Abstract:
A connector for connecting together two ends of flat flexible cable includes a base member and a cover member. The base member has a plurality of slots that receive a corresponding number of conductive terminals. The terminals have two upward bends in them near their midpoint and these bends are spaced apart longitudinally along the terminals so as to mate with exposed ends of the lengths of flat cable. Two projections serve as press arms to retain a cover in place upon the base member. The cover exerts a pressure on the cable ends and the terminals to provide a reliable electrical contact between them.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a terminal assembly and a connector for connecting together two lengths of flat cables. A known connector for connecting flat cables, called flexible printed circuits, flexible flat cables, or the like, to each other, is shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Kokai Publication No. H5-31167.  FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a conventional relay connector. 
     The relay connector includes a housing  806  formed of an insulative and a plurality of conductive terminals  807  held in the housing  806 . The terminals  807  are accommodated within grooves formed between a plurality of holding tongues  811  formed in a bottom portion of the housing  806 . The terminals  807  include latching openings  807   a , and are fixed to the housing  806  by latching the latching openings  807   a  with latching projections  816  projecting from the holding groove. 
     End portions of a pair of flat cables  801  are accommodated in the housing  806  and each such cable  801  includes a plurality of conductive leads  803  formed on one surface (bottom surface in the drawing) of a body  802 , and an insulating film which covers surfaces of the leads  803 . At the end portions of the cables  801 , the insulating films are removed, and the conductive leads  803  are exposed. Positioning holes  818  are formed in the cables  801 , and projections  813  formed in the housing  806  are engaged with these positioning holes  818  so the cables  801  are accommodated in the housing  806 . 
     Meanwhile, a cover body  809  is movably attached to the housing  806 , and when the cover body  809  is closed, the end portions of the pair of cables  801  are held in the housing  806  and a pressure body  814  attached to the inner surface of the cover body  809  presses against the flat cables  801 . Therefore, the conductive leads  803  of the flat plate-shaped cable  801  are pressed against connecting projections  807   b  and the leads  803  and terminals  807  are connected. 
     Nevertheless, because the flat cables  801  are positioned by the engagement of the housing projections  813 , the structure of the becomes complex and increases in size. In recent years, electronic parts are becoming increasingly more miniaturized, and flat cables  801  are narrower, and their leads  803  have smaller pitches, and it is difficult to form positioning holes  818  in the body  802  of the narrow flat cables  801  as well as form the projections  813  in the housing  806 . Of course, it may be possible to position the cable  801  by allowing the outer side edge of the cable body  802  to contact the inner side surface of the connector housing  806 , but because the dimensional accuracy of the cable body  802  is generally low, the positional accuracy of the inner side surface of the housing  806  relative to the terminals  807  cannot be increased, and the positioning accuracy of the cable  801  is reduced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a general object of the invention to solve the problems of the conventional terminal, and to provide an terminal assembly and connector, which includes terminals parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch, a pair of frame members extending longitudinally and terminal holding members which hold the terminals, the frame members, even if the pitch is narrow, manufacturing becomes easy and requires a shorter time, the array of the terminals can be maintained accurately, positioning accuracy of the terminals and the frame members is high, conductive leads of flat plate-shaped cables are guided by the frame members, and the flat plate-shaped cables can be positioned with high accuracy. 
     Therefore, an terminal assembly according to the present invention includes frame members, a plurality of terminals arrayed so as to be in parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch, and terminal holding members connected to the frame members and hold the terminals, wherein the frame members comprise a pair of members provided on both outer sides of the terminals in an array direction of the terminals and extending in parallel with each other, and perform positioning of each counterpart terminal and each of the terminals by guiding the counterpart terminals, and the terminal holding members are connected at their both sides in a longitudinal direction thereof to the frame members and hold proximal end portions of the terminals. 
     In another embodiment of the terminal assembly, the frame member is provided with a guide portion for guiding the counterpart terminals located on both outermost positions in an array direction of the counterpart terminals, and the frame members make it possible to position the counterpart terminals in the array direction by bringing outer side surfaces of the counterpart terminals positioned on the outermost positions into contact with inner side surfaces of the guide portions. 
     In a still further embodiment of the terminal assembly, each of the terminals is provided with the proximal end portions located on both ends thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof, and held by the terminal holding members, and an elastically deformable arm portion connecting the both proximal end portions, and the arm portion comprises upwardly projecting angular projections connected to the proximal end portions, respectively, and a connecting portion connecting the angular projections, the projections coming into contact with the counterpart terminals. 
     In a yet further embodiment of the terminal assembly, the terminal holding members are members formed from an insulating material and covering the proximal end portions of the terminals, and at least a part of the frame members adjacent to both ends. 
     A connector according to the present invention includes a housing, frame members, a plurality of terminals arrayed so as to be in parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch, and terminal holding members connected to the frame members and hold the terminals, wherein the frame members comprise a pair of members provided on both outer sides in an array direction of the terminals and extending in parallel with each other, and perform positioning of a pair of flat plate-shaped cables in a width direction thereof by guiding counterpart terminals of the flat plate-shaped cables, and the terminal holding members are connected at their both ends in a longitudinal direction thereof to the frame members and hold proximal end portions of each of the terminals and fixed to the housing. 
     In another embodiment of the connector further includes a lid member which is attached to the housing, covers a top surface of the housing, and holds the flat plate-shaped cables. 
     In a further embodiment of the connector, the housing is provided with a flat plate-shaped base plate portion, terminal accommodating recessed portions formed in the base plate portion and accommodates the frame members and the terminals, a pair of terminal holding member accommodating grooves formed in the terminal accommodating recessed portion and accommodate the terminal holding members, and a pair of engaging projections, and each of the engaging projections is provided with an overhang portion which projects inward and comes into contact with side edge portions of the flat plate-shaped cables, and a lid latching portion which projects outward and is engaged with each engaging opening of the lid member. 
     In a still further embodiment of the connector, the frame members is provided with guide portions for guiding counterpart terminals located at both outermost positions in an array direction of the counterpart terminals, and the frame members make it possible to position flat plate-shaped cables in a width direction by bringing outer side surfaces of the counterpart terminals positioned at the outermost positions into contact with inner side surfaces of the guide members. 
     In a yet further embodiment of the connector, each of the terminals is provided with proximal end portions located at both ends thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof and held by the terminal holding members, and an elastically deformable arm portion connecting the both proximal end portions and the arm portion is provided with upwardly projecting angular projections connected to the proximal end portions, respectively, and a connecting portion connecting the angular projections, and the angular projections coming into contact with the counterpart terminals of each of a pair of flat plate-shaped cables and hold the flat plate-shaped cables in cooperation with the lid member, allowing the pair of flat plate-shaped cables to be electrically connected to each other. 
     According to the present invention, the terminal assembly includes terminals arrayed so as to be in parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch, a pair of frame members which extend in the longitudinal direction of the terminals in parallel with each other, and terminal holding members for holding the terminals and the frame members. Therefore, even if the pitch is narrow, manufacturing of the terminal assembly is done easily and in a short time, the array of the terminals can be maintained accurately, positional accuracy of the terminals and the frame members is high, conductive leads of a flat plate-shaped cables are guided by the frame members, and the flat plate-shaped cables can be positioned with high accuracy. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the course of this detailed description, the reference will be frequently made to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is the same view as  FIG. 1 , but with the cover member removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plane view of the connector body of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the connector of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the connector of  FIG. 6 , taken along line Z-Z therein; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cover member of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a carrier strip with two terminal preforms; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the terminal preform of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view illustrating the terminal preform; 
         FIG. 12  is a partially enlarged detail view of the area “A” of the terminal preform in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged detail view of the terminal preform at area “B” of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of a flat cable used in connectors of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the cable of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged view of a first main part of the flat cable of  FIG. 14 , which includes the area “C” of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged view of area “D” of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 1 , before the flat cables are connected; 
         FIG. 19  is the same view as  FIG. 18 , but with the cables connected in the assembled connector; and, 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a conventional relay connector. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the Figures, a relay connector  1  is shown that is used to connect together flat cables  101 . The cables  101  are commonly referred to in the art as flexible printed cable (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC), but it may be any type of cable as long as it is flat or plate-shaped and has conductive leads. The connector  1  includes a housing  11  formed from an insulative material, and a flat cover member  21  having a plate-like shape that is also formed of an insulative material and a plurality of conductive terminals  61 . The cover member  21  is attached to the housing  11  in a detachable manner and it covers the top surface of the housing  11  as well as fixes and holds a pair of flat cables  101  in place. 
     The cover member  21  ( FIG. 3 ) is provided with a flat cover portion  22  which has an approximately rectangular shape, leg sections  23  integrally connected to both ends of the cover portion  22  and which extend so as to be orthogonal to the cover portion  22 , and engaging openings  24  formed in portions which connects the cover portion  22  and the leg sections  23  together. It has an overall U-shaped configuration. The openings  24  engage with the engaging projections  14  of the housing  11 , so that the cover member  21  latches to the housing  11 . By allowing a latching side surface  24   a  which defines one side of the leg section  23  in the opening  24  to be latched by a latching portion, or shoulder,  14   c  of the engaging projection  14 , the cover member  21  latches to the housing  11  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the connector housing  11  has a flat plate base plate portion  12  of approximately rectangular shape, a side wall portion  13  which forms a rectangular frame when viewed from above, a pair of engaging projections  14 , a central terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  surrounded by the side wall portion  13 , and a pair of terminal holding member accommodating grooves  16  formed in the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15 . ( FIG. 7 .) Here, the side wall portion  13  is made of two pairs of straight walls that extend along the four sides of the base plate portion  12  and define the periphery of the base plate portion  12 . 
     The engaging projections  14  of the connector housing are integrally connected to the top surfaces of one pair of the walls of the side wall portion  13 . Each engaging projection  14  is provided with an overhang portion  14   a  projecting inwardly toward the center of the connector housing at the top end of the engaging projection  14  ( FIG. 6 ), a cable positioning projection  14   b  formed on the bottom surface of the overhang portion  14   a , and the cover latching portion  14   c  projecting outwardly along the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the overhang portion  14   a  contacts the side end portions on the back surfaces of the flat cables  101  connected to the connector  1 , preventing the flat cables  101  from shifting upward. The cable positioning projections  14   b  contact the end edges of the flat cables  101  on the connector  1 , thus positioning the flat cables  101  in the extending direction. 
     Further, the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  is a shallow rectangular recess which is slightly recessed from the top surface of the sidewalls and accommodates the terminal assembly  60 . The depth of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  is approximately the same as the thickness of the terminals  61  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The terminal holding member accommodating grooves  16  extend transversely and along the front and rear ends of the connector housing. These grooves  16  accommodate terminal holding members  31  which integrally hold proximal end portions  66  of the terminals  61 . 
     Each terminal  61  is an elastic long, thin strip-shaped member formed from an elastic metal plate, and the terminals  61  are arranged so that they extend in a direction along the shorter side of the housing  11 , in other words, in a direction in which the pair of opposed straight line-shaped portions of the side wall portion  13  without the engaging projections  14  extends, are arrayed in the longitudinal direction of the housing  11  and in parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch (for example, 100 [m] or smaller), and are attached to the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  of the housing  11 . The terminal  61  has a shape in which the front and back portions thereof in the longitudinal direction are symmetric. The terminals  61  are linear symmetric with respect to a straight line that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the terminal  61  at the center of the longitudinal direction. In other words, the terminals extend lengthwise of the connector between the front and rear ends thereof as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , each terminal  61  comprises proximal end portions  66  which are held by the terminal holding members  31  formed from an insulative, and an arm portion  68  which extends from the proximal end portions  66  towards the center of the terminal  61  in the longitudinal direction, and connects the both proximal end portions  66 , and the side surface thereof has an upwardly projecting angular shape. The arm portion  68  is provided with a pair of first slope portions  68   a  which are connected to the proximal end portions  66  on both sides, respectively, a pair of second slope portions  68   b  which are bent at a predetermined angle with respect to the first slope portions  68   a , and a pair of bent portions  68   c  as connecting portions between the first slope portions  68   a  and the second slope portions  68   b , and further, a connecting portion  68   d  connected to the ends of the second slope portions  68   b  on both sides is provided. 
     Here, the proximal end portions  66  extend in parallel with the top surface of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  and are in contact with the top surface of the same, and further, the first slope portions  68   a , the second slope portions  68   b , and the bent portions  68   c  form angular projection shapes which project higher than the proximal end portions  66 , and, furthermore, the connecting portion  68   d  extends in parallel with the top surface of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15 , and connect the angular projections on both sides. Note that the connecting portion  68   d  is not in contact with the top surface of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15 , and is located with a distance above the top surface of the same. Moreover, the angle of the bent portion  68   c , in other words, the angle formed by the first slope portion  68   a  and the second slope portion  68   b  which are bent at the bent portion  68   c , can be set as appropriate, but approximately 120 degree is preferred. 
     When the flat cables  101  are connected to the connector  1 , the bent portions  68   c  of each terminal  61  function as contact portions which come into contact with conductive leads  151  of the flat cables  101  and conduct electricity. The flat cables  101  are pressed toward the base plate portion  12  of the housing  11  by the overhang portions  14   a  of the engaging projections  14  and the cover portion  22  of the cover member  21  so that the flat cables  101  are pressed downward, and the bent portions  68   c  are pressed by the conductive leads  151 , and shifted downward. Here, since the terminals  61  is formed from an elastic metal plate, the bent portions  68   c  generate a repulsive force as springs by being shifted downward, and are pressed against the conductive leads  151  by the repulsive force. Therefore, contact between the bent portions  68   c  and the conductive leads  151  is maintained without fail, and thus electrical conduction between them can be ensured. 
     When the bent portions  68   c  are shifted downward, the lengths of the arm portions  68  increase in the longitudinal direction in view of its shape. Accordingly, since the connecting portion  68   d  deflects downward, it provides a resistance when the bent portions  68   c  are moved downward. In other words, by connecting the bent portions  68   c  by the connecting portion  68   d  which is located above the top surface of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  without being in contact with the top surface, the contact between the bent portions  68   c  and the conductive leads  151  are enhanced appropriately. 
     Further, the terminal holding members  31  are members connected to the proximal end portions  66 , covering the proximal end portions  66  from the bottom by a forming method such as overmolding, and have a thin and long rectangular shape which extend longitudinally along the housing  11 , and integrally hold areas of all the proximal end portions  66  arrayed in the longitudinal direction. The portions of the terminal holding members  31  lower than the proximal end portions  66  are accommodated in the terminal holding grooves  16 . The terminal holding members  31  are adhered to the bottom surfaces and the like of the terminal holding grooves  16  by adhesion means such as an adhesive. Therefore, the proximal end portions  66  are held by the housing  11  via the terminal holding members  31 . 
     Furthermore, the terminal holding members  31  integrally hold the frame members  71  arranged on both outer sides of the terminals  61  in the array direction of the terminals  61 . The frame members  71  extend parallel to the terminals  61  and are thin and long strip-shaped members formed from a metal plate, the portions of the frame member  71  adjacent to the both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction are held by the terminal holding members  31 , and accommodated in the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15 . Similarly to the proximal end portions  66  of the terminals  61 , the portions of the frame members  71  adjacent to both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction extend in parallel with the top surface of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  and come into contact with the top surface of the same. In addition, although the frame members  71  extend in parallel with the top surface of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15 , each of the frame members  71  is provided with a cable guide portion  75  as a guide portion located above the top surface. The cable guide portion  75  has a dimension which fits the overhang portion  14   a  of the engaging projection  14  relative to the longitudinal direction, and both ends of the cable guide portion  75  are connected to the portions of the frame member  71  adjacent to both ends thereof via slope portions  75   a . Note that, in the example shown in  FIG. 7 , the height of the top surface of the cable guide portion  75  is approximately the same as the peak surfaces of the bent portions  68   c  of the terminals  61 . In addition, the angles of the slope portions  75   a , in other words, the angles formed by the slope portions  75   a  and the top surface of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  can be set as appropriate, but approximately 45 degrees is preferred. 
     Here, a distance between the inner surfaces of the frame members  71  on both sides is approximately equal to a distance between outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  located at the both outermost positions in the width direction of the flat plate-shaped cables  101 . Therefore, when the flat cables  101  are connected to the connector  1 , by bringing the outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  located at the both outermost positions in the width direction of the flat cables  101  into contact with the inner side surfaces of the cable guide portions  75  on both sides, the flat cables  101  can be positioned so that the position of each conductive lead  151  in the array direction meets the position of the corresponding terminal  61 . In other words, the locations of the outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  on the outermost sides on both sides in the width direction of the flat cables  101  meet the positions of the inner side surfaces of the cable guide portions  75  on both sides, so that each conductive lead  151  is positioned in the array direction. 
     Next, a method for manufacturing the connector  1  is described. 
     First of all, by stamping and bending a conductive metal plate by using a machine tool such as a pressing device, a terminal preform member  70  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  is formed. The terminal preform member  70  may be formed in any kind of processing method, for example, laser processing and etching. 
     The terminal preform member  70  includes a pair of frame members  71  which extend in parallel with each other, and a plurality of terminals  61  arrayed so as to be in parallel with the frame members  71  and in parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch. The frame members  71  and the terminals  61  are members which are formed from the same metal plate. 
     Here, a plate-shaped carrier portion  72  is integrally connected to one ends of the terminals  61  and the frame members  71  in the longitudinal direction. The carrier portion  72  is a member which is gripped by a conveying machine, a machine tool, a tool, a jig, a hand of an operator, and so forth in order to easily perform such works as carrying and positioning the terminal preform member  70  in the manufacturing process of the connector  1  or the terminal assembly  60 , and the carrier portion  72  is cut away at the final stage of manufacturing. 
     Note that, in the example shown in the drawings, two terminal preform members  70  are connected to the carrier portion  72 . However, only one terminal preform member  70  may be connected to the carrier portion  72 , or, if the carrier portion  72  is a long strip-shaped plate member, three terminal preform members  70  or more may be arrayed in parallel and connected to the carrier portion  72 . 
     Further, a plate-shaped sub-carrier portion  73  is integrally connected to the other ends of the terminals  61  in the longitudinal direction. The sub-carrier portion  73  is formed integrally from the same metal plate as the terminals  61 , and extends in the direction orthogonal to the terminals  61 , in words, the array direction of the terminals  61 . Note that, in the example shown in the drawings, the sub-carrier portion  73  is not connected to the frame members  71 , but may be connected to the frame members  71  as necessary. 
     Furthermore, bending is performed for each terminal  61 , and thus formed are the first slope portions  68   a  which are inclined relative to the proximal end portions  66 , the second slope portions  68   b  which are bent at a predetermined angle relative to the first slope portions  68   a , the bent portions  68   c  which connect the first slope portions  68   a  and the second slope portions  68   b , and the connecting portion  68   d  which is connected to the ends of the second slope portions  68   b  on both sides. Similarly, bending is performed for each frame member  71 , and thus formed are the cable guide portion  75 , and the slope portions  75   a  which connect the cable guide portion  75  to the portions adjacent to both ends. 
     Next, the terminal holding members  31  formed integrally from an insulating material such as synthetic resin are fabricated as shown in  FIG. 7  in parts of the terminal preform member  70  by forming method, for example, overmolding. The terminal holding members  31  are members formed to cover, from the bottom, portions of the proximal end portions  66  adjacent to both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction of all terminals  66  arranged in the array direction, and portions of the frame members  71  adjacent to both ends the of the frame members  71  provided at both outer sides of the terminals  61  arranged, and have a thin and long rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the array direction of the terminals  61 . In this case, it is preferred that the terminal holding members  31  have a thickness dimension which is approximately the same as the depth of the terminal holding member accommodating groove  16 , in other words, the recess amount from the top surface of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15 . Thus, the proximal end portions  66  of the terminals  61  and the portions adjacent to both ends of the frame members  71  can maintain a linear shape without being deformed in the vertical direction on the top surface of the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  and on the terminal holding member accommodating grooves  16 . 
     Finally, by cutting away portions of the terminals  61  and the frame members  71  which are connected to the carrier portion  72  and the sub-carrier portion  73 , and by removing the carrier portion  72  and the sub-carrier portion  73 , the terminal assembly  60  can be obtained. Note that the terminals  61  and the frame members  71  can be cut by, for example, laser beam machining where target members are cut by laser beam irradiation, but any type of machining may be used. Therefore, each of the terminals  61  becomes a long and thin independent strip-shaped member which continues from one end to the other. In this case, all terminals  61  are held while at least the bottom portions of the proximal end portions  66  are covered by the terminal holding members  31 . Further, both end portions of the terminal holding members  31  in the longitudinal direction are connected to the frame members  71  on both sides. Therefore, each of the terminals  61  are held by the terminal holding members  31  while maintaining a state where the terminals  61  extend in the longitudinal direction of the frame members  71 , and are arrayed in the shorter direction of the frame members  71 , and in parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch. 
     The terminal assembly  60  manufactured as above includes the frame members  71 , the plurality of terminals  61  parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch, and the terminal holding members  31  which are connected to the frame members  71  and hold the terminals  61 . The frame members  71  are formed from parallel pieces and the terminals  61  are provided between the frame members  71 , and the terminal holding members  31  are connected to the portions adjacent to both ends of the frame members  71  in the longitudinal directions at the both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction, and hold the portions adjacent to both ends of the proximal end portions  66  of the terminals  61 . 
     As described above, the terminal assembly  60  is manufactured by forming a terminal preform member  70  which includes the pair of frame members  71 , and the terminals  61  which extend in the longitudinal direction of the frame members  71 , are arrayed in the shorter direction of the frame members  71  and in parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch, connected integrally to the frame members  71  via the carrier portion  72 , and connected to each other by the sub-carrier portion  73 , by forming the terminal holding members  31  which integrally hold the frame members  71  and the terminals  61  by using forming method such as overmolding, and finally by removing the carrier portion  72  and the sub-carrier portion  73  so that the terminals  61  become separated and independent from each other. Hence, the frame members  71  and all the terminals  61  can be formed integrally, and manufactured easily and in a short time. Moreover, even if the pitch of the terminals  61  is as small as 100 [m] or smaller, the array of the terminals  61  can be maintained accurately. 
     Similarly, the positional relationship between the terminals  61  and the frame members  71  can be maintained accurately. Therefore, when the distance between the inner side surfaces of the frame members  71  on both sides is set to a value which is approximately the same as the distance between the outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  located on the outermost sides on both sides of the width direction of the flat cable  101 , by placing the outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  located on the outermost sides on both sides of the width direction of the flat cable  101  along the inner side surfaces of the cable guide portions  75  on both sides, the flat cables  101  can be accurately positioned so that the position of each conductive lead  151  in the array direction contacts a respective terminal  61 . 
     Finally, the cover member  21  can be attached to the housing  11  and the connector  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  is obtained by providing the terminal assembly  60  in the terminal accommodating recessed portion  15  of the housing  11 , adhering the terminal holding members  31  accommodated in the terminal holding grooves  16  to the bottom surfaces of the grooves  16  by way of an adhesive, and engaging the openings  24  of the cover member  21  with the engaging projections  14  of the housing  11 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 to 7 . 
     Next, the connecting of the flat cable  101  to the connector  1  is described. In  FIG. 14 , the flat cable  101  has an approximate L-shape where the cable is bent at almost right angle in the middle of the longitudinal direction, and the width dimension changes at the bent portion, but any shape may be used. The flat cable  101  may have a linear strip shape, and may have the consistent width dimension. 
     The flat cable  101  includes a base plate portion  111  which is an insulating thin plate member, and conductive leads  151  arrayed on one surface of the base plate portion  111 . The conductive leads  151  are, for example, foil-like linear bodies made from copper or the like, and are formed on the base plate portion  111  with some thickness, and arrayed in parallel with each other at a predetermined pitch, for example, about 100 [m]. 
     The top sides of the conductive leads  151  are covered with an insulating layer  121  and the areas of the ends of the flat cable  101  have the insulating layer  121  is removed to expose surfaces of the conductive leads  151 . The exposed portions of the conductive leads  151  at one end of the flat cable  101  (lower end shown in  FIG. 14 ) function as counterpart terminals which contact the bent portions  68   c  of the terminals  61 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , although the width of the conductive lead  151  provided on the outermost side (the right side in the drawing) in the array direction of the conductive leads  151  is shown wider than the width of the other conductive leads  151 , the width of conductive lead  151  provided on the outermost side may be changed as appropriate, and may be the same as the width of the other conductive leads  151 . 
     Moreover, in an area in the flat cable  101  with a predetermined length from both ends, a reinforcing plate  113  is applied to the side opposite to the side where the conductive leads  151  are exposed, in other words, the back side of the base plate portion  111 . Note that the area where the reinforcing plate  113  is applied is set wider than the area where the conductive leads  151  are exposed. 
     When connecting the flat cables  101  to the connector  1 , the cover member  21  is removed from the housing  11  as shown in  FIG. 18 . Thereafter, the attitude of the flat plate-shaped cables  101  are adjusted, and one ends of the flat cables  101  are positioned so that the conductive leads  151  exposed at one ends of the flat cables  101  face the base plate portion  12  of the housing  11 , and the direction in which the conductive leads  151  extend matches the direction in which the terminals  61  extend. 
     For example, in  FIG. 18 , the flat cable  101  to be connected to the upper right side portion of the housing  11  is positioned above the terminals  61  so that the longitudinal direction of the end portion thereof becomes oblique, and the end thereof is directed towards the lower left. Also, for example, the flat cable  101  to be connected to the lower left side portion of the housing  11  in  FIG. 18  is positioned above the terminals  61  so that the longitudinal direction of the end portion thereof becomes oblique, and the end thereof is directed toward upper right. 
     Next, the base plate portion  111  on both sides of the width direction at the end of the flat cable  101  is inserted between the overhang portions  14   a  of the engaging projections  14  and the cable guide portions  75  of the frame members  71 . In this case, a portion of the base plate portion  111  to be inserted between the overhang portion  14   a  and the cable guide portion  75  is a portion located at the outer sides than the conductive leads  151  provided at the outermost positions in the array direction of the conductive leads  151 , in other words, a portion located on the more right side than the conductive lead  151  located at the most right side in  FIG. 17 . 
     Further, the outer side surfaces which are formed by the thickness of the conductive leads  151  located at the both outermost positions in the width direction of the flat cable  101  are brought into contact with the inner side surfaces of the both cable guide portions  75  by using the thickness of the conductive leads  151 . Therefore, the flat cables  101  can be positioned so that the positions of the conductive leads  151  in the array direction thereof match the positions of the corresponding terminals  61 . 
     Generally, dimensional accuracy of the base plate portion  111  which is an insulating thin plate member is relatively low, and therefore, when, for example, the both side surfaces of the base plate portion  111  in the width direction are used for positioning, it is difficult to accurately position the flat cables  101  having the conductive leads  151  at a fine pitch of approximately 100 [m]. On the other hand, since dimensional accuracy of the conductive leads  151  is relatively high, the outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  located on the outermost positions are used for positioning as stated earlier in this embodiment, and the outer side surfaces are placed along the inner side surfaces of the cable guide portions  75  on both sides. Hence, the flat cables  101  can be positioned with high accuracy, allowing the positions of the conductive leads  151  in the array direction thereof to meet the positions of the corresponding terminals  61  accurately. 
     Since the slope portions  75   a  in the cable guide portions  75  are located on the outer side of the bent portions  68   c  relative to the insertion direction of the flat cables  101 , the conductive leads  151  allow the inner side surfaces of the cable guide portions  75  to be located along the outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  located on the outermost sides before the bent portions  68   c  and the conductive surfaces of the conductive leads  151  come into contact with each other. 
     As explained above, in order to allow the cable guide portions  75  to be located along the outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  first, the cable guide portions  75  may be raised to be slightly higher than the bent portions  68   c . This is effective when the slope portion  75   a  and the bent portion  68   c  are at an approximately same location in the insertion direction. 
     Furthermore, by allowing the tip edges of the flat cables  101  to come into contact with the cable positioning projections  14   b  formed on the bottom surfaces of the overhang portions  14   a , positioning is done in the extending direction of the flat cables  101 , in other words, in the extending direction of the conductive leads  151 . Hence, the areas of the flat plate-shaped cables  101  with a predetermined length from the ends thereof in which the conductive leads  151  are exposed can correspond to the bent portions  68   c  of the terminals  61 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the cover member  21  is attached to the housing  11  from the top. In this case, the engaging openings  24  of the cover member  21  are engaged with engaging projections  14  of the housing  11 , and thus the cover member  21  is latched by the housing  11 . In this state, the surface of the cover portion  22  of the cover member  21  which faces the base plate portion  12  of the housing  11 , in other words, the bottom surface, becomes almost flush with the bottom surfaces of the overhang portions  14   a , and the flat plate-shaped cables  101  are pressed towards the base plate portion  12  of the housing  11 , in other words, downward. Therefore, the bent portions  68   c  of the terminals  61  are pressed by the corresponding conductive leads  151  and shifted downward. Thereafter, by being moved downward, the bent portions  68   c  generate a repulsive force as springs due to the elasticity thereof, and are pressed against the conductive leads  151  by the repulsive force. This ensures contact between the bent portions  68   c  and the conductive leads  151 , securing electrical conduction. 
     Moreover, since the bent portions  68   c  sandwich the flat cables  101  together with the cover portion  22  of the cover member  21  using the repulsive force of the bent portions  68   c  as springs, ensuring that the flat cables  101  are held, and are never detached from the connector  1 . 
     As described so far, when the flat cables  101  are connected to the upper right portion and lower left portion of the connector  1 , respectively, the conductive leads  151  of each of the flat cables  101  and the terminals  61  are electrically connected, and therefore, the conductive leads  151  of the both flat cables  101  are electrically connected to each other via the terminals  61 . 
     Hence, in this embodiment, the frame members  71  are provided on both outer sides in the array direction of the terminals  61 , formed from a pair of members extending in parallel with each other, and position each conductive lead  151  and each terminal  61  by guiding the conductive leads  151 , and the terminal holding members  31  are connected to the frame members  71  at both ends in the longitudinal direction thereof, and hold the proximal end portions  66  of the terminals  61 . 
     Therefore, even if the pitch of the terminals  61  is narrow, it becomes possible to achieve the terminal assembly  60  and the connector  1  in which manufacturing thereof is done easily and in short time, the array of the terminals  61  can be maintained accurately, the positional accuracy of the terminals  61  and the frame members  71  is high, the conductive leads  151  are guided by the frame members  71 , and the flat cables  101  can be positioned highly accurately. Further, the pitch of the terminals  61  can be narrower, and the height dimensions of the terminal assembly  60  and the connector  1  can be reduced. Furthermore, the terminal assembly  60  and the connector  1  can be manufactured easily and at lower cost, and can be miniaturized. 
     Yet further, the frame members  71  are provided with the guide portions  75  which guide the conductive leads  151  located on the both outermost positions in the array direction of the conductive leads  151 , and enable the conductive leads  151  to be positioned in the array direction by locating the outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  located on the outermost positions along with the inner side surfaces of the guide portions  75  on both sides. Therefore, instead of the base plate portion  111  with lower dimensional accuracy, the outer side surfaces of the conductive leads  151  with higher dimensional accuracy can be used for positioning, and thus positioning of the flat cables  101  can be conducted highly accurately, and the positions of the conductive leads  151  in the array direction can be met with the positions of the corresponding terminals  61  accurately. 
     Moreover, each of the terminals  61  is provided with the proximal end portions  66  which are located on both ends in the longitudinal direction and held by the terminal holding members  31 , and the arm portion  68  which connects the proximal end portions  66  on both sides and is elastically deformable, and the arm portion  68  is provided with upwardly projecting angled projections connected to the proximal end portions  66 , respectively, and the connecting portion  68   d  which connects the projections on both sides, and the projections come into contact with the conductive leads  151 . Hence, the arm portions  68  generate a repulsive force as springs due to elasticity thereof, and since the projections are pressed against the conductive leads  151  by the repulsive force, the contact between the projections and the conductive leads  151  is maintained without fail, ensuring electrical conduction therebetween. 
     Moreover, the cover member  21  is attached to the housing  11  in a detachable manner, covers the top surface of the housing  11 , and holds the flat cables  101 . Therefore, due to the repulsive force generated by the arm portions  68  as springs, the arm portions  68  sandwich the flat plate-shaped cables  101  in cooperation with the cover portion  22  of the cover member  21  in the vertical direction, ensuring that the flat cables  101  are held, thus preventing the cables from being detached from the connector  1 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be changed in various ways based on the gist of the present invention, and these changes are not eliminated from the scope of the present invention.