an outer wall portion13E and a locking body13F. The inner wall portions13C are bent to extend upward from the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the retainer body13A. The upper wall portions13D extend laterally outward from the tips of the respective inner wall portions13C. The outer wall portions13E hang down from the tips of the respective upper wall portions13D. The locking bodies13F extend laterally inward from the lower ends of the respective outer wall portions13E. The respective locking bodies13F are located lower than the retainer body13A.

The retainer13is so mounted on the connector housing10that the retainer body13A and the inner wall portions13C are arranged in the board accommodation space S1. The respective outer wall portions13E are arranged to cover the locked portions12B of the pegs12from laterally outer sides. The locking bodies13F are locked to the lower ends of the upper or lower locked portions12B from below. The retainer13is mounted on the connector housing10via the pegs12.

For example, if the flexible board30is not arranged in the board accommodation space S1, the locking bodies13F are locked to the lower ends of the respective upper locked portions12B from below. If the flexible board30is arranged in the board accommodation space S1, the locking bodies13F are locked to the lower ends of the respective lower locked portions12B from below.

An FPC board is adopted as the flexible board30. The flexible board30has flexibility and is configured to be deformable and, even if being deformed, maintain electrical characteristics. For example, a reinforcement plate (not shown) is adhered to the upper surface of an end part30A of the flexible board30to be inserted into the connector housing10, and the plurality of electrodes30B extending in the front-rear direction and arranged in parallel to each other are provided in an exposed manner on the lower surface of the end part30A. A plurality of insertion holes30C, which are insertion portions formed by cutting between adjacent ones of the electrodes30B, are formed to penetrate through the flexible board30. The respective insertion holes30C correspond to the plurality of projecting portions10G of the connector housing10. With the end part30A of the flexible board30inserted in the connector housing10, the projecting portions10G are inserted through the respective insertion holes30C (see FIG.2).

(Connection of Flexible Board and Terminal Fittings)

The connection of the flexible board30and the terminal fittings11is described. In a state before the end part30A of the flexible board30is arranged in the board accommodation space S1, the locking bodies13F of the retainer13are locked to the lower ends of the respective upper locked portions12B from below.

Subsequently, the end part30A of the flexible board30is inserted into the slit10D of the board insertion portion10B. Then, the end part30A contacts the inclined surfaces10H formed on the projecting portions10G of the connector housing10. If being further inserted, the end part30A is lifted up by the inclined surfaces10H formed on the projecting portions10G. If the end part30A is further inserted, the respective projecting portions10G are inserted through the respective insertion holes30C and the lifted-up end part30A moves down to return to an initial posture (seeFIG.2). At this time, the respective electrodes30B of the end part30A contact the spring pieces11E of the respective terminal bodies11A. That is, the flexible board30includes the plurality of electrodes30B to be individually connected to the plurality of terminal fittings11. In this way, the end part30A is arranged in the board accommodation space S1. At this time, the retainer13is in a second arrangement state with respect to the pegs12and in a non-pressing state for releasing pressing to the flexible board30.

Subsequently, the retainer13is set in a pressing state for pressing the flexible board30toward the terminal fittings11. Specifically, the locking bodies13F are locked to the lower ends of the respective lower locked portions12B from below (seeFIG.2). In this way, the end part30A of the flexible board30is pressed in a direction toward the terminal fittings11by the retainer body13A. Specifically, the end part30A of the flexible board30is slightly lifted up by the spring pieces11E and the lifted-up end part30A is pressed downward by the retainer body13A. That is, the terminal fittings11are provided with the spring pieces11E for resiliently pressing the flexible board30and bringing the flexible board30and the terminal fittings11into contact when the retainer13is in the pressing state. At this time, the projecting portions10G of the connector housing10are inserted into the through holes13G of the retainer13A (seeFIG.2). At this time, the retainer13is in a first arrangement state with respect to the pegs12and in the pressing state for pressing the flexible board30. That is, the retainer13sandwiches and holds the flexible board30arranged in the board accommodation space S1between the terminal fittings11and the retainer13. At this time, a state where the projecting portions10G of the connector housing10are inserted through the insertion holes30C of the flexible board30is maintained by the retainer13(seeFIG.2). Thus, the flexible board30is restricted from coming out from the connector housing10.

Creepage distances between adjacent ones of the electrodes30B of the flexible board30are secured by the projecting portions10G inserted through the insertion holes30C (seeFIG.2).

Next, functions and effects of the first embodiment are described.

The connector1of this embodiment includes the connector housing10, the terminal fittings11and the retainer13. The connector housing10includes the board accommodation space S1. The terminal fittings11are mounted into the connector housing10to face the board accommodation space S1. The retainer13sandwiches and holds the flexible board30arranged in the board accommodation space S1between the terminal fittings11and the retainer13. A state of the retainer13changes to the pressing state for pressing the flexible board30toward the terminal fittings11and the non-pressing state for releasing pressing to the flexible board30. The retainer13is made of metal.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, since the retainer13is made of metal, the retainer13is less likely to be deformed even if the connector1is exposed to a high-temperature and high-humidity atmosphere for a long period of time.

The connector1of the present disclosure is provided with the spring pieces11E for resiliently pressing the flexible board30and bringing the flexible board30and the terminal fittings11into contact when the retainer13is in the pressing state.

According to this configuration, even if a dimension between the flexible board30and the terminal fittings11varies, the flexible board30and the terminal fittings11can be reliably brought into conduction by the spring pieces11E.

The connector housing10of the connector1of the present disclosure is provided with the plurality of terminal fittings11, and the plurality of spring pieces11E are arranged to respectively correspond to the plurality of terminal fittings11.

According to this configuration, even if positional relationships of the plurality of terminal fittings11with the flexible board30vary, a connected state of each terminal fitting11and the flexible board30can be satisfactorily established by the spring piece11E corresponding to each terminal fitting11.

The connector housing10of the connector1of the present disclosure includes the wall portions10F partitioning between adjacent ones of the terminal fittings11. The flexible board30includes the plurality of electrodes30B to be individually connected to the plurality of terminal fittings11. The flexible board30is formed with the insertion holes30C by cutting between adjacent ones of the electrodes30B, and the projecting portions10G of the wall portions10F are inserted through the insertion holes30C.

According to this configuration, the creepage distances between adjacent ones of the electrodes30B formed on the flexible board30can be secured by the projecting portions10G of the wall portions10F.

The spring piece11E of the connector1of the present disclosure is integrally provided to the terminal fitting11.

According to this configuration, since the spring piece11E is integrally provided in the terminal fitting11constituting the configuration for sandwiching the flexible board30, the number of components can be reduced as compared to the case where the spring piece11E is provided separately.

The pegs12for holding the connector housing10mounted on the board are mounted on the connector housing10of the connector1of the present disclosure. The retainer13is in the pressing state when being in the first arrangement state with respect to the pegs12and is in the non-pressing state when being in the second arrangement state with respect to the pegs12.

According to this configuration, since the pegs12are separate from the connector housing10, a material of the pegs12can be different from that of the connector housing10. Since this enables the selection of a material, which is not worn or deformed even if the retainer13made of metal is locked, as the material of the pegs12, the retainer13can be reliably held in the pressing state.

Second Embodiment

A connector2according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.4to6. The connector2according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that terminal fittings21are strip-like and that a retainer23is provided with a spring piece23C serving as a resilient pressing piece. The same components as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. Note that, in the following description, a side on which a flexible board30is inserted into a connector housing20(left side inFIG.6) is referred to as a front side concerning a front-rear direction, and upper and lower sides inFIG.6are defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. Left and right sides inFIG.5are defined as left and right sides concerning a lateral direction.

The terminal fitting21is made of metal. As shown inFIG.6, the terminal fitting21is strip-like and formed to extend in the front-rear direction as a whole. A front side of the terminal fitting21is a terminal body21A and a rear side thereof is a board connecting portion21B. The terminal body21A is arranged to be higher than the board connecting portion21B. The terminal body21A is arranged along the bottom surface of a board accommodation space S2. The terminal body21A is arranged to face the board accommodation space S2. The front end of the terminal body21A is facing the rear end of a slit20D of a board insertion portion20B. The terminal body21A includes an embossed portion21F formed into a curved surface convex upward by being struck. The embossed portion21F comes into point contact with an electrode30B of the flexible board30(seeFIG.5). The terminal body21A and the board connecting portion21B are coupled by an intermediate portion21C. The intermediate portion21C is inclined downward toward the board connecting portion21B from the rear end of the terminal body21A. A press-fit portion21D is provided in a rear end part of the terminal body21A. If the press-fit portion21D is press-fit into a rear end part of a cavity20E, the terminal fitting21is retained and held in the connector housing20by the press-fit portion21D.

As shown inFIG.5, the retainer23includes a retainer body23A, locking portions23B and the spring piece23C serving as a resilient pressing piece. The retainer body23A is in the form of a rectangular flat plate extending in the lateral direction as a whole. The respective locking portions23B hang down on both ends of the retainer body23A in an arrangement direction of the cavities20E. Locking bodies23D extending laterally inward are provided on the lower ends of the respective locking portions23B. The spring piece23C is folded from the front end edge of the retainer body23A, extends toward a rear end and is arranged below the retainer body23A (seeFIG.6). A central part in the front-rear direction of the spring piece23C is curved downward (seeFIG.6).

The retainer23is mounted on the connector housing20to cover an upper side of the board accommodation space S2by the retainer body23A. The respective locking portions23B are arranged to cover locked portions12B of pegs12from laterally outer sides. The locking bodies23D are locked to the lower ends of the upper or lower locked portions12B from below. The retainer23is mounted on the connector housing20via the pegs12.

(Connection of Flexible Board and Terminal Fittings)

The connection of the flexible board30and the terminal fittings21is described. In a state before an end part30A of the flexible board30is arranged in the board accommodation space S2, the locking bodies23F of the retainer23are locked to the lower ends of the respective upper locked portions12B from below. At this time, the retainer23is in a second arrangement state with respect to the pegs12. Subsequently, the end part30A of the flexible board30is inserted into the slit20D of the board insertion portion20B. Then, the respective embossed portions21F contact the respective electrodes30B of the end part30A. The end part30A is further inserted while maintaining a state where the respective embossed portions21F are in contact with the respective electrodes30B. When the tip of the end part30A reaches a rear end part of the board accommodation space S2, the retainer23is set in a pressing state.

Specifically, the locking bodies23D are locked to the lower ends of the respective lower locked portions12B from below (seeFIG.5). Then, the spring piece23C of the retainer23contacts the upper surface (surface to which a reinforcement plate is adhered) of the end part30A, and is deflected in a direction toward the retainer body23A. That is, the flexible board30is pressed in such a direction that the end part30A of the flexible board30approaches the terminal fittings21by the spring piece23C of the retainer23. That is, the retainer23is provided with the spring piece23C for resiliently pressing the flexible board30and bringing the flexible board30and the terminal fittings21into contact when the retainer23is in the pressing state. At this time, the retainer23is in a first arrangement state with respect to the pegs12and in the pressing state for pressing the flexible board30.

The connector2of the present disclosure is provided with the spring piece23C for resiliently pressing the flexible board30and bringing the flexible board30and the terminal fittings21into contact when the retainer23is in the pressing state.

According to this configuration, even if a dimension between the flexible board30and the terminal fittings21varies, the flexible board30can be reliably brought into conduction with the terminal fittings21by the spring piece23C.

The spring piece23C of the connector2of the present disclosure is integrally provided to the retainer23.

According to this configuration, since the spring piece23C is integrally provided in the retainer23constituting a configuration for sandwiching the flexible board30, the number of components can be reduced as compared to the case where the spring piece23C is provided separately.

Third Embodiment

A connector3according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.7to9. The connector3according to the third embodiment is different from the first and embodiments in the form of a connector housing40, the form of pegs22, the form of terminal fittings31, the form of a retainer33, the form of a flexible board130and the like. Note that, in the following description, a side on which the flexible board130is pulled out from the connector housing40(left side inFIG.9) is referred to as a front side concerning a front-rear direction, and upper and lower sides inFIG.9are defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. Left and right sides inFIG.8are defined as left and right sides concerning a lateral direction.

The connector housing40includes a terminal holding portion40A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a board arranging portion40B formed in front of the terminal holding portion40A. The terminal holding portion40A includes cavities40E (seeFIG.9). Wall portions40F partitioning between adjacent ones of the cavities40E are provided between the adjacent cavities40E (seeFIG.8). Each side forming the upper end surface of each wall portion40F is chamfered (seeFIG.8). In the third embodiment, a board accommodation space S3includes a region where upper sides of the cavities40E are open and a region above the board arranging portion40B. In the board accommodation space S3, the front end of each wall portion40F is located in a central part in the front-rear direction of the board accommodation space S3.

In the board accommodation space S3, the bottom surface of the board arranging portion40B and the bottom surfaces of the cavities40A are formed to be flush (seeFIG.9). Side wall portions40H standing upward are provided on both left and right sides of the board accommodation space S3(seeFIG.8). The peripheral edges of the upper end surfaces of the side wall portions40H are chamfered (seeFIG.8). Two bosses40D projecting upward are provided side by side in an arrangement direction of the cavities40E in front of the wall portions40F of the board accommodation space S3(seeFIG.7). These bosses40D have the same outer diameter.

The terminal fitting31is made of metal. As shown inFIG.9, the terminal fitting31is strip-like and formed to extend in a front-rear direction as a whole. A front side of the terminal fitting31is a terminal body31A and a rear side thereof is a board connecting portion31B. The terminal body31A is arranged to be higher than the board connecting portion31B. The terminal body31A is arranged along the bottom surface of a board accommodation space S3. The terminal body31A is arranged to face the board accommodation space S3. The front end of the terminal body31A is located rearward of the front ends of the wall portions40F. The terminal body31A and the board connecting portion31B are coupled by an intermediate portion31C. The intermediate portion31C is inclined downward toward the board connecting portion31B from the rear end of the terminal body31A. A press-fit portion31D is provided in a rear end part of the terminal body31A. If the press-fit portion31D is press-fit into a rear end part of a cavity40E, the terminal fitting31is retained and held in the connector housing40by the press-fit portion31D.

The peg32is made of metal. As shown inFIG.8, the peg32is in the form of a flat plate as a whole. One peg32is mounted along the left or right side surface of the connector housing40on each of both left and right sides of the board accommodation space S3. A lower end part of the peg32is provided with a plurality of projections32F to be inserted through through holes formed in an unillustrated board. In this way, the connector housing40is fixed to a surface of the board via the pegs32. The peg32includes a press-fit portion32D on each of front and rear ends (seeFIG.7). The pegs32are mounted on both left and right side surfaces of the connector housing40by press-fitting the press-fit portions32D into groove portions40K respectively formed in both left and right side surface parts of the connector housing40. Each peg32includes one locked portion32B. With each peg32mounted on the connector housing40, each locked portion32B extends in the front-rear direction and a lower side thereof is cut and raised laterally outward.

As shown inFIG.8, the retainer33includes a retainer body33A, a plurality of locking portions33B and a plurality of spring pieces33C serving as resilient pressing pieces. The retainer body33A is in the form of a rectangular flat plate as a whole. A recess33G depressed downward is formed on a front side of the retainer body33A (seeFIG.9). The recess33G is formed with two through holes33H arranged side by side in the arrangement direction of the cavities40E (seeFIG.7). These through holes33H have the same inner diameter. These through holes33H correspond to the bosses40D. The respective locking portions33are provided to hang down on both ends of the retainer body33A in the arrangement direction of the cavities40E. A locking body33D extending laterally inward is provided on the lower end of each locking portion33B.

As shown inFIG.9, each spring piece33C is folded from the rear end of an opening formed in a central part in the front-rear direction of the retainer body33A, extends toward a rear end and is arranged below the retainer body33A. Each spring piece33C corresponds to each terminal fitting31. The spring piece33C is inclined downward to the rear. A tip side of the spring piece33C is bent toward the retainer body33A and folded to extend forward. A base end side of the spring piece33C includes an embossed portion33F formed into a curved surface convex downward by being struck. The embossed portion33F comes into point contact with a surface of an end part130A of the flexible board130to which a reinforcement plate is adhered.

As shown inFIG.8, the retainer23is mounted on the connector housing40to cover an upper side of the board accommodation space S3by the retainer body33A. The respective locking portions33B are arranged to cover the locked portions32B of the pegs32from laterally outer sides. The locking bodies33D are locked to the lower ends of the locked portions32B from below. The retainer33is mounted on the connector housing40via the pegs32.

For example, if the end part130A is not arranged in the board accommodation space S3, the retainer33is not mounted on the connector housing40. If the end part130A is arranged in the board accommodation space S3, the locking bodies33F are locked to the lower ends of the respective locked portions32B from below.

The reinforcement plate (not shown) is adhered to the upper surface of the end part130A of the flexible board130arranged in the connector housing40. As shown inFIG.8, a plurality of electrodes130B are provided in an exposed manner on the lower surface of the flexible board130. These electrodes130B extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged in parallel to each other. Slits130C serving as insertion portions are formed between adjacent ones of the electrodes130B on the end part130A. The end part130A is formed such that a plurality of strip-like shapes are arranged in the lateral direction by these slits130C (not shown). Each slit130C corresponds to each of the plurality of wall portions40F of the connector housing40. The wall portions40F are inserted through the respective slits130C with the end part130A arranged in the board accommodation space S3. Two insertion holes130D are formed side by side in a width direction of the flexible board130in front of the end part130A (seeFIG.9). Note that only one insertion hole130D is shown inFIG.9. These insertion holes130D have the same inner diameter. These insertion holes130D respectively correspond to the two bosses40D.

(Connection of Flexible Board and Terminal Fittings)

The connection of the flexible board130and the terminal fittings31is described. In a state before the end part130A of the flexible board130is arranged in the board accommodation space S3, the retainer33is not mounted on the connector housing40. At this time, the retainer33is in a second arrangement state with respect to the pegs32and in a non-pressing state for releasing pressing to the flexible board130. Subsequently, the end part130A of the flexible board130is arranged in the board accommodation space S3. At this time, the respective bosses40D are inserted through the respective insertion holes130D and the wall portions40F are inserted through the respective slits130C.

Subsequently, the retainer33is mounted on the connector housing40and set in a pressing state. Specifically, the respective bosses40D are inserted through the respective through holes33H and the respective spring pieces33C are arranged between the respective wall portions40F. Then, the locking bodies33D of the retainer33are locked to the lower ends of the respective locked portions32B of the pegs32from below (seeFIG.8). Then, the respective spring pieces33C of the retainer33contact the upper surface (surface to which the reinforcement plate is adhered) of the end part130A having the respective electrodes130B arranged thereon, and are deflected in a direction toward the retainer body33A. Then, the embossed portions33F come into point contact with the upper surface of the end part130A. At this time, the retainer33is in a first arrangement state with respect to the pegs32and in the pressing state for pressing the flexible board130. At this time, a state where the bosses40D of the connector housing40are inserted through the insertion holes130D of the flexible board130is held by the retainer33(seeFIG.9). Thus, the flexible board130is restricted from coming out from the connector housing40.

The connector housing40of the connector3of the present disclosure includes the wall portions40F partitioning between adjacent ones of the terminal fittings31. The flexible board130includes the plurality of electrodes130B to be individually connected to the plurality of terminal fittings31. The flexible board130is formed with the slits130C by cutting between adjacent ones of the electrodes130B, and the wall portions40F are inserted through the insertion holes130C.

According to this configuration, creepage distances between adjacent ones of the electrodes130B formed on the flexible board130can be secured by the wall portions40F.

The pegs32for holding the connector housing40mounted on the board are mounted on the connector housing40of the connector3of the present disclosure. The retainer33is in the pressing state when being in the first arrangement state with respect to the pegs32and is in the non-pressing state when being in the second arrangement state with respect to the pegs32.

According to this configuration, since the pegs32are separate from the connector housing40, a material of the pegs32can be different from that of the connector housing40. Since this enables the selection of a material, which is not worn or deformed even if the retainer33made of metal is mounted, as the material of the pegs32, the retainer33can be reliably held in the pressing state.

Fourth Embodiment

A connector4according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.10to12. The connector4according to the fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in that a retainer43is mounted rotatably with respect to pegs42and that long holes230C serving as insertion portions are formed between adjacent ones of electrodes230B of a flexible board230. The same components as in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference signs and the structures, functions and effects thereof are not described. Note that, in the following description, a side on which the flexible board230is pulled out from a connector housing50(left side inFIG.12) is referred to as a front side concerning a front-rear direction, and upper and lower sides inFIG.12are defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. Left and right sides inFIG.11are defined as left and right sides concerning a lateral direction.

The connector housing50includes a terminal holding portion50A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a board arranging portion50B formed in front of the terminal holding portion50A. The terminal holding portion50A includes cavities50E (seeFIG.12). A board accommodation space S4open on an upper side is formed on front sides of the cavities50E. In the fourth embodiment, the board accommodation space S4includes a region where upper sides of the cavities50E are open and a region above the board arranging portion50B. In the board accommodation space S4, wall portions50F partitioning between adjacent ones of the cavities50E are provided between the adjacent cavities50E (seeFIG.11). The front end of each wall portion50F is located on the front end of the board accommodation space S4(i.e. front end of the board arranging portion50B) (seeFIG.12). Side wall portions50H standing upward are provided on both left and right sides of the board accommodation space S4(seeFIG.11).

A terminal body21A is arranged along the bottom surface of the board accommodation space S4. The terminal body21A is arranged to face the board accommodation space S4. The front end of the terminal body21A is located in a central part in the front-rear direction of the board accommodation space S4. An embossed portion21F comes into point contact with the electrode230B of the flexible board230.

As shown inFIG.11, a lower end part of the peg42is provided with a plurality of projections42F to be inserted through through holes formed in an unillustrated board. The pegs42are mounted on both left and right side surfaces of the connector housing50by press-fitting press-fit portions42D into groove portions50K respectively formed in both left and right side surface parts of the connector housing50from above (seeFIG.10).

Each peg42includes two locked portions42B (seeFIG.10). Each locked portion42B extends in the front-rear direction and a lower part thereof is cut and raised laterally outward. In each peg42, the two locked portions42B are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. A through hole42C is formed to penetrate between the two locked portions42B of each peg42(seeFIG.10).

As shown inFIG.10, the retainer43includes a retainer body43A, a plurality of locking portions43B, a plurality of spring pieces43C serving as resilient pressing pieces and a plurality of shaft portions43E. The retainer body43A is in the form of a rectangular flat plate as a whole. As shown inFIG.11, the respective locking portions43B are provided to hang down on both ends of the retainer body43A in an arrangement direction of the cavities50E. A locking body43D extending laterally inward is provided on the lower end of each locking portion43B.

As shown inFIG.12, each spring piece43C is folded from the front end of the retainer body43A, extends toward a rear end and is arranged below the retainer body43A. Each spring piece43C corresponds to each terminal fitting21. A tip side of the spring piece43C is bent toward the retainer body43A and fold to extend forward. A base end side of the spring piece43C includes an embossed portion43F formed into a curved surface convex downward by being struck.

The respective shaft portions43E are provided on the respective locking portions43B. The respective shaft portions43E are locked to the pegs42. Each shaft portion43E is bent into a tubular shape projecting laterally inward from each locking portion43B. The outer shape of each shaft portion43E is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the through hole42C of the peg42.

The retainer43is mounted on the connector housing50by inserting the respective shaft portions43E through the through holes42C of the pegs42from laterally outer sides. The retainer43is mounted on the connector housing50via the pegs42.

For example, if an end part230A of the flexible board230is not arranged in the board accommodation space S4, the retainer43is in such a state that the locking bodies43D are not locked to the locked portions42B with the shaft portions43E inserted through the through holes42C of the pegs42. In this case, the retainer43is rotatable about the shaft portions43E. At this time, the retainer43is in a second arrangement state with respect to the pegs42and in a non-pressing state for releasing pressing to the flexible board230. If the end part230A is arranged in the board accommodation space S4, the locking bodies43D of the retainer body43A are locked to the lower ends of the respective locked portions42B located on front sides of the pegs42from below by rotating the retainer43about the shaft portions43E. At this time, the retainer43is in a first arrangement state with respect to the pegs42and in a pressing state for pressing the flexible board230.

As shown inFIG.11, the plurality of electrodes230B are provided in an exposed manner on the lower surface of the flexible board230. These electrodes230B extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged in parallel to each other. Long holes230C extending in the front-rear direction are formed to penetrate between adjacent ones of the electrodes230B on the end part230A of the flexible board230. The long hole230C corresponds to each of the plurality of wall portions50F of the connector housing50. The wall portions50F are inserted in the respective long holes230C with the end part230A arranged in the board accommodation space S4.

(Connection of Flexible Board and Terminal Fittings)

The connection of the flexible board230and the terminal fittings21is described. In a state before the end part230A of the flexible board230is arranged in the board accommodation space S4, the retainer43is in the non-pressing state where the locking bodies43D are not locked to the locked portions42B with the shaft portions43E inserted through the through holes42C of the pegs42. Subsequently, the end part230A of the flexible board230is arranged in the board accommodation space S4. At this time, the respective wall portions50F are inserted through the respective long holes230C.

Subsequently, the retainer43is set in the pressing state. Specifically, the retainer body43A is brought closer to the board accommodation space S4by rotating the retainer43about the shaft portions43E with the shaft portions43E inserted through the through holes42C of the pegs42. Then, the locking bodies43D are locked to the lower ends of the respective locked portions42B located on the front sides of the pegs42from below. At this time, the respective spring pieces43C are arranged between the respective wall portions50F (seeFIG.11). Then, the respective spring pieces43C contact the upper surface (surface to which a reinforcement plate is adhered) of the end part230A having the respective electrodes230B arranged thereon, and are deflected in a direction toward the retainer body43A. Then, the embossed portions43F come into point contact with the upper surface of the end part230A. In this way, the retainer43rotates about the shaft portions43E and the state thereof changes to the pressing state and the non-pressing state. In this way, the retainer43is set in the pressing state for pressing the flexible board230. At this time, the flexible board230is in such a state as to hold the inserted state of the wall portions50F in the long holes230C by the retainer43(seeFIG.11). Thus, the flexible board230is restricted from coming out from the connector housing50.

The retainer43of the connector4of the present disclosure includes the shaft portions43E to be locked to the pegs42, and the retainer43rotates about the shaft portions43E to change the state thereof to the pressing state and the non-pressing state.

According to this configuration, the state of the retainer43can be easily changed from the non-pressing state to the pressing state without performing an operation of positioning the retainer43with respect to the connector housing50.

Other Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiments and is represented by claims. The present invention is intended to include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents and also include the following embodiments.

(1) Although the use of stainless steel as the material of the retainer is illustrated in the first embodiment, metal of another type may be used.

(2) In the first embodiment, the first arrangement state is a state where the locking bodies of the retainer are locked to the lower locked portions of the pegs and the second arrangement state is a state where the locking bodies of the retainer are locked to the upper locked portions of the pegs. Without limitation to this, the second arrangement state may be a state where the retainer is removed from the pegs.

(3) The resilient pressing pieces may be provided in both the retainer and the terminal fittings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS