Cable connector

A cable connector including a housing with an inserting hole adapted to receive a flat cable including terminals mounted on the housing that has contact parts to be electrically connected to lead wires of the flat cable. The connector includes an actuator having a main body moveable between a first position to enable insertion of the flat cable and a second position, parallel to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable, to connect the lead wires of the flat cable to the contact parts. The actuator includes locked portions on opposite sides of the main body and the housing includes locking portions on opposite sides of the housing which are engaged with the locked portions when the actuator is in the second position. The locked portions include tip edges extending parallel to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable when the actuator is in the second position and the locking portions include facing tip edges inclined to the direction of the insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable with the distance between facing tip edges of the locked portions being narrower at the inlet side of the inserting hole. The actuator is mounted to permit rearward shifting movement when the flat cable is not received within the inserting hole which displaces the relative alignment between locked portions and locking portions thereby permitting easier opening of the actuator for insertion of the cable while also providing a secure lock when connection is made with the flat cable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connector for a cable. Conventionally, in order to connect flat cables, being often referred to as a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC), and each having flexibility, a connector for a cable (hereinafter referred to as “cable connector”) such as an FPC connector and an FFC connector has been used (for example, refer to Utility Model Registration No. 3094560).

FIG. 14is a perspective view indicating a conventional cable connector.

As shown inFIG. 14, the cable connector includes a housing301being formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin or the like, and a plurality of first terminals303and a plurality of second terminals304, being formed of conductive material such as metal or the like, and being held by the housing301. On the upper surface of the housing301, an actuator302being formed of insulating material such as synthetic resin or the like is disposed. The actuator302is rotatably mounted on the housing301and rotates between its open position as shown in the figure and its closed position as not shown in the figure. In this case, in a state in which the actuator302is situated in the open position, a flat cable305is inserted from opening parts of the housing301. When the flat cable305is inserted into the back of the opening part, the actuator302is then rotated up to the closed position, by being operated by operator's fingers or the like. Then, locking portions308of fixing brackets307mounted on the housing301get to the state of hanging over locked portions306of the actuator302, and this renders the actuator302to be locked in the housing301. Thus, the flat cable305is pressurized from above by the actuator302, and a connecting portion being exposed on the lower surface of the flat cable305is brought into contact with the first terminals303and the second terminals304to become conductive, and thereby the position of the actuator302is fixed.

However, in the conventional cable connector, if the amount of hanging of the locking portions308of the fixing brackets307over the locked portions306is increased in order to ensure locking of the actuator302, the amount of resiliently displacing the locking portions308is increased when the actuator302is rotated up to the closed position, and therefore, strong force is required, making it difficult to operate the actuator302. On the other hand, if the amount of hanging of the locking portions308over the locked portions306is decreased in order to facilitate the operation in rotating the actuator302up to the closed position, unlocking of the actuator302will be facilitated, and therefore, when the external force such as vibration, shock or the like is added, the actuator302may be unnecessarily rotated up to the open position, resulting in disengagement of the flat cable305.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem encountered by the conventional cable connector, to provide a cable connector capable of facilitating the operation of changing the orientation of the actuator to the second position, and also capable of ensuring the locking of the actuator and assuredly connecting the flat cable without any unnecessary change in orientation of the actuator from the second position. This is accomplished by virtue of a simple construction, by inclining, to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the cable, the tip edges of the locking portions engaged with the locked portions being disposed on both sides of the actuator that is mounted on a housing so as to be able to change its orientation between a first position capable of inserting a flat cable and a second position to electrically connect lead-wires of the inserted flat cable and terminals thereof.

To this end, a cable connector of the present invention comprises: a housing provided with an inserting hole through which a flat cable is inserted; a terminal mounted on the housing and provided with a contact part to be electrically connected to a lead-wire of the flat cable; an actuator capable of changing its orientation between a first position to enable insertion of the flat cable and a second position to connect the lead-wires of the inserted flat cable to the contact part, the actuator having a main body nearly parallel to a direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable in the second position, and locked portions being disposed on both sides of the main body; and locking portions being disposed on both sides of the housing and being engaged with the locked portions in the second position, wherein, tip edges of the locked portions are parallel to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable in the second position, and tip edges of the locking portions are inclined to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable.

In a cable connector in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the tip edges of the locking portions on both sides face each other, and a mutual distance becomes narrower as being situated nearer an inlet side of the inserting hole.

In a cable connector in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the tip edges of the locking portions on both sides face each other and are resiliently displaceable in a direction to widen a mutual distance.

In a cable connector in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the tip edges of the locking portions on both sides are displaced obliquely above.

In a cable connector in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the locking portions are formed as part of auxiliary connector securing members being mounted on both sides of the housing.

In a cable connector in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the locking portions hang over the locked portions in the second position.

In a cable connector in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the actuator is movable toward a back of the inserting hole in the second position and in the position adjacent to the second position, when the flat cable is not inserted into the inserting hole.

In a cable connector in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the actuator is subjected to the force toward the back of the inserting hole in the position adjacent to the second position, when the tip edges of the locked portions abut on the tip edges of the locking portions.

In a cable connector in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the actuator is provided with a pressing part pressing the flat cable against the contact part, and is unmovable toward the back of the inserting hole in the second position and in the position adjacent to the second position, when the flat cable is inserted into the inserting hole.

In a cable connector in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the actuator is mounted to permit rearward shifting movement when the flat cable is not received within the inserting hole which displaces the relative alignment between locked portions and locking portions thereby permitting easier opening of the actuator for insertion of the cable while also providing a secure lock when connection is made with the flat cable.

According to the present invention, the cable connector includes the tip edges of the locking portions which are inclined to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable with the tip edges of the locking portions engaged with the locked portions being disposed on both sides of the actuator that is mounted on the housing so as to be able to change the orientation of the actuator between the first position capable of inserting the flat cable and the second position to electrically connect the lead-wire of the inserted flat cable and the terminals thereof. In spite of a simple construction, this enables the connector to facilitate the operation of changing the orientation of the actuator to the second position, and also to ensure the locking of the actuator, thereby enabling it to assuredly connect the flat cable without any unnecessary change in the orientation of the actuator from the second position.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a perspective view when an actuator of a cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is in the open position.FIG. 2is a perspective view when the actuator of the cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is in the closed position.FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view when the actuator of the cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is in the closed position, and an arrowed line sectional view A-A inFIG. 2.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view when the actuator of the cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is in the closed position, and an arrowed line sectional view B-B inFIG. 2.

In these figures, a reference numeral10designates a connector as a cable connector in the preferred embodiment, and the connector10is mounted on a surface of a substrate such as a circuit board or the like (not illustrated), and is used for electrically connecting a flat cable71, which will be described later, being referred to as a flexible circuit board, a flexible flat cable or the like. In this case, the lower surface as viewed inFIGS. 3 and 4is a mounting surface of the connector10, which is mounted to the mounting surface of the substrate. For example, the flat cable71is a flat flexible cable being called as an FPC, an FFC or the like, and any kind of cable is acceptable if it is a flat cable provided with lead-wires such as lead-wires75to be described later. In this embodiment, representations of directions such as up, down, left, right, front, rear, and the like, used for explaining the structure and movement of each part of the cable connector10, are not absolute, but relative. These relative directions are appropriate when each part of the cable connector10is in the position shown in the figures. If the orientation of each part of the cable connector10changes, however, it is assumed that these relative positions are to be changed according to the change in the orientation of each part of the connector10.

The connector10comprises a housing31being integrally formed of insulating material such as synthetic resin or the like, and an actuator11being integrally formed of insulating material such as synthetic resin or the like, and being mounted on the housing31so as to be able to change its angular orientation. That is, the actuator11is mounted on the housing31so as to change its orientation to be situated in the open position as a first position and in the closed position as a second position.

The housing31includes a lower part32, an upper part35, right and left side parts36, and inserting holes33being formed among the lower part32, the upper part35and the side parts36, and serving as opening parts for inserting and extracting an end portion of the flat cable71from the front (the left side as viewed inFIGS. 3 and 4). The flat cable71is inserted toward the right side as viewed inFIGS. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is determined that each inlet side of the inserting holes33(the left side as viewed inFIGS. 3 and 4) is referred to as the front side of the connector10, and each back of the inserting holes33(the right side as viewed inFIGS. 3 and 4) is referred to as the rear side of the connector10. At the backs within the inserting holes33, an abutting part38on which the tip of the flat cable71abuts is disposed.

In the housing31, a plurality of terminal receiving grooves are formed in which metal terminals are fitted. In the present preferred embodiment, the terminals include a first terminal41and a second terminal51, and each of the terminal receiving grooves includes a first terminal receiving groove34ain which the first terminal41is fitted, and a second terminal receiving groove34bin which the second terminal51is fitted. In the example as shown in the drawings, the terminal receiving grooves in even-number positions are the first terminal receiving grooves34a, and the terminal receiving grooves in odd-number positions are the second terminal receiving grooves34b. For example, eleven pieces of the first terminal receiving grooves34aand the second terminal receiving grooves34bare formed in total at a pitch of about 0.3 mm. The pitch and the number of the terminal receiving grooves can be suitably changed. The first terminal receiving grooves34aand the second terminal receiving grooves34bare alternately disposed so as to be adjacent to each other. Further, the first terminals41and the second terminals51are not always required to be fitted in all the first terminal receiving grooves34aand second terminal receiving grooves34b, and it is possible to suitably reduce the number of first terminals41and the number of second terminals51, as determined by the arrangement of the lead-wires75contained in the flat cable71.

In addition, side shoulder portions37are formed adjacent to the side portions36on both sides of the lower portion32. The side shoulder portions37are shoulder portions extending in the direction of inserting and extracting the flat cable71, that is, in the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71, and the upper surfaces thereof are situated in a higher position than the upper surface32aof the lower portion32. And, in the side shoulder portions37, slit-shaped auxiliary securing member receiving recess portions39extending in the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71are formed, and auxiliary connector securing members21being commonly known as nails are inserted into the auxiliary securing member receiving recess portions39, thereby being mounted on the housing31.

Preferably, the auxiliary connector securing members21are formed by providing a metal plate with machining such as punching, bending, or the like. Each of the auxiliary connector securing members21includes a flat main body22extending in the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71and in the direction vertical to the mounting surface, and a locking portion23being integrally connected to the upper edge of the front end of the main body22and extending in a direction parallel to the mounting surface. The locking portion23is formed by bending a member projecting above from the upper edge of the front end of the main body22so that the tip edge23amay be directed to the inside of the housing31. Consequently, the right and left locking portions23are formed so that each other's tip edge23aare facing each other. In addition, since the locking portions23are integrally connected to the main body22through bending portions, the locking portions23can resiliently be deformed to a certain degree, and the right and left tip edges23acan be displaced in the right and left direction.

Each of the tip edges23ahas a linear visible outline23b, and the visible outline23bis formed so as to be inclined to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71. More particularly, the tip edge23ais formed so that the part may be inclined to a center line extending in the anteroposterior direction of the housing31on the surface parallel to the mounting surface, and the extension line thereof may cross the center line ahead of the housing31. The right and left locking portions23, including the tip edges23a, are disposed so as to be symmetric to the center line. Thus, the distance between the right and left tip edges23ais wider at the backs of the inserting holes33, namely at the rear side, and narrower at the inlet sides of the inserting holes33, namely at the front side. The side surfaces37aof the right and left side shoulder portions37, and the front side ends of the tip edges23afunction as the guides of the inserting holes33.

At each of the tip edges23a, a C-surface23cextending to the visible outline23bcan be formed within the board thickness thereof. The dimension of the C-surface23cis, while associating with locked portions16of the actuator11to be described later, suitably determined depending on selection of the locking force and the unlocking force. The C-surface can prevent the locked portions16from becoming worn, and can also make initial movements of locking and unlocking to be unimpeded.

Also, the auxiliary connector securing members21have mounting portions (not illustrated), and the mounting portions are fixed on the surface of the substrate by soldering or the like. This reinforces the fixing of the connector10to the substrate, preventing the connector10from disengaging from the substrate. In addition, the upper end surfaces situated behind the locking portions23in the main body22of the auxiliary connector securing members21function as a supporting part for supporting first shafts13aformed on both sides of the main body15of the actuator11from below.

Thus, the actuator11includes the main body15being a rectangular thick plate member, a plurality of terminal accommodating recess parts being formed in the main body15, the first shafts13aare formed so as to project outward from both sides of the main body15, the plate-like locked portions16being formed so as to project outward from both sides of the main body15, as in the case of the first shafts13a, and pressing parts14being disposed on the lower face of the main body15. The pressing parts14press the flat cable71being inserted through the inserting holes33downwardly, namely toward the direction of the mounting surface, when the actuator11is situated in the closed position. The pressing parts14enable insertion of the flat cable71when the actuator11is situated in the open position.

Each of the terminal accommodating recess parts contains a first terminal accommodating recess part12aaccommodating a backstop44aat the tip of an upper arm part44of the first terminal41, and a second terminal accommodating recess part12baccommodating a bearing part54aat the tip of an upper arm part54of the second terminal51. The number and the position of the first terminal accommodating recess parts12aand second terminal accommodating recess parts12bcorrespond to the first terminal receiving grooves34aand second terminal receiving grooves34b. In addition, as shown inFIG. 4, a second shaft13bas the shaft of the actuator11is disposed in each of the second terminal accommodating recess parts12b, and the second shafts13bare engaged with the bearing parts54a. The upward shift of the second shafts13bis limited by the bearing parts54a. Therefore, the bearing parts54aprevent the actuator11from disengaging from the housing31.

Then, as shown inFIG. 2, the main body15becomes approximately parallel to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71when the actuator11is situated in the closed position, and as shown inFIG. 1, the main body15forms an angle of 90 degrees or more with respect to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71when the actuator11is situated in the open position.

Furthermore, when the actuator11is situated in the closed position, the locked portions16are positioned forward from the first shafts13aso as to engage with the locking portions23. In this case, as shown inFIG. 2, the locking portions23hang over the locked portions16, preventing the actuator11from changing its orientation from the closed position to the open position. That is to say, the locked portions16and the locking portions23function as locking mechanisms for locking the actuator11in the closed position and preventing the actuator11from being opened. The locked portions16are formed, coming down by one step from the outer side surfaces of the main body15so that the locking portions23may not project upward from the main body15of the actuator11when the tip edges23aof the locking portions23hang over the locked portions16to lock the actuator11. For that reason, it is possible to restrain the height of the connector10. Now, the tip edges16aof the locked portions16are perpendicular to the substrate surface on which the connector10is mounted, forming planar state parallel to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71, and include visible outlines16bbeing linear as viewed from the top side of the sheet ofFIG. 5. That is to say, the tip edges16aare parallel to the center line extending in an anteroposterior direction of the housing31on the surface parallel to the mounting surface.

Each of the tip edges16acontains an inclined surface16cin its thickness direction from the main body15to the visible outline16b, and inclined surfaces16dand16eback and forth as viewed from the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71. The inclined surfaces16c,16dand16ecan be suitably determined in association with the locking portions23by setting restraining movement thereof, for example, the operational ability of the actuator11. In particular, in movement for opening the actuator11from the closed position as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, inclined surfaces16dcan perform movement for opening the actuator11more smoothly when the inclined surfaces16dand the visible outlines23bof the locking portions23are in the overlapped position in the insertion direction of the flat cable71. That is to say, it is because, at the time of moving the actuator11toward the terminal side in order to open the actuator11, if the inclined surfaces16dand the visible outlines23bare in the overlapped position, the inclined surfaces16dserve as a guide, and thereby hang over the visible outlines23bwhen the actuator11is rotated upward.

Then, as shown inFIG. 3, each of the first terminals41has an approximately U shape, and contains a lower arm part43as a first arm part and an upper arm part44as a second arm part, extending in the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71, and a connecting part45extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion-and-extraction and linking the base part of the lower arm part43and the base part of the upper arm part44.

At this moment, the lower arm part43functions as a contact piece electrically connected to the lead-wires75of the flat cable71, and contains a contacting part43aprojecting in the vicinity of the tip thereof (the left end as viewed inFIG. 3). In addition, to the rear end of the connecting part45, a tail part42is connected as a substrate connecting part, projecting downward and being connected to a connecting pad to be formed on the substrate surface by soldering or the like. Further, a projection43bprojecting downward is formed at the base part of the lower arm part43, and an abutting part42ais formed at the front end of the tail part42.

When the actuator11is situated in the closed position, the backstops44aat the tips of the upper arm parts44enter into the first terminal accommodating recess parts12aand press the pressing part14downwardly, namely toward the direction of the mounting surface.

The first terminals41are then inserted and fitted in the first terminal receiving grooves34afrom the rear side of the housing31(the right side as viewed inFIG. 3). In this case, the upper arm parts44and approximately linear upper end parts of the connecting parts45abut on the lower surface of the upper part35, the projections43bgrab the floor surfaces of the first terminal receiving grooves34a, and further the abutting parts42aabut on the rear end surface of the lower part32, and thereby the first terminal41is fixed to the housing31.

As shown inFIG. 4, each of the second terminals51contains a lower arm part53as a linear first arm part extending in the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71, an upper arm part54as a generally S-shaped second arm part, and a connecting part55extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion-and-extraction and being connected to a connecting portion between the base part of the lower arm part53and the base part of the upper arm part54.

A tail part52is connected as a substrate connecting portion to the tip of the lower arm part53(the left end as viewed inFIG. 4). The tail part projects downward and is connected by soldering or the like to a connecting pad formed on the substrate surface. The lower arm parts53function as contact pieces being electrically connected to the lead-wires75of the flat cable71, and contain contact parts53aformed so as to project upward between the tip and the base part thereof Now, a projection52aprojecting backward is formed at the rear end of the tail part52, and a projection55ais formed at the upper edge of the front end of the connecting part55.

The bearing part54aat the tip of the upper arm part54is connected through the tilting part54bformed so as to be situated obliquely above from the base part side to the tip side. And, the second shaft13bof the actuator11is engaged with the bearing part54a.

The second terminals51are inserted and fitted in the second terminal receiving grooves34bfrom the front side of the housing31(the left side as viewed inFIG. 4). In this case, the approximately linear lower ends of the lower arm parts53abut on the floor surfaces of the second terminal receiving grooves34b, the projections55agrab the lower surface of the upper part35, and further the projections52aof the tail parts52grab the lower end of the front end surface in the lower part32of the housing31. And thereby the second terminal51is fixed to the housing31.

Meanwhile, in the first terminals41, the tail parts42are situated at the rear end of the housing31, whereas in the second terminals51, the tail parts52are situated at the front end of the housing31. Then, as described above, the first terminals41and the second terminals51are alternately fitted in the housing31. For this reason, the alignment of the tail parts42, the tail parts52, and the connecting pads and the like being formed on the mounting surface of the substrate so as to correspond to said tail parts forms, when viewed from above the connector10, a zigzag form alternately being off in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of alignment of terminals, namely a direction perpendicular to the figures inFIGS. 3 and 4. Therefore, even if a pitch between the first terminal41and the second terminal51adjacent to each other is narrow, it is possible to widen the distance between the tail part42and the tail part52, and the distance between the connecting pads or the like corresponding to each of these tail parts. For this reason, it is possible to manufacture the connecting pads or the like with ease, and also to prevent generation of any solder bridge and prevent any short-circuit from arising between the adjacent connecting pads, at the time of soldering the tail part42, the tail part52, and connecting pads or the like corresponding to said tail parts.

Further, in each of the second terminals51, the position of the contact part53awith respect to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71is situated nearer the rear end of the housing31than the position of the contact part43ain the first terminal41. This aims for equalizing the electrical resistance at the first terminal41and the second terminal51by approximately equalizing the length of the electrically-conducting path from the contact part43ato the tail part42, to the length of the electrically-conducting path from the contact part53ato the tail part52. Since this separates the positions at which the adjacent lead-wires75of the flat cable71are electrically connected to the first terminals41and the second terminals51respectively, it enables to prevent the crosstalk between the adjacent lead-wires75from generating.

As shown inFIG. 1, when the actuator11is situated in the open position, the pressing parts14are directed obliquely upward. Since the distance between the actuator11and the contact part43aof the first terminal41, and the distance between the actuator11and the contact part53aof the second terminals51are sufficiently wide, the end of the flat cable71being inserted from the inserting hole33is inserted without being subjected to any contact pressure or with being subjected to a slight contact pressure from the contact parts43aand the contact parts53. Therefore, a formation of ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) structure is thereby substantially realized.

Next, the movement of the actuator11will be described. Here, in a state in which the flat cable71is not connected, the movement of opening the actuator11from the closed position will be described.

FIG. 5is a top view depicting the state in which the actuator of the cable connector in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is situated in the closed position.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view depicting the movement of opening the actuator of the cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention from the closed position thereof, and also depicting sites similar to those inFIG. 4.FIG. 7is a partial sectional view depicting the movement of opening the actuator of the cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention from the closed position thereof.FIG. 8is a perspective view depicting the movement of opening the actuator of the cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention from the closed position thereof.

In the present embodiment, the tail parts42of the first terminals41and the tail parts52of the second terminals51are connected by soldering to the conductive pads or the like being formed on the surface of the substrate, and the mounting parts of the auxiliary connector securing members21are connected by soldering to the connecting pads being formed on the surface of the substrate, and thereby the connector10is mounted on the surface of a substrate such as a circuit board or the like.

In a state in which the flat cable71is not connected, the actuator11is situated in the closed position, as shown inFIG. 5. Since the locking portions23hang over the locked portions16being formed on the both sides of the main body15of the actuator11, the actuator11is locked in the closed position. This prevents the actuator11from being unnecessarily opened, even if the external force such as vibration, shock, or the like is added on the connector10. For example, in conveying a substrate on which the connector10is mounted into a heating furnace and rendering reflow soldering to the substrate, the unnecessary opening of the actuator11can be certainly prevented, even if the connector10conveyed along with the substrate receives vibration from a conveyer for conveyance.

In reference toFIG. 5, it is possible to easily understand the relationship between the tip edges16aof the locked portions16parallel to the center line extending in an anteroposterior direction of the housing31and the tip edges23aof the locking portions23being inclined to the center line extending in an anteroposterior direction of the housing31.

When the operator manipulates the actuator11with fingers or the like to open the same, the force in the direction indicated by the arrow D is added on the front end of the main body15of the actuator11along with the force in the direction indicated by the arrow C inFIG. 6. The main body15is moved toward the rear side of the connector10by the force in the direction indicated by the arrow D. In a state in which the flat cable71is not connected, since the main body15is movable down below the position shown inFIG. 4, the second shafts13bmove along the lower ends of the tilting parts54bof the second terminals51, and thereby the main body15can move as a whole toward the rear side of the connector10. Then, since the locked portions16of the main body15move to the rear sides of the locking portions23, namely to the side at which the distance between the right and left tip edges23ais wide, the amount of hanging of the locking portions23over the locked portions16decreases. The actuator is mounted to permit this rearward shifting movement when the flat cable is not received within the inserting hole. This movement displaces the relative alignment between the locked portions and the locking portions when the actuator is in the second position making it easier to move the actuator to the first position when the cable is not inserted in the hole.

Also, the front end of the main body15is raised by the force in the direction indicated by the arrow C, and the main body15inclines to the insertion direction of the flat cable71, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. Since the locked portions16being formed on both sides situated nearer the front end of the main body15are raised with respect to the locking portions23, the distance between the right and left tip edges23ais spread out by the locked portions16. In this case, since the locking portions23are resiliently deformable to a certain degree, and the right and left tip edges23aare displaceable in the direction indicated by the arrow E inFIG. 8, the distance between the right and left tip edges23amay be spread by being pushed by the locked portions16.

Thereafter, when the tip edges16aof the locked portions16abut on the tip edges23aof the locking portions23, the tip edges get to the state of being resiliently pinched by the right and left tip edges23a. At this moment, since the tip edges23aincline to the center line extending in an anteroposterior direction of the housing31, and the distance between the right and left tip edges23ais wider on the rear side thereof, the tip edges16aof the locked portions16are subjected to the force in the direction indicated by the arrow F inFIG. 7by the pinching force of the right and left tip edges23a. This causes the locked portions16to be moved to the rear side of the locking portions23, and thereby the amount of hanging of the locking portions23over the locked portions16further reduces. Consequently, since the hanging of the locking portions23over the locked portions16is released relatively easily, and lock of the actuator11is released, it is possible to open the actuator11from the closed position.

The movement of connecting the flat cable71to the connector10will be described below.

FIG. 9is a partial cross-sectional view depicting the movement of situating the actuator of the cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the closed position.FIG. 10is a perspective view depicting the movement of situating the actuator of the cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the closed position.FIG. 11is a top view depicting a state in which a flat cable in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is connected to the cable connector.FIG. 12is a sectional view depicting the state in which the flat cable in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is connected to the cable connector, and also depicting the view similar to that shown inFIG. 4.FIG. 13is a perspective view depicting the movement of opening the actuator of the cable connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the flat cable connected thereto, from the closed position.

The flat cable71has herewith a cable main body72and an auxiliary plate73stuck to one surface at an end portion in a longitudinal end of the cable main body72(the upper surface as viewed inFIG. 9). The auxiliary plate73is formed of material having a relatively high hardness, such as polyimide or the like, and covers one side surface of the cable main body72throughout a predetermined range in the longitudinal direction and the entire range in the widthwise direction. Lug parts74projecting outward are formed on both sides in the longitudinal end of the flat cable71.

A plurality of, for example, eleven pieces of lead-wires75in the form of foil, having conductivity are disposed in parallel at a predetermined pitch, for example, at the pitch of about 0.3 mm, on an insulating layer indicating electrical insulating property of the cable main body72. The upper sides (the lower sides as viewed inFIG. 9) of the lead-wires75are covered with another insulating layer. At the end portion of the flat cable71which is inserted into the inserting holes33of the connector10, the upper surfaces of the lead-wires75(the lower surfaces as viewed inFIG. 9) are exposed throughout a predetermined range in the longitudinal direction. In the example shown inFIGS. 9 to 13, it is assumed that the lead-wires75are exposed on the lower surface of the flat cable71.

When connecting the flat cables71to the connector10, firstly, the longitudinal end of the flat cable71is inserted into the inserting holes33of the housing31. In this case, as shown inFIG. 1, the actuator11is situated in the open position in advance. An operator then shifts the longitudinal end of the flat cable71to the inserting holes33of the housing31. This enables insertion of the longitudinal end of the flat cable71into the inserting holes33. At this time, the flat cable71is moved with the exposed surfaces of lead-wires75facing down.

The tip of the flat cable71is then inserted into a space between the upper arm parts44and the lower arm parts43of the first terminals41being accommodated in the first terminal receiving grooves34a, and into a space between the upper arm parts54and the lower arm parts53of the second terminals51being accommodated in the second terminal receiving grooves34b. At this time, the tip of the flat cable71abuts on the abutting parts38being disposed at the back in the inserting holes33, and thereby the longitudinal positioning of the flat cable71is accomplished, resulting in the completion of the insertion of the flat cable71.

Subsequently, an operator manipulates the actuator11with fingers or the like to change its orientation from the open position to the closed position. The front end of the main body15is then lowered, and the tip edges16aof the locked portions16of the main body15abut on the tip edges23aof the locking portions23, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. At this time, the force in the direction indicated by the arrow G inFIG. 9is added on the front end of the main body15.

In addition, the rear ends of the pressing parts14abut on the surface in the opposite side from the lead-wires75of the flat cable71. At this time, since the actuator11changes its position in a counterclockwise direction inFIG. 9, the rear ends of the pressing parts14interfere with the flat cable71, and thereby the actuator11is subjected to the force in the direction indicated by the arrow H inFIG. 9. Therefore, the main body15is moved toward the front side of the connector10and, with the tip edges16aof the locked portions16abutted on the tip edges23aof the locking portions23, the main body15shifts to the front side of the locking portions23, namely the side at which the distance between the right and left tip edges23ais narrow. This causes the distance between the right and left tip edges23ato be spread out by the locked portions16. In this case, since the locking portions23are formed from the plate-like main body22to the inside of the connector10and thereby can resiliently deform to a certain degree, the right and left tip edges23aare displaced in the direction indicated by the arrows I inFIG. 10.

As stated above, while gradually spreading out the distance between the right and left tip edges23athrough the locked portions16, the actuator11changes its orientation in the counterclockwise direction so as to be situated in the closed position approximately parallel to the insertion direction of the flat cable71, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. In this case, the pressing parts14are pressed against the surface in the opposite side from the lead-wires75of the flat cable71. Therefore, the lead-wires75being exposed on the lower surface of the flat cable71abut on the contact parts43of the first terminals41and the contact parts53aof the second terminals51to form electrical connecting parts, and the lead-wires75are electrically connected to the first terminals41and the second terminals51, thereby being conductive with the conductive traces of the substrate, through the connecting pads or the like on the surface of the substrate to which the tail parts42and the tail parts52are connected. This results in the completion of the connection of the flat cable71to the connector10.

In this state, since the locking portions23hang over the locked portions16formed on both sides of the main body15of the actuator11, the actuator11is locked in the closed position. This prevents the actuator11from unnecessarily opening, even if the external force such as vibration, shock, or the like is added on the connector10. In addition, an operator can easily discriminate by visual checking whether or not the locking portions23hang over the locked portions16. Hence, by visually checking that the locking portions23hang over the locked portions16, it is possible to easily confirm that the connection of the flat cable71to the connector10was completed.

In case of opening the actuator11of the connector10with the flat cable71connected thereto, if an operator manipulates the actuator11with fingers or the like, the force in the direction indicated by the arrow3inFIG. 13is added on the front end of the main body15of the actuator11. In this case, since the pressing parts14are pressed against the flat cable71, the main body15does not shift toward the rear side of the connector10. Therefore, since the locked portions16of the main body15do not shift to the rear side of the locking portions23, namely the side at which the distance between the right and left tip edges23ais wide, an amount of hanging of the locking portions23over the locked portions16becomes large. Consequently, it is difficult to release the hanging of the locking portions23over the locked portions16, preventing the lock of the actuator11from being easily released.

Since this prevents the actuator11from being easily opened when the flat cable71is connected thereto, the connection of the flat cable71to the connector10can be certainly maintained. For example, in operation after having connected the flat cable71to the connector10, even if the operator's fingers catch the front end of the main body15of the actuator11, the unnecessary opening of the actuator11is assuredly prevented.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the actuator11has the locked portions16disposed on both sides of the main body15, and the locking portions23engaged with the locked portions16in the closed position are disposed on both sides of the housing31, while the tip edges16aof the locked portions16are parallel to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71in the closed position, and the tip edges23aof the locking portions23incline to the direction of insertion-and-extraction of the flat cable71.

Since this enables, in spite of simple construction, to easily perform the operation of changing the orientation of the actuator11to the closed position, and to ensure the locking of the actuator11so that the actuator11may not be unnecessarily opened from the closed position to change its orientation, it is possible to assuredly connect the flat cable71.

The tip edges23aof the locking portions23on both sides face each other, and the distance therebetween is narrow nearer the inlet sides of the inserting holes33, namely the front side. Therefore, in opening the actuator11from the closed position, if the actuator11is shifted backward, it is possible to easily open the actuator11.

Furthermore, the tip edges23aof the locking portions23on both sides face each other, and are resiliently displaceable in the direction to widen the distance therebetween. Therefore, in opening the actuator11from the closed position, and in situating the actuator11in the closed position, the distance between the right and left tip edges23ais spread out, and the locked portions16can pass the space between the tip edges23a.

Furthermore, the tip edges23aof the locking portions23on both sides are displaceable obliquely upward. For that reason, in comparison to the case of rendering the tip edges23ato displace transversely, even the narrow width of the space for absorbing the displacement of the tip edges23amay be sufficient, and therefore it is possible to narrow the width of the housing31.

In addition, the locking portions23are formed at the auxiliary connector securing members21mounted on both sides of the housing31. This enables a reduction in the number of parts, an increase in the strength of the locking portions23, and elastic displacement of the tip edges23aof the locking portions23.

Also, the locking portions23hang over the locked portions16in the closed position. This prevents the actuator11from being unnecessarily opened, even if the external force such as vibration, shock or the like is added on the connector10.

Furthermore, when the flat cable71is not inserted into the inserting holes33, the actuator11is movable toward the backs of the inserting holes33in the closed position and in the position adjacent to the closed position. For that reason, since the locked portions16of the main body15shift to the side at which the distance between the right and left tip edges23aof the locking portions23is wide, the amount of hanging of the locking portions23over the locked portions16is reduced, and thereby it is possible to relatively easily open the actuator11.

In addition, the actuator11is subjected to the force toward the backs of the inserting holes33when the tip edges16aof the locked portions16abut on the tip edges23aof the locking portions23in the position adjacent to the closed position. Therefore, since the locked portions16are moved to the rear sides of the locking portions23, and as a result, the amount of hanging of the locking portions23over the locked portions16is further reduced, it enables to relatively easily open the actuator11.

Furthermore, the actuator11contains the pressing parts14pressing the flat cable71against the contact parts43aand the contact parts53a, and the actuator11cannot move toward the backs of the inserting holes33in the closed position and in the position adjacent to the closed position when the flat cable71is inserted into the inserting holes33. Accordingly, since the locked portions16of the main body15do not shift to the side at which the distance between the right and left tip edges23aof the locking portions23is wide, the amount of hanging of the locking portions23over the locked portions16is large, thereby preventing the lock of the actuator11from being easily released.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and substitutions may be made and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.