Patent Publication Number: US-2009233462-A1

Title: Cable connector assembly with FFC module

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
     The present invention relates to a cable connector assembly, and more particularly to a cable connector assembly with a FFC module having a simple structure and in a low-cost. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,596 B2 issued to Masaki (hereinafter referred to as Masaki &#39;596 Pat.) on Oct. 31, 2006 discloses a plug-type connector  2 , a pair of FFCs  1 ,  100  attached to the plug-type connector  2  and a base connector  3  mating with the plug-type connector  2 . Please referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  8  in the above mentioned patent. The plug-type connector  2  further includes a holder  22  for holding the end portions  1   a  of a pair of FFCs  1 ,  100  and a fixing member  23  for fixing the pair of FFCs  1 ,  100  to the holder  22 . However, the plug-type connector  2  has a relatively complex structure so that the productive cost thereof is more high and the manufacturing process thereof is more difficulty. 
     As discussed above, an improved cable connector assembly overcoming the shortages of existing technology is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cable connector assembly with a FFC module having a simple structure and in a low-cost. 
     In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a cable connector assembly comprises a FFC module and a receptacle connector mating with the FFC module. The receptacle connector comprises an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals received into the insulative housing. The FFC module comprises a pair of FFCs paralleled with each other and at least one reinforcing plate disposed between the pair of FFCs and integrated with the pair of FFCs. Each FFC defines a plurality of conductors arranged side by side, and insulating films laminated on the both sides of the conductors. Two end portions of the conductors are exposed out of the insulating film for contacting with the terminals to achieve electric connection. 
     In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a FFC module comprises a pair of FFCs paralleled with each other, each FFC defines a plurality of conductors arranged side by side, and insulating films laminated on the both sides of the conductors. Two end portions of the conductors are exposed out of the insulating film. A reinforcing plate is disposed between the pair of FFCs and integrated with the pair of FFCs for supporting one end of the pair of FFCs. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cable connector assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective view of the cable connector assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, perspective view of the cable connector assembly in another point of view different from  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the present invention in detail. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a cable connector assembly  100  in accordance with the present invention includes a FFC module and a receptacle connector mating with the FFC module. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the receptacle connector is a board to board connector in this embodiment, comprising an insulative housing  2  and a plurality of terminals  3  disposed in the insulative housing  2 . 
     The insulative housing  2  defines a top wall, a bottom wall opposite to the top wall and a pair of side walls connected with the top wall and the bottom wall. The insulative housing  2  defines a front face and a rear face opposite to the front face. A receiving slot  22  is recessed rearwardly from the front face of the insualtive housing  2  and surrounded by the top wall, the bottom wall and the pair of side walls. A plurality of terminal receiving passages  21  are respectively formed on the inner surface of the top wall and bottom wall for receiving the terminals  3  and communicated with the receiving slot  22 . A pair of protrusions  23  extends outwardly from two lateral sides of the pair of side walls. A pair of supporting portions  24  extends outwardly from the lateral sides of the pair of side walls, and each supporting portion  24  has a projection  240 ,  241 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 3 , the terminals  3  are inserted into the terminal receiving passages  21  of the insualtive housing  2  in a rear to front direction. Each terminal  3  has a contacting portion  31  and a soldering portion  32  perpendicular to the contacting portion  31 . Each contacting portion  31  of the terminal  3  is received into the terminal receiving passage  21 . Each soldering portion  32  of the terminal  3  extends out of the terminal receiving passage  21  and attaches to the rear face of the insualtive housing  2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the FFC module includes a pair of FFCs  1  and a reinforcing plate  4  disposed between the pair of FFCs  1 . The FFC module defines a front mating portion, a rear mating portion and a flexible portion connected with the front mating portion and the rear mating portion. 
     The pair of FFCs  1  of the FFC module are disposed in a paralleled relationship with their inner sides la being opposite to each other. Each FFC  1  defines a plurality of conductors  10  arranged side by side, and insulating films laminated on the both sides of the conductors  10 . Two end portions of the conductors  10  are exposed out of insulating films of the pair of FFCs  1  for contacting with and pressed by the contacting portions  31  of the terminals  3 , thereby to achieve electric connection. 
     The reinforcing plate  4  is formed of plastic material and included by a front reinforcing plate  41  and a rear reinforcing plate  42 . The front and rear reinforcing plates  41 ,  42  are disposed between the pair of FFCs  1  for supporting the front and rear ends of the pair of FFCs  1 . The front reinforcing plate  41  has a front face aligning with the front edge of the pair of FFCs  1  and the rear reinforcing plate  42  has a rear face aligning with the rear edge of the pair of FFCs  1 . In another embodiment, the front and rear reinforcing plate each defines a pair of lengthwise ribs respectively formed at the front end thereof. The ribs protrude upwardly and downwardly from a top and bottom surface of the reinforcing plate  41 ,  42  for protecting the end portions of the conductors  10 . The front and rear reinforcing plates  41 ,  42  have a width the same with the width of the pair of FFCs  1 . The front reinforcing plate  41  and rear reinforcing plate  42  are respectively integrated with the pair of FFCs  1  through paste technology. 
     As the front and rear reinforcing plates  41 ,  42  existed, the front and rear ends of the pair of FFCs  1  are hardened to meet the front end of FFCs  1  can be easily inserted into the receiving slot  22  of the insualtive housing  2  of the receptacle connector. And, the rear end of FFCs  1  can be connected to a board end connector or a plurality of wires. In addition, as a middle portion of the pair of FFCs  1  is not supported by a reinforcing plate  4 , so the middle portion of the pair of FFCs  1  is remain flexible. The front mating portion of the FFC module is formed by a front end portion of the pair of FFCs  1  and a front reinforcing plate  41 . The rear mating portion of the FFC module is formed by a rear end portion of the pair of FFCs  1  and a rear reinforcing plate  42 . The flexible portion of the FFC module is connected with the front mating portion and rear mating portion. 
     Further more, the reinforcing plate  4  also has a function for preventing the signal interference between the pair of FFCs  1  and adjusting the characteristic impedance of the pair of FFCs  1 . So the FFC module also can be applied in the cable connector assembly which has a simple structure and in a low-cost. The reinforcing plate  4  also can be designed to wholly support the pair of FFCs  1 . In other words, the front and rear reinforcing plates  41 ,  42  can be adjusted in length and width randomly so that the FFC module as described is in the rigid and flexible inter-change. 
     It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.