Connector

A connector capable of detecting whether or not two connected objects each having a substantially plate-like shape have been normally inserted into a housing. A first insertion-detecting contact and a second insertion-detecting contact are arranged adjacent to each other in the housing. Contact portions 5c and 5f are provided in the first insertion-detecting contact. Contact portions 7c and 7f are provided in the second insertion-detecting contact. The contact portions 5c and 7c are configured to be electrically connected to a first FPC when the first FPC is normally inserted into the housing. When a second FPC is normally inserted into the housing, the contact portion 5f is urged by the second FPC, to be brought into contact with the contact portion 7f.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector for electrically connecting two connected objects each having a substantially plate-like shape.

2. Prior Art

Conventionally, there has been proposed a connector provided with a holding member, a card insertion-detecting terminal, a common terminal, and a write protect-detecting terminal (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2004-79347 (Paragraph numbers [0030]to [0035]).

The holding member has one end formed with a recess for accommodating a memory card (connected object having a substantially plate-like shape). The other end of the holding member is formed with a printed board-inserting hole for accommodating a printed board (connected object having a substantially plate-like shape).

The card insertion-detecting terminal, the common terminal, and the write protect-detecting terminal are held by the holding member. The common terminal is positioned between the card insertion-detecting terminal and the write protect-detecting terminal.

When the memory card is inserted into the recess, the card insertion-detecting terminal is pressed against the common terminal by the memory card, whereby the card insertion-detecting terminal and the common terminal are electrically connected to each other. This makes it possible to detect that the memory card has been normally inserted into the recess.

When the memory card is inserted into the recess, if a movable member provided on a side portion of the memory card is positioned toward the terminal of the memory card, the write protect-detecting terminal is pressed against the common terminal by the movable member, whereby the write protect-detecting terminal and the common terminal are electrically connected to each other. As a result, it is possible to detect whether or not writing to the memory card is prohibited.

Although in the above-described connector, it is possible to detect whether or not the memory card has been normally inserted to a predetermined position in the holding member, it is impossible to detect whether or not the printed board has been normally inserted to a predetermined position in the holding member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector which is capable of detecting whether or not two connected objects each having a substantially plate-like shape have been normally inserted into a housing.

To attain the above object, the present invention provides a connector comprising a housing having a first receiving portion for receiving a first connected object having a substantially plate-like shape, and a second receiving portion for receiving a second connected object having a substantially plate-like shape, a first insertion-detecting contact disposed in the housing, and a second insertion-detecting contact disposed in the housing at a location adjacent to the first insertion-detecting contact, wherein the first insertion-detecting contact includes a first contact portion disposed in the first receiving portion, and a second contact portion urged by the second connected object when the second connected object has been normally inserted into the second receiving portion, wherein the second insertion-detecting contact includes a third contact portion disposed in the first receiving portion, and a fourth contact portion brought into contact with the second contact portion when the second connected object has been normally inserted into the second receiving portion, and wherein when the first connected object is not inserted to a predetermined position in the first receiving portion, at least one of the first contact portion and the third contact portion is not in contact with the first connected object, whereas when the first connected object is inserted to the predetermined position in the first receiving portion, both the first contact portion and the third contact portion are brought into contact with the first connected object.

With the arrangement of the connector according to the present invention, when the first connected object is not inserted to the predetermined position in the first receiving portion, at least one of the first contact portion and the third contact portion is not in contact with the first connected object, whereas when the first connected object is inserted to the predetermined position in the first receiving portion, both the first contact portion and the third contact portion are brought into contact with the first connected object. Further, the fourth contact portion is brought into contact with the second contact portion when the second connected object has been normally inserted into the second receiving portion. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the first and second connected objects have been normally inserted into the housing, based on whether or not the first and third contact portions are in contact with the first connected object, and whether or not the second contact portion and the fourth contact portion are in contact with each other.

Preferably, a positioning portion for positioning the second connected object with respect to the second contact portion is provided in the housing.

Preferably, the connector further comprises an actuator connected to the housing such that the actuator can be pivotally moved between a closed position where the actuator presses the second connected object against signal contacts held by the housing and an open position where the actuator permits the second connected object to be inserted into or removed from the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the connector is comprised of the housing3, the first insertion-detecting contact5, the second insertion-detecting contact7, signal contacts11, signal contacts12, and the actuator13, and connects a first FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit)21, which is a first connected object, and a second FPC22, which is a second connected object, to each other.

The first FPC21has a substantially plate-like shape, and is formed with a pair of insertion-detecting terminals21aand21b, and a plurality of signal terminals21c. The insertion-detecting terminals21aand21bare arranged at one end of the first FPC21in the terminal arrangement direction. The insertion-detecting terminals21aand21bare terminals of an insertion-detecting circuit, not shown. Further, the first FPC21has locking pieces21dformed on opposite ends thereof in the terminal arrangement direction. Each locking piece21dis formed with a locking hole21e.

The second FPC22has a substantially plate-like shape, and has one end thereof formed with a plurality of signal terminals22c. The number of the signal terminals22cis the same as that of the signal terminals21c.

The housing3is comprised of a holding portion31, a plate-like portion32, and side portions33and34. The holding portion31has a plate-like shape substantially rectangular in cross section. The holding portion31is formed with a first receiving portion31afor receiving one end of the first FPC21(seeFIGS. 4 to 8). Further, the holding portion31has a plurality of contact-accommodating chambers31bformed at intervals equally spaced in the longitudinal direction thereof. The contact-accommodating chambers31bcommunicate with the first receiving portion31a. Two of the contact-accommodating chambers31b, arranged at one end of the holding portion31in the longitudinal direction thereof, accommodate the first and second insertion-detecting contact5and7, respectively, and the other contact-accommodating chambers31baccommodate the signal contacts11and12, referred to hereinafter, alternately.

The plate-like portion32is connected to the holding portion31. The plate-like portion32is formed with a plurality of grooves32a, each of which extends in fitting and removing directions D1, and communicates with an associated one of the contact-accommodating chambers31b.

The side portion33has an inner side surface formed with a positioning protrusion (positioning portion)33a. The positioning protrusion33ais in slidable contact with one side surface22fof the second FPC22, for positioning the other side surface22gof the second FPC22with respect to a contact portion5f, referred to hereinafter, of the first insertion-detecting contact5.

The side portions33and34are formed with sloping surfaces33band34b, respectively. The sloping surfaces33band34babut the actuator13to thereby hold the actuator13in an open state.

Locking arms35are formed between the side portion33and the holding portion31and between the side portion34and the holding portion31, respectively. Each locking arm35has a foremost end formed with a nail35a. The locking arm35extends in the fitting and removing directions D1such that it can perform a swinging motion in the vertical directions D2of the housing3. When the first FPC21is normally inserted into the first receiving portion31a, the nail35ais inserted into the locking hole21eof the first FPC21, whereby the first FPC21is locked to the housing3.

The holding portion31has one end formed with a overhang portion36. The overhang portion36is formed with an accommodating space36a(seeFIGS. 4 and 5). The accommodating space36ais provided for accommodating the contact portion5fand a contact portion7f, referred to hereinafter, of the first and second insertion-detecting contacts5and7, and communicates with the contact-accommodating chambers31b, and a space37, described hereinafter.

The space37exists above the plate-like portion32(seeFIGS. 6 and 7). An upper portion of the space37is a space for accommodating the actuator9, and a lower portion thereof is a space (second receiving space) for removably receiving the second FPC22.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first insertion-detecting contact5has a substantially rectangular trunk5a. The trunk5ais press-fitted into an associated one of the contact-accommodating chambers31b. The trunk5ahas one end thereof connected to a leg5band a contact portion (first contact portion)5c. The contact portion5chas a foremost end formed with a contact point5d. The contact point5dis brought into contact with the insertion-detecting terminal21awhen the first FPC21is normally inserted into the first receiving portion31auntil it reaches a predetermined position. To this end, the contact point5dis at a location deeper than a contact point11dof each signal contact11, described hereinafter, (toward the space37) in the first receiving portion31a. To the other end of the trunk5ais connected a swing arm5e. The swing arm5ecan perform a swinging motion in the directions D3of the width of the housing3(seeFIG. 1). The swing arm5ehas a foremost end formed with a contact portion (second contact portion)5f.

As shown inFIG. 5, the second insertion-detecting contact7has a substantially rectangular trunk7a. The trunk7ais press-fitted into an associated one of the contact-accommodating chambers31b. The trunk7ahas one end thereof connected to a leg7band a contact portion (third contact portion)7c. The contact portion7chas a foremost end formed with a contact point7d. The contact point7dis brought into contact with the insertion-detecting terminal21bas soon as the first FPC21is inserted into the first receiving portion31a. To the other end of the trunk7ais connected a swing arm7e. The swing arm7ecan perform a swinging motion in the directions D3of the width of the housing3. The swing arm7ehas a foremost end formed with a contact portion (fourth contact portion)7f.

As shown inFIG. 6, each signal contact11has a substantially rectangular trunk11a. The trunk11ais press-fitted into an associated one of the contact-accommodating chambers31b. The trunk11ahas one end thereof connected to a leg11band a contact portion11c. The contact portion11chas a foremost end formed with a contact point11d. The contact point11dis brought into contact with an associated one of the signal terminals21cof the first FPC21. Connected to the other end of the trunk11aare a holding arm11fand a contact portion11gvia a connecting portion11e. The contact portion11ghas a foremost end formed with a contact point11h. The contact point11his brought into contact with an associated one of the signal terminals22cof the second FPC22.

As shown inFIG. 7, each signal contact12has a substantially rectangular trunk12a. The trunk12ais press-fitted into an associated one of the contact-accommodating chambers31b. The trunk12ahas one end thereof connected to a leg12band a contact portion12c. The contact portion12chas a foremost end formed with a contact point12d. The contact point12dis brought into contact with an associated one of the signal terminals21cof the first FPC21. Connected to the other end of the trunk12aare a holding arm12fand a contact portion12gvia a connecting portion12e. The contact portion12ghas a foremost end formed with a contact point12h. The contact point12his brought into contact with an associated one of the signal terminals22cof the second FPC22.

The signal contact11and the signal contact12are different from each other only in that the contact portions11cand12chave different lengths. The length of the signal terminal12cis shorter than that of the signal terminal11c. Therefore, the contact point12dis positioned closer to the second FPC22than the contact point11dis.

The actuator13has a plurality of grooves13a(seeFIG. 1) formed at intervals equally spaced in the longitudinal direction thereof. The grooves13aare continuous with the associated contact-accommodating chambers31b, respectively. The actuator13is formed with a shaft, not shown, which extends in the longitudinal direction thereof, and crosses the grooves13a. The shaft is substantially elliptical in cross section, and functions as a cam. The shaft is pivotally held by the holding arms11fand12fof the signal contacts11and12inserted into the grooves13a, whereby the actuator13is pivotally connected to the housing3by the signal contacts11and12. The actuator13can be pivotally moved between a closed position (position shown inFIG. 1) and an open position (position in which the actuator13is supported by the sloping surfaces33band34b). When the actuator13is in the open position, the direction of the major axis of the shaft of the actuator13becomes parallel to the fitting and removing directions D1, whereby the second FPC22can be inserted in or removed from between the shaft and the respective contact portions11gand12gof the signal contacts11and12. When the actuator13is in the closed position, the direction of the major axis of the shaft of the actuator13becomes parallel to the vertical directions D2. As a result, the shaft presses the signal terminals22cof the second FPC22against the contact points11hand12hof the contact portions11gand12g, whereby the signal contacts11and12are electrically connected to the second FPC22.

It should be noted that the configuration and the operation of the actuator13are known techniques (see e.g. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2006-147491).

Next, a description will be given of the insertion-detecting operation of the connector according to the present embodiment.

When the second FPC22is not inserted into the space37, as shown inFIG. 8, the contact portion5fof the first insertion-detecting contact5is away from the contact portion7fof the second insertion-detecting contact7.

When the second FPC22is inserted into the space37, as shown inFIG. 9, the contact portion5fof the first insertion-detecting contact5is urged by the other side surface22gof the second FPC22, and is brought into contact with the contact portion7fof the second insertion-detecting contact7. At this time, although not shown inFIG. 9, if the first FPC21is normally inserted into the first receiving portion31a, the insertion-detecting terminals21aand21bof the first FPC21are connected to each other by the first and second insertion-detecting contacts5and7, whereby it is possible to detect that the first FPC21and the second FPC22have been normally inserted into the housing3.

It should be noted that the insertion-detecting terminals21aand21bare connected to a detection circuit, not shown, for generating a detection signal.

Assuming that the first FPC21is not normally inserted into the first receiving portion31a, the insertion-detecting terminals21aand21bof the first FPC21are not connected to each other by the first and second insertion-detecting contacts5and7, and therefore the detection signal is not generated which notifies the user that the first FPC21and the second FPC22have been normally inserted into the housing3.

Further, even if the first FPC21is normally inserted into the first receiving portion31a, if the second FPC22is not normally inserted into the space37, the contact portion5fof the first insertion-detecting contact5is not brought into contact with the contact portion7fof the second insertion-detecting contact7, so that the insertion-detecting terminals21aand21bof the first FPC21are not connected to each other by the first and second insertion-detecting contacts5and7, and hence the detection signal is not generated which notifies the user that the first FPC21and the second FPC22have been normally inserted into the housing3.

As described hereinabove, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect whether or not the first FPC21and the second FPC22have been normally inserted into the housing3.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the second FPC22is positioned by the positioning protrusion33a, it is possible to easily perform an operation for inserting the second FPC22into the space37.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the actuator13is provided, the second FPC22can be inserted into the space37without any insertion force.

It should be noted that although the FPCs21and22are employed as the first and second connected objects, this is not limitative, but FFCs (Flexible Flat Cables) and memory cards, for example, may be employed as the first and second connected objects.

It is further understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing are the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and that various changes and modification may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.